Click below to watch the entire Pentagon press briefing

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                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750954444210.png" alt="Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from Pentagon video" />
                        <figcaption>Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth from Pentagon video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NO OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HAS THE WEAPONRY OR THE CAPABILITIES THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS. <a href="https://t.co/7lqcsUFe3a">pic.twitter.com/7lqcsUFe3a</a></p>&mdash; DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DODResponse/status/1938231510139867614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Click below to watch the entire Pentagon press briefing</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDeptofDefense%2Fvideos%2F9721452061316507%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pentagon releases test footage showing how bunker-busters work.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> Hegseth: “Because of the hatred of this press... your people are trying to leak &amp; spin that it wasn&#39;t successful. It&#39;s irresponsible.” Gen. “Razin” Caine, on the mission: “I have chills..talking about this.” <a href="https://t.co/nS1q6ml7Ae">pic.twitter.com/nS1q6ml7Ae</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938259832416391576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
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🎥Pentagon video shows weapons used in US attack on Iran

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate president said Thursday a meeting with bipartisan legislative leadership would be called July 7 to extend the deadline for the Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals to accept an offer of financial support for construction of professional sports stadiums in Kansas.

Senate President Ty Masterson said the Republican-dominated Legislative Coordinating Council, which conducts state business when the Legislature isn’t in session, would consider an extension of the one-year&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/21/kansas-gov-kelly-signs-bill-to-poach-kansas-city-chiefs-royals-from-missouri/">STAR bond deadline enacted in July 2024</a>. Masterson didn’t indicate how lengthy the extension could be.

Masterson said Mark Donovan, president of the Chiefs, asked Kansas officials to alter the deadline “in light of substantial progress the Chiefs have made in discussions” with the Kansas Department of Commerce on an NFL development on the Kansas side of the border with Missouri.

Those discussions have included building of a stadium, headquarters, practice facility and related business developments, Donovan said.

“The letter from Mark Donovan indicates that the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field,” Masterson said. “Now that we are in the red zone, this extension will provide stakeholders sufficient time to ensure the ball crosses the goal line.”

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill last year authorizing issuance of bonds that would cover up to 70% of stadium construction, but the law set the deadline for making a deal at June 30, 2025.

Last month, Missouri Gov. Mike&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-kansas-city-stadium-funding-st-louis-disaster-aid/" target="_blank">Kehoe signed legislation&nbsp;</a>that would finance up to 50% of the cost to renovate or build new stadiums for the Royals and Chiefs. Missouri’s commitment of tax revenue would be capped at $1.5 billion.

The NFL and MLB franchises play at facilities in Kansas City, Missouri, that were built in the early 1970s. Owners of the teams have encouraged formation of public funding packages that would support replacement of those stadiums. Debate about the future of both franchises has rekindled the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/26/missouri-or-kansas-business-leaders-dont-care-as-long-as-chiefs-and-royals-stay-near-kc/">economic border war between Missouri and Kansas</a>.

The Legislative Coordinating Council would take up the measure altering the deadline at 2 p.m. July 7 in Topeka.

“The complexity and scale of the project, and the importance of crafting a structure that works for all stakeholders, make it clear that more time is needed to bring the effort to full fruition,” Donovan said in a letter to Masterson.

He said the Chiefs had engaged in multiple rounds of dialogue about stadium proposals with the state Department of Commerce. The Chiefs hadn’t received a response to the franchise’s latest proposal in six weeks, he said.

“Extending the secretary’s authority will allow that process to continue productively and will preserve Kansas’ ability to secure the most significant economic development initiative in its history,” Donovan’s letter said.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748263709817.png" alt="GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent)." />
                        <figcaption>GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/"></a></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate president said Thursday a meeting with bipartisan legislative leadership would be called July 7 to extend the deadline for the Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals to accept an offer of financial support for construction of professional sports stadiums in Kansas.</p><p>Senate President Ty Masterson said the Republican-dominated Legislative Coordinating Council, which conducts state business when the Legislature isn’t in session, would consider an extension of the one-year&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/21/kansas-gov-kelly-signs-bill-to-poach-kansas-city-chiefs-royals-from-missouri/">STAR bond deadline enacted in July 2024</a>. Masterson didn’t indicate how lengthy the extension could be.</p><p>Masterson said Mark Donovan, president of the Chiefs, asked Kansas officials to alter the deadline “in light of substantial progress the Chiefs have made in discussions” with the Kansas Department of Commerce on an NFL development on the Kansas side of the border with Missouri.</p><p>Those discussions have included building of a stadium, headquarters, practice facility and related business developments, Donovan said.</p><p>“The letter from Mark Donovan indicates that the drive to bring this historic project to Kansas is moving down the field,” Masterson said. “Now that we are in the red zone, this extension will provide stakeholders sufficient time to ensure the ball crosses the goal line.”</p><p>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill last year authorizing issuance of bonds that would cover up to 70% of stadium construction, but the law set the deadline for making a deal at June 30, 2025.</p><p>Last month, Missouri Gov. Mike&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-kansas-city-stadium-funding-st-louis-disaster-aid/" target="_blank">Kehoe signed legislation&nbsp;</a>that would finance up to 50% of the cost to renovate or build new stadiums for the Royals and Chiefs. Missouri’s commitment of tax revenue would be capped at $1.5 billion.</p><p>The NFL and MLB franchises play at facilities in Kansas City, Missouri, that were built in the early 1970s. Owners of the teams have encouraged formation of public funding packages that would support replacement of those stadiums. Debate about the future of both franchises has rekindled the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/26/missouri-or-kansas-business-leaders-dont-care-as-long-as-chiefs-and-royals-stay-near-kc/">economic border war between Missouri and Kansas</a>.</p><p>The Legislative Coordinating Council would take up the measure altering the deadline at 2 p.m. July 7 in Topeka.</p><p>“The complexity and scale of the project, and the importance of crafting a structure that works for all stakeholders, make it clear that more time is needed to bring the effort to full fruition,” Donovan said in a letter to Masterson.</p><p>He said the Chiefs had engaged in multiple rounds of dialogue about stadium proposals with the state Department of Commerce. The Chiefs hadn’t received a response to the franchise’s latest proposal in six weeks, he said.</p><p>“Extending the secretary’s authority will allow that process to continue productively and will preserve Kansas’ ability to secure the most significant economic development initiative in its history,” Donovan’s letter said.</p>

Kansas prepares to extend deadline for Chiefs, Royals to claim incentive for stadium construction

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a manhunt overnight along Interstate 70 in Geary County.

Just before 11:30 p.m.&nbsp; Wednesday, a detective with the Junction City Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Interstate 70. The vehicle failed to stop and fled, prompting a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies, according to a media release from police.

The vehicle was pursued by the Junction City Police Department, Geary County Sheriff's Office, Riley County Police Department, Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the Kansas Highway Patrol. The pursuit continued until the suspect vehicle became disabled near McDowell Creek Road. At that time, three individuals ran from the, vehicle initiating a large-scale manhunt. 

An Everbridge alert was sent to residents in the area, advising them of the potentially dangerous individuals and urging them to take necessary precautions. Law enforcement began a coordinated search of the area. The Kansas Highway Patrol’s air unit also provided critical aerial support during the manhunt. 

After an extensive search, the primary suspect—identified as 24-year-old Robeon Demetrius Downs, of Kentucky - was located and taken into custody.

A search of the suspect vehicle resulted in the discovery of approximately 84 pounds of marijuana and over $18,000 in U.S. currency. 

While it is believed that the other individuals who fled the scene are no longer in the immediate area, residents in the McDowell Creek area are encouraged to remain vigilant. If you observe any suspicious individuals or behavior, please contact 911 immediately. Remember: If you see something, say something. 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750955108452.png" alt="Downs photo Geary County" />
                        <figcaption>Downs photo Geary County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a manhunt overnight along Interstate 70 in Geary County.</p><p>Just before 11:30 p.m.&nbsp; Wednesday, a detective with the Junction City Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Interstate 70. The vehicle failed to stop and fled, prompting a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies, according to a media release from police.</p><p>The vehicle was pursued by the Junction City Police Department, Geary County Sheriff's Office, Riley County Police Department, Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the Kansas Highway Patrol. The pursuit continued until the suspect vehicle became disabled near McDowell Creek Road. At that time, three individuals ran from the, vehicle initiating a large-scale manhunt. </p><p>An Everbridge alert was sent to residents in the area, advising them of the potentially dangerous individuals and urging them to take necessary precautions. Law enforcement began a coordinated search of the area. The Kansas Highway Patrol’s air unit also provided critical aerial support during the manhunt. </p><p>After an extensive search, the primary suspect—identified as 24-year-old Robeon Demetrius Downs, of Kentucky - was located and taken into custody.</p><p>A search of the suspect vehicle resulted in the discovery of approximately 84 pounds of marijuana and over $18,000 in U.S. currency. </p><p>While it is believed that the other individuals who fled the scene are no longer in the immediate area, residents in the McDowell Creek area are encouraged to remain vigilant. If you observe any suspicious individuals or behavior, please contact 911 immediately. Remember: If you see something, say something. </p>

84 pounds of pot, cash recovered after manhunt along I-70

SALINA —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that occurred early Thursday at the hospital in Salina.

Just after 7a.m. Thursday, police&nbsp;responded to Salina Regional Health Center Emergency Room where a man had allegedly shot himself, according to Salina Police Captain James Felldman.

Investigators determined an 87-year-old man who is from Salina walked into the ER and made contact with ER staff. After getting checked in, the man produced a handgun and shot himself while in the waiting room.

There were no other subjects in the waiting area. Immediate life saving measures were performed however the man was pronounced deceased just after 8:00 a.m.

On social media, Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann issued a statement on the tragedy.&nbsp; "I am grateful that no innocent bystanders were harmed or injured during this morning’s tragedy. Audrey and I are covering those impacted in prayer alongside the Salina community. Thank you to the staff and law enforcement officials who managed the situation. Please join us in praying."

<p>SALINA —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that occurred early Thursday at the hospital in Salina.</p><p>Just after 7a.m. Thursday, police&nbsp;responded to Salina Regional Health Center Emergency Room where a man had allegedly shot himself, according to Salina Police Captain James Felldman.</p><p>Investigators determined an 87-year-old man who is from Salina walked into the ER and made contact with ER staff. After getting checked in, the man produced a handgun and shot himself while in the waiting room.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSalinaRegionalHealthCenter%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02T3CMZijCKmboz3TaQLSWo951rikN6d14dG1Kn347YvEEJYnoRkhgaeLbtHivF7SFl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="239" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><p>There were no other subjects in the waiting area. Immediate life saving measures were performed however the man was pronounced deceased just after 8:00 a.m.</p><p>On social media, Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann issued a statement on the tragedy.&nbsp; "I am grateful that no innocent bystanders were harmed or injured during this morning’s tragedy. Audrey and I are covering those impacted in prayer alongside the Salina community. Thank you to the staff and law enforcement officials who managed the situation. Please join us in praying."</p>

Congressman responds after tragic incident at Kansas hospital ER

JACKSON COUNTY—Two suspects are in custody after a chase and 4-hour manhunt.

Just after 4p.m. June 25,&nbsp; a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 2007 Cadillac just west of U.S. Highway 75 on 158th&nbsp;Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The vehicle failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The Cadillac continued through various roads in southern Jackson County for approximately 10 minutes and then came to a stop on O. Road between 126th&nbsp;and 134th&nbsp;Roads.&nbsp; 

One man, later identified as 34-year-old Lloyd Allan Wabaunsee of Mayetta, ran from the vehicle westward. A woman, later identified as 34-year-old Desiree Kristel Shopteese of Topeka. was taken into custody with the vehicle. She was reportedly driving the car.

&nbsp;Just before 8 p.m., Wabaunsee was taken into custody.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies, KHP, Kansas Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens, Deputy U.S. Marshals, Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and Hoyt Police assisted with the search and arrest.&nbsp; A KHP aircraft as well as drones and a number of police service dogs from various agencies were used during the search.

&nbsp;Both suspects were booked into the Jackson County Jail.&nbsp;

The pair were both arrested in 2013, following the murder of Kevin Stanley in Mayetta.&nbsp; The pair fled to the State of Iowa where the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate them in Urbandale, Iowa. 

With the assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s both subjects were found hiding in the trunk of a car in a Hyvee Parking lot. The pair were extradited back to Kansas.&nbsp; Wabaunsee was convicted and sentenced for 2nd&nbsp;degree murder and was released on January 24, 2025.

Desiree Shopteese is being held on requested charges of flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, by&nbsp; engaging in reckless driving, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, driving while suspended, driving without an ignition interlock device and transporting an open container.

Wabaunsee is being held on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, possession of opiates, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and is on a hold for the department of corrections.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750887403986.png" alt="Shopteese-photo Jackson County" />
                        <figcaption>Shopteese-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>JACKSON COUNTY—Two suspects are in custody after a chase and 4-hour manhunt.</p><p>Just after 4p.m. June 25,&nbsp; a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 2007 Cadillac just west of U.S. Highway 75 on 158th&nbsp;Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750887436002.png" alt="Wabaunsee photo Jackson County" />
                        <figcaption>Wabaunsee photo Jackson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The vehicle failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The Cadillac continued through various roads in southern Jackson County for approximately 10 minutes and then came to a stop on O. Road between 126th&nbsp;and 134th&nbsp;Roads.&nbsp; </p><p>One man, later identified as 34-year-old Lloyd Allan Wabaunsee of Mayetta, ran from the vehicle westward. A woman, later identified as 34-year-old Desiree Kristel Shopteese of Topeka. was taken into custody with the vehicle. She was reportedly driving the car.</p><p>&nbsp;Just before 8 p.m., Wabaunsee was taken into custody.</p><p>Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies, KHP, Kansas Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens, Deputy U.S. Marshals, Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and Hoyt Police assisted with the search and arrest.&nbsp; A KHP aircraft as well as drones and a number of police service dogs from various agencies were used during the search.</p><p>&nbsp;Both suspects were booked into the Jackson County Jail.&nbsp;</p><p>The pair were both arrested in 2013, following the murder of Kevin Stanley in Mayetta.&nbsp; The pair fled to the State of Iowa where the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate them in Urbandale, Iowa. </p><p>With the assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s both subjects were found hiding in the trunk of a car in a Hyvee Parking lot. The pair were extradited back to Kansas.&nbsp; Wabaunsee was convicted and sentenced for 2nd&nbsp;degree murder and was released on January 24, 2025.</p><p>Desiree Shopteese is being held on requested charges of flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, by&nbsp; engaging in reckless driving, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, driving while suspended, driving without an ignition interlock device and transporting an open container.</p><p>Wabaunsee is being held on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, possession of opiates, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and is on a hold for the department of corrections.</p>

Kan. man with previous murder conviction jailed again after manhunt

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Fire officials are investigating a fireworks explosion that injured two children in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 11p.m. Sunday crews responded to the area of N. 46th Street and Leavenworth Road, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.

EMS transported a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old for treatment of serious injuries including burns to the hands, chest, face and shrapnel injuries.

The fireworks that caused the injuries may have been illegal, according to the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.

<p>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Fire officials are investigating a fireworks explosion that injured two children in Kansas City, Kansas.</p><p>Just after 11p.m. Sunday crews responded to the area of N. 46th Street and Leavenworth Road, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.</p><p>EMS transported a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old for treatment of serious injuries including burns to the hands, chest, face and shrapnel injuries.</p><p>The fireworks that caused the injuries may have been illegal, according to the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.</p>

Two children injured in Kansas firework explosion

&nbsp;U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers met for the first time&nbsp;

The seven-member panel reviewed the “cumulative effect” of the&nbsp;children’s vaccine schedule&nbsp;— the list of immunizations given at different times throughout childhood.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750899322024.png" alt="Dr. Martin Kulldorf speaks during a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices at the CDC image from CDC video" />
                        <figcaption>Dr. Martin Kulldorf speaks during a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices at the CDC image from CDC video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>&nbsp;U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers met for the first time&nbsp;</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2PnYYb_xj3U?si=YvZGpeJ1tIySjBaL&amp;start=932" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>The seven-member panel reviewed the “cumulative effect” of the&nbsp;children’s vaccine schedule&nbsp;— the list of immunizations given at different times throughout childhood.</p>

🎥RFK Jr.’s CDC vaccine panel held first meeting to review long-approved shots 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal. hit-and-run and have made an arrest.

Just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday, a midsize SUV was westbound on Barry Road from N Boardwalk, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The SUV struck a construction worker and left the scene. A few minutes later, KC Fire Department paramedics pronounced the pedestrian deceased. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended shortly after, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750897462101.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal. hit-and-run and have made an arrest.</p><p>Just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday, a midsize SUV was westbound on Barry Road from N Boardwalk, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.</p><p>The SUV struck a construction worker and left the scene. A few minutes later, KC Fire Department paramedics pronounced the pedestrian deceased. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended shortly after, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim.</p>

KCPD: Driver arrested after SUV struck, killed construction worker

KANSAS CITY– Ten Mexican nationals, one Guatemalan national, and two United States citizens have been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine as well as numerous counts of distribution of those controlled substances, illegal possession of machine guns, alien in possession of firearms, felon in possession of firearms, and illegal reentry of removed aliens, according to the United State's Attorney.

The investigation began in January of 2024 and continued through June of 2025, during which time investigators seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, and 11 firearms, three of which had been equipped with machine gun conversion devices and functioned as fully automatic weapons.

A law enforcement operation conducted on June 18, 2025, resulted in nine arrests. Three defendants were already in custody, and one defendant remains at large. More than a dozen law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation which also resulted in the seizure of nine additional firearms.

Uriel Lopez-Farias, 31, a Mexican national; Jesus Adrian Meza-Meza, 42, a Mexican national; Walter Fernandez, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.; Carlos R. Lepe-Virgen, 52, a Mexico national; Pedro Ivan Roldan-Minjares, 44, a Mexican national; Joel Armando Guillen-Rodriguez, 31, a Mexican national; Jose Rodriguez-Vasquez, 44, a Mexican national; Jose Aroldo Troches-Reyes, 33, a Guatemalan national; Adalberto Meza-Meza, 37, a Mexican national; Maximiliano Oliva-Verdin, 30, a Mexican national; Osvaldo Chiapas-Aguilar, 38, a Mexican national; Jesus Alvarez-Giron, 23, a Mexican national; and Kenneth Baez, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a forty-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on June 11, 2025.&nbsp; The federal indictment was unsealed and made public Friday following the initial appearances of those in custody.

Lopez-Farias is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machine gun, distribution and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

J. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Fernandez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Lepe-Virgen is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Roldan-Minjares is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Guillen-Rodriguez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Rodriguez-Vasquez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Troches-Reyes is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

A. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Oliva-Verdin is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Chiapas-Aguilar is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Alvarez-Giron is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Baez is charged with illegal possession of a machine gun and felon in possession of a firearm. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole for this charge.

The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan A. Baker and Heather Siegele.&nbsp; It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Jackson County Drug Task Force in conjunction with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Wednesday’s law enforcement operation included the FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Postal Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Jackson County (MO) Drug Task Force, Johnson County (KS) Drug Task Force, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Kansas City Kansas Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Lee’s Summit Police Department, Sugar Creek Police Department, Wyandotte County (KS) Sheriff’s Department, St. Joseph (MO) Police Department, Buchanan County (MO) Drug Strike Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Missouri and the District of Kansas.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750512078192.png" alt="Meza-Meza from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
                        <figcaption>Meza-Meza from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY– Ten Mexican nationals, one Guatemalan national, and two United States citizens have been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine as well as numerous counts of distribution of those controlled substances, illegal possession of machine guns, alien in possession of firearms, felon in possession of firearms, and illegal reentry of removed aliens, according to the United State's Attorney.</p><p>The investigation began in January of 2024 and continued through June of 2025, during which time investigators seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, and 11 firearms, three of which had been equipped with machine gun conversion devices and functioned as fully automatic weapons.</p><p>A law enforcement operation conducted on June 18, 2025, resulted in nine arrests. Three defendants were already in custody, and one defendant remains at large. More than a dozen law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation which also resulted in the seizure of nine additional firearms.</p><p>Uriel Lopez-Farias, 31, a Mexican national; Jesus Adrian Meza-Meza, 42, a Mexican national; Walter Fernandez, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.; Carlos R. Lepe-Virgen, 52, a Mexico national; Pedro Ivan Roldan-Minjares, 44, a Mexican national; Joel Armando Guillen-Rodriguez, 31, a Mexican national; Jose Rodriguez-Vasquez, 44, a Mexican national; Jose Aroldo Troches-Reyes, 33, a Guatemalan national; Adalberto Meza-Meza, 37, a Mexican national; Maximiliano Oliva-Verdin, 30, a Mexican national; Osvaldo Chiapas-Aguilar, 38, a Mexican national; Jesus Alvarez-Giron, 23, a Mexican national; and Kenneth Baez, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a forty-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on June 11, 2025.&nbsp; The federal indictment was unsealed and made public Friday following the initial appearances of those in custody.</p><p>Lopez-Farias is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machine gun, distribution and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>J. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Fernandez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Lepe-Virgen is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Roldan-Minjares is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Guillen-Rodriguez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Rodriguez-Vasquez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Troches-Reyes is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>A. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Oliva-Verdin is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Chiapas-Aguilar is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Alvarez-Giron is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.</p><p>Baez is charged with illegal possession of a machine gun and felon in possession of a firearm. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole for this charge.</p><p>The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.</p><p>The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.</p><p>This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan A. Baker and Heather Siegele.&nbsp; It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Jackson County Drug Task Force in conjunction with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.</p><p>Wednesday’s law enforcement operation included the FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Postal Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Jackson County (MO) Drug Task Force, Johnson County (KS) Drug Task Force, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Kansas City Kansas Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Lee’s Summit Police Department, Sugar Creek Police Department, Wyandotte County (KS) Sheriff’s Department, St. Joseph (MO) Police Department, Buchanan County (MO) Drug Strike Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Missouri and the District of Kansas.</p>

FBI: 10 Mexican nationals accused of operating large KC crime ring

COOPER COUNTY —Authorities have recovered the body of a woman who drowned earlier this week in Cooper County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported just before 1a.m. Monday, a 33-year-old Booneville woman entered the Missouri River on foot just downstream from mile marker 200 and failed to resurface.

Searchers later found her body near a shoreline approximately 55 miles downstream.&nbsp; She was transported to Parker-Millard Funeral Home.

<p>COOPER COUNTY —Authorities have recovered the body of a woman who drowned earlier this week in Cooper County.</p><p>The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported just before 1a.m. Monday, a 33-year-old Booneville woman entered the Missouri River on foot just downstream from mile marker 200 and failed to resurface.</p><p>Searchers later found her body near a shoreline approximately 55 miles downstream.&nbsp; She was transported to Parker-Millard Funeral Home.</p>

Body of 33-year-old drowning victim recovered

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750886425538.png" alt="Image from White House video at the NATO summit" />
                        <figcaption>Image from White House video at the NATO summit</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/oyaW33UB6x">pic.twitter.com/oyaW33UB6x</a></p>&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1937982998470926687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/s6RBYpIQJt">pic.twitter.com/s6RBYpIQJt</a></p>&mdash; DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DODResponse/status/1937925674309931368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Last weekend, the United States successfully carried out a massive precision strike on Iran&#39;s nuclear enrichment facilities... this incredible exercise of American strength has paved the way for peace, with a historic ceasefire agreement.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/F9gFmK4VW5">pic.twitter.com/F9gFmK4VW5</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937874739432931517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump reads Israel assessment on U.S. strikes: &quot;The devastating U.S. strike on Fordow destroyed the site&#39;s critical infrastructure and rendered the enrichment facility totally inoperable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/jgLkRoDUGU">pic.twitter.com/jgLkRoDUGU</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1937885146193051910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Q: &quot;What&#39;s your reaction to intelligence reports saying that Iranian nuclear sites are only partially devastated?&quot;<br> <br>President Trump: &quot;We hear it was obliteration. It was a virtual obliteration.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ppCvPzTntf">pic.twitter.com/ppCvPzTntf</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1937876171464577525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New intelligence confirms what <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> has stated numerous times: Iran&#39;s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do.<br><br>The…</p>&mdash; DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1937934899710710170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Debate continues over early US intelligence report on airstrikes in Iran

Missouri is one of only two states in which judges can unilaterally impose the death penalty when a jury can’t agree on whether the defendant should be sentenced to death. In most other states, a deadlocked jury results in a sentence of life without parole

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

A Missouri man who was sentenced to death by a trial judge in 2009 despite a jury deadlocking on whether he should be executed has been scheduled to undergo lethal injection in October.&nbsp;

The Missouri Supreme Court last week issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/SC90286WARRANT.PDF?courtCode=SC&amp;di=209718" target="_blank">warrant</a>&nbsp;for the execution of Lance Shockley, who recently exhausted his state and federal appeals and was convicted of the 2005 murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl Dewayne Graham Jr.&nbsp;

The court announced the execution date on Tuesday afternoon.

Graham was shot and killed in his rural Carter County driveway. Graham had been investigating Shockley’s role in a fatal drunk driving accident, which the prosecution argued gave Shockley the motive to kill him. Shockley has insisted he’s innocent.

A jury in 2009 found Shockley guilty of first-degree murder. But&nbsp;in the punishment phase of Shockley’s trial, the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision on whether he should be executed.&nbsp;

In most states with active death penalty laws, that deadlock would have resulted in the defendant being sentenced to life without parole.&nbsp;

But under Missouri law, Shockley’s penalty case then got handed off to a Carter County circuit judge who, after independent review, sentenced him to death.

Only Missouri and Indiana give judges the authority to unilaterally decide on the death penalty, a fact that&nbsp;<a href="https://philadelphia.citybuzz.co/article/483510/dla-piper-files-amicus-brief-with-us-supreme-court-in-missouri-capital-case" target="_blank">over the years</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-missouri-lets-judges-impose-death-sentences-if-juries-dont-that-should-change/article_b6c15e00-4cc4-11ee-bd57-8b920a2a85f0.html" target="_blank">has drawn scrutiny</a>&nbsp;from those who believe it places too much power in the hands of one person and denies defendants their constitutional rights to trial by jury and protection against cruel and unusual punishment.

In 2023 Amber McLaughlin was executed because of the unilateral decision of a trial judge.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article270281972.html" target="_blank">S</a><a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article270281972.html" target="_blank">everal retired judges&nbsp;</a>opposed the execution in a letter to then-Gov. Mike Parson, calling it a “flaw in Missouri’s capital sentencing scheme.”

An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pogo.org/analysis/who-should-make-decision-on-life-and-death" target="_blank">analysis included in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court organized by the national nonprofit watchdog group Project on Government Oversight&nbsp;</a>found Missouri judges, who are elected in most parts of the state, have been more likely than juries to impose death sentences.&nbsp;

In cases without jury deadlock, from 2000 to 2018, the jury imposed a death sentence in 64% of cases. But in deadlocked cases with a trial judge making the decision, the death penalty was imposed in 86% of cases, according to the brief.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/10/group-of-republican-lawmakers-raise-concerns-about-missouri-death-penalty/">in recent years have filed legislation&nbsp;</a>to eliminate judge-imposed executions, but the proposals have made little progress.

Shockley has denied his involvement in Graham’s death, citing the lack of physical evidence or eyewitnesses. His attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/APPELLANT%20LANCE%20SHOCKLEYS%20SUR-REPLY%20IN%20OPPOSITION%20TO%20THE%20STATES%20MOTION%20TO%20SET%20AN%20EXECUTION%20DATE.PDF?courtCode=SC&amp;di=209165" target="_blank">have tried</a>&nbsp;unsuccessfully to get evidence from the crime scene tested for DNA and have argued the police failed to investigate other possible suspects.

“Shockley’s defense at trial was that he was not the one who killed Sgt. Graham,” his attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/APPELLANT%20LANCE%20SHOCKLEYS%20SUR-REPLY%20IN%20OPPOSITION%20TO%20THE%20STATES%20MOTION%20TO%20SET%20AN%20EXECUTION%20DATE.PDF?courtCode=SC&amp;di=209165" target="_blank">wrote in a brief last month.</a>&nbsp;“Shockley has never wavered in that position.”&nbsp;

His attorney didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The prosecution said Shockley borrowed a relative’s car the afternoon of Graham’s death and the car matched the description witnesses gave of one parked near Graham’s house the afternoon of his murder. Prosecutors also argued the recovered bullets may have been consistent with the caliber of a rifle Shockley owned. No murder weapon was found.

The Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/missouri/supreme-court/2013/sc90286.html" target="_blank">Supreme Court</a>, responding to the defense’s argument that the death penalty was excessive or disproportionate punishment for a case relying on circumstantial proof, said courts have previously upheld death sentences in cases hinging on strong circumstantial evidence and here, “the circumstantial evidence was strong.”

Shockley would be the first person executed in Missouri this year, barring intervention from Gov. Mike Kehoe or the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;

Last year, Missouri executed four people. It was one of four states responsible for 76% of executions that year,&nbsp;<a href="https://dpic-cdn.org/production/documents/DPI-2024-Year-End-Report.pdf?dm=1735847939" target="_blank">according to the Death Penalty Information Center.&nbsp;</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750874127475.png" alt="Shockley photo MODOC" />
                        <figcaption>Shockley photo MODOC</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Missouri is one of only two states in which judges can unilaterally impose the death penalty when a jury can’t agree on whether the defendant should be sentenced to death. In most other states, a deadlocked jury results in a sentence of life without parole</h2><p>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a></p><p>A Missouri man who was sentenced to death by a trial judge in 2009 despite a jury deadlocking on whether he should be executed has been scheduled to undergo lethal injection in October.&nbsp;</p><p>The Missouri Supreme Court last week issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/SC90286WARRANT.PDF?courtCode=SC&amp;di=209718" target="_blank">warrant</a>&nbsp;for the execution of Lance Shockley, who recently exhausted his state and federal appeals and was convicted of the 2005 murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl Dewayne Graham Jr.&nbsp;</p><p>The court announced the execution date on Tuesday afternoon.</p><p>Graham was shot and killed in his rural Carter County driveway. Graham had been investigating Shockley’s role in a fatal drunk driving accident, which the prosecution argued gave Shockley the motive to kill him. Shockley has insisted he’s innocent.</p><p>A jury in 2009 found Shockley guilty of first-degree murder. But&nbsp;in the punishment phase of Shockley’s trial, the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision on whether he should be executed.&nbsp;</p><p>In most states with active death penalty laws, that deadlock would have resulted in the defendant being sentenced to life without parole.&nbsp;</p><p>But under Missouri law, Shockley’s penalty case then got handed off to a Carter County circuit judge who, after independent review, sentenced him to death.</p><p>Only Missouri and Indiana give judges the authority to unilaterally decide on the death penalty, a fact that&nbsp;<a href="https://philadelphia.citybuzz.co/article/483510/dla-piper-files-amicus-brief-with-us-supreme-court-in-missouri-capital-case" target="_blank">over the years</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-missouri-lets-judges-impose-death-sentences-if-juries-dont-that-should-change/article_b6c15e00-4cc4-11ee-bd57-8b920a2a85f0.html" target="_blank">has drawn scrutiny</a>&nbsp;from those who believe it places too much power in the hands of one person and denies defendants their constitutional rights to trial by jury and protection against cruel and unusual punishment.</p><p>In 2023 Amber McLaughlin was executed because of the unilateral decision of a trial judge.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article270281972.html" target="_blank">S</a><a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article270281972.html" target="_blank">everal retired judges&nbsp;</a>opposed the execution in a letter to then-Gov. Mike Parson, calling it a “flaw in Missouri’s capital sentencing scheme.”</p><p>An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pogo.org/analysis/who-should-make-decision-on-life-and-death" target="_blank">analysis included in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court organized by the national nonprofit watchdog group Project on Government Oversight&nbsp;</a>found Missouri judges, who are elected in most parts of the state, have been more likely than juries to impose death sentences.&nbsp;</p><p>In cases without jury deadlock, from 2000 to 2018, the jury imposed a death sentence in 64% of cases. But in deadlocked cases with a trial judge making the decision, the death penalty was imposed in 86% of cases, according to the brief.</p><p>A bipartisan group of lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/10/group-of-republican-lawmakers-raise-concerns-about-missouri-death-penalty/">in recent years have filed legislation&nbsp;</a>to eliminate judge-imposed executions, but the proposals have made little progress.</p><p>Shockley has denied his involvement in Graham’s death, citing the lack of physical evidence or eyewitnesses. His attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/APPELLANT%20LANCE%20SHOCKLEYS%20SUR-REPLY%20IN%20OPPOSITION%20TO%20THE%20STATES%20MOTION%20TO%20SET%20AN%20EXECUTION%20DATE.PDF?courtCode=SC&amp;di=209165" target="_blank">have tried</a>&nbsp;unsuccessfully to get evidence from the crime scene tested for DNA and have argued the police failed to investigate other possible suspects.</p><p>“Shockley’s defense at trial was that he was not the one who killed Sgt. Graham,” his attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/APPELLANT%20LANCE%20SHOCKLEYS%20SUR-REPLY%20IN%20OPPOSITION%20TO%20THE%20STATES%20MOTION%20TO%20SET%20AN%20EXECUTION%20DATE.PDF?courtCode=SC&amp;di=209165" target="_blank">wrote in a brief last month.</a>&nbsp;“Shockley has never wavered in that position.”&nbsp;</p><p>His attorney didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.</p><p>The prosecution said Shockley borrowed a relative’s car the afternoon of Graham’s death and the car matched the description witnesses gave of one parked near Graham’s house the afternoon of his murder. Prosecutors also argued the recovered bullets may have been consistent with the caliber of a rifle Shockley owned. No murder weapon was found.</p><p>The Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://law.justia.com/cases/missouri/supreme-court/2013/sc90286.html" target="_blank">Supreme Court</a>, responding to the defense’s argument that the death penalty was excessive or disproportionate punishment for a case relying on circumstantial proof, said courts have previously upheld death sentences in cases hinging on strong circumstantial evidence and here, “the circumstantial evidence was strong.”</p><p>Shockley would be the first person executed in Missouri this year, barring intervention from Gov. Mike Kehoe or the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p><p>Last year, Missouri executed four people. It was one of four states responsible for 76% of executions that year,&nbsp;<a href="https://dpic-cdn.org/production/documents/DPI-2024-Year-End-Report.pdf?dm=1735847939" target="_blank">according to the Death Penalty Information Center.&nbsp;</a></p>

Execution date set for man sentenced to die by a Mo. judge over 2005 murder

JACKSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Lee's Summit.

One vehicle was eastbound in the westbound lanes U.S. 50 east of the 291 Highway north junction, according to Lee's Summit Police. The vehicles collided head on.

The driver of the wrong-way vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the driver of westbound vehicle to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the driver who died.

<p>JACKSON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Lee's Summit.</p><p>One vehicle was eastbound in the westbound lanes U.S. 50 east of the 291 Highway north junction, according to Lee's Summit Police. The vehicles collided head on.</p><p>The driver of the wrong-way vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the driver of westbound vehicle to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the driver who died.</p>

Wrong-way driver dead in Missouri head-on crash

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations. Just after 3p.m. June 21, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a 2002 Dodge Ram pickup truck that had been northbound on U.S. Highway 75, near 266th Road for alleged traffic violations. according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

During the course of the stop the driver was identified as Kevin Lee Davenport, 41 and passenger identified as Jessica Rose Castle, 33, both of Topeka. During the course of the traffic stop probable cause was established to search the vehicle for illegal drugs or narcotics. The vehicle occupants were arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Davenport was arrested and booked on requested charges of an outstanding Pottawatomie County warrant for burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property. Additionally, Davenport was arrested for alleged violate Offender Registry Act; 2nd Conviction, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;Davenport has been registered as a violent offender since 2007 for a  felony drug conviction in Shawnee County, according to the KBi Offender Registry

Castle was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail onrequested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement and trafficking contraband into a correctional facility.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750716804225.png" alt="Davenport has been registered as a violent offender since 2007 for a&nbsp; felony drug conviction in Shawnee County, according to the KBi Offender Registry -photo Jackson Co." />
                        <figcaption>Davenport has been registered as a violent offender since 2007 for a&nbsp; felony drug conviction in Shawnee County, according to the KBi Offender Registry -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations. Just after 3p.m. June 21, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a 2002 Dodge Ram pickup truck that had been northbound on U.S. Highway 75, near 266th Road for alleged traffic violations. according to Sheriff Tim Morse.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750716776677.png" alt="Castle photo Jackson County" />
                        <figcaption>Castle photo Jackson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>During the course of the stop the driver was identified as Kevin Lee Davenport, 41 and passenger identified as Jessica Rose Castle, 33, both of Topeka. During the course of the traffic stop probable cause was established to search the vehicle for illegal drugs or narcotics. The vehicle occupants were arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail.</p><p>Davenport was arrested and booked on requested charges of an outstanding Pottawatomie County warrant for burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property. Additionally, Davenport was arrested for alleged violate Offender Registry Act; 2nd Conviction, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;Davenport has been registered as a violent offender since 2007 for a  felony drug conviction in Shawnee County, according to the KBi Offender Registry</p><p>Castle was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail onrequested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement and trafficking contraband into a correctional facility.</p>

Kansas violent offender captured after traffic stop

On Tuesday, the third anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s decision to overturn&nbsp;<i>Roe v. Wade</i>, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall released a video praising their decision to allow states to be free to stand up for their values and the defense of life.

The fight for life is never over, and this week the Senate will vote on the reconciliation bill, which will deliver the largest pro-life wins&nbsp;since the Dobbs decision: a 10-year prohibition on federal Medicaid funding from going toward abortion providers who receive more than $800,000 in taxpayer dollars. The largest target of this prohibition would be Planned Parenthood, which receives $2 million a day in taxpayer funding while performing 400,000 abortions annually.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656080662104.png" alt="File photo Protestors at the Supreme Court-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>File photo Protestors at the Supreme Court-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>On Tuesday, the third anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s decision to overturn&nbsp;<i>Roe v. Wade</i>, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall released a video praising their decision to allow states to be free to stand up for their values and the defense of life.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision, a historic milestone for the pro-life movement, we&#39;ve made significant strides in building a culture that protects the unborn — but our work is far from complete. <br><br>Let’s pass President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s reconciliation bill to… <a href="https://t.co/HaJoDm1a2t">pic.twitter.com/HaJoDm1a2t</a></p>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1937502998080508330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The fight for life is never over, and this week the Senate will vote on the reconciliation bill, which will deliver the largest pro-life wins&nbsp;since the Dobbs decision: a 10-year prohibition on federal Medicaid funding from going toward abortion providers who receive more than $800,000 in taxpayer dollars. The largest target of this prohibition would be Planned Parenthood, which receives $2 million a day in taxpayer funding while performing 400,000 abortions annually.</p>

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator celebrates anniversary of the Dobbs decision

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally in the United States over the weekend. ICE also arrested a U.S. citizen who threatened to kill ICE law enforcement while harboring an illegal alien from Iran. The weekend arrests reflect the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to keeping known and suspected terrorists out of American communities, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

“Under Secretary Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden’s fraudulent parole programs or otherwise,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out—and we are. We don’t wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland.” 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782397107.png" alt="Ribvar Karimi -photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Ribvar Karimi -photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally in the United States over the weekend. ICE also arrested a U.S. citizen who threatened to kill ICE law enforcement while harboring an illegal alien from Iran. The weekend arrests reflect the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to keeping known and suspected terrorists out of American communities, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.</p><p>“Under Secretary Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden’s fraudulent parole programs or otherwise,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out—and we are. We don’t wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump’s mandate to secure the homeland.” </p><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, ICE Atlanta arrested&nbsp;Ribvar Karimi&nbsp;in Locust, Alabama. Karimi reportedly served as an&nbsp;Iranian Army sniper&nbsp;from 2018 to 2021 and at the time of his arrest, in his possession, he had an Islamic Republic of Iran Army identification card. He entered the U.S. on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/visas-for-fiancees-of-us-citizens" target="_blank">K-1 visa</a>, which is reserved for aliens engaged to be married to American citizens, in October 2024 under the Biden administration. Karimi never adjusted his status — a legal requirement — and is removable from the United States. He’s currently in ICE custody, where he’ll remain pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, ICE Houston officials arrested&nbsp;Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad, an alien with a final order of removal, who was&nbsp;carrying a loaded 9mm pistol&nbsp;at the time of his arrest. Sepehrian entered the U.S. in Houston on Dec. 9, 2016, on an&nbsp;<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html" target="_blank">F-1 student visa</a>. On Aug. 19, 2017, Harris County police&nbsp;arrested him for assaulting a family member by impeding breathing; his wife told the local assistant district attorney that Sepehrian was threatening her and obtained a restraining order against him. She also alleged he was threatening her family in Iran. On July 23, 2018, the University of Texas terminated Sepehrian’s status after he was placed on academic suspension. An immigration judge ordered him removed on Oct. 10, 2019, after he was released on an immigration bond; he filed a motion to reopen his case, which a Department of Justice immigration judge denied. Sepehrian is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782459722.png" alt="Nejad-photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Nejad-photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>Also in Houston, ICE arrested&nbsp;Hamid Reza Bayat, an Iranian national an immigration judge&nbsp;ordered removed nearly 20 years ago, on Aug. 4, 2005. Twice&nbsp;convicted of drug crimes&nbsp;and once convicted of driving on a suspended license, Bayat served time before receiving his final order of removal. He’s now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782512971.png" alt="Bayat photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Bayat photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, in Tempe — a Phoenix, Arizona suburb — ICE agents arrested&nbsp;Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, an Iranian citizen with a final order of removal&nbsp;convicted of threatening a law enforcement officer&nbsp;and being an alien in&nbsp;possession of a firearm. Eidivand entered the U.S. in San Ysidro, California, in June 2012. In August 2013, an immigration judge granted him a voluntary departure, which allows an alien to leave the country without a formal ICE removal, but he never left. Eidivand will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782589954.png" alt="Eidivand photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Eidivand photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>At the same residence, officials arrested&nbsp;Linet Vartaniann, a United States citizen, for threatening a law enforcement officer and harboring Eidivand, an illegal alien. Vartaniann&nbsp;threatened to open fire on ICE officials&nbsp;if they entered her home, then said she would go outside and “shoot ICE officers in the head.” ICE officials obtained a search warrant for the residence and arrested the pair, who are now charged with federal crimes.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782653736.png" alt="Vartaniann-photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Vartaniann-photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, in Gluckstadt, Mississippi, ICE officers and agents arrested&nbsp;Yousef Mehridehno, an Iranian national and former lawful permanent resident. The U.S. government terminated Mehridehno’s residency in October 2017 after determining he&nbsp;lied on his original visa application and committed potential marriage fraud.&nbsp;In February, Mehridehno was listed as a&nbsp;known or suspected terrorist, and he’s now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782701962.png" alt="Mehridehno-photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Mehridehno-photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, in Colorado Springs, ICE officials arrested&nbsp;Mahmoud Shafiei&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mehrdad Mehdipour&nbsp;— two illegally present Iranian nationals living together. Immigration officials first encountered Shafiei in Seattle, Washington, in January 1981; a judge ordered him removed in January 1987. His criminal history includes&nbsp;state and federal convictions for drug crimes and arrests for assault and child abuse. U.S. Border Patrol encountered Mehdipour in June 2023 during the Biden administration near Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and processed him as an expedited removal. Both men are in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782773266.png" alt="Shafiei photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Shafiei photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782817364.png" alt="Mehdipour photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Mehdipour photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, in St. Paul, Minnesota, ICE arrested&nbsp;Mehran Makari Saheli, a 56-year-old Iranian national. He was&nbsp;convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm&nbsp;in Minneapolis, where he was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He is a former member of off the&nbsp;Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with admitted connections to Hezbollah.&nbsp;An immigration judge ordered him removed June 28, 2022, under the Biden administration, but he illegally remained in the U.S. Saheli is now in ICE custody pending removal.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782876316.png" alt="Saheli photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Saheli photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 22, ICE San Francisco arrested&nbsp;Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani, a 62-year-old Iranian national, with a&nbsp;criminal history&nbsp;that includes a 1994&nbsp;conviction for petty theft&nbsp;and a 1995&nbsp;conviction of possession of a controlled substance for sale. Asfestani was&nbsp;sentenced to 10 years in state prison for the drug conviction&nbsp;and is now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782924349.png" alt="Asfestani photo Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Asfestani photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><ul>
                        <li>On June 23, ICE Buffalo arrested&nbsp;Mohammad Rafikian, a 65-year-old Iranian national&nbsp;convicted of grand larceny,&nbsp;schemes to defraud, criminal impersonation and practicing as an attorney.  </li><li>On the same date, ICE San Diego arrested&nbsp;Arkavan Babk Moirokorli, a 57-year-old Iranian national&nbsp;convicted of forging an official seal. Both are in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.</li>
                    </ul>

ICE arrests Iranian nationals in US amid fears of secret terror cells

President Donald Trump responded to a U.S. intelligence report suggests that&nbsp;Iran’s nuclear program was set back only a few months after weekend U.S. strikes.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750848409452.png" alt="President Trump at the NATO summit on Wednesday-Image courtesy White House" />
                        <figcaption>President Trump at the NATO summit on Wednesday-Image courtesy White House</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>President Donald Trump responded to a U.S. intelligence report suggests that&nbsp;Iran’s nuclear program was set back only a few months after weekend U.S. strikes.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This was an unbelievable hit by genius pilots and genius people in the military, and they&#39;re not being given credit for it because we have scum... CNN is scum. MSDNC is scum. The New York Times is scum.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/IrRhwgqQaK">pic.twitter.com/IrRhwgqQaK</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937800789356896343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a> sets the record straight for the Fake News: &quot;These leakers are professional stabbers... There&#39;s no way Iran comes to the table if somehow nothing had happened. This was a complete and total obliteration... They are way behind today compared to where they were just 7… <a href="https://t.co/V3wrIjic8F">pic.twitter.com/V3wrIjic8F</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937800084621558011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;We hear it was obliteration... I believe they didn&#39;t have a chance to get anything out because we acted fast.&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a>: &quot;They landed precisely where they were supposed to. It was a flawless mission... it was devastation underneath Fordow.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/29AT9hj8w7">pic.twitter.com/29AT9hj8w7</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937798413472399483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump pushes back on assessment critical of Iran attack success

GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating over two dozen suspects after a drug bust in Geary County.

On June 16, 2025, the Junction City Police Department, with assistance from the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and Riley County Police Department, executed multiple Geary County District Court arrest warrants. 

These warrants followed a comprehensive, year-long investigation into the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine within Junction City and Manhattan, according to a media release.

The following individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation:• Donte Roberts, Junction City, KS• Marchella Woods, Junction City, KS• Kacey Selby, Junction City, KS• Brandale Williams Sr., Junction City, KS• Brandale Williams Jr., Junction City, KS• Stephanie Meier, Junction City, KS• Robert Warner Jr., Junction City, KS• Britteny Hall, Junction City, KS• Traquean Roberts, Junction City, KS• Patricia Campbell, Junction City, KS• Michael Rogel, Junction City, KS• Cody Dodge, Manhattan, KS• Brittanie Vaughn, Manhattan, KS• Samantha Arnold, Junction City, KS• Kelly Simmons, Junction City, KS• Angel Morgan, Manhattan, KS• Donnithan Jones, Manhattan, KS• Stephanie Pena, Junction City, KS• Daizha Brooks, Manhattan, KS• Justin Beckham, Junction City, KS• Aaron Renshaw, Junction City, KS• Jalisa Carson, Manhattan, KS• Mercedez Palmer, Junction City, KS• Danielle M. Jones, Junction City, KS• Dwight Reid, Junction City, KS• Stephanie Boyer, Junction City, KS• Rickey Gassen, Junction City, KS• Abigayle Franklin, Junction City, KSThe Junction City Police Department expresses gratitude to the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and Riley County Police Department for their cooperation and assistance during this investigation. 

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Junction City Police Department at (785) 762-5912 or the Geary County Crime Stoppers at (785) 762-8477, where tips can be submitted anonymously.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750196893664.jpeg" alt="Roberts -photo Geary County" />
                        <figcaption>Roberts -photo Geary County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>GEARY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating over two dozen suspects after a drug bust in Geary County.</p><p>On June 16, 2025, the Junction City Police Department, with assistance from the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and Riley County Police Department, executed multiple Geary County District Court arrest warrants. </p><p>These warrants followed a comprehensive, year-long investigation into the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine within Junction City and Manhattan, according to a media release.</p><p>The following individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation:• Donte Roberts, Junction City, KS• Marchella Woods, Junction City, KS• Kacey Selby, Junction City, KS• Brandale Williams Sr., Junction City, KS• Brandale Williams Jr., Junction City, KS• Stephanie Meier, Junction City, KS• Robert Warner Jr., Junction City, KS• Britteny Hall, Junction City, KS• Traquean Roberts, Junction City, KS• Patricia Campbell, Junction City, KS• Michael Rogel, Junction City, KS• Cody Dodge, Manhattan, KS• Brittanie Vaughn, Manhattan, KS• Samantha Arnold, Junction City, KS• Kelly Simmons, Junction City, KS• Angel Morgan, Manhattan, KS• Donnithan Jones, Manhattan, KS• Stephanie Pena, Junction City, KS• Daizha Brooks, Manhattan, KS• Justin Beckham, Junction City, KS• Aaron Renshaw, Junction City, KS• Jalisa Carson, Manhattan, KS• Mercedez Palmer, Junction City, KS• Danielle M. Jones, Junction City, KS• Dwight Reid, Junction City, KS• Stephanie Boyer, Junction City, KS• Rickey Gassen, Junction City, KS• Abigayle Franklin, Junction City, KSThe Junction City Police Department expresses gratitude to the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and Riley County Police Department for their cooperation and assistance during this investigation. </p><p>Additional arrests are anticipated.</p><p>Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Junction City Police Department at (785) 762-5912 or the Geary County Crime Stoppers at (785) 762-8477, where tips can be submitted anonymously.</p>

28-arrested after year-long Kansas fentanyl, meth investigation 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) intercepted a package that contained an illegal shipment of marijuana products, according to a media release from the agency.

On Tuesday, June 17, KBI agents in the K-9 unit investigated a suspicious package that was shipped across state lines. The package was found to contain several jars of a THC concentrate weighing approximately 25.9 pounds. The approximate value of the marijuana concentrate, if sold, would be in excess of $300,000.

The concentrate was seized. The transportation, shipping, or mailing of marijuana, cannabis, or other THC products across state lines is a violation of federal law. This shipment also violates Kansas marijuana laws.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750795699840.png" alt="KBI agents in the K-9 unit investigated a suspicious package that was shipped across state lines-File photo KBI K9 Unit image- Kansas Bureau of Investigation" />
                        <figcaption>KBI agents in the K-9 unit investigated a suspicious package that was shipped across state lines-File photo KBI K9 Unit image- Kansas Bureau of Investigation</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) intercepted a package that contained an illegal shipment of marijuana products, according to a media release from the agency.</p><p>On Tuesday, June 17, KBI agents in the K-9 unit investigated a suspicious package that was shipped across state lines. The package was found to contain several jars of a THC concentrate weighing approximately 25.9 pounds. The approximate value of the marijuana concentrate, if sold, would be in excess of $300,000.</p><p>The concentrate was seized. The transportation, shipping, or mailing of marijuana, cannabis, or other THC products across state lines is a violation of federal law. This shipment also violates Kansas marijuana laws.</p><p>At this time, no arrests have been made.</p>

KBI seized package of marijuana concentrate worth $300,000

RENO COUNTY—An inmate died Tuesday at the Reno County Correctional Facility.

Just after 1:30 a.m., the inmate identified as 41-year-old&nbsp; Joshua Caleb Ledbetter of Hutchinson, was found unresponsive in his cell, according to a statement from the Reno County Sheriff's office.

Jail personnel and emergency responders were immediately notified. Despite efforts by on-site staff he was pronounced deceased.

Ledbetter was booked into the jail on April 30 on requested charges of electronic indecent solicitation of a Child, according to the sheriff's office.

There is no indication of foul play. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation will provide an independent investigation. The Reno County Coroner determine the cause of death.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684332176274.jpeg" alt="Reno County Correctional Facility" />
                        <figcaption>Reno County Correctional Facility</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>RENO COUNTY—An inmate died Tuesday at the Reno County Correctional Facility.</p><p>Just after 1:30 a.m., the inmate identified as 41-year-old&nbsp; Joshua Caleb Ledbetter of Hutchinson, was found unresponsive in his cell, according to a statement from the Reno County Sheriff's office.</p><p>Jail personnel and emergency responders were immediately notified. Despite efforts by on-site staff he was pronounced deceased.</p><p>Ledbetter was booked into the jail on April 30 on requested charges of electronic indecent solicitation of a Child, according to the sheriff's office.</p><p>There is no indication of foul play. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation will provide an independent investigation. The Reno County Coroner determine the cause of death.</p>

Kan. inmate accused of child sex crimes found dead in his cell

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt ( slammed Democrats for defending violent, criminal illegal aliens and blasted District Judge Brian Murphy for blatantly refusing to obey a Supreme Court order to deport criminal illegal aliens that have harmed U.S. citizens. &nbsp;

<a href="https://ciosenus.app.box.com/s/xcm7yy2uvax245jnk5lu3wfrmwn8ilgg">Click here to watch</a> Senator Schmitt’s Remarks&nbsp;

“What happened yesterday, a radical liberal, progressive, leftist judge, Brian Murphy, who was confirmed in the in the lame duck session when Joe Biden, President Autopen, may not even have known he was appointing this person, approved by the Democrats in the Senate is now refusing, refusing to obey by a Supreme Court order for the deportation of seven criminal aliens….These people: one of them is a convicted arsonist, another one is an armed robber, another one is a murderer of an elderly woman, two more murderers, one is a child rapist, and another is a rapist of a person with special needs… 

These are the people that the Democrats spend their time defending, and now we have a judge through an act of, dare I say, insurrection, which is a word that’s thrown around here all the time, is refusing to abide by the Supreme Court’s willing to ‘say, yeah, actually, when you held up these deportations, you were wrong. We’re ordering you to allow these deportations.’ This judge, Brian Murphy, decided to cite the dissent, the dissenting opinion, and say, ‘You know what?’ I’m going to give the Supreme Court the middle finger. I don’t want to do it.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750796882264.png" alt="Image from the Judiciary Hearing" />
                        <figcaption>Image from the Judiciary Hearing</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt ( slammed Democrats for defending violent, criminal illegal aliens and blasted District Judge Brian Murphy for blatantly refusing to obey a Supreme Court order to deport criminal illegal aliens that have harmed U.S. citizens. &nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://ciosenus.app.box.com/s/xcm7yy2uvax245jnk5lu3wfrmwn8ilgg">Click here to watch</a> Senator Schmitt’s Remarks&nbsp;</p><p>“What happened yesterday, a radical liberal, progressive, leftist judge, Brian Murphy, who was confirmed in the in the lame duck session when Joe Biden, President Autopen, may not even have known he was appointing this person, approved by the Democrats in the Senate is now refusing, refusing to obey by a Supreme Court order for the deportation of seven criminal aliens….These people: one of them is a convicted arsonist, another one is an armed robber, another one is a murderer of an elderly woman, two more murderers, one is a child rapist, and another is a rapist of a person with special needs… </p><p>These are the people that the Democrats spend their time defending, and now we have a judge through an act of, dare I say, insurrection, which is a word that’s thrown around here all the time, is refusing to abide by the Supreme Court’s willing to ‘say, yeah, actually, when you held up these deportations, you were wrong. We’re ordering you to allow these deportations.’ This judge, Brian Murphy, decided to cite the dissent, the dissenting opinion, and say, ‘You know what?’ I’m going to give the Supreme Court the middle finger. I don’t want to do it.”</p>

Mo. U.S. Senator slammed democrats over defense of dangerous illegal immigrants

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750787876972.png" alt="Sherman" />
                        <figcaption>Sherman</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLSmV0HJ8n9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLSmV0HJ8n9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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Bobby Sherman, '60s teen idol, dies at 81

CLOUD COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a former Cloud County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer for alleged child sex crimes, according to a media release from the agency.

Just after 4:30 on Monday,&nbsp; KBI agents arrested 36-year-old Brice Berk, of Concordia, at the Republic County Sheriff’s Office after he turned himself over to authorities. Berk was arrested for 12 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The crimes allege Berk possessed and distributed child pornography.

Berk served as a Cloud County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer until March 2025, after a search warrant was executed at his residence. At that time, evidence was located and seized. The Cloud County Sheriff's Office was fully cooperative with the investigation.

The KBI began investigating after a cyber-tip was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Following the arrest, Berk was booked into the Republic County Jail on a $20,000 bond.&nbsp;

The case is expected to be prosecuted by Cloud County Attorney’s Office, according to the KBI.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750783376998.png" alt="Berk photo KBI" />
                        <figcaption>Berk photo KBI</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>CLOUD COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a former Cloud County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer for alleged child sex crimes, according to a media release from the agency.</p><p>Just after 4:30 on Monday,&nbsp; KBI agents arrested 36-year-old Brice Berk, of Concordia, at the Republic County Sheriff’s Office after he turned himself over to authorities. Berk was arrested for 12 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The crimes allege Berk possessed and distributed child pornography.</p><p>Berk served as a Cloud County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer until March 2025, after a search warrant was executed at his residence. At that time, evidence was located and seized. The Cloud County Sheriff's Office was fully cooperative with the investigation.</p><p>The KBI began investigating after a cyber-tip was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).</p><p>Following the arrest, Berk was booked into the Republic County Jail on a $20,000 bond.&nbsp;</p><p>The case is expected to be prosecuted by Cloud County Attorney’s Office, according to the KBI.</p>

Former Kan. corrections officer accused of child sex crimes

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats have succeeded in eliminating more than a dozen policy changes from Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” after successfully arguing before the chamber’s parliamentarian that the elements didn’t comply with the strict rules that go along with writing a budget reconciliation bill.

Removed is language&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-gop-tries-ease-pain-states-sharing-costs-snap-benefits" target="_blank">that would have transferred some of the cost</a>&nbsp;of running the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to state governments, potentially leaving states on the hook for billions in added spending on the food aid program for lower-income people.

Democrats also fended off a proposal to eliminate funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which fields complaints on banking and other financial institutions, and another that sought to bar federal district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions.&nbsp;

Among the contested items that remained, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced in a social media post that his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/radiation-exposure-fund-backed-missouris-hawley-included-us-senate-mega-bill" target="_blank">years-long effort to reauthorize</a>&nbsp;the Radiation Exposure Compensation Fund, or RECA, passed what’s known on Capitol Hill as the “Byrd bath” test.

“Terrific news for Missouri, radiation survivors, and MAHA: RECA has passed the ‘Byrd bath’ – Democrats did not strip it – and will be in the final bill,” Hawley wrote, referring to the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again slogan. “Huge step forward #MAHA.”

Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., has cheered many of the parliamentarian’s rulings, though Republican committee chairs say they’ll look for ways to rewrite the various proposals.

“Today, we were advised by the Senate Parliamentarian that several more provisions in this Big Beautiful Betrayal of a bill will be subject to the Byrd Rule — and Democrats plan to challenge every part of this bill that hurts working families and violates this process,” Merkley wrote in a statement released Saturday night. “Republicans’ relentless attack on middle class families in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires is a slap in the face to working families everywhere, and Democrats are fighting back.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The changes could create several issues for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and eventually for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who need nearly every GOP lawmaker in Congress to vote for the sweeping tax and spending cuts package in order for it to become law.

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">voted 215-214 to approve</a>&nbsp;its version of the bill in May, but since the Senate is making substantial changes, the House will have to vote on the measure again before it can go to President Donald Trump for his signature. GOP leaders hope to complete all that before the Fourth of July.

Republicans are using reconciliation, instead of moving the bill through the regular legislative process, to avoid needing Democratic votes to get past the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.

But the lower threshold for passing a reconciliation bill comes with several requirements, including that all of the proposals in the package have an impact on spending or revenues that’s not “merely incidental.”

The Senate parliamentarian, the chamber’s official scorekeeper who holds a detailed understanding of the rules and procedures, examines each of those policies and hears from both Republicans and Democrats before issuing the rulings.

The Byrd bath began last week behind closed doors and will continue for at least several more days. Once it concludes, Senate GOP leaders can move the bill to the floor, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/both-parties-prep-mega-bill-marathon-us-senate-vote-rama" target="_blank">members of both parties can call for votes on as many amendments as they want</a>.

Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., released a written statement defending&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/rep/press/release/chairman-boozman-releases-agriculture-nutrition-and-forestry-budget-reconciliation-text" target="_blank">his committee’s bill</a>&nbsp;after the parliamentarian ruled several provisions must go to comply with the rules.

“To rein in federal spending and protect taxpayer dollars the committee is pursuing meaningful reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to improve efficiency, accountability and integrity,” Boozman wrote. “We are continuing to examine options that comply with Senate rules to achieve savings through budget reconciliation to ensure SNAP serves those who truly need it while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

The parliamentarian ruled the committee erred in including language that would have shifted some of the cost of the SNAP program to state governments if they didn’t meet an efficiency benchmark before 2028.

A proposal to eliminate SNAP eligibility for “immigrants who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents, with certain exceptions,” was also determined not to comply with the rules, according to a press release from Merkley.

Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, ranking member on the committee, wrote the parliamentarian’s ruling “made clear that Senate Republicans cannot use their partisan budget to shift major nutrition assistance costs to the states that would have inevitably led to major cuts.

“While Republicans’ proposed cuts to SNAP will still be devastating to families, farmers, and independent grocers across the country, we will keep fighting to protect families in need. Instead of a rushed partisan process, Republicans should work with us to lower costs for Americans and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that works for all farmers and rural America.”

Consumer financial agency victory for Dems

The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/majority/scott-releases-banking-committee-provisions-for-the-one-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank">proposal to eliminate funding</a>&nbsp;for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R48295/R48295.8.pdf" target="_blank">established</a>&nbsp;in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also doesn’t comply with the rules, under the parliamentarian’s ruling.

Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, ranking member on the panel, wrote in a statement that the GOP’s proposal for the CFPB represented “a reckless, dangerous attack on consumers and would lead to more Americans being tricked and trapped by giant financial institutions and put the stability of our entire financial system at risk–all to hand out tax breaks to billionaires.”

But committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., wrote in a separate statement that he remains “committed to advancing legislation that cuts waste and duplication in our federal government and saves taxpayer dollars.”

Scott listed provisions that he said will remain.

“As it stands now, the Banking Committee’s reconciliation provisions will delay the implementation of Section 1071 of Dodd-Frank, which reduces CFPB spending and protects the privacy and data of small business owners; rescind unused funds earmarked for green initiatives to give HUD discretion in funding critical housing programs; and save taxpayer dollars by eliminating an unnecessary reserve fund at the SEC,” Scott wrote. “My colleagues and I remain committed to cutting wasteful spending at the CFPB and will continue working with the Senate parliamentarian on the Committee’s provisions.”

The parliamentarian told lawmakers that various elements of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-releases-senate-judiciary-committee-text-of-the-one-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank">the Judiciary Committee’s bill</a>&nbsp;don’t comply with the rules, including an attempt to block federal district court judges from issuing nationwide preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders.

The issue has become a thorn in Trump’s side during the past few months as he’s watched the courts block several of his executive orders and other unilateral administration actions.

The Judiciary Committee’s reconciliation bill cannot block the Department of Justice from awarding Byrne JAG and COPS grants to “sanctuary cities.” The bill also can’t send funding to local and state governments for the purpose of “apprehending aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750772403338.png" alt=" At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, on April 14, 2012, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA)." />
                        <figcaption> At a farm market in St. Petersburg, Florida, on April 14, 2012, SNAP recipients were able to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for food. (Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;</p><p>WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats have succeeded in eliminating more than a dozen policy changes from Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” after successfully arguing before the chamber’s parliamentarian that the elements didn’t comply with the strict rules that go along with writing a budget reconciliation bill.</p><p>Removed is language&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-gop-tries-ease-pain-states-sharing-costs-snap-benefits" target="_blank">that would have transferred some of the cost</a>&nbsp;of running the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to state governments, potentially leaving states on the hook for billions in added spending on the food aid program for lower-income people.</p><p>Democrats also fended off a proposal to eliminate funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which fields complaints on banking and other financial institutions, and another that sought to bar federal district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions.&nbsp;</p><p>Among the contested items that remained, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced in a social media post that his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/radiation-exposure-fund-backed-missouris-hawley-included-us-senate-mega-bill" target="_blank">years-long effort to reauthorize</a>&nbsp;the Radiation Exposure Compensation Fund, or RECA, passed what’s known on Capitol Hill as the “Byrd bath” test.</p><p>“Terrific news for Missouri, radiation survivors, and MAHA: RECA has passed the ‘Byrd bath’ – Democrats did not strip it – and will be in the final bill,” Hawley wrote, referring to the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again slogan. “Huge step forward #MAHA.”</p><h2>Democrats to continue challenges</h2><p>Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., has cheered many of the parliamentarian’s rulings, though Republican committee chairs say they’ll look for ways to rewrite the various proposals.</p><p>“Today, we were advised by the Senate Parliamentarian that several more provisions in this Big Beautiful Betrayal of a bill will be subject to the Byrd Rule — and Democrats plan to challenge every part of this bill that hurts working families and violates this process,” Merkley wrote in a statement released Saturday night. “Republicans’ relentless attack on middle class families in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires is a slap in the face to working families everywhere, and Democrats are fighting back.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The changes could create several issues for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and eventually for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who need nearly every GOP lawmaker in Congress to vote for the sweeping tax and spending cuts package in order for it to become law.</p><p>The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">voted 215-214 to approve</a>&nbsp;its version of the bill in May, but since the Senate is making substantial changes, the House will have to vote on the measure again before it can go to President Donald Trump for his signature. GOP leaders hope to complete all that before the Fourth of July.</p><p>Republicans are using reconciliation, instead of moving the bill through the regular legislative process, to avoid needing Democratic votes to get past the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.</p><p>But the lower threshold for passing a reconciliation bill comes with several requirements, including that all of the proposals in the package have an impact on spending or revenues that’s not “merely incidental.”</p><p>The Senate parliamentarian, the chamber’s official scorekeeper who holds a detailed understanding of the rules and procedures, examines each of those policies and hears from both Republicans and Democrats before issuing the rulings.</p><p>The Byrd bath began last week behind closed doors and will continue for at least several more days. Once it concludes, Senate GOP leaders can move the bill to the floor, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/both-parties-prep-mega-bill-marathon-us-senate-vote-rama" target="_blank">members of both parties can call for votes on as many amendments as they want</a>.</p><h2>SNAP program</h2><p>Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., released a written statement defending&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/rep/press/release/chairman-boozman-releases-agriculture-nutrition-and-forestry-budget-reconciliation-text" target="_blank">his committee’s bill</a>&nbsp;after the parliamentarian ruled several provisions must go to comply with the rules.</p><p>“To rein in federal spending and protect taxpayer dollars the committee is pursuing meaningful reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to improve efficiency, accountability and integrity,” Boozman wrote. “We are continuing to examine options that comply with Senate rules to achieve savings through budget reconciliation to ensure SNAP serves those who truly need it while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”</p><p>The parliamentarian ruled the committee erred in including language that would have shifted some of the cost of the SNAP program to state governments if they didn’t meet an efficiency benchmark before 2028.</p><p>A proposal to eliminate SNAP eligibility for “immigrants who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents, with certain exceptions,” was also determined not to comply with the rules, according to a press release from Merkley.</p><p>Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, ranking member on the committee, wrote the parliamentarian’s ruling “made clear that Senate Republicans cannot use their partisan budget to shift major nutrition assistance costs to the states that would have inevitably led to major cuts.</p><p>“While Republicans’ proposed cuts to SNAP will still be devastating to families, farmers, and independent grocers across the country, we will keep fighting to protect families in need. Instead of a rushed partisan process, Republicans should work with us to lower costs for Americans and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that works for all farmers and rural America.”</p><h2>Consumer financial agency victory for Dems</h2><p>The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/majority/scott-releases-banking-committee-provisions-for-the-one-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank">proposal to eliminate funding</a>&nbsp;for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R48295/R48295.8.pdf" target="_blank">established</a>&nbsp;in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also doesn’t comply with the rules, under the parliamentarian’s ruling.</p><p>Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, ranking member on the panel, wrote in a statement that the GOP’s proposal for the CFPB represented “a reckless, dangerous attack on consumers and would lead to more Americans being tricked and trapped by giant financial institutions and put the stability of our entire financial system at risk–all to hand out tax breaks to billionaires.”</p><p>But committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., wrote in a separate statement that he remains “committed to advancing legislation that cuts waste and duplication in our federal government and saves taxpayer dollars.”</p><p>Scott listed provisions that he said will remain.</p><p>“As it stands now, the Banking Committee’s reconciliation provisions will delay the implementation of Section 1071 of Dodd-Frank, which reduces CFPB spending and protects the privacy and data of small business owners; rescind unused funds earmarked for green initiatives to give HUD discretion in funding critical housing programs; and save taxpayer dollars by eliminating an unnecessary reserve fund at the SEC,” Scott wrote. “My colleagues and I remain committed to cutting wasteful spending at the CFPB and will continue working with the Senate parliamentarian on the Committee’s provisions.”</p><h2>Judges and injunctions</h2><p>The parliamentarian told lawmakers that various elements of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-releases-senate-judiciary-committee-text-of-the-one-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank">the Judiciary Committee’s bill</a>&nbsp;don’t comply with the rules, including an attempt to block federal district court judges from issuing nationwide preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders.</p><p>The issue has become a thorn in Trump’s side during the past few months as he’s watched the courts block several of his executive orders and other unilateral administration actions.</p><p>The Judiciary Committee’s reconciliation bill cannot block the Department of Justice from awarding Byrne JAG and COPS grants to “sanctuary cities.” The bill also can’t send funding to local and state governments for the purpose of “apprehending aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States.”</p><p>Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, did not respond to a request for comment, but a committee spokesperson wrote in an email to States Newsroom that “Democrats are clinging to their radical open borders legacy by fighting to keep criminal migrants in the United States.</p><p>“Republicans are committed to enforcing the rule of law, and will continue using all available avenues to secure our borders, clean up the mess left by the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous policies and ensure courts operate according to lawful and constitutional standards.”</p><p>Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, ranking member on the committee, issued a statement calling the bill’s policies “an attempted power grab by our Republican colleagues that we would not stand for.”</p><p>“Here’s what Senate Republicans attempted to sneak into their so-called Big, Beautiful Bill: a provision intended to limit the ability of individuals and organizations to challenge lawless Trump Administration executive actions by putting those potential plaintiffs on the hook for millions of dollars; and a provision conditioning grant eligibility on a state or locality’s compliance with federal immigration policies,” Durbin wrote.</p><h2>Artificial intelligence and states</h2><p>The parliamentarian didn’t, however, remove all of the proposals contested by Democrats.</p><p>Language that would prevent local and state governments from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade if those jurisdictions want to receive money from a $500 million fund does meet the reconciliation requirements and can remain in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/6/chairman-cruz-releases-budget-reconciliation-text" target="_blank">the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s bill</a>.</p><p>But that doesn’t mean the provision will stay in the bill moving forward, since several GOP lawmakers have expressed concern about potentially tying the hands of local and state governments when it comes to AI.</p><p>Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepMTG/status/1929946902566494653" target="_blank">wrote in a social media post</a>&nbsp;after she voted for the House’s bill that she had no idea about the AI provision. That chamber’s package barred state and local AI regulation for a decade without tying it to any funding stream.</p><p>“We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous,” Greene wrote. “This needs to be stripped out in the Senate.</p><p>“When the OBBB comes back to the House for approval after Senate changes, I will not vote for it with this in it.”</p>