OSAGE COUNTY —The Osage County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are investigating a drowning incident. 

&nbsp;Just after 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a person who had fallen out of a boat on Melvern Lake, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. Emergency crews responded to the scene.

After a lengthy search by land, air, and water, a subject was located. The subject was rescued from the water and life-saving measures were performed. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased.

The sheriff's office did not release the name of the victim or additional details.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Osage County Fire District #2 – Osage City, Osage County Fire District #3 – Melvern, Reading Fire Department, LifeSave air ambulance out of Emporia, and Osage County EMS participated in the search.&nbsp;

OSAGE COUNTY —The Osage County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are investigating a drowning incident. &nbsp;Just after 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a person who had fallen out of a boat on Melvern Lake, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. Emergency crews responded to the scene.After a lengthy search by land, air, and water, a subject was located. The subject was rescued from the water and life-saving measures were performed. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased.The sheriff's office did not release the name of the victim or additional details.The Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Osage County Fire District #2 – Osage City, Osage County Fire District #3 – Melvern, Reading Fire Department, LifeSave air ambulance out of Emporia, and Osage County EMS participated in the search.&nbsp;

Sheriff: One dead after fall from boat on a Kansas lake

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred just after 3a.m. Saturday in Kansas City.

An unknown vehicle was eastbound on Independence Avenue at Van Brunt Boulevard, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez. The vehicle struck a pedestrian in the outside lane. The victim was crossing Independence Avenue from the North to the South. 

The vehicle left the scene in an unknown direction. EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital and they pronounced deceased a few minutes later, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred just after 3a.m. Saturday in Kansas City.An unknown vehicle was eastbound on Independence Avenue at Van Brunt Boulevard, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez. The vehicle struck a pedestrian in the outside lane. The victim was crossing Independence Avenue from the North to the South. The vehicle left the scene in an unknown direction. EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital and they pronounced deceased a few minutes later, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KCPD investigating fatal hit-and-run

SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; – Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop and arrest.

Just before 1 a.m. Dec. 15, a sheriff' s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a blue 1994 Ford Ranger near NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Lyman Road, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the traffic stop, the driver gave false information including his name, date of birth, age, and more. Eventually, it was discovered that the driver had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest through the City of Topeka and a suspended driver’s license.

A K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located. John J. Shaw, 41, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant,&nbsp; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia,&nbsp;Identity theft,&nbsp; Interference with law enforcement, Driving while license suspended, Improper display of license plate and No vehicle liability insurance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736976441700.png" alt="Shawnee photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Shawnee photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; – Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop and arrest.Just before 1 a.m. Dec. 15, a sheriff' s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a blue 1994 Ford Ranger near NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Lyman Road, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.During the traffic stop, the driver gave false information including his name, date of birth, age, and more. Eventually, it was discovered that the driver had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest through the City of Topeka and a suspended driver’s license.A K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located. John J. Shaw, 41, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant,&nbsp; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia,&nbsp;Identity theft,&nbsp; Interference with law enforcement, Driving while license suspended, Improper display of license plate and No vehicle liability insurance.

Wanted Kan. suspect gave fake name and more during traffic stop

TOPEKA, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday night in Topeka, Kansas.

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) requested the KBI conduct an investigation on Friday, Jan. 17, at around 9:10 p.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.

At around 9 p.m., a Topeka police officer initiated contact with a man riding a bicycle in an alley near 21st&nbsp;St. and SW Buchanan St. The man was later identified as Joseph L. Pham-Gardner, 37, of Topeka.

Preliminary information indicates that when the officer returned to his patrol vehicle to check the man’s information, Pham-Gardner climbed on his bike and fled. The officer gave commands for him to stop and chased him on foot. The TPD officer caught up to Pham-Gardner and a struggle ensued. He fell off his bike. The man threatened to shoot the officer.

During the confrontation, the officer fired multiple times striking Pham-Gardner. After shots were fired, officers and deputies from multiple agencies responded to assist. A K-9 officer from the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office was deployed so officers could safely secure the handgun near Pham-Gardner and render aid to him. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

EMS transported Pham-Gardner to an area hospital. He was later transported to a Kansas City hospital for surgery. At this time his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating after an officer-involved shooting Friday in Topeka.

Just before 9 p.m., police stopped an individual on a bicycle in the area of SW 21st Street and Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to a media release from Topeka Police.

The suspect initiated a foot pursuit and shortly after the suspect reportedly displayed a firearm. The officer then discharged their weapon striking the suspect. 

Investigators found a firearm at the scene. The suspect, an adult male, was transported to a hospital in critical condition. No police officers or other citizens were injured in this incident.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) will investigate the incident. Per policy, the involved Topeka police officer has been placed on administrative leave.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737202280820.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday night in Topeka, Kansas.The Topeka Police Department (TPD) requested the KBI conduct an investigation on Friday, Jan. 17, at around 9:10 p.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737253681009.png" alt="Pham-Gardner has previous convictions for theft, aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child, interference with law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Correction" />
 <figcaption>Pham-Gardner has previous convictions for theft, aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child, interference with law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Correction</figcaption>
 </figure>At around 9 p.m., a Topeka police officer initiated contact with a man riding a bicycle in an alley near 21st&nbsp;St. and SW Buchanan St. The man was later identified as Joseph L. Pham-Gardner, 37, of Topeka.Preliminary information indicates that when the officer returned to his patrol vehicle to check the man’s information, Pham-Gardner climbed on his bike and fled. The officer gave commands for him to stop and chased him on foot. The TPD officer caught up to Pham-Gardner and a struggle ensued. He fell off his bike. The man threatened to shoot the officer.During the confrontation, the officer fired multiple times striking Pham-Gardner. After shots were fired, officers and deputies from multiple agencies responded to assist. A K-9 officer from the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office was deployed so officers could safely secure the handgun near Pham-Gardner and render aid to him. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.EMS transported Pham-Gardner to an area hospital. He was later transported to a Kansas City hospital for surgery. At this time his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.----------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating after an officer-involved shooting Friday in Topeka.Just before 9 p.m., police stopped an individual on a bicycle in the area of SW 21st Street and Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to a media release from Topeka Police.The suspect initiated a foot pursuit and shortly after the suspect reportedly displayed a firearm. The officer then discharged their weapon striking the suspect. Investigators found a firearm at the scene. The suspect, an adult male, was transported to a hospital in critical condition. No police officers or other citizens were injured in this incident.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) will investigate the incident. Per policy, the involved Topeka police officer has been placed on administrative leave.

Police ID suspect wounded in Kansas officer-involved shooting

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City man who is a registered sex offender has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

Bryan Keith Rice, 50, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Rice is required to register as a sex offender due to his prior felony conviction for possessing child pornography.

The federal indictment charges Rice with three counts of transporting child pornography across state lines, one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.

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. Attorney Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation, the Platte County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736702284485.png" alt="Rice photo Sex Offender Regisgtry" />
 <figcaption>Rice photo Sex Offender Regisgtry</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City man who is a registered sex offender has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.Bryan Keith Rice, 50, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Rice is required to register as a sex offender due to his prior felony conviction for possessing child pornography.The federal indictment charges Rice with three counts of transporting child pornography across state lines, one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.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. Attorney Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation, the Platte County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Kansas City sex offender accused of transporting child porn

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

WASHINGTON — A panel of three federal judges Friday upheld a lower court’s decision to strike down the legality of a program that has shielded more than half a million people from deportation who entered the United States as children, but the judges are keeping the program in place ahead of a likely appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;

It’s unclear how President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in for a second term on Monday, will handle the&nbsp;Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA,&nbsp;program. For now, the DACA program will remain, and renewals will continue, according to the ruling.

“Relying on this court’s previous decision, the district court found that Texas still has standing to challenge DACA and held that the Final Rule is substantively unlawful,” according to&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca5.216574/gov.uscourts.ca5.216574.212.0.pdf" target="_blank">the ruling</a>. “The court accordingly vacated the Rule, entered a nationwide injunction, and preserved the stay.”

The&nbsp;U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that the Biden administration’s regulation to codify DACA violates the Immigration and Nationality Act because that act lists out which immigrants are granted legal status and DACA recipients are not included in that.

“In the INA, Congress enacted a ‘comprehensive federal statutory scheme for regulation of immigration and naturalization’ and ‘set the terms and conditions of admission to the country.’ Because it chose not to include DACA recipients in that comprehensive scheme, ‘Congress’s rigorous classification scheme forecloses the contrary scheme in the DACA Memorandum,” according to the ruling.

The panel also limited the ruling to the state of Texas, which spearheaded the lawsuit.

“Because Texas is the only plaintiff that has demonstrated or even attempted to demonstrate an actual injury, and because that injury is fully redressable by a geographically limited injunction, we narrow the scope of injunction to Texas,” according to the ruling.

The panel is also giving the government a chance to appeal.

Trump initially tried to end the program during his first term, but recently said that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/despite-doubts-legality-trump-pledges-sign-order-revoking-birthright-citizenship" target="_blank">he’s willing to work&nbsp;</a>with Democrats to strike a deal to allow DACA recipients to remain in the country. Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-urged-ensure-immigrants-temporary-legal-status-trump-mass-deportations" target="_blank">have remained skeptical.</a>

The Friday decision means that the more than 500,000 recipients are still allowed to renew their work permits, but no new applicants are allowed to be processed.

“Though Texas has succeeded on the merits, our previous decision to maintain the stay─not to mention the immense reliance interests that DACA has created─guide us to preserve the stay as to the existing applicants,” according to the ruling.

The appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2024/10/10/federal-appeals-court-weighs-fate-of-daca-program/" target="_blank">heard oral arguments in October</a>&nbsp;on behalf of the program from the Justice Department, the state of New Jersey and the immigration&nbsp;rights group Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

They&nbsp;argued on the legality of the Biden administration’s 2021 final rule to codify DACA.

They also argued that the state of Texas, along with eight states that joined the suit against the Biden administration’s final DACA rule, do not have standing.

Those other states challenging DACA include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kansas and Mississippi.

The state of Texas argued that DACA harmed the Lone Star state because there is a “pocketbook cost to Texas with regard to education and medical care.”

The three judges are Jerry Edwin Smith, appointed by former President Ronald Reagan; Edith Brown Clement, appointed by former President George W. Bush; and Stephen A. Higginson, appointed by former President Barack Obama.

The 5th Circuit in New Orleans, which typically delivers conservative rulings, covers Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — A panel of three federal judges Friday upheld a lower court’s decision to strike down the legality of a program that has shielded more than half a million people from deportation who entered the United States as children, but the judges are keeping the program in place ahead of a likely appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;It’s unclear how President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in for a second term on Monday, will handle the&nbsp;Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA,&nbsp;program. For now, the DACA program will remain, and renewals will continue, according to the ruling.“Relying on this court’s previous decision, the district court found that Texas still has standing to challenge DACA and held that the Final Rule is substantively unlawful,” according to&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca5.216574/gov.uscourts.ca5.216574.212.0.pdf" target="_blank">the ruling</a>. “The court accordingly vacated the Rule, entered a nationwide injunction, and preserved the stay.”The&nbsp;U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that the Biden administration’s regulation to codify DACA violates the Immigration and Nationality Act because that act lists out which immigrants are granted legal status and DACA recipients are not included in that.“In the INA, Congress enacted a ‘comprehensive federal statutory scheme for regulation of immigration and naturalization’ and ‘set the terms and conditions of admission to the country.’ Because it chose not to include DACA recipients in that comprehensive scheme, ‘Congress’s rigorous classification scheme forecloses the contrary scheme in the DACA Memorandum,” according to the ruling.The panel also limited the ruling to the state of Texas, which spearheaded the lawsuit.“Because Texas is the only plaintiff that has demonstrated or even attempted to demonstrate an actual injury, and because that injury is fully redressable by a geographically limited injunction, we narrow the scope of injunction to Texas,” according to the ruling.The panel is also giving the government a chance to appeal.Trump initially tried to end the program during his first term, but recently said that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/despite-doubts-legality-trump-pledges-sign-order-revoking-birthright-citizenship" target="_blank">he’s willing to work&nbsp;</a>with Democrats to strike a deal to allow DACA recipients to remain in the country. Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-urged-ensure-immigrants-temporary-legal-status-trump-mass-deportations" target="_blank">have remained skeptical.</a>The Friday decision means that the more than 500,000 recipients are still allowed to renew their work permits, but no new applicants are allowed to be processed.“Though Texas has succeeded on the merits, our previous decision to maintain the stay─not to mention the immense reliance interests that DACA has created─guide us to preserve the stay as to the existing applicants,” according to the ruling.<h2>October arguments</h2>The appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2024/10/10/federal-appeals-court-weighs-fate-of-daca-program/" target="_blank">heard oral arguments in October</a>&nbsp;on behalf of the program from the Justice Department, the state of New Jersey and the immigration&nbsp;rights group Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.They&nbsp;argued on the legality of the Biden administration’s 2021 final rule to codify DACA.They also argued that the state of Texas, along with eight states that joined the suit against the Biden administration’s final DACA rule, do not have standing.Those other states challenging DACA include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kansas and Mississippi.The state of Texas argued that DACA harmed the Lone Star state because there is a “pocketbook cost to Texas with regard to education and medical care.”The three judges are Jerry Edwin Smith, appointed by former President Ronald Reagan; Edith Brown Clement, appointed by former President George W. Bush; and Stephen A. Higginson, appointed by former President Barack Obama.The 5th Circuit in New Orleans, which typically delivers conservative rulings, covers Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

Federal appeals court declares DACA unlawful, but keeps program in place for now

JOHNSON COUNTY —One person died and another is in custody after a two vehicle crash Friday in Johnson County.

Just after 11 p.m. Friday, police responded to the scene of a reported injury crash at the intersection of West 89th Terrace and Park Street in Lenexa, according to a media release.

First responders located two vehicles involved in the collision, a Toyota RAV4 and a Ford Bronco, both of which had come to rest off the roadway in a nearby yard. The Ford Bronco was occupied by two adult females, neither of whom sustained injuries. The driver of the Bronco was taken into custody at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The Toyota RAV4 was occupied by an adult female driver who was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics.

A preliminary investigation conducted by the Lenexa Police Traffic Safety Unit indicates that the Toyota RAV4 was traveling southbound on Park Street when the Ford Bronco, traveling eastbound on West 89th Terrace, failed to stop at a posted stop sign. The Bronco struck the RAV4, causing both vehicles to leave the roadway.

Police have not released the name of the woman who died or the driver in custody as they continue to investigate.

JOHNSON COUNTY —One person died and another is in custody after a two vehicle crash Friday in Johnson County.Just after 11 p.m. Friday, police responded to the scene of a reported injury crash at the intersection of West 89th Terrace and Park Street in Lenexa, according to a media release.First responders located two vehicles involved in the collision, a Toyota RAV4 and a Ford Bronco, both of which had come to rest off the roadway in a nearby yard. The Ford Bronco was occupied by two adult females, neither of whom sustained injuries. The driver of the Bronco was taken into custody at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence.The Toyota RAV4 was occupied by an adult female driver who was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics.A preliminary investigation conducted by the Lenexa Police Traffic Safety Unit indicates that the Toyota RAV4 was traveling southbound on Park Street when the Ford Bronco, traveling eastbound on West 89th Terrace, failed to stop at a posted stop sign. The Bronco struck the RAV4, causing both vehicles to leave the roadway.Police have not released the name of the woman who died or the driver in custody as they continue to investigate.

Woman dead, another in custody after 2-vehicle Kansas crash

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City man who drove a 13-year-old victim from her home in Texas pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in illicit sex to produce child pornography.

Talib Bwana Muhammad, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of producing child pornography.

By pleading guilty, Muhammad admitted that he used a minor victim to produce child pornography from June 9 to 15, 2023. Muhammad met the child victim on a social media application. Muhammad purchased an airline ticket for the child victim but, when she was unable to leave home, he drove to Texas to pick her up and bring her to Kansas City.

Law enforcement was notified when the child victim was missing and an Amber Alert was issued. Investigators traced her to Muhammad’s residence.

Muhammad and the child victim engaged in sexual contact, which Muhammad video recorded and photographed with a cell phone.

Under federal statutes, Muhammad is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City man who drove a 13-year-old victim from her home in Texas pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in illicit sex to produce child pornography.Talib Bwana Muhammad, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of producing child pornography.By pleading guilty, Muhammad admitted that he used a minor victim to produce child pornography from June 9 to 15, 2023. Muhammad met the child victim on a social media application. Muhammad purchased an airline ticket for the child victim but, when she was unable to leave home, he drove to Texas to pick her up and bring her to Kansas City.Law enforcement was notified when the child victim was missing and an Amber Alert was issued. Investigators traced her to Muhammad’s residence.Muhammad and the child victim engaged in sexual contact, which Muhammad video recorded and photographed with a cell phone.Under federal statutes, Muhammad is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KC man used subject of Amber Alert to produce child porn

In a statement from the White House early Friday, President Joe Biden wrote, "Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice. With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history."

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/17/clemency-recipient-list-8/">Click here to see</a>&nbsp;the complete list

'Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes."

"As Congress recognized through the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, it is time that we equalize these sentencing disparities. This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars. I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons."

In a statement from the White House early Friday, President Joe Biden wrote, "Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice. With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history."<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/17/clemency-recipient-list-8/">Click here to see</a>&nbsp;the complete list'Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes." "As Congress recognized through the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, it is time that we equalize these sentencing disparities. This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars. I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons."

See the list: Biden grants clemency for 2,500 non-violent drug offenders

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday left in place a law that would ban TikTok, the popular social media app that for years has raised national security concerns, unless its parent company sells it.&nbsp;

“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the court wrote in its ruling. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights.”

A bipartisan law enacted last year requires ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the platform by Sunday or face exclusion from U.S.-based app stores.

TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/skeptical-supreme-court-justices-weigh-rescue-tiktok-nearing-ban" target="_blank">fought</a>&nbsp;the law all the way to the Supreme Court, arguing First Amendment rights, but did not prevail and now faces a choice of whether to sell the app.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-656_ca7d.pdf" target="_blank">27-page ruling&nbsp;</a>created a bit of a dilemma for President-elect Donald Trump, who now supports TikTok staying on Americans’ cell phones despite wanting to ban it during his first administration.

Trump wrote Friday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113844165549788304" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;on his social media site, Truth Social, that he will address the issue once he takes office on Monday.

“I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China. The call was a very good one for both China and the U.S.A,” Trump wrote. “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately. We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects. President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!”

Trump issued an executive order in 2020 to ban the video platform unless it broke from ByteDance, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/03/11/1237833658/house-tiktok-vote-trump" target="_blank">reversed</a>&nbsp;his position last year.

Trump’s attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi, cited “pending litigation” and declined to directly answer a question about whether she would direct the Justice Department to enforce the TikTok ban during her confirmation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/senate-committee/us-attorney-general-nominee-pam-bondi-testifies-at-confirmation-hearing/430145" target="_blank">hearing</a>&nbsp;Wednesday.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration Monday, according to a source familiar with the planning.

Chew will not be the only tech executive sitting nearby as Trump takes the oath of office. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, are expected to be in attendance. Both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-zuckerberg-inauguration-donation-c540bf7c638def11b8428e633965c718" target="_blank">donated</a>&nbsp;$1 million to Trump’s inaugural.

The law requiring TikTok’s parent company to sell the app or lose access to the American social media market received bipartisan support in the House last year, following a&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202486" target="_blank">352-65</a>&nbsp;vote in March. The measure cleared Congress as part of a larger supplemental&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/815/text?s=1&amp;r=15&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22Protecting+Americans+from+Foreign+Adversary+Controlled+Applications+Act%22%7D" target="_blank">package</a>&nbsp;a month later.

President Joe Biden signed it into law. However, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/biden-administration-no-plans-fine-companies-tiktok-ban-rcna188062" target="_blank">NBC News</a>, he will decline to enforce the law on his last day in office, leaving it to the incoming Trump administration to decide if it will levy fines on any app stores or other entities that fail to comply.

Congress and the Biden administration pointed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfoh7MOVKX4" target="_blank">warnings</a>&nbsp;from national security officials about ByteDance’s ties to China’s government as the top reason to force its parent company to sell the app.

TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://usds.tiktok.com/who-owns-tiktoks-parent-company-bytedance/" target="_blank">maintains</a>&nbsp;that it is majority owned by global investors, including the Susquehanna International Group and Blackrock, though roughly 20% remains in the hands of its Chinese founders.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday left in place a law that would ban TikTok, the popular social media app that for years has raised national security concerns, unless its parent company sells it.&nbsp;“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the court wrote in its ruling. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights.”A bipartisan law enacted last year requires ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the platform by Sunday or face exclusion from U.S.-based app stores.TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/skeptical-supreme-court-justices-weigh-rescue-tiktok-nearing-ban" target="_blank">fought</a>&nbsp;the law all the way to the Supreme Court, arguing First Amendment rights, but did not prevail and now faces a choice of whether to sell the app.<h2>Trump’s next move</h2>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-656_ca7d.pdf" target="_blank">27-page ruling&nbsp;</a>created a bit of a dilemma for President-elect Donald Trump, who now supports TikTok staying on Americans’ cell phones despite wanting to ban it during his first administration.Trump wrote Friday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113844165549788304" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;on his social media site, Truth Social, that he will address the issue once he takes office on Monday.“I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China. The call was a very good one for both China and the U.S.A,” Trump wrote. “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately. We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects. President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!”Trump issued an executive order in 2020 to ban the video platform unless it broke from ByteDance, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/03/11/1237833658/house-tiktok-vote-trump" target="_blank">reversed</a>&nbsp;his position last year.Trump’s attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi, cited “pending litigation” and declined to directly answer a question about whether she would direct the Justice Department to enforce the TikTok ban during her confirmation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/senate-committee/us-attorney-general-nominee-pam-bondi-testifies-at-confirmation-hearing/430145" target="_blank">hearing</a>&nbsp;Wednesday.TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration Monday, according to a source familiar with the planning.Chew will not be the only tech executive sitting nearby as Trump takes the oath of office. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, are expected to be in attendance. Both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-zuckerberg-inauguration-donation-c540bf7c638def11b8428e633965c718" target="_blank">donated</a>&nbsp;$1 million to Trump’s inaugural.<h2>Bipartisan backing for law</h2>The law requiring TikTok’s parent company to sell the app or lose access to the American social media market received bipartisan support in the House last year, following a&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202486" target="_blank">352-65</a>&nbsp;vote in March. The measure cleared Congress as part of a larger supplemental&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/815/text?s=1&amp;r=15&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22Protecting+Americans+from+Foreign+Adversary+Controlled+Applications+Act%22%7D" target="_blank">package</a>&nbsp;a month later.President Joe Biden signed it into law. However, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/biden-administration-no-plans-fine-companies-tiktok-ban-rcna188062" target="_blank">NBC News</a>, he will decline to enforce the law on his last day in office, leaving it to the incoming Trump administration to decide if it will levy fines on any app stores or other entities that fail to comply.Congress and the Biden administration pointed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfoh7MOVKX4" target="_blank">warnings</a>&nbsp;from national security officials about ByteDance’s ties to China’s government as the top reason to force its parent company to sell the app.TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://usds.tiktok.com/who-owns-tiktoks-parent-company-bytedance/" target="_blank">maintains</a>&nbsp;that it is majority owned by global investors, including the Susquehanna International Group and Blackrock, though roughly 20% remains in the hands of its Chinese founders.

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Ban on TikTok Unless it’s Sold as Deadline Nears

BUTLER COUNTY —One person was injured in an early Friday morning fire in Andover.

Just after 1 a.m. Friday, emergency personnel responded to a fire at the Sherwin-Williams plant, 630 East 13th Street, near Interstate35, according to a media release.

The fire occurred in one of the facility’s outbuildings and not the main plant. Crews first on the scene observed visible smoke but no active flames. The fire was contained within a steel tank.

 Firefighters, working closely with a chemist from Sherwin-Williams, took several hours to develop a plan for safely extinguishing the fire. Once the plan was in place, they successfully extinguished the fire in just 15 minutes at approximately 5:30 a.m.&nbsp;

The fire was contained within a steel tank throughout the event and involved hazardous materials. While the smoke produced was hazardous, it was carried away and dissipated by southern winds. 

There was no material runoff from the site, and no hazardous substances were released into the environment beyond the dissipating smoke.

One Sherwin-Williams employee sustained minor burns in which were treated at the scene, and the individual was released shortly thereafter.

Interstate 35 was temporarily shut down as a precautionary measure. 

The situation remains under investigation, and Andover Fire-Rescue is working closely with Sherwin-Williams to determine the cause of the fire. Andover Fire-Rescue remained on site to monitor the situation but there was and is no threat to the public.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737124323434.png" alt="Photo Andover Fire" />
 <figcaption>Photo Andover Fire</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —One person was injured in an early Friday morning fire in Andover.Just after 1 a.m. Friday, emergency personnel responded to a fire at the Sherwin-Williams plant, 630 East 13th Street, near Interstate35, according to a media release.The fire occurred in one of the facility’s outbuildings and not the main plant. Crews first on the scene observed visible smoke but no active flames. The fire was contained within a steel tank. Firefighters, working closely with a chemist from Sherwin-Williams, took several hours to develop a plan for safely extinguishing the fire. Once the plan was in place, they successfully extinguished the fire in just 15 minutes at approximately 5:30 a.m.&nbsp;The fire was contained within a steel tank throughout the event and involved hazardous materials. While the smoke produced was hazardous, it was carried away and dissipated by southern winds. There was no material runoff from the site, and no hazardous substances were released into the environment beyond the dissipating smoke.One Sherwin-Williams employee sustained minor burns in which were treated at the scene, and the individual was released shortly thereafter.Interstate 35 was temporarily shut down as a precautionary measure. The situation remains under investigation, and Andover Fire-Rescue is working closely with Sherwin-Williams to determine the cause of the fire. Andover Fire-Rescue remained on site to monitor the situation but there was and is no threat to the public.

Employee injured after fire at Sherwin-Williams plant in Kansas

LABETTE COUNTY, Kansas —One person was injured in a crash during a police chase just before 10p.m. Thursday in Labette County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported law enforcement officers were in pursuit of a 1970 Chevy pickup driven by Randy E. Jackson, 50, Waco, Missouri, westbound at 24,080 Scott Road.

The pickup traveled off the road through the barb wire fence, a metal gate and continued across Scott Road. The vehicle&nbsp;struck the gate of a business and continued westbound into the parking lot where it struck a parked 2000 Ford pickup and overturned.

EMS transported Jackson to Mercy Hospital in Joplin. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

LABETTE COUNTY, Kansas —One person was injured in a crash during a police chase just before 10p.m. Thursday in Labette County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported law enforcement officers were in pursuit of a 1970 Chevy pickup driven by Randy E. Jackson, 50, Waco, Missouri, westbound at 24,080 Scott Road.The pickup traveled off the road through the barb wire fence, a metal gate and continued across Scott Road. The vehicle&nbsp;struck the gate of a business and continued westbound into the parking lot where it struck a parked 2000 Ford pickup and overturned.EMS transported Jackson to Mercy Hospital in Joplin. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Mo. man hospitalized after violent crash during police chase

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City business owner tried to strike deputies and their vehicles with an 85,000-pound crane while they executed a court order Thursday morning.

August J. Baanders, 64, is now charged with interference with a legal process, a misdemeanor, according to the Clay County Sheriff.

The Clay County Circuit Court issued seven levy orders for all businesses under the LPG umbrella, owned by Baanders and his wife. (ref. case No. 23CY-CV01643) In a levy, the Sheriff’s Office is ordered to seize property so it may be sold to pay judgment in a civil case when the defendant fails to pay.

Just after 6a.m. Thursday, dozens of deputies arrived at LPG at 971 N. Jefferson Street in Kearney, Mo., at about 6 a.m. today to execute the levy. They blocked all of the entrances to the property. Evidence – to include footprints in the snow – showed the suspect parked a distance away and snuck onto the property.

At 6:55 a.m., three deputies blocking a gate saw a large construction crane driving toward them. (LPG manufactures propane tanks and had several items of heavy equipment on site.) All of the deputies were on foot outside of their vehicles. Deputies ordered the driver to stop multiple times, including flashing lights at him. Fearing for their safety, the deputies drew their weapons, at which point the crane stopped. It came within six inches of striking a patrol vehicle.

Baanders initially began to exit the crane, then he refused to come down the ladder. Deputies had to pull him off the ladder to take him into custody.

No one was hurt in the incident. Baanders is being held on a $2,500 bond. If he posts the bond, one of its conditions is that he cannot interfere with law enforcement executing the levy of his property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737068204063.png" alt="Photo Clay County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Clay County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City business owner tried to strike deputies and their vehicles with an 85,000-pound crane while they executed a court order Thursday morning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737068112950.png" alt="Baanders-photo Clay County" />
 <figcaption>Baanders-photo Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>August J. Baanders, 64, is now charged with interference with a legal process, a misdemeanor, according to the Clay County Sheriff.The Clay County Circuit Court issued seven levy orders for all businesses under the LPG umbrella, owned by Baanders and his wife. (ref. case No. 23CY-CV01643) In a levy, the Sheriff’s Office is ordered to seize property so it may be sold to pay judgment in a civil case when the defendant fails to pay.Just after 6a.m. Thursday, dozens of deputies arrived at LPG at 971 N. Jefferson Street in Kearney, Mo., at about 6 a.m. today to execute the levy. They blocked all of the entrances to the property. Evidence – to include footprints in the snow – showed the suspect parked a distance away and snuck onto the property.At 6:55 a.m., three deputies blocking a gate saw a large construction crane driving toward them. (LPG manufactures propane tanks and had several items of heavy equipment on site.) All of the deputies were on foot outside of their vehicles. Deputies ordered the driver to stop multiple times, including flashing lights at him. Fearing for their safety, the deputies drew their weapons, at which point the crane stopped. It came within six inches of striking a patrol vehicle.Baanders initially began to exit the crane, then he refused to come down the ladder. Deputies had to pull him off the ladder to take him into custody.No one was hurt in the incident. Baanders is being held on a $2,500 bond. If he posts the bond, one of its conditions is that he cannot interfere with law enforcement executing the levy of his property.

KC business owner threatens deputies with a construction crane

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

TOPEKA — Topeka resident Lanell Griffith urged senators Thursday to support a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap annual increases in appraised property values that result in higher tax bills.

Describing herself as a representative of “grassroots unpaid activists,” Griffith said past legislation that requires local officials to hold public meetings before raising property taxes was only a step in the right direction. She said she is subject to 10 taxing entities and finds it difficult to attend every meeting.

The Senate tax committee heard testimony from Griffith and others on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1603/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603</a>, which would cap annual increases in appraised value at 3%.

“With no cap on those increases, we citizens just have an unknown — I call it — theft,” Griffith said. “You already own it, and they’re just telling you you gotta pay more and more. We need to stop the hemorrhaging and increase transparency.”

The proposed resolution, co-sponsored by 18 Senate Republicans, requires approval from two-thirds of both the Senate and House members. If passed, it would place a constitutional amendment before voters on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot.

If at least 50% of voters support the amendment, it would take effect Jan. 1., 2026.

The proposed cap would include exceptions for new construction and improvements to property, changes in property classifications, and when a property changes owners.

Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Fairway, raised a concern about the potential for two virtually identical properties on the same block to have different tax rates, depending on when the homes were purchased.

Other groups, including the teachers union, oppose the constitutional amendment because of the potential effects on public school funding, which is largely collected through a state-assessed mill levy.

The Kansas Farm Bureau opposed the constitutional amendment because it favors cutting the mill levy for schools instead.

But Republicans said constituents made it clear during last year’s election that property tax relief was a top priority.

“I wasn’t going to push this this year,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who chairs the committee. “I had told people the House isn’t going to move on it, ag people don’t want it, but there was enough push from our body, and I’m listening to them.”

Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, testified in support of the amendment. He said property tax relief was the No. 1 issue he heard about from voters when he knocked on doors during the campaign last year.

He said lawmakers should consider the strongest restrictions possible on property taxes.

“If we truly value liberty,” Thompson said, “property tax wouldn’t even exist.”

“We’re allowing the valuations of the appraiser to do the dirty work,” he added, while elected officials “can ostensibly say we didn’t raise your taxes.”

John Donley, lobbyist for Kansas Farm Bureau, said he agreed with the need for property tax relief and grew frustrated last year when Republican leadership and the Democratic governor were more interested in a tax relief package that primarily dealt with individual income.

He said he thought about the issue as he drove Thursday morning to testify at the Statehouse.

“I was like, welp, it’s the middle of January in an odd-numbered year — we’re here talking about how all we hear about is property taxes on the doorsteps,” Donley said. “This is my 10th election cycle that I’ve been working in this building, and this is what we do in January of odd-numbered years.”

The Kansas Farm Bureau is concerned that the annual cap would effectively shift the tax burden away from residential property, where values are skyrocketing, onto other classifications, such as agriculture.

Instead, Donley said, the state should lower the statewide mill levy.

“We just feel like this is the wrong tool,” Donley said. “This is truly a tax shift.”

Leah Fliter, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards, asked lawmakers to exercise caution when considering changes to tax policy.

“We oppose arbitrary limits on taxes and valuations because of the long-term impact on revenues for schools and other public services,” she said, quoting the organization’s member-adopted legislative policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737081675888.png" alt=" Topeka resident Lanell Griffith testifies Jan. 16, 2025, before the Senate tax committee. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Topeka resident Lanell Griffith testifies Jan. 16, 2025, before the Senate tax committee. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Topeka resident Lanell Griffith urged senators Thursday to support a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap annual increases in appraised property values that result in higher tax bills.Describing herself as a representative of “grassroots unpaid activists,” Griffith said past legislation that requires local officials to hold public meetings before raising property taxes was only a step in the right direction. She said she is subject to 10 taxing entities and finds it difficult to attend every meeting.The Senate tax committee heard testimony from Griffith and others on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1603/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603</a>, which would cap annual increases in appraised value at 3%.“With no cap on those increases, we citizens just have an unknown — I call it — theft,” Griffith said. “You already own it, and they’re just telling you you gotta pay more and more. We need to stop the hemorrhaging and increase transparency.”The proposed resolution, co-sponsored by 18 Senate Republicans, requires approval from two-thirds of both the Senate and House members. If passed, it would place a constitutional amendment before voters on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot.If at least 50% of voters support the amendment, it would take effect Jan. 1., 2026.The proposed cap would include exceptions for new construction and improvements to property, changes in property classifications, and when a property changes owners.Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Fairway, raised a concern about the potential for two virtually identical properties on the same block to have different tax rates, depending on when the homes were purchased.Other groups, including the teachers union, oppose the constitutional amendment because of the potential effects on public school funding, which is largely collected through a state-assessed mill levy.The Kansas Farm Bureau opposed the constitutional amendment because it favors cutting the mill levy for schools instead.But Republicans said constituents made it clear during last year’s election that property tax relief was a top priority.“I wasn’t going to push this this year,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who chairs the committee. “I had told people the House isn’t going to move on it, ag people don’t want it, but there was enough push from our body, and I’m listening to them.”Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, testified in support of the amendment. He said property tax relief was the No. 1 issue he heard about from voters when he knocked on doors during the campaign last year.He said lawmakers should consider the strongest restrictions possible on property taxes.“If we truly value liberty,” Thompson said, “property tax wouldn’t even exist.”“We’re allowing the valuations of the appraiser to do the dirty work,” he added, while elected officials “can ostensibly say we didn’t raise your taxes.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737081651056.png" alt="John Donley, lobbyist for Kansas Farm Bureau, answers questions from the Senate tax committee on Jan. 16, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>John Donley, lobbyist for Kansas Farm Bureau, answers questions from the Senate tax committee on Jan. 16, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>John Donley, lobbyist for Kansas Farm Bureau, said he agreed with the need for property tax relief and grew frustrated last year when Republican leadership and the Democratic governor were more interested in a tax relief package that primarily dealt with individual income.He said he thought about the issue as he drove Thursday morning to testify at the Statehouse.“I was like, welp, it’s the middle of January in an odd-numbered year — we’re here talking about how all we hear about is property taxes on the doorsteps,” Donley said. “This is my 10th election cycle that I’ve been working in this building, and this is what we do in January of odd-numbered years.”The Kansas Farm Bureau is concerned that the annual cap would effectively shift the tax burden away from residential property, where values are skyrocketing, onto other classifications, such as agriculture.Instead, Donley said, the state should lower the statewide mill levy.“We just feel like this is the wrong tool,” Donley said. “This is truly a tax shift.”Leah Fliter, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards, asked lawmakers to exercise caution when considering changes to tax policy.“We oppose arbitrary limits on taxes and valuations because of the long-term impact on revenues for schools and other public services,” she said, quoting the organization’s member-adopted legislative policy.

Kansas Senate considers constitutional amendment to cap taxable property values

WASHINGTON —Vice President Kamala Harris marking the final days in the Biden administration added her signature to the desk drawer in her ceremonial office on Tuesday. 

This is a tradition carried on by presidents and vice presidents since the 1940s.

WASHINGTON —Vice President Kamala Harris marking the final days in the Biden administration added her signature to the desk drawer in her ceremonial office on Tuesday. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Vice President Kamala Harris adds her signature to the desk drawer in her ceremonial office, following a long tradition of outgoing vice presidents. <a href="https://t.co/EhHjG5ZY0P">pic.twitter.com/EhHjG5ZY0P</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1880012806973493719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>This is a tradition carried on by presidents and vice presidents since the 1940s.

Harris joins a decades-old tradition for vice presidents

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating one of three homicides that occurred on Tuesday in Kansas City have identified another victim as 36-year-old Colton J Stock, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 4:30p.m. police were dispatched to the 3900 block of N Lister Avenue on a reported shooting disturbance. Upon arrival, officers located a victim, later identified as Stock, lying outside of a nearby residence suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased, according to Officer Gonzalez.

Officers located another adult male victim inside of the home suffering from gunshot trauma who was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting may have started over an argument. Police are working to determine the relationship between both shooting victims and identify a person of interest.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737066538204.png" alt="Police on the scene Tuesday -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene Tuesday -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating one of three homicides that occurred on Tuesday in Kansas City have identified another victim as 36-year-old Colton J Stock, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 4:30p.m. police were dispatched to the 3900 block of N Lister Avenue on a reported shooting disturbance. Upon arrival, officers located a victim, later identified as Stock, lying outside of a nearby residence suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased, according to Officer Gonzalez.Officers located another adult male victim inside of the home suffering from gunshot trauma who was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting may have started over an argument. Police are working to determine the relationship between both shooting victims and identify a person of interest.&nbsp;

Police ID victim in deadly Kansas City gun fight

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2481/Jerome-Davis-Complaint-Packet-REDACTED">charged with 10 felonies</a>&nbsp;in connection with a fatal shooting near the 3100 block of Elmwood Ave. in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

Jerome L. Davis faces Murder in the 2nd Degree, four counts of Armed Criminal Action, Assault in the 1st Degree, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2480/Davis_Jerome---PC-Statement_Redacted_FINAL">According to court records</a>, on January 1, 2025, officers were dispatched to the area of Elmwood Avenue near 31st Street where they located four parties at a residence, two of whom were suffering from gunshot wounds. The first victim was declared deceased, and the other was sent to a nearby hospital for a gunshot wound to his arm.&nbsp;

Witnesses told detectives they were celebrating at a New Years Eve party at the residence when they saw the defendant load his 9mm handgun in the living room and shoot the victims. Then, witnesses said they saw the defendant pull out of the driveway in the vehicle the deceased victim arrived in.

Detectives conducted a computer search of the defendant after witnesses told them he had just been released from prison, and they found he was on federal house arrest. Contact was made with his probation officer who advised the defendant was wearing an ankle monitor GPS device, which indicated him to be at the residence at the time of the shooting.&nbsp;

When detectives conducted a search warrant of the defendant’s residence, they found multiple shell casings consisting of the same calibers that were recovered from the original crime scene.

In a statement to detectives, the defendant said he was present at the party, but was not aware of a homicide, did not feel threatened or engage in any arguments, and got a ride home with an unknown individual. &nbsp;

The defendant is being held on no bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736998125701.png" alt="Davis has a previous conviction for flee and elude law enforcement- photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Davis has a previous conviction for flee and elude law enforcement- photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2481/Jerome-Davis-Complaint-Packet-REDACTED">charged with 10 felonies</a>&nbsp;in connection with a fatal shooting near the 3100 block of Elmwood Ave. in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736956567240.jpeg" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation New Year's Day" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation New Year's Day</figcaption>
 </figure>Jerome L. Davis faces Murder in the 2nd Degree, four counts of Armed Criminal Action, Assault in the 1st Degree, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2480/Davis_Jerome---PC-Statement_Redacted_FINAL">According to court records</a>, on January 1, 2025, officers were dispatched to the area of Elmwood Avenue near 31st Street where they located four parties at a residence, two of whom were suffering from gunshot wounds. The first victim was declared deceased, and the other was sent to a nearby hospital for a gunshot wound to his arm.&nbsp;Witnesses told detectives they were celebrating at a New Years Eve party at the residence when they saw the defendant load his 9mm handgun in the living room and shoot the victims. Then, witnesses said they saw the defendant pull out of the driveway in the vehicle the deceased victim arrived in.Detectives conducted a computer search of the defendant after witnesses told them he had just been released from prison, and they found he was on federal house arrest. Contact was made with his probation officer who advised the defendant was wearing an ankle monitor GPS device, which indicated him to be at the residence at the time of the shooting.&nbsp;When detectives conducted a search warrant of the defendant’s residence, they found multiple shell casings consisting of the same calibers that were recovered from the original crime scene.In a statement to detectives, the defendant said he was present at the party, but was not aware of a homicide, did not feel threatened or engage in any arguments, and got a ride home with an unknown individual. &nbsp;The defendant is being held on no bond.&nbsp;

Kansas felon charged for killing at New Year's party 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating one of three homicides on Tuesday have identified another victims as 22-year-old Alex Benson,&nbsp;, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment complex in the area of 6300 Manchester Avenue in Kansas City, according to Gonzalez.

When officers arrived on scene, they made contact with the calling party who advised someone was shot inside. Officers entered the residence and located a man, later identified as Benson, suffering from apparent, gunshot trauma and unresponsive. EMS personnel responded to the scene and declared him deceased.

Police had no preliminary information at this time that would indicate what lead up to the shooting and have not reported an arrest or suspect information.&nbsp; The name of the victim has not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736904780718.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation near 6300 Manchester Avenue on Tuesday afternoon- Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation near 6300 Manchester Avenue on Tuesday afternoon- Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating one of three homicides on Tuesday have identified another victims as 22-year-old Alex Benson,&nbsp;, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment complex in the area of 6300 Manchester Avenue in Kansas City, according to Gonzalez.When officers arrived on scene, they made contact with the calling party who advised someone was shot inside. Officers entered the residence and located a man, later identified as Benson, suffering from apparent, gunshot trauma and unresponsive. EMS personnel responded to the scene and declared him deceased.Police had no preliminary information at this time that would indicate what lead up to the shooting and have not reported an arrest or suspect information.&nbsp; The name of the victim has not been released.

Homicide: Police ID man found dead in Kansas City apartment

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;— On Thursday, Governor Mike Kehoe announced the appointment of Sarah Willson as Director of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).Willson will assume the role of DHSS Director effective February 14, 2025, and awaits Missouri Senate confirmation, according to a media release from Kehoe's office.

“I am proud to have Sarah join my Cabinet as a key leader in our efforts to improve the health of Missourians across the state,” said Governor Kehoe. “Sarah’s background as a healthcare professional brings a deep understanding of the critical issues facing our healthcare systems today. I look forward to working together to strengthen the systems that support public health and well-being of all Missourians.”

Willson has served as Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs for the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) since 2016. In that role, she provided clinical and regulatory guidance to over 140 hospitals across the state, serving as a key expert on licensing, survey processes and compliance for acute care, critical access, long-term care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric facilities. She also collaborated with lawmakers to develop healthcare legislation at both the state and federal levels.

“I am truly humbled at the opportunity to serve the people of Missouri in the Kehoe Administration,” said Willson. “As a nurse and a small business owner, I understand the impact of health and regulation from a personal and public perspective. I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure the departments programs and services help all Missourians live healthy and safe lives.”

Prior to MHA, Willson held leadership roles with Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care, where she oversaw operations in multiple states, and at Capital Region Medical Center, directing patient care services across several departments. Her work has focused on advancing quality care, developing efficiencies, and improving outcomes for patients.

Willson earned her Master of Business Administration in health management from William Woods University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been recognized with several awards throughout her career. A headshot of Willson is attached.

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;— On Thursday, Governor Mike Kehoe announced the appointment of Sarah Willson as Director of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).Willson will assume the role of DHSS Director effective February 14, 2025, and awaits Missouri Senate confirmation, according to a media release from Kehoe's office.“I am proud to have Sarah join my Cabinet as a key leader in our efforts to improve the health of Missourians across the state,” said Governor Kehoe. “Sarah’s background as a healthcare professional brings a deep understanding of the critical issues facing our healthcare systems today. I look forward to working together to strengthen the systems that support public health and well-being of all Missourians.”Willson has served as Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs for the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) since 2016. In that role, she provided clinical and regulatory guidance to over 140 hospitals across the state, serving as a key expert on licensing, survey processes and compliance for acute care, critical access, long-term care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric facilities. She also collaborated with lawmakers to develop healthcare legislation at both the state and federal levels.“I am truly humbled at the opportunity to serve the people of Missouri in the Kehoe Administration,” said Willson. “As a nurse and a small business owner, I understand the impact of health and regulation from a personal and public perspective. I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure the departments programs and services help all Missourians live healthy and safe lives.”Prior to MHA, Willson held leadership roles with Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care, where she oversaw operations in multiple states, and at Capital Region Medical Center, directing patient care services across several departments. Her work has focused on advancing quality care, developing efficiencies, and improving outcomes for patients.Willson earned her Master of Business Administration in health management from William Woods University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been recognized with several awards throughout her career. A headshot of Willson is attached.

Gov. names new director of Mo. Dept. of Health and Senior Services

MoCann Trade urges state regulators to adopt a rule that would allow microbusiness licensees to sell license sooner, not have exclusive operational control of business

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

Missouri cannabis regulators and the state’s largest marijuana trade group agree that people should be banned from flooding the license lottery with applicants they recruit who are never intended to have any actual control or profits.

It’s a practice the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation has called predatory, and efforts to root it out of the state’s microbusiness program have resulted in 41 licenses being revoked or facing possible revocation.&nbsp;

“We understand and agree with the intent of eliminating straw applicants and groups who are only interested in taking control of the licenses from such applicants, instead of a true partnership,” Andrew Mullins, president of the Missouri Cannabis Trade association, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25489791-letter-to-dhss-proposed-amendments-19-csr-100-1" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to cannabis regulators last week.

But the details on how to do it are where differences emerge.

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/23/missouri-cannabis-regulators-announce-new-rules-to-target-predatory-contracts/">announced last month</a>&nbsp;a series of proposed rules aimed at&nbsp;combating predatory&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25489941-19-csr-100-1190-amendment" target="_blank">financial agreements</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25489942-19-csr-100-1060-amendment" target="_blank">other practices</a>&nbsp;during the application process. The division will now incorporate public feedback before submitting the final rules to the Secretary of State’s office.

The microbusiness program, which was written into&nbsp;the Missouri 2022 constitutional amendment that legalized marijuana, was designed for the licenses to end up in the hands of disadvantaged business owners —&nbsp;including&nbsp;disabled veterans, those with lower incomes and people with non-violent marijuana offenses.

The new rules attempt to clarify that contracts that take away majority ownership and control from the eligible applicants do not meet the constitutional requirements for the microbusiness program.

In its letter, MoCann pushed back on the division’s “list of arrangements that indicate a license is not owned and operated by the eligible applicants.”&nbsp;

On that list are “unexecuted” contracts that would take away control in the future. MoCann criticized the division for revoking licenses for having such agreements.

“If a contract is unexecuted, it is not an agreement at all,” Mullins wrote.&nbsp;

The letter reflects a key defense used in some of the appeals of licenses the division revoked last year.&nbsp;

Mullins wrote that the proposed rules were too vague about what an&nbsp;“exploitive exit fee” is if applicants want to get out of an agreement, along with what&nbsp;“majority owned and operated” looks like in practice. Mullins also urged the state to consider a new rule — allowing licensees to sell majority ownership right after the license is issued, instead of after the business is up and running which is required currently.

“Seeking to protect microbusiness owners from their own decisions will only succeed in crushing that dynamism,”&nbsp;Mullins said of the proposed rules. “It might protect microbusiness licensees from exploitation, but it will also protect their businesses straight into insolvency.”

Sami Jo Freeman, spokeswoman for the division, said regulators are “in the process of reviewing this letter, as well as all comments received, prior to moving forward.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692273868300.png" alt="&nbsp;The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation announced last month a series of proposed rules aimed at combating predatory financial agreements and other practices during the application process (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation announced last month a series of proposed rules aimed at combating predatory financial agreements and other practices during the application process (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>MoCann Trade urges state regulators to adopt a rule that would allow microbusiness licensees to sell license sooner, not have exclusive operational control of business</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri cannabis regulators and the state’s largest marijuana trade group agree that people should be banned from flooding the license lottery with applicants they recruit who are never intended to have any actual control or profits.It’s a practice the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation has called predatory, and efforts to root it out of the state’s microbusiness program have resulted in 41 licenses being revoked or facing possible revocation.&nbsp;“We understand and agree with the intent of eliminating straw applicants and groups who are only interested in taking control of the licenses from such applicants, instead of a true partnership,” Andrew Mullins, president of the Missouri Cannabis Trade association, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25489791-letter-to-dhss-proposed-amendments-19-csr-100-1" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to cannabis regulators last week.But the details on how to do it are where differences emerge.The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/23/missouri-cannabis-regulators-announce-new-rules-to-target-predatory-contracts/">announced last month</a>&nbsp;a series of proposed rules aimed at&nbsp;combating predatory&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25489941-19-csr-100-1190-amendment" target="_blank">financial agreements</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25489942-19-csr-100-1060-amendment" target="_blank">other practices</a>&nbsp;during the application process. The division will now incorporate public feedback before submitting the final rules to the Secretary of State’s office.The microbusiness program, which was written into&nbsp;the Missouri 2022 constitutional amendment that legalized marijuana, was designed for the licenses to end up in the hands of disadvantaged business owners —&nbsp;including&nbsp;disabled veterans, those with lower incomes and people with non-violent marijuana offenses.The new rules attempt to clarify that contracts that take away majority ownership and control from the eligible applicants do not meet the constitutional requirements for the microbusiness program.In its letter, MoCann pushed back on the division’s “list of arrangements that indicate a license is not owned and operated by the eligible applicants.”&nbsp;On that list are “unexecuted” contracts that would take away control in the future. MoCann criticized the division for revoking licenses for having such agreements.“If a contract is unexecuted, it is not an agreement at all,” Mullins wrote.&nbsp;The letter reflects a key defense used in some of the appeals of licenses the division revoked last year.&nbsp;Mullins wrote that the proposed rules were too vague about what an&nbsp;“exploitive exit fee” is if applicants want to get out of an agreement, along with what&nbsp;“majority owned and operated” looks like in practice. Mullins also urged the state to consider a new rule — allowing licensees to sell majority ownership right after the license is issued, instead of after the business is up and running which is required currently.“Seeking to protect microbusiness owners from their own decisions will only succeed in crushing that dynamism,”&nbsp;Mullins said of the proposed rules. “It might protect microbusiness licensees from exploitation, but it will also protect their businesses straight into insolvency.”Sami Jo Freeman, spokeswoman for the division, said regulators are “in the process of reviewing this letter, as well as all comments received, prior to moving forward.”&nbsp;<h2>Revocations and MoCann’s members</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737034596825.png" alt=" John Payne, managing partner at Amendment 2 Consultants, discusses legislation at an industry summit in downtown St. Louis on March 28, 2024, with Amy Moore (middle), director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation, and Mitch Meyers, partner at BeLeaf Medical (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> John Payne, managing partner at Amendment 2 Consultants, discusses legislation at an industry summit in downtown St. Louis on March 28, 2024, with Amy Moore (middle), director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation, and Mitch Meyers, partner at BeLeaf Medical (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>State regulators have used a lottery system over the last two years to award 96 microbusiness licenses — a program sold to voters as a way to help victims of the War on Drugs get a toehold in the burgeoning cannabis industry.&nbsp;But of the 96 licenses issued so far,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/cannabis-missouri-predatory-socia-equity/">41 have been either revoked or are currently at risk of being revoked</a>. Another three are under investigation.&nbsp;A majority of those 44 licenses are connected to groups or individuals who flooded the lottery by recruiting people to submit applications and then offering them contracts that limited their profit and control of the business.Some of MoCann Trade’s key members are associated with the licenses under state scrutiny.&nbsp;The association’s general counsel is Eric Walter, an attorney who also represents cannabis investor Michael Halow.&nbsp;Halow is connected to more than 1,000 of the 3,600 applications submitted for Missouri’s lottery since the program began and 22 awarded licenses. But every one of those licences has been either revoked or was denied certification earlier in October by the division.&nbsp;An&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/23/alleged-predatory-contracts-continue-to-surface-in-missouri-social-equity-marijuana-program/">investigation by The Independent</a>&nbsp;into one of these revoked licenses revealed that Halow signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25480535-ever-eco-llc-contract-redacted/" target="_blank">contract</a>&nbsp;with a Black disabled veteran who told regulators she didn’t realize the agreement would give Halow full ownership of the business.&nbsp;Missouri cannabis consultant&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/26/missouri-cannabis-leader-accused-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-win-social-equity-licenses/">John Payne</a>&nbsp;led the campaign to legalize recreational cannabis in 2022 and sits on MoCann’s board of directors. He is connected to nearly 500 applications and 12 awarded licenses since the program’s inception.&nbsp;Payne received six notices of pending revocation in October for licenses where he serves as the designated contact, stating the agreements reflected that the licenses would not be “majority owned and operated” by eligible applicants. Three more current licenses are under investigation for the same reason.&nbsp;Seven of these licenses are connected to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/23/missouri-cannabis-regulators-announce-new-rules-to-target-predatory-contracts/">David Brodsky</a>, who is MoCann’s microbusiness representative to the advisory board.&nbsp;Brodsky told The Independent in an email Monday that he didn’t provide any input into MoCann’s response to the letter.&nbsp;“I do agree with everything MoCann said in their response though,” he said.Payne and Walter did not respond to The Independent’s request for comment.When asked if Payne or Walter had a hand in writing the comments to the state, MoCann’s spokesman Jack Cardetti said, “Rule and regulatory matters generally emanate from our 10-person government affairs committee, which is comprised of licensees, many of whom are attorneys.”&nbsp;Payne sits on the association’s government affairs committee. Cardetti further said, “As MoCann’s outside general counsel, Eric Walter is one of several who review these.”<h2>The rules and contracts</h2>The proposed rules would impact a number of contracts The Independent has analyzed.The Independent’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/26/missouri-cannabis-leader-accused-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-win-social-equity-licenses/">June investigation</a>&nbsp;found that for some of the applications, Payne recruited eligible Missourians and had them sign a 47-page contract that would ultimately give him and his partners 90.1% of profits and majority control of the business. Despite only owning a fraction of the business, under state law the applicants would bear the lion’s share of the regulatory scrutiny. If they ever want to walk away from the deal, they would be required to pay a nearly $1 million fee.Four legal experts who reviewed the contract for The Independent concluded it was unfair and potentially predatory.&nbsp;According to the proposed new rules, a license would not be considered owned and operated by the eligible applicants if the financial arrangement includes an “exploitive exit fee by a consultant or manager.”&nbsp;The proposed rules also address provisions found in Destiny Brown’s contract with Michael Halow. Brown, who qualifies as an eligible applicant because she’s a disabled veteran, signed a memo of understanding and promissory note giving Halow the right to convert the loan he promised to provide into 100% of the “membership interest” — or all of the profits and voting rights of the business.The state revoked the license on seven grounds, including that the application included “false or misleading information” and the licensee withheld information.The proposed rule prohibits “agreements that the original majority eligible owner(s) in the application will not have majority ownership in the future.” That also includes any other documents, whether executed or in draft form, that may remove operational control from the eligible individuals listed in the application.Halow told The Independent in an email last week that the proposed changes are “problematic.”&nbsp;“Specifically, by stipulating that eligible applicants who are not the original lottery winners cannot operate a recently issued license,” Halow wrote, “the state would effectively strip those individuals of their constitutionally granted right or privilege to operate these businesses, regardless of their ownership or lottery status.”&nbsp;MoCann suggests allowing agreements to sell majority equity of the business to occur after the state has issued the license. Currently, the licensees can only do that after the business has been approved to commence.&nbsp;“The ability to sell the license – including by contracting to sell prior to commencement – is a valuable backup plan for every licensee,” Mullins wrote in his letter.<h2>‘Operated by’</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698531124512.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>One contract associated with Brodsky established a board of three managers that would vote on all company decisions. The lender and the “consultant” each get to select a member.&nbsp;That left the qualified applicant with only one-third of the voting power.Brodsky said his contract is valid because all&nbsp;board members meet the program’s eligibility requirements.“The constitution only says that it must be majority owned and operated by eligible applicants,” Brodsky stated in an email to The Independent. “I am an eligible applicant as is everyone involved with Green Zebra LLC.”The validity of this type of board structure could potentially change by alternative language that MoCann proposed in its letter.In the state’s definition of majority owned and operated, eligible individuals must also have the power to direct the management and policies of the license and enter into agreements.&nbsp;The association proposes to add the word “collectively” after individuals. It also proposes stating that, “Non-eligible owners may hold a&nbsp; minority of voting rights, and the owners may hire management, managers, staff and enter into contracts that implement the decisions of the ownership collectively.”The division’s definition also includes the phrase “must have a level of operational control that would be expected of an owner.”&nbsp;MoCann suggests an alternative definition that eligible majority owners don’t need to have “exclusive operational control” of the business, but they must have majority voting rights. This takes out any “vagueness,” the letter states, on what operational control means.&nbsp;“If they must indeed exercise exclusive and total control over the business, there is effectively no way for them to hire any&nbsp;managers, staff or vendors to assist with the business,” Mullins wrote.&nbsp;However, the division’s website states that, “the ‘owned and operated’ requirement does not prohibit microbusiness licensees from entering into management agreements for facility operations.”Michael Wolff, a former chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court and dean emeritus of the St. Louis University Law School, said he wouldn’t construe the state’s definition to prohibit somebody from hiring a manager — because that’s what would normally be expected of an owner.&nbsp;“I don’t think you can make a parade of horribles out of that language,” Wolff said. “I think that language was put in there with a good effect and good intent.”The division stated in a press release last month that a “purported owner with little to no knowledge, control, agency or decision-making authority in an application or license does not meet the intent or meaning of the requirement in Article XIV.”Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP and who helped write the microbusiness provision, sided with the division’s definition.&nbsp;It’s similar, he said, to a federal standard, known as the “<a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/federal-aidessentials/commusefunction.pdf" target="_blank">commercially useful function</a>” rule, used to weed out pass-through companies in contracts set aside for underrepresented business enterprises.&nbsp;“It ensures that underrepresented business enterprises are genuinely responsible for executing distinct elements of work by actively performing, managing,” Pruitt said, “and supervising their operations, thereby preventing token participation.”<h2>Canna Zoned</h2>James Harnden says he didn’t realize that when he agreed to apply for a microbusiness license that the contract he signed gave him 100% ownership interest but no revenue or profits from the business.&nbsp;The contract was with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">Michigan-based cannabis group Canna Zoned</a>.&nbsp;After the business passed through all the state and municipal approvals, the contract stated that Harnden would be required to sell his share of the business for $1 to the group or be held in breach of contract.&nbsp;Harden did not get a license, but the state revoked two other applicants connected to Canna Zoned.Under the new rules, any entity who was the designated contact for a license that was previously revoked for failure to comply with the ownership and operation requirements will no longer be allowed to be involved in any capacity in a future microbusiness application.&nbsp;&nbsp;All microbusiness applications in which such former designated contact has any involvement would be denied.Jeffrey Yatooma, president of Canna Zoned and the designated contact for the two licenses revoked last year, told The Independent in an email last week that the proposed rule changes “reflect a fundamental misunderstanding” of the support that many applicants need to navigate the “labyrinthine system.”&nbsp;“These applicants often lack the experience or resources to manage the hurdles involved in obtaining full licensure,” Yatooma stated. “That’s exactly why they turn to us—to provide guidance, expertise, and a clear path forward. The assertion that these partnerships are somehow ‘predatory’ mischaracterizes the reality of the situation.”