<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750038354580.png" alt="Photo Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/pWgVsSbpue">pic.twitter.com/pWgVsSbpue</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1934412489837400369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump orders massive expansion of ICE raids in Democratic-run cities

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a nursing home resident on drug allegations.

Just after 3p.m. June 12, police in coordination with Central Kansas Community Corrections, responded to a narcotics complaint at Azria Health Woodhaven, located off K-96 Highway in Great Bend, according to a media release.

Facility staff reported concerns from residents about a fellow tenant allegedly using and possibly distributing illegal substances within the premises.&nbsp; Officers detained 71-year-old Larry Eugene Carpenter for investigation.

A subsequent search of Carpenter's residence revealed suspected methamphetamine and related drug paraphernalia. Additionally, Carpenter was found to be in violation of the Kansas Drug Tax Stamp Act. Carpenter was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. He remains in custody, according to online jail records.

Anyone with additional information related to these cases or any other investigation are encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or submit a tip anonymously through Barton County Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750022566699.png" alt="Carpenter photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Carpenter photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a nursing home resident on drug allegations.Just after 3p.m. June 12, police in coordination with Central Kansas Community Corrections, responded to a narcotics complaint at Azria Health Woodhaven, located off K-96 Highway in Great Bend, according to a media release.Facility staff reported concerns from residents about a fellow tenant allegedly using and possibly distributing illegal substances within the premises.&nbsp; Officers detained 71-year-old Larry Eugene Carpenter for investigation.A subsequent search of Carpenter's residence revealed suspected methamphetamine and related drug paraphernalia. Additionally, Carpenter was found to be in violation of the Kansas Drug Tax Stamp Act. Carpenter was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. He remains in custody, according to online jail records.Anyone with additional information related to these cases or any other investigation are encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or submit a tip anonymously through Barton County Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.

Kan. nursing home resident accused of using, selling meth

Pope Leo XIV spoke to young people on Saturday in a message delivered via a video broadcast on the jumbotron at the White Sox baseball stadium in Chicago, his hometown.

Pope Leo XIV spoke to young people on Saturday in a message delivered via a video broadcast on the jumbotron at the White Sox baseball stadium in Chicago, his hometown.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K1dwENW-5hU?si=jkcVHGTRLsVOZkqX" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A joyous day at Rate Field. <a href="https://t.co/WUks17v63g">pic.twitter.com/WUks17v63g</a>&mdash; Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) <a href="https://twitter.com/whitesox/status/1934004738871242987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 In White Sox stadium broadcast, Pope Leo XIV spoke to young people

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a double-homicide in Kansas City.

just after midnight, patrol officers were dispatched to the area of 69th and College on a reported sound of shots, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

As officers arrived they located a vehicle near the intersection. Inside the vehicle there were two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. 

Medics declared one man deceased at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.

This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody. Investigators are working to determine what led up to the victims being shot.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749989590110.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a double-homicide in Kansas City.just after midnight, patrol officers were dispatched to the area of 69th and College on a reported sound of shots, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.As officers arrived they located a vehicle near the intersection. Inside the vehicle there were two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. Medics declared one man deceased at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody. Investigators are working to determine what led up to the victims being shot.&nbsp;

Double-homicide: Two victims found in car in Kansas City

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sofia-resnick/">Sofia Resnick</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

If the budget reconciliation package before the U.S. Senate becomes law in the coming weeks, reproductive health advocates say the provision that would cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood clinics could serve as a backdoor nationwide abortion ban, eliminating access to 1 in 4 abortion providers.

The Republican-led bill, which already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">passed the House</a>&nbsp;by a slim margin, is more than 1,000 pages and includes sweeping tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy coupled with steep spending cuts to social services, including Medicaid.

On page 339 of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text" target="_blank">the bill</a>, Republicans included a provision prohibiting Medicaid funding from going to any sexual and reproductive health clinics that provide abortions and received more than $1 million in federal and state Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2024. While there may be a few independent clinics with operating budgets that high, it effectively singles out Planned Parenthood clinics.

Planned Parenthood clinics rely heavily on Medicaid funding, not to provide abortions, which is not permitted by federal law (except in cases of rape, incest or life-threatening health emergencies), but to provide standard reproductive health care at little to no cost, including treatment for sexually transmitted infections and cancer screenings, as well as contraception. Planned Parenthood provides services for about 2 million patients every year, and 64% of its clinics are in rural areas or places with health care provider shortages.

A Planned Parenthood spokesperson said people who use Medicaid make up half of the total patient volume nationwide for essential health care services provided by their clinics. Even though those patients aren’t seeking abortion care, funding cuts would affect the financial sustainability of those clinics, the spokesperson said.

The organization already identified that 200 of its clinics in 24 states are at risk of closure with the cuts but told States Newsroom on Thursday that further analysis revealed nearly all of those clinics — 90% — are in states where abortion is legal, and in 12 states, approximately 75% of abortion-providing Planned Parenthood health centers could close. The entire organization has about 600 clinics in 48 states.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” would result in nearly 11 million people losing access to health insurance by 2034,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-backed-giant-tax-and-spending-bill-bloats-deficit-24t-nonpartisan-cbo-says" target="_blank">according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office</a>, and add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, told States Newsroom she and other advocates have been meeting with senators to lobby against the bill’s passage, emphasizing that it will have an outsized negative effect on rural clinics and hospitals.

“We are encouraging everyone to reach out to their representatives about this,” McGill Johnson said. “They know that they’re doing this under a watchful eye, and we want to make sure their constituents know about it.”

The defunding effort would be a win for several prominent anti-abortion organizations that have long lobbied for this change and nearly achieved it in 2017 with a similar budget bill. Americans United for Life sent a fundraising email to its supporters Thursday saying this is a “crossroads” for abortion in America.&nbsp;

“So far in 2025 more than a dozen Planned Parenthood clinics have closed, their taxpayer funding is hanging by a thread, and the highest-ranking federal health officials are undertaking a ‘top-to-bottom review’ on the abortion pill,” the email attributed to CEO John Mize said. “It’s possible that very soon, mail-order abortion could be walked back, and more Planned Parenthood locations could be closing their doors for good.”

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, another anti-abortion organization that helped draft the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint for the next Republican president, told States Newsroom in an emailed statement that the budget provision should be no surprise, and there are better uses for the funding, like community health centers.

“Republicans have identified budgetary concerns with funding Big Abortion since 2015, and the bill language to do so has remained substantially the same,” said SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser.

Closures would affect already fragile health care system, Midwest doctor says

Planned Parenthood has already closed some clinics around the country, including eight clinics across Iowa and Minnesota at the end of May. Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, which includes Iowa and Minnesota, said the U.S. Health and Human Services’ decision to freeze Title X family planning funding to many reproductive health clinics at the<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-targets-planned-parenthoods-family-planning-grants" target="_blank">&nbsp;beginning of May</a>&nbsp;contributed to the decision to close those clinics. The North Central States affiliates serve more than 93,000 patients each year, about 20,000 of which use telehealth services.

About 30% of those patients use Medicaid to access care, she said.

“When Planned Parenthood isn’t able to provide services to patients as an essential safety net provider, it has ripple effects across the health care system at large,” Traxler said. “We are already sitting in a time in our country, and have for several decades, where we have patients who can’t access care.”

Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, told States Newsroom that 865 Title X clinics in 23 states are impacted by the federal freeze. She said there are no Title X services in eight states: California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Utah. She said the funding freeze affects one-quarter of all Title X funding grantees, translating to about 842,000 patients who have lost access to care.

“In the two months since HHS withheld federal funding for nearly two dozen Title X family planning grants, affected grantees have been struggling with the unknown of whether they will ever receive the vital funds,” Coleman said in an email. “Some have had to close clinics, lay off staff, and reduce essential contraceptive and sexual health care services. … On top of the Title X funding freeze, proposed Medicaid cuts will be devastating for Title X grantees. Rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs will increase, cancer screenings and diagnoses will be delayed, and decades of public health progress will be reversed.”

After the Iowa Legislature axed Planned Parenthood from its family planning program, Traxler said, the rates of sexually transmitted infections increased considerably across the state — an outcome verified by a&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797344" target="_blank">2022 medical study</a>. She expects similar effects from these cuts.

People already travel long distances for abortion care, she said, and that will only get worse if more cuts come to pass. But she also expects to see patients start traveling long distances for routine gynecological care.

‘Changes to Medicaid … only adds to the chaos’

Like many independent abortion clinics, the all-trimester Maryland abortion clinic Partners in Abortion Care does not receive Title X funding. But because Maryland is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/the-hyde-amendment-and-coverage-for-abortion-services-under-medicaid-in-the-post-roe-era/#:~:text=Because%20Medicaid%20is%20jointly%20funded,abortion%20services%20for%20Medicaid%20enrollees." target="_blank">17 states</a>&nbsp;whose Medicaid program covers abortions, they do see a lot of patients who are on Medicaid, at a significant cost to the clinic. Certified nurse-midwife and Partners co-founder Morgan Nuzzo said the clinic did not receive more than $1 million in federal or state Medicaid dollars in fiscal year 2024, and in fact loses about $1 million annually for seeing Medicaid patients.

Nuzzo said Maryland’s Medicaid program reimburses first-trimester abortions at a “decent rate,” but at a very low rate for later abortion cases, which are more medically complex.

“After about 15 to 16 weeks [gestation], we’re losing money on these cases,” Nuzzo said. “We’ve been billing now for almost a year through the state. In second and third-trimester abortion care, we’re losing about 85% of what we would charge for a cash pay fee. So that comes out to about $250,000 a quarter that we are losing just by the under-reimbursement from Maryland Medicaid.”

For that reason, Nuzzo is hopeful about Maryland’s new $25 million&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill-creating-abortion-grant-fund-under-and-uninsured-gains-momentum-house-senate" target="_blank">Public Health Abortion Grant Program</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0930" target="_blank">recently approved</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Wes Moore. The program will be open to clinics like Partners and abortion funds like the Baltimore Abortion Fund, but Nuzzo said it could be a while before that funding is available. Right now she is uncertain and concerned about how the federal reconciliation bill could potentially impact Maryland’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;

Because Partners provides abortions for all trimesters, they see patients from all over the country, and even the world, and the vast majority need financial assistance, Nuzzo said.

“People are traveling further for their procedures, just like they were before,” she said. “The landscape is constantly changing, almost week to week, about where you can access abortion, which is confusing and chaotic to patients. Changes to Medicaid and insurance coverage of abortion only adds to the chaos.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665657445227.png" alt="&nbsp;Planned Parenthood has identified 200 of its clinics in 24 states that are at risk of closure through federal cuts under the budget reconciliation package before the U.S. Senate. -Google image" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Planned Parenthood has identified 200 of its clinics in 24 states that are at risk of closure through federal cuts under the budget reconciliation package before the U.S. Senate. -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sofia-resnick/">Sofia Resnick</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>If the budget reconciliation package before the U.S. Senate becomes law in the coming weeks, reproductive health advocates say the provision that would cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood clinics could serve as a backdoor nationwide abortion ban, eliminating access to 1 in 4 abortion providers.The Republican-led bill, which already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">passed the House</a>&nbsp;by a slim margin, is more than 1,000 pages and includes sweeping tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy coupled with steep spending cuts to social services, including Medicaid.On page 339 of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text" target="_blank">the bill</a>, Republicans included a provision prohibiting Medicaid funding from going to any sexual and reproductive health clinics that provide abortions and received more than $1 million in federal and state Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2024. While there may be a few independent clinics with operating budgets that high, it effectively singles out Planned Parenthood clinics.Planned Parenthood clinics rely heavily on Medicaid funding, not to provide abortions, which is not permitted by federal law (except in cases of rape, incest or life-threatening health emergencies), but to provide standard reproductive health care at little to no cost, including treatment for sexually transmitted infections and cancer screenings, as well as contraception. Planned Parenthood provides services for about 2 million patients every year, and 64% of its clinics are in rural areas or places with health care provider shortages.A Planned Parenthood spokesperson said people who use Medicaid make up half of the total patient volume nationwide for essential health care services provided by their clinics. Even though those patients aren’t seeking abortion care, funding cuts would affect the financial sustainability of those clinics, the spokesperson said.The organization already identified that 200 of its clinics in 24 states are at risk of closure with the cuts but told States Newsroom on Thursday that further analysis revealed nearly all of those clinics — 90% — are in states where abortion is legal, and in 12 states, approximately 75% of abortion-providing Planned Parenthood health centers could close. The entire organization has about 600 clinics in 48 states.The “One Big Beautiful Bill” would result in nearly 11 million people losing access to health insurance by 2034,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-backed-giant-tax-and-spending-bill-bloats-deficit-24t-nonpartisan-cbo-says" target="_blank">according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office</a>, and add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years.Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, told States Newsroom she and other advocates have been meeting with senators to lobby against the bill’s passage, emphasizing that it will have an outsized negative effect on rural clinics and hospitals.“We are encouraging everyone to reach out to their representatives about this,” McGill Johnson said. “They know that they’re doing this under a watchful eye, and we want to make sure their constituents know about it.”The defunding effort would be a win for several prominent anti-abortion organizations that have long lobbied for this change and nearly achieved it in 2017 with a similar budget bill. Americans United for Life sent a fundraising email to its supporters Thursday saying this is a “crossroads” for abortion in America.&nbsp;“So far in 2025 more than a dozen Planned Parenthood clinics have closed, their taxpayer funding is hanging by a thread, and the highest-ranking federal health officials are undertaking a ‘top-to-bottom review’ on the abortion pill,” the email attributed to CEO John Mize said. “It’s possible that very soon, mail-order abortion could be walked back, and more Planned Parenthood locations could be closing their doors for good.”Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, another anti-abortion organization that helped draft the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint for the next Republican president, told States Newsroom in an emailed statement that the budget provision should be no surprise, and there are better uses for the funding, like community health centers.“Republicans have identified budgetary concerns with funding Big Abortion since 2015, and the bill language to do so has remained substantially the same,” said SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser.<h2>Closures would affect already fragile health care system, Midwest doctor says</h2>Planned Parenthood has already closed some clinics around the country, including eight clinics across Iowa and Minnesota at the end of May. Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, which includes Iowa and Minnesota, said the U.S. Health and Human Services’ decision to freeze Title X family planning funding to many reproductive health clinics at the<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-targets-planned-parenthoods-family-planning-grants" target="_blank">&nbsp;beginning of May</a>&nbsp;contributed to the decision to close those clinics. The North Central States affiliates serve more than 93,000 patients each year, about 20,000 of which use telehealth services.About 30% of those patients use Medicaid to access care, she said.“When Planned Parenthood isn’t able to provide services to patients as an essential safety net provider, it has ripple effects across the health care system at large,” Traxler said. “We are already sitting in a time in our country, and have for several decades, where we have patients who can’t access care.”Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, told States Newsroom that 865 Title X clinics in 23 states are impacted by the federal freeze. She said there are no Title X services in eight states: California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Utah. She said the funding freeze affects one-quarter of all Title X funding grantees, translating to about 842,000 patients who have lost access to care.“In the two months since HHS withheld federal funding for nearly two dozen Title X family planning grants, affected grantees have been struggling with the unknown of whether they will ever receive the vital funds,” Coleman said in an email. “Some have had to close clinics, lay off staff, and reduce essential contraceptive and sexual health care services. … On top of the Title X funding freeze, proposed Medicaid cuts will be devastating for Title X grantees. Rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs will increase, cancer screenings and diagnoses will be delayed, and decades of public health progress will be reversed.”After the Iowa Legislature axed Planned Parenthood from its family planning program, Traxler said, the rates of sexually transmitted infections increased considerably across the state — an outcome verified by a&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797344" target="_blank">2022 medical study</a>. She expects similar effects from these cuts.People already travel long distances for abortion care, she said, and that will only get worse if more cuts come to pass. But she also expects to see patients start traveling long distances for routine gynecological care.<h2>‘Changes to Medicaid … only adds to the chaos’</h2>Like many independent abortion clinics, the all-trimester Maryland abortion clinic Partners in Abortion Care does not receive Title X funding. But because Maryland is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/the-hyde-amendment-and-coverage-for-abortion-services-under-medicaid-in-the-post-roe-era/#:~:text=Because%20Medicaid%20is%20jointly%20funded,abortion%20services%20for%20Medicaid%20enrollees." target="_blank">17 states</a>&nbsp;whose Medicaid program covers abortions, they do see a lot of patients who are on Medicaid, at a significant cost to the clinic. Certified nurse-midwife and Partners co-founder Morgan Nuzzo said the clinic did not receive more than $1 million in federal or state Medicaid dollars in fiscal year 2024, and in fact loses about $1 million annually for seeing Medicaid patients.Nuzzo said Maryland’s Medicaid program reimburses first-trimester abortions at a “decent rate,” but at a very low rate for later abortion cases, which are more medically complex.“After about 15 to 16 weeks [gestation], we’re losing money on these cases,” Nuzzo said. “We’ve been billing now for almost a year through the state. In second and third-trimester abortion care, we’re losing about 85% of what we would charge for a cash pay fee. So that comes out to about $250,000 a quarter that we are losing just by the under-reimbursement from Maryland Medicaid.”For that reason, Nuzzo is hopeful about Maryland’s new $25 million&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill-creating-abortion-grant-fund-under-and-uninsured-gains-momentum-house-senate" target="_blank">Public Health Abortion Grant Program</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0930" target="_blank">recently approved</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Wes Moore. The program will be open to clinics like Partners and abortion funds like the Baltimore Abortion Fund, but Nuzzo said it could be a while before that funding is available. Right now she is uncertain and concerned about how the federal reconciliation bill could potentially impact Maryland’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;Because Partners provides abortions for all trimesters, they see patients from all over the country, and even the world, and the vast majority need financial assistance, Nuzzo said.“People are traveling further for their procedures, just like they were before,” she said. “The landscape is constantly changing, almost week to week, about where you can access abortion, which is confusing and chaotic to patients. Changes to Medicaid and insurance coverage of abortion only adds to the chaos.”

Planned Parenthood at risk of closing hundreds of clinics across the country

Missourians gathered at protests from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/abigaildidonna/">Abigail Didonna</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/willfirra/">Will Firra</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/zoenaylor/">Zoe Naylor</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/peterpynadath/">Peter Pynadath</a>

Thousands turned out in Columbia, Jefferson City and dozens of towns across Missouri on Saturday to join a nationwide mobilization against the expansion of executive power by the president.

The “No Kings” demonstrations took place in all 50 states, with at least 30 rallies in Missouri, from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.

The widespread national movement came after more than a week of demonstrations against federal immigration raids, largely in Los Angeles where President Donald Trump activated the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the authority of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Saturday’s protests were timed to match a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.

In St. Louis, news outlets reported that thousands participated in at least a dozen rallies in the city and the county, while thousands more marched in Kansas City, 2,000 lined the streets in Springfield and several hundred turned out in Joplin.

In addition to the rallies in U.S. cities, including in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, there were gatherings in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he was activating the Missouri National Guard ahead of the planned rallies but indicated they would be mobilized only if “assistance is needed to support local law enforcement.”

But organizers nationwide vowed to keep the protests peaceful, and very little disturbance or police presence was observed in Columbia and central Missouri.

The atmosphere at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia was upbeat Saturday as at least 1,000 people gathered to express their frustrations with the Trump administration.

Friends and neighbors mingled while speeches and live music filled the courthouse amphitheater, making the protest feel more like a block party than a demonstration.

Cars passing on Walnut Street answered protesters’ signs with honks of support. In the shade of the plaza parking garage, a hot dog stand sold food and drinks, while more protesters watched and waved American flags from the top floor of the garage.

Flags, signs and apparel at the protest were representative of the diverse range of people who showed up and the variety of grievances they have with Trump.

Chants in support of women and transgender rights were popular, and a number of signs focused on accusations of sexual misconduct against the president. Many brought American flags, some displayed upside down in an act traditionally used to signal distress.

During the rally, Ken Pearson said he was offended by Trump using his wealth and status to avoid military service.

“But beyond that, I think he’s a real threat to our democratic institutions,” said Pearson, who is a U.S. Army veteran.

Amy Lovelady came with her daughter to the protest to set an example.

“At this moment in our history if we’re silent, then we’re complacent,” Lovelady said.

Her daughter, Laila, added: “I just want everyone to be equal, and I want to have equality for everyone. It’s liberty and justice for all.”

Many people also expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s fiscal policies. Protesters called for the protection of funding for health care, schools, universities, conservation work and the U.S. Postal Service.

Demonstrators began gathering at the courthouse plaza around 11 a.m. for two hours of speeches and music.

For many who were closer to the road than the amphitheater, it was hard to hear, so instead, they chanted and socialized. Law enforcement presence at the event was light. Some officers helped keep people out of the street while others were seen near an ambulance on Ninth Street.

The steps of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City were packed with more than 1,000 protesters of all ages opposing deportation, restrictions to reproductive rights and federal funding cuts and layoffs.

The protest was organized by We Stand United Missouri, an organization that promotes political activism at the local level.

Speakers included Suzanne Luther, state House District 60 candidate; David Knipp, union and labor advocate; and Jordan Herrera, congressional candidate for Missouri’s 5th District.

Knipp, who goes by “Proud Union Guy,” said he was concerned about right-to-work laws and maintaining prevailing wage regulations.

“We’re the backbone of America,” Knipp told the crowd. “We don’t just build America — we are America.”

After hearing from speakers, protesters marched around the block, passing the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before returning to the Capitol building.

Their reasons for coming included a love of country, a desire to uphold checks and balances, and ensuring funds for state and federal programs.

Arianna Hensley-Parker, a 27-year-old mother who came with her kids, 6 and 3, said she was advocating for their futures, including continued access to health care.

She said her 3-year-old son received medical care and therapy from a program run by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays.

Hensley-Parker said the state-run program “was a huge reason why he can talk today.”

A couple from Linn, Rob Overly and Kate Wilson-Overly, came to protest funding cuts to Medicaid and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rob Overly’s mother was on Medicaid, he said, which helped pay for her colon cancer surgery. The procedure wouldn’t have elongated her life, but it did help her in her final days, he said.

“If it was not for Medicaid, that would not have happened,” said Overly, a member of the Osage County Democrats and a retired architect, “so I know how valuable that is.”

Everyone dies, Overly said, “but the question is how.”

Another couple traveled 2½ hours from Unionville to attend the rally. Steve, 64, and Jeanna Grimes, 63, said they were worried about funding cuts to Veterans Affairs programs, Social Security and international aid.

“We have 22 grandkids and three great-grandkids,” Steve Grimes said. “What is the country going to be like for them?”

His wife added that she thinks not just beyond her generation, but beyond U.S. borders, too.

“We really want good for the world. Why would they cut all the aid to other countries?” she said. “That’s soft power. That’s a beautiful thing.”

At least 100 protestors stood their ground outside the Cooper County Courthouse in Boonville, receiving honks and praise, as well as a few hostile signals from cars passing by on Main Street.

Boonville’s “No Kings” protest attracted people from the nearby communities of Moberly, Blackwater and Glasgow, but most were residents of the town.

Some said they had participated in historic movements before, including Mary Norbury, who held up a sign that read, “Jesus believed in DEI.”

“I think democratic ideals are just being shattered daily,” she said. “I believe in Christian principles, and that’s why I’m here.”

Norbury said she had joined a protest as a student at Duke University on behalf of Black workers who weren’t receiving compensation equal to their white counterparts.

After participating in a number of acts of civil disobedience, she said she believes everyone of any age should be able to voice an opinion, no matter how controversial.

“If they don’t, they have no right to complain about anything that happens,” she said. “You just have to be involved.”

Gaye Perera, former federal employee, helped organize Good Trouble Mid MO, an ad hoc committee in Boonville with more than 100 members. The organization’s mission is to “provide a voice for those concerned about the current direction of the country and how it impacts our community.”

“I do know that some members of our community, our Black neighbors and our LGBTQ neighbors, are more reluctant to come out, understandably, so it’s important that we represent them too,” Perera said.

Tamara and Lynn Lynch, a married couple from Boonville, said they were protesting to “make an impact.” Tamara Lynch is a former special education teacher, and Lynn Lynch is a special education compliance consultant at the University of Missouri.

“We believe the administration right now is continuing to break laws that are constitutional,” Lynn Lynch said. “There’s no reason to make cuts on the backs of people who are seniors, who are disabled, and our children, to give tax breaks to the wealthiest of this country.”

Tamara Lynch said her and her wife felt safe and protected, but she expressed concerns about the future of other protected rights under the Constitution.

“I’m worried that women’s right to vote could be compromised,” she said.

“We already lost the right to make decisions about our own body,” Lynn Lynch added.

Between the Howard County Courthouse and the First Baptist Church on Saturday morning in Fayette, protesters stood in clusters, held “No Kings” banners and talked about their perception of a broken democracy.

There were no chants. There were no speeches. The crowd of about 40 aired their frustrations and grappled with the last six months of chaotic change in America’s political system.

The conversations addressed what the protesters saw as threats to the Constitution, cruelty toward others who may not have strong voices and a general “decay of democracy.”

“The way he’s treating our immigrants and being so cruel, it’s just not right,” said Peggy Robb, 71, who had turned out for her first protest.

“I’m a God-fearing woman, and I just can’t believe you could treat other human beings in that way,” she said.

She also spoke as a retired teacher, and said she opposes the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.

Another protester, Beth Gold, said that in a small town, there is social pressure to respond to your neighbor in a friendly way. So, she said she was trying to spread her message through kindness while waving and smiling at cars passing by.

“I know everybody doesn’t agree with us, but if they can see us as people and not the enemy, that’s good,” Gold said. “We’ve made progress.”

Among a crowd that skewed older, John Tinker and his sister, Hope, were continuing a mission to promote change through protest that began nearly 60 years ago.

In 1968, John was a lead plaintiff in the landmark First Amendment Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, which established free speech as a protected right in America’s public schools.

He and another sister, Mary Beth, along with several others, wore black armbands to their public school to protest American involvement in the Vietnam War. After he was suspended, the Tinkers sued, and their case ended up before the Supreme Court.

The majority of Justices determined that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

On Saturday, John and Hope Tinker held onto the promise that protest can make meaningful change when principles are involved.

“The main thing I think that needs to happen is for society to affirm to itself that it wants to be a democratic society,” he said. “That it wants to be represented in government. That it doesn’t want a government that goes off on its own and does stuff. It wants to be what the American promise was.”

“No kings!” his sister added, as the protesters began to head home in late morning.

This story first appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/thousands-of-no-kings-protesters-fill-the-streets-and-squares-around-central-missouri/article_c5735b44-9434-48e5-9f28-0c01714fc818.html#tncms-source=featured" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749986637374.png" alt="Protesters fill the stairs leading up to the Missouri State Capitol during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Jefferson City. The protest and march drew over 1,000 attendees, according to event organizers (Michael Baniewicz/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption>Protesters fill the stairs leading up to the Missouri State Capitol during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Jefferson City. The protest and march drew over 1,000 attendees, according to event organizers (Michael Baniewicz/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Missourians gathered at protests from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/abigaildidonna/">Abigail Didonna</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/willfirra/">Will Firra</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/zoenaylor/">Zoe Naylor</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/peterpynadath/">Peter Pynadath</a>Thousands turned out in Columbia, Jefferson City and dozens of towns across Missouri on Saturday to join a nationwide mobilization against the expansion of executive power by the president.The “No Kings” demonstrations took place in all 50 states, with at least 30 rallies in Missouri, from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.The widespread national movement came after more than a week of demonstrations against federal immigration raids, largely in Los Angeles where President Donald Trump activated the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the authority of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.Saturday’s protests were timed to match a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.In St. Louis, news outlets reported that thousands participated in at least a dozen rallies in the city and the county, while thousands more marched in Kansas City, 2,000 lined the streets in Springfield and several hundred turned out in Joplin.In addition to the rallies in U.S. cities, including in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, there were gatherings in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he was activating the Missouri National Guard ahead of the planned rallies but indicated they would be mobilized only if “assistance is needed to support local law enforcement.”But organizers nationwide vowed to keep the protests peaceful, and very little disturbance or police presence was observed in Columbia and central Missouri.<h2>Around the Courthouse Plaza in Columbia</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749986592959.png" alt=" Hundreds of people gather for the “No Kings” protest Saturday at Boone County Courthouse in Columbia. The crowd sat in the warm sun as they listened to multiple speeches and chanted slogans (Kate Cassady/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption> Hundreds of people gather for the “No Kings” protest Saturday at Boone County Courthouse in Columbia. The crowd sat in the warm sun as they listened to multiple speeches and chanted slogans (Kate Cassady/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure>The atmosphere at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia was upbeat Saturday as at least 1,000 people gathered to express their frustrations with the Trump administration.Friends and neighbors mingled while speeches and live music filled the courthouse amphitheater, making the protest feel more like a block party than a demonstration.Cars passing on Walnut Street answered protesters’ signs with honks of support. In the shade of the plaza parking garage, a hot dog stand sold food and drinks, while more protesters watched and waved American flags from the top floor of the garage.Flags, signs and apparel at the protest were representative of the diverse range of people who showed up and the variety of grievances they have with Trump.Chants in support of women and transgender rights were popular, and a number of signs focused on accusations of sexual misconduct against the president. Many brought American flags, some displayed upside down in an act traditionally used to signal distress.During the rally, Ken Pearson said he was offended by Trump using his wealth and status to avoid military service.“But beyond that, I think he’s a real threat to our democratic institutions,” said Pearson, who is a U.S. Army veteran.Amy Lovelady came with her daughter to the protest to set an example.“At this moment in our history if we’re silent, then we’re complacent,” Lovelady said.Her daughter, Laila, added: “I just want everyone to be equal, and I want to have equality for everyone. It’s liberty and justice for all.”Many people also expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s fiscal policies. Protesters called for the protection of funding for health care, schools, universities, conservation work and the U.S. Postal Service.Demonstrators began gathering at the courthouse plaza around 11 a.m. for two hours of speeches and music.For many who were closer to the road than the amphitheater, it was hard to hear, so instead, they chanted and socialized. Law enforcement presence at the event was light. Some officers helped keep people out of the street while others were seen near an ambulance on Ninth Street.<h2>On the steps of the Missouri Capitol</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749986551294.png" alt="Victoria Harris, left, and Kurt Dulle wait for the “No Kings” protest to begin Saturday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. “I’m seeing the (Trump) administration is very easily, arguably, corrupted and doing things that are blatantly illegal,” Dulle said. ‘“I hope to see people say, ‘Enough is enough'” (Michael Baniewicz/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption>Victoria Harris, left, and Kurt Dulle wait for the “No Kings” protest to begin Saturday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. “I’m seeing the (Trump) administration is very easily, arguably, corrupted and doing things that are blatantly illegal,” Dulle said. ‘“I hope to see people say, ‘Enough is enough'” (Michael Baniewicz/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure>The steps of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City were packed with more than 1,000 protesters of all ages opposing deportation, restrictions to reproductive rights and federal funding cuts and layoffs.The protest was organized by We Stand United Missouri, an organization that promotes political activism at the local level.Speakers included Suzanne Luther, state House District 60 candidate; David Knipp, union and labor advocate; and Jordan Herrera, congressional candidate for Missouri’s 5th District.Knipp, who goes by “Proud Union Guy,” said he was concerned about right-to-work laws and maintaining prevailing wage regulations.“We’re the backbone of America,” Knipp told the crowd. “We don’t just build America — we are America.”After hearing from speakers, protesters marched around the block, passing the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before returning to the Capitol building.Their reasons for coming included a love of country, a desire to uphold checks and balances, and ensuring funds for state and federal programs.Arianna Hensley-Parker, a 27-year-old mother who came with her kids, 6 and 3, said she was advocating for their futures, including continued access to health care.She said her 3-year-old son received medical care and therapy from a program run by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays.Hensley-Parker said the state-run program “was a huge reason why he can talk today.”A couple from Linn, Rob Overly and Kate Wilson-Overly, came to protest funding cuts to Medicaid and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Rob Overly’s mother was on Medicaid, he said, which helped pay for her colon cancer surgery. The procedure wouldn’t have elongated her life, but it did help her in her final days, he said.“If it was not for Medicaid, that would not have happened,” said Overly, a member of the Osage County Democrats and a retired architect, “so I know how valuable that is.”Everyone dies, Overly said, “but the question is how.”Another couple traveled 2½ hours from Unionville to attend the rally. Steve, 64, and Jeanna Grimes, 63, said they were worried about funding cuts to Veterans Affairs programs, Social Security and international aid.“We have 22 grandkids and three great-grandkids,” Steve Grimes said. “What is the country going to be like for them?”His wife added that she thinks not just beyond her generation, but beyond U.S. borders, too.“We really want good for the world. Why would they cut all the aid to other countries?” she said. “That’s soft power. That’s a beautiful thing.”<h2>On the square in Boonville</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749986507526.png" alt=" Protesters march down Main Street holding signs and American flags during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Boonville. The demonstration was part of a national day of action against authoritarianism and political repression (Xiaoman An/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption> Protesters march down Main Street holding signs and American flags during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Boonville. The demonstration was part of a national day of action against authoritarianism and political repression (Xiaoman An/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure>At least 100 protestors stood their ground outside the Cooper County Courthouse in Boonville, receiving honks and praise, as well as a few hostile signals from cars passing by on Main Street.Boonville’s “No Kings” protest attracted people from the nearby communities of Moberly, Blackwater and Glasgow, but most were residents of the town.Some said they had participated in historic movements before, including Mary Norbury, who held up a sign that read, “Jesus believed in DEI.”“I think democratic ideals are just being shattered daily,” she said. “I believe in Christian principles, and that’s why I’m here.”Norbury said she had joined a protest as a student at Duke University on behalf of Black workers who weren’t receiving compensation equal to their white counterparts.After participating in a number of acts of civil disobedience, she said she believes everyone of any age should be able to voice an opinion, no matter how controversial.“If they don’t, they have no right to complain about anything that happens,” she said. “You just have to be involved.”Gaye Perera, former federal employee, helped organize Good Trouble Mid MO, an ad hoc committee in Boonville with more than 100 members. The organization’s mission is to “provide a voice for those concerned about the current direction of the country and how it impacts our community.”“I do know that some members of our community, our Black neighbors and our LGBTQ neighbors, are more reluctant to come out, understandably, so it’s important that we represent them too,” Perera said.Tamara and Lynn Lynch, a married couple from Boonville, said they were protesting to “make an impact.” Tamara Lynch is a former special education teacher, and Lynn Lynch is a special education compliance consultant at the University of Missouri.“We believe the administration right now is continuing to break laws that are constitutional,” Lynn Lynch said. “There’s no reason to make cuts on the backs of people who are seniors, who are disabled, and our children, to give tax breaks to the wealthiest of this country.”Tamara Lynch said her and her wife felt safe and protected, but she expressed concerns about the future of other protected rights under the Constitution.“I’m worried that women’s right to vote could be compromised,” she said.“We already lost the right to make decisions about our own body,” Lynn Lynch added.<h2>On a corner in Fayette</h2>Between the Howard County Courthouse and the First Baptist Church on Saturday morning in Fayette, protesters stood in clusters, held “No Kings” banners and talked about their perception of a broken democracy.There were no chants. There were no speeches. The crowd of about 40 aired their frustrations and grappled with the last six months of chaotic change in America’s political system.The conversations addressed what the protesters saw as threats to the Constitution, cruelty toward others who may not have strong voices and a general “decay of democracy.”“The way he’s treating our immigrants and being so cruel, it’s just not right,” said Peggy Robb, 71, who had turned out for her first protest.“I’m a God-fearing woman, and I just can’t believe you could treat other human beings in that way,” she said.She also spoke as a retired teacher, and said she opposes the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.Another protester, Beth Gold, said that in a small town, there is social pressure to respond to your neighbor in a friendly way. So, she said she was trying to spread her message through kindness while waving and smiling at cars passing by.“I know everybody doesn’t agree with us, but if they can see us as people and not the enemy, that’s good,” Gold said. “We’ve made progress.”Among a crowd that skewed older, John Tinker and his sister, Hope, were continuing a mission to promote change through protest that began nearly 60 years ago.In 1968, John was a lead plaintiff in the landmark First Amendment Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, which established free speech as a protected right in America’s public schools.He and another sister, Mary Beth, along with several others, wore black armbands to their public school to protest American involvement in the Vietnam War. After he was suspended, the Tinkers sued, and their case ended up before the Supreme Court.The majority of Justices determined that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”On Saturday, John and Hope Tinker held onto the promise that protest can make meaningful change when principles are involved.“The main thing I think that needs to happen is for society to affirm to itself that it wants to be a democratic society,” he said. “That it wants to be represented in government. That it doesn’t want a government that goes off on its own and does stuff. It wants to be what the American promise was.”“No kings!” his sister added, as the protesters began to head home in late morning.This story first appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/thousands-of-no-kings-protesters-fill-the-streets-and-squares-around-central-missouri/article_c5735b44-9434-48e5-9f28-0c01714fc818.html#tncms-source=featured" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies draw thousands to peaceful protests across Missouri

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">massive military parade</a>&nbsp;commemorating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-army-trump-f56795c86d802e1c4d40c4de5b001db5">250th birthday of the U.S. Army</a>, which coincides with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fort-bragg-6df36485dec1df2350d5b7be0882a703">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s 79th birthday was staged Saturday in Washington, D.C. The event included about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-army-trump-birthday-veterans-0912f4009b4d9fc157b35bb9edf9375a">M1 Abrams battle tanks</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-parade-military-secret-service-dc-birthday-cb66cba29cdc06ba798521454918271d">possibly 200,000 attendees</a>&nbsp;and heightened security to match.&nbsp;

 Members of&nbsp;"The Big Red One" from Fort Riley were featured about 45 minutes into the parade.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942516429.png" alt="Parade images from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Parade images from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">massive military parade</a>&nbsp;commemorating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-army-trump-f56795c86d802e1c4d40c4de5b001db5">250th birthday of the U.S. Army</a>, which coincides with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fort-bragg-6df36485dec1df2350d5b7be0882a703">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s 79th birthday was staged Saturday in Washington, D.C. The event included about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-army-trump-birthday-veterans-0912f4009b4d9fc157b35bb9edf9375a">M1 Abrams battle tanks</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-parade-military-secret-service-dc-birthday-cb66cba29cdc06ba798521454918271d">possibly 200,000 attendees</a>&nbsp;and heightened security to match.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F570562596109811%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div> Members of&nbsp;"The Big Red One" from Fort Riley were featured about 45 minutes into the parade.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942481362.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942533963.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/cCsaITcXM0">pic.twitter.com/cCsaITcXM0</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1934102041158127686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942498879.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749944278187.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749944294970.png" alt="Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump during the parade-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump during the parade-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥Soldiers from Kansas featured in the Army's 250th birthday parade

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Harley Davidson driven by&nbsp; Guy L. Woods, 64, Fountain, Colorado, was westbound on Cherokee Street at 10th Street in Leavenworth. The driver&nbsp; failed to stop at the stop sign.

The motorcycle struck a westbound 2017 Toyota Camry driven by Shirley Fells, 68, Leavenworth.&nbsp; EMS transported Woods to Saint John Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Fells was not injured.&nbsp; Woods was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Harley Davidson driven by&nbsp; Guy L. Woods, 64, Fountain, Colorado, was westbound on Cherokee Street at 10th Street in Leavenworth. The driver&nbsp; failed to stop at the stop sign.The motorcycle struck a westbound 2017 Toyota Camry driven by Shirley Fells, 68, Leavenworth.&nbsp; EMS transported Woods to Saint John Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Fells was not injured.&nbsp; Woods was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

KHP: Man dies after motorcycle, car crash

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas. City man is facing charges in connection with with a fatal shooting that took place in a northeast Kansas City neighborhood in March.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2652/DNicholsComplaintredacted">Demarion Nichols</a>, 19,&nbsp;faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

 If convicted, he could spend up to 30 years in prison.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2651/DNichols-PC-Statementredacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to the area of St. John Avenue and Monroe Avenue on March 26 and located the victim suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Video surveillance capturing the shooting showed the victim entering the store. A black Ford Fiesta arrived and backed into a parking spot. As the victim exited the store, a man, later identified as the Nichols exited the driver’s side of the Ford. He stared at the victim until the victim passed him, then pulled a firearm with an extended magazine from his left side and fired at the victim. He continued to shoot the victim even after the victim fell between two vehicles. Then Nichols went back to his vehicle and fled the scene.&nbsp;

Detectives were able to connect the defendant to the shooting through social media and tracing information from his cell phone that placed him on scene at the time of the shooting.

The defendant is being held without bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749675167498.png" alt="Nichols photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Nichols photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas. City man is facing charges in connection with with a fatal shooting that took place in a northeast Kansas City neighborhood in March.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2652/DNicholsComplaintredacted">Demarion Nichols</a>, 19,&nbsp;faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. If convicted, he could spend up to 30 years in prison.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2651/DNichols-PC-Statementredacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to the area of St. John Avenue and Monroe Avenue on March 26 and located the victim suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;Video surveillance capturing the shooting showed the victim entering the store. A black Ford Fiesta arrived and backed into a parking spot. As the victim exited the store, a man, later identified as the Nichols exited the driver’s side of the Ford. He stared at the victim until the victim passed him, then pulled a firearm with an extended magazine from his left side and fired at the victim. He continued to shoot the victim even after the victim fell between two vehicles. Then Nichols went back to his vehicle and fled the scene.&nbsp;Detectives were able to connect the defendant to the shooting through social media and tracing information from his cell phone that placed him on scene at the time of the shooting.The defendant is being held without bond.&nbsp;

Social media led to arrest of KC teen murder suspect 

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

Just before 4a.m. Friday, police responded to a 911 call at a residence in central Salina, in reference to child under the age of 15 years old reporting an adult attempting to get in their room to inappropriately touch them and a sibling also under the age of 15, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

At the home, officers made contact with the child who reported the male who lives at the residence, identified as 32, year-old Andrew L. Webb had inappropriately propositioned them. Webb also fondled the second child. 

The two children then locked themselves into a bedroom as Webb attempted to gain entry.  Webb then began allegedly making sexual comments to the two children. The children then called 911. Officers made contact with Webb at the residence and took him into custody without incident. 

He was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, and two counts of Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child, according to&nbsp;Feldman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749842004157.png" alt="Webb photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Webb photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.Just before 4a.m. Friday, police responded to a 911 call at a residence in central Salina, in reference to child under the age of 15 years old reporting an adult attempting to get in their room to inappropriately touch them and a sibling also under the age of 15, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.At the home, officers made contact with the child who reported the male who lives at the residence, identified as 32, year-old Andrew L. Webb had inappropriately propositioned them. Webb also fondled the second child. The two children then locked themselves into a bedroom as Webb attempted to gain entry. Webb then began allegedly making sexual comments to the two children. The children then called 911. Officers made contact with Webb at the residence and took him into custody without incident. He was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, and two counts of Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child, according to&nbsp;Feldman.

Children call police from locked room after alleged sex assault at Kan. home

WASHINGTON —The U.S. Army will celebrate 250 years with a massive military parade in Washington.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/us-army-250th-anniversary-parade-celebration/433796">Click here to watch 5p.m. CDT</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749938645524.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The U.S. Army will celebrate 250 years with a massive military parade in Washington.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/us-army-250th-anniversary-parade-celebration/433796">Click here to watch 5p.m. CDT</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Participates in the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade 📱Text &quot;POTUS&quot; to 45470 for Updates from the Trump White House <a href="https://t.co/kXBxoeTbV5">https://t.co/kXBxoeTbV5</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1934009052872278049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade

KANSAS CITY —Officials are working to determine the cause of a fire at a commercial building in Kansas City. Just after 1p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported&nbsp; fire in the 500 block of E. 1st Street, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported smoke showing from a single-story vacant commercial building. Offensive operations were initiated using multiple handlines. 

Searches of the structure came back all clear. KCFD was able to get the fire under control just before 2:00 p.m. No injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749843751851.png" alt="Photo KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Officials are working to determine the cause of a fire at a commercial building in Kansas City. Just after 1p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported&nbsp; fire in the 500 block of E. 1st Street, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749843775717.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Crews reported smoke showing from a single-story vacant commercial building. Offensive operations were initiated using multiple handlines. Searches of the structure came back all clear. KCFD was able to get the fire under control just before 2:00 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Cause of fire at KC commercial building under investigation

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

TOPEKA — A three-judge appeals court panel on Friday cleared the way for Kansans to resume changing their gender markers on driver’s licenses, rejecting arguments made by Attorney General Kris Kobach and overturning a lower court ruling.

The Kansas Court of Appeals panel ordered the case return to the district court level to be heard by someone other than Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson, who abused her discretion and committed legal and factual errors, according to the Friday ruling.

Judges Karen Arnold-Burger, Stephen Hill and Sarah Warner determined the state would suffer no harm by allowing transgender residents to be identified by their “gender,” which is a personal identity or expression, rather than their “sex,” which relates to reproductive systems. Kobach’s office had argued that the two terms are interchangeable.

The Legislature&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/" target="_blank">passed a law</a>&nbsp;in 2023 that requires vital statistics to recognize a person’s biological sex at birth.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/07/07/kobach-sues-to-strip-transgender-kansans-of-identities-in-dispute-over-drivers-licenses/">Kobach sued the Kansas Department of Revenue</a>&nbsp;for continuing to allow transgender residents to change the gender markers on their driver’s license, as the office had done since at least 2007.

From 2011 to 2022, KDOR issued 9,316,937 driver’s licenses. During that period, 380 drivers changed their gender marker.

Watson in 2023 issued a temporary injunction to block changes in gender markers on driver’s licenses. The appeals court,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/27/who-are-they-going-to-target-next-kansas-appeals-court-hears-arguments-on-gender-markers/">which heard arguments in January</a>, removed that injunction and replaced it with an order to allow changes.

Watson, the higher court said, had committed a legal error by concluding, without any support, that Kobach’s mere allegation that KDOR was violating state law had established irreparable harm. Additionally, the higher court faulted Watson’s conclusion that changing a gender marker could hinder law enforcement officers.

“The problem with the district court’s finding is that the AG presented no evidence to support this claimed injury beyond unsubstantiated speculation,” Arnold-Burger wrote on behalf of the appeals court panel.

In fact, she wrote, “the evidence was overwhelming that there was no harm.”

At the district court level, Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill testified that one time, he didn’t say when, he arrested a transgender woman who told him that she was a man. One of the problems with that example, Arnold-Burger wrote, is that he relied on the individual’s “outward appearance,” not their driver’s license. And, she wrote, the same mistake could be made for any cisgender woman who appears less feminine and more masculine than the average woman.

Additionally, the sheriff’s gender confusion didn’t prevent the arrest or immediate discovery of the person’s identity. And, Hill acknowledged that law enforcement officers can’t always rely on a driver’s license anyway because people change their names.

“The district court committed an error of fact by concluding that there was evidence — any evidence beyond mere speculation — to support a finding that law enforcement would be immediately hindered in the identification of suspects, victims, wanted persons, missing persons, detainees, and others if the driver’s license did not display the driver’s sex assigned at birth,” Arnold-Burger wrote.

The appeals court ruling also noted that the Kansas Supreme Court has recognized a distinction between “sex” and “gender” since at least 2002. And it determined that Kobach was unlikely to prevail in the case.

The appeals court panel ordered the case return to the district court level for a hearing before a new judge.

“Because of the district court’s abuse of discretion, the KDOR has been unable to issue reclassifications of gender designations on Kansas driver’s licenses for two years while this litigation languished,” Arnold-Burger wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749845738373.png" alt=" Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Karen Arnold-Burger questions an attorney during a Jan. 27, 2025, hearing in a dispute over whether Kansans can change their gender markers on driver’s licenses. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Karen Arnold-Burger questions an attorney during a Jan. 27, 2025, hearing in a dispute over whether Kansans can change their gender markers on driver’s licenses. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflecto</a>TOPEKA — A three-judge appeals court panel on Friday cleared the way for Kansans to resume changing their gender markers on driver’s licenses, rejecting arguments made by Attorney General Kris Kobach and overturning a lower court ruling.The Kansas Court of Appeals panel ordered the case return to the district court level to be heard by someone other than Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson, who abused her discretion and committed legal and factual errors, according to the Friday ruling.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We will be asking the Kansas Supreme Court to review this case in an expedited manner and overturn the Court of Appeals decision. <a href="https://t.co/Vmo6LMeqf9">pic.twitter.com/Vmo6LMeqf9</a>&mdash; Kansas AG&#39;s Office (@KSAGOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSAGOffice/status/1933610315502993866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Judges Karen Arnold-Burger, Stephen Hill and Sarah Warner determined the state would suffer no harm by allowing transgender residents to be identified by their “gender,” which is a personal identity or expression, rather than their “sex,” which relates to reproductive systems. Kobach’s office had argued that the two terms are interchangeable.The Legislature&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/" target="_blank">passed a law</a>&nbsp;in 2023 that requires vital statistics to recognize a person’s biological sex at birth.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/07/07/kobach-sues-to-strip-transgender-kansans-of-identities-in-dispute-over-drivers-licenses/">Kobach sued the Kansas Department of Revenue</a>&nbsp;for continuing to allow transgender residents to change the gender markers on their driver’s license, as the office had done since at least 2007.From 2011 to 2022, KDOR issued 9,316,937 driver’s licenses. During that period, 380 drivers changed their gender marker.Watson in 2023 issued a temporary injunction to block changes in gender markers on driver’s licenses. The appeals court,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/27/who-are-they-going-to-target-next-kansas-appeals-court-hears-arguments-on-gender-markers/">which heard arguments in January</a>, removed that injunction and replaced it with an order to allow changes.Watson, the higher court said, had committed a legal error by concluding, without any support, that Kobach’s mere allegation that KDOR was violating state law had established irreparable harm. Additionally, the higher court faulted Watson’s conclusion that changing a gender marker could hinder law enforcement officers.“The problem with the district court’s finding is that the AG presented no evidence to support this claimed injury beyond unsubstantiated speculation,” Arnold-Burger wrote on behalf of the appeals court panel.In fact, she wrote, “the evidence was overwhelming that there was no harm.”At the district court level, Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill testified that one time, he didn’t say when, he arrested a transgender woman who told him that she was a man. One of the problems with that example, Arnold-Burger wrote, is that he relied on the individual’s “outward appearance,” not their driver’s license. And, she wrote, the same mistake could be made for any cisgender woman who appears less feminine and more masculine than the average woman.Additionally, the sheriff’s gender confusion didn’t prevent the arrest or immediate discovery of the person’s identity. And, Hill acknowledged that law enforcement officers can’t always rely on a driver’s license anyway because people change their names.“The district court committed an error of fact by concluding that there was evidence — any evidence beyond mere speculation — to support a finding that law enforcement would be immediately hindered in the identification of suspects, victims, wanted persons, missing persons, detainees, and others if the driver’s license did not display the driver’s sex assigned at birth,” Arnold-Burger wrote.The appeals court ruling also noted that the Kansas Supreme Court has recognized a distinction between “sex” and “gender” since at least 2002. And it determined that Kobach was unlikely to prevail in the case.The appeals court panel ordered the case return to the district court level for a hearing before a new judge.“Because of the district court’s abuse of discretion, the KDOR has been unable to issue reclassifications of gender designations on Kansas driver’s licenses for two years while this litigation languished,” Arnold-Burger wrote.

Kan. appeals court ruling restores ability to change gender markers on driver’s licenses

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/michelle/">Michelle Griffith</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials of the past decade, died on Saturday morning after a man impersonating a police officer shot her in her Brooklyn Park home, Gov. Tim Walz said.

Hortman’s husband was also shot and killed, the governor said.

&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)

Walz, appearing emotional at a press conference in the north metro, said they were killed in an apparent “politically motivated assassination.”

“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz said. “(Hortman) was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota.”

Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times earlier in the evening in their Champlin home. Walz said they were out of surgery, and that he’s “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said Champlin law enforcement received a call at about 2 a.m. that a person shot Hoffman and his wife.&nbsp;

Brooklyn Park Police Department Chief Mark Bruley said his officers assisted with the Champlin shooting; a sergeant suggested checking in on Hortman’s home. They live about five to eight miles away from each other. When Brooklyn Park police officers arrived at Hortman’s home, they encountered a person who was dressed like a police officer who “immediately fired at them,” Evans said. Police exchanged gunfire with the person, but they were able to escape.

The shooter is still at large, and Brooklyn Park is under a shelter-in-place order. Hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams are conducting a manhunt for the person, officials said.

Bruley said that when they arrived at Hortman’s home, they saw a police SUV with its lights on and saw the suspect was impersonating a police officer.

In the SUV, police found a “manifesto,” with a list of lawmakers and other officials on it. Hortman and Hoffman were on the list.

Hortman, who has two adult children, was first elected to the Legislature 2004 and served as House Speaker from 2019-2024. She lost two elections before winning, which she said gave her an understanding of what it takes to win swing seats and hold them.

Her speakership will be remembered as among the most consequential in recent Minnesota political history. With Walz and Senate GOP Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, she guided the state through the pandemic before helping Democrats achieve a trifecta in the 2022 election.

During the 2023 legislative session, she helped bridge the wide gulf between moderates and progressives in her caucus to achieve a historic legislative agenda. Democrats codified abortion rights in law; invested in education, including universal schools meals, as well as transportation and housing; created paid family leave; legalized cannabis; and passed gun control laws.

The encomiums poured in Saturday. “There is no greater champion for Minnesota’s working people than Melissa Hortman,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, the laborers union.

Hoffman was elected in 2012 and is known for his work on human services.

The&nbsp;Reformer&nbsp;sat down with Hortman at the Capitol on Thursday to discuss the 2025 session, which ended on Monday.

During his remarks Saturday, Walz denounced political violence and said the people involved in the shooting would be caught and held responsible.

“This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint,” Walz said.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, who worked closely with Hortman in the Legislature to negotiate a state budget this year, said she was horrified by Hortman’s murder.

“I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Demuth said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749912930519.png" alt="Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/michelle/">Michelle Griffith</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials of the past decade, died on Saturday morning after a man impersonating a police officer shot her in her Brooklyn Park home, Gov. Tim Walz said.Hortman’s husband was also shot and killed, the governor said.&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VHtHNAbFnow?si=bDqgF_TC1GA4uEsT&amp;start=29" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement from President Donald J. Trump I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be…&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1933910353718497656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The FBI is fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1933903879042728255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2></h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749913092402.png" alt="Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman -photo courtesy Minnesota Senate" />
 <figcaption>Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman -photo courtesy Minnesota Senate</figcaption>
 </figure>Walz, appearing emotional at a press conference in the north metro, said they were killed in an apparent “politically motivated assassination.”“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz said. “(Hortman) was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota.”Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times earlier in the evening in their Champlin home. Walz said they were out of surgery, and that he’s “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said Champlin law enforcement received a call at about 2 a.m. that a person shot Hoffman and his wife.&nbsp;Brooklyn Park Police Department Chief Mark Bruley said his officers assisted with the Champlin shooting; a sergeant suggested checking in on Hortman’s home. They live about five to eight miles away from each other. When Brooklyn Park police officers arrived at Hortman’s home, they encountered a person who was dressed like a police officer who “immediately fired at them,” Evans said. Police exchanged gunfire with the person, but they were able to escape.The shooter is still at large, and Brooklyn Park is under a shelter-in-place order. Hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams are conducting a manhunt for the person, officials said.Bruley said that when they arrived at Hortman’s home, they saw a police SUV with its lights on and saw the suspect was impersonating a police officer.In the SUV, police found a “manifesto,” with a list of lawmakers and other officials on it. Hortman and Hoffman were on the list.Hortman, who has two adult children, was first elected to the Legislature 2004 and served as House Speaker from 2019-2024. She lost two elections before winning, which she said gave her an understanding of what it takes to win swing seats and hold them.Her speakership will be remembered as among the most consequential in recent Minnesota political history. With Walz and Senate GOP Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, she guided the state through the pandemic before helping Democrats achieve a trifecta in the 2022 election.During the 2023 legislative session, she helped bridge the wide gulf between moderates and progressives in her caucus to achieve a historic legislative agenda. Democrats codified abortion rights in law; invested in education, including universal schools meals, as well as transportation and housing; created paid family leave; legalized cannabis; and passed gun control laws.The encomiums poured in Saturday. “There is no greater champion for Minnesota’s working people than Melissa Hortman,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, the laborers union.Hoffman was elected in 2012 and is known for his work on human services.The&nbsp;Reformer&nbsp;sat down with Hortman at the Capitol on Thursday to discuss the 2025 session, which ended on Monday.During his remarks Saturday, Walz denounced political violence and said the people involved in the shooting would be caught and held responsible.“This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint,” Walz said.House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, who worked closely with Hortman in the Legislature to negotiate a state budget this year, said she was horrified by Hortman’s murder.“I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Demuth said in a statement.

🎥Two Minnesota lawmakers shot in their homes in a targeted attack

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting at&nbsp; 35th and Prospect, according to KCKPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749904887891.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting at&nbsp; 35th and Prospect, according to KCKPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749903126084.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders were directed to the gas station parking lot. They located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers began performing live saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. On scene officers located a total of four victims. An adult female victim had critical injuries, one adult male victim had critical injuries, and two adult male victims had non life threatening injuries, according to DiMartino.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749903072954.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure> All of the victims were transported to local hospitals. The adult female victim was pronounced deceased a short time later by medical personnel.Additional officers responded to a separate shooting, a short distance away, in the 2000 block of East Linwood where an adult male victim was located. It was determined the victim was related to the scene at 35th and Prospect. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody at this point, according to DiMartino.Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.