LAFAYETTE COUNTY —A Kansas man died during a pursuit with law enforcement just before 4a.m. Sunday in Lafayette County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Acura TL driven by a 67-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man was westbound on Old Highway 40 at Route M. The driver failed to yield to a sheriff's deputy and a pursuit ensued. The driver failed to negotiate a left turn.&nbsp; The&nbsp; car traveled off the right side of the road, rolled and the driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected.&nbsp; 

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Stewart-Hoefner Funeral Home.&nbsp; &nbsp;The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY —A Kansas man died during a pursuit with law enforcement just before 4a.m. Sunday in Lafayette County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Acura TL driven by a 67-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man was westbound on Old Highway 40 at Route M. The driver failed to yield to a sheriff's deputy and a pursuit ensued. The driver failed to negotiate a left turn.&nbsp; The&nbsp; car traveled off the right side of the road, rolled and the driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected.&nbsp; The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Stewart-Hoefner Funeral Home.&nbsp; &nbsp;The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Driver dies in crash during chase with Missouri deputy

&nbsp;A Republican lawmaker who leads the Senate Intelligence Committee said Sunday, and he would not oppose the public release of a September strike on a drug boat that killed two survivors if the Pentagon were to declassify it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764640848301.png" alt="U.S. attack on an alleged drug boat Sept. 2-image from Department of War" />
 <figcaption>U.S. attack on an alleged drug boat Sept. 2-image from Department of War</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;A Republican lawmaker who leads the Senate Intelligence Committee said Sunday, and he would not oppose the public release of a September strike on a drug boat that killed two survivors if the Pentagon were to declassify it.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The best way to have a large scale impact on these foreign drug traffickers is to destroy their boats. I support President Trump’s mission to protect kids across Arkansas from these drugs. <a href="https://t.co/PyHZ1xlp2Z">pic.twitter.com/PyHZ1xlp2Z</a>&mdash; Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/1997734351904415756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;The order, like the entire operation, is to destroy these drug boats — which are running drugs into our country from foreign drug cartels and traffickers,&quot; says <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenTomCotton</a>. &quot;It was entirely appropriate to strike the boat again to make sure that its cargo was destroyed.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/GVVdtbcQ0c">pic.twitter.com/GVVdtbcQ0c</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1997690655913509189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Any boat filled with drugs and operated by foreign drug traffickers trying to kill American kids is a valid military target. We should continue these lawful, needful strikes to protect our children. <a href="https://t.co/EAGsb0jK2R">pic.twitter.com/EAGsb0jK2R</a>&mdash; Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/1997729067219464689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Another GOP senator wants to release video of Sept. strike on drug boat

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas man pleaded guilty in federal court last week to illegally possessing a fully automatic pistol.

Verdell D. Mays, 30, of Overland Park, Kansas pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun, according to the United State's Attorney.

By pleading guilty, Mays admitted on June 28, 2025, he possessed a Glock, Model 22C, .40 caliber fully automatic pistol and that the Glock pistol had a rear slide plate that was modified to produce automatic fire.&nbsp;Mays is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction in federal court for being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.

Under federal statutes, Mays is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2026, after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cass County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765029150128.png" alt="Mays from an arrest in Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Mays from an arrest in Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas man pleaded guilty in federal court last week to illegally possessing a fully automatic pistol.Verdell D. Mays, 30, of Overland Park, Kansas pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun, according to the United State's Attorney.By pleading guilty, Mays admitted on June 28, 2025, he possessed a Glock, Model 22C, .40 caliber fully automatic pistol and that the Glock pistol had a rear slide plate that was modified to produce automatic fire.&nbsp;Mays is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction in federal court for being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.Under federal statutes, Mays is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2026, after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cass County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.

Kansas man admits illegally possessing a machine gun

Sioux City, Iowa —Two men with lengthy criminal histories were convicted by a jury last month after a 11-day trial in federal court in Sioux City. according to the United State's Attorney.

Floyd Clifford Coates, Jr., aka Cliff Coates, age 44, from St. Francis, Kansas, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and Drug User, Conspiracy to Conceal Objects with the Intent to Impair Their Availability for an Official Proceeding, and Concealing Objects with the Intent to Impair their Availability for an Official Proceeding. Coates was acquitted of other charges related to threats, and obstruction of justice.&nbsp;

Dennis Lawson, age 65, from Whiting, Iowa, was convicted of Using Threat of Physical Force Against Another with the Intent to Hinder, Delay, or Prevent the Communication to a Law Enforcement Officer and Judge of the United States of Information Relating to the Commission and Possible Commission of a Federal Offense. Lawson was acquitted of other charges relating to drugs, threats and obstruction.&nbsp;

The verdict was returned following about 2 hours of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that in Spring 2019, Coates was a member of a drug trafficking organization that funneled pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado to Strubel, Iowa, among other places, for redistribution, and that Coates possessed firearms to protect his illegal drug operation. Evidence also showed that on Easter weekend 2019, Coates had arranged a drug run to Kansas City, Missouri.

To execute the Easter weekend drug run, Coates had convinced an Iowa woman to drive from Sioux City, Iowa; meet him in Blair, Nebraska; and drive him to Kansas City, Missouri, and back. Coates decided to travel to Blair from Trenton, Nebraska, with another woman, 18-year-old Sunny Sramek. Coates and Sramek left Trenton in his wife’s white Ford Explorer to go on the trip. There is no evidence Ms. Sramek knew Coates was going to Kansas City; in fact, she told friends and family that she was going to be on a day trip to Omaha.&nbsp;

The pair made it to Blair, where Coates went into a home, but Ms. Sramek did not. Coates’s driver arrived from Sioux City and Coates said nothing of Ms. Sramek to the driver. As the driver and Coates left the home, the driver saw Ms. Sramek’s motionless body. The driver testified it looked as if Ms. Sramek had overdosed, and Coates said he had provided her methamphetamine. Coates cancelled his drug run to Kansas City and told his driver to go to the home of his brother-in-law Dennis Lawson near Whiting, Iowa, on the banks of the Missouri River. The driver testified that after they arrived at Lawson’s residence Lawson and Coates disappeared for a time, when they returned, Ms. Sramek’s body was gone. The driver also testified that she and Coates cleaned out the car, and that Lawson threatened her saying if she told anyone, “it would be her funeral.”

Later, Coates told confidants that Ms. Sramek had overdosed. He told other friends a more violent story. In both versions, however, he told people he had thrown Ms. Sramek’s body into the Missouri River to conceal evidence of his crimes. Coates was confident his efforts at concealing Ms. Sramek’s body would insulate him from accountability. He told one person “no body, no case” and asked another “you can’t get charged with murder if there is no body, can you?”

Coates’s confidence was misplaced. Law enforcement gathered a significant amount of physical evidence tying Coates to Ms. Sramek’s disappearance. Forensic analysis indicated Ms. Sramek’s DNA and a significant amount of blood were found in the white Ford Explorer. The forensic findings combined with other evidence provided the proof the jury used to convict Coates and Lawson.&nbsp;

“Sunny Sramek went missing more than six years ago,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson. “But the investigators’ dedication kept her case from going cold. Thanks to them, these two criminals now face judgment for Sunny’s disappearance. Those who believe they can escape justice through threats, cover-ups, or the passage of time will discover they are mistaken.”

“The convictions of Coates and Lawson represent years of tireless, unwavering efforts by a dedicated team of FBI personnel who never stopped looking for Sunny Sramek,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Despite the defendants’ best efforts to conceal involvement in her disappearance, the FBI persisted in our mission to hold these subjects accountable for their actions. We hope these convictions bring some measure of solace to Sunny’s family. The FBI will always use every tool and technique in our arsenal to seek justice for the missing and attempts to hinder those efforts will be aggressively investigated.”

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Coates and Lawson remain in custody of the United States Marshal.

Coates faces a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

Lawson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765156241257.png" alt="Coates has six previous convictions for theft and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Coates has six previous convictions for theft and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>Sioux City, Iowa —Two men with lengthy criminal histories were convicted by a jury last month after a 11-day trial in federal court in Sioux City. according to the United State's Attorney.Floyd Clifford Coates, Jr., aka Cliff Coates, age 44, from St. Francis, Kansas, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and Drug User, Conspiracy to Conceal Objects with the Intent to Impair Their Availability for an Official Proceeding, and Concealing Objects with the Intent to Impair their Availability for an Official Proceeding. Coates was acquitted of other charges related to threats, and obstruction of justice.&nbsp;Dennis Lawson, age 65, from Whiting, Iowa, was convicted of Using Threat of Physical Force Against Another with the Intent to Hinder, Delay, or Prevent the Communication to a Law Enforcement Officer and Judge of the United States of Information Relating to the Commission and Possible Commission of a Federal Offense. Lawson was acquitted of other charges relating to drugs, threats and obstruction.&nbsp;The verdict was returned following about 2 hours of jury deliberations.The evidence at trial showed that in Spring 2019, Coates was a member of a drug trafficking organization that funneled pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado to Strubel, Iowa, among other places, for redistribution, and that Coates possessed firearms to protect his illegal drug operation. Evidence also showed that on Easter weekend 2019, Coates had arranged a drug run to Kansas City, Missouri.To execute the Easter weekend drug run, Coates had convinced an Iowa woman to drive from Sioux City, Iowa; meet him in Blair, Nebraska; and drive him to Kansas City, Missouri, and back. Coates decided to travel to Blair from Trenton, Nebraska, with another woman, 18-year-old Sunny Sramek. Coates and Sramek left Trenton in his wife’s white Ford Explorer to go on the trip. There is no evidence Ms. Sramek knew Coates was going to Kansas City; in fact, she told friends and family that she was going to be on a day trip to Omaha.&nbsp;The pair made it to Blair, where Coates went into a home, but Ms. Sramek did not. Coates’s driver arrived from Sioux City and Coates said nothing of Ms. Sramek to the driver. As the driver and Coates left the home, the driver saw Ms. Sramek’s motionless body. The driver testified it looked as if Ms. Sramek had overdosed, and Coates said he had provided her methamphetamine. Coates cancelled his drug run to Kansas City and told his driver to go to the home of his brother-in-law Dennis Lawson near Whiting, Iowa, on the banks of the Missouri River. The driver testified that after they arrived at Lawson’s residence Lawson and Coates disappeared for a time, when they returned, Ms. Sramek’s body was gone. The driver also testified that she and Coates cleaned out the car, and that Lawson threatened her saying if she told anyone, “it would be her funeral.”Later, Coates told confidants that Ms. Sramek had overdosed. He told other friends a more violent story. In both versions, however, he told people he had thrown Ms. Sramek’s body into the Missouri River to conceal evidence of his crimes. Coates was confident his efforts at concealing Ms. Sramek’s body would insulate him from accountability. He told one person “no body, no case” and asked another “you can’t get charged with murder if there is no body, can you?”Coates’s confidence was misplaced. Law enforcement gathered a significant amount of physical evidence tying Coates to Ms. Sramek’s disappearance. Forensic analysis indicated Ms. Sramek’s DNA and a significant amount of blood were found in the white Ford Explorer. The forensic findings combined with other evidence provided the proof the jury used to convict Coates and Lawson.&nbsp;“Sunny Sramek went missing more than six years ago,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson. “But the investigators’ dedication kept her case from going cold. Thanks to them, these two criminals now face judgment for Sunny’s disappearance. Those who believe they can escape justice through threats, cover-ups, or the passage of time will discover they are mistaken.”“The convictions of Coates and Lawson represent years of tireless, unwavering efforts by a dedicated team of FBI personnel who never stopped looking for Sunny Sramek,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Despite the defendants’ best efforts to conceal involvement in her disappearance, the FBI persisted in our mission to hold these subjects accountable for their actions. We hope these convictions bring some measure of solace to Sunny’s family. The FBI will always use every tool and technique in our arsenal to seek justice for the missing and attempts to hinder those efforts will be aggressively investigated.”Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Coates and Lawson remain in custody of the United States Marshal.Coates faces a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.Lawson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

Kan. man linked to disappearance of woman found guilty of drug, gun charges

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a homicide in Manhattan. Just before 12:30a.m.&nbsp;December 6, police responded to the 800 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, for a reported welfare check of an injured man, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

First responders located a 36-year-old man, identified as Mark Rickenbaker of Manhattan who had serious injuries to his body. During the investigation, officers discovered that Rickenbaker had been involved in an altercation prior to their arrival.&nbsp; Rickenbaker was transported by ambulance to Via Christi Hospital and died as a result of his injuries. &nbsp;

This is an isolated incident, according to the RCPD. Police released no additional details.

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;Crime Stoppers. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a homicide in Manhattan. Just before 12:30a.m.&nbsp;December 6, police responded to the 800 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, for a reported welfare check of an injured man, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.First responders located a 36-year-old man, identified as Mark Rickenbaker of Manhattan who had serious injuries to his body. During the investigation, officers discovered that Rickenbaker had been involved in an altercation prior to their arrival.&nbsp; Rickenbaker was transported by ambulance to Via Christi Hospital and died as a result of his injuries. &nbsp;This is an isolated incident, according to the RCPD. Police released no additional details.Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;Crime Stoppers. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Police investigating 36-year-old man's murder in Manhattan

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men made their initial appearances before a federal judge following indictments in connection with a $4 million retail sales investment scheme.

According to court documents, Baha Ibrahim, 21, and Jawad Albadawi, 21, both of Overland Park, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy, nine counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, six counts of money laundering, and seven counts of transacting in criminal proceeds.&nbsp;

According to court documents, Ibrahim and Albadawi allegedly solicited money from investors by falsely claiming that their business would purchase merchandise wholesale and then sell the items online as individual retail sales, thereby yielding high returns. From March 2024 to August 2024, Ibrahim and Albadawi are accused of failing to purchase bulk items or sell them consistent with representations they made to investors. &nbsp;They are accused of misappropriating investors’ funds for their own personal benefit, including the purchase of luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and lavish trips to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and Las Vegas.&nbsp;

Ibrahim and Albadawi made their initial court appearances on November 24, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men made their initial appearances before a federal judge following indictments in connection with a $4 million retail sales investment scheme.According to court documents, Baha Ibrahim, 21, and Jawad Albadawi, 21, both of Overland Park, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy, nine counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, six counts of money laundering, and seven counts of transacting in criminal proceeds.&nbsp;According to court documents, Ibrahim and Albadawi allegedly solicited money from investors by falsely claiming that their business would purchase merchandise wholesale and then sell the items online as individual retail sales, thereby yielding high returns. From March 2024 to August 2024, Ibrahim and Albadawi are accused of failing to purchase bulk items or sell them consistent with representations they made to investors. &nbsp;They are accused of misappropriating investors’ funds for their own personal benefit, including the purchase of luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and lavish trips to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and Las Vegas.&nbsp;Ibrahim and Albadawi made their initial court appearances on November 24, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

2 Kan. men accused of using investors' money to take luxury trips

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a theft at a department store in Topeka.

Just before 10:30a.m. Friday, police responded to the report of a theft at TJ Maxx, 2170 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka, according to a media release from Topeka Police.

A woman reported her purse had been stolen from a shopping cart in the business.

A suspect grabbed the purse and ran from TJ Maxx into the nearby Target store where he was restrained by three citizens, prior to police arrival. The victim’s purse and contents were recovered. There were no reported injuries.

As a result of the on-scene investigation, Rakeem S. Grant, 26, Topeka, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Battery; simple, Theft; Purse Snatching; Unknown Value, Theft; &lt; $1,500 Shoplifting

The Topeka Police Department reminded shoppers this holiday season to stay aware and stay safe with these shopping safety tips:

Carry your purse in front of you, not behind. If it’s in a cart, place it nearest to you, keep it zipped or buttoned, and secure it to the cart using a carabiner or the built-in buckle strap.

Whenever possible, choose one method of payment—cash or card. ATMs can put you in a vulnerable spot, and skimmers remain a risk.

Visible bags and boxes in your vehicle can attract thieves. Place items in the trunk or out of sight under a blanket or sheet to reduce temptation for criminals.

4. Have your keys ready before walking to your car.

Locate and hold your keys while still inside the store or mall. Avoid looking down and fumbling through your purse in the parking lot—it makes you an easier target for crime.

5. Lock your doors immediately once inside your vehicle. This simple step can prevent someone from attempting to enter your car unexpectedly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765034245333.png" alt="Grant photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Grant photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a theft at a department store in Topeka.Just before 10:30a.m. Friday, police responded to the report of a theft at TJ Maxx, 2170 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka, according to a media release from Topeka Police.A woman reported her purse had been stolen from a shopping cart in the business.A suspect grabbed the purse and ran from TJ Maxx into the nearby Target store where he was restrained by three citizens, prior to police arrival. The victim’s purse and contents were recovered. There were no reported injuries.As a result of the on-scene investigation, Rakeem S. Grant, 26, Topeka, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Battery; simple, Theft; Purse Snatching; Unknown Value, Theft; &lt; $1,500 ShopliftingThe Topeka Police Department reminded shoppers this holiday season to stay aware and stay safe with these shopping safety tips:1. Keep your purse or wallet close.Carry your purse in front of you, not behind. If it’s in a cart, place it nearest to you, keep it zipped or buttoned, and secure it to the cart using a carabiner or the built-in buckle strap.2. Avoid using ATMs.Whenever possible, choose one method of payment—cash or card. ATMs can put you in a vulnerable spot, and skimmers remain a risk.3. Store purchases in the trunk.Visible bags and boxes in your vehicle can attract thieves. Place items in the trunk or out of sight under a blanket or sheet to reduce temptation for criminals.4. Have your keys ready before walking to your car.Locate and hold your keys while still inside the store or mall. Avoid looking down and fumbling through your purse in the parking lot—it makes you an easier target for crime.5. Lock your doors immediately once inside your vehicle. This simple step can prevent someone from attempting to enter your car unexpectedly.

3 citizens hold Kansas purse theft suspect until police arrive

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765069760164.png" alt="President Trump and George Straight in the Oval Office Saturday evening- photo by Margo Martin, Assistant to the President" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and George Straight in the Oval Office Saturday evening- photo by Margo Martin, Assistant to the President</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> presents medallions to the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors recipients: George Strait, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone, and Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley (accepted by his daughter). <a href="https://t.co/T7Z8A1R36M">pic.twitter.com/T7Z8A1R36M</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1997436237498425617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Donald J. Trump presents medallions to the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors recipients. 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/06IRlZUvpV">pic.twitter.com/06IRlZUvpV</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1997467525362413634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Participates in a Kennedy Center Honors Medal Presentation <a href="https://t.co/SCBYwwxfkT">https://t.co/SCBYwwxfkT</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1997432684008575047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump awards medals to country music legend, other Kennedy Center honorees 

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

Just after 3a.m. Nov. 29,&nbsp; a sheriff's deputy with conducted a traffic stop on a blue 2008 Ford Taurus near SW Huntoon Street and SW Lincoln Street, according to Shawnee County Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, were located. Roger K. Kelley, 63, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections on requested charges, Criminal possession of a weapon by felon and Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764775968393.png" alt="Kelley photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kelley photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug allegations.Just after 3a.m. Nov. 29,&nbsp; a sheriff's deputy with conducted a traffic stop on a blue 2008 Ford Taurus near SW Huntoon Street and SW Lincoln Street, according to Shawnee County Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, were located. Roger K. Kelley, 63, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections on requested charges, Criminal possession of a weapon by felon and Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

Kansas felon is back in jail on drug allegations

Company owner says the seized products were a small portion of the total inventory, and employees were allowed to continue production while feds were there

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>

Federal agents this week seized 73,000 products containing 7-hydroxymitragine, commonly known as 7-OH, from three Kansas City-area warehouses.

The seized products included things like power bars, pills and liquids shots that are made with a concentrate of 7-OH, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/16/fda-warns-kansas-city-manufacturer-of-illegal-marketing-pain-relieving-pills/">the main opioid-inducing element in kratom</a>.&nbsp;

The action came out of a partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Justice Department, according to the DOJ’s<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/justice-department-seizes-unlawful-7-oh-products-three-warehouses" target="_blank">&nbsp;press release issued Tuesday</a>.

“While 7-OH occurs naturally in trace amounts in the plant kratom, products containing 7-OH as an added ingredient can be dangerous,” states a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26338216-shaman-complaint/" target="_blank">civil forfeiture complaint filed on Nov. 21</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. “In the human body, 7-OH is able to bind to opioid receptors, raising concerns about its potential for abuse.”

7-OH products are advertised as improving chronic pain and “mental clarity,” and they are sold in Missouri smoke shops, gas stations, convenience stores and online shops.&nbsp;

The FDA sent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/16/fda-warns-kansas-city-manufacturer-of-illegal-marketing-pain-relieving-pills/">warning letters</a>&nbsp;in June to the facility owners, Shaman Botanicals LLC and Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, stating the 7-OH products were considered “adulterated” and their labels were illegal under federal food laws.

On Nov. 12 and 13, FDA officials did an unannounced inspection of the three facilities, where they tagged and detained 76,000 units. Vince Sanders, who owns Shaman Botanicals LLC, said the company had the opportunity to appeal the FDA’s action, which they did. Shaman was the first company to make 7-OH products, Sanders said.

The DOJ filed a complaint to seize the detained products on Nov. 21, and officials from the FDA and U.S. Marshal Service seized the tagged boxes on Tuesday.

“The 7-OH products seized are illegal under federal law and pose risks to consumers, including children,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “We are committed to helping American consumers protect themselves from dangerous chemicals posing as health products.”

Price said the department will continue to work with the FDA “to ensure illegal products never enter the stream of commerce and pursue all possible civil and criminal remedies against those who violate federal laws.”

However, Sanders told The Independent Thursday the seized units were only a small portion of the 7-OH products that were at the warehouse during the FDA’s November inspection. And his employees were allowed to continue making products while the federal agents were tagging and later seizing products in the warehouse.&nbsp;

“This is the craziest part,” Sanders said. “We literally sat there continuing to make the same products that they were taking.”

Sanders said the agents explained that they were targeting the finished packages, but there were many more finished products in the warehouse than the ones that were detained and ultimately seized.&nbsp;

In the FDA’s June warning letter, the agency deemed that 7-OH is a “new dietary ingredient.” The letter states that a dietary supplement is adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act if it contains a new dietary ingredient that doesn’t have enough evidence to show it isn’t dangerous.

“Because there is inadequate information available to provide a reasonable assurance that 7-OH does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury, it is illegal to sell dietary supplement products containing it as an ingredient,” the release states.&nbsp;

Sanders told The Independent in July that his company conducted three research studies on the products, including using rodents and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25999061-dfr-mgn-25-001-27jun25-crrdoc/" target="_blank">beagles</a>, which he believes shows the products are safe.

“This is just destroying something that has the potential to save hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives long term,” Sanders said.

He said there will likely be a hearing on the recent action in the next few weeks.

On the same day the DOJ’s complaint was filed on Nov. 21,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/21/missouri-ag-launches-investigation-into-manufacturers-of-kratom-7-oh/">Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway</a>&nbsp;sent “civil investigative demand” letters to Sanders’ company and six other producers and distributors of 7-OH products.

The letters mandate the company hand over multiple types of documents, including lab test results, research on health risks and safety label information.

Consumers, Hanaway said in a press release, “may be exposed to unapproved, unsafe and deceptively marketed opioid-like drugs.”

According to the letters sent to each company, the attorney general’s investigation targets the distribution of products containing 7-OH or “any part of the plant Mitragyna speciosa,” which is the kratom plant.

“We are deeply concerned,” Hanaway said, “that Missourians are being sold drug-like substances under the guise of harmless supplements, with no FDA approval, no safety testing, and in some cases no meaningful disclosure of what these products actually contain.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764944590295.jpeg" alt="Federal agents seized thousands of 7-OH products from Kansas-city area warehouses on Dec. 2, including these 7-OH tablets that have opioid effects (photo courtesy of the FDA)." />
 <figcaption>Federal agents seized thousands of 7-OH products from Kansas-city area warehouses on Dec. 2, including these 7-OH tablets that have opioid effects (photo courtesy of the FDA).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Company owner says the seized products were a small portion of the total inventory, and employees were allowed to continue production while feds were there</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>Federal agents this week seized 73,000 products containing 7-hydroxymitragine, commonly known as 7-OH, from three Kansas City-area warehouses.The seized products included things like power bars, pills and liquids shots that are made with a concentrate of 7-OH, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/16/fda-warns-kansas-city-manufacturer-of-illegal-marketing-pain-relieving-pills/">the main opioid-inducing element in kratom</a>.&nbsp;The action came out of a partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Justice Department, according to the DOJ’s<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/justice-department-seizes-unlawful-7-oh-products-three-warehouses" target="_blank">&nbsp;press release issued Tuesday</a>.“While 7-OH occurs naturally in trace amounts in the plant kratom, products containing 7-OH as an added ingredient can be dangerous,” states a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26338216-shaman-complaint/" target="_blank">civil forfeiture complaint filed on Nov. 21</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. “In the human body, 7-OH is able to bind to opioid receptors, raising concerns about its potential for abuse.”7-OH products are advertised as improving chronic pain and “mental clarity,” and they are sold in Missouri smoke shops, gas stations, convenience stores and online shops.&nbsp;The FDA sent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/16/fda-warns-kansas-city-manufacturer-of-illegal-marketing-pain-relieving-pills/">warning letters</a>&nbsp;in June to the facility owners, Shaman Botanicals LLC and Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, stating the 7-OH products were considered “adulterated” and their labels were illegal under federal food laws.On Nov. 12 and 13, FDA officials did an unannounced inspection of the three facilities, where they tagged and detained 76,000 units. Vince Sanders, who owns Shaman Botanicals LLC, said the company had the opportunity to appeal the FDA’s action, which they did. Shaman was the first company to make 7-OH products, Sanders said.The DOJ filed a complaint to seize the detained products on Nov. 21, and officials from the FDA and U.S. Marshal Service seized the tagged boxes on Tuesday.“The 7-OH products seized are illegal under federal law and pose risks to consumers, including children,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “We are committed to helping American consumers protect themselves from dangerous chemicals posing as health products.”Price said the department will continue to work with the FDA “to ensure illegal products never enter the stream of commerce and pursue all possible civil and criminal remedies against those who violate federal laws.”However, Sanders told The Independent Thursday the seized units were only a small portion of the 7-OH products that were at the warehouse during the FDA’s November inspection. And his employees were allowed to continue making products while the federal agents were tagging and later seizing products in the warehouse.&nbsp;“This is the craziest part,” Sanders said. “We literally sat there continuing to make the same products that they were taking.”Sanders said the agents explained that they were targeting the finished packages, but there were many more finished products in the warehouse than the ones that were detained and ultimately seized.&nbsp;In the FDA’s June warning letter, the agency deemed that 7-OH is a “new dietary ingredient.” The letter states that a dietary supplement is adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act if it contains a new dietary ingredient that doesn’t have enough evidence to show it isn’t dangerous.“Because there is inadequate information available to provide a reasonable assurance that 7-OH does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury, it is illegal to sell dietary supplement products containing it as an ingredient,” the release states.&nbsp;Sanders told The Independent in July that his company conducted three research studies on the products, including using rodents and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25999061-dfr-mgn-25-001-27jun25-crrdoc/" target="_blank">beagles</a>, which he believes shows the products are safe.“This is just destroying something that has the potential to save hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives long term,” Sanders said.He said there will likely be a hearing on the recent action in the next few weeks.On the same day the DOJ’s complaint was filed on Nov. 21,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/21/missouri-ag-launches-investigation-into-manufacturers-of-kratom-7-oh/">Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway</a>&nbsp;sent “civil investigative demand” letters to Sanders’ company and six other producers and distributors of 7-OH products.The letters mandate the company hand over multiple types of documents, including lab test results, research on health risks and safety label information.Consumers, Hanaway said in a press release, “may be exposed to unapproved, unsafe and deceptively marketed opioid-like drugs.”According to the letters sent to each company, the attorney general’s investigation targets the distribution of products containing 7-OH or “any part of the plant Mitragyna speciosa,” which is the kratom plant.“We are deeply concerned,” Hanaway said, “that Missourians are being sold drug-like substances under the guise of harmless supplements, with no FDA approval, no safety testing, and in some cases no meaningful disclosure of what these products actually contain.”

Feds seize thousands of 7-OH products from Kansas City warehouses

SHAWNEE COUNTY—A wanted fugitive is in custody after an arrest in Shawnee County.

On December 2, sheriff deputies were investigating the occupants of a vehicle at the KWIK Shop near Morse and Topeka, according to Deputy Abigal Christian. Deputies identified a possible wanted subject. The driver was immediately detained, and the passenger ran.

With assistance from patrol deputies, a K-9 Unit, a drone and the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), deputies conducted a search of the neighborhood west of the KWIK Shop and successfully apprehended the fleeing suspect.

Danny J. Belisle Jr., 50, of Topeka, was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department&nbsp; of Corrections on requested charges of Felony interference with law enforcement. Belisle also had two felony warrants for his arrest

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764775528180.png" alt="Belisle photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Belisle photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—A wanted fugitive is in custody after an arrest in Shawnee County.On December 2, sheriff deputies were investigating the occupants of a vehicle at the KWIK Shop near Morse and Topeka, according to Deputy Abigal Christian. Deputies identified a possible wanted subject. The driver was immediately detained, and the passenger ran.With assistance from patrol deputies, a K-9 Unit, a drone and the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), deputies conducted a search of the neighborhood west of the KWIK Shop and successfully apprehended the fleeing suspect.Danny J. Belisle Jr., 50, of Topeka, was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department&nbsp; of Corrections on requested charges of Felony interference with law enforcement. Belisle also had two felony warrants for his arrest

Drone and sheriff's K9 helped catch wanted Kansas suspect

Patients of NKC Health in North Kansas City finally learned in late November that their data was compromised in ‘one of the most massive breaches in the health care industry’

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">Suzanne King</a>

In January, hackers gained access to a cache of Cerner electronic health records stored on a legacy network.

But some patients whose sensitive health and financial information may have been exposed are only now being notified — and many others still haven’t been told.

NKC Health, formerly North Kansas City Hospital, is one of the most recent hospitals to let patients know about a cyber incident involving Cerner, now Oracle Health. The Nov. 25&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nkchealth.org/news-and-media/notice-cerner-cyber-security-event" target="_blank">notice</a>&nbsp;said the hospital had only “recently learned” of the incident, which has been unraveling for months and reportedly dates back to January.

About a dozen hospitals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/ehrs/oracle-health-data-breach-hits-3-more-states/" target="_blank">across the country</a>, including Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri, have sent similar notices to patients. Oracle has not publicly disclosed the number of hospitals involved or how many patients may have been affected.

But Elena A. Belov, a lawyer representing victims of the data breach in a federal class action lawsuit filed in the Western District of Missouri, said she has been told by Oracle’s attorneys that 80 hospitals’ patient records may have been involved. And that could amount to millions of victims.

“This is one of the most massive breaches in the health care industry in the last couple of years,” said Belov, who practices with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.almeidalawgroup.com/" target="_blank">Almeida Law Group</a>. “We still don’t know the entire universe. The list of affected hospitals has not been made public.”

Oracle Health, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/oracle-gets-european-approval-28m-cerner-deal-set-close-next-week" target="_blank">acquired</a>&nbsp;North Kansas City-based Cerner for $28 billion in 2022, did not reply to requests for comment about the incident. The company is the country’s second-largest electronic medical records vendor, managing patient data for about 20% of the nation’s hospitals and doctors’ offices.

News reports about the January data breach said it involved data on Cerner’s old network that had not yet been transferred to Oracle’s cloud network.

While details of the Cerner data breach began appearing in news reports last spring, and the company started informing customers about the incident this summer, Oracle did not announce it to the media, and left it up to its health care clients to report the breach to patients and to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights’&nbsp;<a href="https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf" target="_blank">Breach Portal</a>.

“It goes to the big problem we have,” Belov said. “Even huge companies who are in the business of digital security like Oracle are not paying enough attention to security.”

Data security experts said the Cerner network hack illustrates just how vulnerable patients’ health and financial information can be.

During the first 11 months of 2025, health care organizations reported 493 data compromises, which involved more than 34 million victims, according to the<a href="https://www.idtheftcenter.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Identity Theft Resource Center</a>, a nonprofit that tracks and works to prevent such incidents.

Until 2024, health care accounted for the most data breaches of any industry for six years in a row. But last year the financial industry took the top spot and health care came in second. The trend continued this year.

James E. Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said health care is particularly vulnerable to cyber attackers because it is so large and diverse.

“There are small providers in small towns, all the way to huge multinational health care organizations and everything in between,” he said.

Health care involves hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, labs and insurance companies, all of which have access to patients’ personal information, including identity data like Social Security numbers, names and addresses; financial data like credit card information; and personal health information like diagnoses and medications.

All it takes to break in is one legitimate login and password at one point in the system. That leaves plenty of room for weak links, Lee said.

Companies like Cerner, which digitize health records so every doctor and hospital has easy access to patient charts, have become a major part of the system. From its beginnings in 1979, Cerner’s founders promised the electronic management of health records would cut costs and bring better care.

“The idea of digitizing the records — from a patient perspective — was a good one,” Lee said. “What we didn’t anticipate, and it is true across all industries, is the level to which professional criminals would become engaged. These are professional, multinational organizations, not some kid sitting in a basement drinking Red Bull.”

NKC Health’s statement said its patients’ records may have been accessed as early as Jan. 22, but Oracle Health only informed them about the incident recently.

In its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nkchealth.org/news-and-media/notice-cerner-cyber-security-event" target="_blank">notice to patients</a>, NKC said Oracle Health told the hospital that “law enforcement investigators” had urged it to delay notifying patients and hospital customers “because it could have impeded their investigation.”

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the federal law that deals with patient privacy, requires health care providers and their associates to notify patients when sensitive information has been compromised “without unnecessary delay,” and no later than 60 days after an incident. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-D" target="_blank">the law makes an exception</a>&nbsp;if law enforcement requests a delay.

News organizations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/fbi-investigating-cyberattack-oracle-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-03-28/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;in March that the FBI was looking into the attack, and in April, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2025/04/16/cisa-releases-guidance-credential-risks-associated-potential-legacy-oracle-cloud-compromise" target="_blank">security alert</a>, warning that “the nature of the reported activity presents potential risk to organizations and individuals.”

Oracle has informed some of its hospital and physician practice customers about the data breach individually.

Belov called the lack of transparency “really dismaying.”

“We’re losing valuable time for people to protect their information and their identities,” she said. “This is going to be a huge problem.”

Stolen data comes with ‘deadly outcomes’

Legal and health experts said breaches of health care information can be among the most concerning.

Beyond the potential loss of Social Security numbers, names, addresses and credit card information, victims of health care data breaches also risk much more worrisome losses, experts said.

If health records are altered or in some way compromised in a data breach, doctors might lose critical information about a patient’s medications or health history. And that could lead to medical errors or decisions that compromise care and endanger a patient.

“Stolen health data can lead to deadly outcomes,” Belov said.

That’s why many hospitals and doctors offices end up paying a ransom to get data back from hackers. Health care organizations often won’t talk about hacks. They worry that would make them look vulnerable and expose them to additional problems.

But a cybersecurity expert with the American Hospital Association&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/01/25/how-ransomware-attacks-at-kansas-city-hospitals-threaten-your-privacy/" target="_blank">has estimated</a>&nbsp;that at least a third of the time, hospitals end up paying a ransom to get information back. Unlike other industries that might be able to wait out criminals or rebuild databases, they need the information right away and can’t risk waiting.

“Patient lives are on the line when something critical happens,” said Alexander Boyd, a data privacy and security lawyer with the Polsinelli law firm.

Clients across industries regularly consult him about situations in which data has been compromised. And, among those cases, ransomware attacks happen “more often than we’d like.”

In those cases, criminals break into a company, encrypt the data and demand a payment to unlock it. When one of those attacks happens to a health care provider, it can be an emergency.

“It’s not just a money issue, it’s a well-being issue,” Boyd said. “If the health care provider doesn’t have good backups, sometimes the only option is to pay the ransom.”

Coveware, a company that helps clients respond to cyber extortion incidents, reports the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coveware.com/blog/2025/10/24/insider-threats-loom-while-ransom-payment-rates-plummet" target="_blank">average ransom payment</a>&nbsp;made by victims of cyberattacks has been falling. In the third quarter of this year, the average ransom payment for all industries was $376.94, a 66% drop from the previous quarter. The median payment was $140,000, down 65%.

Boyd said companies are getting better at avoiding attacks in the first place. More often they have data backed up so they don’t have to make ransom payments.

But when a client does have to negotiate with a hacker, Boyd turns to Coveware or another firm that specializes in dealing with the criminals. Those firms know through experience how much the hackers may be willing to negotiate and whether they may actually turn over an encryption key if their demands are met.

Typically, after coming to an agreement — after, perhaps, sending sample files to verify that the hackers actually can unlock them — clients pay the bitcoin ransom (there is no escrow) and then wait for the encryption key.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/04/some-patients-just-learning-about-january-cerner-data-breach/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764944895246.png" alt=" Oracle purchased Cerner in 2022 in a deal valued at $28 billion. The company’s old logo remains outside its former North Kansas City headquarters (Suzanne King/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption> Oracle purchased Cerner in 2022 in a deal valued at $28 billion. The company’s old logo remains outside its former North Kansas City headquarters (Suzanne King/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Patients of NKC Health in North Kansas City finally learned in late November that their data was compromised in ‘one of the most massive breaches in the health care industry’</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">Suzanne King</a>In January, hackers gained access to a cache of Cerner electronic health records stored on a legacy network.But some patients whose sensitive health and financial information may have been exposed are only now being notified — and many others still haven’t been told.NKC Health, formerly North Kansas City Hospital, is one of the most recent hospitals to let patients know about a cyber incident involving Cerner, now Oracle Health. The Nov. 25&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nkchealth.org/news-and-media/notice-cerner-cyber-security-event" target="_blank">notice</a>&nbsp;said the hospital had only “recently learned” of the incident, which has been unraveling for months and reportedly dates back to January.About a dozen hospitals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/ehrs/oracle-health-data-breach-hits-3-more-states/" target="_blank">across the country</a>, including Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri, have sent similar notices to patients. Oracle has not publicly disclosed the number of hospitals involved or how many patients may have been affected.But Elena A. Belov, a lawyer representing victims of the data breach in a federal class action lawsuit filed in the Western District of Missouri, said she has been told by Oracle’s attorneys that 80 hospitals’ patient records may have been involved. And that could amount to millions of victims.“This is one of the most massive breaches in the health care industry in the last couple of years,” said Belov, who practices with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.almeidalawgroup.com/" target="_blank">Almeida Law Group</a>. “We still don’t know the entire universe. The list of affected hospitals has not been made public.”Oracle Health, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/oracle-gets-european-approval-28m-cerner-deal-set-close-next-week" target="_blank">acquired</a>&nbsp;North Kansas City-based Cerner for $28 billion in 2022, did not reply to requests for comment about the incident. The company is the country’s second-largest electronic medical records vendor, managing patient data for about 20% of the nation’s hospitals and doctors’ offices.News reports about the January data breach said it involved data on Cerner’s old network that had not yet been transferred to Oracle’s cloud network.While details of the Cerner data breach began appearing in news reports last spring, and the company started informing customers about the incident this summer, Oracle did not announce it to the media, and left it up to its health care clients to report the breach to patients and to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights’&nbsp;<a href="https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf" target="_blank">Breach Portal</a>.“It goes to the big problem we have,” Belov said. “Even huge companies who are in the business of digital security like Oracle are not paying enough attention to security.”<h2>Health care data breaches are common</h2>Data security experts said the Cerner network hack illustrates just how vulnerable patients’ health and financial information can be.During the first 11 months of 2025, health care organizations reported 493 data compromises, which involved more than 34 million victims, according to the<a href="https://www.idtheftcenter.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Identity Theft Resource Center</a>, a nonprofit that tracks and works to prevent such incidents.Until 2024, health care accounted for the most data breaches of any industry for six years in a row. But last year the financial industry took the top spot and health care came in second. The trend continued this year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764944731513.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>James E. Lee, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said health care is particularly vulnerable to cyber attackers because it is so large and diverse.“There are small providers in small towns, all the way to huge multinational health care organizations and everything in between,” he said.Health care involves hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, labs and insurance companies, all of which have access to patients’ personal information, including identity data like Social Security numbers, names and addresses; financial data like credit card information; and personal health information like diagnoses and medications.All it takes to break in is one legitimate login and password at one point in the system. That leaves plenty of room for weak links, Lee said.Companies like Cerner, which digitize health records so every doctor and hospital has easy access to patient charts, have become a major part of the system. From its beginnings in 1979, Cerner’s founders promised the electronic management of health records would cut costs and bring better care.“The idea of digitizing the records — from a patient perspective — was a good one,” Lee said. “What we didn’t anticipate, and it is true across all industries, is the level to which professional criminals would become engaged. These are professional, multinational organizations, not some kid sitting in a basement drinking Red Bull.”<h2>NKC Health incident</h2>NKC Health’s statement said its patients’ records may have been accessed as early as Jan. 22, but Oracle Health only informed them about the incident recently.In its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nkchealth.org/news-and-media/notice-cerner-cyber-security-event" target="_blank">notice to patients</a>, NKC said Oracle Health told the hospital that “law enforcement investigators” had urged it to delay notifying patients and hospital customers “because it could have impeded their investigation.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764944772112.png" alt="NKC Health, formerly North Kansas City Hospital, sits across the street from Cerner’s old headquarters in North Kansas City. (Suzanne King/The Beacon)" />
 <figcaption>NKC Health, formerly North Kansas City Hospital, sits across the street from Cerner’s old headquarters in North Kansas City. (Suzanne King/The Beacon)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the federal law that deals with patient privacy, requires health care providers and their associates to notify patients when sensitive information has been compromised “without unnecessary delay,” and no later than 60 days after an incident. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-D" target="_blank">the law makes an exception</a>&nbsp;if law enforcement requests a delay.News organizations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/fbi-investigating-cyberattack-oracle-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-03-28/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;in March that the FBI was looking into the attack, and in April, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2025/04/16/cisa-releases-guidance-credential-risks-associated-potential-legacy-oracle-cloud-compromise" target="_blank">security alert</a>, warning that “the nature of the reported activity presents potential risk to organizations and individuals.”Oracle has informed some of its hospital and physician practice customers about the data breach individually.Belov called the lack of transparency “really dismaying.”“We’re losing valuable time for people to protect their information and their identities,” she said. “This is going to be a huge problem.”<h2>Stolen data comes with ‘deadly outcomes’</h2>Legal and health experts said breaches of health care information can be among the most concerning.Beyond the potential loss of Social Security numbers, names, addresses and credit card information, victims of health care data breaches also risk much more worrisome losses, experts said.If health records are altered or in some way compromised in a data breach, doctors might lose critical information about a patient’s medications or health history. And that could lead to medical errors or decisions that compromise care and endanger a patient.“Stolen health data can lead to deadly outcomes,” Belov said.That’s why many hospitals and doctors offices end up paying a ransom to get data back from hackers. Health care organizations often won’t talk about hacks. They worry that would make them look vulnerable and expose them to additional problems.But a cybersecurity expert with the American Hospital Association&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/01/25/how-ransomware-attacks-at-kansas-city-hospitals-threaten-your-privacy/" target="_blank">has estimated</a>&nbsp;that at least a third of the time, hospitals end up paying a ransom to get information back. Unlike other industries that might be able to wait out criminals or rebuild databases, they need the information right away and can’t risk waiting.“Patient lives are on the line when something critical happens,” said Alexander Boyd, a data privacy and security lawyer with the Polsinelli law firm.Clients across industries regularly consult him about situations in which data has been compromised. And, among those cases, ransomware attacks happen “more often than we’d like.”In those cases, criminals break into a company, encrypt the data and demand a payment to unlock it. When one of those attacks happens to a health care provider, it can be an emergency.“It’s not just a money issue, it’s a well-being issue,” Boyd said. “If the health care provider doesn’t have good backups, sometimes the only option is to pay the ransom.”Coveware, a company that helps clients respond to cyber extortion incidents, reports the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coveware.com/blog/2025/10/24/insider-threats-loom-while-ransom-payment-rates-plummet" target="_blank">average ransom payment</a>&nbsp;made by victims of cyberattacks has been falling. In the third quarter of this year, the average ransom payment for all industries was $376.94, a 66% drop from the previous quarter. The median payment was $140,000, down 65%.Boyd said companies are getting better at avoiding attacks in the first place. More often they have data backed up so they don’t have to make ransom payments.But when a client does have to negotiate with a hacker, Boyd turns to Coveware or another firm that specializes in dealing with the criminals. Those firms know through experience how much the hackers may be willing to negotiate and whether they may actually turn over an encryption key if their demands are met.Typically, after coming to an agreement — after, perhaps, sending sample files to verify that the hackers actually can unlock them — clients pay the bitcoin ransom (there is no escrow) and then wait for the encryption key.None of it is comfortable.“You hope and wait,” Boyd said.This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/04/some-patients-just-learning-about-january-cerner-data-breach/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

Some patients are just learning about Cerner health data breach in January

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting have made an arrest.

Just before 1a.m. on November 22, police responded to several reports of gunshots around SE 37th St. and SE Adams Street in Topeka, according to media release. While officers were investigating that area, they received information on a subject arriving at a local hospital by private vehicle with apparent gunshot wounds. That individual later identified as 16-year-old Kingston Scott of Topeka.

As a result of the investigation, police announced Friday a 16-year-old boy from Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied vehicle with great bodily harm, Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony and&nbsp;Criminal discharge of firearm; Recklessly at occupied dwelling.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764973228137.png" alt="Kingston Scott -photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Kingston Scott -photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting have made an arrest.Just before 1a.m. on November 22, police responded to several reports of gunshots around SE 37th St. and SE Adams Street in Topeka, according to media release. While officers were investigating that area, they received information on a subject arriving at a local hospital by private vehicle with apparent gunshot wounds. That individual later identified as 16-year-old Kingston Scott of Topeka.As a result of the investigation, police announced Friday a 16-year-old boy from Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied vehicle with great bodily harm, Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony and&nbsp;Criminal discharge of firearm; Recklessly at occupied dwelling.

16-year-old Kan. boy accused of killing 16-year-old

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

The U.S. Supreme Court said Friday justices will hear a case to decide if President Donald Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship is constitutional.

The court agreed to hear a case, before it is decided in a lower court, that deals with the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to almost everyone born in the United States. The amendment’s birthright citizenship clause has been used to give citizenship to the children of immigrants in the country without legal authorization or on a temporary basis.

While a schedule for arguments has not yet been released by the court, it’s likely the case would be heard sometime in early 2026.

The Trump administration argued in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-365/378052/20250926163053178_TrumpvBarbaraCertPet.pdf" target="_blank">petition</a>&nbsp;to the court that the amendment, which was adopted in 1868, was meant to apply to newly freed slaves. It was not meant to provide citizenship to the children of immigrants without legal status, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote.

“Long after the Clause’s adoption, the mistaken view that birth on U.S. territory confers citizenship on anyone subject to the regulatory reach of U.S. law became pervasive, with destructive consequences,” Sauer&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/09/29/repub/trump-asks-us-supreme-court-to-take-birthright-citizenship-case/" target="_blank">wrote in the September petition.</a>

The petition also sought Supreme Court review of a related challenge to the order by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon. Friday’s court order did not grant a hearing on that case.

Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 seeking to redefine the birthright citizenship clause to exclude the children of immigrants in the country without legal authority or only temporarily. Democratic-led states and advocacy groups swiftly sued.

Courts have largely blocked enforcement of the order, although the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/06/27/repub/us-supreme-court-limits-injunctions-allows-trump-to-act-on-birthright-citizenship-ban/" target="_blank">in June allowed it&nbsp;</a>to go into effect in the states that had not sued to preserve the right.

In a Friday afternoon statement, the American Civil Liberties Union, a leading civil rights group, noted that several federal judges had blocked enforcement and predicted the Supreme Court would preserve birthright citizenship.

“No president can change the 14th Amendment’s fundamental promise of citizenship,” Cecillia Wang, ACLU’s national legal director, said. “For over 150 years, it has been the law and our national tradition that everyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen from birth. The federal courts have unanimously held that President Trump’s executive order is contrary to the Constitution, a Supreme Court decision from 1898, and a law enacted by Congress. We look forward to putting this issue to rest once and for all in the Supreme Court this term.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>The U.S. Supreme Court said Friday justices will hear a case to decide if President Donald Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship is constitutional.The court agreed to hear a case, before it is decided in a lower court, that deals with the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to almost everyone born in the United States. The amendment’s birthright citizenship clause has been used to give citizenship to the children of immigrants in the country without legal authorization or on a temporary basis.While a schedule for arguments has not yet been released by the court, it’s likely the case would be heard sometime in early 2026.The Trump administration argued in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-365/378052/20250926163053178_TrumpvBarbaraCertPet.pdf" target="_blank">petition</a>&nbsp;to the court that the amendment, which was adopted in 1868, was meant to apply to newly freed slaves. It was not meant to provide citizenship to the children of immigrants without legal status, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote.“Long after the Clause’s adoption, the mistaken view that birth on U.S. territory confers citizenship on anyone subject to the regulatory reach of U.S. law became pervasive, with destructive consequences,” Sauer&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/09/29/repub/trump-asks-us-supreme-court-to-take-birthright-citizenship-case/" target="_blank">wrote in the September petition.</a>The petition also sought Supreme Court review of a related challenge to the order by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon. Friday’s court order did not grant a hearing on that case.Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 seeking to redefine the birthright citizenship clause to exclude the children of immigrants in the country without legal authority or only temporarily. Democratic-led states and advocacy groups swiftly sued.Courts have largely blocked enforcement of the order, although the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/06/27/repub/us-supreme-court-limits-injunctions-allows-trump-to-act-on-birthright-citizenship-ban/" target="_blank">in June allowed it&nbsp;</a>to go into effect in the states that had not sued to preserve the right.In a Friday afternoon statement, the American Civil Liberties Union, a leading civil rights group, noted that several federal judges had blocked enforcement and predicted the Supreme Court would preserve birthright citizenship.“No president can change the 14th Amendment’s fundamental promise of citizenship,” Cecillia Wang, ACLU’s national legal director, said. “For over 150 years, it has been the law and our national tradition that everyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen from birth. The federal courts have unanimously held that President Trump’s executive order is contrary to the Constitution, a Supreme Court decision from 1898, and a law enacted by Congress. We look forward to putting this issue to rest once and for all in the Supreme Court this term.”

Trump order ending birthright citizenship to be argued at US Supreme Court

CHRISTIAN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 7a.m. Friday in Christian County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek driven by a 61-year-old Republic man was westbound on U.S. 60 one mile west of Billings. The SUV struck a 2018 GMC Sierra driven by a 68-year-old Aurora, Missouri man head-on. The driver of the pickup was improperly backing into a driveway facing the wrong direction on the highway at the time of the crash.

EMS transported the Subaru driver to Cox South where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; EMS transported a 35-year-old passenger in the pickup to Mercy&nbsp; Springfield. The driver and one additional passenger of the pickup had minor injuries.&nbsp; The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 7a.m. Friday in Christian County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek driven by a 61-year-old Republic man was westbound on U.S. 60 one mile west of Billings. The SUV struck a 2018 GMC Sierra driven by a 68-year-old Aurora, Missouri man head-on. The driver of the pickup was improperly backing into a driveway facing the wrong direction on the highway at the time of the crash.EMS transported the Subaru driver to Cox South where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; EMS transported a 35-year-old passenger in the pickup to Mercy&nbsp; Springfield. The driver and one additional passenger of the pickup had minor injuries.&nbsp; The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man killed in head-on crash with pickup backing into a driveway

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating three teen suspects after a high-speed chase and crash in Doulas County.

The owner of a GMC Yukon reported it stolen from outside a home near 24th and Louisiana in Lawrence on Tuesday.

Justdecided not to stop for officers and ultimately crashed into a pole. 

Just after 11a.m. Wedneday, an officer spotted multiple people in the vehicle in the 4700 block of Overland Drive in Lawrence, according to a statement from police. The driver led police north on Folks, east on Peterson,&nbsp; south on Monterey and refused to stop.

 Another officer was able to set up spikes and pop a tire along the route, but the driver continued on until a failed left turn at Overland Drive. The driver ran from the crash but was chased down and safely arrested without injury. The others surrendered. 

A 17-year-old boy was taken to the hospital to get checked out and released to a parent. A 14-year-old, who was reported as a runaway, went to the Juvenile Detention Center.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating three teen suspects after a high-speed chase and crash in Doulas County.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1596425831802860%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="476" 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>The owner of a GMC Yukon reported it stolen from outside a home near 24th and Louisiana in Lawrence on Tuesday.Justdecided not to stop for officers and ultimately crashed into a pole. Just after 11a.m. Wedneday, an officer spotted multiple people in the vehicle in the 4700 block of Overland Drive in Lawrence, according to a statement from police. The driver led police north on Folks, east on Peterson,&nbsp; south on Monterey and refused to stop. Another officer was able to set up spikes and pop a tire along the route, but the driver continued on until a failed left turn at Overland Drive. The driver ran from the crash but was chased down and safely arrested without injury. The others surrendered. A 17-year-old boy was taken to the hospital to get checked out and released to a parent. A 14-year-old, who was reported as a runaway, went to the Juvenile Detention Center.

🎥Teens in stolen SUV crash into pole during Kan. police chase

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 &quot;The inaugural 2025 FIFA Peace Prize is proudly bestowed upon the President of the United States of America, the Honorable Donald J. Trump.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/uyx6j9FcXf">pic.twitter.com/uyx6j9FcXf</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1996996968334139529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 &quot;Please welcome the very first winner of the FIFA Peace Prize — the 45th and 47th President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald J. Trump!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wPcObuFBKV">pic.twitter.com/wPcObuFBKV</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1996996980606672939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">FIFA President Gianni Infantino presents <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> with a medal upon him receiving the very first FIFA Peace Prize 🕊️ <a href="https://t.co/h6GSBsWJc9">https://t.co/h6GSBsWJc9</a> <a href="https://t.co/EMtCkdhfq2">pic.twitter.com/EMtCkdhfq2</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1996997442408251620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivers remarks as he awards <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> with the very first FIFA Peace Prize: <a href="https://t.co/PQxeWizEOm">pic.twitter.com/PQxeWizEOm</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1996998560554917900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on receiving the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize: &quot;This is truly one of the great honors of my life. Beyond awards... we saved millions and millions of lives.&quot; 🕊️ <a href="https://t.co/6H6qSUmvKC">pic.twitter.com/6H6qSUmvKC</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1996998595208171806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Donald J. Trump thanks his family after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize: &quot;I want to thank, by the way, my family — my great First Lady, Melania.&quot; ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/ZEPvi6DEXY">pic.twitter.com/ZEPvi6DEXY</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1996998932308664707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥FIFA awards President Trump their first peace prize

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a triffic stop.

Just after 11p.m. November 26, a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County&nbsp; Sheriff’s Office&nbsp; conducted a traffic stop on a black 2017 Chevrolet Impala for speeding in&nbsp; the 300 block of SE 29th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, it was determined that the driver had a&nbsp; suspended driver’s license and a warrant for his arrest. Illegal narcotics, including cocaine, were&nbsp; also located.

Leo Rucker Jr., 40, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of&nbsp; Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana, Speeding; maximum limits, Driving while license suspended, Vehicle liability insurance; knowingly drive uninsured vehicle and&nbsp;&nbsp;Vehicles; operate vehicle without registration or with expired tag.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764776350902.png" alt="Rucker photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Rucker photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a triffic stop.Just after 11p.m. November 26, a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County&nbsp; Sheriff’s Office&nbsp; conducted a traffic stop on a black 2017 Chevrolet Impala for speeding in&nbsp; the 300 block of SE 29th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, it was determined that the driver had a&nbsp; suspended driver’s license and a warrant for his arrest. Illegal narcotics, including cocaine, were&nbsp; also located.Leo Rucker Jr., 40, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of&nbsp; Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana, Speeding; maximum limits, Driving while license suspended, Vehicle liability insurance; knowingly drive uninsured vehicle and&nbsp;&nbsp;Vehicles; operate vehicle without registration or with expired tag.

Sheriff: Kan. driver accused of speeding had cocaine in the car

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

TOPEKA — Two-term Rep. Silas Miller was selected by the Sedgwick County Democratic Party to fill a vacancy in the Kansas Senate created by the resignation of Sen. Mary Ware.

Miller, elected to the House in 2022 and reelected without opposition in 2024, prevailed in a vote Thursday among Senate precinct committee members. He&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/02/longtime-lgbtq-advocate-returns-to-public-stage-as-candidate-for-kansas-senate-seat/">defeated Tom Witt</a>, a former executive director of Equality Kansas who retired from Statehouse lobbying in 2022, on a vote of 16-5.

Miller said he appreciated Ware as a political colleague and that he would have “big shoes to fill” while completing her unexpired term in the 25th District.

“Silas Miller is a forward-thinking leader who brings a wealth of life and legislative experience to the table,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Johnson County Democrat. “We’re grateful that he has decided to step into the Senate chamber in this new capacity.”

Miller serves on the House education, election and insurance committees. He’s been the ranking Democrat on the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. In 2024, Miller proposed an unsuccessful amendment to a bill that would have removed cannabis from a list of illegal drugs in Kansas.

Ware, a retail store owner,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-senator-from-wichita-retires-opening-democratic-seat-ahead-of-legislative-session/">announced her decision to resign</a>&nbsp;Nov. 13. In 2018, she replaced Sen. Lynn Rogers in a precinct committee election. Rogers had stepped down after elected lieutenant governor on a ticket with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Ware was elected to a full term in the Senate during 2020 and reelected 2024. Last November, she carried the district with 57% of the vote against Republican Keenen Smith. She served on tax, commerce and agriculture committees in the Senate.

“While my time in the Senate is at an end, I will remain an involved private citizen and an advocate for the people of Wichita in this next era of my life,” Ware said.

Kristi Kirk, chair of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party, said Ware was known for her involvement with the community and as a unifying force in the Democratic Party.

“Mary could always be counted on to support not only her constituents, but was a champion for creating a full and safe future for Kansas children since joining the Senate,” Kirk said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764945122448.png" alt="Kansas Rep. Silas Miller, a Wichita Democrat, will replace retiring Sen. Mary Ware, also of Wichita. During a precinct election on Thursday, Miller won a majority of votes in a contest against Tom Witt, the former executive director of Kansas Equality. This image of Miller is from February 2023. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Rep. Silas Miller, a Wichita Democrat, will replace retiring Sen. Mary Ware, also of Wichita. During a precinct election on Thursday, Miller won a majority of votes in a contest against Tom Witt, the former executive director of Kansas Equality. This image of Miller is from February 2023. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Two-term Rep. Silas Miller was selected by the Sedgwick County Democratic Party to fill a vacancy in the Kansas Senate created by the resignation of Sen. Mary Ware.Miller, elected to the House in 2022 and reelected without opposition in 2024, prevailed in a vote Thursday among Senate precinct committee members. He&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/02/longtime-lgbtq-advocate-returns-to-public-stage-as-candidate-for-kansas-senate-seat/">defeated Tom Witt</a>, a former executive director of Equality Kansas who retired from Statehouse lobbying in 2022, on a vote of 16-5.Miller said he appreciated Ware as a political colleague and that he would have “big shoes to fill” while completing her unexpired term in the 25th District.“Silas Miller is a forward-thinking leader who brings a wealth of life and legislative experience to the table,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Johnson County Democrat. “We’re grateful that he has decided to step into the Senate chamber in this new capacity.”Miller serves on the House education, election and insurance committees. He’s been the ranking Democrat on the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. In 2024, Miller proposed an unsuccessful amendment to a bill that would have removed cannabis from a list of illegal drugs in Kansas.Ware, a retail store owner,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-senator-from-wichita-retires-opening-democratic-seat-ahead-of-legislative-session/">announced her decision to resign</a>&nbsp;Nov. 13. In 2018, she replaced Sen. Lynn Rogers in a precinct committee election. Rogers had stepped down after elected lieutenant governor on a ticket with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.Ware was elected to a full term in the Senate during 2020 and reelected 2024. Last November, she carried the district with 57% of the vote against Republican Keenen Smith. She served on tax, commerce and agriculture committees in the Senate.“While my time in the Senate is at an end, I will remain an involved private citizen and an advocate for the people of Wichita in this next era of my life,” Ware said.Kristi Kirk, chair of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party, said Ware was known for her involvement with the community and as a unifying force in the Democratic Party.“Mary could always be counted on to support not only her constituents, but was a champion for creating a full and safe future for Kansas children since joining the Senate,” Kirk said.

Kansas House Democrat chosen to complete term of former state senator

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a violent robbery in Manhattan have identified the teen suspects.

Just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of aggravated robbery in the 700 block of Allen Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 23-year-old man reported three unknown men battered him and stole a handgun.&nbsp;After additional investigation into the incident, officers identified the three male suspects.

Terrion Toliver, 18, of Manhattan was arrested on December 4, 2025, at approximately 11:56 p.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He is being held on a bond of $150,000.

Isaiah Ellis, 16, of Manhattan was arrested on December 4, 2025, at approximately 10:18 p.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He remains confined in the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility.

Noah McFadden, 17, of Manhattan was arrested on December 5, 2025, at approximately 12:48 a.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He is being held in the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a violent robbery in Manhattan have identified the teen suspects.Just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of aggravated robbery in the 700 block of Allen Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 23-year-old man reported three unknown men battered him and stole a handgun.&nbsp;After additional investigation into the incident, officers identified the three male suspects.Terrion Toliver, 18, of Manhattan was arrested on December 4, 2025, at approximately 11:56 p.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He is being held on a bond of $150,000.Isaiah Ellis, 16, of Manhattan was arrested on December 4, 2025, at approximately 10:18 p.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He remains confined in the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility.Noah McFadden, 17, of Manhattan was arrested on December 5, 2025, at approximately 12:48 a.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He is being held in the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility.