BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</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 — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating personnel at the Comanche County clerk’s office, and the tip of possible wrongdoing may have come from the person being investigated.

“I made a mistake, and I am the one that called attention to it,” said Casey Huck, who left her elected position as Comanche County clerk in mid-March.

Huck would not elaborate on the mistake she made but said she left her position for medical reasons.

Officials would not comment on details of the investigation.

“KBI is investigating a case involving an allegation against personnel of the Comanche County Clerk’s Office,” said Dustin Wallace, KBI spokesperson. “The investigation is ongoing. We will release more information if the case progresses to filed charges or arrests.”

County Attorney Clay Kuhns would only say that the situation is “out of his hands” and has been turned over to the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

“The AG’s office is going to make any kind of decision on what happens at this point,” Kuhns said.

Sandy Hoffman, chairwoman of the Comanche County Republican Committee, said the committee this week selected deputy county clerk Bri Uhl to replace Huck.

“She’s the one that held down the office when the county clerk quit,” she said, confirming that a resignation letter was received from Huck on March 13, and the committee had 21 days after that to fill the position.

Hoffman said she knows nothing about the situation at the county clerk’s office, other than that KBI is investigating.

Coldwater City Council President Britt Lenertz also said she didn’t have information about the KBI investigation. Coldwater is the county seat of Comanche County, located in south-central Kansas on the border of Oklahoma.

Comanche County commission president Joe Moore didn’t return calls seeking comment for this story.

Comanche County Sheriff Jacob Bruckner said he can’t comment. In a situation where a government official is being investigated, he said, it is typically handled through KBI.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743888112358.png" alt="The Kansas Bureau of Investigation opened a case against personnel in the Comanche County clerk’s office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Bureau of Investigation opened a case against personnel in the Comanche County clerk’s office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</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 — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating personnel at the Comanche County clerk’s office, and the tip of possible wrongdoing may have come from the person being investigated.“I made a mistake, and I am the one that called attention to it,” said Casey Huck, who left her elected position as Comanche County clerk in mid-March.Huck would not elaborate on the mistake she made but said she left her position for medical reasons.Officials would not comment on details of the investigation.“KBI is investigating a case involving an allegation against personnel of the Comanche County Clerk’s Office,” said Dustin Wallace, KBI spokesperson. “The investigation is ongoing. We will release more information if the case progresses to filed charges or arrests.”County Attorney Clay Kuhns would only say that the situation is “out of his hands” and has been turned over to the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.“The AG’s office is going to make any kind of decision on what happens at this point,” Kuhns said.Sandy Hoffman, chairwoman of the Comanche County Republican Committee, said the committee this week selected deputy county clerk Bri Uhl to replace Huck.“She’s the one that held down the office when the county clerk quit,” she said, confirming that a resignation letter was received from Huck on March 13, and the committee had 21 days after that to fill the position.Hoffman said she knows nothing about the situation at the county clerk’s office, other than that KBI is investigating.Coldwater City Council President Britt Lenertz also said she didn’t have information about the KBI investigation. Coldwater is the county seat of Comanche County, located in south-central Kansas on the border of Oklahoma.Comanche County commission president Joe Moore didn’t return calls seeking comment for this story.Comanche County Sheriff Jacob Bruckner said he can’t comment. In a situation where a government official is being investigated, he said, it is typically handled through KBI.

‘I made a mistake’ former Kan. county clerk says of problem that led to KBI investigation

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is facing multiple charges in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred on Monday near East 30th Street and Mersington Avenue, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

Leon J. Reese, 54, faces&nbsp;2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Tampering with a Witness.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2560/Leon-Reese-PC-_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched near the 3000 block of Mersington Avenue on March 31 and located Kansas City Fire Department personnel rendering aid to the victim who was suffering from stab wounds to his stomach and abdomen. The victim was declared deceased.

Based on witness statements, Reese and the victim became involved in a verbal altercation, which escalated as the defendant approached the victim with a knife and stabbed him.&nbsp;

The next day, as detectives were collecting surveillance footage of the incident around the crime scene, they found Reese standing over a witness with a knife. Detectives gave verbal commands to drop the knife, and the Reese threw the knife in the direction of detectives who were then able to take him into custody. Reese&nbsp;is being held with no bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743717198067.png" alt="Reese photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Reese photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is facing multiple charges in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred on Monday near East 30th Street and Mersington Avenue, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.Leon J. Reese, 54, faces&nbsp;2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Tampering with a Witness.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2560/Leon-Reese-PC-_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched near the 3000 block of Mersington Avenue on March 31 and located Kansas City Fire Department personnel rendering aid to the victim who was suffering from stab wounds to his stomach and abdomen. The victim was declared deceased.Based on witness statements, Reese and the victim became involved in a verbal altercation, which escalated as the defendant approached the victim with a knife and stabbed him.&nbsp;The next day, as detectives were collecting surveillance footage of the incident around the crime scene, they found Reese standing over a witness with a knife. Detectives gave verbal commands to drop the knife, and the Reese threw the knife in the direction of detectives who were then able to take him into custody. Reese&nbsp;is being held with no bond.&nbsp;

Police: KC murder suspect threatened witness with a knife

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.

Just before 5:30 p.m. April 2, a Sheriff’s Office Investigator conducted a traffic stop in the 700 block of Market Street in Osage City for a traffic violation, according to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics.

Julie A. Roach, 44, of Osage City was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana and No drug tax stamp.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743685449952.png" alt="Roach photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Roach photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.Just before 5:30 p.m. April 2, a Sheriff’s Office Investigator conducted a traffic stop in the 700 block of Market Street in Osage City for a traffic violation, according to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics.Julie A. Roach, 44, of Osage City was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana and No drug tax stamp.

Kansas woman jailed for allegedly selling drugs

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A Ford Fusion was eastbound from 71 Highway on Gregory Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The car traveled straight into a large tree located at Gregory and South Agnes Avenue,

The sole occupant was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a few minutes later, according to Becchina.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the victim.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.A Ford Fusion was eastbound from 71 Highway on Gregory Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The car traveled straight into a large tree located at Gregory and South Agnes Avenue,The sole occupant was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a few minutes later, according to Becchina.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the victim.

KCPD: Man dead after car strikes a large tree

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities including Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University, is requesting a meeting with the State Department, alarmed that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">the Trump administration’s widening crackdown</a>&nbsp;will persuade sought-after foreign students to stay away from the United States.

College officials say the new, harsher tactics and vague justifications being used to push some students out of the country will have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-admissions-international-student-enrollment-trump-fd8b6b8f298629bbcc7339568b1c76f3">much broader consequences</a>.

America’s universities have long been seen as a top destination for the world’s brightest minds — and they’ve brought important tuition revenue and research breakthroughs to U.S. colleges. But international students also have other options, said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, an association of international educators.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A crackdown on foreign students is alarming colleges, who say the Trump administration is using new tactics and vague justifications to push some students out of the country.

College officials worry the new approach will keep foreigners from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-admissions-international-student-enrollment-trump-fd8b6b8f298629bbcc7339568b1c76f3">wanting to study</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.

Students stripped of their entry visas are receiving orders from the Department of Homeland Security to leave the country immediately — a break from past practice that often permitted them to stay and complete their studies.

Some students have been targeted over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-students-campus-gaza-protests-deportation-9e2d4abc1c158454da1f68c01062c9ef">pro-Palestinian activism</a>&nbsp;or criminal infractions — or even traffic violations. Others have been left wondering how they ran afoul of the government.

At Minnesota State University in Mankato, President Edward Inch told the campus Wednesday that visas had been revoked for five international students for unclear reasons.

He said school officials learned about the revocations when they ran a status check in a database of international students after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-minnesota-graduate-student-detained-ice-f71f517521a2567c795343092ef4e0b2">detention of a Turkish student</a>&nbsp;at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The State Department said the detention was related to a drunken driving conviction.

“These are troubling times, and this situation is unlike any we have navigated before,” Inch wrote in a letter to campus.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;campaigned on a promise to deport foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, and federal agents started by detaining Columbia graduate student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-protester-mahmoud-khalil-immigration-arrest-5ae6eeb3ac95f190a505abebc4ee0944">Mahmoud Khalil</a>, a green-card-holder and Palestinian activist who was prominent in protests at Columbia last year. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week students are being targeted for involvement in protests along with others tied to “potential criminal activity.”

In the past two weeks, the government apparently has widened its crackdown. Officials from colleges around the country have discovered international students have had their entry visas revoked and, in many cases, their legal residency status terminated by authorities without notice — including students at Arizona State, Cornell, North Carolina State, the University of Oregon, the University of Texas and the University of Colorado.

Some of the students are working to leave the country on their own, but students at Tufts and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-protests-immigration-alireza-doroudi-alabama-ae498838deb04b22864ef485a71bac27">University of Alabama</a>&nbsp;have been detained by immigration authorities — in the Tufts case, even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rumeysa-ozturk-deportation-tufts-massachusetts-student-1dd330bef8fb44b05f9818c0020728a0">before the university knew</a>&nbsp;the student’s legal status had changed.

Feds bypass colleges to move against students

In this new wave of enforcement, school officials say the federal government is quietly deleting foreigners’ student records instead of going through colleges, as was done in the past.

Students are being ordered to leave the country with a suddenness that universities have rarely seen, said Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.

In the past, when international students have had entry visas revoked, they generally have been allowed to keep legal residency status. They could stay in the country to study, but would need to renew their visa if they left the U.S. and wanted to return. Now, increasing numbers of students are having their legal status terminated, exposing them to the risk of being arrested.

“None of this is regular practice,” Feldblum said.

At North Carolina State University, two students from Saudi Arabia left the U.S. after learning their legal status as students was terminated, the university said. N.C. State said it will work with the students to complete their semester from outside the country.

Philip Vasto, who lived with one of the students, said his roommate, in graduate school for engineering management, was apolitical and did not attend protests against the war in Gaza. When the government told his roommate his student status had been terminated, it did not give a reason, Vasto said.

Since returning to Saudi Arabia, Vasto said his former roommate’s top concern is getting into another university.

“He’s made his peace with it,” he said. “He doesn’t want to allow it to steal his peace any further.”

Database checks turn up students in jeopardy

At the University of Texas at Austin, staff checking a federal database discovered two people on student visas had their permission to be in the U.S. terminated, a person familiar with the situation said. The person declined to be identified for fear of retaliation.

One of the people, from India, had their legal status terminated April 3. The federal system indicated the person had been identified in a criminal records check “and/or has had their visa revoked.” The other person, from Lebanon, had their legal status terminated March 28 due to a criminal records check, according to the federal database.

Both people were graduates remaining in the U.S. on student visas, using an option allowing people to gain professional experience after completing coursework. Both were employed full time and apparently had not violated requirements for pursuing work experience, the person familiar with the situation said.

Some students have had visas revoked by the State Department under an obscure law barring noncitizens whose presence could have “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” Trump invoked the law in a January order demanding action against campus antisemitism.

But some students targeted in recent weeks have had no clear link to political activism. Some have been ordered to leave over misdemeanor crimes or traffic infractions, Feldblum said. In some cases, students were targeted for infractions that had been previously reported to the government.

Some of the alleged infractions would not have drawn scrutiny in the past and will likely be a test of students’ First Amendment rights as cases work their way through court, said Michelle Mittelstadt, director of public affairs at the Migration Policy Institute.

“In some ways, what the administration is doing is really retroactive,” she said. “Rather than saying, ‘This is going to be the standard that we’re applying going forward,’ they’re going back and vetting students based on past expressions or past behavior.”

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities is requesting a meeting with the State Department over the issue. It’s unclear whether more visas are being revoked than usual, but officials fear a chilling effect on international exchange.

Many of the association’s members have recently seen at least one student have their visas revoked, said Bernie Burrola, a vice president at the group. With little information from the government, colleges have been interviewing students or searching social media for a connection to political activism.

“The universities can’t seem to find anything that seems to be related to Gaza or social media posts or protests,” Burrola said. “Some of these are sponsored students by foreign governments, where they specifically are very hesitant to get involved in protests.”

There’s no clear thread indicating which students are being targeted, but some have been from the Middle East and China, he said.

“We should not take for granted that that’s just the way things are and will always be,” she said.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities including Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University, is requesting a meeting with the State Department, alarmed that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">the Trump administration’s widening crackdown</a>&nbsp;will persuade sought-after foreign students to stay away from the United States.College officials say the new, harsher tactics and vague justifications being used to push some students out of the country will have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-admissions-international-student-enrollment-trump-fd8b6b8f298629bbcc7339568b1c76f3">much broader consequences</a>.America’s universities have long been seen as a top destination for the world’s brightest minds — and they’ve brought important tuition revenue and research breakthroughs to U.S. colleges. But international students also have other options, said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, an association of international educators.-------------------WASHINGTON (AP) — A crackdown on foreign students is alarming colleges, who say the Trump administration is using new tactics and vague justifications to push some students out of the country.College officials worry the new approach will keep foreigners from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-admissions-international-student-enrollment-trump-fd8b6b8f298629bbcc7339568b1c76f3">wanting to study</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.Students stripped of their entry visas are receiving orders from the Department of Homeland Security to leave the country immediately — a break from past practice that often permitted them to stay and complete their studies.Some students have been targeted over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-students-campus-gaza-protests-deportation-9e2d4abc1c158454da1f68c01062c9ef">pro-Palestinian activism</a>&nbsp;or criminal infractions — or even traffic violations. Others have been left wondering how they ran afoul of the government.At Minnesota State University in Mankato, President Edward Inch told the campus Wednesday that visas had been revoked for five international students for unclear reasons.He said school officials learned about the revocations when they ran a status check in a database of international students after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-minnesota-graduate-student-detained-ice-f71f517521a2567c795343092ef4e0b2">detention of a Turkish student</a>&nbsp;at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The State Department said the detention was related to a drunken driving conviction.“These are troubling times, and this situation is unlike any we have navigated before,” Inch wrote in a letter to campus.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;campaigned on a promise to deport foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, and federal agents started by detaining Columbia graduate student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-protester-mahmoud-khalil-immigration-arrest-5ae6eeb3ac95f190a505abebc4ee0944">Mahmoud Khalil</a>, a green-card-holder and Palestinian activist who was prominent in protests at Columbia last year. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week students are being targeted for involvement in protests along with others tied to “potential criminal activity.”In the past two weeks, the government apparently has widened its crackdown. Officials from colleges around the country have discovered international students have had their entry visas revoked and, in many cases, their legal residency status terminated by authorities without notice — including students at Arizona State, Cornell, North Carolina State, the University of Oregon, the University of Texas and the University of Colorado.Some of the students are working to leave the country on their own, but students at Tufts and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-protests-immigration-alireza-doroudi-alabama-ae498838deb04b22864ef485a71bac27">University of Alabama</a>&nbsp;have been detained by immigration authorities — in the Tufts case, even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rumeysa-ozturk-deportation-tufts-massachusetts-student-1dd330bef8fb44b05f9818c0020728a0">before the university knew</a>&nbsp;the student’s legal status had changed.<h2>Feds bypass colleges to move against students</h2>In this new wave of enforcement, school officials say the federal government is quietly deleting foreigners’ student records instead of going through colleges, as was done in the past.Students are being ordered to leave the country with a suddenness that universities have rarely seen, said Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.In the past, when international students have had entry visas revoked, they generally have been allowed to keep legal residency status. They could stay in the country to study, but would need to renew their visa if they left the U.S. and wanted to return. Now, increasing numbers of students are having their legal status terminated, exposing them to the risk of being arrested.“None of this is regular practice,” Feldblum said.At North Carolina State University, two students from Saudi Arabia left the U.S. after learning their legal status as students was terminated, the university said. N.C. State said it will work with the students to complete their semester from outside the country.Philip Vasto, who lived with one of the students, said his roommate, in graduate school for engineering management, was apolitical and did not attend protests against the war in Gaza. When the government told his roommate his student status had been terminated, it did not give a reason, Vasto said.Since returning to Saudi Arabia, Vasto said his former roommate’s top concern is getting into another university.“He’s made his peace with it,” he said. “He doesn’t want to allow it to steal his peace any further.”<h2>Database checks turn up students in jeopardy</h2>At the University of Texas at Austin, staff checking a federal database discovered two people on student visas had their permission to be in the U.S. terminated, a person familiar with the situation said. The person declined to be identified for fear of retaliation.One of the people, from India, had their legal status terminated April 3. The federal system indicated the person had been identified in a criminal records check “and/or has had their visa revoked.” The other person, from Lebanon, had their legal status terminated March 28 due to a criminal records check, according to the federal database.Both people were graduates remaining in the U.S. on student visas, using an option allowing people to gain professional experience after completing coursework. Both were employed full time and apparently had not violated requirements for pursuing work experience, the person familiar with the situation said.Some students have had visas revoked by the State Department under an obscure law barring noncitizens whose presence could have “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” Trump invoked the law in a January order demanding action against campus antisemitism.But some students targeted in recent weeks have had no clear link to political activism. Some have been ordered to leave over misdemeanor crimes or traffic infractions, Feldblum said. In some cases, students were targeted for infractions that had been previously reported to the government.Some of the alleged infractions would not have drawn scrutiny in the past and will likely be a test of students’ First Amendment rights as cases work their way through court, said Michelle Mittelstadt, director of public affairs at the Migration Policy Institute.“In some ways, what the administration is doing is really retroactive,” she said. “Rather than saying, ‘This is going to be the standard that we’re applying going forward,’ they’re going back and vetting students based on past expressions or past behavior.”The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities is requesting a meeting with the State Department over the issue. It’s unclear whether more visas are being revoked than usual, but officials fear a chilling effect on international exchange.Many of the association’s members have recently seen at least one student have their visas revoked, said Bernie Burrola, a vice president at the group. With little information from the government, colleges have been interviewing students or searching social media for a connection to political activism.“The universities can’t seem to find anything that seems to be related to Gaza or social media posts or protests,” Burrola said. “Some of these are sponsored students by foreign governments, where they specifically are very hesitant to get involved in protests.”There’s no clear thread indicating which students are being targeted, but some have been from the Middle East and China, he said.America’s universities have long been seen as a top destination for the world’s brightest minds — and they’ve brought important tuition revenue and research breakthroughs to U.S. colleges. But international students also have other options, said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, an association of international educators.“We should not take for granted that that’s just the way things are and will always be,” she said.<h2>___</h2>

College officials worry crackdown tactics will turn foreign students away

A lawsuit challenging the deportation has been filed in a Texas court against U.S. Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and other government officials

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">MARY SANCHEZ</a>&nbsp;-

Evenezer Cortez Martinez wanted to pay respects to a beloved grandfather who died last fall.

He ended up deported, sent back to Mexico, a country the 39-year-old Kansas husband and father left at the age of 4.

“Everything was approved, and I arrived here with no problem,” said Cortez Martinez, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/DACA" target="_blank">DACA</a>&nbsp;recipient, in a phone interview from Cuernavaca, a city south of Mexico City.

On March 23, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials stopped Cortez Martinez at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as he presented documents to board a flight back to Kansas City.

He was held, questioned and put on a flight to Mexico City that evening.

“I asked them, ‘Can I just call my lawyer and try to see if I can work things out,’” Cortez Martinez said. “They said, ‘No, you don’t have that option.’”

His attorney argues otherwise, filing a case Wednesday, April 2, with a Texas federal court.

“How many others are out there that this has also happened to, but who didn’t have the ability to get counsel?” said&nbsp;<a href="https://sharma-crawford.com/" target="_blank">Rekha Sharma-Crawford</a>, the Kansas City-based attorney who filed the case in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Texas. “The law is on his side.”

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uDXHrV0N6Lc4Eelx7CwU5TeP3fD9myeQ/view" target="_blank">The case</a>&nbsp;could become a test of the limits of the Trump administration’s reach.

Advocates argue the administration’s zeal to deport is increasingly overstepping, scooping up immigrants, even those legally present, and not allowing due process.

The lawsuit seeks “declaratory, injunctive and mandamus relief to find that Defendants actions were arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.”

It’s filed against the U.S. Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and other government officials.

U.S. Immigration officials do not generally comment on specific cases.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/01/nx-s1-5339698/green-card-holders-detained-border-crackdown" target="_blank">in a statement released to NPR</a>&nbsp;recently, Customs and Border Protection argued it was merely enforcing the law.

“Those who violate these laws will be processed, detained, and removed as required,” CBP Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham said in the statement.

Customs agents in Dallas told Cortez Martinez that he had been ordered removed in absentia on June 11, 2024, and that his documents to travel had been issued in error.

Cortez Martinez said he had never been notified of a removal order, which is the legal term for what most people colloquially refer to as deportation.

The Roeland Park, Kansas, resident is staying with the one Mexico relative he knows, an uncle.

Cortez Martinez is believed to be the first Kansas City-area case of a DACA&nbsp; (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient caught in the Trump administration’s vow to deport millions of people.

The latest Trump plan is called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline" target="_blank">Operation Take Back America</a>.

The lawsuit argues that Cortez Martinez has the right to appear before an immigration judge.

“Under current regulations, a holder of an Advance Parole document cannot be barred from the country (removed) without a formal removal hearing before an Immigration Judge,” the suit states.

Advance parole is the process Cortez Martinez went through, with the aid of an attorney, to travel outside of the U.S. as a DACA recipient.

His recurring two-year renewals of DACA had been approved by the government like clockwork. His current DACA is valid until October 2026.

DACA was designed by the Obama administration in 2012. It was meant to be a carveout for immigrants known as “Dreamers,” those who’d been brought to the U.S. as young children, without legal status.

DACA is a temporary reprieve from deportation. It also allows for work authorization and for people to apply for travel outside of the country, through advance parole.

The removal order the government cited is from June 2024.

“He’s not hiding, Sharma-Crawford said. “He’s doing everything that he’s supposed to be doing.”

Cortez Martinez has lived in the Kansas City area for nearly 20 years.

His wife, child and stepchildren are anxiously waiting for his return to their suburban home.

Cortez Martinez’s case is the first deportation of a Kansas City-area DACA recipient that Nubia Estefes is aware of occurring.

“It’s one of our fears,” said Estefes, executive director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksmoda.org/daca" target="_blank">Kansas Missouri Dream Alliance</a>, an advocacy group for “Dreamers.”

Before Trump took office, a few other area DACA recipients traveled back to their birth nations on the same documents that Cortez Martinez used, advance parole.

The trips were taken with counsel by attorneys, to ensure that nothing could be resurrected in their history as a rationale for deportation, Estefes said.

“It’s personal discretion on the part of the officers,” she said of the scrutiny that occurs at Customs.

News stories that even documented people have been deported are alarming the immigrant community.

“We’re definitely siding with the cautious side,” Estefes said. “If you don’t have to go, if it’s not life or death, I would suggest you wait it out.”

<a href="https://www.elcentroinc.com/advocacy-3/daca-clinics/" target="_blank">El Centro</a>, a Kansas social service agency, is also&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/03/14/schools-look-to-landmark-supreme-court-ruling-to-protect-undocumented-immigrant-students-from-ice/" target="_blank">advising immigrants to be careful</a>.

Justin Gust, vice president of community engagement, said the agency is continuing the help with DACA renewal applications.

But even immigrants who are legal permanent residents are being advised to take precautions, especially when traveling.

“It just seems like everything is unknown these days,” Gust said. “What was a protected status, or a protected issue, is no longer protected.”

People are disabling face recognition or a thumbprint to open their cellphone, as a safeguard against having their data combed for anything a customs agent might deem offensive to the Trump administration’s goals.

“We’re advising people that they really do need to talk to their lawyer first and don’t go just to go, because you definitely need to know that you can come back,” Gust said.

A beloved grandfather, hazy memory of Mexico

Cortez Martinez’s sole memory of his native Mexico is a limited one, possibly bolstered more by family stories than a true memory.

Cornelio Martinez Dominguez owned a panaderia, a bakery.

“I’ve been told that every time the bread was ready, I’d run to my grandpa,” Cortez Martinez said.

Through the years, he spoke with his grandfather by phone. But he’d never returned to Mexico.

Sharma-Crawford first contacted the CBP Watch Commander at the Dallas Fort Worth airport, seeing if the office would intervene.

“There are real questions if he was properly notified,” she said of Martinez’s order of removal.

Still, the existence of the order wouldn’t negate his right to be granted advance parole, she said.

Sharma-Crawford suspects that the Trump administration has begun re-calendaring removal cases that had previously been closed.

“I never got any notice,” Cortez Martinez said of the removal order. “I never got any citations to go see a judge.”

Cortez Martinez received the approval to travel from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in early March. The document is valid until April 14, 2025, according to the lawsuit.

Still, he had been initially hesitant to take the trip.

He only considered doing so, as his grandfather’s health worsened.

In November, his grandfather died before the paperwork was approved.

The visit was shortened to a three-day excursion, just enough time to reach the cemetery a few hours outside of Mexico City, and then return to Kansas City.

“That’s the grandpa I wanted to be able to say goodbye to,” Cortez Martinez said.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/04/03/kansas-man-deported-after-visiting-grandfathers-grave-in-mexico/" 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/2025/4/1743775932922.png" alt="A family photo of Evenezer Cortez Martinez, pictured on the far right, with his wife and children. The Roeland Park family is now awaiting a federal lawsuit filed on his behalf. Despite having DACA status and permission to travel, the husband and father was detained, deported and denied entry back to the U.S. after a trip to Mexico (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>A family photo of Evenezer Cortez Martinez, pictured on the far right, with his wife and children. The Roeland Park family is now awaiting a federal lawsuit filed on his behalf. Despite having DACA status and permission to travel, the husband and father was detained, deported and denied entry back to the U.S. after a trip to Mexico (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A lawsuit challenging the deportation has been filed in a Texas court against U.S. Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and other government officials</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">MARY SANCHEZ</a>&nbsp;-Evenezer Cortez Martinez wanted to pay respects to a beloved grandfather who died last fall.He ended up deported, sent back to Mexico, a country the 39-year-old Kansas husband and father left at the age of 4.“Everything was approved, and I arrived here with no problem,” said Cortez Martinez, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/DACA" target="_blank">DACA</a>&nbsp;recipient, in a phone interview from Cuernavaca, a city south of Mexico City.On March 23, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials stopped Cortez Martinez at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as he presented documents to board a flight back to Kansas City.He was held, questioned and put on a flight to Mexico City that evening.“I asked them, ‘Can I just call my lawyer and try to see if I can work things out,’” Cortez Martinez said. “They said, ‘No, you don’t have that option.’”His attorney argues otherwise, filing a case Wednesday, April 2, with a Texas federal court.“How many others are out there that this has also happened to, but who didn’t have the ability to get counsel?” said&nbsp;<a href="https://sharma-crawford.com/" target="_blank">Rekha Sharma-Crawford</a>, the Kansas City-based attorney who filed the case in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Texas. “The law is on his side.”<h2>Potential test case</h2><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uDXHrV0N6Lc4Eelx7CwU5TeP3fD9myeQ/view" target="_blank">The case</a>&nbsp;could become a test of the limits of the Trump administration’s reach.Advocates argue the administration’s zeal to deport is increasingly overstepping, scooping up immigrants, even those legally present, and not allowing due process.The lawsuit seeks “declaratory, injunctive and mandamus relief to find that Defendants actions were arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.”It’s filed against the U.S. Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and other government officials.U.S. Immigration officials do not generally comment on specific cases.But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/04/01/nx-s1-5339698/green-card-holders-detained-border-crackdown" target="_blank">in a statement released to NPR</a>&nbsp;recently, Customs and Border Protection argued it was merely enforcing the law.“Those who violate these laws will be processed, detained, and removed as required,” CBP Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham said in the statement.Customs agents in Dallas told Cortez Martinez that he had been ordered removed in absentia on June 11, 2024, and that his documents to travel had been issued in error.Cortez Martinez said he had never been notified of a removal order, which is the legal term for what most people colloquially refer to as deportation.The Roeland Park, Kansas, resident is staying with the one Mexico relative he knows, an uncle.Cortez Martinez is believed to be the first Kansas City-area case of a DACA&nbsp; (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient caught in the Trump administration’s vow to deport millions of people.The latest Trump plan is called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline" target="_blank">Operation Take Back America</a>.The lawsuit argues that Cortez Martinez has the right to appear before an immigration judge.“Under current regulations, a holder of an Advance Parole document cannot be barred from the country (removed) without a formal removal hearing before an Immigration Judge,” the suit states.Advance parole is the process Cortez Martinez went through, with the aid of an attorney, to travel outside of the U.S. as a DACA recipient.His recurring two-year renewals of DACA had been approved by the government like clockwork. His current DACA is valid until October 2026.DACA was designed by the Obama administration in 2012. It was meant to be a carveout for immigrants known as “Dreamers,” those who’d been brought to the U.S. as young children, without legal status.DACA is a temporary reprieve from deportation. It also allows for work authorization and for people to apply for travel outside of the country, through advance parole.The removal order the government cited is from June 2024.“He’s not hiding, Sharma-Crawford said. “He’s doing everything that he’s supposed to be doing.”Cortez Martinez has lived in the Kansas City area for nearly 20 years.His wife, child and stepchildren are anxiously waiting for his return to their suburban home.<h2>Rising immigrant fears of being deported</h2>Cortez Martinez’s case is the first deportation of a Kansas City-area DACA recipient that Nubia Estefes is aware of occurring.“It’s one of our fears,” said Estefes, executive director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksmoda.org/daca" target="_blank">Kansas Missouri Dream Alliance</a>, an advocacy group for “Dreamers.”Before Trump took office, a few other area DACA recipients traveled back to their birth nations on the same documents that Cortez Martinez used, advance parole.The trips were taken with counsel by attorneys, to ensure that nothing could be resurrected in their history as a rationale for deportation, Estefes said.“It’s personal discretion on the part of the officers,” she said of the scrutiny that occurs at Customs.News stories that even documented people have been deported are alarming the immigrant community.“We’re definitely siding with the cautious side,” Estefes said. “If you don’t have to go, if it’s not life or death, I would suggest you wait it out.”<a href="https://www.elcentroinc.com/advocacy-3/daca-clinics/" target="_blank">El Centro</a>, a Kansas social service agency, is also&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/03/14/schools-look-to-landmark-supreme-court-ruling-to-protect-undocumented-immigrant-students-from-ice/" target="_blank">advising immigrants to be careful</a>.Justin Gust, vice president of community engagement, said the agency is continuing the help with DACA renewal applications.But even immigrants who are legal permanent residents are being advised to take precautions, especially when traveling.“It just seems like everything is unknown these days,” Gust said. “What was a protected status, or a protected issue, is no longer protected.”People are disabling face recognition or a thumbprint to open their cellphone, as a safeguard against having their data combed for anything a customs agent might deem offensive to the Trump administration’s goals.“We’re advising people that they really do need to talk to their lawyer first and don’t go just to go, because you definitely need to know that you can come back,” Gust said.<h2>A beloved grandfather, hazy memory of Mexico</h2>Cortez Martinez’s sole memory of his native Mexico is a limited one, possibly bolstered more by family stories than a true memory.But his grandfather is central.Cornelio Martinez Dominguez owned a panaderia, a bakery.“I’ve been told that every time the bread was ready, I’d run to my grandpa,” Cortez Martinez said.Through the years, he spoke with his grandfather by phone. But he’d never returned to Mexico.Sharma-Crawford first contacted the CBP Watch Commander at the Dallas Fort Worth airport, seeing if the office would intervene.She did not receive a reply.“There are real questions if he was properly notified,” she said of Martinez’s order of removal.Still, the existence of the order wouldn’t negate his right to be granted advance parole, she said.Sharma-Crawford suspects that the Trump administration has begun re-calendaring removal cases that had previously been closed.“I never got any notice,” Cortez Martinez said of the removal order. “I never got any citations to go see a judge.”Cortez Martinez received the approval to travel from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in early March. The document is valid until April 14, 2025, according to the lawsuit.Still, he had been initially hesitant to take the trip.He only considered doing so, as his grandfather’s health worsened.In November, his grandfather died before the paperwork was approved.The visit was shortened to a three-day excursion, just enough time to reach the cemetery a few hours outside of Mexico City, and then return to Kansas City.“That’s the grandpa I wanted to be able to say goodbye to,” Cortez Martinez said.This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/04/03/kansas-man-deported-after-visiting-grandfathers-grave-in-mexico/" 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>.

Kansas City area man deported after visiting grandfather’s grave in Mexico

Children’s Mercy Kansas City&nbsp; announce a comprehensive $152 million expansion plan for Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas (CMHK) aimed at enhancing patient care and improving access to existing services and new clinical programs, according to a media release from the hospital.&nbsp;

“As the only freestanding pediatric hospital in the state of Kansas, this expansion will allow for even more families to have access to world-class care closer to home,” said Alejandro Quiroga, MD, MBA, CEO &amp; President, Children’s Mercy. "We're really excited about this project because it shows how dedicated we are to giving the best care possible to our community. By bringing all our outpatient services together, improving our hospital facilities, and creating a modern, connected campus, we're making sure we can meet the growing needs of patients and families in the region.”&nbsp;

The first phase of the project, already underway, is the expansion of surgical services which includes the renovation of the Sterile Processing Department and the addition of new pre-op, post-op, and procedural spaces. Construction is set to be complete by summer 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We have teams of nationally recognized surgeons and proceduralists. The addition of new procedures rooms and expanded facilities will allow CMHK to meet the growing demand for procedural services in specialties such as ENT, Orthopedics and Gastroenterology,” said Shawn St. Peter, MD, Senior Vice President, Surgeon-in-Chief, Children’s Mercy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The expansion project also includes:&nbsp;

“We listened to the needs of physicians and families in this community and the expansion of our Kansas hospital strengthens our capacity to serve the growing pediatric population,” said Amy Fallon, MPH, PhD, President of Regional Operations, Children’s Mercy. “This is more than just adding rooms or advancing technology; it’s about deepening our commitment and reaffirming our dedication to delivering top-quality, accessible health care to every child that needs it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The community is invited to be part of this initiative. Philanthropic gifts will advance this renovation to improve the health of all children and families, bringing expert care closer to home.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743709952900.png" alt="Children's Mercy Renderings provided by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hdrinc?__cft__[0]=AZVJPlaGVfpaostW4hN6qAczNWPuzGNM2jVgwWD60UXwLJl4tvu9vXBZOkQwXTeSa0ZN3s5hZr0ohJJah4PlpBSK-ZJg03kDA2FWOAzxXSUcnOfVrlReujZMmp3KpCJniHdmsGugzpEo-8O7_f3FktNgSvkGoFQ3NXAKXEH3yyfrcHRn12UovzBnYjOq9eX-N54&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">HDR</a>" />
 <figcaption>Children's Mercy Renderings provided by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hdrinc?__cft__[0]=AZVJPlaGVfpaostW4hN6qAczNWPuzGNM2jVgwWD60UXwLJl4tvu9vXBZOkQwXTeSa0ZN3s5hZr0ohJJah4PlpBSK-ZJg03kDA2FWOAzxXSUcnOfVrlReujZMmp3KpCJniHdmsGugzpEo-8O7_f3FktNgSvkGoFQ3NXAKXEH3yyfrcHRn12UovzBnYjOq9eX-N54&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">HDR</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Children’s Mercy Kansas City&nbsp; announce a comprehensive $152 million expansion plan for Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas (CMHK) aimed at enhancing patient care and improving access to existing services and new clinical programs, according to a media release from the hospital.&nbsp;“As the only freestanding pediatric hospital in the state of Kansas, this expansion will allow for even more families to have access to world-class care closer to home,” said Alejandro Quiroga, MD, MBA, CEO &amp; President, Children’s Mercy. "We're really excited about this project because it shows how dedicated we are to giving the best care possible to our community. By bringing all our outpatient services together, improving our hospital facilities, and creating a modern, connected campus, we're making sure we can meet the growing needs of patients and families in the region.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743710012719.png" alt="Children's Mercy Renderings provided by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hdrinc?__cft__[0]=AZVJPlaGVfpaostW4hN6qAczNWPuzGNM2jVgwWD60UXwLJl4tvu9vXBZOkQwXTeSa0ZN3s5hZr0ohJJah4PlpBSK-ZJg03kDA2FWOAzxXSUcnOfVrlReujZMmp3KpCJniHdmsGugzpEo-8O7_f3FktNgSvkGoFQ3NXAKXEH3yyfrcHRn12UovzBnYjOq9eX-N54&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">HDR</a>&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Children's Mercy Renderings provided by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hdrinc?__cft__[0]=AZVJPlaGVfpaostW4hN6qAczNWPuzGNM2jVgwWD60UXwLJl4tvu9vXBZOkQwXTeSa0ZN3s5hZr0ohJJah4PlpBSK-ZJg03kDA2FWOAzxXSUcnOfVrlReujZMmp3KpCJniHdmsGugzpEo-8O7_f3FktNgSvkGoFQ3NXAKXEH3yyfrcHRn12UovzBnYjOq9eX-N54&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">HDR</a>&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The first phase of the project, already underway, is the expansion of surgical services which includes the renovation of the Sterile Processing Department and the addition of new pre-op, post-op, and procedural spaces. Construction is set to be complete by summer 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We have teams of nationally recognized surgeons and proceduralists. The addition of new procedures rooms and expanded facilities will allow CMHK to meet the growing demand for procedural services in specialties such as ENT, Orthopedics and Gastroenterology,” said Shawn St. Peter, MD, Senior Vice President, Surgeon-in-Chief, Children’s Mercy.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743710105263.png" alt="Children's Mercy Renderings provided by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hdrinc?__cft__[0]=AZVJPlaGVfpaostW4hN6qAczNWPuzGNM2jVgwWD60UXwLJl4tvu9vXBZOkQwXTeSa0ZN3s5hZr0ohJJah4PlpBSK-ZJg03kDA2FWOAzxXSUcnOfVrlReujZMmp3KpCJniHdmsGugzpEo-8O7_f3FktNgSvkGoFQ3NXAKXEH3yyfrcHRn12UovzBnYjOq9eX-N54&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">HDR</a>" />
 <figcaption>Children's Mercy Renderings provided by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hdrinc?__cft__[0]=AZVJPlaGVfpaostW4hN6qAczNWPuzGNM2jVgwWD60UXwLJl4tvu9vXBZOkQwXTeSa0ZN3s5hZr0ohJJah4PlpBSK-ZJg03kDA2FWOAzxXSUcnOfVrlReujZMmp3KpCJniHdmsGugzpEo-8O7_f3FktNgSvkGoFQ3NXAKXEH3yyfrcHRn12UovzBnYjOq9eX-N54&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">HDR</a></figcaption>
 </figure>The expansion project also includes:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>New Medical Office Building (MOB):&nbsp;A state-of-the-art facility to consolidate outpatient services currently spread across multiple locations, providing a seamless and connected experience for patients and families. The MOB is scheduled to open in the Summer of 2027.&nbsp;</li><li>Hospital Renovations:&nbsp;Upgrades to the hospital space vacated by the consolidation of outpatient services, enhancing the overall patient and staff experience. These renovations are expected to be completed by the Summer of 2029.&nbsp;</li><li>New Service Offerings: Introduction of new programs such as Inpatient Rehab, Intensive Outpatient Programs, an expanded GI Motility program and a Neuroscience Center of Excellence.&nbsp;</li><li>Parking and Exterior Updates:&nbsp;Modern parking structures, new entrances, and exterior improvements to facilitate better wayfinding and accessibility. (Parking and Emergency services will still be accessible throughout construction.)&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>“We listened to the needs of physicians and families in this community and the expansion of our Kansas hospital strengthens our capacity to serve the growing pediatric population,” said Amy Fallon, MPH, PhD, President of Regional Operations, Children’s Mercy. “This is more than just adding rooms or advancing technology; it’s about deepening our commitment and reaffirming our dedication to delivering top-quality, accessible health care to every child that needs it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The community is invited to be part of this initiative. Philanthropic gifts will advance this renovation to improve the health of all children and families, bringing expert care closer to home.&nbsp;

Children’s Mercy Kansas announces multi-million dollar expansion

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 1:30a.m. Saturday in Shawnee County.

According to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis, a vehicle was traveling on a portion of Interstate 70 that was blocked off and under construction. The vehicle traveled off the Interstate overpass near 2nd and S. Kansas Avenue.

Medical personnel pronounced the driver deceased on scene. No other vehicles were involved, and the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. 

Police have not released the name of the driver or additional details.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 1:30a.m. Saturday in Shawnee County.According to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis, a vehicle was traveling on a portion of Interstate 70 that was blocked off and under construction. The vehicle traveled off the Interstate overpass near 2nd and S. Kansas Avenue.Medical personnel pronounced the driver deceased on scene. No other vehicles were involved, and the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Police have not released the name of the driver or additional details.

Fatal crash: Vehicle traveled off I-70 overpass in blocked off construction zone 

WASHINGTON —The Senate worked into early hours of Saturday morning to approve the tax breaks and spending cuts for&nbsp;President Donald Trump's plan.

The final vote on the measure was 51-48. Missouri U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt and Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted for the measure.&nbsp;Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and. Susan Collins of Maine voted against the measure.

WASHINGTON —The Senate worked into early hours of Saturday morning to approve the tax breaks and spending cuts for&nbsp;President Donald Trump's plan.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It’s about 3 am and we just wrapped up in the Senate where we took an important step toward making the tax cuts permanent for working class families, securing the border, supporting our military readiness and cutting wasteful spending. <a href="https://t.co/BsUy6xJJJL">pic.twitter.com/BsUy6xJJJL</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1908412798196949485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The final vote on the measure was 51-48. Missouri U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt and Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted for the measure.&nbsp;Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and. Susan Collins of Maine voted against the measure.

🎥Hawley, Schmitt help Senate OK framework for Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts 

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a woman's suspicious death this week in Kansas City determined the death was a homicide. Police now believe the death was a murder suicide.

Just after 7p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to check welfare call at a residence in the 9000 block of Blue Ridge in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

First responders were directed inside a residence where they located a woman later identified as 67-year-old&nbsp;Shelli Perrey unresponsive and deceased. Her injuries were unknown. Officers preserved the scene and called for detectives due to the suspicious nature of the incident.

Overnight, detectives were notified by the medical examiner of a preliminary finding of homicide in this case.&nbsp;

Through investigation detectives were able to identify a subject of interest, a man with whom Perrey was in an ongoing relationship. Later in the day on April 2, Detectives were able to locate the subject's vehicle near Kansas City International Airport. The subject, later identified as 60-year-old Joel Thomas was located inside the vehicle, deceased by apparent suicide, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a woman's suspicious death this week in Kansas City determined the death was a homicide. Police now believe the death was a murder suicide.Just after 7p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to check welfare call at a residence in the 9000 block of Blue Ridge in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.First responders were directed inside a residence where they located a woman later identified as 67-year-old&nbsp;Shelli Perrey unresponsive and deceased. Her injuries were unknown. Officers preserved the scene and called for detectives due to the suspicious nature of the incident.Overnight, detectives were notified by the medical examiner of a preliminary finding of homicide in this case.&nbsp;Through investigation detectives were able to identify a subject of interest, a man with whom Perrey was in an ongoing relationship. Later in the day on April 2, Detectives were able to locate the subject's vehicle near Kansas City International Airport. The subject, later identified as 60-year-old Joel Thomas was located inside the vehicle, deceased by apparent suicide, according to Becchina.

Police ID KC woman in suspicious death ruled a homicide

WASHINGTON — U.S. forces are in the third week of constant attacks against&nbsp;the Iranian-backed Houthis&nbsp;in Yemen.&nbsp; On Friday evening President Trump used social media to share a video of a recent air strike on the terrorists.

"These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack. Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis," The President wrote.

The new campaign of airstrikes started after&nbsp;the rebels threatened to begin targeting “Israeli” ships&nbsp;again over Israel blocking aid entering the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;

The Houthis had targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones,&nbsp;sinking two vessels&nbsp;and killing four sailors from November 2023 until January of this year. They also launched attacks targeting American warships, though none has been hit so far.

WASHINGTON — U.S. forces are in the third week of constant attacks against&nbsp;the Iranian-backed Houthis&nbsp;in Yemen.&nbsp; On Friday evening President Trump used social media to share a video of a recent air strike on the terrorists."These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack. Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis," The President wrote.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack. Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis! They will never sink our ships again! <a href="https://t.co/lEzfyDgWP5">pic.twitter.com/lEzfyDgWP5</a>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1908300360810479821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"They will never sink our ships again!"The new campaign of airstrikes started after&nbsp;the rebels threatened to begin targeting “Israeli” ships&nbsp;again over Israel blocking aid entering the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;The Houthis had targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones,&nbsp;sinking two vessels&nbsp;and killing four sailors from November 2023 until January of this year. They also launched attacks targeting American warships, though none has been hit so far.The AP contributed to this report.

President Trump shares video of attack on Houthi rebels

TOPEKA – A Kansas man was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison for his involvement in manufacturing child sexual abuse materials.

According to court documents, Taylor Mullen, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

Mullen is the fourth person sentenced in a case involving two separate conspiracies both led by Joel Womochil, 39, the former chief of police in the Marion County community of Burns. 

Womochil pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography. In March, he was sentenced to 720 months in prison.

In 2021, Mullen and his girlfriend Jessica Quave, 38, created videos of themselves engaging in sexually explicit behavior with a child under six years old and sent the videos to Womochil.

Quave pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child - production of child pornography. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Another conspiracy in 2019 took place between Womochil and Denise Renee Sandman, 40, of Indiana. After meeting Womochil online, Sandmann agreed to create images of a child under the age

of five engaged in sexually explicit conduct and send the images to Womochil, which he saved to his hard drive.

Sandmann pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography. She was sentenced to 720 months in prison.

“We are grateful to the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security

Investigations for securing the overwhelming evidence against these child predators which led to guilty pleas and ultimately long prison sentences for their crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692237873123.png" alt="Womochil photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Womochil photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – A Kansas man was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison for his involvement in manufacturing child sexual abuse materials.According to court documents, Taylor Mullen, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743794344309.png" alt="Mullen from his original arrest in the case in Nemaha Co. in 2023" />
 <figcaption>Mullen from his original arrest in the case in Nemaha Co. in 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>Mullen is the fourth person sentenced in a case involving two separate conspiracies both led by Joel Womochil, 39, the former chief of police in the Marion County community of Burns. Womochil pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography. In March, he was sentenced to 720 months in prison.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743794641609.png" alt="Quave photo Harvey Co." />
 <figcaption>Quave photo Harvey Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>In 2021, Mullen and his girlfriend Jessica Quave, 38, created videos of themselves engaging in sexually explicit behavior with a child under six years old and sent the videos to Womochil.Quave pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child - production of child pornography. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743794586991.png" alt="Sandman photo Harvey Co" />
 <figcaption>Sandman photo Harvey Co</figcaption>
 </figure>Another conspiracy in 2019 took place between Womochil and Denise Renee Sandman, 40, of Indiana. After meeting Womochil online, Sandmann agreed to create images of a child under the ageof five engaged in sexually explicit conduct and send the images to Womochil, which he saved to his hard drive.Sandmann pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of a child – production of child pornography. She was sentenced to 720 months in prison.“We are grateful to the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland SecurityInvestigations for securing the overwhelming evidence against these child predators which led to guilty pleas and ultimately long prison sentences for their crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard.The Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

DOJ: New details of Kansas child sexual abuse conspiracy 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just after 9a.m. Friday, Police were dispatched to a shooting in the 6300 block of E. 102 Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Neighbors in the area heard the sound of shots and looked outside and saw a victim down in the street. On arrival officers located a woman shooting victim down in the street near a vehicle in front of a residence. Officers called for EMS who responded and transported the victim to the hospital for treatment. At the hospital, medical staff pronounced her deceased. 

Preliminary information indicates that the victim was in front of the residence near a vehicle when she had an interaction with an unknown suspect(s) in the street that led to shots being fired striking her.

Police have not released the victim's name or reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743787952762.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 9a.m. Friday, Police were dispatched to a shooting in the 6300 block of E. 102 Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Neighbors in the area heard the sound of shots and looked outside and saw a victim down in the street. On arrival officers located a woman shooting victim down in the street near a vehicle in front of a residence. Officers called for EMS who responded and transported the victim to the hospital for treatment. At the hospital, medical staff pronounced her deceased. Preliminary information indicates that the victim was in front of the residence near a vehicle when she had an interaction with an unknown suspect(s) in the street that led to shots being fired striking her.Police have not released the victim's name or reported an arrest.

Homicide: Neighbors heard gunshots, found woman on KC street

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

Included in the massive federal workforce cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services this week was the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/climate/trump-layoffs-energy-assistance-liheap.html" target="_blank">elimination of an office</a>&nbsp;that runs a program over 100,000 Missouri families rely on to help pay their heating and cooling bills.&nbsp;

The layoffs within the&nbsp;Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides Congressionally-approved funds that are administered by Missouri’s social services department, leaves the program’s future in limbo.&nbsp;

LIHEAP is designed to help those with few resources cover their home energy bills in the summer and winter. Since October, the program has helped offset utility costs for 100,839 households, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services.

The state received over $136.4 million for the program&nbsp;<a href="https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Missouri-State-Sheet-2025.pdf" target="_blank">in fiscal year 2023,&nbsp;</a>and the average benefit for the heating and cooling program was around $675 per household.

The Department of Social Services has “not received any official updates regarding potential program reductions,”&nbsp;said spokesperson Baylee Watts, and the&nbsp;federal government hasn’t announced program cuts. But advocates fear that without the federal staff, the future allocation of funding is uncertain.&nbsp;

“Any cuts to LIHEAP will be detrimental to Missourians who are already struggling to keep up with increasing electric and gas bills,” said Sandra Padgett, executive director of Consumers Council of Missouri, in a press release.&nbsp;

States are still waiting for around 10% of their annual funding allocation for the federal fiscal year that began in October. That amount usually arrives in June. Watts said Missouri hasn’t been notified yet of what that amount is, but it was $8.1 million last year.&nbsp;

Those funds aren’t expected to be needed until the fiscal year that starts in October, though, Watts said, based on the way Missouri has allocated funding.

“At this moment, DSS does not anticipate any impact on services,” Watts said.

At the same time, a bill adding<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/massive-utility-legislation-expected-to-boost-missouri-power-generation-and-energy-bills/">&nbsp;a charge onto utility bills</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=66" target="_blank">passed the state legislature</a>&nbsp;and is awaiting the governor’s signature.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671461254643.png" alt="Photo (Aaron Sanderford)" />
 <figcaption>Photo (Aaron Sanderford)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Included in the massive federal workforce cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services this week was the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/climate/trump-layoffs-energy-assistance-liheap.html" target="_blank">elimination of an office</a>&nbsp;that runs a program over 100,000 Missouri families rely on to help pay their heating and cooling bills.&nbsp;The layoffs within the&nbsp;Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides Congressionally-approved funds that are administered by Missouri’s social services department, leaves the program’s future in limbo.&nbsp;LIHEAP is designed to help those with few resources cover their home energy bills in the summer and winter. Since October, the program has helped offset utility costs for 100,839 households, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services.The state received over $136.4 million for the program&nbsp;<a href="https://neuac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Missouri-State-Sheet-2025.pdf" target="_blank">in fiscal year 2023,&nbsp;</a>and the average benefit for the heating and cooling program was around $675 per household.The Department of Social Services has “not received any official updates regarding potential program reductions,”&nbsp;said spokesperson Baylee Watts, and the&nbsp;federal government hasn’t announced program cuts. But advocates fear that without the federal staff, the future allocation of funding is uncertain.&nbsp;“Any cuts to LIHEAP will be detrimental to Missourians who are already struggling to keep up with increasing electric and gas bills,” said Sandra Padgett, executive director of Consumers Council of Missouri, in a press release.&nbsp;States are still waiting for around 10% of their annual funding allocation for the federal fiscal year that began in October. That amount usually arrives in June. Watts said Missouri hasn’t been notified yet of what that amount is, but it was $8.1 million last year.&nbsp;Those funds aren’t expected to be needed until the fiscal year that starts in October, though, Watts said, based on the way Missouri has allocated funding.“At this moment, DSS does not anticipate any impact on services,” Watts said.At the same time, a bill adding<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/massive-utility-legislation-expected-to-boost-missouri-power-generation-and-energy-bills/">&nbsp;a charge onto utility bills</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=66" target="_blank">passed the state legislature</a>&nbsp;and is awaiting the governor’s signature.&nbsp;