A Kansas City man was sentenced this week in connection with a woman’s fatal strangulation in 2023, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2597/Darion-Hall-Judgement-23cr1197_Redacted_FINAL">Darion Hall</a>, 25,&nbsp;pled guilty to one count of 2nd Degree Murder and a judge sentenced him to 23 years in prison.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2596/DHall_Redacted-FINAL">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 4300 block of East 7th Street on March 14, 2023, and found a female victim in the yard. The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide and the cause of death as strangulation.&nbsp;

The day of the homicide, Hall was observed driving a reported stolen auto. It was found abandoned near 7th and Norton, about two minutes from the victim’s residence. Surveillance video also captured Hall at a drug store on Independence Avenue where he was involved in an attempted strong-arm robbery.&nbsp;

A witness saw a man, later identified as Hall, near the victim after she was strangled. She described the defendant’s clothing, which matched the same clothing the defendant wore during the attempted robbery.

Detectives submitted to the crime lab the defendant’s clothing for testing. The lab reported the DNA collected from the defendant’s hoodie matched DNA from the victim.&nbsp;

Trial Team Leader Hallie Schuman and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mitchell Widener prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745443272385.png" alt="Hall photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hall photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A Kansas City man was sentenced this week in connection with a woman’s fatal strangulation in 2023, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2597/Darion-Hall-Judgement-23cr1197_Redacted_FINAL">Darion Hall</a>, 25,&nbsp;pled guilty to one count of 2nd Degree Murder and a judge sentenced him to 23 years in prison.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2596/DHall_Redacted-FINAL">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 4300 block of East 7th Street on March 14, 2023, and found a female victim in the yard. The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide and the cause of death as strangulation.&nbsp;The day of the homicide, Hall was observed driving a reported stolen auto. It was found abandoned near 7th and Norton, about two minutes from the victim’s residence. Surveillance video also captured Hall at a drug store on Independence Avenue where he was involved in an attempted strong-arm robbery.&nbsp;A witness saw a man, later identified as Hall, near the victim after she was strangled. She described the defendant’s clothing, which matched the same clothing the defendant wore during the attempted robbery.Detectives submitted to the crime lab the defendant’s clothing for testing. The lab reported the DNA collected from the defendant’s hoodie matched DNA from the victim.&nbsp;Trial Team Leader Hallie Schuman and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mitchell Widener prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.&nbsp;

DNA test led to conviction in KC woman's strangulation death

JOHNSON COUNTY —An Overland Park resident contacted Animal Control regarding an owl that was unable to fly, leading them to believe it was injured, according to a social media report from Overland Park Police.

 Animal Control Officers,  determined the owl was young, still learning to fly and likely fell out of its nest.&nbsp; Officers attempted to encourage it to perch on nearby trees, but it was uncooperative. 

The young owl later took shelter in a bush in the community. This appears to be a natural situation with a young bird learning to fly, and no immediate intervention seems necessary at this time. Police thanked the Animal Control staff for their help.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745547333000.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —An Overland Park resident contacted Animal Control regarding an owl that was unable to fly, leading them to believe it was injured, according to a social media report from Overland Park Police. Animal Control Officers, determined the owl was young, still learning to fly and likely fell out of its nest.&nbsp; Officers attempted to encourage it to perch on nearby trees, but it was uncooperative. The young owl later took shelter in a bush in the community. This appears to be a natural situation with a young bird learning to fly, and no immediate intervention seems necessary at this time. Police thanked the Animal Control staff for their help.

Police: Owl that fell from a tree was just learning to fly

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump sat down to meet privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City this morning. <a href="https://t.co/QChPiZRKzM">pic.twitter.com/QChPiZRKzM</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1916106599506043104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… <a href="https://t.co/q4ZhVXCjw0">pic.twitter.com/q4ZhVXCjw0</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1916089502088524203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump and Zelensky meet just before pope's funeral

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 17-year-old Charles Sanders.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police were called to report of a shooting in the 7800 block of NE 75th Court, according to Offier Jake Becchina. 

First responders found Sanders unresponsive in the front yard of a residence there. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who transported the boy to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. A short time he was declared deceased by medical personnel.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and took over this investigation. Preliminary information indicates that Sanders had an interaction at that location with one or more suspects that led to shots being fired and Sanders being struck.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745490778650.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 17-year-old Charles Sanders.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police were called to report of a shooting in the 7800 block of NE 75th Court, according to Offier Jake Becchina. First responders found Sanders unresponsive in the front yard of a residence there. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who transported the boy to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. A short time he was declared deceased by medical personnel.Homicide detectives responded to the scene and took over this investigation. Preliminary information indicates that Sanders had an interaction at that location with one or more suspects that led to shots being fired and Sanders being struck.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or suspect information.

Police: 17-year-old dies after shooting outside Kansas City home

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

TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill Friday she feared would funnel more public money to private educational institutions.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb24/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 24</a>&nbsp;broadened the scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship, which offers financial aid to Kansans in community college or a technical training program, to include two private institutions — Wichita Technical Institute and the Heartland Welding Academy.

Typically, the scholarship is reserved for not-for-profit schools.

“I have serious concerns about the precedent that would be set by providing state funding to for-profit educational institutions that are not accountable to the state or taxpayers,” said Kelly, a Democrat, in an announcement.

The bill also would have raised the maximum allocation that could be given to institutions across the state from $10 million to $15 million. The scholarship program covers the cost of tuition, books, fees and supplies for students in families below a certain income threshold who want to attend community college or technical school.

”This program is meant to support Kansans as they pursue an education,” Kelly said, “not funnel public money to private, for-profit institutions.”

The Senate passed the bill with unanimous support, and the House passed it 76-48 with nine Republican representatives joining Democrats in opposition.

SB 24 originally dealt with the duties of the state insurance commissioner. Legislators gutted it during negotiations at the end of the session and inserted the contents of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb44/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 44</a>, in which the scholarship expansion was initially proposed.

Mike O’Neal, who brought the scholarship bill to legislators in January, is a lobbyist for Wichita Technical Institute, among other high-profile clients, and a former House speaker.

“Given the demand for high-quality technical training in Kansas, it makes sense to expand the current eligibility for participation in the Promise Scholarship Act,” O’Neal said in committee testimony in February.

James Genandt, the president of Kansas Technical Colleges, opposed the bill, arguing it would hinder the success of existing programs. Last year, scholarship applications were paused months before the original deadline because of dwindling funds, he said.

“More institutions in the mix will only accelerate the problem,” Genandt said.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said he was disappointed in the governor’s veto, describing the scholarship program as a successful tool for job development and talent retention.&nbsp;

“Whether the student attends a public or private school is irrelevant,” Hawkins said, “especially as we face workforce shortages across many industries.”

The Legislature concluded its veto session April 11, leaving no opportunity for Republicans to attempt to override the veto.

House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, a Lenexa Democrat, applauded the veto and thanked Kelly for “protecting public dollars.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745616511736.jpeg" alt="Students traverse the Garden City Community College campus during a fall semester orientation event Aug. 18, 2024. (AJ Dome for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Students traverse the Garden City Community College campus during a fall semester orientation event Aug. 18, 2024. (AJ Dome for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill Friday she feared would funnel more public money to private educational institutions.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb24/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 24</a>&nbsp;broadened the scope of the Kansas Promise Scholarship, which offers financial aid to Kansans in community college or a technical training program, to include two private institutions — Wichita Technical Institute and the Heartland Welding Academy.Typically, the scholarship is reserved for not-for-profit schools.“I have serious concerns about the precedent that would be set by providing state funding to for-profit educational institutions that are not accountable to the state or taxpayers,” said Kelly, a Democrat, in an announcement.The bill also would have raised the maximum allocation that could be given to institutions across the state from $10 million to $15 million. The scholarship program covers the cost of tuition, books, fees and supplies for students in families below a certain income threshold who want to attend community college or technical school.”This program is meant to support Kansans as they pursue an education,” Kelly said, “not funnel public money to private, for-profit institutions.”The Senate passed the bill with unanimous support, and the House passed it 76-48 with nine Republican representatives joining Democrats in opposition.SB 24 originally dealt with the duties of the state insurance commissioner. Legislators gutted it during negotiations at the end of the session and inserted the contents of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb44/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 44</a>, in which the scholarship expansion was initially proposed.Mike O’Neal, who brought the scholarship bill to legislators in January, is a lobbyist for Wichita Technical Institute, among other high-profile clients, and a former House speaker.“Given the demand for high-quality technical training in Kansas, it makes sense to expand the current eligibility for participation in the Promise Scholarship Act,” O’Neal said in committee testimony in February.James Genandt, the president of Kansas Technical Colleges, opposed the bill, arguing it would hinder the success of existing programs. Last year, scholarship applications were paused months before the original deadline because of dwindling funds, he said.“More institutions in the mix will only accelerate the problem,” Genandt said.House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said he was disappointed in the governor’s veto, describing the scholarship program as a successful tool for job development and talent retention.&nbsp;“Whether the student attends a public or private school is irrelevant,” Hawkins said, “especially as we face workforce shortages across many industries.”The Legislature concluded its veto session April 11, leaving no opportunity for Republicans to attempt to override the veto.House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, a Lenexa Democrat, applauded the veto and thanked Kelly for “protecting public dollars.”

Kansas governor vetoes scholarship bill that would have extended public funds to two private schools

Pope Francis' funeral mass takes place at St. Peter's Square, followed by a procession and cortège to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major for his burial.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/international-telecasts/pope-francis-funeral-mass-in-vatican-city/432696">Click here to watch beginning at 3a.m. CDT</a>&nbsp;or the video below

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745658396155.jpeg" alt="Image from CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>Pope Francis' funeral mass takes place at St. Peter's Square, followed by a procession and cortège to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major for his burial.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/international-telecasts/pope-francis-funeral-mass-in-vatican-city/432696">Click here to watch beginning at 3a.m. CDT</a>&nbsp;or the video below<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LIVE --&gt; Pope Francis&#39; Funeral Mass in Vatican City – LIVE on C-SPAN <a href="https://t.co/mwpDK8FsiQ">https://t.co/mwpDK8FsiQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1916036383530995983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Pope Francis&#39; casket drives by the Colosseum in Rome en route to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. <a href="https://t.co/QL8AJdcd9M">pic.twitter.com/QL8AJdcd9M</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1916085179371683994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kielce Gussie, an American journalist with Vatican News, delivers the first reading at the funeral mass for Pope Fancis. <a href="https://t.co/PfkRfnSTlx">pic.twitter.com/PfkRfnSTlx</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1916084533453013404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump at Pope Francis Funeral. <a href="https://t.co/QhPK6RUUxQ">pic.twitter.com/QhPK6RUUxQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1916041263771459660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> and First Lady <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MELANIATRUMP</a> catch up with <a href="https://twitter.com/CardinalDolan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CardinalDolan</a> of New York this morning at St. Peter&#39;s Basilica in Vatican City… <a href="https://t.co/BYfpAkt7Ht">pic.twitter.com/BYfpAkt7Ht</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1916094099469332731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pay their respects to Pope Francis in St. Peter&#39;s Basilica. <a href="https://t.co/PVSR33OU5p">pic.twitter.com/PVSR33OU5p</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1916102475121103198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Pres. Trump and Melania Trump arrive Rome Italy for Pope Francis Funeral ... <a href="https://t.co/jzwSNgnbKe">pic.twitter.com/jzwSNgnbKe</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1915879817133621549?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Pope Francis' funeral mass in Vatican City

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/henry-redman/">Henry Redman</a>

FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/fbi-investigating-milwaukee-county-judge-after-third-courthouse-ice-arrest/" target="_blank">action</a>&nbsp;last week.

Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshal’s Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, she’s been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.

Online court records show that the government did not request that Dugan be held in detention and that she was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was released from custody without having to post bail and signed an agreement that she’d appear in court when required.

The agency’s director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had “intentionally misdirected federal agents away” from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating “increased danger to the public.”

Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugan’s courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/23/ice-arrested-mexican-immigrant-after-hearing-before-judge-dugan/83233154007/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugan’s courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway.

ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests — a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court.

In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugan’s arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out.

“Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process,” Crowley said. “We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out.”

But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies.

“It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nation’s immigration laws,” he said. “FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugan’s case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patel’s statement shows that Trump’s FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice.”

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values.

“In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons,” she said. “The President’s administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this President’s lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congress’s checks on his power.”

Gov. Tony Evers said the arrest was another example of the Trump administration’s attacks on the judiciary.

“Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor,” he said. “I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nation’s judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law.”

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said the arrest was “shocking.”

“This Administration’s willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach,” Moore said. “Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution.”

The ACLU of Wisconsin wrote on social media that ICE making arrests at courthouses interferes with the work of local justice officials.

“Judges have a duty to maintain order in their courtrooms and ensure the fair administration of justice, and federal law does not require state judges to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement,” the organization said. “Everyone is due their day in court, and when ICE starts showing up to courts looking to make arrests, it risks interfering with those rights. In recent weeks, the administration has attacked the integrity of our judicial system, refused to comply with a Supreme Court order, and arrested a judge for using her authority to protect the fair administration of justice.”

Wisconsin Examiner, a States Newsroom affiliate,&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/04/25/fbi-arrests-milwaukee-county-judge/" target="_blank">produced this story</a>.

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/henry-redman/">Henry Redman</a>FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/fbi-investigating-milwaukee-county-judge-after-third-courthouse-ice-arrest/" target="_blank">action</a>&nbsp;last week.Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshal’s Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, she’s been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.Online court records show that the government did not request that Dugan be held in detention and that she was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was released from custody without having to post bail and signed an agreement that she’d appear in court when required.The agency’s director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had “intentionally misdirected federal agents away” from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating “increased danger to the public.”Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugan’s courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/23/ice-arrested-mexican-immigrant-after-hearing-before-judge-dugan/83233154007/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugan’s courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway.ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests — a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court.In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugan’s arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out.“Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process,” Crowley said. “We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out.”But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies.“It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nation’s immigration laws,” he said. “FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugan’s case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patel’s statement shows that Trump’s FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice.”U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values.“In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons,” she said. “The President’s administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this President’s lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congress’s checks on his power.”Gov. Tony Evers said the arrest was another example of the Trump administration’s attacks on the judiciary.“Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor,” he said. “I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nation’s judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law.”U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said the arrest was “shocking.”“This Administration’s willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach,” Moore said. “Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution.”The ACLU of Wisconsin wrote on social media that ICE making arrests at courthouses interferes with the work of local justice officials.“Judges have a duty to maintain order in their courtrooms and ensure the fair administration of justice, and federal law does not require state judges to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement,” the organization said. “Everyone is due their day in court, and when ICE starts showing up to courts looking to make arrests, it risks interfering with those rights. In recent weeks, the administration has attacked the integrity of our judicial system, refused to comply with a Supreme Court order, and arrested a judge for using her authority to protect the fair administration of justice.”Wisconsin Examiner, a States Newsroom affiliate,&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/04/25/fbi-arrests-milwaukee-county-judge/" target="_blank">produced this story</a>.

FBI arrests Milwaukee County judge

WASHINGTON — The funeral mass for Pope Francis is scheduled 2a.m. CDT on Saturday in Rome. Missouri. U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt is joining President Trump and the first lady on the trip.

On Social media Schmitt wrote, "I’m truly humbled to be representing my country along side President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the funeral of Pope Francis."&nbsp; The U.S. delegation left for Rome early Friday.

WASHINGTON — The funeral mass for Pope Francis is scheduled 2a.m. CDT on Saturday in Rome. Missouri. U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt is joining President Trump and the first lady on the trip.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">I’m truly humbled to be representing my country along side President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the funeral of Pope Francis. En route to Rome now. <a href="https://t.co/TLTOs3imsX">pic.twitter.com/TLTOs3imsX</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1915765638208893326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On Social media Schmitt wrote, "I’m truly humbled to be representing my country along side President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the funeral of Pope Francis."&nbsp; The U.S. delegation left for Rome early Friday.

🎥Missouri U.S. Senator will attend funeral mass for Pope Francis

RENO COUNTY —In July 2024 the Hutchinson Police Department investigated two separate overdose deaths. The Special Operations Unit was assigned both cases and began their investigation. Detectives identified Brandi A. Long, age 47, Michael D. Long, age 61, and Kristopher L. Richards, age 36, as suspects in the illegal distribution of controlled substances which led to both deaths, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.

The results of the investigations were forwarded to the Reno County District Attorney’s Office. Reno County District Attorney Thomas R. Stanton reviewed the information presented and subsequently filed criminal complaints in the Reno County District Court charging the defendants with alleged violations of Kansas law.

On April 8, 2025, Brandi A. Long, age 47 of Hutchinson, and Michael D. Long, age 61 of Hutchinson, were charged with 2 counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Violation of the Kansas Racketeering Statute, Distribution of Morphine, Distribution of Marijuana, 28 counts of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance Using a Communication Device, Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Marijuana.

On April 8, 2025, Kristopher L. Richards, age 36 of Hutchinson, was charged with 2 counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Violation of the Kansas Racketeering Statute, Distribution of Morphine, Distribution of Marijuana, 28 counts of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance Using a Communication Device, and Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute. 

If you have information regarding these cases, please contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone, or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to our anonymous tip form. (Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. P3 Terms and Privacy Policy.)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745600096928.png" alt="Long photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Long photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —In July 2024 the Hutchinson Police Department investigated two separate overdose deaths. The Special Operations Unit was assigned both cases and began their investigation. Detectives identified Brandi A. Long, age 47, Michael D. Long, age 61, and Kristopher L. Richards, age 36, as suspects in the illegal distribution of controlled substances which led to both deaths, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.The results of the investigations were forwarded to the Reno County District Attorney’s Office. Reno County District Attorney Thomas R. Stanton reviewed the information presented and subsequently filed criminal complaints in the Reno County District Court charging the defendants with alleged violations of Kansas law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745600051978.png" alt="Long photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Long photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On April 8, 2025, Brandi A. Long, age 47 of Hutchinson, and Michael D. Long, age 61 of Hutchinson, were charged with 2 counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Violation of the Kansas Racketeering Statute, Distribution of Morphine, Distribution of Marijuana, 28 counts of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance Using a Communication Device, Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Marijuana.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745600144979.png" alt="Richards photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Richards photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On April 8, 2025, Kristopher L. Richards, age 36 of Hutchinson, was charged with 2 counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Violation of the Kansas Racketeering Statute, Distribution of Morphine, Distribution of Marijuana, 28 counts of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance Using a Communication Device, and Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute. If you have information regarding these cases, please contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone, or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to our anonymous tip form. (Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. P3 Terms and Privacy Policy.)

3 charged in deadly Kansas fentanyl overdose deaths

Saturday is Drug
Take Back Day, a day residents are urged to go to their medicine cabinets, grab
their expired prescriptions, and safely dispose of them.

Buchanan County
Sheriff, Bill Puett, says officials will again set up in the East Hills Mall
parking lot to accept expired drugs.

“You can pull up
and drop off your prescription bottles and all those things,” Puett tells
KFEQmmunity. “They’ll take them and we’ll have DEA destroy all that stuff. They
have a really polished process.”

Officials will set
up in the East Hills Mall parking lot between 10am Saturday to 2pm.

Drug Take Back Day
is held to destroy outdated drugs, especially pain killers, in an effort to
curb the misuse of drugs and reduce opioid addiction. Officials will also
accept old needles.

Puett says Drug
Take Back Day hopes to remove drugs from the home, in an effort to keep them
from ending up in the wrong hands.

“Get them out of
the house. Get them out of access to hands that may not need them,” Puett says.
“We take fentanyl patches. We take everything.”

Puett says for
those who miss Drug Take Back Day, they can dispose of unused prescription
drugs, including needles, at a special box installed in the Law Enforcement
Center in downtown St. Joseph.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSaturday is Drug
Take Back Day, a day residents are urged to go to their medicine cabinets, grab
their expired prescriptions, and safely dispose of them.Buchanan County
Sheriff, Bill Puett, says officials will again set up in the East Hills Mall
parking lot to accept expired drugs.“You can pull up
and drop off your prescription bottles and all those things,” Puett tells
KFEQmmunity. “They’ll take them and we’ll have DEA destroy all that stuff. They
have a really polished process.”Officials will set
up in the East Hills Mall parking lot between 10am Saturday to 2pm.Drug Take Back Day
is held to destroy outdated drugs, especially pain killers, in an effort to
curb the misuse of drugs and reduce opioid addiction. Officials will also
accept old needles.Puett says Drug
Take Back Day hopes to remove drugs from the home, in an effort to keep them
from ending up in the wrong hands.“Get them out of
the house. Get them out of access to hands that may not need them,” Puett says.
“We take fentanyl patches. We take everything.”Puett says for
those who miss Drug Take Back Day, they can dispose of unused prescription
drugs, including needles, at a special box installed in the Law Enforcement
Center in downtown St. Joseph.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Saturday is Drug Take Back Day at East Hills Mall parking lot

ELLIS COUNTY —Kansas Highway Patrol Captain Travis Phillips, Troop D, was honored with a Commanders Commendation Award for his actions on March 14,&nbsp; when a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 70 in Sherman County.

"The horrific incident, which involved 71 vehicles, 29 being commercial motor vehicle, and sadly resulted in 8 fatalities, demanded an extraordinary level of coordination, professionalism, and resolve from first responders."

"Despite facing the unique challenges of extremely high winds, zero visibility, blowing dust/dirt, multiple injured and/or disoriented motorists, deceased motorists, and debris, Captain Phillips’ responded swiftly, assisting with traffic control, the transportation of stranded motorists to area hotels, and checking on the welfare of the KHP personnel directly involved."

"Captain Phillips actions on March 14 and in the days that followed exemplified the highest standards of service and significantly contributed to the success of our mission. His performance during this incident is truly commendable and worthy of recognition."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744654081515.png" alt="Photo of the crash scene-KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo of the crash scene-KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY —Kansas Highway Patrol Captain Travis Phillips, Troop D, was honored with a Commanders Commendation Award for his actions on March 14,&nbsp; when a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 70 in Sherman County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745593808006.png" alt="KHP Captain Travis Phillips (Left) -Photo KHP Troop D" />
 <figcaption>KHP Captain Travis Phillips (Left) -Photo KHP Troop D</figcaption>
 </figure>"The horrific incident, which involved 71 vehicles, 29 being commercial motor vehicle, and sadly resulted in 8 fatalities, demanded an extraordinary level of coordination, professionalism, and resolve from first responders.""Despite facing the unique challenges of extremely high winds, zero visibility, blowing dust/dirt, multiple injured and/or disoriented motorists, deceased motorists, and debris, Captain Phillips’ responded swiftly, assisting with traffic control, the transportation of stranded motorists to area hotels, and checking on the welfare of the KHP personnel directly involved.""Captain Phillips actions on March 14 and in the days that followed exemplified the highest standards of service and significantly contributed to the success of our mission. His performance during this incident is truly commendable and worthy of recognition."

Kan. Trooper recognized for heroic action during multi-vehicle crash

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an incident involving a dog bite and continue asking the public for help to locate the animal.

The incident occurred just after 2p.m. Thursday near W95th and Mission Road in Overland Park, according to a media release from police.

The dog was described as a 30-pound lack, brown and white short-hair terrier. Police described the dog's owner as a slender Asian woman with dark hair, approximately 25-39 years old. The dog was on a leash when the bite occurred. EMS transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment.

Police asked anyone with information on the dog or its owner to contact them.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an incident involving a dog bite and continue asking the public for help to locate the animal.The incident occurred just after 2p.m. Thursday near W95th and Mission Road in Overland Park, according to a media release from police.The dog was described as a 30-pound lack, brown and white short-hair terrier. Police described the dog's owner as a slender Asian woman with dark hair, approximately 25-39 years old. The dog was on a leash when the bite occurred. EMS transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment.Police asked anyone with information on the dog or its owner to contact them.

Police search for Kan. woman after dog bite incident

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

Tom Prater’s nomination faced scrutiny from a Republican lawmaker and DC-based nonprofit

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe withdrew the nomination of Tom Prater to the State Board of Education on Thursday after concerns circulated from a national advocacy group and a state senator.

Prater, a Springfield eye surgeon who donated $21,000 to Kehoe’s political action committee last year, was appointed in an interim capacity following the retirement of 33-year board member Peter Herschend. He was reappointed by Kehoe this year alongside three new board members.

But in the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/24/senate-set-to-approve-missouri-governors-shakeup-of-state-education-board/">his selection was singled out</a>&nbsp;by Republican state Sen. Mike Moon.

Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, said his constituents had complained about Prater’s appointment. He asked Prater about his role in United Springfield, a committee that has donated to candidates on both sides of the aisle in local elections.

Prater said the group didn’t look at political affiliations but asked questions about “education issues.”

Moon told The Independent on Thursday he spoke to Kehoe about his concerns but didn’t want to talk more about Prater or the reasons his nomination was withdrawn

If the Senate had voted Prater’s nomination down, he would have been banned from serving on the board for life. Instead, the nomination was withdrawn shortly after the Senate convened Thursday and the other education board nominee, Republican Brooks Miller, was confirmed on a voice vote.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for Kehoe said he was “confident in (Prater’s) qualifications.”

“Given the short amount of time left this legislative session and the obstacles presented during Prater’s confirmation, the governor did not want to ask the Missouri Senate to use valuable floor time on this appointment at the expense of other critical legislation awaiting action,” she said in a statement.

The State Board of Education, by law, can’t be dominated by a political party. Prater was nominated as an independent, with the maximum number of Republicans already in office or appointed.

Prater has a history of donating to both Republican and Democratic candidates, with the majority of his contributions benefiting those on the political right.

These donations came under scrutiny from the American Accountability Foundation, a D.C.-based nonprofit committed to the “American First conservative agenda,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Theswampmonitor" target="_blank">according to its social media</a>.

“If you want a pro-tax, anti-voucher, pro-teacher union voice on the State Board of Education, then Tom Prater is your guy,” the organization’s founder, Thomas Jones, said in an email to state officials Wednesday. “But if you want reform-minded conservatives, you’re going to need a new nominee.”

Jones noted Prater’s donations to ActBlue, which received $250 from Prater last year, and donations to local Democrats often below $1,000.&nbsp;

Jones told The Independent Thursday that any donations to blue candidates are “terrible.”

“He shouldn’t be on the board at all,” he said. “He has donated to a bunch of terrible liberals in your state. He is going to be a toxic influence on the Board of Education.”

Missouri-based groups Freedom Principle MO and MO Education Watch celebrated the withdrawal on social media.

“The people won,” MO Education Watch&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MOEdWatch/status/1915426729323024798" target="_blank">said on X</a>, formerly Twitter.

Prater did not respond to a request for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745578833339.png" alt=" State Board of Education appointee Tom Prater, an eye surgeon from Springfield, listens to questions about his time on Springfield Public Schools’ board during the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing Wednesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Board of Education appointee Tom Prater, an eye surgeon from Springfield, listens to questions about his time on Springfield Public Schools’ board during the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing Wednesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>Tom Prater’s nomination faced scrutiny from a Republican lawmaker and DC-based nonprofit</h2>Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe withdrew the nomination of Tom Prater to the State Board of Education on Thursday after concerns circulated from a national advocacy group and a state senator.Prater, a Springfield eye surgeon who donated $21,000 to Kehoe’s political action committee last year, was appointed in an interim capacity following the retirement of 33-year board member Peter Herschend. He was reappointed by Kehoe this year alongside three new board members.But in the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/24/senate-set-to-approve-missouri-governors-shakeup-of-state-education-board/">his selection was singled out</a>&nbsp;by Republican state Sen. Mike Moon.Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, said his constituents had complained about Prater’s appointment. He asked Prater about his role in United Springfield, a committee that has donated to candidates on both sides of the aisle in local elections.Prater said the group didn’t look at political affiliations but asked questions about “education issues.”Moon told The Independent on Thursday he spoke to Kehoe about his concerns but didn’t want to talk more about Prater or the reasons his nomination was withdrawnIf the Senate had voted Prater’s nomination down, he would have been banned from serving on the board for life. Instead, the nomination was withdrawn shortly after the Senate convened Thursday and the other education board nominee, Republican Brooks Miller, was confirmed on a voice vote.&nbsp;A spokeswoman for Kehoe said he was “confident in (Prater’s) qualifications.”“Given the short amount of time left this legislative session and the obstacles presented during Prater’s confirmation, the governor did not want to ask the Missouri Senate to use valuable floor time on this appointment at the expense of other critical legislation awaiting action,” she said in a statement.The State Board of Education, by law, can’t be dominated by a political party. Prater was nominated as an independent, with the maximum number of Republicans already in office or appointed.Prater has a history of donating to both Republican and Democratic candidates, with the majority of his contributions benefiting those on the political right.These donations came under scrutiny from the American Accountability Foundation, a D.C.-based nonprofit committed to the “American First conservative agenda,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Theswampmonitor" target="_blank">according to its social media</a>.“If you want a pro-tax, anti-voucher, pro-teacher union voice on the State Board of Education, then Tom Prater is your guy,” the organization’s founder, Thomas Jones, said in an email to state officials Wednesday. “But if you want reform-minded conservatives, you’re going to need a new nominee.”Jones noted Prater’s donations to ActBlue, which received $250 from Prater last year, and donations to local Democrats often below $1,000.&nbsp;Jones told The Independent Thursday that any donations to blue candidates are “terrible.”“He shouldn’t be on the board at all,” he said. “He has donated to a bunch of terrible liberals in your state. He is going to be a toxic influence on the Board of Education.”Missouri-based groups Freedom Principle MO and MO Education Watch celebrated the withdrawal on social media.“The people won,” MO Education Watch&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MOEdWatch/status/1915426729323024798" target="_blank">said on X</a>, formerly Twitter.Prater did not respond to a request for comment.

Missouri governor drops education board pick after criticism from senator, right-wing groups

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a stolen vehicle and crash continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;Steven Matthew Rule, 40, of Topeka who was involved, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill.

&nbsp;Rule is described as approximately 5-foot-10, 185 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen fleeing the area of SW 17th Street and McAlister Avenue around 9 a.m. Thursday, wearing gray shorts, black tennis shoes and no shirt at that time. Rule has multiple tattoos on his upper right arm.

On Thursday police&nbsp;&nbsp;were investigating a stolen vehicle report in Topeka, according to Topeka Police&nbsp; LT Manuel Munoz. Through the investigation, officers were notified that the vehicle was in the area of SW 17th and SW Wanamaker in Topeka.

Police located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle fled east on SW 17th and officers did not pursue. A short time later, a Shawnee County Sheriff’s deputy observed the vehicle, which had been involved in a vehicle accident at SW 17th and SW McAlister when it struck a tree.

Several individuals ran from the scene and the Deputy began to run after them. During the foot pursuit, the deputy heard shots being fired and summoned additional assistance.&nbsp;Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, and Washburn University Police, arrived on scene.

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene. Rule is still missing and law enforcement are utilizing K-9 units, drones, and air support from the KHP.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Steven Matthew Rule is urged to contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office (785–251–2200) or our Criminal Investigations Division immediately.

No officers or citizens were injured during this incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745527604920.png" alt="View of the stolen vehicle that struck a tree -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>View of the stolen vehicle that struck a tree -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a stolen vehicle and crash continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;Steven Matthew Rule, 40, of Topeka who was involved, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745576781428.png" alt="Rule photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Rule photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Rule is described as approximately 5-foot-10, 185 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen fleeing the area of SW 17th Street and McAlister Avenue around 9 a.m. Thursday, wearing gray shorts, black tennis shoes and no shirt at that time. Rule has multiple tattoos on his upper right arm.On Thursday police&nbsp;&nbsp;were investigating a stolen vehicle report in Topeka, according to Topeka Police&nbsp; LT Manuel Munoz. Through the investigation, officers were notified that the vehicle was in the area of SW 17th and SW Wanamaker in Topeka.Police located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle fled east on SW 17th and officers did not pursue. A short time later, a Shawnee County Sheriff’s deputy observed the vehicle, which had been involved in a vehicle accident at SW 17th and SW McAlister when it struck a tree.Several individuals ran from the scene and the Deputy began to run after them. During the foot pursuit, the deputy heard shots being fired and summoned additional assistance.&nbsp;Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, and Washburn University Police, arrived on scene.Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene. Rule is still missing and law enforcement are utilizing K-9 units, drones, and air support from the KHP.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Steven Matthew Rule is urged to contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office (785–251–2200) or our Criminal Investigations Division immediately.No officers or citizens were injured during this incident.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. suspect still at large after stolen car struck a tree

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman has admitted her role in the drug sale death of another woman.

On April 22, Beulah B. Quiroz, 39, pleased guilty to drug distribution causing death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In January, Quiroz was charged with the distribution of narcotics that caused the death of another and the use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to the district attorney. The victim, 46-year-old Dori Cunagin, died on Feb. 6, 2024, in Mission, Kansas.

Quiroz is scheduled for sentencing June 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745435736420.png" alt="Quiroz photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Quiroz photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman has admitted her role in the drug sale death of another woman.On April 22, Beulah B. Quiroz, 39, pleased guilty to drug distribution causing death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In January, Quiroz was charged with the distribution of narcotics that caused the death of another and the use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to the district attorney. The victim, 46-year-old Dori Cunagin, died on Feb. 6, 2024, in Mission, Kansas.Quiroz is scheduled for sentencing June 16.

Kansas woman admits role in drug sale death 

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 — Surrounded by the shouts and chatter of children playing, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed legislation consolidating the state’s early childhood services under one department and supporting creation of more child care openings.

“When I ran for governor in 2018, I often said that, should I leave a legacy, I wanted to leave behind the most comprehensive early childhood system in the nation, so that our children, their families, our businesses and our communities could thrive,” Kelly told a crowd gathered at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka.

Kelly signed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/HB2045/" target="_blank">House Bill 2045</a>, which creates the Office of Early Childhood, effectively consolidating more than 20 Kansas programs having to do with children, child care and other issues under one banner. In addition, the bill is expected to increase availability of much-needed child care slots, although critics have voiced concerns that it softened licensure requirements.&nbsp;

The bill allows fewer education requirements for some workers in a child care facility and changes ratios of the number of adults to children. It also matches vaccination requirements to those currently in place for children attending school.

Rep. Kirk Haskins, a Topeka Democrat, said he worked on the bill for three years and that the final product, while not without its costs, was effective and good.&nbsp;

“We do have a day care gap that we have to address,” he said. “But we have to be careful to make sure we’re not changing so much that it harms our children.”

Kelly said some concerns raised about the bill were misguided because people didn’t understand that much of the language included in HB 2045 was already in statute elsewhere.&nbsp;

“Some of the concerns, like the wording on certain provisions within that, those are things that were already in statute,” she said. “They were just sort of put into the child care conversation, but were already existing. But I felt very comfortable that what we ended up with addressed a lot of concerns.”

Kelly said objections to the vaccination language in HB 2045 was one of those misunderstood issues.&nbsp;

“That language already exists in state law, and we just put it into child care regulations,” she said.&nbsp;

Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, spoke to the crowd while holding her 11-month-old daughter, Brynn. She said she and her husband put their names on a child care wait list in 2020, and then it took them longer than expected to have a child. A spot didn’t come open until just after their daughter was born in May 2024, she said.&nbsp;

“Many folks are not working because either they can’t afford it or they don’t have access to it,” Blew said. “The thing about child care is it’s an issue across every state. Hopefully more states will look to Kansas on what we’re doing here.”

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, equated the legislation to a promise to Kansas families.&nbsp;

“By establishing the Kansas Office of Early Childhood, this bill takes a transformative step toward making child care in Kansas more accessible, more affordable and more effective,” she said.

“Kansas will now have a centralized, accountable agency with an executive director focused entirely on those early childhood services,” Sykes added. “This means more coordination, less confusion and better results.”

Kelly said it had been clear for some time that the current system in Kansas wasn’t meeting the needs of providers, communities and businesses. This legislation ensures a stronger, more comprehensive and flexible system for providers, she said.&nbsp;

“We know the earliest years of childhood are crucial in determining the trajectory of one’s entire life, including economic health and social outcomes,” Kelly said. “A robust, flourishing early childhood system not only benefits our children, but it’s also critical to our state’s economic growth and well-being.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745529889675.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/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 — Surrounded by the shouts and chatter of children playing, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed legislation consolidating the state’s early childhood services under one department and supporting creation of more child care openings.“When I ran for governor in 2018, I often said that, should I leave a legacy, I wanted to leave behind the most comprehensive early childhood system in the nation, so that our children, their families, our businesses and our communities could thrive,” Kelly told a crowd gathered at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka.Kelly signed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/HB2045/" target="_blank">House Bill 2045</a>, which creates the Office of Early Childhood, effectively consolidating more than 20 Kansas programs having to do with children, child care and other issues under one banner. In addition, the bill is expected to increase availability of much-needed child care slots, although critics have voiced concerns that it softened licensure requirements.&nbsp;The bill allows fewer education requirements for some workers in a child care facility and changes ratios of the number of adults to children. It also matches vaccination requirements to those currently in place for children attending school.Rep. Kirk Haskins, a Topeka Democrat, said he worked on the bill for three years and that the final product, while not without its costs, was effective and good.&nbsp;“We do have a day care gap that we have to address,” he said. “But we have to be careful to make sure we’re not changing so much that it harms our children.”Kelly said some concerns raised about the bill were misguided because people didn’t understand that much of the language included in HB 2045 was already in statute elsewhere.&nbsp;“Some of the concerns, like the wording on certain provisions within that, those are things that were already in statute,” she said. “They were just sort of put into the child care conversation, but were already existing. But I felt very comfortable that what we ended up with addressed a lot of concerns.”Kelly said objections to the vaccination language in HB 2045 was one of those misunderstood issues.&nbsp;“That language already exists in state law, and we just put it into child care regulations,” she said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745529889675.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, spoke to the crowd while holding her 11-month-old daughter, Brynn. She said she and her husband put their names on a child care wait list in 2020, and then it took them longer than expected to have a child. A spot didn’t come open until just after their daughter was born in May 2024, she said.&nbsp;“Many folks are not working because either they can’t afford it or they don’t have access to it,” Blew said. “The thing about child care is it’s an issue across every state. Hopefully more states will look to Kansas on what we’re doing here.”Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, equated the legislation to a promise to Kansas families.&nbsp;“By establishing the Kansas Office of Early Childhood, this bill takes a transformative step toward making child care in Kansas more accessible, more affordable and more effective,” she said.“Kansas will now have a centralized, accountable agency with an executive director focused entirely on those early childhood services,” Sykes added. “This means more coordination, less confusion and better results.”Kelly said it had been clear for some time that the current system in Kansas wasn’t meeting the needs of providers, communities and businesses. This legislation ensures a stronger, more comprehensive and flexible system for providers, she said.&nbsp;“We know the earliest years of childhood are crucial in determining the trajectory of one’s entire life, including economic health and social outcomes,” Kelly said. “A robust, flourishing early childhood system not only benefits our children, but it’s also critical to our state’s economic growth and well-being.”

Kansas governor signs legislation to expand child care access, create Office of Early Childhood

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

TOPEKA — A federal judge rejected a former Kansas foster care leader’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/04/federal-prosecutor-tells-court-ex-saint-francis-leader-is-a-flight-risk-if-he-travels-to-el-salvador/">request to leave the country</a>, even though a Chicago faith leader vouched for him.

Robert “Father Bobby” Smith, who led Saint Francis Ministries from 2014 to 2020, faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. He asked the court last month to travel from his home in Johnson City, Tennessee, to El Salvador so he could visit his ex-wife and attend their daughter’s high school graduation.

U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse sided with a prosecutor who warned that Smith was a flight risk, based on family connections and the federal government’s inability to apprehend him if he stayed in El Salvador.

Pastor Corey Brooks, of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcchurchchi.org/" target="_blank">New Beginnings Church of Chicago</a>, wrote a letter dated April 10 to the judge in support of Smith’s request to travel.

“I have every confidence that his intent is to attend the graduation, celebrate his daughter’s success, and return to Tennessee,” Brooks wrote.

Brooks said he believes so much in Smith that he was willing to travel with him to the graduation.

But court records show Crouse denied Smith’s request at an April 16 hearing.

The judge also set a status conference for April 30. Past court filings showed Smith and co-defendant William Whymark, the former IT director for Saint Francis, are&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/27/former-leaders-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-negotiating-plea-deal-in-federal-fraud-case/">negotiating a plea deal</a>.

The two are accused of defrauding Saint Francis, the largest foster care contractor in Kansas, of at least $4.7 million.

Saint Francis hired Smith, who had been ordained as an Episcopal priest by the Diocese of Chicago, as president and CEO in 2014. Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/04/kansas-agency-serving-3100-foster-children-accused-of-rampant-financial-mismanagement/">first reported</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/15/kansas-based-foster-care-providers-financial-turmoil-cubs-tickets-amplify-concerns-in-nebraska/">allegations of misconduct</a>&nbsp;by Smith and Whymark shortly after they left Saint Francis in November 2020.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">Internal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/23/audit-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-scrutinizes-financial-controls-it-costs-ceo-travel-ppp-loan/">external</a>&nbsp;audits revealed excessive billing for IT services and charges by Smith for lavish personal expenses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660235188905.png" alt="&nbsp;Saint Francis Ministries in November 2020 severed ties with CEO Robert "Father Bobby" Smith and other leaders following an investigation into financial mismanagement. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Saint Francis Ministries in November 2020 severed ties with CEO Robert "Father Bobby" Smith and other leaders following an investigation into financial mismanagement. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A federal judge rejected a former Kansas foster care leader’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/04/federal-prosecutor-tells-court-ex-saint-francis-leader-is-a-flight-risk-if-he-travels-to-el-salvador/">request to leave the country</a>, even though a Chicago faith leader vouched for him.Robert “Father Bobby” Smith, who led Saint Francis Ministries from 2014 to 2020, faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. He asked the court last month to travel from his home in Johnson City, Tennessee, to El Salvador so he could visit his ex-wife and attend their daughter’s high school graduation.U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse sided with a prosecutor who warned that Smith was a flight risk, based on family connections and the federal government’s inability to apprehend him if he stayed in El Salvador.Pastor Corey Brooks, of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcchurchchi.org/" target="_blank">New Beginnings Church of Chicago</a>, wrote a letter dated April 10 to the judge in support of Smith’s request to travel.“I have every confidence that his intent is to attend the graduation, celebrate his daughter’s success, and return to Tennessee,” Brooks wrote.Brooks said he believes so much in Smith that he was willing to travel with him to the graduation.But court records show Crouse denied Smith’s request at an April 16 hearing.The judge also set a status conference for April 30. Past court filings showed Smith and co-defendant William Whymark, the former IT director for Saint Francis, are&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/27/former-leaders-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-negotiating-plea-deal-in-federal-fraud-case/">negotiating a plea deal</a>.The two are accused of defrauding Saint Francis, the largest foster care contractor in Kansas, of at least $4.7 million.Saint Francis hired Smith, who had been ordained as an Episcopal priest by the Diocese of Chicago, as president and CEO in 2014. Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/04/kansas-agency-serving-3100-foster-children-accused-of-rampant-financial-mismanagement/">first reported</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/15/kansas-based-foster-care-providers-financial-turmoil-cubs-tickets-amplify-concerns-in-nebraska/">allegations of misconduct</a>&nbsp;by Smith and Whymark shortly after they left Saint Francis in November 2020.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">Internal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/23/audit-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-scrutinizes-financial-controls-it-costs-ceo-travel-ppp-loan/">external</a>&nbsp;audits revealed excessive billing for IT services and charges by Smith for lavish personal expenses.

Federal judge denies former foster care leader’s request to travel to El Salvador

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an&nbsp;aggravated robbery and aggravated battery that occurred just after 11p.m. on April 12 in the 1100 block of Moro Street in Manhattan and have made additional arrests, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;A 17-year-old boy reported that multiple persons had battered him and property was stolen from him during the incident. 

Arrested in connection with the incident were Avante Cunningham, 16, of Manhattan, Nehemiah Jackson, 14, of Manhattan, and Kaeden Guerrero, 16, of Manhattan. &nbsp;

Cunningham was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 3:43 p.m. in the 1400 block of Humboldt Street on requested charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.

Jackson was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 11:09 a.m. in the 400 block of Walters Drive on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.

Guerrero was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 10:35 a.m. in the 1500 block of Pipher Lane on requested charges for aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.. Guerrero and Jackson are confined in the Reno County Juvenile Detention Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cunningham is confined in the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center.

On Wednesday, the RCPD reported the arrest of two others in connection with the alleged crime. Amarion Blanton, 15,&nbsp; and Joshua Davis Jr., 17, both of Manhattan&nbsp;are  confined in the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an&nbsp;aggravated robbery and aggravated battery that occurred just after 11p.m. on April 12 in the 1100 block of Moro Street in Manhattan and have made additional arrests, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;A 17-year-old boy reported that multiple persons had battered him and property was stolen from him during the incident. Arrested in connection with the incident were Avante Cunningham, 16, of Manhattan, Nehemiah Jackson, 14, of Manhattan, and Kaeden Guerrero, 16, of Manhattan. &nbsp;Cunningham was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 3:43 p.m. in the 1400 block of Humboldt Street on requested charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.Jackson was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 11:09 a.m. in the 400 block of Walters Drive on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.Guerrero was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 10:35 a.m. in the 1500 block of Pipher Lane on requested charges for aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.. Guerrero and Jackson are confined in the Reno County Juvenile Detention Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cunningham is confined in the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center.On Wednesday, the RCPD reported the arrest of two others in connection with the alleged crime. Amarion Blanton, 15,&nbsp; and Joshua Davis Jr., 17, both of Manhattan&nbsp;are confined in the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

Police: 5 accused in violent robbery of Kansas teen

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>

USDA urged reform after Kansas’ payment error rate on SNAP hit 12% in 2023

TOPEKA — The payment error rate for Kansas’ determination of eligibility for food assistance grew to more than 12% in 2023 to exceed the national average and surpass levels in four states neighboring Kansas.

The U.S. average that year was 11.6% and the border states ranged from 7% in Nebraska, 8.6% in Colorado, 10.5% in Missouri and 10.6% in Oklahoma.

Kansas’ problem with processing applications from low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was brought to the attention of Gov. Laura Kelly in a February 2024 letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Kelly administration received another letter in early April from the USDA pointing to SNAP processing deficiencies in Kansas.

The notices took issue with the state’s SNAP payment error rate as well as the timeliness of application processing and procedural error rates that failed to comply with basic federal requirements.

State officials told the House Select Committee on Government Oversight the error rate in terms of eligibility and benefit determinations for SNAP ranged from 3.8% to 7.1% from 2017 to 2019. In each of those three years the state outperformed the national average.

USDA didn’t track state-by-state performance in 2020 and 2021 due to distortions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, officials with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers SNAP statewide, said the payment error rate climbed to 12% in 2023 before improving to 10.1% in 2024 and slumping to 11.6% in 2025.

“I know government is different from business, but typically a payment error is pretty critical,” said Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican. “Most businesses, as far accounts payable, your error rate you kind of want it to be around zero. This is a $400 million-plus program looking at an 11% error rate. From my perspective, that is a high percentage.”

Carla Whiteside-Hicks, director of economic and employment services for DCF, said the rate was most frequently tied to DCF personnel making data entry mistakes when handling applications for SNAP. For example, she said, mistakes were made in calculation of an applicant’s income or rent. Another area in which inaccuracies surfaced was in the interpretation of self-employment income by an applicant, she said.

“Those are the three that are the most common,” said Whiteside-Hicks, who would prefer the error rate stabilized at 3%.

“As they enter this data — this is an application form where I’m asking questions and entering data — we’re making errors on some of the most basic elements of the application such as income, rent and self-employment,” Awerkamp said. “How would you approach correcting these errors?”

Whiteside-Hicks said DCF’s effort to minimize mistakes centered on improving training of staff and upgrading training materials used by about 200 state workers responsible for processing SNAP applications. She said regional offices involved in the application process had historically struggled to hire staff.

“It takes at least a year to become proficient as an eligibility worker,” Whiteside-Hicks said.

Rep. Will Carpenter, R-El Dorado, said the status report on processing SNAP applications should prompt the Legislature to examine how other states dealt with processing requests for food aid.

“Are there states that contract their eligibility out as a piece versus having in-house employees?” he said.

Tanya Keys, deputy secretary at DCF, told legislators SNAP provided a monthly benefit that averaged $189 per person or $392 per family in Kansas. As of last year, Kansas provided SNAP benefits to 97,000 households.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745498061532.png" alt="Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, and Rep. Bob Lewis, R-Garden City, take part in the first meeting of the House Select Committee on Government Oversight on Wednesday at the Capitol. The inaugural meeting of the 13-member committee focused on financial issues tied to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, serving nearly 100,000 households in Kansas. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, and Rep. Bob Lewis, R-Garden City, take part in the first meeting of the House Select Committee on Government Oversight on Wednesday at the Capitol. The inaugural meeting of the 13-member committee focused on financial issues tied to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, serving nearly 100,000 households in Kansas. (Tim Carpenter/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><h2>USDA urged reform after Kansas’ payment error rate on SNAP hit 12% in 2023</h2>TOPEKA — The payment error rate for Kansas’ determination of eligibility for food assistance grew to more than 12% in 2023 to exceed the national average and surpass levels in four states neighboring Kansas.The U.S. average that year was 11.6% and the border states ranged from 7% in Nebraska, 8.6% in Colorado, 10.5% in Missouri and 10.6% in Oklahoma.Kansas’ problem with processing applications from low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was brought to the attention of Gov. Laura Kelly in a February 2024 letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Kelly administration received another letter in early April from the USDA pointing to SNAP processing deficiencies in Kansas.The notices took issue with the state’s SNAP payment error rate as well as the timeliness of application processing and procedural error rates that failed to comply with basic federal requirements.State officials told the House Select Committee on Government Oversight the error rate in terms of eligibility and benefit determinations for SNAP ranged from 3.8% to 7.1% from 2017 to 2019. In each of those three years the state outperformed the national average.USDA didn’t track state-by-state performance in 2020 and 2021 due to distortions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.However, officials with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers SNAP statewide, said the payment error rate climbed to 12% in 2023 before improving to 10.1% in 2024 and slumping to 11.6% in 2025.“I know government is different from business, but typically a payment error is pretty critical,” said Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican. “Most businesses, as far accounts payable, your error rate you kind of want it to be around zero. This is a $400 million-plus program looking at an 11% error rate. From my perspective, that is a high percentage.”Carla Whiteside-Hicks, director of economic and employment services for DCF, said the rate was most frequently tied to DCF personnel making data entry mistakes when handling applications for SNAP. For example, she said, mistakes were made in calculation of an applicant’s income or rent. Another area in which inaccuracies surfaced was in the interpretation of self-employment income by an applicant, she said.“Those are the three that are the most common,” said Whiteside-Hicks, who would prefer the error rate stabilized at 3%.“As they enter this data — this is an application form where I’m asking questions and entering data — we’re making errors on some of the most basic elements of the application such as income, rent and self-employment,” Awerkamp said. “How would you approach correcting these errors?”Whiteside-Hicks said DCF’s effort to minimize mistakes centered on improving training of staff and upgrading training materials used by about 200 state workers responsible for processing SNAP applications. She said regional offices involved in the application process had historically struggled to hire staff.“It takes at least a year to become proficient as an eligibility worker,” Whiteside-Hicks said.Rep. Will Carpenter, R-El Dorado, said the status report on processing SNAP applications should prompt the Legislature to examine how other states dealt with processing requests for food aid.“Are there states that contract their eligibility out as a piece versus having in-house employees?” he said.Tanya Keys, deputy secretary at DCF, told legislators SNAP provided a monthly benefit that averaged $189 per person or $392 per family in Kansas. As of last year, Kansas provided SNAP benefits to 97,000 households.In terms of eligibility for SNAP, she said, Kansas had placed in law a part-time work requirement or training participation requirement for adults 18 to 54 without children. That criteria could be waived for an adult caring for children, a person with a disability or an individual at least 60 years of age.Keys said one-third of SNAP participants in Kansas were enrolled in the program for less than six months and two-thirds were in the program less than one year.House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, authorized the House Select Committee on Government Oversight to monitor the functioning, transparency and accountability of government agencies. He granted the 13-member committee subpoena power to investigate potential misconduct.“This committee’s work will help ensure that public funds are used efficiently and that government actions align with the best interests of the citizens of Kansas,” Hawkins said.During the first meeting of the committee on Wednesday at the Capitol, Augusta GOP Rep. Kristey Williams, chair of the bipartisan panel, said topics of inquiry weren’t set in stone.“We are not here to create drafts of bills, but we are here to really shine a light on any issues that are of high importance,” she said.