WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 11p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1900 Block of Stewart Avenue. At the scene, first responders found a man outside a residence deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; 

Police are questioning a person of interest but have not reported an arrest. Police did not release the name of the victim or additional details early Sunday.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 11p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1900 Block of Stewart Avenue. At the scene, first responders found a man outside a residence deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Police are questioning a person of interest but have not reported an arrest. Police did not release the name of the victim or additional details early Sunday.

Homicide: Police found man deceased outside Kansas home

Initiative petitions filed Friday would require Tesla to use independent franchises to market its cars or shutdown Kansas City,&nbsp;St. Louis showrooms.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

An initiative effort begun Friday by a well-known Missouri Democrat would, if passed by voters next year, force Tesla to close its St. Louis and Kansas City showrooms.

Brad Ketcher, a St. Louis attorney who was chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan in the 1990s, said he hopes the effort spreads to other states to fight back against Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his lead role in mass federal layoffs and budget cuts for President Donald Trump.

“If Elon Musk was not cutting Medicaid and Social Security and veterans health to fund a tax cut for billionaires and doing it with a bizarre glee, we would not be asking Missourians to say this guy does not deserve to be doing business in this state,” Ketcher said. “We would not be trying to drive this in Missouri.”

Tesla did not immediately respond to an email from The Independent seeking comment on the initiative.

Soon after winning election in November, Trump named Musk to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency with instructions to find savings in the federal budget.

Since taking office, Musk has, among other actions, closed the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/03/repub/members-of-congress-refused-entry-to-usaid-agency-shuttered-by-trump-administration/">U.S. Agency for International Development</a>, been granted&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/04/repub/lawsuit-filed-over-attempts-by-elon-musks-doge-to-take-over-u-s-benefit-payment-system/">access to payment systems</a>&nbsp;delivering benefits to millions of Americans, put the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/11/repub/elon-musks-doge-targets-u-s-department-of-education-for-millions-in-funding-cuts/">entire Department of Education</a>&nbsp;on the chopping block and slashed the staff of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/03/repub/deep-cutbacks-in-social-security-staff-slammed-by-u-s-senate-democrats/">Social Security Administration</a>.

Many of those actions have been challenged in court and temporarily halted. Republicans in Congress, meanwhile, are pushing through a budget resolution that would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/25/repub/u-s-house-republicans-overcome-own-members-doubts-to-push-through-sweeping-budget/">extend tax cuts enacted in 2017</a>&nbsp;while making deep cuts in Medicaid and food programs.

The initiatives filed with the secretary of state’s office would use Missouri’s law governing motor vehicle sales, which requires new cars, trucks and motorcycles to be sold through franchised dealers, to force Tesla out. Two versions were filed Friday, and more may be written before the signature drive begins, Ketcher said.

The petitions must be reviewed and put out for public comment before the signature drive.

Prior to the arrival of Tesla, all new motor vehicles sold in Missouri were purchased at authorized franchises with ownership independent of the manufacturer. In 2013, the Department of Revenue licensed a franchise owned by Tesla for a St. Louis showroom and followed it up the next year by licensing a Kansas City showroom.

The initiatives would cause those licenses to be revoked. The first version filed states that “it is the express intent of the people to prevent any manufacturer of new motor vehicles from circumventing the public policy as stated in (state law) by engaging in methods of retailing new motor vehicles which are designed to avoid the provisions” of that law.

To make the ballot, the committee called UnPlug Musk must gather at least 106,384 signatures properly distributed among six of the state’s congressional districts. The petition drive must be complete by the start of May 2026.

Ketcher said that so far, he and former state Rep. Deb Lavender, a St. Louis County Democrat, treasurer of the committee, are the only people enlisted for the effort. He hopes to build a coalition quickly, he said.

“This gives Missourians a chance to say this guy is not welcome to do business in our state,” Ketcher said.

The petition drive would not be the first attempt to use state law to keep Tesla from opening its company-owned showrooms in Missouri. In 2014, Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, then a state senator, helped write a provision for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2014/05/09/complaints-flare-bill-affect-tesla-sales/8900153/" target="_blank">bill that fell just short of passing</a>&nbsp;to require all auto manufacturers to sell their vehicles through a franchise dealership.

Kehoe owned Ford and Lincoln-Mercury franchises in Jefferson City from 1992 to 2011. He sold the dealerships before entering politics.

He told the Springfield News-Leader in 2014 that he was surprised the department issued a dealership license to Tesla.

“Our question as dealers and people I know in the business: how in the world when we’ve worked so hard to get franchise legislation, how in the world could that be possible?” Kehoe said to the News-Leader.

The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and others sued the department over its licensing decision, winning at the trial court level before the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.californiademocrat.com/news/2017/dec/06/appeals-court-rejects-anti-tesla-lawsuit/" target="_blank">Western District Court of Appeals ruled</a>&nbsp;none of the plaintiffs had a legal right to challenge the licenses.

In its briefs for the appeals court, Tesla acknowledged that the legislature could block it from having manufacturer-owned dealerships.

“Plainly, if the legislature had wanted to erect a blanket direct sales ban, it could and would have done so clearly and straightforwardly by amending the existing partial ban in the franchise act,” attorneys wrote.

The auto dealers did not return a call seeking comment on the initiative.

There are some states where Tesla is not operating dealerships because of franchise laws. In Wisconsin, where Musk is spending millions on the state Supreme Court election, Tesla is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-wisconsin-supreme-court-dealerships-101d7608d69dda61aeaf6ebee7903d2b" target="_blank">suing to overturn</a>&nbsp;the franchise law.

Ketcher said he wants the effort to be joined by groups from other states with the initiative petition process and Democratically-controlled legislatures.

“Even in red states, somebody can hold up an amendment, and say, here’s the amendment to drive Tesla, drive Musk, out of our state,” he said.

The language of the initiative, Ketcher said, is taken, with only technical changes, from the provisions Kehoe supplied for the 2014 bill. Tesla attorneys acknowledged during the litigation that it would effectively shut down their showrooms, Ketcher noted.

“They’ve given us plans for the Death Star,” Ketcher said. “And when when somebody gives you the plans for Death Star, you know what to do.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741724524957.png" alt="Earlier this month, President Trump turned the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom to show support for Musk" />
 <figcaption>Earlier this month, President Trump turned the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom to show support for Musk</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Initiative petitions filed Friday would require Tesla to use independent franchises to market its cars or shutdown Kansas City,&nbsp;St. Louis showrooms.</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>An initiative effort begun Friday by a well-known Missouri Democrat would, if passed by voters next year, force Tesla to close its St. Louis and Kansas City showrooms.Brad Ketcher, a St. Louis attorney who was chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan in the 1990s, said he hopes the effort spreads to other states to fight back against Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his lead role in mass federal layoffs and budget cuts for President Donald Trump.“If Elon Musk was not cutting Medicaid and Social Security and veterans health to fund a tax cut for billionaires and doing it with a bizarre glee, we would not be asking Missourians to say this guy does not deserve to be doing business in this state,” Ketcher said. “We would not be trying to drive this in Missouri.”Tesla did not immediately respond to an email from The Independent seeking comment on the initiative.Soon after winning election in November, Trump named Musk to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency with instructions to find savings in the federal budget.Since taking office, Musk has, among other actions, closed the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/03/repub/members-of-congress-refused-entry-to-usaid-agency-shuttered-by-trump-administration/">U.S. Agency for International Development</a>, been granted&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/04/repub/lawsuit-filed-over-attempts-by-elon-musks-doge-to-take-over-u-s-benefit-payment-system/">access to payment systems</a>&nbsp;delivering benefits to millions of Americans, put the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/11/repub/elon-musks-doge-targets-u-s-department-of-education-for-millions-in-funding-cuts/">entire Department of Education</a>&nbsp;on the chopping block and slashed the staff of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/03/repub/deep-cutbacks-in-social-security-staff-slammed-by-u-s-senate-democrats/">Social Security Administration</a>.Many of those actions have been challenged in court and temporarily halted. Republicans in Congress, meanwhile, are pushing through a budget resolution that would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/25/repub/u-s-house-republicans-overcome-own-members-doubts-to-push-through-sweeping-budget/">extend tax cuts enacted in 2017</a>&nbsp;while making deep cuts in Medicaid and food programs.The initiatives filed with the secretary of state’s office would use Missouri’s law governing motor vehicle sales, which requires new cars, trucks and motorcycles to be sold through franchised dealers, to force Tesla out. Two versions were filed Friday, and more may be written before the signature drive begins, Ketcher said.The petitions must be reviewed and put out for public comment before the signature drive.Prior to the arrival of Tesla, all new motor vehicles sold in Missouri were purchased at authorized franchises with ownership independent of the manufacturer. In 2013, the Department of Revenue licensed a franchise owned by Tesla for a St. Louis showroom and followed it up the next year by licensing a Kansas City showroom.The initiatives would cause those licenses to be revoked. The first version filed states that “it is the express intent of the people to prevent any manufacturer of new motor vehicles from circumventing the public policy as stated in (state law) by engaging in methods of retailing new motor vehicles which are designed to avoid the provisions” of that law.To make the ballot, the committee called UnPlug Musk must gather at least 106,384 signatures properly distributed among six of the state’s congressional districts. The petition drive must be complete by the start of May 2026.Ketcher said that so far, he and former state Rep. Deb Lavender, a St. Louis County Democrat, treasurer of the committee, are the only people enlisted for the effort. He hopes to build a coalition quickly, he said.“This gives Missourians a chance to say this guy is not welcome to do business in our state,” Ketcher said.The petition drive would not be the first attempt to use state law to keep Tesla from opening its company-owned showrooms in Missouri. In 2014, Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, then a state senator, helped write a provision for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2014/05/09/complaints-flare-bill-affect-tesla-sales/8900153/" target="_blank">bill that fell just short of passing</a>&nbsp;to require all auto manufacturers to sell their vehicles through a franchise dealership.Kehoe owned Ford and Lincoln-Mercury franchises in Jefferson City from 1992 to 2011. He sold the dealerships before entering politics.He told the Springfield News-Leader in 2014 that he was surprised the department issued a dealership license to Tesla.“Our question as dealers and people I know in the business: how in the world when we’ve worked so hard to get franchise legislation, how in the world could that be possible?” Kehoe said to the News-Leader.The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and others sued the department over its licensing decision, winning at the trial court level before the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.californiademocrat.com/news/2017/dec/06/appeals-court-rejects-anti-tesla-lawsuit/" target="_blank">Western District Court of Appeals ruled</a>&nbsp;none of the plaintiffs had a legal right to challenge the licenses.In its briefs for the appeals court, Tesla acknowledged that the legislature could block it from having manufacturer-owned dealerships.“Plainly, if the legislature had wanted to erect a blanket direct sales ban, it could and would have done so clearly and straightforwardly by amending the existing partial ban in the franchise act,” attorneys wrote.The auto dealers did not return a call seeking comment on the initiative.There are some states where Tesla is not operating dealerships because of franchise laws. In Wisconsin, where Musk is spending millions on the state Supreme Court election, Tesla is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-wisconsin-supreme-court-dealerships-101d7608d69dda61aeaf6ebee7903d2b" target="_blank">suing to overturn</a>&nbsp;the franchise law.Ketcher said he wants the effort to be joined by groups from other states with the initiative petition process and Democratically-controlled legislatures.“Even in red states, somebody can hold up an amendment, and say, here’s the amendment to drive Tesla, drive Musk, out of our state,” he said.The language of the initiative, Ketcher said, is taken, with only technical changes, from the provisions Kehoe supplied for the 2014 bill. Tesla attorneys acknowledged during the litigation that it would effectively shut down their showrooms, Ketcher noted.“They’ve given us plans for the Death Star,” Ketcher said. “And when when somebody gives you the plans for Death Star, you know what to do.”

Elon Musk’s DOGE role draws effort to force Tesla to close Missouri dealerships

Clash on Capitol lawn centers on ideas of faith, but satanists get arrested inside rotunda

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-house-bill-mandates-study-of-public-higher-education-mergers-efficiencies/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The bullhorn-powered war of words between satanists and Catholics boiled over into brawling and a handful of arrests Friday during an extraordinary event at the Kansas Capitol that pushed boundaries of free speech and the separation of church and state.

After about two hours of speeches, prayers and sign waving among hundreds of people mostly segregated by barricades staffed by law enforcement officers, Satanic Grotto president Michael Stewart, with supporters and reporters in tow, entering the Statehouse to conduct what he had described as a black mass. He was warned at the door to the visitors’ center that any formal protest inside the building that violated a permit limiting his religious expression to the lawn or steps of the Capitol would result in his arrest for trespassing.

In the rotunda, Stewart began delivering the rebellious alternative mass and was interrupted by three people intent on stopping what could be interpreted as a mockery of their faith. An unidentified man and woman, with young kids at their side, physically intervened to interrupt Stewart. He spun away from them. Counter-protester Marcus Schroeder joined the fray and twice reached to rip papers from Stewart’s hand. Stewart responded by punching Schroeder in the face twice. More than half a dozen Capitol Police wrestled Stewart to the floor to make the arrest.

“I’m not resisting. I’m not resisting. I’m not resisting,” Stewart repeatedly yelled.

Schroeder, who wore a shirt declaring “death is not welcome here,” was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. He defended his intervention to thwart Stewart during an interview.

“He was trying to give a satanic chant. I tried to take his paper out of his hand and he punched me twice in the face,” Schroeder said.

After the area cleared, two other satanists tried to pick up where Stewart left off and were taken into custody. One other person was cuffed and led away by law enforcement outside the Capitol. An individual had grabbed Stewart by the legs in a bid to stop Stewart from stomping on crackers intended to represent those used in a Catholic mass. In that brief exchange, Stewart also punched the guy before law enforcement ended the fracas.

“He was was trying to tackle me to get to the cracker underneath,” Stewart said. “I was able to kind of fend him off. I do think he may have picked up the crumbled cracker and ate it. Did I get physical with him? Yes.”

The colorful display of affection and affliction for organized religion culminated attempts by Gov. Laura Kelly, Attorney General Kris Kobach, leaders of the Kansas Legislature and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, to restrain or derail the demonstration planned by Satanic Grotto.

Kelly had the group’s permit amended so no protest could transpire inside the Capitol. Legislative leaders modified policy regarding use of the Capitol to target Satanic Grotto. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Wichita, said the First Amendment didn’t protect offensive speech or violations of law.

Francis Slobodnik, a Topeka representative of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, told hundreds of Catholics gathered on the south side of the Capitol that public officials shouldn’t have allowed satanists to assemble on public property. He said the process showed a misguided understanding of freedom of speech and religion and a lack of appreciation for how a black mass represented worship of Satan.

“Today’s horrific event, the first of its kind in the history of Kansas, is a sacrilege,” said Slobodnik, who urged people to engage in a peaceful rally. “Of course, there have been terrible crimes and injustices that have happened in our state over the years. However, nothing in our past compares with what is happening today where God is being directly challenged on the state Capitol grounds. The state Capitol represents all of us.”

He praised people at the rally who were standing in opposition to Satanic Grotto, and referred to them as the Navy Seals of the Catholic faith. He said these activists were willing to confront God’s enemies head-on as if on a field of battle. He said the great sin perpetrated by Stewart and other worshipers of Satan meant that others had to step into the void.

“Satanists do not realize that Satan hates all of God’s creation, including them,” Slobodnik said. “Their reward for worshiping and serving him will be eternal fire.”

Former U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp, who served in the Kansas Senate before elected to Congress, said he consulted with a priest with experience in exorcism when considering whether to participate in a television interview with Stewart.

“Father had a simple question: ‘Why would you do this? What do you hope to gain?’ I stumbled around in my answer,” Huelskamp said. “I wanted to share the truth about Christ. The truth about the Eucharist. His summary response was quite stunning to me. He said, ‘There is no good that could come from being in the same room with a satanist.'”

Huelskamp said it was suggested his participation in the interview with Stewart might advance the interests of Satan. The former Republican congressman woke ill the next day, and cancelled the interview. In the end, Huelskamp said he decided it was important to run to the fire created by Satan rather than shrink from it. He said it was the same as making his views known about the evil of abortion or defending the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman.

“I am quite stubborn and hardheaded,” he said. “We cannot be silent. We are required, if we call ourselves Christians, if we call ourselves Catholic, we are publicly required to defend the faith and to stand up for the truth.”

In an interview amid calm before the storm of his arrest, Stewart said he was convinced Catholics assembled around him didn’t understand why Satanic Grotto was at the Capitol to talk about religious oppression.

“What we only want is the rights that every American has,” Stewart said. “I’ve heard people say we’re setting a precedent. Well, if the precedent is freedom of religion for everyone in public spaces, yes, that’s what we’re trying to establish. We are dragging this issue out in the light and we’ll let the people look at it. The issue is that we’re not all being treated the same here.”

Eudora resident John More, a Christian who carried a call-to-heaven New England pine tree flag, said he was motivated to attend because he viewed the satanists’ criticism of Catholics as an assault on religion in general. He joined with Julie Britschge of Burlingame for a “Jericho Walk,” or prayer walk, by circling the statehouse grounds seven times. Britschge said the walk was patterned after the biblical story of the Israelites’ march aimed at bringing about spiritual change.

“We’re hoping that whatever evil there is today, that He will take care of it,” More said. “I was just planning to add a measure of divine protection.”

Daniel Casteel and Shawn Velasquez, both with the Cure Church, made their views heard with the aid of megaphones. They prowled the security-line perimeter sharing perspectives on religion before taking part in back-and-forth exchanges across the barrier with supporters of Satanic Grotto.

“Jesus loves you,” Casteel bellowed. “Any time you’re ready, you can step this way. We will make sure you get saved. Come give your life to Jesus, please. Break the stronghold.”

In an interview, Velasquez and Casteel said their intent was to convince one or two satanic worshipers to find solace in God.

“They’re just misguided and uninformed,” Velasquez said. “They’re worshiping a false god.”

On the other side of that line, Mike Trapp of Leavenworth quietly held a sign that emphasized his belief the United States was best served by adhering to the constitutional principle of a formal separation between church and state.

“We wouldn’t be standing here today if there weren’t Christians flaunting their religion in the Capitol,” said Trapp, who considered the rise of Christian nationalism to be “the biggest threat to democracy.”

Wichita residents Kyle Francis and Sam McCrory, who were armed with a flag and collection of religious symbols, said they were present to stand up for Christ.

“Any time that people who oppose Christ show their head, you know, they should be opposed publicly,” McCrory said.

He said separation of church and state was originally the product of a homogenous Christian population. Satanists and others who diluted that national unity often used constitutional freedoms as a weapon against well-meaning people, he said.

“These sorts of things need to be brutally tamped down,” McCrory said. “Let’s set an example. I think that the United States should be an explicitly Christian nation. If you want to be something other than Christian, I think that’s fine, to an extent. I think they (non-Christians) should have to pay an extra tax.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743299018628.png" alt="Law enforcement officers inside the Kansas Capitol rotunda tackle and detain Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto organization, for violating a permit that limited protests to the exterior of the building. Hundreds of Catholics conducted a counter-protest in opposition of Satanic Grotto’s presence in Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement officers inside the Kansas Capitol rotunda tackle and detain Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto organization, for violating a permit that limited protests to the exterior of the building. Hundreds of Catholics conducted a counter-protest in opposition of Satanic Grotto’s presence in Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Clash on Capitol lawn centers on ideas of faith, but satanists get arrested inside rotunda</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-house-bill-mandates-study-of-public-higher-education-mergers-efficiencies/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The bullhorn-powered war of words between satanists and Catholics boiled over into brawling and a handful of arrests Friday during an extraordinary event at the Kansas Capitol that pushed boundaries of free speech and the separation of church and state.After about two hours of speeches, prayers and sign waving among hundreds of people mostly segregated by barricades staffed by law enforcement officers, Satanic Grotto president Michael Stewart, with supporters and reporters in tow, entering the Statehouse to conduct what he had described as a black mass. He was warned at the door to the visitors’ center that any formal protest inside the building that violated a permit limiting his religious expression to the lawn or steps of the Capitol would result in his arrest for trespassing.In the rotunda, Stewart began delivering the rebellious alternative mass and was interrupted by three people intent on stopping what could be interpreted as a mockery of their faith. An unidentified man and woman, with young kids at their side, physically intervened to interrupt Stewart. He spun away from them. Counter-protester Marcus Schroeder joined the fray and twice reached to rip papers from Stewart’s hand. Stewart responded by punching Schroeder in the face twice. More than half a dozen Capitol Police wrestled Stewart to the floor to make the arrest.“I’m not resisting. I’m not resisting. I’m not resisting,” Stewart repeatedly yelled.Schroeder, who wore a shirt declaring “death is not welcome here,” was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. He defended his intervention to thwart Stewart during an interview.“He was trying to give a satanic chant. I tried to take his paper out of his hand and he punched me twice in the face,” Schroeder said.After the area cleared, two other satanists tried to pick up where Stewart left off and were taken into custody. One other person was cuffed and led away by law enforcement outside the Capitol. An individual had grabbed Stewart by the legs in a bid to stop Stewart from stomping on crackers intended to represent those used in a Catholic mass. In that brief exchange, Stewart also punched the guy before law enforcement ended the fracas.“He was was trying to tackle me to get to the cracker underneath,” Stewart said. “I was able to kind of fend him off. I do think he may have picked up the crumbled cracker and ate it. Did I get physical with him? Yes.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743298839811.png" alt=" Hundreds of Christians upset with an organization’s plan to conduct a satanic black mass at the Capitol delivered a robust counter-protest to emphasize their disdain for followers of Satanic Grotto. Both sides of the debate used bullhorns to punctuate their messages, creating a blended sound that was difficult for anybody to hear clearly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Hundreds of Christians upset with an organization’s plan to conduct a satanic black mass at the Capitol delivered a robust counter-protest to emphasize their disdain for followers of Satanic Grotto. Both sides of the debate used bullhorns to punctuate their messages, creating a blended sound that was difficult for anybody to hear clearly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The opposition</h2>The colorful display of affection and affliction for organized religion culminated attempts by Gov. Laura Kelly, Attorney General Kris Kobach, leaders of the Kansas Legislature and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, to restrain or derail the demonstration planned by Satanic Grotto.Kelly had the group’s permit amended so no protest could transpire inside the Capitol. Legislative leaders modified policy regarding use of the Capitol to target Satanic Grotto. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Wichita, said the First Amendment didn’t protect offensive speech or violations of law.Francis Slobodnik, a Topeka representative of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, told hundreds of Catholics gathered on the south side of the Capitol that public officials shouldn’t have allowed satanists to assemble on public property. He said the process showed a misguided understanding of freedom of speech and religion and a lack of appreciation for how a black mass represented worship of Satan.“Today’s horrific event, the first of its kind in the history of Kansas, is a sacrilege,” said Slobodnik, who urged people to engage in a peaceful rally. “Of course, there have been terrible crimes and injustices that have happened in our state over the years. However, nothing in our past compares with what is happening today where God is being directly challenged on the state Capitol grounds. The state Capitol represents all of us.”He praised people at the rally who were standing in opposition to Satanic Grotto, and referred to them as the Navy Seals of the Catholic faith. He said these activists were willing to confront God’s enemies head-on as if on a field of battle. He said the great sin perpetrated by Stewart and other worshipers of Satan meant that others had to step into the void.“Satanists do not realize that Satan hates all of God’s creation, including them,” Slobodnik said. “Their reward for worshiping and serving him will be eternal fire.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743298910545.png" alt="Cure Church member Daniel Casteel, center with megaphone, was among Christians who used amplified equipment Friday at the Kansas Capitol to broadcast invitations for people to renounce Satan and welcome Jesus into their lives. He proclaimed to his target audience across a law enforcement barrier: “Any time you’re ready, you can step this way. We will make sure you get saved.” (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Cure Church member Daniel Casteel, center with megaphone, was among Christians who used amplified equipment Friday at the Kansas Capitol to broadcast invitations for people to renounce Satan and welcome Jesus into their lives. He proclaimed to his target audience across a law enforcement barrier: “Any time you’re ready, you can step this way. We will make sure you get saved.” (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>And, an exorcist</h2>Former U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp, who served in the Kansas Senate before elected to Congress, said he consulted with a priest with experience in exorcism when considering whether to participate in a television interview with Stewart.“Father had a simple question: ‘Why would you do this? What do you hope to gain?’ I stumbled around in my answer,” Huelskamp said. “I wanted to share the truth about Christ. The truth about the Eucharist. His summary response was quite stunning to me. He said, ‘There is no good that could come from being in the same room with a satanist.'”Huelskamp said it was suggested his participation in the interview with Stewart might advance the interests of Satan. The former Republican congressman woke ill the next day, and cancelled the interview. In the end, Huelskamp said he decided it was important to run to the fire created by Satan rather than shrink from it. He said it was the same as making his views known about the evil of abortion or defending the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman.“I am quite stubborn and hardheaded,” he said. “We cannot be silent. We are required, if we call ourselves Christians, if we call ourselves Catholic, we are publicly required to defend the faith and to stand up for the truth.”In an interview amid calm before the storm of his arrest, Stewart said he was convinced Catholics assembled around him didn’t understand why Satanic Grotto was at the Capitol to talk about religious oppression.“What we only want is the rights that every American has,” Stewart said. “I’ve heard people say we’re setting a precedent. Well, if the precedent is freedom of religion for everyone in public spaces, yes, that’s what we’re trying to establish. We are dragging this issue out in the light and we’ll let the people look at it. The issue is that we’re not all being treated the same here.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743298951912.png" alt=" Mike Trapp, of Leavenworth, said he took part in rallies outside the Kansas Capitol on Friday to express his view that government needed to respect the constitutional mandate of a formal separation between church and state. He said the rise of Christian nationalists represented the greatest threat to democracy. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Mike Trapp, of Leavenworth, said he took part in rallies outside the Kansas Capitol on Friday to express his view that government needed to respect the constitutional mandate of a formal separation between church and state. He said the rise of Christian nationalists represented the greatest threat to democracy. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Other voices in crowd</h2>Eudora resident John More, a Christian who carried a call-to-heaven New England pine tree flag, said he was motivated to attend because he viewed the satanists’ criticism of Catholics as an assault on religion in general. He joined with Julie Britschge of Burlingame for a “Jericho Walk,” or prayer walk, by circling the statehouse grounds seven times. Britschge said the walk was patterned after the biblical story of the Israelites’ march aimed at bringing about spiritual change.“We’re hoping that whatever evil there is today, that He will take care of it,” More said. “I was just planning to add a measure of divine protection.”Daniel Casteel and Shawn Velasquez, both with the Cure Church, made their views heard with the aid of megaphones. They prowled the security-line perimeter sharing perspectives on religion before taking part in back-and-forth exchanges across the barrier with supporters of Satanic Grotto.“Jesus loves you,” Casteel bellowed. “Any time you’re ready, you can step this way. We will make sure you get saved. Come give your life to Jesus, please. Break the stronghold.”In an interview, Velasquez and Casteel said their intent was to convince one or two satanic worshipers to find solace in God.“They’re just misguided and uninformed,” Velasquez said. “They’re worshiping a false god.”On the other side of that line, Mike Trapp of Leavenworth quietly held a sign that emphasized his belief the United States was best served by adhering to the constitutional principle of a formal separation between church and state.“We wouldn’t be standing here today if there weren’t Christians flaunting their religion in the Capitol,” said Trapp, who considered the rise of Christian nationalism to be “the biggest threat to democracy.”Wichita residents Kyle Francis and Sam McCrory, who were armed with a flag and collection of religious symbols, said they were present to stand up for Christ.“Any time that people who oppose Christ show their head, you know, they should be opposed publicly,” McCrory said.He said separation of church and state was originally the product of a homogenous Christian population. Satanists and others who diluted that national unity often used constitutional freedoms as a weapon against well-meaning people, he said.“These sorts of things need to be brutally tamped down,” McCrory said. “Let’s set an example. I think that the United States should be an explicitly Christian nation. If you want to be something other than Christian, I think that’s fine, to an extent. I think they (non-Christians) should have to pay an extra tax.”

Loud, boisterous rival protests of religious freedom among Catholics and satanists turn violent

JOHNSON COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a deadly fire in Johnson County.

Just before 7:30p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to an apartment fire in the 6500 block of Barton Circle in the city of Shawnee, according to a media release.

&nbsp;Crews encountered fire coming from one unit and worked quickly to bring the fire under control, preventing it from spreading to nearby units. First responders discovered an injured individual and provided medical treatment outside the affected apartment. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the name of the victim or the cause of death.

The Shawnee Police Department, Shawnee Fire Department, Overland Park Fire Department, Consolidated Fire District No. 2, and Johnson County MED-ACT worked the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743335634041.png" alt="Photo Shawnee Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Shawnee Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a deadly fire in Johnson County.Just before 7:30p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to an apartment fire in the 6500 block of Barton Circle in the city of Shawnee, according to a media release.&nbsp;Crews encountered fire coming from one unit and worked quickly to bring the fire under control, preventing it from spreading to nearby units. First responders discovered an injured individual and provided medical treatment outside the affected apartment. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the name of the victim or the cause of death.The Shawnee Police Department, Shawnee Fire Department, Overland Park Fire Department, Consolidated Fire District No. 2, and Johnson County MED-ACT worked the fire.

Police: One dead after fire at Kansas apartment 

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

Just before 4a.m. Saturday, police responded to the 4300 block of North Corrington regarding a follow up to a missing persons investigation, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

First respondes were directed to a motel room where they located a man and woman. Both were suffering from gun shot wounds and were pronounced deceased on scene.

This is being investigated as a double-homicide. Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incident, canvassing the area for witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. Crime scene technicians are processing the scene for physical evidence.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743274559576.png" alt="Photo courtesy Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a double-homicide in Kansas City.Just before 4a.m. Saturday, police responded to the 4300 block of North Corrington regarding a follow up to a missing persons investigation, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.First respondes were directed to a motel room where they located a man and woman. Both were suffering from gun shot wounds and were pronounced deceased on scene.This is being investigated as a double-homicide. Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incident, canvassing the area for witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. Crime scene technicians are processing the scene for physical evidence.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Double-homicide: Man and woman found dead in KC motel room

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Tennessee man was convicted for running a Ponzi scheme that victimized individuals across the country.

According to court documents, Alcides Roman, 66, of Lebanon, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

While operating Remain in Control LLC, Roman defrauded a victim in Overland Park, Kansas, after offering investment opportunities and attractive returns.

<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">Click here</a>&nbsp;if you believe you have been victimized by this defendant or call&nbsp; the Federal Bureau of Investigation by calling 816-512-8200

From June 2020 to October 2020, the victim made multiple wire transfers into Roman’s company bank account and subsequently received “returns” that were in reality partial amounts from the victim’s own investment funds. When the victim stopped receiving payments and inquired, Roman made excuses and sought to lull the victim into a false sense of security.

Other victims of Roman’s investment fraud scheme included individuals in New York, New York, Houston, Texas, and Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

The total known loss, based on victims identified to date, is $1,977,857.88. Roman used funds from his schemes to pay for his personal living expenses, buy vehicles and land, send money to numerous foreign and domestic companies, and to make purported “returns” to other victim investors.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Tennessee man was convicted for running a Ponzi scheme that victimized individuals across the country.According to court documents, Alcides Roman, 66, of Lebanon, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.While operating Remain in Control LLC, Roman defrauded a victim in Overland Park, Kansas, after offering investment opportunities and attractive returns.<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">Click here</a>&nbsp;if you believe you have been victimized by this defendant or call&nbsp; the Federal Bureau of Investigation by calling 816-512-8200From June 2020 to October 2020, the victim made multiple wire transfers into Roman’s company bank account and subsequently received “returns” that were in reality partial amounts from the victim’s own investment funds. When the victim stopped receiving payments and inquired, Roman made excuses and sought to lull the victim into a false sense of security.Other victims of Roman’s investment fraud scheme included individuals in New York, New York, Houston, Texas, and Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.The total known loss, based on victims identified to date, is $1,977,857.88. Roman used funds from his schemes to pay for his personal living expenses, buy vehicles and land, send money to numerous foreign and domestic companies, and to make purported “returns” to other victim investors.

FBI looking for more victims of multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme

JEFFERSON COUNTY – On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Wichita Police Department presented the results of the investigation into an allegation of intentional damage to a Tesla Model X that occurred on March 20, in northwest Wichita, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

After a full review of the investigation, the district attorney charged 30-year-old Johnathan F. Erhart of Jefferson County with one count of criminal damage to property, a severity level 9 non-person felony, in violation of K.S.A. 21-5813(a)(1)(c)(2).

Under Kansas law, severity level 9 felony carries a range of sentence of 5 to 17 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, depending on a defendant’s established criminal history (convictions, not arrests).

After arrest on a charged case, defendants face a “first appearance” before a judge of the District Court. At that hearing, the court will address issues related to appointment of counsel and will schedule the next court date.&nbsp; Earhart is no longer in custody in Jefferson County after meeting the requirement of a $2500 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743203584353.png" alt="Erhart photo Jefferson County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Erhart photo Jefferson County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON COUNTY – On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Wichita Police Department presented the results of the investigation into an allegation of intentional damage to a Tesla Model X that occurred on March 20, in northwest Wichita, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.After a full review of the investigation, the district attorney charged 30-year-old Johnathan F. Erhart of Jefferson County with one count of criminal damage to property, a severity level 9 non-person felony, in violation of K.S.A. 21-5813(a)(1)(c)(2).Under Kansas law, severity level 9 felony carries a range of sentence of 5 to 17 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, depending on a defendant’s established criminal history (convictions, not arrests).After arrest on a charged case, defendants face a “first appearance” before a judge of the District Court. At that hearing, the court will address issues related to appointment of counsel and will schedule the next court date.&nbsp; Earhart is no longer in custody in Jefferson County after meeting the requirement of a $2500 bond, according to online jail records.

NE Kan. man accused of intentionally damaging a Tesla

KANSAS CITY — A jury on Friday convicted a Kansas City man for a fatal shooting that took place last year in the North Town Fork Creek neighborhood, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

D’Aires Gadson, 29, was found guilty of 2nd Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. His sentencing is scheduled for June 5.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2555/Gadson-redacted-PC-Statement">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to East 55th Street and College Avenue on Oct. 3, 2024, on reports of a shooting. They located the victim lying in the street suffering from gunshot trauma and was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

Surveillance footage showed the defendant pull out a firearm and start shooting at the victim. The victim ran toward his truck as the defendant continued shooting at him. Witnesses say the defendant went through the victim’s pockets and drove away with the victim’s truck.

The defendant was convicted in 2018 for 2nd Degree Robbery and Armed Criminal Action and was prohibited from possessing firearms.&nbsp;

Chief Trial Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jamie Hunt and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kendall Robbins prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742657630500.png" alt="Gadson photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Gadson photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A jury on Friday convicted a Kansas City man for a fatal shooting that took place last year in the North Town Fork Creek neighborhood, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.D’Aires Gadson, 29, was found guilty of 2nd Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. His sentencing is scheduled for June 5.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2555/Gadson-redacted-PC-Statement">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to East 55th Street and College Avenue on Oct. 3, 2024, on reports of a shooting. They located the victim lying in the street suffering from gunshot trauma and was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Surveillance footage showed the defendant pull out a firearm and start shooting at the victim. The victim ran toward his truck as the defendant continued shooting at him. Witnesses say the defendant went through the victim’s pockets and drove away with the victim’s truck.The defendant was convicted in 2018 for 2nd Degree Robbery and Armed Criminal Action and was prohibited from possessing firearms.&nbsp;Chief Trial Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jamie Hunt and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kendall Robbins prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.&nbsp;

KC man shot victim, went through his pockets, stole his truck

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 — During moments of near silence among the Catholic archbishop of Kansas City and hundreds of people gathered in prayer inside the Assumption Church in Topeka, chants, shouts and sometimes sirens penetrated the church doors.

While competing religious protests clashed on the Capitol grounds across the street, as many as 400 people convened in the church to participate in prayer, ceremony and a mass that was meant to be an “antidote” to the “unbelieving secular society.”

The services were part of a series of counterefforts planned in response to a “black mass.” The black mass, planned by a nonprofit organization not affiliated with the Satanist Temple, the Satanic Grotto. After the event’s announcement on Facebook in February, outrage ensued.&nbsp;

Leading up to Friday’s satanic protest, Christian counterprotests and Catholic services, the archbishop, Joseph Naumann, sued the grotto’s president, Michael Stewart, who was arrested Friday around 11:30 a.m. after entering the Statehouse. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and legislative leadership tried in advance to limit the protest through modifications to Stewart’s permit to gather and new restrictions on Capitol building rules. A handful of Republican legislators attended the mass.

Naumann gave a sermon condemning the protests that were meant to cause “confusion” and “chaos,” he said. The efforts fostered confrontation and conflict, he said, and were designed to be “provocative.”

“What I do not understand is why we are giving our Capitol as a venue for what truly is hate speech,” he said.

He drew a connection between satanists and atheists after dissecting Stewart’s previous claims of religiosity, calling him a “so-called satanic worshiper but really an atheist.”

“The group — who is really pro-choice, pro-abortion and atheist — present their abortion advocacy as part of their fake religion so that they can claim religious rights are being violated by any efforts to provide protection to the unborn and their mothers,” Naumann said.

The antidote to the religious conflict unfolding in Topeka, Naumann said, was allowing people to see their faith.

“It’s sad, those who are trying to desecrate the Capitol today, desecrate symbols of faith — Bibles and crucifixes. Thank God, we don’t believe they have a consecrated host, but this is a sad state of life for them to be in. We need to pray for them,” he said.

Naumann’s lawsuit, which was dropped soon after it was filed, revolved around false claims that Stewart had obtained a consecrated host.

Inside and outside the church, law enforcement officers stood on watch as throngs of people gathered and moved on the Capitol grounds while those inside the church stayed mostly still.

Natalie Rowe, a 68-year-old lifelong Catholic, said she traveled Friday morning to Topeka from Wichita to be part of a strong showing. Before the mass began, she attended the archbishop’s eucharistic adoration, which involves praying before a consecrated host.

“The universe is very important to me,” she said. “My faith is very important to me.”

Then she crossed the street to join the demonstrations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743192871509.png" alt=" Archbishop of Kansas City Joseph Naumann performs a Catholic mass on March 28, 2025, in Topeka as religious protesters clashed on the Capitol grounds across the street. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Archbishop of Kansas City Joseph Naumann performs a Catholic mass on March 28, 2025, in Topeka as religious protesters clashed on the Capitol grounds across the street. (Anna Kaminski/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 — During moments of near silence among the Catholic archbishop of Kansas City and hundreds of people gathered in prayer inside the Assumption Church in Topeka, chants, shouts and sometimes sirens penetrated the church doors.While competing religious protests clashed on the Capitol grounds across the street, as many as 400 people convened in the church to participate in prayer, ceremony and a mass that was meant to be an “antidote” to the “unbelieving secular society.”The services were part of a series of counterefforts planned in response to a “black mass.” The black mass, planned by a nonprofit organization not affiliated with the Satanist Temple, the Satanic Grotto. After the event’s announcement on Facebook in February, outrage ensued.&nbsp;Leading up to Friday’s satanic protest, Christian counterprotests and Catholic services, the archbishop, Joseph Naumann, sued the grotto’s president, Michael Stewart, who was arrested Friday around 11:30 a.m. after entering the Statehouse. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and legislative leadership tried in advance to limit the protest through modifications to Stewart’s permit to gather and new restrictions on Capitol building rules. A handful of Republican legislators attended the mass.Naumann gave a sermon condemning the protests that were meant to cause “confusion” and “chaos,” he said. The efforts fostered confrontation and conflict, he said, and were designed to be “provocative.”“What I do not understand is why we are giving our Capitol as a venue for what truly is hate speech,” he said.He drew a connection between satanists and atheists after dissecting Stewart’s previous claims of religiosity, calling him a “so-called satanic worshiper but really an atheist.”“The group — who is really pro-choice, pro-abortion and atheist — present their abortion advocacy as part of their fake religion so that they can claim religious rights are being violated by any efforts to provide protection to the unborn and their mothers,” Naumann said.The antidote to the religious conflict unfolding in Topeka, Naumann said, was allowing people to see their faith.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743192821594.png" alt=" Archbishop of Kansas City Joseph Naumann gives a sermon during a Catholic mass on March 28, 2025, in Topeka. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Archbishop of Kansas City Joseph Naumann gives a sermon during a Catholic mass on March 28, 2025, in Topeka. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s sad, those who are trying to desecrate the Capitol today, desecrate symbols of faith — Bibles and crucifixes. Thank God, we don’t believe they have a consecrated host, but this is a sad state of life for them to be in. We need to pray for them,” he said.Naumann’s lawsuit, which was dropped soon after it was filed, revolved around false claims that Stewart had obtained a consecrated host.Inside and outside the church, law enforcement officers stood on watch as throngs of people gathered and moved on the Capitol grounds while those inside the church stayed mostly still.Natalie Rowe, a 68-year-old lifelong Catholic, said she traveled Friday morning to Topeka from Wichita to be part of a strong showing. Before the mass began, she attended the archbishop’s eucharistic adoration, which involves praying before a consecrated host.“The universe is very important to me,” she said. “My faith is very important to me.”Then she crossed the street to join the demonstrations.

KC archbishop preaches against satanism, atheism in prayerful ceremonies

JOHNSON COUNTY —A teen who admitted bringing a gun to a high school in Kansas is going to remain in custody.

On Wednesday, Judge Brenda Cameron sentenced 16-year-old Derek Reyna-Mendez to 12 months in the juvenile correctional facility, according to the Johnson Count District Attorney's office.&nbsp; He was originally charged with Firearm possession by a felon, Juvenile possession of firearm and interference with law enforcement.

In February, Reyna-Mendez pleaded guilty to firearm possession by a felon.&nbsp; In December of 2024 arrested him for bringing a gun to Shawnee Mission South High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY —A teen who admitted bringing a gun to a high school in Kansas is going to remain in custody.On Wednesday, Judge Brenda Cameron sentenced 16-year-old Derek Reyna-Mendez to 12 months in the juvenile correctional facility, according to the Johnson Count District Attorney's office.&nbsp; He was originally charged with Firearm possession by a felon, Juvenile possession of firearm and interference with law enforcement.In February, Reyna-Mendez pleaded guilty to firearm possession by a felon.&nbsp; In December of 2024 arrested him for bringing a gun to Shawnee Mission South High School.

Kansas teen sentenced for bringing gun to school

TOPEKA — Two tax bills will head to the Kansas governor’s desk after clearing the Senate Thursday, but Republicans and Democrats differed on whether the tax relief made good on their campaign promises to Kansans.&nbsp;

Senate Democrats condemned the legislation in back-to-back debates as lawmakers worked into the night to finalize the remaining legislation of the 2025 regular session.

The Democrats spoke of broken promises as the chamber considered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb35/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 35</a>, which cuts state property taxes, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb269/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 269</a>, which reduces income tax rates.&nbsp;

The House advanced SB 35 bill Wednesday in a 96-26 vote. It passed the Senate unanimously, despite criticism from Democrats, in a 40-0 vote.

The bill eliminates the statewide levy of 1 mills for the state education building fund and the .5 mills levy for the state institution building fund.&nbsp;

“Promises, promises, promises,” said Topeka Democrat Sen. Patrick Schmidt. “And this is what we’re going to get. One-and-a-half mills.”

“Kansans, you get scraps from this majority,” Schmidt added, referring to Republicans.

State General Fund dollars would replace the lost revenue from eliminated tax collections. In fiscal year 2027, which begins June 2026, the state education building fund would receive about $56 million and the institutional building fund would receive about $25 million from the State General Fund.

Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who presented the property tax relief bill, said she was proud of the work the Senate had done in attempting to limit taxable property values, among other tax break measures.

“We can go home and hold our heads high (knowing) that we worked for our constituents,” she said.

SB 269 is designed to reduce the individual and corporate income tax rates to 4% and bank rates could drop as low as 2.6%. However, the cuts are contingent on maintaining the state’s budget stabilization fund.&nbsp;

House lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/26/kansas-house-passes-bill-to-trigger-income-tax-cuts-as-long-as-state-has-surplus-funds/">advanced the bill Wednesday</a>&nbsp;in an 84-38 vote after debate from only Democrats. The Senate approved it in a 30-10 vote, with Republican Sen. Rick Billinger of Goodland joining Democrats in opposition.&nbsp;

Tyson characterized the bill as a way to combat “out-of-control” government spending, although she acknowledged that taxpayers won’t immediately see its impact.

“Instead of continuing to grow government and feed the beast, we’re going to reign that growth in by creating a step-down,” she said.

The changes would go into effect in 2025, and taxpayers could see effects if the State General Fund revenue exceeds the previous fiscal year’s revenue, adjusted for inflation.&nbsp;

The budget director would make that determination by Aug. 15, and the secretary of revenue would calculate tax rate reductions starting with individual income taxes.

Once individual rates in both the lower and higher tax brackets reach 4%, rate reductions for corporations and financial institutions would be triggered. Reductions would continue until the combined rate for corporations reaches 4%, the combined rate for banks reaches 2.6% and the combined rate for other financial institutions reaches 2.62%.

Sen. Ethan Corson, a Fairway Democrat, pushed the point that taxpayers won’t see immediate relief.

In response, Tyson listed a number of income tax reductions, praising the Legislature’s work in recent years. She then turned to Democrats.

“You can’t stand in one breath and say it’s not tax cuts and then in the second breath say ‘Oh, we’re going to lose $260 million of school funding,’ ” Tyson said. “You can’t have it both ways, guys. It’s either tax cuts, or it’s not.”

Corson said that Kansans have been “crying out” for property tax relief. Last year, during the special session, lawmakers passed income tax relief, and then legislators underwent election season campaigning on delivering property tax relief this session, Corson said.

“Well, here we are … on day 74 of the legislative session, and the only property tax relief we delivered is a measly one-and-a-half mills,” he said. “I was frankly surprised, Mr. President, that the majority party was able to even put that bill on the floor with a straight face.”

Harking back to SB 35, he said under the proposal, owners of a $150,000 home would save $25.88, and owners of a $230,000 home would save $39.68.

“You know, as my grandpa used to say, ‘Don’t spend it all in one place,’ ” Corson said.&nbsp;

He compared the Legislature to Charlie Brown’s Lucy with a football.

“We keep promising property tax relief for Kansans, and then we yank it away,” he said.&nbsp;

“Oh my gosh,” she said. “Turn down your W-I-F-M station: What’s In it For Me. This is for the taxpayers. This is for us stopping government growth. This is absolutely needed.”

The Senate adjourned around 9:40 p.m. and will not meet again until the veto session begins April 10.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743163246709.png" alt=" Fairway Democrat Sen. Ethan Corson, shown here on March 26, 2025, rebuked Republicans’ “measly” efforts to reduce property taxes. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Fairway Democrat Sen. Ethan Corson, shown here on March 26, 2025, rebuked Republicans’ “measly” efforts to reduce property taxes. (Grace Hills/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 — Two tax bills will head to the Kansas governor’s desk after clearing the Senate Thursday, but Republicans and Democrats differed on whether the tax relief made good on their campaign promises to Kansans.&nbsp;Senate Democrats condemned the legislation in back-to-back debates as lawmakers worked into the night to finalize the remaining legislation of the 2025 regular session.The Democrats spoke of broken promises as the chamber considered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb35/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 35</a>, which cuts state property taxes, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb269/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 269</a>, which reduces income tax rates.&nbsp;The House advanced SB 35 bill Wednesday in a 96-26 vote. It passed the Senate unanimously, despite criticism from Democrats, in a 40-0 vote.The bill eliminates the statewide levy of 1 mills for the state education building fund and the .5 mills levy for the state institution building fund.&nbsp;“Promises, promises, promises,” said Topeka Democrat Sen. Patrick Schmidt. “And this is what we’re going to get. One-and-a-half mills.”“Kansans, you get scraps from this majority,” Schmidt added, referring to Republicans.State General Fund dollars would replace the lost revenue from eliminated tax collections. In fiscal year 2027, which begins June 2026, the state education building fund would receive about $56 million and the institutional building fund would receive about $25 million from the State General Fund.Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who presented the property tax relief bill, said she was proud of the work the Senate had done in attempting to limit taxable property values, among other tax break measures.“We can go home and hold our heads high (knowing) that we worked for our constituents,” she said.SB 269 is designed to reduce the individual and corporate income tax rates to 4% and bank rates could drop as low as 2.6%. However, the cuts are contingent on maintaining the state’s budget stabilization fund.&nbsp;House lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/26/kansas-house-passes-bill-to-trigger-income-tax-cuts-as-long-as-state-has-surplus-funds/">advanced the bill Wednesday</a>&nbsp;in an 84-38 vote after debate from only Democrats. The Senate approved it in a 30-10 vote, with Republican Sen. Rick Billinger of Goodland joining Democrats in opposition.&nbsp;Tyson characterized the bill as a way to combat “out-of-control” government spending, although she acknowledged that taxpayers won’t immediately see its impact.“Instead of continuing to grow government and feed the beast, we’re going to reign that growth in by creating a step-down,” she said.The changes would go into effect in 2025, and taxpayers could see effects if the State General Fund revenue exceeds the previous fiscal year’s revenue, adjusted for inflation.&nbsp;The budget director would make that determination by Aug. 15, and the secretary of revenue would calculate tax rate reductions starting with individual income taxes.Once individual rates in both the lower and higher tax brackets reach 4%, rate reductions for corporations and financial institutions would be triggered. Reductions would continue until the combined rate for corporations reaches 4%, the combined rate for banks reaches 2.6% and the combined rate for other financial institutions reaches 2.62%.Sen. Ethan Corson, a Fairway Democrat, pushed the point that taxpayers won’t see immediate relief.In response, Tyson listed a number of income tax reductions, praising the Legislature’s work in recent years. She then turned to Democrats.“You can’t stand in one breath and say it’s not tax cuts and then in the second breath say ‘Oh, we’re going to lose $260 million of school funding,’ ” Tyson said. “You can’t have it both ways, guys. It’s either tax cuts, or it’s not.”Corson said that Kansans have been “crying out” for property tax relief. Last year, during the special session, lawmakers passed income tax relief, and then legislators underwent election season campaigning on delivering property tax relief this session, Corson said.“Well, here we are … on day 74 of the legislative session, and the only property tax relief we delivered is a measly one-and-a-half mills,” he said. “I was frankly surprised, Mr. President, that the majority party was able to even put that bill on the floor with a straight face.”Harking back to SB 35, he said under the proposal, owners of a $150,000 home would save $25.88, and owners of a $230,000 home would save $39.68.“You know, as my grandpa used to say, ‘Don’t spend it all in one place,’ ” Corson said.&nbsp;He compared the Legislature to Charlie Brown’s Lucy with a football.“We keep promising property tax relief for Kansans, and then we yank it away,” he said.&nbsp;Tyson pushed back.&nbsp;“Oh my gosh,” she said. “Turn down your W-I-F-M station: What’s In it For Me. This is for the taxpayers. This is for us stopping government growth. This is absolutely needed.”The Senate adjourned around 9:40 p.m. and will not meet again until the veto session begins April 10.

Kan. Legislature passes tax relief with talk of broken promises and out-of-control spending

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the latest victim as 21-year-old Tracy Williams, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before&nbsp;7:30p.m. Wednesday, patrol&nbsp;officers were dispatched to a shooting in the&nbsp;3700&nbsp;block&nbsp;of&nbsp;St.&nbsp;John, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte.

First responders were directed to the parking lot&nbsp;of&nbsp;a convenience&nbsp;store at the corner&nbsp;of&nbsp;St.&nbsp;John&nbsp;and Monroe. They found Williams suffering from gunshot wounds. They immediately began performing life saving measures and summoned emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS pronounced Williams deceased on scene.

This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed an interaction between individuals in the parking lot&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;store just before the victim was shot. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing the area for witnesses. Crime scene personnel are processing the scene for any available physical evidence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743107951249.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the latest victim as 21-year-old Tracy Williams, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Just before&nbsp;7:30p.m. Wednesday, patrol&nbsp;officers were dispatched to a shooting in the&nbsp;3700&nbsp;block&nbsp;of&nbsp;St.&nbsp;John, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743105949880.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders were directed to the parking lot&nbsp;of&nbsp;a convenience&nbsp;store at the corner&nbsp;of&nbsp;St.&nbsp;John&nbsp;and Monroe. They found Williams suffering from gunshot wounds. They immediately began performing life saving measures and summoned emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS pronounced Williams deceased on scene.This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed an interaction between individuals in the parking lot&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;store just before the victim was shot. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing the area for witnesses. Crime scene personnel are processing the scene for any available physical evidence.

Police ID man killed in KC convenience store parking lot

SHAWNEE COUNTY – A Topeka man has been arrested following a residential burglary investigation in Topeka.

Just before 4p.m. March 18, police responded to a&nbsp;reported burglary in the 1200 block of SW Hillsdale Street, according police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

 It was reported someone had damaged property and entered a residence. On March 20, around 5:30 p.m., officers responded to the same residence for the report of a second burglary, property damage and items that had been stolen.

On March 25, 2025, around 10 a.m., officers observed a person matching the description of the suspect in the 4100 block of SW Huntoon Street. The man was later identified as Jeremy Boone Rath, 25, of Topeka.

As a result of the investigation, Rath was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary; Dwelling to commit felony, theft, DV, or sexually motivated crime, Stalking; Reckless Conduct Causing Fear Person/Family, Theft &lt;$1,500 From Building, Criminal damage to property; Without consent value &lt; $1,000 and Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743021000200.png" alt="Rath photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rath photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY – A Topeka man has been arrested following a residential burglary investigation in Topeka.Just before 4p.m. March 18, police responded to a&nbsp;reported burglary in the 1200 block of SW Hillsdale Street, according police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. It was reported someone had damaged property and entered a residence. On March 20, around 5:30 p.m., officers responded to the same residence for the report of a second burglary, property damage and items that had been stolen.On March 25, 2025, around 10 a.m., officers observed a person matching the description of the suspect in the 4100 block of SW Huntoon Street. The man was later identified as Jeremy Boone Rath, 25, of Topeka.As a result of the investigation, Rath was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary; Dwelling to commit felony, theft, DV, or sexually motivated crime, Stalking; Reckless Conduct Causing Fear Person/Family, Theft &lt;$1,500 From Building, Criminal damage to property; Without consent value &lt; $1,000 and Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

Kan. man accused of stalking, home burglary 

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran,&nbsp; Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, hosted a subcommittee hearing titled “NTSB Preliminary Report: DCA Midair Collision” on Thursday.

Click below to watch the entire hearing led by Kansas U.S. Senator Moran

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743084233432.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran,&nbsp; Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, hosted a subcommittee hearing titled “NTSB Preliminary Report: DCA Midair Collision” on Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The 67 lives that were lost on January 29th were taken prematurely in an accident that by all indications should have been avoided. <a href="https://t.co/b0m5WqPAVa">pic.twitter.com/b0m5WqPAVa</a>&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1905278458478870766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Click below to watch the entire hearing led by Kansas U.S. Senator Moran<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fkXXRf3sXvw?si=Kr5j5EwZLUHv_erR&amp;start=942" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/NTSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NTSB</a> Chair <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferHomendy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JenniferHomendy</a>: &quot;Between October 2021 and December 2024 there were over 15,000 close proximity events between commercial aircraft and helicopters at DCA.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/PoWWf8mTqk">pic.twitter.com/PoWWf8mTqk</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1905273119197065683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenTedCruz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenTedCruz</a> to U.S. Army Brigadier General Matthew Braman, Director, Army Aviation on policies: &quot;I find that shocking and deeply unacceptable...if today another accident occurs over DCA with another helicopter...the Army will have very direct responsibility for that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0ZxSOkamCQ">pic.twitter.com/0ZxSOkamCQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1905284968147738696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Highlights of Kan. U.S. Senator's hearing on DCA midair collision

KANSAS CITY—Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire at a maintenance building in Kansas City.

Just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to the fire near 138th and Wyandotte in a maintenance building belonging to Suburban Lawn and Garden, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews set up a defensive operations to get the fire under control. There were various tanks containing fuel sources that caused secondary explosions inside the building. No injuries were reported. Authorities have not released a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743072925166.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire at a maintenance building in Kansas City.Just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to the fire near 138th and Wyandotte in a maintenance building belonging to Suburban Lawn and Garden, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743072905934.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Crews set up a defensive operations to get the fire under control. There were various tanks containing fuel sources that caused secondary explosions inside the building. No injuries were reported. Authorities have not released a damage estimate.

Cause of fire at KC lawn care business building under investigation

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

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced a sweeping plan Thursday to restructure the Department of Health and Human Services by cutting an additional 10,000 workers and closing down half of its 10 regional offices.

The overhaul will affect many of the agencies that make up HHS, including the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. HHS overall will be downsized from a full-time workforce of 82,000 to 62,000, including those who took early retirement or a buyout offer.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. released a written statement along with the announcement, saying the changes would benefit Americans.

“We aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy said. “This Department will do more — a lot more — at a lower cost to the taxpayer.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The U.S. Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rfk-jr-confirmed-nations-health-chief-despite-vaccine-denial-conspiracy-theories" target="_blank">voted to confirm Kennedy</a>&nbsp;as the nation’s top public health official in mid-February.

Democrats immediately reacted with deep concern.

Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., said that she was “stunned at the lack of thought about what they are doing to the American public and their health.”

Murray said the committee, which controls about one-third of all federal spending, “absolutely” has an oversight role to play in tracking HHS actions.

Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that funds HHS, said she believes HHS has overstepped its authority and expects the panel will look into its actions.

“These individuals who are going to be terminated under this plan play vital roles in the health of Wisconsinites and people nationally,” Baldwin said. “And I believe that they do not have the authority, the Trump administration does not have the authority to do this wholesale reorganization without working with Congress.”

Maryland Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, whose constituents in suburban Washington likely hold many of the jobs in question, wrote in a statement the HHS’ restructuring plans are “dangerous and deadly.”

“I warned America that confirming RFK Jr. would be a mistake,” Alsobrooks wrote. “His blatant distrust of science and disregard for research and advancement makes him completely unqualified.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/hhs-restructuring-doge.html" target="_blank">announcement</a>&nbsp;says reorganizing HHS will cut its $1.7 trillion annual budget by about $1.8 billion, in part, by lowering overall staff levels.

Staffing cuts will be spread out over HHS and several of the agencies it oversees. The restructuring plans to eliminate 3,500 full-time workers at the FDA, 2,400 employees at the CDC, 1,200 staff at the NIH and 300 workers at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“The consolidation and cuts are designed not only to save money, but to make the organization more efficient and more responsive to Americans’ needs, and to implement the Make America Healthy Again goal of ending the chronic disease epidemic,” according to a fact sheet.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, or HELP, Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-La., wrote in a statement that he looks “forward to hearing how this reorganization furthers these goals.”

“I am interested in HHS working better, such as lifesaving drug approval more rapidly, and Medicare service improved,” Cassidy wrote.

HHS did not immediately respond to a request from States Newsroom about which five of its 10 regional offices would shutter or when those closures would take effect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743090245316.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Marshall met with RFK, Jr. on Thursday-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Marshall met with RFK, Jr. on Thursday-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced a sweeping plan Thursday to restructure the Department of Health and Human Services by cutting an additional 10,000 workers and closing down half of its 10 regional offices.The overhaul will affect many of the agencies that make up HHS, including the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. HHS overall will be downsized from a full-time workforce of 82,000 to 62,000, including those who took early retirement or a buyout offer.HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. released a written statement along with the announcement, saying the changes would benefit Americans.“We aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy said. “This Department will do more — a lot more — at a lower cost to the taxpayer.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The U.S. Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rfk-jr-confirmed-nations-health-chief-despite-vaccine-denial-conspiracy-theories" target="_blank">voted to confirm Kennedy</a>&nbsp;as the nation’s top public health official in mid-February.Democrats immediately reacted with deep concern.Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., said that she was “stunned at the lack of thought about what they are doing to the American public and their health.”Murray said the committee, which controls about one-third of all federal spending, “absolutely” has an oversight role to play in tracking HHS actions.Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that funds HHS, said she believes HHS has overstepped its authority and expects the panel will look into its actions.“These individuals who are going to be terminated under this plan play vital roles in the health of Wisconsinites and people nationally,” Baldwin said. “And I believe that they do not have the authority, the Trump administration does not have the authority to do this wholesale reorganization without working with Congress.”Maryland Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, whose constituents in suburban Washington likely hold many of the jobs in question, wrote in a statement the HHS’ restructuring plans are “dangerous and deadly.”“I warned America that confirming RFK Jr. would be a mistake,” Alsobrooks wrote. “His blatant distrust of science and disregard for research and advancement makes him completely unqualified.”<h2>Cuts across department</h2>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/hhs-restructuring-doge.html" target="_blank">announcement</a>&nbsp;says reorganizing HHS will cut its $1.7 trillion annual budget by about $1.8 billion, in part, by lowering overall staff levels.Staffing cuts will be spread out over HHS and several of the agencies it oversees. The restructuring plans to eliminate 3,500 full-time workers at the FDA, 2,400 employees at the CDC, 1,200 staff at the NIH and 300 workers at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.“The consolidation and cuts are designed not only to save money, but to make the organization more efficient and more responsive to Americans’ needs, and to implement the Make America Healthy Again goal of ending the chronic disease epidemic,” according to a fact sheet.Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, or HELP, Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-La., wrote in a statement that he looks “forward to hearing how this reorganization furthers these goals.”“I am interested in HHS working better, such as lifesaving drug approval more rapidly, and Medicare service improved,” Cassidy wrote.<h2>Regional offices, divisions affected</h2>HHS did not immediately respond to a request from States Newsroom about which five of its 10 regional offices would shutter or when those closures would take effect.Its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/iea/regional-offices/index.html" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;shows the offices are located in Boston; New York City; Philadelphia; Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas; Kansas City, Missouri; Denver; San Francisco; and Seattle.HHS plans to reduce its divisions from 28 to 15 while also establishing the Administration for a Healthy America, or AHA.That new entity will combine the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.That change will “improve coordination of health resources for low-income Americans and will focus on areas including, Primary Care, Maternal and Child Health, Mental Health, Environmental Health, HIV/AIDS, and Workforce development. Transferring SAMHSA to AHA will increase operational efficiency and assure programs are carried out because it will break down artificial divisions between similar programs,” according to the announcement.HHS will roll the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response into the CDC.The department plans to create a new assistant secretary for enforcement, who will be responsible for work within the Departmental Appeals Board, Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals and Office for Civil Rights.<h2>House speaker says HHS is ‘bloated’</h2>U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., posted on social media that he fully backed the changes in store for HHS.​​”HHS is one of the most bureaucratic and bloated government agencies,” Johnson wrote. “@SecKennedy is bringing new, much-needed ideas to the department by returning HHS to its core mission while maintaining the critical programs it provides Americans.”Advocates shared Democrats’ concern about the staff cutbacks.Stella Dantas, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, released a statement saying the organization was “alarmed by the sudden termination of thousands of dedicated HHS employees, whose absence compounds the loss of thousands of fellow employees who have already been forced to leave U.S. health agencies.”“Thanks to collaboration with HHS, ACOG has been able to contribute to advances in the provision of maternal health care, broadened coverage of critical preventive care, increased adoption of vaccines, raised awareness of fetal alcohol syndrome, strengthened STI prevention efforts, and more,” Dantas wrote. “This attack on public health—and HHS’ ability to advance it—will hurt people across the United States every single day.”