More are dying from flu as the Trump administration postpones planning for next fall.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">TIM HENDERSON</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.

Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.

Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling.

The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/amid-the-worst-influenza-season-in-a-decade-gillibrand-demands-answers-on-cancellation-and-postponement-of-advisory-committee-meetings-on-vaccinations/" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.

Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.

“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health &amp; Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-video.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.B7NS.rhrHUA_r4ZKf&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">expressed doubt</a>&nbsp;about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations.

Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.

“It’s been a bad winter for viral respiratory infections, not just in the United States but across the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Doherty, a vaccine scholar and former manager for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, a vaccine manufacturer.

“The U.S. does appear to be hit a bit harder, and it’s possible lower vaccination coverage is contributing to that,” Doherty said.

Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccine-doses-distributed.html" target="_blank">federal statistics</a>.

The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.

The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.

Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-gregorys-family?attribution_id=sl:b469a277-193c-47ae-92b7-1f10b7b2f863&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">Indiana father</a>&nbsp;died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools&nbsp;<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/flu-shot-student-deaths-prince-georges-county-madison-middle-school-hospitalized-fever-henos-eskender-public-schools-minka-greene" target="_blank">drew crowds</a>&nbsp;to vaccine clinics.

Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said.

“Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.

“I encourage my church members to keep their hands clean, use hand sanitizer and to stay home if they’re feeling sick,” he said. He said he hasn’t personally gotten a flu vaccine recently because he gets conflicting advice about it — some doctors tell him to avoid them because he and some family members have cancer, while another “rides me all the time about getting a flu shot.”

“We’re all getting conflicting advice. We’re living in strange-o times,” he said. (The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>&nbsp;says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended depending on individual circumstances.)

Many states are&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/28/vaccination-rates-are-declining-they-might-get-worse-as-states-relax-rules/">relaxing vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.

Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.

In Oklahoma, death rates are&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/influenza.html" target="_blank">highest in the eastern part of the state</a>&nbsp;where the Cherokee Nation is centered. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/personal-health/immunizations/fight-flu.html" target="_blank">state publicity campaign</a>&nbsp;stresses that flu shots are safe, effective and free at many community health centers. However, vaccination rates in the state are low compared with other states as of December, according to federal statistics: Only about 16% of Oklahoma residents had gotten flu vaccinations by then. Rates were even lower in Louisiana (just under 16%), Mississippi (12%) and Texas (10%).

States with the highest flu vaccination rates by December were Maine (37%), Connecticut and Vermont (33%), and Wisconsin and Minnesota (31%). But even those were down since 2022.

People have become less likely to get vaccinated in recent years, a phenomenon researchers call “vaccine hesitancy.”

A&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39569234/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;published last year in the medical journal Cureus found three-quarters of patients in a rural New York state community refused flu vaccine with comments such as “I do not trust vaccines” or “I do not believe in vaccines.” The most common reasons cited were that earlier vaccinations made them feel sick, that they got the flu anyway, or that they thought they shouldn’t need a new shot every year. (Doctors recommend flu vaccinations annually and note that even vaccinated patients who get the flu usually face less severe forms.)

And in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X25001033" target="_blank">paper</a>&nbsp;published in February in the journal Vaccine, researchers found that people refuse flu vaccinations for many of the same reasons they refused COVID-19 shots: a feeling of “social vulnerability” that leads to distrust of government and medical guidance. One hopeful sign, the report noted, is that vaccine recommendations from trusted health care professionals can turn around such attitudes.

“Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is deeply entangled with misinformation, political rhetoric and public distrust,” said Khan, the Oregon pulmonologist and the study’s author. “Scientific data alone may not be enough to shift public perceptions, as many vaccine decisions are driven by gut feelings and external influences rather than evidence.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742732863479.png" alt=" A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis. (Courtesy of the City of Cambridge)" />
 <figcaption> A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis. (Courtesy of the City of Cambridge)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More are dying from flu as the Trump administration postpones planning for next fall.</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">TIM HENDERSON</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling.The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/amid-the-worst-influenza-season-in-a-decade-gillibrand-demands-answers-on-cancellation-and-postponement-of-advisory-committee-meetings-on-vaccinations/" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742732798762.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health &amp; Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-video.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.B7NS.rhrHUA_r4ZKf&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">expressed doubt</a>&nbsp;about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations.Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.“It’s been a bad winter for viral respiratory infections, not just in the United States but across the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Doherty, a vaccine scholar and former manager for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, a vaccine manufacturer.“The U.S. does appear to be hit a bit harder, and it’s possible lower vaccination coverage is contributing to that,” Doherty said.Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccine-doses-distributed.html" target="_blank">federal statistics</a>.The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-gregorys-family?attribution_id=sl:b469a277-193c-47ae-92b7-1f10b7b2f863&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">Indiana father</a>&nbsp;died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools&nbsp;<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/flu-shot-student-deaths-prince-georges-county-madison-middle-school-hospitalized-fever-henos-eskender-public-schools-minka-greene" target="_blank">drew crowds</a>&nbsp;to vaccine clinics.Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said.“Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.“I encourage my church members to keep their hands clean, use hand sanitizer and to stay home if they’re feeling sick,” he said. He said he hasn’t personally gotten a flu vaccine recently because he gets conflicting advice about it — some doctors tell him to avoid them because he and some family members have cancer, while another “rides me all the time about getting a flu shot.”“We’re all getting conflicting advice. We’re living in strange-o times,” he said. (The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>&nbsp;says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended depending on individual circumstances.)Many states are&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/28/vaccination-rates-are-declining-they-might-get-worse-as-states-relax-rules/">relaxing vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.In Oklahoma, death rates are&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/influenza.html" target="_blank">highest in the eastern part of the state</a>&nbsp;where the Cherokee Nation is centered. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/personal-health/immunizations/fight-flu.html" target="_blank">state publicity campaign</a>&nbsp;stresses that flu shots are safe, effective and free at many community health centers. However, vaccination rates in the state are low compared with other states as of December, according to federal statistics: Only about 16% of Oklahoma residents had gotten flu vaccinations by then. Rates were even lower in Louisiana (just under 16%), Mississippi (12%) and Texas (10%).States with the highest flu vaccination rates by December were Maine (37%), Connecticut and Vermont (33%), and Wisconsin and Minnesota (31%). But even those were down since 2022.People have become less likely to get vaccinated in recent years, a phenomenon researchers call “vaccine hesitancy.”A&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39569234/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;published last year in the medical journal Cureus found three-quarters of patients in a rural New York state community refused flu vaccine with comments such as “I do not trust vaccines” or “I do not believe in vaccines.” The most common reasons cited were that earlier vaccinations made them feel sick, that they got the flu anyway, or that they thought they shouldn’t need a new shot every year. (Doctors recommend flu vaccinations annually and note that even vaccinated patients who get the flu usually face less severe forms.)And in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X25001033" target="_blank">paper</a>&nbsp;published in February in the journal Vaccine, researchers found that people refuse flu vaccinations for many of the same reasons they refused COVID-19 shots: a feeling of “social vulnerability” that leads to distrust of government and medical guidance. One hopeful sign, the report noted, is that vaccine recommendations from trusted health care professionals can turn around such attitudes.“Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is deeply entangled with misinformation, political rhetoric and public distrust,” said Khan, the Oregon pulmonologist and the study’s author. “Scientific data alone may not be enough to shift public perceptions, as many vaccine decisions are driven by gut feelings and external influences rather than evidence.”

Flu deaths rise as anti-vaccine disinformation takes root

On Saturday, the Kansas Highway Patrol report how troopers rescued a 6-year-old kidnapping victim.

On their social media account, the Patrol reported, in February, a trooper assigned to the KHP criminal interdiction unit, stopped an SUV for a traffic violation.  During the traffic stop, it was discovered that the front seat passenger had a warrant for his arrest from another state for kidnapping a 6-year-old girl just over a month prior. 

 The trooper had observed a girl about that age in the vehicle with the two adult male occupants, both of whom were in their 60’s.  The driver had a criminal history to include homicide and numerous weapons violations over the years.

After the trooper and a deputy from a local sheriff’s office quickly secured both the driver and passenger, the trooper safely removed the little girl from the vehicle.

  This 6-year-old girl gave the trooper a false name and date of birth, after having been coached to do so, in an attempt to keep the adult out of jail.  Ultimately, our trooper calmed the girl down and got her to tell him her real name.  She was the kidnapping victim, who had been with this suspect for over a month on the run. Thankfully the girl was unharmed, and the men were taken into custody.

The patrol did not report the names of the suspects or where the arrest occurred.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742693842256.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>On Saturday, the Kansas Highway Patrol report how troopers rescued a 6-year-old kidnapping victim.On their social media account, the Patrol reported, in February, a trooper assigned to the KHP criminal interdiction unit, stopped an SUV for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, it was discovered that the front seat passenger had a warrant for his arrest from another state for kidnapping a 6-year-old girl just over a month prior. The trooper had observed a girl about that age in the vehicle with the two adult male occupants, both of whom were in their 60’s. The driver had a criminal history to include homicide and numerous weapons violations over the years.After the trooper and a deputy from a local sheriff’s office quickly secured both the driver and passenger, the trooper safely removed the little girl from the vehicle. This 6-year-old girl gave the trooper a false name and date of birth, after having been coached to do so, in an attempt to keep the adult out of jail. Ultimately, our trooper calmed the girl down and got her to tell him her real name. She was the kidnapping victim, who had been with this suspect for over a month on the run. Thankfully the girl was unharmed, and the men were taken into custody.The patrol did not report the names of the suspects or where the arrest occurred.

KHP reports saving 6-year-old kidnap victim

Critics argue the way the proposal is crafted could create huge problems for the state budget

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

When the Missouri House signed off on a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-approves-1-3-billion-tax-cut-plan/">$1.3 billion tax cut package&nbsp;</a>last week, it included a provision creating a 100% tax credit for donations to pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes and diaper banks.&nbsp;

The credits — allowing up to $50,000 in donations to be accepted in place of taxes owed — are seen by supporters as a way to increase aid to pregnant women in need following Missourians’ decision to legalize abortion last November.

“There’s no time in the history of Missouri that I can recall where there’s a better time to support life,” state Rep. Brad Christ, a Republican from St. Louis, said during a committee hearing last month.&nbsp;

But pregnancy resource centers have proven controversial around the country, accused of providing women with inaccurate medical information in an effort to discourage them from seeking abortions.&nbsp;And critics have raised concerns that allowing Missourians to satisfy their entire tax bill by donating to anti-abortion organizations could create significant budget uncertainty.

“Even if you view this totally in isolation and don’t pay any mind through the mission of the organizations at hand here, this is egregious policy” said Carl Davis, research director at the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. “There’s no reason to do it this way.”

The tax credit for pregnancy resource centers was set at&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/" target="_blank">70% in 2021, up from 50%</a>. Maternity homes also currently sit at 70%, and diaper banks are at 50%.&nbsp;

Following the 2022 change, the Pregnancy Help Center of Central Missouri in Jefferson City saw a $100,000 increase in tax credit-eligible donations, its executive director, Leslie Kerns, told the House special committee on tax reform.

The<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1176&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">&nbsp;original bill’s</a>&nbsp;sponsor, state Rep. Christopher Warwick, a Republican from Bolivar, did not&nbsp;respond to an interview request, but during a House hearing he described the legislation as “a simple bill” that redirects the additional 30% the government has been getting to women in need.

“We need to keep government out of a lot of things, and this is one of them,” Warwick said during the hearing in which he was asked if he would include a provision mandating oversight of how the donations are spent. “We need to be able to make sure that donors are getting their resources directly to those that need it, and when we’re talking about pregnancies and women who are looking for help, this bill allows that and puts donors right in front of those who need it most.”&nbsp;

A number of tax credit programs in Missouri are built to incentivize donations to certain causes, including the&nbsp;Developmental Disability Care Provider Tax Credit, Domestic Violence Shelter or Rape Crisis Center Tax Credit and&nbsp;“Champion for Children” tax credit.

But the credit to pregnancy resource centers tends to get the most attention because of its involvement in Missouri’s longstanding battle over abortion. Pregnancy resource centers are not medical facilities but rather provide services including free pregnancy tests, prenatal vitamins, parenting classes, ultrasounds and counseling.&nbsp;

While 100% tax credits — meaning the donor reduces their tax bill the exact amount they gave — aren’t unheard of, they are usually capped.&nbsp;

What’s different about this year’s proposal is that while tax credit claims remain capped at $50,000 per individual contribution, there would not be a cap at the aggregate level, meaning there is no limit to how many people can claim credits.

Without an aggregate cap, it would take 200 people donating $50,000 to cut into Missouri’s budget by $10 million. If 1,000 people took advantage of the full credit it would cost the state $50 million. The state’s total tax revenue in the most recent fiscal year was about&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Budget_Summary_%28all%29_FY_2025_updated_3-4-2024.pdf" target="_blank">$14.2 billion.</a>

Sam Lee finds any concerns about the fiscal impact overblown.

The longtime anti-abortion activist and lobbyist pointed to a January 2024 tax credit analysis by the Missouri Department of Social Services concluding that for every dollar redeemed by taxpayers with the tax credit, the state saves $1.77. The report explained the savings by concluding the donations assist women with unplanned pregnancies “who may have, otherwise, accessed state assistance.”&nbsp;

Last fiscal year, about&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/fiscal/fispdf/1412H.02P.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">$7.5 million</a>&nbsp;was claimed under this tax credit.

Lee noted there is no aggregate cap for pregnancy resource center tax credits under the current law and donations still remain far below what’s directed to other programs that do have a cap, like the private school tax credit program MoScholars.&nbsp;

That tax credit program is set at 100% and draws from general fund dollars to pay for private school tuition. It’s capped at $75 million annually.&nbsp;

But Davis, with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said this year’s pregnancy resource center proposal has the potential to create significant budget uncertainty because, unlike MoScholars, it would allow for more than just cash donations to the centers.

Stocks, bonds and property could qualify as well, which Davis said could lead to a “glut of donations” to centers as donors use the program to avoid paying capital gains taxes.

Davis recently published a brief<a href="https://itep.org/proposed-missouri-tax-credit-anti-abortion-centers/" target="_blank">&nbsp;laying out his apprehensions</a>&nbsp;after a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/missouri-pregnancy-resource-centers-anti-abortion-tax-credit-bill" target="_blank">ProPublica story&nbsp;</a>alerted him to the legislation.&nbsp;

The credit for stock or other assets that have appreciated in value would be for the market value at the time of the donation. If sold for the same amount, the owner would pay federal tax on the profit of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc409" target="_blank">up to 20%</a>&nbsp;as well as state income tax of up to 4.7%, depending on income level.

“What I’m concerned about is that it would be exceptionally easy for taxpayers to pair this 100% match with avoidance of capital gains tax,” he said. “And then you end up with this scenario of basically personal profiteering off a tax shelter that would be set up in the state.”&nbsp;

Davis worries without an aggregate cap on donations in Missouri, the 100% credit could inspire people to game the system.&nbsp;

“This is not good policy. This is not neutral policy. This is very distortionary,” he said. “It encourages opportunists to come out of the woodwork and to take part in this, not because they care about the cause at the heart of this bill at all, but just because they want to make a buck for themselves.”

Pregnancy resource centers, frequently affiliated with religious organizations and sometimes situated right next to the state’s handful of Planned Parenthood clinics, are often criticized for their efforts to dissuade or even hinder women from accessing abortions.&nbsp;

Supporters say the centers help women uncertain about continuing a pregnancy with the resources to feel more secure in the decision.&nbsp;

Kerns, with the Jefferson City center, said during the hearing that her center, like all pregnancy resource centers, is not allowed to perform, induce or refer for abortions.&nbsp;

She said they have women mark where they’re at on a “decision guide” to see if they’re “abortion-minded.” If they show an interest in abortion, they’re given an information sheet about abortion that includes the procedure’s risks.

In many cases, however, the information women are provided at pregnancy resource centers is inaccurate and skewed to influence their decision, said&nbsp;Michele Landeau, chief operating officer of Hope Clinic, an Illinois abortion clinic across the river from St. Louis.&nbsp;

“We see a lot of people who have visited these anti abortion centers that receive these tax credits, who are given misinformation,” Landeu&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“And who essentially end up delaying their care because of the misinformation that they receive from these centers.”

Landeau said about half of Hope Clinic’s patients are from Missouri. Patients have told her that pregnancy resource centers gave them incorrect gestational ages or told them incorrectly that they weren’t allowed to travel for abortions.&nbsp;

“This harm will not only continue, but it will be uplifted, essentially, by these additional tax credits,” said&nbsp;Landeau, who lives in Missouri.&nbsp;

For the 2025 fiscal year, there are&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pdf/qualified-pregnancy-resource-centers.pdf" target="_blank">82 pregnancy resource centers eligible</a>&nbsp;to benefit from the current tax credit. There are<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pdf/qualified-maternity-homes.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;20 maternity homes</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pdf/qualified-diaper-banks.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;six diaper banks.&nbsp;</a>

Lee believes the legalization of abortion in Missouri last fall was a catalyst in the renewed desire by&nbsp; lawmakers to support pregnancy resource centers.&nbsp;

A Jackson County judge recently struck down several of the state’s abortion regulations, including a law that patients must wait 72 hours before going in for an initial appointment and actually undergoing an abortion.&nbsp;

Lee said this puts added urgency on pregnancy resource center staff.&nbsp;

“They realize they need to have staff available, if not 24/7, at least every day to respond to women who in the near future could get an abortion that day,” Lee said. “And that’s not been the situation in Missouri for years and years.”

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe proposed a state budget increase of $4 million to federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds that goes to Alternatives to Abortion. It would earmark $12.6 million for programs that provide services, including counseling, to women “at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, to assist in carrying their unborn child to term rather than having an abortion.”&nbsp;

A 2004 study of more than 1,200 women who had abortions found that 73% said they decided to undergo the procedure in part because<a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/journals/psrh/2005/reasons-us-women-have-abortions-quantitative-and-qualitative-perspectives" target="_blank">&nbsp;they could not afford to have a baby,</a>&nbsp;according to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, ​​a reproductive rights research group.

The “Turnaway Study,” a widely-referenced piece of research published by Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, found that women who were denied abortions, many of whom were already mothers, experienced an increase in household poverty over the next four years. It also found that children born following a denied abortion were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ansirh.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/the_harms_of_denying_a_woman_a_wanted_abortion_4-16-2020.pdf" target="_blank">more likely to live below the federal poverty line</a>&nbsp;than those born to women who previously had an abortion.&nbsp;

The anti-abortion movement in Missouri is not solely focused on regulating the procedure, Lee said. Efforts to help reduce abortions have taken a number of shapes through the years, including by extending post-partum Medicaid coverage.&nbsp;

The 100% tax credits, he said, are one more piece.

“There’s just not one magic bullet here,” Lee said, “which will reduce abortions.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742692119162.png" alt=" Anti-abortion advocates gathered at the Midwest March for Life in front of the Missouri State Capitol on May 1, 2024, in Jefferson City (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Anti-abortion advocates gathered at the Midwest March for Life in front of the Missouri State Capitol on May 1, 2024, in Jefferson City (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Critics argue the way the proposal is crafted could create huge problems for the state budget</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>When the Missouri House signed off on a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-approves-1-3-billion-tax-cut-plan/">$1.3 billion tax cut package&nbsp;</a>last week, it included a provision creating a 100% tax credit for donations to pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes and diaper banks.&nbsp;The credits — allowing up to $50,000 in donations to be accepted in place of taxes owed — are seen by supporters as a way to increase aid to pregnant women in need following Missourians’ decision to legalize abortion last November.“There’s no time in the history of Missouri that I can recall where there’s a better time to support life,” state Rep. Brad Christ, a Republican from St. Louis, said during a committee hearing last month.&nbsp;But pregnancy resource centers have proven controversial around the country, accused of providing women with inaccurate medical information in an effort to discourage them from seeking abortions.&nbsp;And critics have raised concerns that allowing Missourians to satisfy their entire tax bill by donating to anti-abortion organizations could create significant budget uncertainty.“Even if you view this totally in isolation and don’t pay any mind through the mission of the organizations at hand here, this is egregious policy” said Carl Davis, research director at the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. “There’s no reason to do it this way.”The tax credit for pregnancy resource centers was set at&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/" target="_blank">70% in 2021, up from 50%</a>. Maternity homes also currently sit at 70%, and diaper banks are at 50%.&nbsp;Following the 2022 change, the Pregnancy Help Center of Central Missouri in Jefferson City saw a $100,000 increase in tax credit-eligible donations, its executive director, Leslie Kerns, told the House special committee on tax reform.The<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1176&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">&nbsp;original bill’s</a>&nbsp;sponsor, state Rep. Christopher Warwick, a Republican from Bolivar, did not&nbsp;respond to an interview request, but during a House hearing he described the legislation as “a simple bill” that redirects the additional 30% the government has been getting to women in need.“We need to keep government out of a lot of things, and this is one of them,” Warwick said during the hearing in which he was asked if he would include a provision mandating oversight of how the donations are spent. “We need to be able to make sure that donors are getting their resources directly to those that need it, and when we’re talking about pregnancies and women who are looking for help, this bill allows that and puts donors right in front of those who need it most.”&nbsp;A number of tax credit programs in Missouri are built to incentivize donations to certain causes, including the&nbsp;Developmental Disability Care Provider Tax Credit, Domestic Violence Shelter or Rape Crisis Center Tax Credit and&nbsp;“Champion for Children” tax credit.But the credit to pregnancy resource centers tends to get the most attention because of its involvement in Missouri’s longstanding battle over abortion. Pregnancy resource centers are not medical facilities but rather provide services including free pregnancy tests, prenatal vitamins, parenting classes, ultrasounds and counseling.&nbsp;While 100% tax credits — meaning the donor reduces their tax bill the exact amount they gave — aren’t unheard of, they are usually capped.&nbsp;What’s different about this year’s proposal is that while tax credit claims remain capped at $50,000 per individual contribution, there would not be a cap at the aggregate level, meaning there is no limit to how many people can claim credits.Without an aggregate cap, it would take 200 people donating $50,000 to cut into Missouri’s budget by $10 million. If 1,000 people took advantage of the full credit it would cost the state $50 million. The state’s total tax revenue in the most recent fiscal year was about&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Budget_Summary_%28all%29_FY_2025_updated_3-4-2024.pdf" target="_blank">$14.2 billion.</a>Sam Lee finds any concerns about the fiscal impact overblown.The longtime anti-abortion activist and lobbyist pointed to a January 2024 tax credit analysis by the Missouri Department of Social Services concluding that for every dollar redeemed by taxpayers with the tax credit, the state saves $1.77. The report explained the savings by concluding the donations assist women with unplanned pregnancies “who may have, otherwise, accessed state assistance.”&nbsp;Last fiscal year, about&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/fiscal/fispdf/1412H.02P.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">$7.5 million</a>&nbsp;was claimed under this tax credit.Lee noted there is no aggregate cap for pregnancy resource center tax credits under the current law and donations still remain far below what’s directed to other programs that do have a cap, like the private school tax credit program MoScholars.&nbsp;That tax credit program is set at 100% and draws from general fund dollars to pay for private school tuition. It’s capped at $75 million annually.&nbsp;But Davis, with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, said this year’s pregnancy resource center proposal has the potential to create significant budget uncertainty because, unlike MoScholars, it would allow for more than just cash donations to the centers.Stocks, bonds and property could qualify as well, which Davis said could lead to a “glut of donations” to centers as donors use the program to avoid paying capital gains taxes.Davis recently published a brief<a href="https://itep.org/proposed-missouri-tax-credit-anti-abortion-centers/" target="_blank">&nbsp;laying out his apprehensions</a>&nbsp;after a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/missouri-pregnancy-resource-centers-anti-abortion-tax-credit-bill" target="_blank">ProPublica story&nbsp;</a>alerted him to the legislation.&nbsp;The credit for stock or other assets that have appreciated in value would be for the market value at the time of the donation. If sold for the same amount, the owner would pay federal tax on the profit of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc409" target="_blank">up to 20%</a>&nbsp;as well as state income tax of up to 4.7%, depending on income level.“What I’m concerned about is that it would be exceptionally easy for taxpayers to pair this 100% match with avoidance of capital gains tax,” he said. “And then you end up with this scenario of basically personal profiteering off a tax shelter that would be set up in the state.”&nbsp;Davis worries without an aggregate cap on donations in Missouri, the 100% credit could inspire people to game the system.&nbsp;“This is not good policy. This is not neutral policy. This is very distortionary,” he said. “It encourages opportunists to come out of the woodwork and to take part in this, not because they care about the cause at the heart of this bill at all, but just because they want to make a buck for themselves.”Pregnancy resource centers, frequently affiliated with religious organizations and sometimes situated right next to the state’s handful of Planned Parenthood clinics, are often criticized for their efforts to dissuade or even hinder women from accessing abortions.&nbsp;Supporters say the centers help women uncertain about continuing a pregnancy with the resources to feel more secure in the decision.&nbsp;Kerns, with the Jefferson City center, said during the hearing that her center, like all pregnancy resource centers, is not allowed to perform, induce or refer for abortions.&nbsp;She said they have women mark where they’re at on a “decision guide” to see if they’re “abortion-minded.” If they show an interest in abortion, they’re given an information sheet about abortion that includes the procedure’s risks.In many cases, however, the information women are provided at pregnancy resource centers is inaccurate and skewed to influence their decision, said&nbsp;Michele Landeau, chief operating officer of Hope Clinic, an Illinois abortion clinic across the river from St. Louis.&nbsp;“We see a lot of people who have visited these anti abortion centers that receive these tax credits, who are given misinformation,” Landeu&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“And who essentially end up delaying their care because of the misinformation that they receive from these centers.”Landeau said about half of Hope Clinic’s patients are from Missouri. Patients have told her that pregnancy resource centers gave them incorrect gestational ages or told them incorrectly that they weren’t allowed to travel for abortions.&nbsp;“This harm will not only continue, but it will be uplifted, essentially, by these additional tax credits,” said&nbsp;Landeau, who lives in Missouri.&nbsp;For the 2025 fiscal year, there are&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pdf/qualified-pregnancy-resource-centers.pdf" target="_blank">82 pregnancy resource centers eligible</a>&nbsp;to benefit from the current tax credit. There are<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pdf/qualified-maternity-homes.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;20 maternity homes</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pdf/qualified-diaper-banks.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;six diaper banks.&nbsp;</a>Lee believes the legalization of abortion in Missouri last fall was a catalyst in the renewed desire by&nbsp; lawmakers to support pregnancy resource centers.&nbsp;A Jackson County judge recently struck down several of the state’s abortion regulations, including a law that patients must wait 72 hours before going in for an initial appointment and actually undergoing an abortion.&nbsp;Lee said this puts added urgency on pregnancy resource center staff.&nbsp;“They realize they need to have staff available, if not 24/7, at least every day to respond to women who in the near future could get an abortion that day,” Lee said. “And that’s not been the situation in Missouri for years and years.”Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe proposed a state budget increase of $4 million to federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds that goes to Alternatives to Abortion. It would earmark $12.6 million for programs that provide services, including counseling, to women “at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, to assist in carrying their unborn child to term rather than having an abortion.”&nbsp;A 2004 study of more than 1,200 women who had abortions found that 73% said they decided to undergo the procedure in part because<a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/journals/psrh/2005/reasons-us-women-have-abortions-quantitative-and-qualitative-perspectives" target="_blank">&nbsp;they could not afford to have a baby,</a>&nbsp;according to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, ​​a reproductive rights research group.The “Turnaway Study,” a widely-referenced piece of research published by Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, found that women who were denied abortions, many of whom were already mothers, experienced an increase in household poverty over the next four years. It also found that children born following a denied abortion were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ansirh.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/the_harms_of_denying_a_woman_a_wanted_abortion_4-16-2020.pdf" target="_blank">more likely to live below the federal poverty line</a>&nbsp;than those born to women who previously had an abortion.&nbsp;The anti-abortion movement in Missouri is not solely focused on regulating the procedure, Lee said. Efforts to help reduce abortions have taken a number of shapes through the years, including by extending post-partum Medicaid coverage.&nbsp;The 100% tax credits, he said, are one more piece.“There’s just not one magic bullet here,” Lee said, “which will reduce abortions.”

Proposed tax credit boost may be lucrative for Missouri anti-abortion centers, donors

The World Bird Sanctuary is heartbroken to share the passing of Murphy, our 33-year-old bald eagle and extraordinary foster dad. Murphy was found deceased in his aviary the early morning of Saturday March 15th as we checked on our animals after storms and tornadoes came through the St. Louis area the night before. 

Our veterinarian performed a full necropsy which showed that Murphy had sustained some form of trauma to his head. We are unable to determine if Murphy was spooked by something and hit his head while jumping off a perch or if wind and precipitation played a part in the injury. While Murphy experienced countless storms throughout the years with us without issue, this storm may have contributed to his passing. 

His three aviary mates are all in good health, and his aviary as a whole did not sustain any damage. All of our birds in outdoor aviaries have access to shelters to protect themselves from storms and other weather. We do have contingency plans for different types of environmental situations, but this particular storm did not require any bird evacuations as no tornadoes approached WBS. While we do everything that we can to keep our birds safe, accidents outside of our control can happen.

As we mourn this tragic loss, we are very thankful that his 33 year life far surpassed the typical lifespan of 20-25 years for Bald Eagles. His resilience, spirit, and dedication as a foster dad touched the hearts of millions of people throughout the world, leaving an especially profound impact on those fortunate enough to have worked with him. While Murphy has delighted guests along Avian Avenue for years with his distinct vocalizations and charismatic personality, it wasn't until 2023 when he decided to incubate a rock that he gained an international following. Murphy's transition from rock incubating to rockstar foster dad of an injured eaglet brought daily joy to thousands as we watched their journey together. 

As Murphy's eaglet grew so did our love of him. Their journey together taught thousands about eagle growth and development, the bonds between eagle parents and their young, and the critical work that goes into wildlife rehabilitation. Murphy's eaglet continued to grow strong under his watchful gaze and went on to be released back to the wild. The following year, Murphy fostered a second eaglet in need with the same dedication he gave the first. 

His second eaglet is still in our care, but is making good progress toward release and we expect he will be ready by mid summer.We could not have asked for a better ambassador and role model. We are incredibly grateful for the community that came together as a result of his heartwarming story. We are devastated by this loss and know that the community mourns with us. 

Murphy's foster eaglets were the first ones our hospital received in over a decade and we learned a lot about their care and space needs from observing Murphy with them. With what we learned from this, we've designed a series of special aviaries to serve the specific needs of injured and orphaned raptors, including an aviary specialized for eaglets. In honor of Murphy's legacy, we plan to name the eventual eagle fostering aviary Murphy's Manor, so that we can continue to remember him for decades to come. Murphy will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the memories of those who loved him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742692402375.png" alt="World Bird Sanctuary" />
 <figcaption>World Bird Sanctuary</figcaption>
 </figure>World Bird SanctuaryThe World Bird Sanctuary is heartbroken to share the passing of Murphy, our 33-year-old bald eagle and extraordinary foster dad. Murphy was found deceased in his aviary the early morning of Saturday March 15th as we checked on our animals after storms and tornadoes came through the St. Louis area the night before. Our veterinarian performed a full necropsy which showed that Murphy had sustained some form of trauma to his head. We are unable to determine if Murphy was spooked by something and hit his head while jumping off a perch or if wind and precipitation played a part in the injury. While Murphy experienced countless storms throughout the years with us without issue, this storm may have contributed to his passing. His three aviary mates are all in good health, and his aviary as a whole did not sustain any damage. All of our birds in outdoor aviaries have access to shelters to protect themselves from storms and other weather. We do have contingency plans for different types of environmental situations, but this particular storm did not require any bird evacuations as no tornadoes approached WBS. While we do everything that we can to keep our birds safe, accidents outside of our control can happen.As we mourn this tragic loss, we are very thankful that his 33 year life far surpassed the typical lifespan of 20-25 years for Bald Eagles. His resilience, spirit, and dedication as a foster dad touched the hearts of millions of people throughout the world, leaving an especially profound impact on those fortunate enough to have worked with him. While Murphy has delighted guests along Avian Avenue for years with his distinct vocalizations and charismatic personality, it wasn't until 2023 when he decided to incubate a rock that he gained an international following. Murphy's transition from rock incubating to rockstar foster dad of an injured eaglet brought daily joy to thousands as we watched their journey together. As Murphy's eaglet grew so did our love of him. Their journey together taught thousands about eagle growth and development, the bonds between eagle parents and their young, and the critical work that goes into wildlife rehabilitation. Murphy's eaglet continued to grow strong under his watchful gaze and went on to be released back to the wild. The following year, Murphy fostered a second eaglet in need with the same dedication he gave the first. His second eaglet is still in our care, but is making good progress toward release and we expect he will be ready by mid summer.We could not have asked for a better ambassador and role model. We are incredibly grateful for the community that came together as a result of his heartwarming story. We are devastated by this loss and know that the community mourns with us. Murphy's foster eaglets were the first ones our hospital received in over a decade and we learned a lot about their care and space needs from observing Murphy with them. With what we learned from this, we've designed a series of special aviaries to serve the specific needs of injured and orphaned raptors, including an aviary specialized for eaglets. In honor of Murphy's legacy, we plan to name the eventual eagle fostering aviary Murphy's Manor, so that we can continue to remember him for decades to come. Murphy will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the memories of those who loved him.

Beloved bald eagle dies following violent storms in Missouri

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.

On March 17, Osage County Sheriff’s Investigators and Deputies conducted a narcotics search warrant in the 1100 block of Laing Street in Osage City, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

Dennis R. Bent, 74, of Osage City was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of weapons and No drug tax stamp

Shane M. Weller, 36, of Osage City was taken into custody on March 21st on an arrest warrant for Distribution of methamphetamine and requested charges of Distribution of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of weapons, Defacing identification marks on a firearm, No drug tax stamp and a Johnson County arrest warrant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742575635717.png" alt="Weller photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Weller photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.On March 17, Osage County Sheriff’s Investigators and Deputies conducted a narcotics search warrant in the 1100 block of Laing Street in Osage City, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742575592185.png" alt="Bent photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Bent photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dennis R. Bent, 74, of Osage City was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of weapons and No drug tax stampShane M. Weller, 36, of Osage City was taken into custody on March 21st on an arrest warrant for Distribution of methamphetamine and requested charges of Distribution of drug paraphernalia, Criminal use of weapons, Defacing identification marks on a firearm, No drug tax stamp and a Johnson County arrest warrant.

74-year-old Kansas man accused of selling methamphetamine

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after suspicious activity near a Kansas park.

Just after 1p.m. On March 17, police were dispatched to the 11300 block of South Cook Street in Olathe regarding suspicious activity, according to Olathe Police Sergeant John Moncayo.

It was reported that a man asked juveniles to enter his vehicle while they were playing at an area park.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Officers arrived and contacted the&nbsp;juveniles and their parent. Officers also checked the area and were unable to locate the vehicle, which was described as a grey or silver 4-door passenger vehicle missing its hubcaps. 

The man was described as being in his 50’s or 60’s, with darker brown skin and short black hair and was last seen wearing a red shirt and dark pants.

This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after suspicious activity near a Kansas park.Just after 1p.m. On March 17, police were dispatched to the 11300 block of South Cook Street in Olathe regarding suspicious activity, according to Olathe Police Sergeant John Moncayo.It was reported that a man asked juveniles to enter his vehicle while they were playing at an area park.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officers arrived and contacted the&nbsp;juveniles and their parent. Officers also checked the area and were unable to locate the vehicle, which was described as a grey or silver 4-door passenger vehicle missing its hubcaps. The man was described as being in his 50’s or 60’s, with darker brown skin and short black hair and was last seen wearing a red shirt and dark pants.This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

Police: Man allegedly asked children to get into his car

KANSAS CITY —At the request of the Kansas City, Missouri police department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol's division of drug and crime control is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Friday.

Just before 5p.m., KCPD officers located a white Hyundai passenger car which had been stolen earlier in the day during a burglary, according to a media release from the MSHP.

KCPD officers initiated a traffic stop on the car near Independence Avenue and Benton Boulevard. The driver refused to stop and fled. A KCPD helicopter in the area quickly located the car. KCPD officers on the ground discontinued any active pursuit of the car. The Hyundai began circling the area and a KCPD officer was able to successfully deploy a tire deflation device.&nbsp; The Hyundai came to a stop near 11th Street and Prospect Avenue where the driver ran from the car. KCPD officers responded to the area and began chasing the suspect on foot. Just after 5p.m. one officer fired shots striking the suspect.&nbsp; The suspect continued to run but was taken into custody a short distance later. 

EMS transported the suspect to a local hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Police recovered a handgun from the scene where the suspect had been shot. No officers were injured. The Patrol is in charge of the investigation. The nane of the suspect and possible charges have not been released.

KANSAS CITY —At the request of the Kansas City, Missouri police department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol's division of drug and crime control is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Friday.Just before 5p.m., KCPD officers located a white Hyundai passenger car which had been stolen earlier in the day during a burglary, according to a media release from the MSHP.KCPD officers initiated a traffic stop on the car near Independence Avenue and Benton Boulevard. The driver refused to stop and fled. A KCPD helicopter in the area quickly located the car. KCPD officers on the ground discontinued any active pursuit of the car. The Hyundai began circling the area and a KCPD officer was able to successfully deploy a tire deflation device.&nbsp; The Hyundai came to a stop near 11th Street and Prospect Avenue where the driver ran from the car. KCPD officers responded to the area and began chasing the suspect on foot. Just after 5p.m. one officer fired shots striking the suspect.&nbsp; The suspect continued to run but was taken into custody a short distance later. EMS transported the suspect to a local hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Police recovered a handgun from the scene where the suspect had been shot. No officers were injured. The Patrol is in charge of the investigation. The nane of the suspect and possible charges have not been released.

Kansas City car theft suspect wounded in police shooting

BUTLER COUNTY —A controlled burn got too close to the Kansas Turnpike late Thursday. The Kansas Highway Patrol shared a&nbsp;midnight view from Master Trooper Zeller and Trooper J. Hill of fire at milepost 84.8 south of the Cassoday exit in Butler County. 

Kansas weather has been crazy the last week with mid-80’s, blizzard conditions, high winds, wildfires, and more. It’s not uncommon to see controlled burns along the turnpike in the spring though. The smoke can create challenges for drivers, so please remember the following safety tips. 

When driving into smoke, turn on your headlights (low-beams). Never use high-beams.&nbsp;Slow down and adjust your speed to the visibility.&nbsp;Increase following distance between vehicles in anticipation of sudden stops or changes in traffic.&nbsp;Do not stop in a travel lane. Find a safe place completely off the roadway and away from other vehicles if you stop. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742564511543.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —A controlled burn got too close to the Kansas Turnpike late Thursday. The Kansas Highway Patrol shared a&nbsp;midnight view from Master Trooper Zeller and Trooper J. Hill of fire at milepost 84.8 south of the Cassoday exit in Butler County. Kansas weather has been crazy the last week with mid-80’s, blizzard conditions, high winds, wildfires, and more. It’s not uncommon to see controlled burns along the turnpike in the spring though. The smoke can create challenges for drivers, so please remember the following safety tips. When driving into smoke, turn on your headlights (low-beams). Never use high-beams.&nbsp;Slow down and adjust your speed to the visibility.&nbsp;Increase following distance between vehicles in anticipation of sudden stops or changes in traffic.&nbsp;Do not stop in a travel lane. Find a safe place completely off the roadway and away from other vehicles if you stop.

KHP: Controlled burn too close to the Kansas Turnpike

KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a death that occurred Friday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas, during a warrant arrest, according to a media release from the KBI.

The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) requested the KBI conduct an investigation on Friday, March 21, at around 4:34 p.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.

At 3:34 p.m., on Friday, March 21, KHP initiated a traffic stop on I-70 near the 7th&nbsp;Street exit to serve an arrest warrant for Daijon Estell, 24. During the stop, a trooper gave verbal commands for Estell to exit the vehicle. Estell did not comply with the commands, and produced a handgun. Estell fired one round, which resulted in a self-inflicted head wound. No law enforcement personnel discharged any firearms during the incident.

Troopers attempted life-saving measures until EMS arrived. At 3:43 p.m., Estell was pronounced deceased. No law enforcement officers were injured.

A small child was in the back seat of Estell’s vehicle. The child was unharmed, and was safely removed from the vehicle. The child was taken by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department to be reunited with other family members.

This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the incident. In use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742643109671.png" alt="Estell from a previous arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Estell from a previous arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a death that occurred Friday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas, during a warrant arrest, according to a media release from the KBI.The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) requested the KBI conduct an investigation on Friday, March 21, at around 4:34 p.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.At 3:34 p.m., on Friday, March 21, KHP initiated a traffic stop on I-70 near the 7th&nbsp;Street exit to serve an arrest warrant for Daijon Estell, 24. During the stop, a trooper gave verbal commands for Estell to exit the vehicle. Estell did not comply with the commands, and produced a handgun. Estell fired one round, which resulted in a self-inflicted head wound. No law enforcement personnel discharged any firearms during the incident.Troopers attempted life-saving measures until EMS arrived. At 3:43 p.m., Estell was pronounced deceased. No law enforcement officers were injured.A small child was in the back seat of Estell’s vehicle. The child was unharmed, and was safely removed from the vehicle. The child was taken by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department to be reunited with other family members.This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the incident. In use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney. The investigation is ongoing.

Police investigate death during a warrant arrest of Kansas man

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City area high school teacher is facing charges for possessing child pornography on a school computer.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2551/MEYER-COMPLAINT-RED">Austin Meyer, a drama teacher at Truman High School, faces</a>&nbsp;11 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, according to Jackson County Prosecutor&nbsp;Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2550/Meyer-Austin---PC-Statement_Redacted">Click here to read the probably cause statement</a>

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2550/Meyer-Austin---PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Independence police were advised by school officials that 11 gigabytes of child pornography had been found on the Meyer's computer. Officers arrested Meyer and he is in custody on a $100,000 cash bond.&nbsp;

The Independence School District announced Meyer was placed on administrative leave due to the criminal investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742506503134.png" alt="Meyer photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Meyer photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City area high school teacher is facing charges for possessing child pornography on a school computer.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2551/MEYER-COMPLAINT-RED">Austin Meyer, a drama teacher at Truman High School, faces</a>&nbsp;11 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, according to Jackson County Prosecutor&nbsp;Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2550/Meyer-Austin---PC-Statement_Redacted">Click here to read the probably cause statement</a><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2550/Meyer-Austin---PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Independence police were advised by school officials that 11 gigabytes of child pornography had been found on the Meyer's computer. Officers arrested Meyer and he is in custody on a $100,000 cash bond.&nbsp;The Independence School District announced Meyer was placed on administrative leave due to the criminal investigation.

KC area teacher had child porn on his school computer

SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 12:05a.m. Friday in Topeka.

A vehicle was northbound in the 1400 Block of SW Wanamaker, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz. The vehicle struck the bridge. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742571842855.png" alt="Police on the scene early Friday- image by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene early Friday- image by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 12:05a.m. Friday in Topeka.A vehicle was northbound in the 1400 Block of SW Wanamaker, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz. The vehicle struck the bridge. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.Police have not released the name of the victim.

One dead after crash into Kansas bridge

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges Thursday against the husband of former Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush alleging he defrauded pandemic-era relief programs.

Cortney Merritts, 46, faces&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/indictment-charges-st-louis-man-covid-fraud" target="_blank">two counts of wire fraud</a>&nbsp;for allegedly filing sham applications in 2020 and 2021 with the Small Business Administration, enabling him to collect money aimed at helping struggling businesses make payroll during the pandemic.

The charges were filed by Ed Martin, a former chairman of the Missouri Republican Party who was appointed a D.C. U.S. attorney position by President Donald Trump.

Merritts’ attorney told St. Louis Public Radio that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/2025-03-20/feds-charge-cori-bushs-husband-with-pandemic-relief-fraud" target="_blank">he intends to plead not guilty</a>.

According to the indictment, Merritts allegedly lied on applications and forged documents in order to receive a bigger loan from COVID-19 relief programs. When one loan was rejected because it was nearly identical to a previous application he submitted, he allegedly applied on behalf of a different business that he claimed he started in 2020.

Federal prosecutors say he recieved a loan for $20,832 that was forgiven by the government.

Bush served two terms representing a St. Louis-based seat in Congress before losing last year in the Democratic primary to Wesley Bell.&nbsp;She is not mentioned or accused of any wrongdoing in the indictment against her husband.

Controversy has swirled around the couple before when Bush hired Merritts as her security guard. A complaint was filed alleging Merritts’ employment with the Bush campaign violated federal law, but it was ultimately dismissed by the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Bush had attracted controversy for using campaign money to hire her husband, Merritts, as her security guard. But the Office of Congressional Ethics dismissed a complaint filed against Bush last fall alleging that her campaign’s employment of Merritts was a violation of federal election law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674158702822.png" alt="File photo&nbsp; Former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Missouri, testifies during a 2021 committee hearing.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo&nbsp; Former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Missouri, testifies during a 2021 committee hearing.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges Thursday against the husband of former Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush alleging he defrauded pandemic-era relief programs.Cortney Merritts, 46, faces&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/indictment-charges-st-louis-man-covid-fraud" target="_blank">two counts of wire fraud</a>&nbsp;for allegedly filing sham applications in 2020 and 2021 with the Small Business Administration, enabling him to collect money aimed at helping struggling businesses make payroll during the pandemic.The charges were filed by Ed Martin, a former chairman of the Missouri Republican Party who was appointed a D.C. U.S. attorney position by President Donald Trump.Merritts’ attorney told St. Louis Public Radio that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/2025-03-20/feds-charge-cori-bushs-husband-with-pandemic-relief-fraud" target="_blank">he intends to plead not guilty</a>.According to the indictment, Merritts allegedly lied on applications and forged documents in order to receive a bigger loan from COVID-19 relief programs. When one loan was rejected because it was nearly identical to a previous application he submitted, he allegedly applied on behalf of a different business that he claimed he started in 2020.Federal prosecutors say he recieved a loan for $20,832 that was forgiven by the government.Bush served two terms representing a St. Louis-based seat in Congress before losing last year in the Democratic primary to Wesley Bell.&nbsp;She is not mentioned or accused of any wrongdoing in the indictment against her husband.Controversy has swirled around the couple before when Bush hired Merritts as her security guard. A complaint was filed alleging Merritts’ employment with the Bush campaign violated federal law, but it was ultimately dismissed by the Office of Congressional Ethics.Bush had attracted controversy for using campaign money to hire her husband, Merritts, as her security guard. But the Office of Congressional Ethics dismissed a complaint filed against Bush last fall alleging that her campaign’s employment of Merritts was a violation of federal election law.

Husband of former Mo. Congresswoman Cori Bush charged with COVID fraud

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 22-year-old Dayteonna&nbsp;Thompson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a disturbance at an apartment in the 600 block of E Minor Drive in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.

On arrival officers were directed to an apartment unit where they located two adult women inside with unknown injuries. One of the women was alert and talking with what appeared to be minor injuries and another was unresponsive with significant injuries.

Based on preliminary information obtained by the initial responding officers, additional responding officers were able to locate a male subject of interest and take him into custody, for further investigation, a short distance away within the apartment complex.

Initial officers rendered aid to the injured victims and called for EMS who transported both the victims to the hospital for treatment. The female victim with significant injuries later identified as Thompson was pronounced&nbsp; deceased at the hospital. The second woman was treated for what is believed to be non life threatening injuries.

Based on preliminary information it is believed the male subject of interest is known to the women.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 22-year-old Dayteonna&nbsp;Thompson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a disturbance at an apartment in the 600 block of E Minor Drive in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.On arrival officers were directed to an apartment unit where they located two adult women inside with unknown injuries. One of the women was alert and talking with what appeared to be minor injuries and another was unresponsive with significant injuries.Based on preliminary information obtained by the initial responding officers, additional responding officers were able to locate a male subject of interest and take him into custody, for further investigation, a short distance away within the apartment complex.Initial officers rendered aid to the injured victims and called for EMS who transported both the victims to the hospital for treatment. The female victim with significant injuries later identified as Thompson was pronounced&nbsp; deceased at the hospital. The second woman was treated for what is believed to be non life threatening injuries.Based on preliminary information it is believed the male subject of interest is known to the women.

Police ID woman who died in KC apartment disturbance

DOUGLAS COUNTY—The search continues for the&nbsp;driver who fled from an attempted vehicle stop Wednesday night leading to a pursuit through a Lawrence, Kansas, neighborhood before the driver struck a concrete barrier at Sixth Street and Schwarz Road, according to a social media report from the Douglas County Sheriff.

Just before 10p.m. Wednesday, a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy recognized the driver as someone with outstanding warrants and attempted to stop the vehicle near West Seventh Street and Lawrence Avenue before the driver fled in a 2004 Cadillac DeVille.&nbsp;

Striking the barrier deflated a tire on the vehicle, and the driver ran from the scene through backyards between residences in the 500 block of Schwarz Road. Lawrence police officers assisted deputies in searching the area, including using a drone and K-9.

Law enforcement did not locate the suspect. Deputies did identify the suspect and planned to submit an affidavit to prosecutors related to charges for felony fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement related to the pursuit.

Deputies took one passenger in the DeVille, a 21-year-old Lawrence man, into custody on warrants outside of Douglas County.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the suspects.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—The search continues for the&nbsp;driver who fled from an attempted vehicle stop Wednesday night leading to a pursuit through a Lawrence, Kansas, neighborhood before the driver struck a concrete barrier at Sixth Street and Schwarz Road, according to a social media report from the Douglas County Sheriff.Just before 10p.m. Wednesday, a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy recognized the driver as someone with outstanding warrants and attempted to stop the vehicle near West Seventh Street and Lawrence Avenue before the driver fled in a 2004 Cadillac DeVille.&nbsp;Striking the barrier deflated a tire on the vehicle, and the driver ran from the scene through backyards between residences in the 500 block of Schwarz Road. Lawrence police officers assisted deputies in searching the area, including using a drone and K-9.Law enforcement did not locate the suspect. Deputies did identify the suspect and planned to submit an affidavit to prosecutors related to charges for felony fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement related to the pursuit.Deputies took one passenger in the DeVille, a 21-year-old Lawrence man, into custody on warrants outside of Douglas County.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the suspects.

Kansas suspect at large after running from police chase, crash

WASHINGTON —The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in Middle East, pursue its nuclear program, and support its terrorist proxies.&nbsp; Iran’s oil exports are enabled by a network of illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State.

On Thursday, the United States announced it is taking action under National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2, President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran.&nbsp; This action marks the fourth round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales to stop the flow of revenue the regime uses to fund their destabilizing activities.&nbsp; The Department of State is imposing sanctions on one entity engaged in the acquisition of Iranian petroleum.&nbsp; This target is being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes and reimposes certain sanctions with respect to Iran.&nbsp; In a separate action, the Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on 19 entities and vessels pursuant to E.O. 13902, which targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors.

Specifically, the Department of State is taking action against a crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal in the port of Huizhou in China.&nbsp; The terminal received and stored Iranian-origin crude oil onboard a blocked tanker.&nbsp; Crude oil and petroleum products terminals based in China serve as the gateway for Iranian petroleum products to enter the Chinese market.&nbsp; As China is the largest importer of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, terminals in China play a critical role in supporting Iran’s efforts to maintain revenues from its energy exports and fuel its destabilizing activities.

The Department is designating the following entity pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran:

As a result of today’s sanctions-related actions, and in accordance with E.O. 13846, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).&nbsp; Additionally, all entities and individuals that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.

All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt.&nbsp; These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of U.S. government sanctions derive not only from the U.S. government’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.

WASHINGTON —The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in Middle East, pursue its nuclear program, and support its terrorist proxies.&nbsp; Iran’s oil exports are enabled by a network of illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State.On Thursday, the United States announced it is taking action under National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2, President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran.&nbsp; This action marks the fourth round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales to stop the flow of revenue the regime uses to fund their destabilizing activities.&nbsp; The Department of State is imposing sanctions on one entity engaged in the acquisition of Iranian petroleum.&nbsp; This target is being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes and reimposes certain sanctions with respect to Iran.&nbsp; In a separate action, the Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on 19 entities and vessels pursuant to E.O. 13902, which targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors.Specifically, the Department of State is taking action against a crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal in the port of Huizhou in China.&nbsp; The terminal received and stored Iranian-origin crude oil onboard a blocked tanker.&nbsp; Crude oil and petroleum products terminals based in China serve as the gateway for Iranian petroleum products to enter the Chinese market.&nbsp; As China is the largest importer of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, terminals in China play a critical role in supporting Iran’s efforts to maintain revenues from its energy exports and fuel its destabilizing activities.The Department is designating the following entity pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran:<ul>
 <li>HUAYING HUIZHOU DAYA BAY PETROCHEMICAL TERMINAL STORAGE CO., LTD (HUAYING PETROCHEMICAL)&nbsp;knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the acquisition of crude oil from Iran in late January 2025, when the U.S.-designated tanker, formerly SPIRIT OF CASPER, also known as NICHOLA, offloaded approximately one million barrels of Iranian-origin crude oil at the Huaying Daya Bay terminal, a China-based petroleum products storage terminal that is owned and operated by HUAYING PETROCHEMICAL.</li><li>NICHOLA, which was added to the SDN List in October 2024 in connection with transporting multiple shipments of Iranian oil to China-based refineries, loaded Iranian-origin petroleum in December 2024, when it engaged in a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer in the eastern outer port limits near Singapore with U.S.-designated SALINA, an Iran-flagged tanker associated with the U.S.-designated NATIONAL IRANIAN TANKER COMPANY (NITC). At the time of the transfer, SALINA was laden with petroleum from Kharg Island, Iran, which it had loaded a month earlier in November 2024.</li><li>Several days before the NICHOLA arrived at the Huaying terminal, multiple sources reported that the vessel was laden with Iranian-origin petroleum. On January 22, 2025, HUAYING PETROCHEMICAL received NICHOLA at its petroleum products berth, where the vessel subsequently discharged approximately one million barrels of Iranian crude oil.&nbsp; Since March 2021, HUAYING PETROCHEMICAL has received at least nine shipments of Iranian petroleum at its terminal facility, seven of which came from the U.S.-designated NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL COMPANY).</li>
 </ul>SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONSAs a result of today’s sanctions-related actions, and in accordance with E.O. 13846, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).&nbsp; Additionally, all entities and individuals that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt.&nbsp; These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.The power and integrity of U.S. government sanctions derive not only from the U.S. government’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.

U.S. sanctions additional entities that trade in Iran’s oil exports

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man who was shot by police this week after he struck a patrol car while attempting to flee law enforcement is facing multiple charges, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2548/BEEBE-Complaint-RED">Robert Beebe, 35, faces</a>&nbsp;Resisting a Lawful Stop, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, according&nbsp; to Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2549/BEEBE-PC-RED">According to court records</a>, Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers were following a black Infiniti Tuesday evening that had previously eluded them. Troopers followed the vehicle until it reached state line. The passenger of the Infiniti bailed from the vehicle and was taken into custody. The driver of the Infiniti, later identified as Beebe was observed driving in a careless manner, according to Kansas City police helicopter footage. The driver drove into oncoming traffic and failed to stop at multiple traffic control devices.&nbsp;

The Infiniti then pulled into a parking lot on the 1600 block of Jefferson Street. A patrol vehicle attempted to conduct a car check of the vehicle. Witnesses, one of whom was participating in a police ride-along, said the officers identified themselves during the car check and requested the defendant to exit the vehicle. The defendant then hit the police car as he backed out and he revved its engine as if to strike the vehicle again. A witness said he believed the Infiniti was driving in the direction of an officer. Police fired at the vehicle, hitting Beebe who was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries.&nbsp;

A stolen firearm was recovered from the Infiniti’s front driver side floorboard, loaded with live rounds. Beebe is currently on probation for Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. He&nbsp;is being held on a $50,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742379426063.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man who was shot by police this week after he struck a patrol car while attempting to flee law enforcement is facing multiple charges, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2548/BEEBE-Complaint-RED">Robert Beebe, 35, faces</a>&nbsp;Resisting a Lawful Stop, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, according&nbsp; to Johnson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742508983473.png" alt="Beebe photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Beebe photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2549/BEEBE-PC-RED">According to court records</a>, Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers were following a black Infiniti Tuesday evening that had previously eluded them. Troopers followed the vehicle until it reached state line. The passenger of the Infiniti bailed from the vehicle and was taken into custody. The driver of the Infiniti, later identified as Beebe was observed driving in a careless manner, according to Kansas City police helicopter footage. The driver drove into oncoming traffic and failed to stop at multiple traffic control devices.&nbsp;The Infiniti then pulled into a parking lot on the 1600 block of Jefferson Street. A patrol vehicle attempted to conduct a car check of the vehicle. Witnesses, one of whom was participating in a police ride-along, said the officers identified themselves during the car check and requested the defendant to exit the vehicle. The defendant then hit the police car as he backed out and he revved its engine as if to strike the vehicle again. A witness said he believed the Infiniti was driving in the direction of an officer. Police fired at the vehicle, hitting Beebe who was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries.&nbsp;A stolen firearm was recovered from the Infiniti’s front driver side floorboard, loaded with live rounds. Beebe is currently on probation for Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. He&nbsp;is being held on a $50,000 bond.

Man shot by KCPD after striking patrol vehicle moved from hospital to jail

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — In a sweeping executive order signed Thursday, President Donald Trump called on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/protesters-rally-against-sweeping-cuts-us-education-department" target="_blank">Education Department</a>.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/improving-education-outcomes-by-empowering-parents-states-and-communities/" target="_blank">signed the order</a>&nbsp;at a major White House ceremony, flanked by children seated at desks. It directs McMahon to “return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”

Trump spoke to an audience packed with top GOP state officials, and he cited Republican Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas, Mike Braun of Indiana, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Brad Little of Idaho, Jim Pillen of Nebraska and Mike DeWine of Ohio.

Deena Bishop, commissioner of Alaska’s&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-board-of-education-and-early-development-selects-new-commissioner/" target="_blank">Department of Education and Early Development</a>, was slated to attend, though she was not cited by Trump.

“After 45 years, the United States spends more money in education by far than any other country and spends, likewise, by far, more money per pupil than any country, and it’s not even close, but yet we rank near the bottom of the list in terms of success,” Trump said at the brief ceremony.&nbsp;

GOP Reps. Tim Walberg of Michigan and Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the respective current and former chairs of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, were also in attendance.&nbsp;

The children each signed their own individual executive orders, proudly displaying them alongside Trump.&nbsp;

The order, which is sure to draw legal challenges, “also directs that programs or activities receiving any remaining Department of Education funds will not advance DEI or gender ideology,” referring to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Widespread reports ahead of the signing drew intense blowback from leading education groups, labor unions and congressional Democrats.

Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, noted that the department “was founded in part to guarantee the enforcement of students’ civil rights” in a statement Thursday.

“Legality aside, dismantling (the department) will exacerbate existing disparities, reduce accountability, and put low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, rural students, and English as a Second Language (ESL) students at risk,” the Virginia Democrat added.&nbsp;

The department’s many responsibilities include administering federal student aid, carrying out civil rights investigations, providing Title I funding for low-income school districts and guaranteeing a free public education for children with disabilities via the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.

Following the signing, McMahon clarified in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/statement-president-trumps-executive-order-return-power-over-education-states-and-local-communities" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that “closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them — we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs.”

“We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition,” McMahon said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742504343223.png" alt="Image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — In a sweeping executive order signed Thursday, President Donald Trump called on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/protesters-rally-against-sweeping-cuts-us-education-department" target="_blank">Education Department</a>.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/improving-education-outcomes-by-empowering-parents-states-and-communities/" target="_blank">signed the order</a>&nbsp;at a major White House ceremony, flanked by children seated at desks. It directs McMahon to “return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”Trump spoke to an audience packed with top GOP state officials, and he cited Republican Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas, Mike Braun of Indiana, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Brad Little of Idaho, Jim Pillen of Nebraska and Mike DeWine of Ohio.Deena Bishop, commissioner of Alaska’s&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-board-of-education-and-early-development-selects-new-commissioner/" target="_blank">Department of Education and Early Development</a>, was slated to attend, though she was not cited by Trump.“After 45 years, the United States spends more money in education by far than any other country and spends, likewise, by far, more money per pupil than any country, and it’s not even close, but yet we rank near the bottom of the list in terms of success,” Trump said at the brief ceremony.&nbsp;GOP Reps. Tim Walberg of Michigan and Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the respective current and former chairs of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, were also in attendance.&nbsp;The children each signed their own individual executive orders, proudly displaying them alongside Trump.&nbsp;The order, which is sure to draw legal challenges, “also directs that programs or activities receiving any remaining Department of Education funds will not advance DEI or gender ideology,” referring to diversity, equity and inclusion.Widespread reports ahead of the signing drew intense blowback from leading education groups, labor unions and congressional Democrats.Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, noted that the department “was founded in part to guarantee the enforcement of students’ civil rights” in a statement Thursday.“Legality aside, dismantling (the department) will exacerbate existing disparities, reduce accountability, and put low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, rural students, and English as a Second Language (ESL) students at risk,” the Virginia Democrat added.&nbsp;<h2>Title I, IDEA funds&nbsp;</h2>The department’s many responsibilities include administering federal student aid, carrying out civil rights investigations, providing Title I funding for low-income school districts and guaranteeing a free public education for children with disabilities via the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.Following the signing, McMahon clarified in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/statement-president-trumps-executive-order-return-power-over-education-states-and-local-communities" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that “closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them — we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs.”“We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition,” McMahon said.&nbsp;Trump’s long-held campaign promise to move education “back to the states” comes despite much of the funding and oversight of schools already occurring at the state and local levels. The department also legally cannot dictate the curriculum of schools across the country.Congress has the sole authority to shut down the department, and any bill to completely close the agency would face extreme difficulties getting through the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, with at least 60 senators needed to advance past the filibuster.However, it could be possible for the administration to take significant actions short of closure, such as moving some Education Department functions to other agencies.The agency has an annual budget of $79 billion in discretionary spending, or funds appropriated yearly by Congress.&nbsp;<h2>Layoffs, buyouts</h2>The department has already witnessed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/advocates-brace-trump-cuts-education-department-step-toward-elimination" target="_blank">mass layoffs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/elon-musks-doge-targets-us-department-education-millions-funding-cuts" target="_blank">contract cuts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/28/education-department-quit-00206765" target="_blank">staff buyouts</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-threatens-yanking-funds-schools-use-race-decisions" target="_blank">major policy changes</a>&nbsp;in the weeks since Trump took office.Earlier in March, the department announced that more than 1,300 employees&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-cut-hundreds-staff-members" target="_blank">would be cut</a>&nbsp;through a “<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force-rif/" target="_blank">reduction in force</a>” process — sparking concerns across the country over how the mass layoffs would impact the agency’s abilities to carry out its core functions.The department had 4,133 employees when Trump took office, but the cuts brought the total number of workers remaining down to roughly 2,183.A group of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-attorneys-general-sue-trump-over-us-education-department-layoffs" target="_blank">21 Democratic attorneys general</a>&nbsp;quickly sued over that effort and asked a federal court in Massachusetts to block the department from implementing the “reduction in force” action and Trump’s “directive to dismantle the Department of Education.”<h2>Lawsuit incoming</h2>Opponents of the closure said it’s one more example of how Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, head of the temporary U.S. DOGE Service, are seeking to destroy the federal government as they reduce the workforce and spending.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742508632556.png" alt="From left, Olivia Sawyer and Jeremy Bauer-Wolf protest the U.S. Education Department’s mass layoffs during a “honk-a-thon” and rally March 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>From left, Olivia Sawyer and Jeremy Bauer-Wolf protest the U.S. Education Department’s mass layoffs during a “honk-a-thon” and rally March 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have aimed their wrecking ball at public schools and the futures of the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across America, by dismantling public education to pay for tax handouts for billionaires,” said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, in a Wednesday night&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/nea-president-trumps-continued-actions-will-hurt-all-students" target="_blank">statement</a>.“Now, Trump is at it again with his latest effort to gut the Department of Education programs that support every student across the nation,” added Pringle, who leads the largest labor union in the country.“If successful, Trump’s continued actions will hurt all students by sending class sizes soaring, cutting job training programs, making higher education more expensive and out of reach for middle class families, taking away special education services for students with disabilities, and gutting student civil rights protections,” she said.Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, one of the largest teachers unions in the country, kept her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aft.org/press-release/afts-weingarten-responds-trumps-attempt-eliminate-federal-role-education" target="_blank">response</a>&nbsp;to reports of the forthcoming order succinct.“See you in court,” she said.&nbsp;