By:&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/michelle/">Michelle Griffith</a><br><a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials of the past decade, died on Saturday morning after a man impersonating a police officer shot her in her Brooklyn Park home, Gov. Tim Walz said.

Hortman’s husband was also shot and killed, the governor said.

&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)

Walz, appearing emotional at a press conference in the north metro, said they were killed in an apparent “politically motivated assassination.”

“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz said. “(Hortman) was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota.”

Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times earlier in the evening in their Champlin home. Walz said they were out of surgery, and that he’s “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said Champlin law enforcement received a call at about 2 a.m. that a person shot Hoffman and his wife.&nbsp;

Brooklyn Park Police Department Chief Mark Bruley said his officers assisted with the Champlin shooting; a sergeant suggested checking in on Hortman’s home. They live about five to eight miles away from each other. When Brooklyn Park police officers arrived at Hortman’s home, they encountered a person who was dressed like a police officer who “immediately fired at them,” Evans said. Police exchanged gunfire with the person, but they were able to escape.

The shooter is still at large, and Brooklyn Park is under a shelter-in-place order. Hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams are conducting a manhunt for the person, officials said.

Bruley said that when they arrived at Hortman’s home, they saw a police SUV with its lights on and saw the suspect was impersonating a police officer.

In the SUV, police found a “manifesto,” with a list of lawmakers and other officials on it. Hortman and Hoffman were on the list.

Hortman, who has two adult children, was first elected to the Legislature 2004 and served as House Speaker from 2019-2024. She lost two elections before winning, which she said gave her an understanding of what it takes to win swing seats and hold them.

Her speakership will be remembered as among the most consequential in recent Minnesota political history. With Walz and Senate GOP Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, she guided the state through the pandemic before helping Democrats achieve a trifecta in the 2022 election.

During the 2023 legislative session, she helped bridge the wide gulf between moderates and progressives in her caucus to achieve a historic legislative agenda. Democrats codified abortion rights in law; invested in education, including universal schools meals, as well as transportation and housing; created paid family leave; legalized cannabis; and passed gun control laws.

The encomiums poured in Saturday. “There is no greater champion for Minnesota’s working people than Melissa Hortman,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, the laborers union.

Hoffman was elected in 2012 and is known for his work on human services.

The<i>&nbsp;Reformer</i>&nbsp;sat down with Hortman at the Capitol on Thursday to discuss the 2025 session, which ended on Monday.

During his remarks Saturday, Walz denounced political violence and said the people involved in the shooting would be caught and held responsible.

<i></i>“This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint,” Walz said.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, who worked closely with Hortman in the Legislature to negotiate a state budget this year, said she was horrified by Hortman’s murder.

“I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Demuth said in a statement.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749912930519.png" alt="Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/michelle/">Michelle Griffith</a><br><a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a></p><p>House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials of the past decade, died on Saturday morning after a man impersonating a police officer shot her in her Brooklyn Park home, Gov. Tim Walz said.</p><p>Hortman’s husband was also shot and killed, the governor said.</p><p>&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VHtHNAbFnow?si=bDqgF_TC1GA4uEsT&amp;start=29" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Statement from President Donald J. Trump<br><br>I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be…</p>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1933910353718497656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The FBI is fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.</p>&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1933903879042728255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2></h2><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749913092402.png" alt="Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman -photo courtesy Minnesota Senate" />
                        <figcaption>Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman -photo courtesy Minnesota Senate</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Walz, appearing emotional at a press conference in the north metro, said they were killed in an apparent “politically motivated assassination.”</p><p>“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz said. “(Hortman) was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota.”</p><p>Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times earlier in the evening in their Champlin home. Walz said they were out of surgery, and that he’s “cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”</p><p>Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said Champlin law enforcement received a call at about 2 a.m. that a person shot Hoffman and his wife.&nbsp;</p><p>Brooklyn Park Police Department Chief Mark Bruley said his officers assisted with the Champlin shooting; a sergeant suggested checking in on Hortman’s home. They live about five to eight miles away from each other. When Brooklyn Park police officers arrived at Hortman’s home, they encountered a person who was dressed like a police officer who “immediately fired at them,” Evans said. Police exchanged gunfire with the person, but they were able to escape.</p><p>The shooter is still at large, and Brooklyn Park is under a shelter-in-place order. Hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams are conducting a manhunt for the person, officials said.</p><p>Bruley said that when they arrived at Hortman’s home, they saw a police SUV with its lights on and saw the suspect was impersonating a police officer.</p><p>In the SUV, police found a “manifesto,” with a list of lawmakers and other officials on it. Hortman and Hoffman were on the list.</p><p>Hortman, who has two adult children, was first elected to the Legislature 2004 and served as House Speaker from 2019-2024. She lost two elections before winning, which she said gave her an understanding of what it takes to win swing seats and hold them.</p><p>Her speakership will be remembered as among the most consequential in recent Minnesota political history. With Walz and Senate GOP Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, she guided the state through the pandemic before helping Democrats achieve a trifecta in the 2022 election.</p><p>During the 2023 legislative session, she helped bridge the wide gulf between moderates and progressives in her caucus to achieve a historic legislative agenda. Democrats codified abortion rights in law; invested in education, including universal schools meals, as well as transportation and housing; created paid family leave; legalized cannabis; and passed gun control laws.</p><p>The encomiums poured in Saturday. “There is no greater champion for Minnesota’s working people than Melissa Hortman,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, the laborers union.</p><p>Hoffman was elected in 2012 and is known for his work on human services.</p><p>The<i>&nbsp;Reformer</i>&nbsp;sat down with Hortman at the Capitol on Thursday to discuss the 2025 session, which ended on Monday.</p><p>During his remarks Saturday, Walz denounced political violence and said the people involved in the shooting would be caught and held responsible.</p><p><i></i>“This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint,” Walz said.</p><p>House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, who worked closely with Hortman in the Legislature to negotiate a state budget this year, said she was horrified by Hortman’s murder.</p><p>“I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Demuth said in a statement.</p>

🎥Two Minnesota lawmakers shot in their homes in a targeted attack

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting at&nbsp; 35th and Prospect, according to KCKPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

First responders were directed to the gas station parking lot. They located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers began performing live saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. On scene officers located a total of four victims. An adult female victim had critical injuries, one adult male victim had critical injuries, and two adult male victims had non life threatening injuries, according to DiMartino.

 All of the victims were transported to local hospitals. The adult female victim was pronounced deceased a short time later by medical personnel.

Additional officers responded to a separate shooting, a short distance away, in the 2000 block of East Linwood where an adult male victim was located. 

It was determined the victim was related to the scene at 35th and Prospect. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody at this point, according to DiMartino.

Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749904887891.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.</p><p>Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting at&nbsp; 35th and Prospect, according to KCKPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749903126084.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>First responders were directed to the gas station parking lot. They located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers began performing live saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. On scene officers located a total of four victims. An adult female victim had critical injuries, one adult male victim had critical injuries, and two adult male victims had non life threatening injuries, according to DiMartino.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749903072954.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p> All of the victims were transported to local hospitals. The adult female victim was pronounced deceased a short time later by medical personnel.</p><p>Additional officers responded to a separate shooting, a short distance away, in the 2000 block of East Linwood where an adult male victim was located. </p><p>It was determined the victim was related to the scene at 35th and Prospect. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.</p><p>This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody at this point, according to DiMartino.</p><p>Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.</p>

5 victims, 1 dead in Kansas City shooting

On Friday in Leavenworth, Governor Kelly joined military leaders, families, and Kansans to celebrate and proclaim the Army’s 250th birthday.

The proclamation signing was hosted by the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USACAC?__cft__[0]=AZXRIXaKOEQSQ5Zw2xzfiP01m9mWu7zC24rsRnOJQa1lM2-SH8nayKW-0k8Eh47lG0caQeRRtoupGttvEWZwe6TWnhytSd99q21q5dfLE5RX6zUpO2HcSDrXGNne_WTAICty-LaP9OPXg8N8pZyM3_GDW1EUbptN2DKluJvw049dh2_9T1or7aLH8uU9IoSEALYREEGOBPee9_EjLpy8LxBOQ7PmeNBjyfgwdQsxugmnWg&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">U.S. Army Combined Arms Center</a> commanding general Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn F. Carns and honored the US Army's birthday on June 14 and celebrated <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USAGLeavenworth?__cft__[0]=AZXRIXaKOEQSQ5Zw2xzfiP01m9mWu7zC24rsRnOJQa1lM2-SH8nayKW-0k8Eh47lG0caQeRRtoupGttvEWZwe6TWnhytSd99q21q5dfLE5RX6zUpO2HcSDrXGNne_WTAICty-LaP9OPXg8N8pZyM3_GDW1EUbptN2DKluJvw049dh2_9T1or7aLH8uU9IoSEALYREEGOBPee9_EjLpy8LxBOQ7PmeNBjyfgwdQsxugmnWg&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Fort Leavenworth</a>'s partnership with the state of Kansas.

On social media Gov. Kelly wrote, "Our state has a proud tradition of service, and today's event was a reminder to honor all who have worn the uniform to defend our freedom."

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749832294427.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>On Friday in Leavenworth, Governor Kelly joined military leaders, families, and Kansans to celebrate and proclaim the Army’s 250th birthday.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUSAGLeavenworth%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0utdvnD8AFcxDCwm6s6x2gyvmSWCr5psbMx39NQNz6F42JZ3TMJJ4LCcpBajvg6ql&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="759" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><p>The proclamation signing was hosted by the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USACAC?__cft__[0]=AZXRIXaKOEQSQ5Zw2xzfiP01m9mWu7zC24rsRnOJQa1lM2-SH8nayKW-0k8Eh47lG0caQeRRtoupGttvEWZwe6TWnhytSd99q21q5dfLE5RX6zUpO2HcSDrXGNne_WTAICty-LaP9OPXg8N8pZyM3_GDW1EUbptN2DKluJvw049dh2_9T1or7aLH8uU9IoSEALYREEGOBPee9_EjLpy8LxBOQ7PmeNBjyfgwdQsxugmnWg&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">U.S. Army Combined Arms Center</a> commanding general Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn F. Carns and honored the US Army's birthday on June 14 and celebrated <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USAGLeavenworth?__cft__[0]=AZXRIXaKOEQSQ5Zw2xzfiP01m9mWu7zC24rsRnOJQa1lM2-SH8nayKW-0k8Eh47lG0caQeRRtoupGttvEWZwe6TWnhytSd99q21q5dfLE5RX6zUpO2HcSDrXGNne_WTAICty-LaP9OPXg8N8pZyM3_GDW1EUbptN2DKluJvw049dh2_9T1or7aLH8uU9IoSEALYREEGOBPee9_EjLpy8LxBOQ7PmeNBjyfgwdQsxugmnWg&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Fort Leavenworth</a>'s partnership with the state of Kansas.</p><p>On social media Gov. Kelly wrote, "Our state has a proud tradition of service, and today's event was a reminder to honor all who have worn the uniform to defend our freedom."</p>

Governor Laura Kelly celebrates Army’s 250th birthday

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A man was initially occupying a black GMC Sierra pickup in a lane of traffic on eastbound Interstate 70, just west of Blue Ridge Cutoff, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil Dimartino. A white Freightliner truck, tractor and flatbed trailer was behind the GMC. The semi driver was attempting to change lanes and make his way across traffic.

 For unknown reasons, the pedestrian exited his GMC Sierra&nbsp; in the middle of rush hour traffic and attempted to enter the cab of the semi. The truck driver began to slowly pull forward in an attempt to exit the area while the pedestrian was running alongside the flatbed trailer of the truck. 

The pedestrian then attempted to jump on to the trailer, grabbing a retention strap as the trailer was moving. The pedestrian lost his grip and fell to the roadway. The rear axle of the trailer ran over the pedestrian before the truck driver could get his vehicle stopped. 

The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured in the collision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All lanes of eastbound Interstate 70 were closed to traffic at Interstate 435 for approximately two and a half hours, according to DiMartino.&nbsp;This is fatality #32 compared to #47 at this time in 2024. The name of the victim has not been released.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749867561239.png" alt="View from KC Scout camera Friday afternoon" />
                        <figcaption>View from KC Scout camera Friday afternoon</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.</p><p>A man was initially occupying a black GMC Sierra pickup in a lane of traffic on eastbound Interstate 70, just west of Blue Ridge Cutoff, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil Dimartino. A white Freightliner truck, tractor and flatbed trailer was behind the GMC. The semi driver was attempting to change lanes and make his way across traffic.</p><p> For unknown reasons, the pedestrian exited his GMC Sierra&nbsp; in the middle of rush hour traffic and attempted to enter the cab of the semi. The truck driver began to slowly pull forward in an attempt to exit the area while the pedestrian was running alongside the flatbed trailer of the truck. </p><p>The pedestrian then attempted to jump on to the trailer, grabbing a retention strap as the trailer was moving. The pedestrian lost his grip and fell to the roadway. The rear axle of the trailer ran over the pedestrian before the truck driver could get his vehicle stopped. </p><p>The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured in the collision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All lanes of eastbound Interstate 70 were closed to traffic at Interstate 435 for approximately two and a half hours, according to DiMartino.&nbsp;This is fatality #32 compared to #47 at this time in 2024. The name of the victim has not been released.</p>

Trailer ran over driver who exited his pickup on I-70 in rush hour traffic

RILEY COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause a fire at Walmart.

Just before 5p.m. on Friday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to a fire reported at Walmart,&nbsp;  101 Bluemont Avenue, according to a media relase.

 Upon arrival, crews found people evacuating and light smoke showing at the doors. Employees were extinguishing the fire as crews arrived at the middle of the store where the fire occurred.&nbsp;

Crews ensured that extinguishment was complete by overhauling the area and taking smoldering material outside. 

Just before 7p.m., Walmart was still closed while fire crews evacuate smoke from inside the building.No injuries were reported. The fire loss is not yet available, but it is expected to be considerable due to smoke damage throughout the building.&nbsp; 

.Riley County Police Department, Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, and Pottawatomie County EMS responded to assist.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749858992718.png" alt="-Photos Manhattan Fire Department" />
                        <figcaption>-Photos Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>RILEY COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause a fire at Walmart.</p><p>Just before 5p.m. on Friday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to a fire reported at Walmart,&nbsp;  101 Bluemont Avenue, according to a media relase.</p><p> Upon arrival, crews found people evacuating and light smoke showing at the doors. Employees were extinguishing the fire as crews arrived at the middle of the store where the fire occurred.&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749858971784.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Crews ensured that extinguishment was complete by overhauling the area and taking smoldering material outside. </p><p>Just before 7p.m., Walmart was still closed while fire crews evacuate smoke from inside the building.No injuries were reported. The fire loss is not yet available, but it is expected to be considerable due to smoke damage throughout the building.&nbsp; </p><p>.Riley County Police Department, Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, and Pottawatomie County EMS responded to assist.</p>

Kansas Walmart store evacuated due to fire

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 62-year-old Terry L. Jerry, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just before 7a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 3400 block of Broadway on a medical call with EMS.

Caller was security in the area and they saw a person, latr identified a Jerry, unresponsive in a parking lot behind the address. On arrival officers were led to a parking lot to the west of the address where they located the victim unresponsive on the sidewalk with what appeared to be significant unknown injuries.

Officers called for EMS who declared the Jerry deceased at the scene. 

Homicide detectives are investigating, along with crime scene investigators, and representatives from the medical examiners office. Police have not reported suspect details or an arrest.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749754590674.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 62-year-old Terry L. Jerry, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.</p><p>Just before 7a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 3400 block of Broadway on a medical call with EMS.</p><p>Caller was security in the area and they saw a person, latr identified a Jerry, unresponsive in a parking lot behind the address. On arrival officers were led to a parking lot to the west of the address where they located the victim unresponsive on the sidewalk with what appeared to be significant unknown injuries.</p><p>Officers called for EMS who declared the Jerry deceased at the scene. </p><p>Homicide detectives are investigating, along with crime scene investigators, and representatives from the medical examiners office. Police have not reported suspect details or an arrest.</p>

KCPD: Homicide victim found by security guard was  62-year-old man

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual, as well as the recovery of the FBI Special Agent's badge.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Francisco Field Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the individual responsible for assaulting federal officers and&nbsp;the theft of government property on June 10, 2025, in Concord, California.&nbsp;

 The government property stolen is identified as a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent's badge.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field/" target="_blank">local FBI office</a>, the nearest&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/legat/" target="_blank">American Embassy or Consulate</a>,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/?fugitive_name=ASSAULT+ON+FEDERAL+OFFICERS&amp;fugitive_type=fbi" target="_blank">Click here to submit an anonymous Tip online</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749737519541.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual, as well as the recovery of the FBI Special Agent's badge.</p><p>The Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Francisco Field Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the individual responsible for assaulting federal officers and&nbsp;the theft of government property on June 10, 2025, in Concord, California.&nbsp;</p><p> The government property stolen is identified as a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent's badge.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field/" target="_blank">local FBI office</a>, the nearest&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/legat/" target="_blank">American Embassy or Consulate</a>,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/?fugitive_name=ASSAULT+ON+FEDERAL+OFFICERS&amp;fugitive_type=fbi" target="_blank">Click here to submit an anonymous Tip online</a></p>

Reward for information in theft of  FBI Special Agent's badge 

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">See below for my statement in advance of this weekend&#39;s planned demonstrations across Kansas. <a href="https://t.co/KYKuAR6wNb">pic.twitter.com/KYKuAR6wNb</a></p>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1933641717493772647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Read: Gov. Kelly's statement in advance of weekend demonstrations across Kansas

The lithium-ion battery in the power bank can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers, according to a statement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Anker Innovations for instructions on receiving a free replacement power bank. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.anker.com/product-recalls">https://www.anker.com/product-recalls</a>&nbsp;to register for the recall. To receive a replacement, consumers will be required to submit a photo of their recalled power bank showing the model number, serial number, their name, the date of the photograph, and the word “recalled” written on the power bank in permanent marker. A purchase receipt will be requested but will not be required to participate in the recall. Consumers will also be required to confirm disposal of the power bank in accordance with applicable laws and regulations before receiving a replacement.

Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus">https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus</a>E-mail:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:support@anker.com">support@anker.com</a>Phone: (800) 988-7973

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749829397297.png" alt="&nbsp;Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank -photo U.S. CPSC&nbsp;" />
                        <figcaption>&nbsp;Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank -photo U.S. CPSC&nbsp;</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The lithium-ion battery in the power bank can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers, according to a statement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.</p><p>Remedy:</p><p>Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Anker Innovations for instructions on receiving a free replacement power bank. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.anker.com/product-recalls">https://www.anker.com/product-recalls</a>&nbsp;to register for the recall. To receive a replacement, consumers will be required to submit a photo of their recalled power bank showing the model number, serial number, their name, the date of the photograph, and the word “recalled” written on the power bank in permanent marker. A purchase receipt will be requested but will not be required to participate in the recall. Consumers will also be required to confirm disposal of the power bank in accordance with applicable laws and regulations before receiving a replacement.</p><p>Units: About 1,158,000</p><p>Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus">https://support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus</a>E-mail:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:support@anker.com">support@anker.com</a>Phone: (800) 988-7973</p>

Recall:  More than 1 million power banks after reported fires

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating fatal shooting in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just before 8p.m. June 3, police&nbsp;responded to reports of gunshots in the 700 block of SW Western in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

First responders located a victim, later identified 29-year-old Ian A. Mwaniki of Topeka with life-threatening injuries. Medical personnel on scene later pronounced him deceased.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As a result of the investigation police on Thursday arrested 19-year-old Pearson Carter III of Topeka, on requested charges of Murder in the 2nd degree, intentional, Aggravated battery, Criminal carry of a weapon and Unlawful discharge of a firearm in city limits

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749233917699.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
                        <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating fatal shooting in Topeka have made an arrest.</p><p>Just before 8p.m. June 3, police&nbsp;responded to reports of gunshots in the 700 block of SW Western in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749778987883.png" alt="Carter photo Shawnee Co." />
                        <figcaption>Carter photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>First responders located a victim, later identified 29-year-old Ian A. Mwaniki of Topeka with life-threatening injuries. Medical personnel on scene later pronounced him deceased.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>As a result of the investigation police on Thursday arrested 19-year-old Pearson Carter III of Topeka, on requested charges of Murder in the 2nd degree, intentional, Aggravated battery, Criminal carry of a weapon and Unlawful discharge of a firearm in city limits</p>

Suspect arrested 9 days after Kansas man's murder

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                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749810960125.png" alt="" />
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                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As our ally, Israel, takes the steps necessary for their own safety and security, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to the safety of our brave American troops deployed across the Middle East — ensuring their protection is paramount as they safeguard our values.<br><br>May God…</p>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1933354078840422758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pray for Israel</p>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1933340059538805088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congressman Schmidt and the United States stand strongly with our ally Israel. Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terror and must NEVER be allowed to gain a nuclear weapon.<br><br>Though we are not involved, <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> has made it clear our forces stand ready to defend against…</p>&mdash; Rep. Derek Schmidt Press (@RepDerekSchmidt) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDerekSchmidt/status/1933538615675527265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">⭕️ IAF fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence, struck the Iranian regime&#39;s uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area overnight. This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the… <a href="https://t.co/JVLIZFHwLm">pic.twitter.com/JVLIZFHwLm</a></p>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1933459738936656100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran by more than 200 fighter jets. <br><br>These are three ruthless mass murderers with…</p>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1933390314766516522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

President Trump, lawmakers respond to Israel attack on Iran

CLOUD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 5p.m. Wednesday in Cloud County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013&nbsp;GMC Acadia driven by Kathy A. Hansen, 72, Smith Center, was eastbound on U.S. 24 just north of 130th Road.

The SUV crossed the center line and collided with a westbound 2012 Ford Taurus driven by Harry L&nbsp;Hodge, 18,&nbsp;Canandaigua, New York.&nbsp;&nbsp;After impact, the the Ford rolled and struck the guard rail, and came to rest in the north ditch.

Hodge was pronounced pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia. EMS transported Hansen to Wesley Medical Center. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

CLOUD COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 5:00 pm on Wednesday in Cloud County.

The Patrol reported a&nbsp; vehicle&nbsp; was eastbound on U.S. 24 just north of 130th Road. The vehicle crossed the center line, colliding with another vehicle head-on. After impact, the westbound vehicle rolled and struck the guard rail, coming to rest in the north ditch.

The Patrol released no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<p>CLOUD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 5p.m. Wednesday in Cloud County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013&nbsp;GMC Acadia driven by Kathy A. Hansen, 72, Smith Center, was eastbound on U.S. 24 just north of 130th Road.</p><p>The SUV crossed the center line and collided with a westbound 2012 Ford Taurus driven by Harry L&nbsp;Hodge, 18,&nbsp;Canandaigua, New York.&nbsp;&nbsp;After impact, the the Ford rolled and struck the guard rail, and came to rest in the north ditch.</p><p>Hodge was pronounced pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home in Concordia. EMS transported Hansen to Wesley Medical Center. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.</p><p>-----------</p><p>CLOUD COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 5:00 pm on Wednesday in Cloud County.</p><p>The Patrol reported a&nbsp; vehicle&nbsp; was eastbound on U.S. 24 just north of 130th Road. The vehicle crossed the center line, colliding with another vehicle head-on. After impact, the westbound vehicle rolled and struck the guard rail, coming to rest in the north ditch.</p><p>The Patrol released no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.</p>

KHP IDs teen victim in fatal head-on crash

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio<br><br>“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its… <a href="https://t.co/5FFesh3dkF">pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1933328486669697508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A statement from IDF Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin on the preemptive Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear targets <a href="https://t.co/IJNT5LXz6o">pic.twitter.com/IJNT5LXz6o</a></p>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1933328551333216407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐃𝐅 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧&#39;𝐬 𝐧𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦.<br><br>Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including… <a href="https://t.co/vtx98P9564">pic.twitter.com/vtx98P9564</a></p>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1933324595471454495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At our Embassy in Jerusalem and closely following the situation. We will remain here all night. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” <a href="https://t.co/2nAHxijkdA">https://t.co/2nAHxijkdA</a></p>&mdash; Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee/status/1933302492147687876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Rubio: U.S. not involved as Israel launches strike against Iran's nuclear program

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749757787923.png" alt="Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem during her Los Angeles news conferece-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem during her Los Angeles news conferece-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749757448306.png" alt="Senator Padilla as shown in the video provided by U.S. Homeland Security" />
                        <figcaption>Senator Padilla as shown in the video provided by U.S. Homeland Security</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">During a news conference with DHS Secretary Noem, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) is removed from the room by force. <a href="https://t.co/vJryoWIVHi">pic.twitter.com/vJryoWIVHi</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933244184581873693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Padilla pushing and shoving law enforcement officers to get his way back to the podium. Incredibly aggressive behavior from a sitting US Senator.<br><br>No one knew who he was. <a href="https://t.co/yQ1GVVUF8d">https://t.co/yQ1GVVUF8d</a> <a href="https://t.co/80kBU9O8R3">pic.twitter.com/80kBU9O8R3</a></p>&mdash; Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) <a href="https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/1933248954260746399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Senator Alex Padilla is a good man and principled public servant.<br><br>The brazen and aggressive manhandling of Senator Padilla by the Trump administration is a sickening disgrace.<br><br>Anyone who assaulted the Senator should be held accountable.<br><br>No one is above the law. <a href="https://t.co/s9pHXP5tRD">pic.twitter.com/s9pHXP5tRD</a></p>&mdash; Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJeffries/status/1933236767680840025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With regard to the incident in LA this afternoon, the Senator in question was not wearing a security pin and physically resisted law enforcement when confronted. Our FBI personnel acted completely appropriately while assisting Secret Service and we are grateful for their…</p>&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1933262131346223586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenAlexPadilla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenAlexPadilla</a>: &quot;If this is how this administration responds to a Senator with a question. If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a Senator with a question you can only imagine what they&#39;re doing to farmers, to cooks, to day laborers…&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4HQXylr1dh">pic.twitter.com/4HQXylr1dh</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933251262935388646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reporter: “Would you please address Senator Padilla’s interruption to your press conference… Will you be pressing charges from what we just witnessed here?” <br><br>Secretary Kristi Noem: “I don’t even know the senator. He did not request a meeting or to speak with me. So when I leave… <a href="https://t.co/233FInB8NF">pic.twitter.com/233FInB8NF</a></p>&mdash; RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedWave_Press/status/1933229459676536930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a>: &quot;It was wildly inappropriate. You don&#39;t charge a sitting cabinet secretary...A sitting Member of Congress should not act like that...that behavior at a minimum it rises to the level of a censure.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/FzL1z4WmNi">pic.twitter.com/FzL1z4WmNi</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933262191429292537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After he interrupted our press conference with law enforcement, I met with Senator Padilla for 15 minutes. We probably disagree on 90% of the topics but we agreed to exchanged phone numbers and we will continue to talk—that is the way it should be in this country.<br><br>I wish he… <a href="https://t.co/WdDs26jyCY">pic.twitter.com/WdDs26jyCY</a></p>&mdash; Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem/status/1933267265849278591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥U.S. Senator forcibly removed from Homeland Security news conference

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — Former Missouri U.S. Rep. Billy Long is now the head of the Internal Revenue Service, after the U.S. Senate approved his nomination Thursday.

Senators split along party lines,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00308.htm" target="_blank">53-44</a>, to confirm the Republican, who served in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023, and previously spent multiple years as a talk radio host.

Long heads to the IRS after the agency has lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firing of probationary workers since President Donald Trump began his second term, according to a May 2&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-05/2025ier017fr.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the agency’s inspector general.

In a social media post after Long’s confirmation, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, congratulated the new IRS commissioner.

“I look forward to partnering with him in his efforts to modernize the IRS and improve customer service for taxpayers,” wrote Crapo, of Idaho.

Long’s nomination process was overshadowed by a Democrat-led investigation into the former lawmaker’s involvement in a fake tribal tax credit scheme.

Long denied any wrongdoing during his May 20 confirmation hearing.

Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, said on the floor ahead of Thursday’s vote that a decision on Long “ought to be an easy no.”

“It’s one corruption bombshell after another with former Congressman Billy Long. Fake tax credits. Scam tax advice. Shadowy political donations that went straight in his pocket. Promises of personal favors. No-show jobs with high-paying federal salaries. That’s quite a rap-sheet,” said Wyden, of Oregon.

The IRS is tasked with collecting tax revenue and enforcing the tax code.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749750950647.png" alt="Former Missouri Congressman Bill Long during his confirmation hearing in May-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Former Missouri Congressman Bill Long during his confirmation hearing in May-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — Former Missouri U.S. Rep. Billy Long is now the head of the Internal Revenue Service, after the U.S. Senate approved his nomination Thursday.</p><p>Senators split along party lines,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00308.htm" target="_blank">53-44</a>, to confirm the Republican, who served in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023, and previously spent multiple years as a talk radio host.</p><p>Long heads to the IRS after the agency has lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firing of probationary workers since President Donald Trump began his second term, according to a May 2&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-05/2025ier017fr.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the agency’s inspector general.</p><p>In a social media post after Long’s confirmation, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, congratulated the new IRS commissioner.</p><p>“I look forward to partnering with him in his efforts to modernize the IRS and improve customer service for taxpayers,” wrote Crapo, of Idaho.</p><p>Long’s nomination process was overshadowed by a Democrat-led investigation into the former lawmaker’s involvement in a fake tribal tax credit scheme.</p><p>Long denied any wrongdoing during his May 20 confirmation hearing.</p><p>Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee, said on the floor ahead of Thursday’s vote that a decision on Long “ought to be an easy no.”</p><p>“It’s one corruption bombshell after another with former Congressman Billy Long. Fake tax credits. Scam tax advice. Shadowy political donations that went straight in his pocket. Promises of personal favors. No-show jobs with high-paying federal salaries. That’s quite a rap-sheet,” said Wyden, of Oregon.</p><p>The IRS is tasked with collecting tax revenue and enforcing the tax code.&nbsp;</p>

Former Missouri Congressman confirmed as IRS commissioner

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a><br>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House narrowly passed legislation Thursday that would revoke $9.4 billion in previously approved funding for public media, including National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, as well as foreign aid, though the bill’s future in the Senate amid a strict timeline is uncertain.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025168?Page=2" target="_blank">214-212 mostly party-line vote</a>&nbsp;marks just the third time in several decades the House has approved a bill to claw back funding that lawmakers formerly agreed to spend. President Donald Trump sent the rescissions request that led to the House bill to the Republican-controlled Congress earlier this month.

Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio voted against approving the bill along with all of the chamber’s Democrats.

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon and New York Rep. Nick LaLota, both Republicans, switched from opposing to supporting the bill after Speaker Mike Johnson spoke with them on the floor as the vote was held open.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., contended during floor debate that pulling back the funding is the right place to start, but said the GOP will seek to do much more in the months and years ahead.

Scalise said PBS and NPR should have to compete against other media organizations without grant funding from the federal government.

“There is still going to be a plethora of options for the American people,” Scalise said. “But if they’re paying their hard-earned dollars to go get content, why should your tax dollars only go to one thing that the other side wants to promote? Let everybody go compete on a fair basis.”

Maine Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said every state in the country would feel the impact of eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“I rise today in strong opposition to the reckless attack on public media contained within this rescissions bill and millions of Americans who rely on and treasure their local public television and radio stations,” Pingree said.

Efforts to defund CPB, she said, were the result of Trump’s “agenda against the free press and his authoritarian desire to control the media.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4/text" target="_blank">seven-page bill</a>&nbsp;would rescind all funding that Congress approved for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, a total of $1.1 billion.

CPB, which provides grants to public radio and television stations throughout the country, is one of the few programs that receives an advanced appropriation. So the funding elimination envisioned in the House bill would take effect starting on Oct. 1.

The legislation revokes more than $8 billion from several foreign aid programs run by the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Florida Republican Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, chairman of the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee, said during an interview Wednesday there were extensive talks between GOP lawmakers and the Office of Management and Budget before the Trump administration officially submitted this rescissions request.

But Díaz-Balart cautioned there would need to be substantial pre-negotiations ahead of any future rescissions requests for programs within his annual funding bill.

“This rescission package — which I’ve had communication with OMB on — if this passes, we can move forward,” he said. “Now, if you’re talking about a potential for future additional rescissions, that could potentially create a problem and tie the president’s hands when it comes to dealing with adversaries or helping allies.”

Díaz-Balart said that OMB officials hoping to make any additional rescissions requests on foreign aid would need to engage in “a level of coordination that is so detailed, so intense to make sure that nothing comes forward that could potentially hurt the president’s ability to really do the America First agenda internationally.”

Florida Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel, ranking member on the State-Foreign Operations spending panel, said during floor debate Thursday the bill was an attack on American values and posed a threat to national security.

“It’s not charity, it’s strategy,” Frankel said of foreign aid. “Don’t take my word for it, military leaders from both parties have warned us for years — if we fail to lead with soft power, we’ll end up paying in blood, bombs and more boots on the ground.”

“Cutting foreign assistance will deepen desperation, fuel extremism, push fragile societies toward collapse and when that happens we all pay the price,” she added. “Refugee crises surge, diseases spread, trade routes shut down, our troops and diplomats face greater danger and our homeland security is weakened.”

The House vote took place just one week after the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-wants-congress-slash-94b-spending-now-defund-npr-and-pbs" target="_blank">sent lawmakers the rescissions request</a>, the first of many proposals the White House budget office plans to submit.&nbsp;

The $9.4 billion cancellation proposal represents a small fraction of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61181" target="_blank">the roughly $6.8 trillion</a>&nbsp;the federal government spends each year.

The recommendation said some of the foreign aid should be cancelled because it supported “programs that are antithetical to American interests and worsen the lives of women and children, like ‘family planning’ and ‘reproductive health,’ LGBTQI+ activities, and ‘equity’ programs.”

The rescissions request allows the Office of Management and Budget to legally freeze funding on the programs listed for 45 days while lawmakers decide whether to approve the recommendation as is, amend it, or ignore it.

The House and Senate must agree to approve the same rescissions bill before mid-July for the changes to take effect. Failure to reach a bicameral agreement before then would require the Trump administration to spend the funding and block the president from requesting the same cancellation for the rest of his term.

Rescissions requests are rare since Congress typically negotiates spending levels on thousands of federal programs in the dozen annual spending bills that are then signed by the president.

The first Trump administration proposed rescissions in 2018, but the bill never made it through the Senate.

The last time Congress actually approved rescinding funding was in 1992 during the George H.W. Bush administration, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R48432/R48432.2.pdf" target="_blank">a report</a>&nbsp;from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

The Senate will need to take up the bill before mid-July if it wants to approve any of the spending cuts, though several GOP senators told States Newsroom during brief interviews Wednesday ahead of the House vote they may amend the package, which would require it to go back to the House for final approval before the 45-day clock runs out.

Rescissions bills come with a vote-a-rama in the Senate, giving Republicans and Democrats the chance to call up as many amendments as they want for a floor vote. The GOP holds a 53-member majority, so four or more Republicans opposing any element of the bill would likely lead to its removal.

Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she will give the rescissions bill “careful consideration.”

In a statement released earlier this month just after the White House sent the request to lawmakers, Collins wrote the committee would “carefully review the rescissions package and examine the potential consequences of these rescissions on global health, national security, emergency communications in rural communities, and public radio and television stations.”

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee, said he’s mostly supportive of the rescissions request, though he didn’t rule out offering an amendment to restore full funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, often called PEPFAR.

“I think I’ll be okay with most of it. I’m concerned about PEPFAR. I’ll have to look at that,” Graham said.

West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, chairwoman of the spending panel that oversees the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, said she’s planning to evaluate the bill once it arrives.

“We’ve got all these other things I’m thinking about. I haven’t even focused on it,” Capito said, referring to ongoing negotiations over the party’s “big, beautiful bill.”

Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, said she’s going to “try to” ensure the Corporation for Public Broadcasting keeps its funding.

“I’m a supporter of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It’s a lifeline for many of my small, rural communities,” Murkowski said

Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, a senior appropriator, said he’s “trying to figure out a strategy of how to deal with” both the foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting provisions once the bill comes over from the House.

“I’m looking at both of them to see what the right outcome should be.”

‘The risk of living in a news desert’

Both PBS and NPR released statements following the House vote, pledging to do their best to keep their funding intact.

Katherine Maher, NPR president and CEO, wrote in a statement the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is essential to the organization.

“Americans who rely on local, independent stations serving communities across America, especially in rural and underserved regions, will suffer the immediate consequences of this vote,” Maher wrote. “If rescission passes and local stations go dark, millions of Americans will no longer have access to locally owned, independent, nonprofit media and will bear the risk of living in a news desert, missing their emergency alerts, and hearing silence where classical, jazz and local artists currently play.”

Paula Kerger, president and CEO at PBS, wrote in a separate statement the “fight to protect public media does not end with this vote, and we will continue to make the case for our essential service in the days and weeks to come.

“If these cuts are finalized by the Senate, it will have a devastating impact on PBS and local member stations, particularly smaller and rural stations that rely on federal funding for a larger portion of their budgets. Without PBS and local member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and emergency services in times of crisis.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749763219260.png" alt="U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., holds up an Elmo toy while the chamber debates a bill that would eliminate previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides grants to public radio and television stations, including the Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, which airs “Sesame Street.” (Screen capture from House clerk live video)" />
                        <figcaption>U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., holds up an Elmo toy while the chamber debates a bill that would eliminate previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides grants to public radio and television stations, including the Public Broadcasting Service, or PBS, which airs “Sesame Street.” (Screen capture from House clerk live video)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a><br></p><p>WASHINGTON — The U.S. House narrowly passed legislation Thursday that would revoke $9.4 billion in previously approved funding for public media, including National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, as well as foreign aid, though the bill’s future in the Senate amid a strict timeline is uncertain.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepJeffries?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepJeffries</a>: &quot;We&#39;re on the floor of the House of Representatives not debating legislation that is designed to make this country and our economy more affordable but actually debating legislation that targets Elmo and Big Bird and Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/lWkGvuco1A">pic.twitter.com/lWkGvuco1A</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933229808139301333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025168?Page=2" target="_blank">214-212 mostly party-line vote</a>&nbsp;marks just the third time in several decades the House has approved a bill to claw back funding that lawmakers formerly agreed to spend. President Donald Trump sent the rescissions request that led to the House bill to the Republican-controlled Congress earlier this month.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749763326958.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio voted against approving the bill along with all of the chamber’s Democrats.</p><p>Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon and New York Rep. Nick LaLota, both Republicans, switched from opposing to supporting the bill after Speaker Mike Johnson spoke with them on the floor as the vote was held open.</p><p>House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., contended during floor debate that pulling back the funding is the right place to start, but said the GOP will seek to do much more in the months and years ahead.</p><p>Scalise said PBS and NPR should have to compete against other media organizations without grant funding from the federal government.</p><p>“There is still going to be a plethora of options for the American people,” Scalise said. “But if they’re paying their hard-earned dollars to go get content, why should your tax dollars only go to one thing that the other side wants to promote? Let everybody go compete on a fair basis.”</p><p>Maine Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said every state in the country would feel the impact of eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.</p><p>“I rise today in strong opposition to the reckless attack on public media contained within this rescissions bill and millions of Americans who rely on and treasure their local public television and radio stations,” Pingree said.</p><p>Efforts to defund CPB, she said, were the result of Trump’s “agenda against the free press and his authoritarian desire to control the media.”</p><h2>Public media would lose $1.1 billion</h2><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4/text" target="_blank">seven-page bill</a>&nbsp;would rescind all funding that Congress approved for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, a total of $1.1 billion.</p><p>CPB, which provides grants to public radio and television stations throughout the country, is one of the few programs that receives an advanced appropriation. So the funding elimination envisioned in the House bill would take effect starting on Oct. 1.</p><p>The legislation revokes more than $8 billion from several foreign aid programs run by the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Agency for International Development.</p><p>Florida Republican Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, chairman of the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee, said during an interview Wednesday there were extensive talks between GOP lawmakers and the Office of Management and Budget before the Trump administration officially submitted this rescissions request.</p><p>But Díaz-Balart cautioned there would need to be substantial pre-negotiations ahead of any future rescissions requests for programs within his annual funding bill.</p><p>“This rescission package — which I’ve had communication with OMB on — if this passes, we can move forward,” he said. “Now, if you’re talking about a potential for future additional rescissions, that could potentially create a problem and tie the president’s hands when it comes to dealing with adversaries or helping allies.”</p><p>Díaz-Balart said that OMB officials hoping to make any additional rescissions requests on foreign aid would need to engage in “a level of coordination that is so detailed, so intense to make sure that nothing comes forward that could potentially hurt the president’s ability to really do the America First agenda internationally.”</p><p>Florida Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel, ranking member on the State-Foreign Operations spending panel, said during floor debate Thursday the bill was an attack on American values and posed a threat to national security.</p><p>“It’s not charity, it’s strategy,” Frankel said of foreign aid. “Don’t take my word for it, military leaders from both parties have warned us for years — if we fail to lead with soft power, we’ll end up paying in blood, bombs and more boots on the ground.”</p><p>“Cutting foreign assistance will deepen desperation, fuel extremism, push fragile societies toward collapse and when that happens we all pay the price,” she added. “Refugee crises surge, diseases spread, trade routes shut down, our troops and diplomats face greater danger and our homeland security is weakened.”</p><h2>First of many requests</h2><p>The House vote took place just one week after the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-wants-congress-slash-94b-spending-now-defund-npr-and-pbs" target="_blank">sent lawmakers the rescissions request</a>, the first of many proposals the White House budget office plans to submit.&nbsp;</p><p>The $9.4 billion cancellation proposal represents a small fraction of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61181" target="_blank">the roughly $6.8 trillion</a>&nbsp;the federal government spends each year.</p><p>The recommendation said some of the foreign aid should be cancelled because it supported “programs that are antithetical to American interests and worsen the lives of women and children, like ‘family planning’ and ‘reproductive health,’ LGBTQI+ activities, and ‘equity’ programs.”</p><p>The rescissions request allows the Office of Management and Budget to legally freeze funding on the programs listed for 45 days while lawmakers decide whether to approve the recommendation as is, amend it, or ignore it.</p><p>The House and Senate must agree to approve the same rescissions bill before mid-July for the changes to take effect. Failure to reach a bicameral agreement before then would require the Trump administration to spend the funding and block the president from requesting the same cancellation for the rest of his term.</p><p>Rescissions requests are rare since Congress typically negotiates spending levels on thousands of federal programs in the dozen annual spending bills that are then signed by the president.</p><p>The first Trump administration proposed rescissions in 2018, but the bill never made it through the Senate.</p><p>The last time Congress actually approved rescinding funding was in 1992 during the George H.W. Bush administration, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R48432/R48432.2.pdf" target="_blank">a report</a>&nbsp;from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.</p><h2>More action in the Senate</h2><p>The Senate will need to take up the bill before mid-July if it wants to approve any of the spending cuts, though several GOP senators told States Newsroom during brief interviews Wednesday ahead of the House vote they may amend the package, which would require it to go back to the House for final approval before the 45-day clock runs out.</p><p>Rescissions bills come with a vote-a-rama in the Senate, giving Republicans and Democrats the chance to call up as many amendments as they want for a floor vote. The GOP holds a 53-member majority, so four or more Republicans opposing any element of the bill would likely lead to its removal.</p><p>Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she will give the rescissions bill “careful consideration.”</p><p>In a statement released earlier this month just after the White House sent the request to lawmakers, Collins wrote the committee would “carefully review the rescissions package and examine the potential consequences of these rescissions on global health, national security, emergency communications in rural communities, and public radio and television stations.”</p><p>South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee, said he’s mostly supportive of the rescissions request, though he didn’t rule out offering an amendment to restore full funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, often called PEPFAR.</p><p>“I think I’ll be okay with most of it. I’m concerned about PEPFAR. I’ll have to look at that,” Graham said.</p><p>West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, chairwoman of the spending panel that oversees the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, said she’s planning to evaluate the bill once it arrives.</p><p>“We’ve got all these other things I’m thinking about. I haven’t even focused on it,” Capito said, referring to ongoing negotiations over the party’s “big, beautiful bill.”</p><p>Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, said she’s going to “try to” ensure the Corporation for Public Broadcasting keeps its funding.</p><p>“I’m a supporter of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It’s a lifeline for many of my small, rural communities,” Murkowski said</p><p>Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, a senior appropriator, said he’s “trying to figure out a strategy of how to deal with” both the foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting provisions once the bill comes over from the House.</p><p>“I’m looking at both of them to see what the right outcome should be.”</p><h2>‘The risk of living in a news desert’</h2><p>Both PBS and NPR released statements following the House vote, pledging to do their best to keep their funding intact.</p><p>Katherine Maher, NPR president and CEO, wrote in a statement the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is essential to the organization.</p><p>“Americans who rely on local, independent stations serving communities across America, especially in rural and underserved regions, will suffer the immediate consequences of this vote,” Maher wrote. “If rescission passes and local stations go dark, millions of Americans will no longer have access to locally owned, independent, nonprofit media and will bear the risk of living in a news desert, missing their emergency alerts, and hearing silence where classical, jazz and local artists currently play.”</p><p>Paula Kerger, president and CEO at PBS, wrote in a separate statement the “fight to protect public media does not end with this vote, and we will continue to make the case for our essential service in the days and weeks to come.</p><p>“If these cuts are finalized by the Senate, it will have a devastating impact on PBS and local member stations, particularly smaller and rural stations that rely on federal funding for a larger portion of their budgets. Without PBS and local member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and emergency services in times of crisis.”</p>

U.S. House votes to yank billions for NPR, PBS and foreign aid programs

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

Just before 7a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 3400 block of Broadway on a medical call with EMS, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Caller was security in the area and they saw a person unresponsive in a parking lot behind the address. On arrival officers were led to a parking lot to the west of the address where they located the man unresponsive on the sidewalk with what appeared to be significant unknown injuries.

Officers called for EMS who declared the victim deceased at the scene. 

Homicide detectives are investigating, along with crime scene investigators, and representatives from the medical examiners office.

Police don't know when the victim was injured and are working to learn his identity.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749754590674.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.</p><p>Just before 7a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 3400 block of Broadway on a medical call with EMS, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.</p><p>Caller was security in the area and they saw a person unresponsive in a parking lot behind the address. On arrival officers were led to a parking lot to the west of the address where they located the man unresponsive on the sidewalk with what appeared to be significant unknown injuries.</p><p>Officers called for EMS who declared the victim deceased at the scene. </p><p>Homicide detectives are investigating, along with crime scene investigators, and representatives from the medical examiners office.</p><p>Police don't know when the victim was injured and are working to learn his identity.</p>

Security guard found homicide victim in Kansas City parking lot

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

TOPEKA — State troopers are on standby in Kansas as demonstrations against federal immigration raids crop up around the country following an increased military presence in response to protests in Los Angeles.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is aware of Kansas City-area protests this week, said April McCollum, a spokeswoman for the agency.

Protests in LA began Friday, mostly in downtown and central parts of the city, in opposition to targeted, sweeping raids from federal immigration officials that result in the arrest and detention of immigrants&nbsp;lacking permanent legal status. The demonstrations escalated once President Donald Trump ordered thousands of members of the California National Guard to the city’s streets, against the wishes of state leaders. Protesters in dozens of other cities joined their LA counterparts Tuesday.

Col. Erik Smith, superintendent of the state highway patrol, told legislators Tuesday that a protest similar to those in LA was planned in the Johnson County area, but the agency did not disclose specifics when asked. The only report of a protest in the area Tuesday occurred in Kansas City, Missouri’s downtown and Westside, drawing hundreds of attendees, according to reporting from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article308332575.html" target="_blank">The Kansas City Star</a>.

A slate of more than 1,800 protests are scheduled across the nation for Saturday. More than a dozen of them are set to occur in Kansas cities, from Garden City to Hiawatha to Arkansas City to the Kansas City area.

“We encourage those involved to maintain civility while exercising their First Amendment rights,” McCollum said.

The agency’s mobile field force is prepared to assist local law enforcement during all incidents of “civil unrest,” Smith said.

The force is&nbsp;“a specially trained and equipped unit composed of Troopers from across the state that can be deployed to support local law enforcement agencies in the event of civil disorder, natural disasters, and other public safety emergencies,” McCollum said.

Kansas Bureau of Investigation director Tony Mattivi told lawmakers Tuesday at a Senate Committee on Government Efficiency hearing that state agents are not currently trained to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials with raids and arrests in Kansas.

Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, asked Mattivi during the hearing why federal agents aren’t responsive to one-off local arrests.

“ICE, right now, is just overwhelmed,” Mattivi said. “They’re focused on busloads at a time.”

State and local officials don’t have the authority to investigate federal immigration violations, but Kansas, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/154/1292" target="_blank">the second state</a>&nbsp;in the country to agree with the Trump administration to exercise 287(g) authority, which refers to section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Naturalization Act. Once agents are trained, they will be able to make those one-off arrests and fill the gaps federal immigration officials leave behind.

Eventually, Mattivi said, he would like to examine the 48,000 people who are listed as a sex offender, drug offender or violent offender in Kansas and determine whether any of those people are in the country without permanent legal status.

As chair of the Democratic Governors Association, Gov. Laura Kelly, along with most of the rest of the country’s Democratic governors, condemned Trump’s decision to deploy a state’s National Guard as “an alarming abuse of power” and “ineffective and dangerous.”

“Further, threatening to send the U.S. Marines into American neighborhoods undermines the mission of our service members, erodes public trust, and shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement,” the governors said Sunday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/statement-from-democratic-governors-on-donald-trumps-use-of-californias-national-guard/" target="_blank">joint statement</a>.

The Trump administration deployed around 700 active-duty U.S. Marines to L.A. from a nearby base to “restore order,” defense secretary Pete Hegseth said in a social media&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SecDef/status/1932202105361612994" target="_blank">post</a>.

Trump called for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s arrest after Newsom expressed his disapproval of Trump’s actions. Newsom sued the Trump administration, alleging the president’s takeover of the state’s National Guard was illegal. Governors typically hold the power to deploy the guard.

The Democratic governors said they stand with Newsom, “who has made it clear that violence is unacceptable and that local authorities should be able to do their jobs without the chaos of this federal interference and intimidation.”

Kansas Republicans rebutted Democrats’ remarks with condemnations of their own.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1932474561699749990" target="_blank">series of social media posts</a>, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, who is also a Republican candidate for state insurance commissioner, applauded Trump’s actions.

He said he was shocked by the Democratic governors’ statement.

“It’s indefensible that Governor Kelly and other Democrat Governors would seemingly side with the rioters over law and order. Their Trump Derangement Syndrome truly knows no bounds,” Hawkins wrote.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, who is widely expected to run for governor, criticized Kelly in a statement.

“Laura Kelly is slow to condemn attacks on law enforcement, but quick to side with Gavin Newsom and rioters waving foreign flags as they try to burn down an American community. It is shameful,” he said.

Conservatives in opposition to the protests have frequently used rhetoric that depicts L.A. in flames or in complete disarray. The protests have been confined to a few areas of the city, mostly around local and federal government buildings. Misinformation and doctored or fabricated photos have circulated.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who is a 2026 Republican candidate for governor,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ScottSchwabKS/status/1931929273180225614" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on the social media platform X in response to the statement from the Democratic governors: “This is wrong.”

In a separate&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ScottSchwabKS/status/1931565318691832308" target="_blank">post</a>, Schwab said protesters in California were “endangering” law enforcement “because they embrace disorder and crime over civility.”

He added: “Our founders are rolling in their graves.”

Protests in 15 cities in Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, fall under the banner of No Kings Day, a collection of anti-Trump protests. Saturday is also Flag Day.

Ahead of the protest in Topeka at the Statehouse, organizers with the Kansas chapter of 50501 emphasized in a statement its desire for a peaceful demonstration.

“We are committed to the safety of every protester and are exploring unforeseen and uncontrollable challenges and how to respond to them,” the statement said. “We are continuing to plan for a safe gathering.”

Activists are chartering buses and establishing carpools to Topeka from Abilene, Junction City, Manhattan, Franklin County, Lawrence and the Kansas City, Kansas, area.

Ahead of Wichita’s rally, organizers with Defend Democracy ICT said the protest date is symbolic, “aligning with Flag Day, President Trump’s birthday, and a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C.”

“This is a stand against authoritarianism and the growing disregard for democratic norms,” organizers said in a statement. “We are here to remind our leaders that power belongs with the people — not kings, not billionaires, not dictators.”

Protests are scheduled to take place in the following cities, according to the No Kings online&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokings.org/" target="_blank">tracker</a>: Arkansas City, Emporia, Garden City, Great Bend, Hiawatha, Hutchinson,&nbsp; Lawrence, Lenexa, Manhattan, Ottawa, Overland Park, Pittsburg, Salina, Topeka, Wichita and Kansas City, Missouri.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749732670793.jpeg" alt=" Kansans rally at the Statehouse in Topeka as part of the 50501 national day of action on May 1, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
                        <figcaption> Kansans rally at the Statehouse in Topeka as part of the 50501 national day of action on May 1, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a><br><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/"></a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — State troopers are on standby in Kansas as demonstrations against federal immigration raids crop up around the country following an increased military presence in response to protests in Los Angeles.</p><p>The Kansas Highway Patrol is aware of Kansas City-area protests this week, said April McCollum, a spokeswoman for the agency.</p><p>Protests in LA began Friday, mostly in downtown and central parts of the city, in opposition to targeted, sweeping raids from federal immigration officials that result in the arrest and detention of immigrants&nbsp;lacking permanent legal status. The demonstrations escalated once President Donald Trump ordered thousands of members of the California National Guard to the city’s streets, against the wishes of state leaders. Protesters in dozens of other cities joined their LA counterparts Tuesday.</p><p>Col. Erik Smith, superintendent of the state highway patrol, told legislators Tuesday that a protest similar to those in LA was planned in the Johnson County area, but the agency did not disclose specifics when asked. The only report of a protest in the area Tuesday occurred in Kansas City, Missouri’s downtown and Westside, drawing hundreds of attendees, according to reporting from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article308332575.html" target="_blank">The Kansas City Star</a>.</p><p>A slate of more than 1,800 protests are scheduled across the nation for Saturday. More than a dozen of them are set to occur in Kansas cities, from Garden City to Hiawatha to Arkansas City to the Kansas City area.</p><p>“We encourage those involved to maintain civility while exercising their First Amendment rights,” McCollum said.</p><p>The agency’s mobile field force is prepared to assist local law enforcement during all incidents of “civil unrest,” Smith said.</p><p>The force is&nbsp;“a specially trained and equipped unit composed of Troopers from across the state that can be deployed to support local law enforcement agencies in the event of civil disorder, natural disasters, and other public safety emergencies,” McCollum said.</p><p>Kansas Bureau of Investigation director Tony Mattivi told lawmakers Tuesday at a Senate Committee on Government Efficiency hearing that state agents are not currently trained to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials with raids and arrests in Kansas.</p><p>Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, asked Mattivi during the hearing why federal agents aren’t responsive to one-off local arrests.</p><p>“ICE, right now, is just overwhelmed,” Mattivi said. “They’re focused on busloads at a time.”</p><p>State and local officials don’t have the authority to investigate federal immigration violations, but Kansas, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/154/1292" target="_blank">the second state</a>&nbsp;in the country to agree with the Trump administration to exercise 287(g) authority, which refers to section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Naturalization Act. Once agents are trained, they will be able to make those one-off arrests and fill the gaps federal immigration officials leave behind.</p><p>Eventually, Mattivi said, he would like to examine the 48,000 people who are listed as a sex offender, drug offender or violent offender in Kansas and determine whether any of those people are in the country without permanent legal status.</p><h2>Politicians sound off</h2><p>As chair of the Democratic Governors Association, Gov. Laura Kelly, along with most of the rest of the country’s Democratic governors, condemned Trump’s decision to deploy a state’s National Guard as “an alarming abuse of power” and “ineffective and dangerous.”</p><p>“Further, threatening to send the U.S. Marines into American neighborhoods undermines the mission of our service members, erodes public trust, and shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement,” the governors said Sunday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/statement-from-democratic-governors-on-donald-trumps-use-of-californias-national-guard/" target="_blank">joint statement</a>.</p><p>The Trump administration deployed around 700 active-duty U.S. Marines to L.A. from a nearby base to “restore order,” defense secretary Pete Hegseth said in a social media&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SecDef/status/1932202105361612994" target="_blank">post</a>.</p><p>Trump called for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s arrest after Newsom expressed his disapproval of Trump’s actions. Newsom sued the Trump administration, alleging the president’s takeover of the state’s National Guard was illegal. Governors typically hold the power to deploy the guard.</p><p>The Democratic governors said they stand with Newsom, “who has made it clear that violence is unacceptable and that local authorities should be able to do their jobs without the chaos of this federal interference and intimidation.”</p><p>Kansas Republicans rebutted Democrats’ remarks with condemnations of their own.</p><p>In a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1932474561699749990" target="_blank">series of social media posts</a>, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, who is also a Republican candidate for state insurance commissioner, applauded Trump’s actions.</p><p>He said he was shocked by the Democratic governors’ statement.</p><p>“It’s indefensible that Governor Kelly and other Democrat Governors would seemingly side with the rioters over law and order. Their Trump Derangement Syndrome truly knows no bounds,” Hawkins wrote.</p><p>Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, who is widely expected to run for governor, criticized Kelly in a statement.</p><p>“Laura Kelly is slow to condemn attacks on law enforcement, but quick to side with Gavin Newsom and rioters waving foreign flags as they try to burn down an American community. It is shameful,” he said.</p><p>Conservatives in opposition to the protests have frequently used rhetoric that depicts L.A. in flames or in complete disarray. The protests have been confined to a few areas of the city, mostly around local and federal government buildings. Misinformation and doctored or fabricated photos have circulated.</p><p>Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who is a 2026 Republican candidate for governor,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ScottSchwabKS/status/1931929273180225614" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on the social media platform X in response to the statement from the Democratic governors: “This is wrong.”</p><p>In a separate&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ScottSchwabKS/status/1931565318691832308" target="_blank">post</a>, Schwab said protesters in California were “endangering” law enforcement “because they embrace disorder and crime over civility.”</p><p>He added: “Our founders are rolling in their graves.”</p><h2>Saturday protests</h2><p>Protests in 15 cities in Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, fall under the banner of No Kings Day, a collection of anti-Trump protests. Saturday is also Flag Day.</p><p>Ahead of the protest in Topeka at the Statehouse, organizers with the Kansas chapter of 50501 emphasized in a statement its desire for a peaceful demonstration.</p><p>“We are committed to the safety of every protester and are exploring unforeseen and uncontrollable challenges and how to respond to them,” the statement said. “We are continuing to plan for a safe gathering.”</p><p>Activists are chartering buses and establishing carpools to Topeka from Abilene, Junction City, Manhattan, Franklin County, Lawrence and the Kansas City, Kansas, area.</p><p>Ahead of Wichita’s rally, organizers with Defend Democracy ICT said the protest date is symbolic, “aligning with Flag Day, President Trump’s birthday, and a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C.”</p><p>“This is a stand against authoritarianism and the growing disregard for democratic norms,” organizers said in a statement. “We are here to remind our leaders that power belongs with the people — not kings, not billionaires, not dictators.”</p><p>Protests are scheduled to take place in the following cities, according to the No Kings online&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokings.org/" target="_blank">tracker</a>: Arkansas City, Emporia, Garden City, Great Bend, Hiawatha, Hutchinson,&nbsp; Lawrence, Lenexa, Manhattan, Ottawa, Overland Park, Pittsburg, Salina, Topeka, Wichita and Kansas City, Missouri.</p>