CAMP CROFT, Hungary—U.S. Military officials are investigating a fatal training accident

On Thursday,&nbsp; 24-year-old Sergeant Aaron Cox from Mabank, Texas, who was serving in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division died after a training exercise near Camp Croft, Hungary, according to a media release from the U.S. Army.

&nbsp;Cox was assigned to the “Strike” 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team and was injured during a vehicle crash while preparing for the upcoming Exercise Saber Guardian 25.

The “U.S. Army Europe and Africa” said it was a rollover crash that took place during regularly scheduled training. Cox was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but he succumbed to his injuries.

A second soldier with potentially serious injuries was also taken to a hospital, where he was kept overnight and determined to be stable. The remaining soldiers involved were evaluated and returned to duty.

“The loss of Sgt. Cox is a tragedy for all of us on the Strike team,” said Col. Duke Reim, a commander, 2MBCT for the 101st Airborne Division. “He was a strong Soldier and leader, who quickly rose through the ranks while serving. We are in direct contact with his family, for care and support that they need during this difficult time. We would like to thank our Hungarian Allies for their prompt response and support to our Soldiers.”

Cox joined the Army in 2021 and arrived at Fort Campbell in 2022, after completing training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was a graduate of the Army Basic Leader Course and the Combat Lifesaver Course. This was his second deployment; he previously deployed to Poland in 2022.

Cox had earned the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge and Air Assault Badge, according to the release.

The incident is under investigation by Hungarian authorities and the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749479880649.png" alt="Sergeant Aaron Cox courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sergeant Aaron Cox courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>CAMP CROFT, Hungary—U.S. Military officials are investigating a fatal training accidentOn Thursday,&nbsp; 24-year-old Sergeant Aaron Cox from Mabank, Texas, who was serving in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division died after a training exercise near Camp Croft, Hungary, according to a media release from the U.S. Army.&nbsp;Cox was assigned to the “Strike” 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team and was injured during a vehicle crash while preparing for the upcoming Exercise Saber Guardian 25.The “U.S. Army Europe and Africa” said it was a rollover crash that took place during regularly scheduled training. Cox was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but he succumbed to his injuries.A second soldier with potentially serious injuries was also taken to a hospital, where he was kept overnight and determined to be stable. The remaining soldiers involved were evaluated and returned to duty.“The loss of Sgt. Cox is a tragedy for all of us on the Strike team,” said Col. Duke Reim, a commander, 2MBCT for the 101st Airborne Division. “He was a strong Soldier and leader, who quickly rose through the ranks while serving. We are in direct contact with his family, for care and support that they need during this difficult time. We would like to thank our Hungarian Allies for their prompt response and support to our Soldiers.”Cox joined the Army in 2021 and arrived at Fort Campbell in 2022, after completing training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was a graduate of the Army Basic Leader Course and the Combat Lifesaver Course. This was his second deployment; he previously deployed to Poland in 2022.Cox had earned the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge and Air Assault Badge, according to the release.The incident is under investigation by Hungarian authorities and the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

U.S. soldier dies during military training accident in Hungary

STONE COUNTY, Mo. —Fire officials are investigating a boat explosion that critically injured a woman at Table Rock Lake.

Just after 9:30a.m. Saturday, a 74-year-old Springfield, Missouri woman had finished filling a&nbsp;1989 Carver Santego 38 foot boat at the Indian Point Marina at Table Rock Lake, according to the Missouri State Patrol.&nbsp; When the woman started the boat it exploded.

The woman was airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A private vehicle transported an 18-year-old girl on the vessel to a local urgent care center.

The Missouri Fire Marshall’s Office is in charge of the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749472216143.png" alt="Indian Point Marina at Table Rock Lake" />
 <figcaption>Indian Point Marina at Table Rock Lake</figcaption>
 </figure>STONE COUNTY, Mo. —Fire officials are investigating a boat explosion that critically injured a woman at Table Rock Lake.Just after 9:30a.m. Saturday, a 74-year-old Springfield, Missouri woman had finished filling a&nbsp;1989 Carver Santego 38 foot boat at the Indian Point Marina at Table Rock Lake, according to the Missouri State Patrol.&nbsp; When the woman started the boat it exploded.The woman was airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A private vehicle transported an 18-year-old girl on the vessel to a local urgent care center.The Missouri Fire Marshall’s Office is in charge of the investigation.

Woman critically injured after boat explosion at Table Rock Lake

Church &amp; Dwight Co., Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots within expiry of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs to the consumer level, according to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The products are being recalled due to potential microbial contamination identified as fungi in cotton swab components. Swabs found to contain microbial contamination can potentially present a significant risk to the health and safety of consumers including serious and life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation and mechanical injuries. 

The risk is highest (potentially severe or life-threatening) among children and individuals with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions. To date, no serious adverse events associated with the affected product have been reported.&nbsp;

The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States and in Puerto Rico.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should stop using the product immediately. Please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.churchdwightrecall.com/">www.churchdwightrecall.com</a><a href="http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer">External Link Disclaimer</a>&nbsp;or call its Consumer Relations team at (800) 981-4710 for a full refund. Any additional questions can also be directed to its Consumer Relations team Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm ET.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.&nbsp;

Complete and submit the report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program/reporting-serious-problems-fda">Online</a>

Regular Mail or Fax:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/medwatch-forms-fda-safety-reporting">Download form</a>&nbsp;or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This recall is limited exclusively to Zicam and Orajel swab products. All other Zicam and Orajel products, including Zicam RapidMelts, are not affected by this recall.&nbsp;

Church &amp; Dwight Co., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of consumer household and personal care products. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.churchdwight.com/">www.churchdwight.com</a><a href="http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer">External Link Disclaimer</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749464678607.png" alt="USDA image" />
 <figcaption>USDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>Church &amp; Dwight Co., Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots within expiry of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs to the consumer level, according to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.The products are being recalled due to potential microbial contamination identified as fungi in cotton swab components. Swabs found to contain microbial contamination can potentially present a significant risk to the health and safety of consumers including serious and life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation and mechanical injuries. The risk is highest (potentially severe or life-threatening) among children and individuals with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions. To date, no serious adverse events associated with the affected product have been reported.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749464659892.png" alt="USDA image" />
 <figcaption>USDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States and in Puerto Rico.Recalled Product Information<ul>
 <li>Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, with UPC 732216301205, all lots:&nbsp;A zinc-free, homeopathic cold remedy swab designed to shorten the duration of the common cold.</li><li>Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, with UPC 732216301656, all lots:&nbsp;A nasal cleansing swab product (discontinued in December 2024).</li><li>Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs, with UPC 310310400002, all lots:&nbsp;Pre-moistened swabs designed to soothe teething discomfort in infants and toddlers.</li>
 </ul>What Consumers Should DoConsumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should stop using the product immediately. Please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.churchdwightrecall.com/">www.churchdwightrecall.com</a><a href="http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer">External Link Disclaimer</a>&nbsp;or call its Consumer Relations team at (800) 981-4710 for a full refund. Any additional questions can also be directed to its Consumer Relations team Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm ET.Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.&nbsp;Complete and submit the report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program/reporting-serious-problems-fda">Online</a>Regular Mail or Fax:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/medwatch-forms-fda-safety-reporting">Download form</a>&nbsp;or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.This recall is limited exclusively to Zicam and Orajel swab products. All other Zicam and Orajel products, including Zicam RapidMelts, are not affected by this recall.&nbsp;About Church &amp; Dwight Co., Inc.Church &amp; Dwight Co., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of consumer household and personal care products. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.churchdwight.com/">www.churchdwight.com</a><a href="http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer">External Link Disclaimer</a>.

Baby swabs and nasal swabs recalled  over risk of life-threatening blood infection

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri.

A southbound SUV struck a pedestrian who was walking on southbound Interstate 29 at NW Barry Road in the number 2 lane, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

&nbsp;The impact knocked the pedestrian into the #3 and #4 lanes, where she was run over by two other vehicles. 

All vehicles stopped and no occupants were injured. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no signs of impairment on any of the drivers. This is fatality #28 in Kansas City, Missouri compared to #46 at this time last year.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri.A southbound SUV struck a pedestrian who was walking on southbound Interstate 29 at NW Barry Road in the number 2 lane, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.&nbsp;The impact knocked the pedestrian into the #3 and #4 lanes, where she was run over by two other vehicles. All vehicles stopped and no occupants were injured. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no signs of impairment on any of the drivers. This is fatality #28 in Kansas City, Missouri compared to #46 at this time last year.

KCPD: Pedestrian struck by SUV, run over by two other vehicles

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of a suspect as shown in the wanted poster.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Los Angeles Field Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the individual responsible for assaulting a federal officer and damaging government property near Alondra Boulevard in the city of Paramount, California.

On June 7, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the suspect threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles on Alondra Boulevard in Paramount, California, injuring a federal officer and damaging government vehicles.

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>, or <a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">click here to submit a tip</a> online.

<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/?fugitive_name=ASSAULT+ON+A+FEDERAL+OFFICER+AND+DAMAGE+TO+GOVERNMENT+PROPERTY&amp;fugitive_type=fbi" target="_blank">&nbsp;Click here to submit an anonymous Tip online</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749433582580.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of a suspect as shown in the wanted poster.The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Los Angeles Field Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the individual responsible for assaulting a federal officer and damaging government property near Alondra Boulevard in the city of Paramount, California.On June 7, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the suspect threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles on Alondra Boulevard in Paramount, California, injuring a federal officer and damaging government vehicles.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>, or <a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">click here to submit a tip</a> online.<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/?fugitive_name=ASSAULT+ON+A+FEDERAL+OFFICER+AND+DAMAGE+TO+GOVERNMENT+PROPERTY&amp;fugitive_type=fbi" target="_blank">&nbsp;Click here to submit an anonymous Tip online</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749464450327.png" alt="Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>___

ICE riots: Reward for info on suspect who assaulted federal officers

REYNOLDS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Sunday in Reynolds County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Honda VTX driven by a 52-yeaar-old Bunker man was northbound on Highway 21 two miles north of Ellington attempting to pass multiple vehicles in a no passing zone.&nbsp; The motorcycle struck a southbound 2012 Chevy Silverado driven by a 21-year-old Ellington man head-on.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup driver was not injured. The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and the pickup driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

REYNOLDS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Sunday in Reynolds County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Honda VTX driven by a 52-yeaar-old Bunker man was northbound on Highway 21 two miles north of Ellington attempting to pass multiple vehicles in a no passing zone.&nbsp; The motorcycle struck a southbound 2012 Chevy Silverado driven by a 21-year-old Ellington man head-on.The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup driver was not injured. The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and the pickup driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after motorcycle, pickup crash

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 23-year-old&nbsp;Alejandro J. Meza Jr., according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 11a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting in the 3000 block of NE 37th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.

While officers were on the way to the scene they were notified of a shooting victim dropped off at a hospital by private vehicle.

Officers located evidence that a shooting likely occurred inside an apartment building at the original dispatched address. Detectives responded to the scene to begin investigation. They canvassed for witnesses and worked to coordinate crime scene processing. A short time later detectives were notified that the victim, later identified as Meza, died at the hospital from his injuries.

According to Becchina, detectives could really use the public’s help with information as there was not anyone that remained at the original scene and the victim was left by himself at the hospital. 

If anyone was in this area around that time and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749324419083.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 23-year-old&nbsp;Alejandro J. Meza Jr., according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 11a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting in the 3000 block of NE 37th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.While officers were on the way to the scene they were notified of a shooting victim dropped off at a hospital by private vehicle.Officers located evidence that a shooting likely occurred inside an apartment building at the original dispatched address. Detectives responded to the scene to begin investigation. They canvassed for witnesses and worked to coordinate crime scene processing. A short time later detectives were notified that the victim, later identified as Meza, died at the hospital from his injuries.According to Becchina, detectives could really use the public’s help with information as there was not anyone that remained at the original scene and the victim was left by himself at the hospital. If anyone was in this area around that time and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

Homicide: Shooting victim dropped off at KC hospital died

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City, Mo., man was charged in federal court on charges related to child sexual exploitation.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed last week, Mohammad Maher Chamma, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity in May 2023, one count of transportation of child pornography in May 2024, and one count of distribution of child pornography between June 2024 and January 2025, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers learned of multiple CyberTips reporting that Chamma had used various online aliases to distribute and transport images and videos depicting child pornography, also referred to as child sexual exploitation material. Law enforcement officers also received a report that Chamma had transported a minor female from Kansas to Missouri to engage in illegal sexual activity in May 2023.

The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749388141627.png" alt="Chamma from an arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Chamma from an arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City, Mo., man was charged in federal court on charges related to child sexual exploitation.According to a criminal complaint unsealed last week, Mohammad Maher Chamma, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity in May 2023, one count of transportation of child pornography in May 2024, and one count of distribution of child pornography between June 2024 and January 2025, according to the United State's Attorney.According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers learned of multiple CyberTips reporting that Chamma had used various online aliases to distribute and transport images and videos depicting child pornography, also referred to as child sexual exploitation material. Law enforcement officers also received a report that Chamma had transported a minor female from Kansas to Missouri to engage in illegal sexual activity in May 2023.The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.

Affidavit: KC man used online aliases to distribute child porn

Ten years ago, Floyd Bledsoe walked free after spending more than 16 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. Today, he’s a father of three, an entrepreneur, and the owner of a small farm just outside Hutchinson.

On a chilly November afternoon in 1999, 14-year-old Zetta Camille Arfmann stepped off a school bus in the small town of Oskaloosa and walked into the trailer home she shared with her older sister, brother-in-law, and their two children. She was never seen alive again.

Just days later, Floyd Bledsoe—her sister’s 23-year-old husband—was arrested and charged with Camille’s murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, Bledsoe was convicted in April 2000 of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 16 years.

In 2004, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld Bledsoe’s conviction. But questions surrounding the handling of the case persisted, particularly over a pretrial agreement signed by the prosecutor, the county sheriff, and a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agent to not conduct DNA testing on the evidence.

Bledsoe’s legal team secured permission to test the preserved biological evidence. The results were staggering. DNA from a vaginal swab taken from Camille’s body matched Bledsoe’s brother, Tom Bledsoe—not Floyd. Floyd’s DNA was not found on any of the tested evidence. Additional DNA evidence, including samples found on Camille’s socks, implicated Tom and the brothers’ father in the disposal of the body.

As the case unraveled, Tom Bledsoe died by suicide on November 9, 2015, in Bonner Springs. He left behind handwritten confessions, including a note addressed to his parents in which he admitted to raping and killing Camille and implored them to "please tell Floyd I am sorry."

One month later, on December 8, 2015, Judge Gary Nafziger vacated Floyd Bledsoe’s convictions. Prosecutors dropped all charges, and Bledsoe walked free after spending nearly half his life imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.

Since his 2015 exoneration, Bledsoe has settled in Hutchinson and started four businesses. Among them is F-N-J Construction, a home remodeling and decking company, and Bledsoe Serenity Homestead, a working farm where he sells fresh produce and teaches others how to grow their own food.

The journey from prison to purpose hasn’t been easy.

“It takes a toll — mentally, emotionally. It just drains you,” Bledsoe said of his wrongful incarceration. “But it’s also made me who I am today. I went in at 23 and came out at 39. It taught me what true family really is — and sometimes, that’s not the one you’re born into, but the people who choose to walk alongside you.”

Now a father to three young children, Bledsoe’s focus is on creating meaningful experiences — both for his family and the broader community.

That mission comes to life at the Serenity Homestead, where children can interact with animals, ride horses, and experience hands-on farming.

“One of my goals is to teach people how to become self-sustaining,” he said. “You don’t have to rely on the grocery store if you know how to grow your own food.”

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bledsoe said. “I’ve learned a lot of stuff, gained a lot of great friends, and built a completely different life.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749356374241.jpeg" alt="Floyd Bledsoe - Hutch Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Floyd Bledsoe - Hutch Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch Post&nbsp;Ten years ago, Floyd Bledsoe walked free after spending more than 16 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. Today, he’s a father of three, an entrepreneur, and the owner of a small farm just outside Hutchinson.<h2>Looking back</h2>On a chilly November afternoon in 1999, 14-year-old Zetta Camille Arfmann stepped off a school bus in the small town of Oskaloosa and walked into the trailer home she shared with her older sister, brother-in-law, and their two children. She was never seen alive again.Just days later, Floyd Bledsoe—her sister’s 23-year-old husband—was arrested and charged with Camille’s murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, Bledsoe was convicted in April 2000 of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 16 years.In 2004, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld Bledsoe’s conviction. But questions surrounding the handling of the case persisted, particularly over a pretrial agreement signed by the prosecutor, the county sheriff, and a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agent to not conduct DNA testing on the evidence.Bledsoe’s legal team secured permission to test the preserved biological evidence. The results were staggering. DNA from a vaginal swab taken from Camille’s body matched Bledsoe’s brother, Tom Bledsoe—not Floyd. Floyd’s DNA was not found on any of the tested evidence. Additional DNA evidence, including samples found on Camille’s socks, implicated Tom and the brothers’ father in the disposal of the body.As the case unraveled, Tom Bledsoe died by suicide on November 9, 2015, in Bonner Springs. He left behind handwritten confessions, including a note addressed to his parents in which he admitted to raping and killing Camille and implored them to "please tell Floyd I am sorry."One month later, on December 8, 2015, Judge Gary Nafziger vacated Floyd Bledsoe’s convictions. Prosecutors dropped all charges, and Bledsoe walked free after spending nearly half his life imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.<h2>Today</h2>Since his 2015 exoneration, Bledsoe has settled in Hutchinson and started four businesses. Among them is F-N-J Construction, a home remodeling and decking company, and Bledsoe Serenity Homestead, a working farm where he sells fresh produce and teaches others how to grow their own food.The journey from prison to purpose hasn’t been easy.“It takes a toll — mentally, emotionally. It just drains you,” Bledsoe said of his wrongful incarceration. “But it’s also made me who I am today. I went in at 23 and came out at 39. It taught me what true family really is — and sometimes, that’s not the one you’re born into, but the people who choose to walk alongside you.”Now a father to three young children, Bledsoe’s focus is on creating meaningful experiences — both for his family and the broader community.That mission comes to life at the Serenity Homestead, where children can interact with animals, ride horses, and experience hands-on farming.“One of my goals is to teach people how to become self-sustaining,” he said. “You don’t have to rely on the grocery store if you know how to grow your own food.”“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bledsoe said. “I’ve learned a lot of stuff, gained a lot of great friends, and built a completely different life.”

Exonerated man builds new life in Kansas

Multiple states bordering the Mississippi River are still waiting for federal disaster aid decisions.

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/cstephenson/">Cassandra Stephenson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/ppowell/">Phillip Powell</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/ldufalla/">Lucas Dufalla</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/iireland/">Illan Ireland</a>

This&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/05/22/uncertainty-about-federal-disaster-aid-looms-as-storms-roll-in/" target="_blank">story</a>&nbsp;first appeared on the&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/" target="_blank">Tennessee Lookout</a>.

CAVE CITY, Ark. — When a severe tornado tore through Cave City, Arkansas, in March, retiree Debra Lindsey was in her trailer home with her husband.

“I didn’t even know there was a tornado on the ground until the sirens went off, and then in 45 seconds it was here,” Lindsey said. “It was very scary. If it would’ve been 100 to 150 feet closer to here, it would’ve taken the front of our trailer off.”

Even without a direct hit, she estimated that the damage to their home and property was between $30,000 and $40,000. Their storage buildings were destroyed, along with their two vehicles. And the insurance company won’t cover everything.

Across the street, Robert and Kymberlie Watson rode out the tornadoes with their seven children in the nearest storm shelter. When they returned, they found roughly $60,000 worth of damage to their property.

About one month after the tornadoes, the&nbsp;<a href="https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/04/21/sanders-says-arkansas-in-dire-need-of-federal-assistance-but-trump-says-no" target="_blank">Trump administration denied Arkansas’ request for a major disaster declaration.</a>&nbsp;The declaration would have brought federal funds into the state to help with recovery. Both families thought they’d have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs.

The power to grant a disaster declaration and access to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s assistance programs lies solely in the hands of the president, and President Donald Trump’s administration is looking to significantly scale back FEMA and pass disaster recovery costs onto states.

Lindsey, a disabled retired nurse, feared that the lack of federal assistance for their home repairs would force her back into the workforce.

Another round of severe weather walloped the Lower Mississippi River Basin in early April, causing extensive flooding and more tornado damage in parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi.

Then, some good news: The Trump administration reversed course on May 13 after an appeal and a personal plea from Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The president granted a major disaster declaration, allowing individuals like Lindsey and the Watsons to apply for aid.

“If we get some help out of it, that’s absolutely amazing. We could really use it,” Kymberlie Watson said. “We’re surprised, a little bit … because the government actually stepped up and helped its citizens.”

Cave City may not be so lucky. Trump has yet to approve recovery assistance to public entities, which may leave local governments — including the town of less than 2,000 residents — with big bills. On May 3, Sanders submitted another<a href="https://arktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AR-Gov-Req.May3_.2025.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;disaster declaration application</a>&nbsp;asking for extensive public assistance. Requests for FEMA aid from Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee also remain outstanding, though the Trump administration did grant Kentucky’s request.

“President Trump and his administration will continue working to further empower state and local governments to build their own resilience before disaster strikes and to execute rapid, smart response when supplemental federal assistance is required to truly protect citizens and aid a return to normalcy,” a White House official wrote the Desk by email.

Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson was at a ribbon-cutting event for the city’s ambulance service when he learned of the initial rejection from the Trump administration. His first thought?

“You have got to be kidding me,” he said.

Anderson estimated that some 50 Cave City homes were damaged in the March tornado, and 25 of those were completely destroyed. He said underinsurance was likely a huge issue in the community, and the costs for the city to remove all the debris might run over $300,000 for a municipality that only has an annual budget of around $1.4 million. Cave City also lost its only grocery store, forcing residents to drive 20 to 30 minutes to nearby towns for necessities.

A disaster declaration opens up potential programs for state and local governments to recoup some money spent on removing debris and repairing infrastructure. It can also unlock assistance programs for individuals, including post-disaster support services and financial aid for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Not all programs are offered for every disaster.

After a disaster, government personnel assess the cost of damage. Sanders’&nbsp;<a href="https://arktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AR-Gov-Req.May3_.2025.pdf" target="_blank">requests for federal disaster aid for dozens of counties mostly in the Arkansas Delta</a>&nbsp;estimated public damages at over $21 million from both the March and April storms, including more than $3 million in Sharp County, home to part of Cave City.

FEMA uses cost per capita to gauge whether local and state governments can handle recovery themselves, or if they’ll need federal help. Those thresholds currently stand at $4.72 per capita for counties and $1.89 per capita for states. Per capita damages for Sharp County, where Cave City is located, are estimated at $179.

But meeting those thresholds does not guarantee that the president will approve a disaster declaration. A president is not required to justify their decision, and documentation of the reasons for denial is considered privileged — not public record.

Sanders released a statement thanking the Trump administration for finally delivering individual assistance, but did not mention her second, outstanding request for public assistance and additional funds. She also expressed support for Trump’s efforts to reform FEMA.

“Our entire state is grateful for President Trump’s leadership and assistance as we recover from the devastating storms that struck Arkansas earlier this spring,” Sanders said. “I had a productive conversation with the President in which he expressed his support for our state and I offered my full endorsement of his plans to reform FEMA to save money and provide greater direct assistance to disaster victims.”

Over the past two years, the Biden administration provided more than $101 million in public disaster recovery funding to Arkansas, according to FEMA data. And before that, the first Trump administration gave Arkansas more than $101 million in federal disaster recovery assistance between 2017 and 2020.

States in the Lower Mississippi River Basin have received more than $31.3 billion in federal public recovery assistance following natural disasters since 1998, according to FEMA data. Hurricane response has consistently required the most federal assistance.

In recent years, there have been more requests for disaster declarations and more of them have been approved than denied. Between 1953 and 1999, Lower Mississippi River Basin states saw two approvals for every one denial. Within the last 25 years, the approval ratio rose to 5-1.

John Gasper, an associate professor of economics at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, found in a&nbsp;<a href="https://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1027&amp;context=jpmsp" target="_blank">2015 analysis</a>&nbsp;of county-level FEMA data from 1992 through 2005 that the chance of a denial is lower when the president and governor belong to the same political party. In “non-election years or non-opportune times,” denials typically follow FEMA’s unofficial guidelines, he said in a May interview.

There are two reasons for FEMA aid’s president-centric policy design, Gasper said: The federal government wants the ability to grant aid in “marginal cases that don’t make the threshold but still are clear disasters,” and politicians realize the benefits of giving aid to constituents.

“In an election year, it’s a great opportunity for a campaigning official to come in, do photo-ops, roll up their sleeves, etcetera,” he said. “In non-election years, they have less concern there, so the probability of denial goes up substantially.”

The denial of Arkansas’ initial request for help was “shocking,” said Anderson. Sanders, who worked as press secretary for Trump for part of his first term, credited her access to the president for her appeal’s eventual success.

Changes at FEMA have further muddied the process of requesting and obtaining disaster assistance. Since January, the Trump administration has dismissed hundreds of FEMA employees and scrapped an agency program funding disaster prevention efforts in states and municipalities. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program had made $5 billion in grant money available since 2020, awarding over $12 million to Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee through 2023.

Federal officials have also discussed making it harder to secure funds after a disaster. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/25/politics/fema-aid-disaster-assistance-memo" target="_blank">an internal memo obtained</a>&nbsp;by CNN, former acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton proposed various reforms to curb the agency’s disaster spending, including quadrupling the financial burden states must sustain to qualify for public aid. Hamilton was fired weeks later, and state officials say they have received no word regarding changes to FEMA’s public assistance threshold.

While the higher benchmark proposed by Hamilton has not been adopted publicly, the low number of disaster declarations approved so far this year suggests the White House is following new standards for public aid eligibility, one emergency management expert explained.

“We don’t have to wait for an official guidance on this. We know that the bar has shifted,” said Bryan Koon, who led Florida’s Division of Emergency Management from 2011 to 2017 and is CEO of IEM, a disaster management consulting firm. “What got you a declaration in 2024 and earlier is not going to get you a disaster declaration in 2025.”

Hamilton’s replacement at FEMA, David Richardson, reportedly held a meeting with staff where he said a large part of the response and recovery would be put on states under his leadership,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/fema-david-richardson-leaked-audio" target="_blank">according to Drop Site News.</a>

Bipartisan support for disaster aid reform does exist, but Trump’s FEMA overhaul has sparked concern among state emergency management officials, who say they aren’t prepared to take over disaster funding responsibilities from the agency.

Such a transition would require extensive guidance from the administration and planning from state and local governments, said Lynn Budd, president of the National Emergency Management Association and director of Wyoming’s Office of Homeland Security. Reducing FEMA assistance with little clarity or advance notice risks leaving communities unprepared for disasters moving forward, she added.

Even with clearer messaging from the administration, scaling back FEMA support would require states to make tough choices on how to cover disaster costs and budget for future emergencies, Koon explained. Reallocating funds toward disaster management would mean cuts to other services, and states would have to lean heavily on volunteer organizations to fill financial and staffing gaps.

“States are going to have to adapt,” Koon said. “It’s going to be a lot more of a patchwork of support to make up for what would have come from the federal government.”

Koon emphasized that shifting disaster expenses to states would also mean higher costs for residents. Households will have to purchase broader insurance coverage in the absence of FEMA assistance, he explained, and families will have to pay for damage previously covered by the agency.

In Mississippi, where residents are still recovering from the same storms and tornadoes that struck Arkansas in mid-March, emergency management officials said they will continue looking to FEMA for disaster assistance until they are instructed otherwise. The state is awaiting a decision from the White House on its own disaster declaration request, and officials said they won’t adjust operations or request additional funding from the legislature without more guidance from the administration.

“We have received no indication from FEMA about any proposed changes to formulas that determine federal disaster assistance,” said Scott Simmons, director of external affairs at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. “Until the rules of the game change, we’re going to continue playing by the rules.”

Others are looking ahead at how states could respond if FEMA steps back.

States already play active roles in recovery but they “need to become a little bit more proficient and get help in coordinating and answering disasters together,” Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a coalition of more than 100 mayors of river basin cities, said in early April following severe flooding along the river.

Flooding on the Mississippi River typically impacts all of its 10 bordering states, he said, so if states do take on more responsibility, they would need to work “in tandem” to coordinate recovery efforts.

“That isn’t necessarily something that happens through the FEMA process,” Wellenkamp said.

A new round of storms and tornadoes swept through the basin in mid-May, leaving major damage in St. Louis. And hurricane season begins June 1. Researchers are predicting above average activity this year.

With the Trump administration’s new approach to FEMA aid, Anderson worries that recovery for small places like Cave City may become even harder.

“There’s just things the Federal government has been or should be doing … they’re just a lot more equipped to handle that than a city or a state,”Anderson said. It’s an imperfect process and he added that “numbers on a spreadsheet don’t always tell the human story.”

This story is a product of the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.agwaterdesk.org/" target="_blank">Mississippi River Basin Ag &amp; Water Desk</a>, an independent reporting network based at the&nbsp;<a href="https://journalism.missouri.edu/2023/07/mississippi-river-basin-ag-water-desk-expands-coverage-of-local-environment-and-agriculture-news-with-new-grant/" target="_blank">University of Missouri</a>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reportforamerica.org/" target="_blank">Report for America</a>, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation.&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/" target="_blank">Tennessee Lookout</a>&nbsp;is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization.

<h2>Multiple states bordering the Mississippi River are still waiting for federal disaster aid decisions.</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/cstephenson/">Cassandra Stephenson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/ppowell/">Phillip Powell</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/ldufalla/">Lucas Dufalla</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/iireland/">Illan Ireland</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749399155487.png" alt=" Kymberlie and Robert Watson stand outside a damaged work shed on their property in Cave City, Ark. The March tornado that ripped through the city incurred $60,000 in damages to their home. (Photo by Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)" />
 <figcaption> Kymberlie and Robert Watson stand outside a damaged work shed on their property in Cave City, Ark. The March tornado that ripped through the city incurred $60,000 in damages to their home. (Photo by Lucas Dufalla, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)</figcaption>
 </figure>This&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/05/22/uncertainty-about-federal-disaster-aid-looms-as-storms-roll-in/" target="_blank">story</a>&nbsp;first appeared on the&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/" target="_blank">Tennessee Lookout</a>.CAVE CITY, Ark. — When a severe tornado tore through Cave City, Arkansas, in March, retiree Debra Lindsey was in her trailer home with her husband.“I didn’t even know there was a tornado on the ground until the sirens went off, and then in 45 seconds it was here,” Lindsey said. “It was very scary. If it would’ve been 100 to 150 feet closer to here, it would’ve taken the front of our trailer off.”Even without a direct hit, she estimated that the damage to their home and property was between $30,000 and $40,000. Their storage buildings were destroyed, along with their two vehicles. And the insurance company won’t cover everything.Across the street, Robert and Kymberlie Watson rode out the tornadoes with their seven children in the nearest storm shelter. When they returned, they found roughly $60,000 worth of damage to their property.About one month after the tornadoes, the&nbsp;<a href="https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/04/21/sanders-says-arkansas-in-dire-need-of-federal-assistance-but-trump-says-no" target="_blank">Trump administration denied Arkansas’ request for a major disaster declaration.</a>&nbsp;The declaration would have brought federal funds into the state to help with recovery. Both families thought they’d have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs.The power to grant a disaster declaration and access to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s assistance programs lies solely in the hands of the president, and President Donald Trump’s administration is looking to significantly scale back FEMA and pass disaster recovery costs onto states.Lindsey, a disabled retired nurse, feared that the lack of federal assistance for their home repairs would force her back into the workforce.Another round of severe weather walloped the Lower Mississippi River Basin in early April, causing extensive flooding and more tornado damage in parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi.Then, some good news: The Trump administration reversed course on May 13 after an appeal and a personal plea from Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The president granted a major disaster declaration, allowing individuals like Lindsey and the Watsons to apply for aid.“If we get some help out of it, that’s absolutely amazing. We could really use it,” Kymberlie Watson said. “We’re surprised, a little bit … because the government actually stepped up and helped its citizens.”Cave City may not be so lucky. Trump has yet to approve recovery assistance to public entities, which may leave local governments — including the town of less than 2,000 residents — with big bills. On May 3, Sanders submitted another<a href="https://arktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AR-Gov-Req.May3_.2025.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;disaster declaration application</a>&nbsp;asking for extensive public assistance. Requests for FEMA aid from Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee also remain outstanding, though the Trump administration did grant Kentucky’s request.“President Trump and his administration will continue working to further empower state and local governments to build their own resilience before disaster strikes and to execute rapid, smart response when supplemental federal assistance is required to truly protect citizens and aid a return to normalcy,” a White House official wrote the Desk by email.<h2>Cave City pushes forward</h2>Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson was at a ribbon-cutting event for the city’s ambulance service when he learned of the initial rejection from the Trump administration. His first thought?“You have got to be kidding me,” he said.Anderson estimated that some 50 Cave City homes were damaged in the March tornado, and 25 of those were completely destroyed. He said underinsurance was likely a huge issue in the community, and the costs for the city to remove all the debris might run over $300,000 for a municipality that only has an annual budget of around $1.4 million. Cave City also lost its only grocery store, forcing residents to drive 20 to 30 minutes to nearby towns for necessities.A disaster declaration opens up potential programs for state and local governments to recoup some money spent on removing debris and repairing infrastructure. It can also unlock assistance programs for individuals, including post-disaster support services and financial aid for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Not all programs are offered for every disaster.After a disaster, government personnel assess the cost of damage. Sanders’&nbsp;<a href="https://arktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AR-Gov-Req.May3_.2025.pdf" target="_blank">requests for federal disaster aid for dozens of counties mostly in the Arkansas Delta</a>&nbsp;estimated public damages at over $21 million from both the March and April storms, including more than $3 million in Sharp County, home to part of Cave City.FEMA uses cost per capita to gauge whether local and state governments can handle recovery themselves, or if they’ll need federal help. Those thresholds currently stand at $4.72 per capita for counties and $1.89 per capita for states. Per capita damages for Sharp County, where Cave City is located, are estimated at $179.But meeting those thresholds does not guarantee that the president will approve a disaster declaration. A president is not required to justify their decision, and documentation of the reasons for denial is considered privileged — not public record.Sanders released a statement thanking the Trump administration for finally delivering individual assistance, but did not mention her second, outstanding request for public assistance and additional funds. She also expressed support for Trump’s efforts to reform FEMA.“Our entire state is grateful for President Trump’s leadership and assistance as we recover from the devastating storms that struck Arkansas earlier this spring,” Sanders said. “I had a productive conversation with the President in which he expressed his support for our state and I offered my full endorsement of his plans to reform FEMA to save money and provide greater direct assistance to disaster victims.”<h2>FEMA politics</h2>Over the past two years, the Biden administration provided more than $101 million in public disaster recovery funding to Arkansas, according to FEMA data. And before that, the first Trump administration gave Arkansas more than $101 million in federal disaster recovery assistance between 2017 and 2020.States in the Lower Mississippi River Basin have received more than $31.3 billion in federal public recovery assistance following natural disasters since 1998, according to FEMA data. Hurricane response has consistently required the most federal assistance.In recent years, there have been more requests for disaster declarations and more of them have been approved than denied. Between 1953 and 1999, Lower Mississippi River Basin states saw two approvals for every one denial. Within the last 25 years, the approval ratio rose to 5-1.John Gasper, an associate professor of economics at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, found in a&nbsp;<a href="https://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1027&amp;context=jpmsp" target="_blank">2015 analysis</a>&nbsp;of county-level FEMA data from 1992 through 2005 that the chance of a denial is lower when the president and governor belong to the same political party. In “non-election years or non-opportune times,” denials typically follow FEMA’s unofficial guidelines, he said in a May interview.There are two reasons for FEMA aid’s president-centric policy design, Gasper said: The federal government wants the ability to grant aid in “marginal cases that don’t make the threshold but still are clear disasters,” and politicians realize the benefits of giving aid to constituents.“In an election year, it’s a great opportunity for a campaigning official to come in, do photo-ops, roll up their sleeves, etcetera,” he said. “In non-election years, they have less concern there, so the probability of denial goes up substantially.”The denial of Arkansas’ initial request for help was “shocking,” said Anderson. Sanders, who worked as press secretary for Trump for part of his first term, credited her access to the president for her appeal’s eventual success.Changes at FEMA have further muddied the process of requesting and obtaining disaster assistance. Since January, the Trump administration has dismissed hundreds of FEMA employees and scrapped an agency program funding disaster prevention efforts in states and municipalities. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program had made $5 billion in grant money available since 2020, awarding over $12 million to Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee through 2023.Federal officials have also discussed making it harder to secure funds after a disaster. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/25/politics/fema-aid-disaster-assistance-memo" target="_blank">an internal memo obtained</a>&nbsp;by CNN, former acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton proposed various reforms to curb the agency’s disaster spending, including quadrupling the financial burden states must sustain to qualify for public aid. Hamilton was fired weeks later, and state officials say they have received no word regarding changes to FEMA’s public assistance threshold.While the higher benchmark proposed by Hamilton has not been adopted publicly, the low number of disaster declarations approved so far this year suggests the White House is following new standards for public aid eligibility, one emergency management expert explained.“We don’t have to wait for an official guidance on this. We know that the bar has shifted,” said Bryan Koon, who led Florida’s Division of Emergency Management from 2011 to 2017 and is CEO of IEM, a disaster management consulting firm. “What got you a declaration in 2024 and earlier is not going to get you a disaster declaration in 2025.”Hamilton’s replacement at FEMA, David Richardson, reportedly held a meeting with staff where he said a large part of the response and recovery would be put on states under his leadership,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/fema-david-richardson-leaked-audio" target="_blank">according to Drop Site News.</a>Bipartisan support for disaster aid reform does exist, but Trump’s FEMA overhaul has sparked concern among state emergency management officials, who say they aren’t prepared to take over disaster funding responsibilities from the agency.Such a transition would require extensive guidance from the administration and planning from state and local governments, said Lynn Budd, president of the National Emergency Management Association and director of Wyoming’s Office of Homeland Security. Reducing FEMA assistance with little clarity or advance notice risks leaving communities unprepared for disasters moving forward, she added.Even with clearer messaging from the administration, scaling back FEMA support would require states to make tough choices on how to cover disaster costs and budget for future emergencies, Koon explained. Reallocating funds toward disaster management would mean cuts to other services, and states would have to lean heavily on volunteer organizations to fill financial and staffing gaps.“States are going to have to adapt,” Koon said. “It’s going to be a lot more of a patchwork of support to make up for what would have come from the federal government.”Koon emphasized that shifting disaster expenses to states would also mean higher costs for residents. Households will have to purchase broader insurance coverage in the absence of FEMA assistance, he explained, and families will have to pay for damage previously covered by the agency.In Mississippi, where residents are still recovering from the same storms and tornadoes that struck Arkansas in mid-March, emergency management officials said they will continue looking to FEMA for disaster assistance until they are instructed otherwise. The state is awaiting a decision from the White House on its own disaster declaration request, and officials said they won’t adjust operations or request additional funding from the legislature without more guidance from the administration.“We have received no indication from FEMA about any proposed changes to formulas that determine federal disaster assistance,” said Scott Simmons, director of external affairs at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. “Until the rules of the game change, we’re going to continue playing by the rules.”Others are looking ahead at how states could respond if FEMA steps back.States already play active roles in recovery but they “need to become a little bit more proficient and get help in coordinating and answering disasters together,” Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a coalition of more than 100 mayors of river basin cities, said in early April following severe flooding along the river.Flooding on the Mississippi River typically impacts all of its 10 bordering states, he said, so if states do take on more responsibility, they would need to work “in tandem” to coordinate recovery efforts.“That isn’t necessarily something that happens through the FEMA process,” Wellenkamp said.A new round of storms and tornadoes swept through the basin in mid-May, leaving major damage in St. Louis. And hurricane season begins June 1. Researchers are predicting above average activity this year.With the Trump administration’s new approach to FEMA aid, Anderson worries that recovery for small places like Cave City may become even harder.“There’s just things the Federal government has been or should be doing … they’re just a lot more equipped to handle that than a city or a state,”Anderson said. It’s an imperfect process and he added that “numbers on a spreadsheet don’t always tell the human story.”This story is a product of the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.agwaterdesk.org/" target="_blank">Mississippi River Basin Ag &amp; Water Desk</a>, an independent reporting network based at the&nbsp;<a href="https://journalism.missouri.edu/2023/07/mississippi-river-basin-ag-water-desk-expands-coverage-of-local-environment-and-agriculture-news-with-new-grant/" target="_blank">University of Missouri</a>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.reportforamerica.org/" target="_blank">Report for America</a>, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation.&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/" target="_blank">Tennessee Lookout</a>&nbsp;is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization.

Uncertainty about federal disaster aid looms as storms roll in

ANDERSON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Saturday in Anderson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris UTV driven by 16-year-old Wyatt L&nbsp;Whitham of Kincaid, Kansas, was southbound on NW Marshall Road two and one half miles west of Garnett.

The driver attempted to turn East onto NW 1750 Road. The UTV struck the South embankment and overturned onto the drivers side.

Whitham was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Medical - Kansas City. Two other passengers, a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, both from Garnett, were not seriously injured and not transported.&nbsp;

ANDERSON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Saturday in Anderson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris UTV driven by 16-year-old Wyatt L&nbsp;Whitham of Kincaid, Kansas, was southbound on NW Marshall Road two and one half miles west of Garnett.The driver attempted to turn East onto NW 1750 Road. The UTV struck the South embankment and overturned onto the drivers side.Whitham was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Medical - Kansas City. Two other passengers, a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, both from Garnett, were not seriously injured and not transported.&nbsp;

Kansas teen killed when UTV overturns

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/robbiesequeira/">Robbie Sequeira</a>

Over the past few months, Celina Damian’s phone has been ringing off the hook with one bewildered, anxious question after another: “What kind of loan is this?” “Am I in default?” “Will the government really take my wages?”

“Sometimes they just don’t know where to start,” said Damian, California’s student loan servicing ombudsperson.

“I’m talking to borrowers from all ages, from new borrowers to — I have 80-, 90-year-old borrowers,” she said.

The federal government last month restarted collections on defaulted loans. State student loan ombudspersons such as Damian have become some of the only sources of contact for worried borrowers lost in a tangle of conflicting information at the federal level about their loan status and repayment options.

The U.S. Department of Education began collecting on defaulted student loans in May for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education come with&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/repaying-101" target="_blank">fixed rates, set repayment plans and borrower protections</a>. Private servicers handle billing, repayment-plan enrollments and defaults.

More than 5 million borrowers are in delinquency, and nearly 10 million — about 25% of the federal student loan portfolio — are at risk of default within months, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.

States can’t cancel that debt, but they do register and oversee servicers operating in their states, run ombuds offices, tweak tax rules and offer outreach or limited grants — actions aimed at reducing defaults and the economic fallout.

When borrowers default, states will likely feel the economic impact. They might lose tax revenue as homebuying stalls. They could end up paying more for Medicaid and social services if borrowers need to rely on them. And students with loan debt may be reluctant to go into lower-paying public-sector work, leading to staffing shortages at state agencies.

A borrower is considered delinquent after missing a payment to the servicing companies that handle billing, repayment plan enrollments, and defaults.

Damian’s office, established under California’s Student Borrower Bill of Rights, began as a narrow statutory role but now serves as a hub for outreach, “Student Loan 101” workshops and escalated complaints to federal agencies.

Roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/state-ombudsman" target="_blank">16 states</a>&nbsp;plus the District of Columbia have followed suit, creating ombuds offices to guide borrowers through confusing paperwork and misinformation. Damian believes these ombuds offices should be in every state, as borrowers across the country will likely have similar questions and little help at the federal level.

“If you don’t have an ombudsperson or even just a person at the state level who can educate borrowers, that will make a difference,” Damian told Stateline. “These borrowers are trying to pay, but the system is broken. No other financial product works this way.”

Student loans became a key issue during last year’s election race, with President Joe Biden blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in his effort to offer relief to 40 million Americans. In its waning days, his administration did forgive loans for some 150,000 borrowers under previous programs.

But President Donald Trump opposes most loan forgiveness programs, and&nbsp;in May, the U.S. Education Department issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2025-05-05/request-institutions-provide-repayment-information-former-students-prevent-defaults" target="_blank">“Dear Colleague” letter to higher education institutions</a>, reminding them of their legal obligations to help former students understand repayment responsibilities and access support.

Some conservative economists&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cato.org/testimony/state-higher-education#affordability:~:text=There%20is%20considerable%20evidence%20that%20colleges%20raise%20their%20prices%20and%20reduce%20institutional%20aid%20when%20federal%20financial%20aid%20is%20available.%20This%20phenomenon%20is%20referred%20to%20as%20the%20Bennett%20Hypothesis." target="_blank">say</a>&nbsp;that federal loan forgiveness and financial aid hurt all students, offering colleges an incentive to raise tuition or lower their own institutional aid.

Winston Berkman-Breen, the legal director at the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit aimed at protecting borrowers and improving the repayment system, said that more than 2 million borrowers are stuck in a backlog of&nbsp;<a href="https://protectborrowers.org/new-court-filing-reveals-backlog-of-2-million-borrower-payment-plan-applications/" target="_blank">unprocessed applications</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studentloanplanner.com/idr-pslf-application-delays/" target="_blank">income-driven repayment</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://protectborrowers.org/new-court-filing-reveals-backlog-of-2-million-borrower-payment-plan-applications/" target="_blank">IDR) plans</a>&nbsp;— calculated pay structures meant to keep payments affordable based on a borrower’s income.

Other borrowers have called federal agencies for help only to find that U.S. Education Department staff,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force" target="_blank">including servicer-oversight teams</a>, have been laid off as the Trump administration works toward dismantling the department entirely.

“There was an expectation to repay,” Berkman-Breen said. “But there was also an expectation that people would have access to affordable plans. That promise has broken down.”

States now have three primary tools to address student loan debt, Berkman-Breen said: enforcement actions to protect consumers, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/09/12/nx-s1-5110124/navient-lawsuit-settlement-student-loans#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20Navient%20reached%20a,Navient%20faced%20two%20serious%20allegations." target="_blank">39-state lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against servicer Navient; legal oversight by suing to uphold or challenge federal policy; and direct outreach to help public servants access Public Service Loan Forgiveness and similar programs.

Nineteen states now require registration for companies that service student loans, he said. And more than a dozen states align with federal policy to exempt forgiven loan balances from state income taxes.

Connecticut state Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, a Democrat, calls student debt “a drag on the economy,” and said states can’t afford to wait for Congress — mired in partisan gridlock over student loan forgiveness — to find common ground.

“[Student debt] is stopping people from buying homes, starting families and fully participating in the economy,” she told Stateline. “That hurts us as a state, as a city, and we can’t wait for Washington to figure it out.”

Last year, Connecticut created a bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/fortier/student-loan-reimbursement-program#:~:text=Starting%20January%201%2C%20Connecticut%20college,jointly%20or%20a%20surviving%20spouse." target="_blank">reimbursement program</a>&nbsp;that provides up to $20,000 for graduates of local colleges who make payments and complete community service. The state has distributed more than $2 million so far.

Kavros DeGraw hopes the program can serve as a model, and has already talked with lawmakers in other states on possibly developing their own versions of it.

“These were people who were already paying,” Kavros DeGraw said. “It just made sense. I think it’s something that other states could explore this session, and it would provide an immense deal of relief.”

Lawmakers in other states also have considered student loan legislation. This year, New Jersey introduced bills to&nbsp;<a href="https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S4500/4011_I1.PDF" target="_blank">register education lenders</a>&nbsp;and cap interest rates. Lawmakers in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/25%20Regular/bills/house/HB0224.HTML?utm_" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3772" target="_blank">New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S426" target="_blank">North Carolina</a>&nbsp;have proposed Borrower Bill of Rights legislation. Arizona has a registration bill for private servicers. None of these measures has advanced far.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 20 states have enacted laws expanding loan forgiveness, repayment programs and servicer oversight in recent years.

Several states are also investing directly in workforce-aligned loan forgiveness: Georgia expanded its service-cancelable loan&nbsp;<a href="https://healthcareworkforce.georgia.gov/dentist-loan-repayment-programs" target="_blank">program</a>&nbsp;to cover dental students working in rural areas. Idaho created a loan repayment&nbsp;<a href="https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/rural-health-and-underserved-areas/loan-repayment-and-grants" target="_blank">incentive</a>&nbsp;for rural nurses. Kentucky now offers $5,000&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1688009" target="_blank">stipends</a>&nbsp;to attract new teachers. Maryland authorized Anne Arundel County to launch a local&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0541?ys=2024RS" target="_blank">forgiveness</a>&nbsp;program for public school educators.

Student loan stress is not&nbsp;<a href="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2025/05/student-loan-delinquencies-are-back-and-credit-scores-take-a-tumble/" target="_blank">evenly distributed</a>. Seven states, all with Republican‐controlled legislatures, report delinquency rates above 30% among borrowers required to make payments.

Mississippi leads the nation with a conditional delinquency rate of nearly 45% — meaning borrowers who should be making payments are late. That’s just ahead of Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, all of which have rates above 31%, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

By contrast, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire maintain delinquency rates below 15%.

Experts say this chasm reflects deeper systemic differences, such as lower median incomes in higher delinquency states, along with weaker consumer protections and a higher share of students attending for-profit institutions or leaving college without a degree.

States also have promoted the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, established in 2007, that offers help to public service professionals. New Mexico has an outreach campaign that includes&nbsp;<a href="https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid/loan-repayment-programs/teacher" target="_blank">prospective teachers</a>&nbsp;and health care workers. Maine has provided&nbsp;<a href="https://www.maine.gov/pds/sites/maine.gov.pds/files/inline-files/Contractor%20Eligibility%20PSLF%20August%202023.pdf" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;to public defenders on how they can take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and touts a related state tax credit on a marketing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liveandworkinmaine.com/opportunity-maine" target="_blank">site</a>&nbsp;to lure new residents.

“States can regulate and enforce, but they can’t fix the structural problems in how repayment is administered,” said Michele Zampini, senior director of college affordability at The Institute for College Access &amp; Success, a research organization that advocates for students. “They’re helping around the edges, but the core system is still broken.”

A November&nbsp;<a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2024-annual-student-loan-ombudsmans-report_2024-11.pdf?utm" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau found at least 3.9 million borrowers received misleading or inaccurate bills from servicing companies.

“The repayment system is not in a good place to provide the services and repayment options borrowers are legally entitled to,” Zampini said.

The Student Loan Borrower Survey, conducted between October 2023 and January 2024, found that 61% of borrowers who received debt relief made a beneficial life change earlier than they otherwise could have. Yet borrower awareness remains dangerously low: Nearly 42% of federal borrowers have only been on the standard repayment plan, and 31% of those didn’t know other options, such as an income-based plan, existed.

In California, a major part of Damian’s job in the past few months has been to help borrowers access existing forgiveness programs.

Meanwhile, new federal policy proposals could reshape repayment entirely. The Trump-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Section-by-Section.pdf" target="_blank">One Big Beautiful Bill Act</a>&nbsp;would consolidate existing IDR plans into a single tiered structure, with lower-income borrowers paying flat monthly rates and higher earners contributing 8% of their income. The bill also proposes extending standard repayment terms to 30 years — raising concerns it could delay forgiveness and inflate total interest costs.

The bill passed the U.S. House and is pending in the Senate.

Andrew Gillen, a Cato Institute research fellow who recently testified before Congress, argues that any meaningful fix must address the incentives driving rising tuition — namely, federal aid being tied directly to college sticker prices.

“The link between rising tuition and increasing aid is what drives the Bennett Hypothesis, where federal student aid, in the form of loans, can lead to higher tuition costs at colleges and universities,” Gillen said in an interview. “If we instead use the median cost of attendance to calculate aid eligibility, we remove colleges’ incentive to hike prices just to capture more aid.”

Even without agreement on blanket forgiveness, experts agree on smaller bipartisan steps: streamlined repayment, stronger servicer oversight and targeted help for borrowers with the greatest need.

“We don’t want people defaulting. We don’t want payments that are too high for people just out of school. That should be the bipartisan starting point,” Zampini said.

Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rsequeira@stateline.org">rsequeira@stateline.org</a>.

<a href="https://stateline.org/" target="_blank">Stateline</a>&nbsp;is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@stateline.org">info@stateline.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749295781301.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy Northwestern University graduation video 2024" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Northwestern University graduation video 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/robbiesequeira/">Robbie Sequeira</a>Over the past few months, Celina Damian’s phone has been ringing off the hook with one bewildered, anxious question after another: “What kind of loan is this?” “Am I in default?” “Will the government really take my wages?”“Sometimes they just don’t know where to start,” said Damian, California’s student loan servicing ombudsperson.“I’m talking to borrowers from all ages, from new borrowers to — I have 80-, 90-year-old borrowers,” she said.The federal government last month restarted collections on defaulted loans. State student loan ombudspersons such as Damian have become some of the only sources of contact for worried borrowers lost in a tangle of conflicting information at the federal level about their loan status and repayment options.The U.S. Department of Education began collecting on defaulted student loans in May for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.Federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education come with&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/repaying-101" target="_blank">fixed rates, set repayment plans and borrower protections</a>. Private servicers handle billing, repayment-plan enrollments and defaults.More than 5 million borrowers are in delinquency, and nearly 10 million — about 25% of the federal student loan portfolio — are at risk of default within months, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.States can’t cancel that debt, but they do register and oversee servicers operating in their states, run ombuds offices, tweak tax rules and offer outreach or limited grants — actions aimed at reducing defaults and the economic fallout.When borrowers default, states will likely feel the economic impact. They might lose tax revenue as homebuying stalls. They could end up paying more for Medicaid and social services if borrowers need to rely on them. And students with loan debt may be reluctant to go into lower-paying public-sector work, leading to staffing shortages at state agencies.A borrower is considered delinquent after missing a payment to the servicing companies that handle billing, repayment plan enrollments, and defaults.Damian’s office, established under California’s Student Borrower Bill of Rights, began as a narrow statutory role but now serves as a hub for outreach, “Student Loan 101” workshops and escalated complaints to federal agencies.Roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/state-ombudsman" target="_blank">16 states</a>&nbsp;plus the District of Columbia have followed suit, creating ombuds offices to guide borrowers through confusing paperwork and misinformation. Damian believes these ombuds offices should be in every state, as borrowers across the country will likely have similar questions and little help at the federal level.“If you don’t have an ombudsperson or even just a person at the state level who can educate borrowers, that will make a difference,” Damian told Stateline. “These borrowers are trying to pay, but the system is broken. No other financial product works this way.”Student loans became a key issue during last year’s election race, with President Joe Biden blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in his effort to offer relief to 40 million Americans. In its waning days, his administration did forgive loans for some 150,000 borrowers under previous programs.But President Donald Trump opposes most loan forgiveness programs, and&nbsp;in May, the U.S. Education Department issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2025-05-05/request-institutions-provide-repayment-information-former-students-prevent-defaults" target="_blank">“Dear Colleague” letter to higher education institutions</a>, reminding them of their legal obligations to help former students understand repayment responsibilities and access support.Some conservative economists&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cato.org/testimony/state-higher-education#affordability:~:text=There%20is%20considerable%20evidence%20that%20colleges%20raise%20their%20prices%20and%20reduce%20institutional%20aid%20when%20federal%20financial%20aid%20is%20available.%20This%20phenomenon%20is%20referred%20to%20as%20the%20Bennett%20Hypothesis." target="_blank">say</a>&nbsp;that federal loan forgiveness and financial aid hurt all students, offering colleges an incentive to raise tuition or lower their own institutional aid.Winston Berkman-Breen, the legal director at the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit aimed at protecting borrowers and improving the repayment system, said that more than 2 million borrowers are stuck in a backlog of&nbsp;<a href="https://protectborrowers.org/new-court-filing-reveals-backlog-of-2-million-borrower-payment-plan-applications/" target="_blank">unprocessed applications</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studentloanplanner.com/idr-pslf-application-delays/" target="_blank">income-driven repayment</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://protectborrowers.org/new-court-filing-reveals-backlog-of-2-million-borrower-payment-plan-applications/" target="_blank">IDR) plans</a>&nbsp;— calculated pay structures meant to keep payments affordable based on a borrower’s income.Other borrowers have called federal agencies for help only to find that U.S. Education Department staff,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force" target="_blank">including servicer-oversight teams</a>, have been laid off as the Trump administration works toward dismantling the department entirely.“There was an expectation to repay,” Berkman-Breen said. “But there was also an expectation that people would have access to affordable plans. That promise has broken down.”States now have three primary tools to address student loan debt, Berkman-Breen said: enforcement actions to protect consumers, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/09/12/nx-s1-5110124/navient-lawsuit-settlement-student-loans#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20Navient%20reached%20a,Navient%20faced%20two%20serious%20allegations." target="_blank">39-state lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against servicer Navient; legal oversight by suing to uphold or challenge federal policy; and direct outreach to help public servants access Public Service Loan Forgiveness and similar programs.Nineteen states now require registration for companies that service student loans, he said. And more than a dozen states align with federal policy to exempt forgiven loan balances from state income taxes.<h2>‘Can’t wait for Washington’</h2>Connecticut state Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, a Democrat, calls student debt “a drag on the economy,” and said states can’t afford to wait for Congress — mired in partisan gridlock over student loan forgiveness — to find common ground.“[Student debt] is stopping people from buying homes, starting families and fully participating in the economy,” she told Stateline. “That hurts us as a state, as a city, and we can’t wait for Washington to figure it out.”Last year, Connecticut created a bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/fortier/student-loan-reimbursement-program#:~:text=Starting%20January%201%2C%20Connecticut%20college,jointly%20or%20a%20surviving%20spouse." target="_blank">reimbursement program</a>&nbsp;that provides up to $20,000 for graduates of local colleges who make payments and complete community service. The state has distributed more than $2 million so far.Kavros DeGraw hopes the program can serve as a model, and has already talked with lawmakers in other states on possibly developing their own versions of it.“These were people who were already paying,” Kavros DeGraw said. “It just made sense. I think it’s something that other states could explore this session, and it would provide an immense deal of relief.”Lawmakers in other states also have considered student loan legislation. This year, New Jersey introduced bills to&nbsp;<a href="https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S4500/4011_I1.PDF" target="_blank">register education lenders</a>&nbsp;and cap interest rates. Lawmakers in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/25%20Regular/bills/house/HB0224.HTML?utm_" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3772" target="_blank">New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S426" target="_blank">North Carolina</a>&nbsp;have proposed Borrower Bill of Rights legislation. Arizona has a registration bill for private servicers. None of these measures has advanced far.According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 20 states have enacted laws expanding loan forgiveness, repayment programs and servicer oversight in recent years.Several states are also investing directly in workforce-aligned loan forgiveness: Georgia expanded its service-cancelable loan&nbsp;<a href="https://healthcareworkforce.georgia.gov/dentist-loan-repayment-programs" target="_blank">program</a>&nbsp;to cover dental students working in rural areas. Idaho created a loan repayment&nbsp;<a href="https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/rural-health-and-underserved-areas/loan-repayment-and-grants" target="_blank">incentive</a>&nbsp;for rural nurses. Kentucky now offers $5,000&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1688009" target="_blank">stipends</a>&nbsp;to attract new teachers. Maryland authorized Anne Arundel County to launch a local&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0541?ys=2024RS" target="_blank">forgiveness</a>&nbsp;program for public school educators.<h2>Repayment</h2>Student loan stress is not&nbsp;<a href="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2025/05/student-loan-delinquencies-are-back-and-credit-scores-take-a-tumble/" target="_blank">evenly distributed</a>. Seven states, all with Republican‐controlled legislatures, report delinquency rates above 30% among borrowers required to make payments.Mississippi leads the nation with a conditional delinquency rate of nearly 45% — meaning borrowers who should be making payments are late. That’s just ahead of Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, all of which have rates above 31%, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.By contrast, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire maintain delinquency rates below 15%.Experts say this chasm reflects deeper systemic differences, such as lower median incomes in higher delinquency states, along with weaker consumer protections and a higher share of students attending for-profit institutions or leaving college without a degree.States also have promoted the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, established in 2007, that offers help to public service professionals. New Mexico has an outreach campaign that includes&nbsp;<a href="https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid/loan-repayment-programs/teacher" target="_blank">prospective teachers</a>&nbsp;and health care workers. Maine has provided&nbsp;<a href="https://www.maine.gov/pds/sites/maine.gov.pds/files/inline-files/Contractor%20Eligibility%20PSLF%20August%202023.pdf" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;to public defenders on how they can take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and touts a related state tax credit on a marketing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liveandworkinmaine.com/opportunity-maine" target="_blank">site</a>&nbsp;to lure new residents.“States can regulate and enforce, but they can’t fix the structural problems in how repayment is administered,” said Michele Zampini, senior director of college affordability at The Institute for College Access &amp; Success, a research organization that advocates for students. “They’re helping around the edges, but the core system is still broken.”A November&nbsp;<a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2024-annual-student-loan-ombudsmans-report_2024-11.pdf?utm" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau found at least 3.9 million borrowers received misleading or inaccurate bills from servicing companies.“The repayment system is not in a good place to provide the services and repayment options borrowers are legally entitled to,” Zampini said.The Student Loan Borrower Survey, conducted between October 2023 and January 2024, found that 61% of borrowers who received debt relief made a beneficial life change earlier than they otherwise could have. Yet borrower awareness remains dangerously low: Nearly 42% of federal borrowers have only been on the standard repayment plan, and 31% of those didn’t know other options, such as an income-based plan, existed.In California, a major part of Damian’s job in the past few months has been to help borrowers access existing forgiveness programs.Meanwhile, new federal policy proposals could reshape repayment entirely. The Trump-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Section-by-Section.pdf" target="_blank">One Big Beautiful Bill Act</a>&nbsp;would consolidate existing IDR plans into a single tiered structure, with lower-income borrowers paying flat monthly rates and higher earners contributing 8% of their income. The bill also proposes extending standard repayment terms to 30 years — raising concerns it could delay forgiveness and inflate total interest costs.The bill passed the U.S. House and is pending in the Senate.<h2>‘Incentive to hike prices’</h2>Andrew Gillen, a Cato Institute research fellow who recently testified before Congress, argues that any meaningful fix must address the incentives driving rising tuition — namely, federal aid being tied directly to college sticker prices.“The link between rising tuition and increasing aid is what drives the Bennett Hypothesis, where federal student aid, in the form of loans, can lead to higher tuition costs at colleges and universities,” Gillen said in an interview. “If we instead use the median cost of attendance to calculate aid eligibility, we remove colleges’ incentive to hike prices just to capture more aid.”Even without agreement on blanket forgiveness, experts agree on smaller bipartisan steps: streamlined repayment, stronger servicer oversight and targeted help for borrowers with the greatest need.“We don’t want people defaulting. We don’t want payments that are too high for people just out of school. That should be the bipartisan starting point,” Zampini said.Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rsequeira@stateline.org">rsequeira@stateline.org</a>.<a href="https://stateline.org/" target="_blank">Stateline</a>&nbsp;is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@stateline.org">info@stateline.org</a>.

As feds resume student loan collections, states try to catch borrowers before they sink

KANSAS CITY —Two people were hospitalized after a house fire Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 8:30a.m. Saturday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 4400 block of Jarboe Street, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews reported fire showing on arrival. Two occupants were assisted out during searches of the structure. Both occupants were transported to local hospitals for further evaluation and treatment for smoke inhalation. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

KANSAS CITY —Two people were hospitalized after a house fire Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.Just before 8:30a.m. Saturday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 4400 block of Jarboe Street, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.Crews reported fire showing on arrival. Two occupants were assisted out during searches of the structure. Both occupants were transported to local hospitals for further evaluation and treatment for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

2 hospitalized after house fire in Kansas City

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man admitted his role in a drug overdose death.

On June 2, 22-year-old Ahmad Mohammed Karraz pleaded guilty to distribution of drugs causing death and use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In November, the Johnson County district attorney's office charged Karraz and 22-year-old Ronaley Arriola in connection with the death of Kylie Liston.&nbsp; Karraz was charged with distribution of drugs causing death and three counts of using a communication facility during a felony. Arriola was charged with one count of&nbsp;using a communication facility during a felony.&nbsp; They were arrested after an investigation by the Overland&nbsp; Park Police Department.

Karraz is scheduled for sentencing August 20.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749153492662.png" alt="Karraz photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Karraz photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man admitted his role in a drug overdose death.On June 2, 22-year-old Ahmad Mohammed Karraz pleaded guilty to distribution of drugs causing death and use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In November, the Johnson County district attorney's office charged Karraz and 22-year-old Ronaley Arriola in connection with the death of Kylie Liston.&nbsp; Karraz was charged with distribution of drugs causing death and three counts of using a communication facility during a felony. Arriola was charged with one count of&nbsp;using a communication facility during a felony.&nbsp; They were arrested after an investigation by the Overland&nbsp; Park Police Department.Karraz is scheduled for sentencing August 20.

Kansas man admits role in drug overdose death

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to find driver traveling far above the posted speed limit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749222951499.png" alt="Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to find driver traveling far above the posted speed limit.On Thursday night, a deputy was running radar in the block of SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka, according to a social media report from the Shawnee County Sheriff. This area has had multiple injury accidents and the sheriff's office has had&nbsp; many complaints of speeders.Around 9:45pm, the deputy stopped a Chrysler 300 southbound on Wanamaker driving at 114 miles per hour.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no additional details but did encourage driver to "Slow Down."