KANSAS CITY —It was a deadly Monday in Kansas City. Police are investigating two homicides and have identified the victims.

Just before 6p.m., patrol&nbsp; were dispatched to the 3400 block of Wyoming on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.&nbsp; Upon arrival officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

This is being investigated as a homicide. 

Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation in the parking lot between multiple individuals before shots were fired. Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the incident.

At about the same time, KCPD patrol officers were dispatched to the 8000 block of Hickman Mills on a reported medical nature unknown. Upon arrival officers located a man in the parking lot of a nearby convenience store. He suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS was ordered to the scene and the victim was subsequently pronounced deceased. This is also being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; Police released no additional details late Monday and have not reported an arrest or possible suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739240797760.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —It was a deadly Monday in Kansas City. Police are investigating two homicides and have identified the victims.Just before 6p.m., patrol&nbsp; were dispatched to the 3400 block of Wyoming on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.&nbsp; Upon arrival officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation in the parking lot between multiple individuals before shots were fired. Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the incident.At about the same time, KCPD patrol officers were dispatched to the 8000 block of Hickman Mills on a reported medical nature unknown. Upon arrival officers located a man in the parking lot of a nearby convenience store. He suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS was ordered to the scene and the victim was subsequently pronounced deceased. This is also being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; Police released no additional details late Monday and have not reported an arrest or possible suspect information.

Deadly Monday in Kansas City: Police investigate 2 homicides

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a Saturday homicide in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just after 1:00 a.m., police responded to a local hospital in reference to a victim, later identified as 29-year-old Chavis Collins, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. A short time later, Collins died of his injuries, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

On Monday night police reported the arrest of 23-year-old Desmond A. Lindsey, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. He is being held on requested charges that include murder in the second degree, criminal discharge of a firearm and aggravated assault.

This was the city’s 2nd homicide in two days last week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739236986884.png" alt="Lindsey -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Lindsey -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a Saturday homicide in Topeka have made an arrest.Just after 1:00 a.m., police responded to a local hospital in reference to a victim, later identified as 29-year-old Chavis Collins, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. A short time later, Collins died of his injuries, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.On Monday night police reported the arrest of 23-year-old Desmond A. Lindsey, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. He is being held on requested charges that include murder in the second degree, criminal discharge of a firearm and aggravated assault.This was the city’s 2nd homicide in two days last week.

Kansas man accused in weekend killing

KANSAS CITY —The Clay County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, led a counter-human trafficking operation Jan. 23 and 24 that resulted in the arrest of men who sought to have sex with a child, as well as services provided to more than a dozen potential trafficking victims.

Last week, prosecutors charged another Kansas man for trying to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex after deputies arrested him in a sting operation. Leavenworth, Kan., resident Samuel J. Weisse, 34, has been charged with one count of felony attempted child enticement. Weisse was messaging with under-cover detectives during the original counter-human trafficking operation. He continued communication until&nbsp; Feb. 5, when he made arrangements to meet whom he believed to be the 13-year-old. Instead, deputies took him into custody at the meet-up location. He is being held on a $25,000 bond.

At the same time as the predator operation, investigators conducted a victim advocacy operation at a Clay County hotel. They had posted an online ad purportedly soliciting sex, knowing that many sex workers are victims of human trafficking. Twenty-seven sex workers responded to the hotel, and 13 agreed to accept services to leave a life of sex trafficking and/or sex work. Advocates from the organizations <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ValueUnconditional?__cft__[0]=AZUkBvvDS--4cRwFBdMi4vyY4GnjBY3huLCQEA2Y_bty0tIZjHX0wsbrz9TeERWwbJfnUE6V6Jw7MVso3-MZ6z-HJpMDWF0yzEnvNe4OE35S6d1EFPH0qKJa3xRwtw5MWiMfroH1Nr2R-4foFgSUL4x1PW22MRZdrOE-_knM9pBxeH-woVXzCja0cVhOmISvsbI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Value Unconditional</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rpor14?__cft__[0]=AZUkBvvDS--4cRwFBdMi4vyY4GnjBY3huLCQEA2Y_bty0tIZjHX0wsbrz9TeERWwbJfnUE6V6Jw7MVso3-MZ6z-HJpMDWF0yzEnvNe4OE35S6d1EFPH0qKJa3xRwtw5MWiMfroH1Nr2R-4foFgSUL4x1PW22MRZdrOE-_knM9pBxeH-woVXzCja0cVhOmISvsbI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Relentless Pursuit Outreach &amp; Recovery</a> met with them to begin giving them resources for their journeys. The operation was a joint effort by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HSIgov?__cft__[0]=AZUkBvvDS--4cRwFBdMi4vyY4GnjBY3huLCQEA2Y_bty0tIZjHX0wsbrz9TeERWwbJfnUE6V6Jw7MVso3-MZ6z-HJpMDWF0yzEnvNe4OE35S6d1EFPH0qKJa3xRwtw5MWiMfroH1Nr2R-4foFgSUL4x1PW22MRZdrOE-_knM9pBxeH-woVXzCja0cVhOmISvsbI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Homeland Security Investigations</a> – Kansas City, and the Ray County Counter Human Trafficking Task Force.

The Ray County Task Force is a team of subject matter experts in the counter-trafficking space who contribute their time and knowledge at no cost to host law enforcement agencies. They are credentialed law enforcement officers and analysts from several sheriff’s offices and have deep connections to a network of aftercare and survivor support service organizations. During this operation, Task Force volunteers hailed from the Butler, Bourbon and Greenwood County sheriff’s offices in Kansas, the Washoe County, Nev., Sheriff’s Office and the Goodyear, Ariz., Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738898731822.png" alt="Weisse photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Weisse photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Clay County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, led a counter-human trafficking operation Jan. 23 and 24 that resulted in the arrest of men who sought to have sex with a child, as well as services provided to more than a dozen potential trafficking victims.Last week, prosecutors charged another Kansas man for trying to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex after deputies arrested him in a sting operation. Leavenworth, Kan., resident Samuel J. Weisse, 34, has been charged with one count of felony attempted child enticement. Weisse was messaging with under-cover detectives during the original counter-human trafficking operation. He continued communication until&nbsp; Feb. 5, when he made arrangements to meet whom he believed to be the 13-year-old. Instead, deputies took him into custody at the meet-up location. He is being held on a $25,000 bond.At the same time as the predator operation, investigators conducted a victim advocacy operation at a Clay County hotel. They had posted an online ad purportedly soliciting sex, knowing that many sex workers are victims of human trafficking. Twenty-seven sex workers responded to the hotel, and 13 agreed to accept services to leave a life of sex trafficking and/or sex work. Advocates from the organizations <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ValueUnconditional?__cft__[0]=AZUkBvvDS--4cRwFBdMi4vyY4GnjBY3huLCQEA2Y_bty0tIZjHX0wsbrz9TeERWwbJfnUE6V6Jw7MVso3-MZ6z-HJpMDWF0yzEnvNe4OE35S6d1EFPH0qKJa3xRwtw5MWiMfroH1Nr2R-4foFgSUL4x1PW22MRZdrOE-_knM9pBxeH-woVXzCja0cVhOmISvsbI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Value Unconditional</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rpor14?__cft__[0]=AZUkBvvDS--4cRwFBdMi4vyY4GnjBY3huLCQEA2Y_bty0tIZjHX0wsbrz9TeERWwbJfnUE6V6Jw7MVso3-MZ6z-HJpMDWF0yzEnvNe4OE35S6d1EFPH0qKJa3xRwtw5MWiMfroH1Nr2R-4foFgSUL4x1PW22MRZdrOE-_knM9pBxeH-woVXzCja0cVhOmISvsbI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Relentless Pursuit Outreach &amp; Recovery</a> met with them to begin giving them resources for their journeys. The operation was a joint effort by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HSIgov?__cft__[0]=AZUkBvvDS--4cRwFBdMi4vyY4GnjBY3huLCQEA2Y_bty0tIZjHX0wsbrz9TeERWwbJfnUE6V6Jw7MVso3-MZ6z-HJpMDWF0yzEnvNe4OE35S6d1EFPH0qKJa3xRwtw5MWiMfroH1Nr2R-4foFgSUL4x1PW22MRZdrOE-_knM9pBxeH-woVXzCja0cVhOmISvsbI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Homeland Security Investigations</a> – Kansas City, and the Ray County Counter Human Trafficking Task Force. The Ray County Task Force is a team of subject matter experts in the counter-trafficking space who contribute their time and knowledge at no cost to host law enforcement agencies. They are credentialed law enforcement officers and analysts from several sheriff’s offices and have deep connections to a network of aftercare and survivor support service organizations. During this operation, Task Force volunteers hailed from the Butler, Bourbon and Greenwood County sheriff’s offices in Kansas, the Washoe County, Nev., Sheriff’s Office and the Goodyear, Ariz., Police Department.

Kan. man was texting with undercover deputy, not a 13-year-old

WASHINGTON —Google has officially changed the 'Gulf of Mexico' on Google Maps to the 'Gulf of America' following Trump's order.

While flying to the Super Bowl, President Trump signed a proclamation declaring February 9, as "Gulf of America Day."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739228935257.png" alt="Google Map 5p.m. Monday February 10" />
 <figcaption>Google Map 5p.m. Monday February 10</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Google has officially changed the 'Gulf of Mexico' on Google Maps to the 'Gulf of America' following Trump's order.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">HAPPY GULF OF AMERICA DAY! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/hFGMBRKh4S">pic.twitter.com/hFGMBRKh4S</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1888707846000570775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🔊&quot;Air Force One is currently in international waters, the first time in history flying over the recently renamed Gulf of America.&quot; 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/XHXXrvtYzf">pic.twitter.com/XHXXrvtYzf</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1888705072562929894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>While flying to the Super Bowl, President Trump signed a proclamation declaring February 9, as "Gulf of America Day."

Google officially changes maps from Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America

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

Just after 9:30a.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 3200 block of East 29th Street in Kansas City on a reported disturbance involving an individual armed with a weapon, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 When officers arrived the subject in question had fled the scene.&nbsp; As officers were investigating several other calls for service were received in the area reporting the same individual involved.&nbsp; Additional officers responded to the scene to canvass the area.

At about 10a.m., at 27th and Askew, officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS responded to the scene and declared the individual deceased, according to DiMartino.

Preliminary investigation revealed it was the same person involved in the previous incidents. This is being investigated as a homicide. A subject of interest was taken into custody pending further investigation. Police, at this time, are not looking for any additional suspects. Investigators are working to determine what led up to shots being fired. Crime scene technicians are gathering all available physical evidence and any possible surveillance footage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739219733010.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 9:30a.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 3200 block of East 29th Street in Kansas City on a reported disturbance involving an individual armed with a weapon, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino. When officers arrived the subject in question had fled the scene.&nbsp; As officers were investigating several other calls for service were received in the area reporting the same individual involved.&nbsp; Additional officers responded to the scene to canvass the area.At about 10a.m., at 27th and Askew, officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS responded to the scene and declared the individual deceased, according to DiMartino.Preliminary investigation revealed it was the same person involved in the previous incidents. This is being investigated as a homicide. A subject of interest was taken into custody pending further investigation. Police, at this time, are not looking for any additional suspects. Investigators are working to determine what led up to shots being fired. Crime scene technicians are gathering all available physical evidence and any possible surveillance footage.

KCPD: Disturbance led to man's shooting death

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating alleged child sex crimes involving a staff member at an elementary school in Lawrence.

On Saturday, police in Lawrence launched&nbsp;an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of two students at Prairie Park Elementary, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe.

A concerned parent of one student called police Saturday morning about events that occurred during the school day on February 7. Investigators quickly uncovered evidence that led to the Saturday night arrest of 60-year-old Mark Elliott Gridley.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is a Speech and Language Pathologist at the school.

Monday morning, investigators learned of a second possible victim.&nbsp; That alleged assault also occurred Friday morning at the school.

Police are working closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, USD 497 administrators, and the District Attorney’s office to ensure all expert services coordinate to uncover the complete scope of the potential harm and crimes committed.

In addition to the on-site law enforcement presence, police set up a phone line for parents who may need to report a concern about their child and any contact with Mark Gridley. The phone number is&nbsp;(785) 830-7430. In addition, police ask that any parent who may have concerns about their child’s interaction with Gridley, please contact law enforcement before discussing it in-depth with your child.

"Lawrence Police and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County are here and ready to talk to you and your child. They are trained to address these issues while limiting the traumatic impact these discussions have on young victims."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739224850023.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating alleged child sex crimes involving a staff member at an elementary school in Lawrence.On Saturday, police in Lawrence launched&nbsp;an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of two students at Prairie Park Elementary, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe.A concerned parent of one student called police Saturday morning about events that occurred during the school day on February 7. Investigators quickly uncovered evidence that led to the Saturday night arrest of 60-year-old Mark Elliott Gridley.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is a Speech and Language Pathologist at the school.Monday morning, investigators learned of a second possible victim.&nbsp; That alleged assault also occurred Friday morning at the school.Police are working closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, USD 497 administrators, and the District Attorney’s office to ensure all expert services coordinate to uncover the complete scope of the potential harm and crimes committed.In addition to the on-site law enforcement presence, police set up a phone line for parents who may need to report a concern about their child and any contact with Mark Gridley. The phone number is&nbsp;(785) 830-7430. In addition, police ask that any parent who may have concerns about their child’s interaction with Gridley, please contact law enforcement before discussing it in-depth with your child. "Lawrence Police and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County are here and ready to talk to you and your child. They are trained to address these issues while limiting the traumatic impact these discussions have on young victims."

Speech pathologist at Kan. elementary school accused of child sex crimes

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement continue waring the public of a mail theft sxcap.

According to Lenexa Police, thieves are targeting outdoor post office mailboxes to steal mail containing checks. They "wash" the checks, altering the payee and amount, and drain victims’ bank accounts! There have been several reports of this around Johnson County, including here in Lenexa.

To protect yourself, police suggest: avoid using outdoor USPS mailboxes, especially after pickup hours.

&nbsp;Use the mail slot inside the post office for safer drop-offs. Use a gel pen when writing checks which makes them more difficult to "wash".&nbsp;Don't use window envelopes which can show that a check is inside and&nbsp;Consider electronic payments like online banking or apps for added security.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738424504488.png" alt="Photo Lenexa police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lenexa police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement continue waring the public of a mail theft sxcap.According to Lenexa Police, thieves are targeting outdoor post office mailboxes to steal mail containing checks. They "wash" the checks, altering the payee and amount, and drain victims’ bank accounts! There have been several reports of this around Johnson County, including here in Lenexa.To protect yourself, police suggest: avoid using outdoor USPS mailboxes, especially after pickup hours.&nbsp;Use the mail slot inside the post office for safer drop-offs. Use a gel pen when writing checks which makes them more difficult to "wash".&nbsp;Don't use window envelopes which can show that a check is inside and&nbsp;Consider electronic payments like online banking or apps for added security.

Police in Kansas warn of mail theft scam

SALINE COUNTY —Police are investigating a suspect for alleged criminal threat in Salina.

Just after 11a.m. February 7, police were dispatched to Kansas Wesleyan University, 100 E. Claflin in Salina, following reports of a man making students feel uncomfortable, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

School officials identified the individual as Jonathan Deacon, 35, of Salina.&nbsp; "Campus security escorted him off school property. While doing so, Deacon allegedly made comments about the security of the school," Feldman said.&nbsp;

A 22-year-old student later reported that Deacon had yelled at him not to attend a dance on campus that evening and stated that he would be back. The student's concerns prompted further investigation.

While officers investigated the Kansas Wesleyan incident, officers were called to the VFW, 1108 W. Crawford in Salina, regarding a man acting strangely at the business. Officers arrived and identified the man as Deacon, who confirmed he had been at Kansas Wesleyan earlier. Police&nbsp; took him into custody on requested charges of criminal threat. He is not a student at the university.&nbsp;

KWU Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Brad Salois said the incident was related to an “outside event on campus.”

Salois did not offer additional comments. Salina Post obtained the KWU email, signed by Salois, from an event volunteer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739205609846.jpeg" alt="Deacon -photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Deacon -photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Police are investigating a suspect for alleged criminal threat in Salina.Just after 11a.m. February 7, police were dispatched to Kansas Wesleyan University, 100 E. Claflin in Salina, following reports of a man making students feel uncomfortable, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.School officials identified the individual as Jonathan Deacon, 35, of Salina.&nbsp; "Campus security escorted him off school property. While doing so, Deacon allegedly made comments about the security of the school," Feldman said.&nbsp;A 22-year-old student later reported that Deacon had yelled at him not to attend a dance on campus that evening and stated that he would be back. The student's concerns prompted further investigation.While officers investigated the Kansas Wesleyan incident, officers were called to the VFW, 1108 W. Crawford in Salina, regarding a man acting strangely at the business. Officers arrived and identified the man as Deacon, who confirmed he had been at Kansas Wesleyan earlier. Police&nbsp; took him into custody on requested charges of criminal threat. He is not a student at the university.&nbsp;KWU Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Brad Salois said the incident was related to an “outside event on campus.”Salois did not offer additional comments. Salina Post obtained the KWU email, signed by Salois, from an event volunteer.

Police: Man accused of threat at Kansas Wesleyan University

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

WASHINGTON — The largely partisan clash over whether to abolish the<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/demonstrators-us-capitol-rally-against-trumps-direct-attack-education" target="_blank">&nbsp;U.S. Department of Education</a>&nbsp;came to the forefront at a Wednesday hearing by a U.S. House education panel, as rumors continue to circulate over President Donald Trump’s plans to dismantle the federal agency that’s just four-and-a-half decades old.

Trump campaigned heavily on a pledge to get rid of the department, which, among many responsibilities, administers funding for key programs, including for low-income school districts and special education, and also administers federal student aid.

Trump is reported&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/02/03/trump-education-department-dismantling-executive-order-draft/?utm_campaign=wp_the7&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=newsletter&amp;carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F40e0f46%2F67a1feefb7704a156351bc82%2F64c1c5704dae0764a1593f12%2F32%2F103%2F67a1feefb7704a156351bc82" target="_blank">possibly issue some sort of executive order</a>&nbsp;that seeks to diminish the department internally and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-executive-order-8519eaa465385cc13f4ddcae90228dd3" target="_blank">calls on Congress to abolish the agency</a>. He alone does not have the authority to close the department, and the effort would require congressional approval.

Lawmakers clashed at a House Committee on Education and Workforce hearing focused on “the state of American education,” particularly school choice, parental rights in education and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The president’s sweeping plan outlined throughout his campaign to “save American education” has already burst out of the floodgates since he took office last month.

He issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-orders-education-department-guide-states-use-federal-funds-school-choice" target="_blank">series of education-related executive orders</a>&nbsp;last week focused on prioritizing school choice funding, ending what the administration sees as “radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling” and taking “additional measures to combat anti-semitism.”

Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-puts-dei-staff-paid-leave-guts-environmental-justice-offices-across-government" target="_blank">signed executive orders</a>&nbsp;in January that gut DEI programs and activities across the federal government.

Rep. Tim Walberg, chair of the House education panel, said he is “pleased to see that the Trump administration is taking excellent steps to restore common sense, personal responsibility and parental choice through our education system.”

“In K-12 education, there’s much work that needs to be done,” the Michigan Republican said, pointing to the latest data from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/" target="_blank">National Assessment of Educational Progress</a>.

The report found that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reports/mathematics/2024/g4_8/supporting-files/summary-of-results.pdf" target="_blank">average math and reading scores in 2024</a>&nbsp;for pupils in fourth grade and eighth grade were lower compared to before the coronavirus pandemic, in 2019.

Nicole Neily, president and founder of Parents Defending Education, a parents’ rights group, said “American education is in crisis.”

“For far too long, U.S. schools have focused on everything but educating children, and as last week’s NAEP scores have shown, our children are bearing the brunt of these bad decisions,” she said.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the panel warned over the repercussions of dismantling the Education Department.

“The irony is not lost on me that we’re here to discuss the state of American education while the current administration is actively discussing how to dismantle the main federal agency responsible for ensuring safe, quality education for all students,” said Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the panel.

“We will fight any attempt to dismantle the department, and so, we don’t know what the plan will be, but count on our opposition to any plan that will abolish the Department of Education and the programs in it,” the Virginia Democrat added.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes noted that since being created in 1979, the Education Department “has been committed to ensuring high-quality education for children across the country.”

“As (Chairman Walberg) noted, there are about 1 million children who participate in private school choice programs, but 49.6 million children participate in public school education — what about them? Who is advocating for them?” Hayes said.

Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said Trump’s executive orders to “restrict teaching and learning in inclusive and supportive environments and his threats to dismantle the Department of Education and upend critical enforcement of federal civil rights laws will demolish the very foundation of good citizenship.”

“We must reject these proposals out of the Project 2025 playbook and approach public education with common sense and common purpose, not separatism and self-dealing,” Nelson said.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — The largely partisan clash over whether to abolish the<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/demonstrators-us-capitol-rally-against-trumps-direct-attack-education" target="_blank">&nbsp;U.S. Department of Education</a>&nbsp;came to the forefront at a Wednesday hearing by a U.S. House education panel, as rumors continue to circulate over President Donald Trump’s plans to dismantle the federal agency that’s just four-and-a-half decades old.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739206873043.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump campaigned heavily on a pledge to get rid of the department, which, among many responsibilities, administers funding for key programs, including for low-income school districts and special education, and also administers federal student aid.Trump is reported&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/02/03/trump-education-department-dismantling-executive-order-draft/?utm_campaign=wp_the7&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=newsletter&amp;carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F40e0f46%2F67a1feefb7704a156351bc82%2F64c1c5704dae0764a1593f12%2F32%2F103%2F67a1feefb7704a156351bc82" target="_blank">possibly issue some sort of executive order</a>&nbsp;that seeks to diminish the department internally and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-executive-order-8519eaa465385cc13f4ddcae90228dd3" target="_blank">calls on Congress to abolish the agency</a>. He alone does not have the authority to close the department, and the effort would require congressional approval.Lawmakers clashed at a House Committee on Education and Workforce hearing focused on “the state of American education,” particularly school choice, parental rights in education and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.The president’s sweeping plan outlined throughout his campaign to “save American education” has already burst out of the floodgates since he took office last month.He issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-orders-education-department-guide-states-use-federal-funds-school-choice" target="_blank">series of education-related executive orders</a>&nbsp;last week focused on prioritizing school choice funding, ending what the administration sees as “radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling” and taking “additional measures to combat anti-semitism.”Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-puts-dei-staff-paid-leave-guts-environmental-justice-offices-across-government" target="_blank">signed executive orders</a>&nbsp;in January that gut DEI programs and activities across the federal government.<h2>Restoring ‘common sense’</h2>Rep. Tim Walberg, chair of the House education panel, said he is “pleased to see that the Trump administration is taking excellent steps to restore common sense, personal responsibility and parental choice through our education system.”“In K-12 education, there’s much work that needs to be done,” the Michigan Republican said, pointing to the latest data from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/" target="_blank">National Assessment of Educational Progress</a>.The report found that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reports/mathematics/2024/g4_8/supporting-files/summary-of-results.pdf" target="_blank">average math and reading scores in 2024</a>&nbsp;for pupils in fourth grade and eighth grade were lower compared to before the coronavirus pandemic, in 2019.Nicole Neily, president and founder of Parents Defending Education, a parents’ rights group, said “American education is in crisis.”“For far too long, U.S. schools have focused on everything but educating children, and as last week’s NAEP scores have shown, our children are bearing the brunt of these bad decisions,” she said.<h2>‘We will fight any attempt’</h2>Meanwhile, Democrats on the panel warned over the repercussions of dismantling the Education Department.“The irony is not lost on me that we’re here to discuss the state of American education while the current administration is actively discussing how to dismantle the main federal agency responsible for ensuring safe, quality education for all students,” said Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the panel.“We will fight any attempt to dismantle the department, and so, we don’t know what the plan will be, but count on our opposition to any plan that will abolish the Department of Education and the programs in it,” the Virginia Democrat added.Connecticut Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes noted that since being created in 1979, the Education Department “has been committed to ensuring high-quality education for children across the country.”“As (Chairman Walberg) noted, there are about 1 million children who participate in private school choice programs, but 49.6 million children participate in public school education — what about them? Who is advocating for them?” Hayes said.Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said Trump’s executive orders to “restrict teaching and learning in inclusive and supportive environments and his threats to dismantle the Department of Education and upend critical enforcement of federal civil rights laws will demolish the very foundation of good citizenship.”“We must reject these proposals out of the Project 2025 playbook and approach public education with common sense and common purpose, not separatism and self-dealing,” Nelson said.

U.S. House members battle over eliminating Dept. of Education 

On Monday, Judge Christopher Magana followed the plea agreement and sentenced Gage Kaiser, 20, Mulvane, to 43 months in prison and ordered him to pay $2,962 in restitution, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

In December, Kaiser pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter while driving under influence, according to the&nbsp;the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted in connection with a fatal crash in March that killed a police officer on his way home from work has will learn his fate Monday afternoon.

In December, 20-year-old Gage Kaiser pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter while driving under influence, according to the&nbsp;the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;

The accident occurred just before 3:30a.m. March 16, 2024, when a passenger vehicle driven by 26-year-old Scott Hollingsworth was southbound on U.S. 81 at 119th Street, according to Sumner County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Friday. A westbound pickup struck the vehicle driven by Hollingsworth.&nbsp;

Hollingsworth was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported three passengers in the pickup to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The pickup driver, later identified as Kaiser, was not injured.

Clearwater PD said Hollingsworth had served the department for a year. On Sept. 10, Geary County deputies arrested Kaiser.

Hollingsworth's survivors included his wife, Hadley, daughter, Claire, parents, Greg and Nataly, and siblings, Jordan and Sydney.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726259901569.png" alt="Kaiser from his arrest in Geary County" />
 <figcaption>Kaiser from his arrest in Geary County</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, Judge Christopher Magana followed the plea agreement and sentenced Gage Kaiser, 20, Mulvane, to 43 months in prison and ordered him to pay $2,962 in restitution, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;In December, Kaiser pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter while driving under influence, according to the&nbsp;the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;--------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted in connection with a fatal crash in March that killed a police officer on his way home from work has will learn his fate Monday afternoon.In December, 20-year-old Gage Kaiser pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter while driving under influence, according to the&nbsp;the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710681634704.png" alt="Officer Scott Hollingsworth-photo city of Clearwater" />
 <figcaption>Officer Scott Hollingsworth-photo city of Clearwater</figcaption>
 </figure>The accident occurred just before 3:30a.m. March 16, 2024, when a passenger vehicle driven by 26-year-old Scott Hollingsworth was southbound on U.S. 81 at 119th Street, according to Sumner County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Friday. A westbound pickup struck the vehicle driven by Hollingsworth.&nbsp;Hollingsworth was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported three passengers in the pickup to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The pickup driver, later identified as Kaiser, was not injured.Clearwater PD said Hollingsworth had served the department for a year. On Sept. 10, Geary County deputies arrested Kaiser.Hollingsworth's survivors included his wife, Hadley, daughter, Claire, parents, Greg and Nataly, and siblings, Jordan and Sydney.&nbsp;

Sentencing Day: For DUI crash that killed Kansas police officer

WASHINGTON —Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt criticized Wheaton College for the school's decision to delete an online message of congratulations for alumnus Russell Vought.

&nbsp;On Thursday night, the Senate confirmed Vought as White House budget director, a very important position in President Trump's administration.

Another school did not delete their congratulations for Vought.

WASHINGTON —Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt criticized Wheaton College for the school's decision to delete an online message of congratulations for alumnus Russell Vought.&nbsp;On Thursday night, the Senate confirmed Vought as White House budget director, a very important position in President Trump's administration.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This is ridiculous - <a href="https://twitter.com/WheatonCollege?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WheatonCollege</a> had it right the first time. <a href="https://twitter.com/russvought?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@russvought</a> is a highly accomplished alumni who should be celebrated. It’s absurd that the smallest minority of detractors come away victorious yet again. <a href="https://t.co/epKWfPP3uT">pic.twitter.com/epKWfPP3uT</a>&mdash; Senator Eric Schmitt (@SenEricSchmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenEricSchmitt/status/1888283551176495590?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Another school did not delete their congratulations for Vought.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trigger warning: We will not be deleting our earlier post congratulating <a href="https://twitter.com/russvought?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RussVought</a>. <a href="https://t.co/y9NPI8ua23">https://t.co/y9NPI8ua23</a>&mdash; Hillsdale College (@Hillsdale) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hillsdale/status/1888287288389722443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Mo. U.S. Senator slammed school's removal of congratulatory message

RILEY COUNTY —A former Kansas State University basketball standout is out of jail after a weekend arrest in Manhattan.

Just after 5a.m. Sunday, police arrested 36-year-old Michael Beasley of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the Manhattan Regional Airport for marijuana possession, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report. Beasley posted the $750.00 bond and is no longer in custody.

Beasley returned to Manhattan for Saturday's Sunflower Showdown.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739186807284.png" alt="File photo Michael Beasley during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers" />
 <figcaption>File photo Michael Beasley during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —A former Kansas State University basketball standout is out of jail after a weekend arrest in Manhattan.Just after 5a.m. Sunday, police arrested 36-year-old Michael Beasley of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the Manhattan Regional Airport for marijuana possession, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report. Beasley posted the $750.00 bond and is no longer in custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739186532436.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Beasley returned to Manhattan for Saturday's Sunflower Showdown.

Former Kansas State basketball star arrested at Manhattan airport

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a Saturday homicide in Topeka have identified the victim as 29-year-old Chavis Collins, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

Just after 1:00 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a local hospital in reference to a victim, later identified as Collins, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. A short time later, Collins dies of his injuries.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

This is the city’s 2nd homicide in two days.&nbsp; On Friday, police responded to a fatal shooting in the 2700 Block of SW Burnett Road.&nbsp;

First responders found three individuals who had life-threatening injuries. One was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel, and the other two were taken to a local area hospital.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a Saturday homicide in Topeka have identified the victim as 29-year-old Chavis Collins, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.Just after 1:00 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a local hospital in reference to a victim, later identified as Collins, suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. A short time later, Collins dies of his injuries.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.This is the city’s 2nd homicide in two days.&nbsp; On Friday, police responded to a fatal shooting in the 2700 Block of SW Burnett Road.&nbsp;First responders found three individuals who had life-threatening injuries. One was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel, and the other two were taken to a local area hospital.

Police ID victim in 2nd homicide over two days in Topeka

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 72 months in prison for deliberately ramming his vehicle into a federal law enforcement officer who was attempting to take the passenger of the vehicle into custody.

According to court documents, Diego Almaguer, 19, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault of a federal officer.

On February 23, 2024, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force went to a home in Kansas City, Kansas, to execute an arrest warrant. They watched the person they were seeking and Almaguer get into a vehicle that had been backed into the driveway with Almaguer in the driver’s seat. Agents pulled up in their law enforcement vehicles with emergency lights flashing. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer, wearing a ballistic vest with police markings, positioned himself in front of the vehicle. Almaguer struck the officer causing him to bounce over the windshield before hitting the ground.

Almaguer led law enforcement on a high-speed chase across the state line into Missouri, at times reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour. He and the second person were ultimately arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, hiding in an outbuilding behind a residence

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738165572105.png" alt="Almaguer-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Almaguer-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 72 months in prison for deliberately ramming his vehicle into a federal law enforcement officer who was attempting to take the passenger of the vehicle into custody.According to court documents, Diego Almaguer, 19, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault of a federal officer.On February 23, 2024, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force went to a home in Kansas City, Kansas, to execute an arrest warrant. They watched the person they were seeking and Almaguer get into a vehicle that had been backed into the driveway with Almaguer in the driver’s seat. Agents pulled up in their law enforcement vehicles with emergency lights flashing. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer, wearing a ballistic vest with police markings, positioned himself in front of the vehicle. Almaguer struck the officer causing him to bounce over the windshield before hitting the ground.Almaguer led law enforcement on a high-speed chase across the state line into Missouri, at times reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour. He and the second person were ultimately arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, hiding in an outbuilding behind a residence

Kansas man going to prison for striking federal officer with car

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a high speed chase.

Just before 8:30 p.m. Jan. 7, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a stolen vehicle being pursued by Jefferson County on NW US 24 Highway, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Our deputies responded and took over the pursuit as it entered Shawnee county. The driver of the U-Haul refused to stop and continued southbound on NW Topeka Boulevard. The pursuit ended when a K-9 Unit pinned the vehicle against a curb near SW 6th Street and SW Fairlawn Road.

During the investigation, illegal narcotics and numerous stolen items were located. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Lawrence.

The driver, Ranetta J. Jackson, 41, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections (SNDOC) on requested charges of Aggravated battery (3 counts), Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (6 counts), Felony possession of stolen property, Felony flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana , Possession of drug paraphernalia, Reckless driving, Failure to stop at an accident, Failure to stop at a stop sign, Transporting an open container of liquor, Driving while license suspended and Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol&nbsp;

The passenger, Jeffrey Mitchell, 54, was also arrested and booked into the SNDOC on 10 felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant for his arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739039002938.png" alt="Mitchell-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Mitchell-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a high speed chase.Just before 8:30 p.m. Jan. 7, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a stolen vehicle being pursued by Jefferson County on NW US 24 Highway, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Our deputies responded and took over the pursuit as it entered Shawnee county. The driver of the U-Haul refused to stop and continued southbound on NW Topeka Boulevard. The pursuit ended when a K-9 Unit pinned the vehicle against a curb near SW 6th Street and SW Fairlawn Road.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739038923804.png" alt="Jackson-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Jackson-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the investigation, illegal narcotics and numerous stolen items were located. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Lawrence.The driver, Ranetta J. Jackson, 41, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections (SNDOC) on requested charges of Aggravated battery (3 counts), Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (6 counts), Felony possession of stolen property, Felony flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana , Possession of drug paraphernalia, Reckless driving, Failure to stop at an accident, Failure to stop at a stop sign, Transporting an open container of liquor, Driving while license suspended and Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol&nbsp;The passenger, Jeffrey Mitchell, 54, was also arrested and booked into the SNDOC on 10 felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant for his arrest.

2 jailed in Kansas after high-speed chase with stolen U-Haul

NEW ORLEANS —Donald Trump is set to make history as the first president to attend the Super Bowl while in office.

On Sunday afternoon, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall shared a photo of a group of including Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt ready to board Air Force One for the trip to New Orleans for the game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739137208965.png" alt="Photo Senator Roger Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Photo Senator Roger Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS —Donald Trump is set to make history as the first president to attend the Super Bowl while in office.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> boards Air Force One en route to Super Bowl LIX! 🏈🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/2WnRx5Yqi0">pic.twitter.com/2WnRx5Yqi0</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1888681271561253116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> en route to Caesars Superdome 🏈🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/ERZxrtT1EY">pic.twitter.com/ERZxrtT1EY</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1888714004194906257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On Sunday afternoon, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall shared a photo of a group of including Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt ready to board Air Force One for the trip to New Orleans for the game.

Missouri U.S. Senator joins Trump for historic Super Bowl trip

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/abrown/">ALEX BROWN</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/khardy/">KEVIN HARDY</a>&nbsp;

The federal agency’s role is irreplaceable, emergency managers say.

State and local emergency managers are facing a serious question in the wake of President Donald Trump’s first few weeks in office: When disaster strikes, will they be able to count on the federal government?

Trump has called the Federal Emergency Management Agency a “disaster” and suggested it might “go away.” He said states would best take care of hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires on their own, with the federal government reimbursing some of the costs. He convened a council to review FEMA and recommend “improvements or structural changes.”

But leaders in states that have been hit by disasters say they need more than the promise of an eventual federal check to manage catastrophic events. They say they’re not equipped to handle the roles FEMA currently plays — such as marshaling emergency resources from multiple federal agencies, providing flood insurance, conducting damage assessments and distributing billions of dollars in recovery funds.

“FEMA has been an absolute lifesaver for people,” said Vermont state Sen. Anne Watson, a Democrat who has been involved in the state’s recovery from devastating 2023 floods. “I don’t see [states and municipalities] as being able to replicate what FEMA does. The possibility of it going away leaves millions and millions of Americans in a very vulnerable position.”

Meanwhile, Trump said last month that he wanted to make federal wildfire recovery aid to Los Angeles conditional on California enacting new laws requiring voter identification, adding further uncertainty about whether states can expect help from the feds.

Trump and his allies also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/06/politics/fact-check-trump-helene-response-north-carolina/index.html" target="_blank">targeted the agency</a>&nbsp;in the wake of Hurricane Helene, spreading lies that FEMA, under President Joe Biden, was diverting disaster money to immigrants without legal status; failing to provide helicopters; limiting aid to $750 per person; and cutting off support for Republican areas.

State officials say that while there’s room for a conversation about state and federal roles in disaster response, eliminating FEMA altogether would be shortsighted.

“I don’t think it makes sense&nbsp;to get rid of FEMA,” Lynn Budd, director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, said in an interview with Stateline. “There are economies of scale [that a nationwide agency provides]. States don’t have that capability built to handle a disaster every single year.”

Budd said she doesn’t believe Trump intends to terminate FEMA, calling such a move “not realistic.” She also serves as president of the National Emergency Management Association, a nonprofit comprising state and territorial emergency officials. Budd called on Trump to include state emergency managers on the council that will consider FEMA’s future.

Emergency management experts say that Trump cannot unilaterally dissolve FEMA, which would require congressional action. However, Trump already has&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/06/trump-wants-states-to-handle-disasters-without-fema-they-say-they-cant/Emergency%20management%20experts%20say%20that%20Trump%20cannot%20unilaterally%20dissolve%20FEMA,%20which%20would%20require%20congressional%20action.%20However,%20Trump%20already%20has%20taken%20actions%20that%20exceed%20his%20executive%20authority,%20including%20an%20attempt%20to%20freeze%20trillions%20of%20dollars%20in%20federal%20funding%20that%20had%20already%20been%20approved%20by%20Congress.">taken actions</a>&nbsp;that appear to exceed his executive authority, including an attempt to freeze trillions of dollars in federal funding that had already been approved by Congress.

FEMA does have some support from Trump’s Republican allies, especially given that red states have needed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-disaster-aid-fema-wildfire-hurricane-money-84e1db303b8abead10a26b95392cd980" target="_blank">more aid</a>&nbsp;in recent years. Since 2015, residents in Florida, Louisiana and Texas have received the highest amounts of individual assistance payments from FEMA, exceeding $2 billion in each state.

But experts see much to fear in cost-cutting efforts by Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk, which so far have focused on slashing the federal workforce and forcing out officials with decades of experience. Such actions could cripple FEMA, even if it’s not officially “abolished.”

“Senior people who don’t want to put up with this nonsense are going to walk away,” said Craig Fugate, who served as FEMA’s administrator under President Barack Obama. “It’s one thing to talk tough, it’s another to govern and provide services.”

Over the past decade, FEMA has responded to nearly 1,400 disasters, including wildfires, severe storms, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. The agency coordinates the federal response during emergency situations, such as calling the Pentagon to get rescue helicopters in the air or trucking in generators in the aftermath of a storm.

But the agency’s larger purpose is focused on recovery, assessing the damage to communities and distributing funding to help them rebuild. Over the last four years, FEMA has provided more than $12 billion to individuals and $133 billion to state and local governments, tribal nations, territories and some nonprofits to help in recovery efforts.

FEMA also provides much of the nation’s flood insurance coverage, as the private market has largely pulled back from flood policies.

Some governors, including Democrat Andy Beshear of Kentucky, have said Trump’s threats to dismantle FEMA are dangerous.

“[I]t would be disastrous in and of itself for the FEMA organization to be dissolved,” he said, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/01/30/beshear-says-dismantling-fema-would-be-disastrous-though-improvements-need-to-continue/" target="_blank">Kentucky Lantern</a>.

Beshear noted that replicating FEMA’s administrative functions in each state would be far more costly than a single national agency.

FEMA, which was established in the 1950s, has taken on a larger role as Congress has added to its recovery mission, populations have grown in disaster-prone areas, and climate change has increased the frequency and severity of disasters.

The agency has faced criticism at times — most famously after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 — for an overly bureaucratic system that has gotten bogged down in red tape. Some conservative groups have long argued that states should shoulder more of the burden of responding to disasters.

<a href="https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf" target="_blank">Project 2025</a>, a hard-right blueprint that Trump distanced himself from during the campaign but which appears to have guided many of his actions since he took office, aims to limit states’ eligibility for disaster assistance or set a deductible that states must meet before the feds step in. Such cutbacks would incentivize states to “take a more proactive role in their own preparedness and response capabilities,” it said. The document also calls for states to take on much more financial responsibility for recovery efforts.

Emergency managers say that there are opportunities to make FEMA more efficient.

Fugate, the former FEMA chief, said the underlying problem is that the agency was not designed to replace insurance coverage, but is increasingly taking on that role as private insurers abandon disaster-prone areas. And increasing the pace of payouts also increases the risk of misspent funds, he said.

“Nobody is saying we shouldn’t look at these programs and figure out how we move this money through faster,” he said. “But you’ve got that dual tension of, ‘I want to be fast but I’m a steward of the taxpayer’s dollars.’”

Amid that discussion, experts say that rushing to dismantle the federal agency would be catastrophic.

“The consequences [of dissolving FEMA] would be life-threatening,” said Juliette Kayyem, faculty chair of the Homeland Security Project at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a former Obama administration official. “The states are not built for that right now.”

Local leaders who have experienced disasters say FEMA is essential.

After an EF5 tornado swept through Moore, Oklahoma, in May 2013, the federal agency provided recovery support.

“Sometimes I think people have a misconception of the purpose of FEMA. And it’s not to provide lots of equipment or manpower — they can do a little bit of that, but that’s not their primary function,” said Moore Mayor Mark Hamm, whose office is nonpartisan.

Hamm was on the city council when the mile-wide tornado killed 24 people, including seven students at an elementary school. Moore said FEMA provided crucial financial resources, reimbursing the city’s exorbitant overtime costs for police and fire crews.

Moore is a bedroom community of about 63,000 people situated between Oklahoma City and Norman. The city’s annual budget is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityofmoore.com/sites/default/files/flipbooks/2025-city-budget.pdf" target="_blank">about $133 million</a>. The National Weather Service calculated the 2013 storm’s damage across the region at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/tornado-report_moore-oklahoma_2013.pdf" target="_blank">$2 billion</a>. The city has been hit by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-ok-f5tornadoes" target="_blank">two F5 tornadoes&nbsp;</a>since 1999.

“When you have a natural disaster like the couple of F5 tornadoes that have come to our city — that would bankrupt our city, our budget,” he said. “That is a huge burden that this city just could not afford.”

Hamm said he would be open to Trump’s talk of realigning FEMA, particularly if it allowed more funds to stay directly with states like his. But he said federal disaster funding must remain intact in some way.

“When you need a lifeline, it’s reassuring to know that one is there and you can grab onto that rope, and there’s somebody on the other end pulling you to safety,” he said. “And the federal government was a lifeline, not so much in the recovery, but in providing the finances. I can’t emphasize that enough.”

Eaton County, Michigan, was hit hard in August 2023, as tornadoes, severe storms and flooding struck the mid-Michigan region. FEMA’s response helped the community navigate aid and recovery programs and apply for federal assistance.

“That federal support piece is critical to us to be able to respond and recover from disasters,” said Ryan Wilkinson, the county’s emergency manager. “Yes, we need reform for emergency management nationwide — at all levels — but shifting complete responsibility to the states would do greater harm in the long term.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639393151807.png" alt="File photo Tornado damage in Kansas" />
 <figcaption>File photo Tornado damage in Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/abrown/">ALEX BROWN</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/khardy/">KEVIN HARDY</a>&nbsp;<h2>The federal agency’s role is irreplaceable, emergency managers say.</h2>State and local emergency managers are facing a serious question in the wake of President Donald Trump’s first few weeks in office: When disaster strikes, will they be able to count on the federal government?Trump has called the Federal Emergency Management Agency a “disaster” and suggested it might “go away.” He said states would best take care of hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires on their own, with the federal government reimbursing some of the costs. He convened a council to review FEMA and recommend “improvements or structural changes.”But leaders in states that have been hit by disasters say they need more than the promise of an eventual federal check to manage catastrophic events. They say they’re not equipped to handle the roles FEMA currently plays — such as marshaling emergency resources from multiple federal agencies, providing flood insurance, conducting damage assessments and distributing billions of dollars in recovery funds.“FEMA has been an absolute lifesaver for people,” said Vermont state Sen. Anne Watson, a Democrat who has been involved in the state’s recovery from devastating 2023 floods. “I don’t see [states and municipalities] as being able to replicate what FEMA does. The possibility of it going away leaves millions and millions of Americans in a very vulnerable position.”Meanwhile, Trump said last month that he wanted to make federal wildfire recovery aid to Los Angeles conditional on California enacting new laws requiring voter identification, adding further uncertainty about whether states can expect help from the feds.Trump and his allies also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/06/politics/fact-check-trump-helene-response-north-carolina/index.html" target="_blank">targeted the agency</a>&nbsp;in the wake of Hurricane Helene, spreading lies that FEMA, under President Joe Biden, was diverting disaster money to immigrants without legal status; failing to provide helicopters; limiting aid to $750 per person; and cutting off support for Republican areas.State officials say that while there’s room for a conversation about state and federal roles in disaster response, eliminating FEMA altogether would be shortsighted.“I don’t think it makes sense&nbsp;to get rid of FEMA,” Lynn Budd, director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, said in an interview with Stateline. “There are economies of scale [that a nationwide agency provides]. States don’t have that capability built to handle a disaster every single year.”Budd said she doesn’t believe Trump intends to terminate FEMA, calling such a move “not realistic.” She also serves as president of the National Emergency Management Association, a nonprofit comprising state and territorial emergency officials. Budd called on Trump to include state emergency managers on the council that will consider FEMA’s future.Emergency management experts say that Trump cannot unilaterally dissolve FEMA, which would require congressional action. However, Trump already has&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/06/trump-wants-states-to-handle-disasters-without-fema-they-say-they-cant/Emergency%20management%20experts%20say%20that%20Trump%20cannot%20unilaterally%20dissolve%20FEMA,%20which%20would%20require%20congressional%20action.%20However,%20Trump%20already%20has%20taken%20actions%20that%20exceed%20his%20executive%20authority,%20including%20an%20attempt%20to%20freeze%20trillions%20of%20dollars%20in%20federal%20funding%20that%20had%20already%20been%20approved%20by%20Congress.">taken actions</a>&nbsp;that appear to exceed his executive authority, including an attempt to freeze trillions of dollars in federal funding that had already been approved by Congress.FEMA does have some support from Trump’s Republican allies, especially given that red states have needed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-disaster-aid-fema-wildfire-hurricane-money-84e1db303b8abead10a26b95392cd980" target="_blank">more aid</a>&nbsp;in recent years. Since 2015, residents in Florida, Louisiana and Texas have received the highest amounts of individual assistance payments from FEMA, exceeding $2 billion in each state.But experts see much to fear in cost-cutting efforts by Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk, which so far have focused on slashing the federal workforce and forcing out officials with decades of experience. Such actions could cripple FEMA, even if it’s not officially “abolished.”“Senior people who don’t want to put up with this nonsense are going to walk away,” said Craig Fugate, who served as FEMA’s administrator under President Barack Obama. “It’s one thing to talk tough, it’s another to govern and provide services.”<h2>FEMA’s role</h2>Over the past decade, FEMA has responded to nearly 1,400 disasters, including wildfires, severe storms, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. The agency coordinates the federal response during emergency situations, such as calling the Pentagon to get rescue helicopters in the air or trucking in generators in the aftermath of a storm.But the agency’s larger purpose is focused on recovery, assessing the damage to communities and distributing funding to help them rebuild. Over the last four years, FEMA has provided more than $12 billion to individuals and $133 billion to state and local governments, tribal nations, territories and some nonprofits to help in recovery efforts.FEMA also provides much of the nation’s flood insurance coverage, as the private market has largely pulled back from flood policies.Some governors, including Democrat Andy Beshear of Kentucky, have said Trump’s threats to dismantle FEMA are dangerous.“[I]t would be disastrous in and of itself for the FEMA organization to be dissolved,” he said, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/01/30/beshear-says-dismantling-fema-would-be-disastrous-though-improvements-need-to-continue/" target="_blank">Kentucky Lantern</a>.Beshear noted that replicating FEMA’s administrative functions in each state would be far more costly than a single national agency.FEMA, which was established in the 1950s, has taken on a larger role as Congress has added to its recovery mission, populations have grown in disaster-prone areas, and climate change has increased the frequency and severity of disasters.The agency has faced criticism at times — most famously after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 — for an overly bureaucratic system that has gotten bogged down in red tape. Some conservative groups have long argued that states should shoulder more of the burden of responding to disasters.<a href="https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf" target="_blank">Project 2025</a>, a hard-right blueprint that Trump distanced himself from during the campaign but which appears to have guided many of his actions since he took office, aims to limit states’ eligibility for disaster assistance or set a deductible that states must meet before the feds step in. Such cutbacks would incentivize states to “take a more proactive role in their own preparedness and response capabilities,” it said. The document also calls for states to take on much more financial responsibility for recovery efforts.Emergency managers say that there are opportunities to make FEMA more efficient.Fugate, the former FEMA chief, said the underlying problem is that the agency was not designed to replace insurance coverage, but is increasingly taking on that role as private insurers abandon disaster-prone areas. And increasing the pace of payouts also increases the risk of misspent funds, he said.“Nobody is saying we shouldn’t look at these programs and figure out how we move this money through faster,” he said. “But you’ve got that dual tension of, ‘I want to be fast but I’m a steward of the taxpayer’s dollars.’”Amid that discussion, experts say that rushing to dismantle the federal agency would be catastrophic.“The consequences [of dissolving FEMA] would be life-threatening,” said Juliette Kayyem, faculty chair of the Homeland Security Project at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a former Obama administration official. “The states are not built for that right now.”<h2>Local experience</h2>Local leaders who have experienced disasters say FEMA is essential.After an EF5 tornado swept through Moore, Oklahoma, in May 2013, the federal agency provided recovery support.“Sometimes I think people have a misconception of the purpose of FEMA. And it’s not to provide lots of equipment or manpower — they can do a little bit of that, but that’s not their primary function,” said Moore Mayor Mark Hamm, whose office is nonpartisan.Hamm was on the city council when the mile-wide tornado killed 24 people, including seven students at an elementary school. Moore said FEMA provided crucial financial resources, reimbursing the city’s exorbitant overtime costs for police and fire crews.Moore is a bedroom community of about 63,000 people situated between Oklahoma City and Norman. The city’s annual budget is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityofmoore.com/sites/default/files/flipbooks/2025-city-budget.pdf" target="_blank">about $133 million</a>. The National Weather Service calculated the 2013 storm’s damage across the region at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/tornado-report_moore-oklahoma_2013.pdf" target="_blank">$2 billion</a>. The city has been hit by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-ok-f5tornadoes" target="_blank">two F5 tornadoes&nbsp;</a>since 1999.“When you have a natural disaster like the couple of F5 tornadoes that have come to our city — that would bankrupt our city, our budget,” he said. “That is a huge burden that this city just could not afford.”Hamm said he would be open to Trump’s talk of realigning FEMA, particularly if it allowed more funds to stay directly with states like his. But he said federal disaster funding must remain intact in some way.“When you need a lifeline, it’s reassuring to know that one is there and you can grab onto that rope, and there’s somebody on the other end pulling you to safety,” he said. “And the federal government was a lifeline, not so much in the recovery, but in providing the finances. I can’t emphasize that enough.”Eaton County, Michigan, was hit hard in August 2023, as tornadoes, severe storms and flooding struck the mid-Michigan region. FEMA’s response helped the community navigate aid and recovery programs and apply for federal assistance.“That federal support piece is critical to us to be able to respond and recover from disasters,” said Ryan Wilkinson, the county’s emergency manager. “Yes, we need reform for emergency management nationwide — at all levels — but shifting complete responsibility to the states would do greater harm in the long term.”

Trump Wants States to Handle Disasters Without FEMA - States say they can't

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;– a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry – welcomed&nbsp;Amy France,&nbsp;chair of the National Sorghum Producers, from Scott City, Kansas, to testify before the committee during a hearing titled “Perspectives From the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy.”

“Amy France is a native of Leoti, Kansas – population, 1,475,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Amy lives in a very rural part of Kansas. She didn't grow up on a farm, but she found a love for this industry called agriculture after meeting her husband, Clint. Together, they operate the France&nbsp;Family&nbsp;Farms near Scott City, growing sorghum, corn and wheat and raising cattle with their children and grandchildren.”

“Her family&nbsp;has been a priority for Amy, and she has been instilling Kansas values in her children and an understanding of what it means to be good stewards of their land,”&nbsp;continued Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“They share the produce that they grow on their farm with their community, and Amy has stated how she is focused on being a&nbsp;‘better farmer, not just a bigger farmer.’”“With this market uncertainty, high production costs, the drought we've had in our state, Amy's consistent advocacy for disaster relief and crop loss assistance has made her a key voice for a fight for a better agricultural economy,”&nbsp;concluded Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“I thank you, Amy, for fighting for our nation's sorghum farmers.”

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;– a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry – welcomed&nbsp;Amy France,&nbsp;chair of the National Sorghum Producers, from Scott City, Kansas, to testify before the committee during a hearing titled “Perspectives From the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy.”<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aY0_-xoRyus?si=Or8LkLgikn15YmPZ&amp;start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GNdNBoMCnJc?si=ROaIb4h8wOgqeVzK" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Amy France is a native of Leoti, Kansas – population, 1,475,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Amy lives in a very rural part of Kansas. She didn't grow up on a farm, but she found a love for this industry called agriculture after meeting her husband, Clint. Together, they operate the France&nbsp;Family&nbsp;Farms near Scott City, growing sorghum, corn and wheat and raising cattle with their children and grandchildren.”“Her family&nbsp;has been a priority for Amy, and she has been instilling Kansas values in her children and an understanding of what it means to be good stewards of their land,”&nbsp;continued Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“They share the produce that they grow on their farm with their community, and Amy has stated how she is focused on being a&nbsp;‘better farmer, not just a bigger farmer.’”“With this market uncertainty, high production costs, the drought we've had in our state, Amy's consistent advocacy for disaster relief and crop loss assistance has made her a key voice for a fight for a better agricultural economy,”&nbsp;concluded Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“I thank you, Amy, for fighting for our nation's sorghum farmers.”

🎥Kan. woman tells Senate committee the state of the ag economy

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Thursday her seventh attempt to expand Medicaid, which has continuously faced staunch opposition from Republican leadership.

The Healthcare Access for Working Kansans, or HAWK, Act, would expand the option of Medicaid coverage to roughly 150,000 Kansans. Kelly has proposed expansion every year she has been in office touting its benefits for rural hospitals, health care workers and the state economy.

“In fact, by waiting to expand Medicaid, we have wasted over $280 million and left $7.6 billion on the table in Washington, D.C.,” Kelly said. “I encourage the Legislature to advance Medicaid expansion this session so we can bring Kansas taxpayer dollars back home to support our health care system.”

During the 2024 legislative session, Republican leadership allowed hearings on a Medicaid expansion bill for the first time in four years after pressure from Kelly and advocates.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/28/survey-reveals-potential-tapering-of-kansas-gap-between-gop-democratic-presidential-candidates/">In October</a>, an annual statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2024-kansas-speaks-report-finalv3-corrections-10.28.24-execsum-final-bullet-and-10.31.24-appendix-c-crosstabs-table-17-title.pdf" target="_blank">survey from Fort Hays State University</a>&nbsp;found that more than 70% of respondents support expansion.

Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, and Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, Kansas, introduced the bills in the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee.&nbsp;

The governor claims Medicaid expansion would create 23,000 new jobs and add $1.2 billion in funding to the Kansas economy while reducing health care costs and safeguarding struggling rural hospitals. About 62 rural hospitals in Kansas are&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralhospitals.chqpr.org/downloads/Rural_Hospitals_at_Risk_of_Closing.pdf" target="_blank">at risk of closing</a>.

Kansas is one of nine states in the U.S. that have declined to expand Medicaid after the option to do so became available in 2010 under the Affordable Care Act. Expansion extends eligibility to people who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Without expansion, an estimated 39,000 adults in Kansas are caught in a coverage&nbsp;<a href="https://files.kff.org/attachment/fact-sheet-medicaid-state-KS" target="_blank">gap</a>, making too much to be eligible for Medicaid but too little to enroll in private health insurance.&nbsp;

“Studies show 63% of our state’s rural hospitals are at risk of closing,” said David Jordan, president and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, a Hutchinson-based nonprofit focused on rural health care.

“A sustainable health system is crucial to the future of rural Kansas communities, who rely on their local hospitals to receive timely and necessary care,” Jordan said.

Medicaid, in covering those who wouldn’t otherwise have health insurance, is the backbone of that system, Jordan said.&nbsp;

“Our hospitals already face high levels of uncompensated care, and they rely on Medicaid reimbursements to help keep their doors open — especially in our rural communities,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736987706731.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during the State of the State address last month" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during the State of the State address last month</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Thursday her seventh attempt to expand Medicaid, which has continuously faced staunch opposition from Republican leadership.The Healthcare Access for Working Kansans, or HAWK, Act, would expand the option of Medicaid coverage to roughly 150,000 Kansans. Kelly has proposed expansion every year she has been in office touting its benefits for rural hospitals, health care workers and the state economy.“In fact, by waiting to expand Medicaid, we have wasted over $280 million and left $7.6 billion on the table in Washington, D.C.,” Kelly said. “I encourage the Legislature to advance Medicaid expansion this session so we can bring Kansas taxpayer dollars back home to support our health care system.”During the 2024 legislative session, Republican leadership allowed hearings on a Medicaid expansion bill for the first time in four years after pressure from Kelly and advocates.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/28/survey-reveals-potential-tapering-of-kansas-gap-between-gop-democratic-presidential-candidates/">In October</a>, an annual statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/2024-kansas-speaks-report-finalv3-corrections-10.28.24-execsum-final-bullet-and-10.31.24-appendix-c-crosstabs-table-17-title.pdf" target="_blank">survey from Fort Hays State University</a>&nbsp;found that more than 70% of respondents support expansion.Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, and Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, Kansas, introduced the bills in the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee.&nbsp;The governor claims Medicaid expansion would create 23,000 new jobs and add $1.2 billion in funding to the Kansas economy while reducing health care costs and safeguarding struggling rural hospitals. About 62 rural hospitals in Kansas are&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralhospitals.chqpr.org/downloads/Rural_Hospitals_at_Risk_of_Closing.pdf" target="_blank">at risk of closing</a>.Kansas is one of nine states in the U.S. that have declined to expand Medicaid after the option to do so became available in 2010 under the Affordable Care Act. Expansion extends eligibility to people who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Without expansion, an estimated 39,000 adults in Kansas are caught in a coverage&nbsp;<a href="https://files.kff.org/attachment/fact-sheet-medicaid-state-KS" target="_blank">gap</a>, making too much to be eligible for Medicaid but too little to enroll in private health insurance.&nbsp;“Studies show 63% of our state’s rural hospitals are at risk of closing,” said David Jordan, president and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, a Hutchinson-based nonprofit focused on rural health care.“A sustainable health system is crucial to the future of rural Kansas communities, who rely on their local hospitals to receive timely and necessary care,” Jordan said.Medicaid, in covering those who wouldn’t otherwise have health insurance, is the backbone of that system, Jordan said.&nbsp;“Our hospitals already face high levels of uncompensated care, and they rely on Medicaid reimbursements to help keep their doors open — especially in our rural communities,” he said.

Kansas governor takes another swing at joining 41 states that have expanded Medicaid

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka have identified the victim as&nbsp; Olivia Miller, 51, of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

Just after 7:30 a.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting in the 2700 Block of SW Burnett Road.

First responders found three individuals who had life-threatening injuries. Olivia MIller was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel, and the other two were taken to a local area hospital.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested 29-year-old Devin Miller of Topeka on requested charges of first degree murder and aggravated battery.

This is the city’s 1st homicide investigation of 2025.&nbsp; Police have not released details on the relationship between the suspect and the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738979967925.png" alt="Miller photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Miller photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka have identified the victim as&nbsp; Olivia Miller, 51, of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.Just after 7:30 a.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting in the 2700 Block of SW Burnett Road.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738943432820.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders found three individuals who had life-threatening injuries. Olivia MIller was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel, and the other two were taken to a local area hospital.As a result of the investigation, police arrested 29-year-old Devin Miller of Topeka on requested charges of first degree murder and aggravated battery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739074147131.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>This is the city’s 1st homicide investigation of 2025.&nbsp; Police have not released details on the relationship between the suspect and the victim.

Police ID Kansas woman who died in shooting 

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man who called 911 to turn himself in after a deadly shooting is going to prison.

On Feb. 3 Judge T. Kelly Ryan sentenced 24-year-old&nbsp;Dmariea Valentino Avance to 155 months in prison for 2nd degree murdery, according to the Johnson County District Attorney.

Last month, Avance pleaded no contest to second degree murder in the death of&nbsp;21-year-old Markese D. Gleghorn of Lenexa outside a fast-food restaurant, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just before 7p.m. Jan. 16, 2024, police responded to the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in the 13330 W. 87th Street Parkway in Lenexa on the report of an armed disturbance.

According to a 911 caller, one person was shot at the location. When officers arrived, they located a man later identified as&nbsp;21-year-old Markese D. Gleghorn of Lenexa inside a vehicle who had been shot. Officers attempted life-saving measures however Geighorn was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A few minutes after this initial call, police received another call from an individual later identified as Avance who said he was involved in the disturbance. Officers responded to an apartment in the 12700 block of W. 88th Circle where they took Avance into custody without incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705355537122.png" alt="Avance-photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Avance-photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man who called 911 to turn himself in after a deadly shooting is going to prison.On Feb. 3 Judge T. Kelly Ryan sentenced 24-year-old&nbsp;Dmariea Valentino Avance to 155 months in prison for 2nd degree murdery, according to the Johnson County District Attorney.Last month, Avance pleaded no contest to second degree murder in the death of&nbsp;21-year-old Markese D. Gleghorn of Lenexa outside a fast-food restaurant, according to the District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705317609481.png" alt="-Police on the scene of the deadly shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>-Police on the scene of the deadly shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 7p.m. Jan. 16, 2024, police responded to the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in the 13330 W. 87th Street Parkway in Lenexa on the report of an armed disturbance.According to a 911 caller, one person was shot at the location. When officers arrived, they located a man later identified as&nbsp;21-year-old Markese D. Gleghorn of Lenexa inside a vehicle who had been shot. Officers attempted life-saving measures however Geighorn was pronounced deceased at the scene.A few minutes after this initial call, police received another call from an individual later identified as Avance who said he was involved in the disturbance. Officers responded to an apartment in the 12700 block of W. 88th Circle where they took Avance into custody without incident.

Kan. man who called 911 after deadly shooting is going to prison

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Just after 5:30p.m. Jan. 3, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Kia Sorento on 150th Road, just west of U.S. 75 Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

During the traffic stop, probable cause was obtained to search the vehicle.&nbsp; Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located on the passenger’s person and during a search of the vehicle, additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located.

The driver, Sidnee Lynn Holcomb, 59, of Horton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, use of&nbsp;communication device during felony drug offense.

The passenger, John Rodney Remmers, 64, of Blue Springs, Nebraska, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, use of communication device during felony drug offense.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738842000727.png" alt="Remmers photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Remmers photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.&nbsp;Just after 5:30p.m. Jan. 3, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Kia Sorento on 150th Road, just west of U.S. 75 Highway, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738841970028.png" alt="Holcomb-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Holcomb-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>During the traffic stop, probable cause was obtained to search the vehicle.&nbsp; Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located on the passenger’s person and during a search of the vehicle, additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located.The driver, Sidnee Lynn Holcomb, 59, of Horton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, use of&nbsp;communication device during felony drug offense.The passenger, John Rodney Remmers, 64, of Blue Springs, Nebraska, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, use of communication device during felony drug offense.