&nbsp;Attorney General Pamela Bondi hosted members of the President’s Cabinet on Tuesday for the inaugural meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in the federal government, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Task Force, which was established by President Trump under&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2025%2F02%2Feradicating-anti-christian-bias%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001965f6b474d-310a9e22-2d38-416b-b2a0-fca271d37cc0-000000/bl7ZQLF3nf4Tl7J4pFSFrvf-gjwRutYBIUp9J4NtfXk=401" target="_blank">Executive Order 14202</a>, was joined by peaceful Christian Americans who were unfairly targeted by the Biden Administration for their religious beliefs.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2025%2F02%2Feradicating-anti-christian-bias%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/2/010001965f6b474d-310a9e22-2d38-416b-b2a0-fca271d37cc0-000000/ksl7GbMsig7eTnD8ns9hJyk4vlnfNeduww5EY8J-6as=401" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read the&nbsp;Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias Executive Order.

Michael Farris:&nbsp;First Amendment Litigator and Founding President of Patrick Henry College

Dr. Scott Hicks:&nbsp;Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Liberty University

“As shown by our victims’ stories today, Biden’s Department of Justice abused and targeted peaceful Christians while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Thanks to President Trump, we have ended those abuses, and we will continue to work closely with every member of this Task Force to protect every American’s right to speak and worship freely.”

Additionally, members of the Task Force highlighted specific cases within their own agencies where the Biden Administration unfairly and harshly punished Christian Americans for their religious beliefs. &nbsp;

FBI Director Kash Patel&nbsp;discussed the impact of the anti-Catholic memo issued by FBI Richmond and reiterated the FBI’s commitment to rooting out any anti-Christian bias that could be directing decisions or investigations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio&nbsp;raised several concerning allegations of bias, including some against Christian Foreign Service Officers who preferred to homeschool their children.&nbsp;In one case, a family was threatened with an investigation for child abuse and curtailment if they insisted on homeschooling. In another case, a family was referred to the IRS, threatened with prosecution, and investigated by Biden’s Inspector General for insisting they homeschool their son.

He shared how State Department employees were stigmatized for opposing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on religious grounds, including being called “murderers” and “troublemakers.” In one instance, an ambassador yelled at an employee, accusing the employee of wanting to kill the ambassador’s mother despite her being back in the States.

Other reports alleged retaliation against employees for opposing DEI/LGBT ideology that violated their religious conscience.&nbsp;Employees recounted being required to push LGBT agendas while serving overseas, even in countries where such activity constituted a blatant violation of the acceptable religious beliefs and practices. He also detailed allegations that that religious freedom policy offices and programs were sidelined unless they were promoting DEI-related programs.

He also highlighted how Christian holidays at American embassies under the Biden Administration were frequently stripped of any religious overtones, but non-Christian religious holidays like Losar, Eid, or Ramadan, used proper names and appropriate celebratory greetings.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&nbsp;discussed how the previous administration ordered St. Francis Health System in Oklahoma to extinguish its sanctuary candle or lose its ability to treat patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. He also discussed progressive rules put in place under the Biden Administration that would make it harder for Christians to become foster parents.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon&nbsp;discussed how Oregon educators Katie Medart and Rachel Sager were suspended and terminated for starting the movement, “I Resolve.” The movement spoke about gender identity education policy and offered solutions for how educators could teach without violating their conscience and also respect the rights of parents.

Additionally, officials at the Skaneateles Central School District in New York began treating a middle-school girl as a boy without her mother’s knowledge or consent – violating their religious liberties as parents.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender&nbsp;discussed financial surveillance under the Biden Administration, including the previous removal of certain tax classifications of Christian and pro-life organizations by the IRS, the lack of involvement within Treasury to protect organizations from the issue of debanking, and FinCEN’s identification of certain pro-Christian groups as “hate groups.”

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins&nbsp;discussed actions the VA took to stop the speech code that the previous administration used to punish Chaplain Trubey of the Coatesville VA Medical Center for fulfilling his duties and preaching a sermon from the Bible.

Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Vince Haley,&nbsp;discussed how the previous DPC Director Neera Tanden helped lead and coordinate the Biden Administration’s efforts to push radical and anti-Christian gender ideology on kids in classrooms, foster care, sports, and healthcare.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745411952674.png" alt="AG Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Heath Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were among the top federal officials at Justice Department headquarters Tuesday for the first meeting of the task force.-Photo Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption>AG Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Heath Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were among the top federal officials at Justice Department headquarters Tuesday for the first meeting of the task force.-Photo Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Attorney General Pamela Bondi hosted members of the President’s Cabinet on Tuesday for the inaugural meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in the federal government, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 BREAKING: First Meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. <a href="https://t.co/PRlqJO48MD">pic.twitter.com/PRlqJO48MD</a>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1914748203552932185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Task Force, which was established by President Trump under&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2025%2F02%2Feradicating-anti-christian-bias%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001965f6b474d-310a9e22-2d38-416b-b2a0-fca271d37cc0-000000/bl7ZQLF3nf4Tl7J4pFSFrvf-gjwRutYBIUp9J4NtfXk=401" target="_blank">Executive Order 14202</a>, was joined by peaceful Christian Americans who were unfairly targeted by the Biden Administration for their religious beliefs.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2025%2F02%2Feradicating-anti-christian-bias%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/2/010001965f6b474d-310a9e22-2d38-416b-b2a0-fca271d37cc0-000000/ksl7GbMsig7eTnD8ns9hJyk4vlnfNeduww5EY8J-6as=401" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read the&nbsp;Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias Executive Order.The witnesses included:Michael Farris:&nbsp;First Amendment Litigator and Founding President of Patrick Henry College<ul>
 <li>Farris spoke on behalf of Senior Pastor Gary Hamrick to discuss how Cornerstone Church was under investigation and charged by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for so-called Johnson Amendment violations. Farris is an elder at the church, previously led Alliance Defending Freedom, and served as counsel on this case.</li>
 </ul>Dr. Scott Hicks:&nbsp;Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Liberty University<ul>
 <li>Hicks described how Liberty University and Grand Canyon University were singled out by the Biden Administration for fines due to the schools’ Christian worldview.</li>
 </ul>Phil Mendes: Navy Seal<ul>
 <li>Mendes was relieved of duty during Biden Administration for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious exemption requests that were denied by the Department of Defense.</li>
 </ul>“As shown by our victims’ stories today, Biden’s Department of Justice abused and targeted peaceful Christians while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Thanks to President Trump, we have ended those abuses, and we will continue to work closely with every member of this Task Force to protect every American’s right to speak and worship freely.”Additionally, members of the Task Force highlighted specific cases within their own agencies where the Biden Administration unfairly and harshly punished Christian Americans for their religious beliefs. &nbsp;FBI Director Kash Patel&nbsp;discussed the impact of the anti-Catholic memo issued by FBI Richmond and reiterated the FBI’s commitment to rooting out any anti-Christian bias that could be directing decisions or investigations.Secretary of State Marco Rubio&nbsp;raised several concerning allegations of bias, including some against Christian Foreign Service Officers who preferred to homeschool their children.&nbsp;In one case, a family was threatened with an investigation for child abuse and curtailment if they insisted on homeschooling. In another case, a family was referred to the IRS, threatened with prosecution, and investigated by Biden’s Inspector General for insisting they homeschool their son.He shared how State Department employees were stigmatized for opposing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on religious grounds, including being called “murderers” and “troublemakers.” In one instance, an ambassador yelled at an employee, accusing the employee of wanting to kill the ambassador’s mother despite her being back in the States.Other reports alleged retaliation against employees for opposing DEI/LGBT ideology that violated their religious conscience.&nbsp;Employees recounted being required to push LGBT agendas while serving overseas, even in countries where such activity constituted a blatant violation of the acceptable religious beliefs and practices. He also detailed allegations that that religious freedom policy offices and programs were sidelined unless they were promoting DEI-related programs.He also highlighted how Christian holidays at American embassies under the Biden Administration were frequently stripped of any religious overtones, but non-Christian religious holidays like Losar, Eid, or Ramadan, used proper names and appropriate celebratory greetings.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&nbsp;discussed how the previous administration ordered St. Francis Health System in Oklahoma to extinguish its sanctuary candle or lose its ability to treat patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. He also discussed progressive rules put in place under the Biden Administration that would make it harder for Christians to become foster parents.Secretary of Education Linda McMahon&nbsp;discussed how Oregon educators Katie Medart and Rachel Sager were suspended and terminated for starting the movement, “I Resolve.” The movement spoke about gender identity education policy and offered solutions for how educators could teach without violating their conscience and also respect the rights of parents.Additionally, officials at the Skaneateles Central School District in New York began treating a middle-school girl as a boy without her mother’s knowledge or consent – violating their religious liberties as parents.Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender&nbsp;discussed financial surveillance under the Biden Administration, including the previous removal of certain tax classifications of Christian and pro-life organizations by the IRS, the lack of involvement within Treasury to protect organizations from the issue of debanking, and FinCEN’s identification of certain pro-Christian groups as “hate groups.”Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins&nbsp;discussed actions the VA took to stop the speech code that the previous administration used to punish Chaplain Trubey of the Coatesville VA Medical Center for fulfilling his duties and preaching a sermon from the Bible.Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Vince Haley,&nbsp;discussed how the previous DPC Director Neera Tanden helped lead and coordinate the Biden Administration’s efforts to push radical and anti-Christian gender ideology on kids in classrooms, foster care, sports, and healthcare.Additional attendees included:<ul>
 <li>Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General</li><li>Emil Bove, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General</li><li>Stanley Woodward, Nominee to be Associate Attorney General</li><li>Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General</li><li>Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense</li><li>Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security</li><li>Andrew Hughes, Chief of Staff (Dep. Sec. Nom.) at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development</li><li>Lori Chavez DeRemer, U.S. Secretary of Labor</li><li>Andrea Lucas, Acting Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission</li><li>Cameron Hamilton, Acting Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency</li><li>Dan Bishop, Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget</li><li>Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration</li><li>Pastor Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor, White House Faith Office</li><li>Jennifer Korn, Faith Director, White House Faith Office</li>
 </ul>

Attorney General convenes task force to root out ‘anti-Christian Bias’

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 20-year-old Diego Segura-Barbazo of Kansas City, Kansas.

Just before midnight Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the&nbsp;900 block of Osage in Kansas City, Kansas. First responders found a man with gunshot wounds deceased outside a residence.

Police did not release the name of the victim or possible suspect details.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 20-year-old Diego Segura-Barbazo of Kansas City, Kansas.Just before midnight Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the&nbsp;900 block of Osage in Kansas City, Kansas. First responders found a man with gunshot wounds deceased outside a residence.Police did not release the name of the victim or possible suspect details.

Police ID Kansas man killed in Easter weekend shooting

RUSSELL COUNTY —Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman shared a video on social media of an accident that occurred April 17 on Interstate 70 in Russell County. "The driver was not injured, thanks to his seatbelt."

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.&nbsp; Trooper Tod wrote, "Not saying this driver was distracted, but if you are, it can increase the risk of a crash by 23 times."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745404493303.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RUSSELL COUNTY —Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman shared a video on social media of an accident that occurred April 17 on Interstate 70 in Russell County. "The driver was not injured, thanks to his seatbelt."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">This was on I-70 in Russell County last Thursday. Thankfully the driver was not injured, thanks to his seatbelt. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, not saying this driver was distracted, but if you are, it can increase the risk of a crash by 23 times.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustDrive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JustDrive</a> <a href="https://t.co/dvtipCNGAo">pic.twitter.com/dvtipCNGAo</a>&mdash; Trooper Tod (@TrooperTodKHP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrooperTodKHP/status/1914799305220669533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.&nbsp; Trooper Tod wrote, "Not saying this driver was distracted, but if you are, it can increase the risk of a crash by 23 times."

🎥KHP: Seat belt saved another driver's life on Interstate 70

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person died from her injuries in a fire in an apartment in Topeka.

Just after 4:30p.m. Monday, crews were dispatched to a fire at a home at 1132 SW Lane Street Apartment 11, according to Fire Chief Alan Stahl. Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the apartment. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire, keeping the fire contained to the apartment where it started.

 Occupants from other apartments exited from the apartment building prior to fire crews' arrival. Searching the structure firefighters were able to rescue a woman resident later identified as 51-year-old Terri L. Dones. She was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and later died. 

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental associated with careless smoking.&nbsp; Working smoke detectors were located in the apartment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745338876056.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person died from her injuries in a fire in an apartment in Topeka.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745338764424.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 4:30p.m. Monday, crews were dispatched to a fire at a home at 1132 SW Lane Street Apartment 11, according to Fire Chief Alan Stahl. Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the apartment. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire, keeping the fire contained to the apartment where it started. Occupants from other apartments exited from the apartment building prior to fire crews' arrival. Searching the structure firefighters were able to rescue a woman resident later identified as 51-year-old Terri L. Dones. She was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and later died. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental associated with careless smoking.&nbsp; Working smoke detectors were located in the apartment.

Kansas woman dies from injuries in apartment fire

KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County judge sentenced a Kansas City man to more than two decades in prison for a fatal shooting that took place last year, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2591/Richard-Harris-JUDGMENT_Redacted_FINAL">Richard G. Harris, 37, was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to 22 years in prison for 2nd Degree Murder. He pled guilty last month.&nbsp;

A<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2590/Richard-Harris-Redacted-PC-Statement">ccording to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of 3200 E. Linwood Blvd. on June 17, 2024, and found a female victim lying in the grass suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. She died in the hospital from the injury a few days later.&nbsp;

Surveillance footage captured the defendant hitting the victim, dragging her, and then shooting her.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720887258225.png" alt="Harris photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Harris photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County judge sentenced a Kansas City man to more than two decades in prison for a fatal shooting that took place last year, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2591/Richard-Harris-JUDGMENT_Redacted_FINAL">Richard G. Harris, 37, was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to 22 years in prison for 2nd Degree Murder. He pled guilty last month.&nbsp;A<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2590/Richard-Harris-Redacted-PC-Statement">ccording to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of 3200 E. Linwood Blvd. on June 17, 2024, and found a female victim lying in the grass suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. She died in the hospital from the injury a few days later.&nbsp;Surveillance footage captured the defendant hitting the victim, dragging her, and then shooting her.&nbsp;

Camera saw KC man hit, drag and shoot woman

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The governor appoints members of the Missouri Ethics Commission. But for months only two of the six positions have been filled

Last fall, St. Louis attorney Brad Ketcher read the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article290629949.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">news</a>&nbsp;that a Republican candidate for the Missouri Senate was using money from his church to help fund his campaign.

As the chief of staff to former Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan in the 1990s, Ketcher helped establish the Missouri Ethics Commission, a state agency that enforces campaign finance and ethics laws.&nbsp;

He was so “appalled” when the Senate candidate in question won the seat in November that Ketcher filed an ethics complaint asking the commission to investigate.

But in April, he learned his complaint was getting thrown out because there weren’t enough commission members to convene a meeting to review it.&nbsp;

“Because there were not four commissioners able to consider the investigation within the statutory timeframe, the commission could take no action on this complaint,” the commission said in dismissing the complaint.&nbsp;

The complaint is among 16 others that have been dismissed in the more than 100 business days since the commission last had enough members to reach a quorum.&nbsp;It’s the second time in less than a year that the commission hasn’t had enough members to enforce state campaign and ethics laws.&nbsp;

Ketcher refiled the complaint last week in hopes that the governor will fill the commission vacancies.&nbsp;When he served as Carnahan’s right hand, Ketcher said he’d never want to read a headline: “Governor fails to appoint ethics panel.”&nbsp;

“Do I want that headline?” he said. “Hell no, I don’t want that headline. Even though there’s probably nothing nefarious going on, that’s what it looks like to the rest of the world — like you’re trying to hide something, you’re up to something or trying to protect somebody.”

A spokeswoman for Gov. Mike Kehoe, who was sworn into office in January, did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

On Jan. 13, former Gov. Mike Parson withdrew two commissioners who he’d appointed months earlier but who had not yet been confirmed by the Missouri Senate. That left only two of the six seats on the commission filled.&nbsp;The last time the commission had enough members to meet was Nov. 20.&nbsp;

Ketcher said it’s challenging for the ethics commission to get a new governor’s attention in the middle of his first legislative session.&nbsp;

“I would say it’s probably doubly a challenge for an acting executive director,” Ketcher said.&nbsp;

Stacey Heislen, acting executive director of the commission, declined to comment.&nbsp;

State law requires an investigation be completed within 90 business days of a complaint, which is then presented to the commission to determine whether there are reasonable grounds of a violation or whether it should be dismissed.&nbsp;

However, for campaign-finance complaints 60 days from an election, the investigations must be completed within 15 days.&nbsp;The law also requires at least four commission members for a quorum, and at least four affirmative votes shall be required for any action or recommendation of the commission.&nbsp;

The state faced the same problem last year for several months, before Parson appointed Jeremy Schneider of Macon in April, Whitney Smith of Des Peres in June and Jim Martin of Perryville in July.&nbsp;

With Robin Wheeler Sanders serving as the chair since 2022, the commission finally had a quorum after those three appointments.&nbsp;

However, only Sanders and Schneider remain after Parson withdrew his appointments for Smith and Martin. The law states the vacancies are to be filled within 75 days.&nbsp;

“State government has made crime fighting a priority, and that should include enforcement of the ethics and nepotism and conflict of interest laws,” Ketcher said, “and they ought to move promptly to get a full commission in place to deal with those important issues.”

Missouri’s governor appoints commission members from nominations received by the congressional districts of the political parties that received the two highest votes for the last gubernatorial election.

Members are prohibited from running for office, making contributions for or against a candidate or issue, working as a lobbyist, for the state or any political subdivision, being an officer of a political party or participating in an election except for voting.

The state Senate must then confirm the appointments.&nbsp;

For Ketcher’s complaint, he believes the Senate confirmation raises an “interesting” question.

The focus of his complaint is Joe Nicola, a Republican from Grain Valley now serving in the Senate and able to vote on nominees for the ethics commission.

“Let’s assume the governor does appoint some commissioners, is Nicola gonna basically get to vote for or against his jury pool?” Ketcher said. “And I think that will be a moment of truth for the state Senate and for him.”

Nicola told The Independent that Ketcher’s complaint was “ridiculous.”

“My church made donations to a PAC,” Nicola said, but he doesn’t believe it’s against regulations because his church isn’t a registered nonprofit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745359009997.png" alt=" The Missouri Ethics Commission meeting Oct. 16 at its Jefferson City offices. Members at the time, from left, were Jim Martin, Whitney Smith, Robin Wheeler Sanders and Jeremy Schneider. Attorney Scott Pool, the commission’s counsel, is at the far right (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> The Missouri Ethics Commission meeting Oct. 16 at its Jefferson City offices. Members at the time, from left, were Jim Martin, Whitney Smith, Robin Wheeler Sanders and Jeremy Schneider. Attorney Scott Pool, the commission’s counsel, is at the far right (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>The governor appoints members of the Missouri Ethics Commission. But for months only two of the six positions have been filled</h2>Last fall, St. Louis attorney Brad Ketcher read the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article290629949.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">news</a>&nbsp;that a Republican candidate for the Missouri Senate was using money from his church to help fund his campaign.As the chief of staff to former Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan in the 1990s, Ketcher helped establish the Missouri Ethics Commission, a state agency that enforces campaign finance and ethics laws.&nbsp;He was so “appalled” when the Senate candidate in question won the seat in November that Ketcher filed an ethics complaint asking the commission to investigate.But in April, he learned his complaint was getting thrown out because there weren’t enough commission members to convene a meeting to review it.&nbsp;“Because there were not four commissioners able to consider the investigation within the statutory timeframe, the commission could take no action on this complaint,” the commission said in dismissing the complaint.&nbsp;The complaint is among 16 others that have been dismissed in the more than 100 business days since the commission last had enough members to reach a quorum.&nbsp;It’s the second time in less than a year that the commission hasn’t had enough members to enforce state campaign and ethics laws.&nbsp;Ketcher refiled the complaint last week in hopes that the governor will fill the commission vacancies.&nbsp;When he served as Carnahan’s right hand, Ketcher said he’d never want to read a headline: “Governor fails to appoint ethics panel.”&nbsp;“Do I want that headline?” he said. “Hell no, I don’t want that headline. Even though there’s probably nothing nefarious going on, that’s what it looks like to the rest of the world — like you’re trying to hide something, you’re up to something or trying to protect somebody.”A spokeswoman for Gov. Mike Kehoe, who was sworn into office in January, did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;On Jan. 13, former Gov. Mike Parson withdrew two commissioners who he’d appointed months earlier but who had not yet been confirmed by the Missouri Senate. That left only two of the six seats on the commission filled.&nbsp;The last time the commission had enough members to meet was Nov. 20.&nbsp;Ketcher said it’s challenging for the ethics commission to get a new governor’s attention in the middle of his first legislative session.&nbsp;“I would say it’s probably doubly a challenge for an acting executive director,” Ketcher said.&nbsp;Stacey Heislen, acting executive director of the commission, declined to comment.&nbsp;State law requires an investigation be completed within 90 business days of a complaint, which is then presented to the commission to determine whether there are reasonable grounds of a violation or whether it should be dismissed.&nbsp;However, for campaign-finance complaints 60 days from an election, the investigations must be completed within 15 days.&nbsp;The law also requires at least four commission members for a quorum, and at least four affirmative votes shall be required for any action or recommendation of the commission.&nbsp;The state faced the same problem last year for several months, before Parson appointed Jeremy Schneider of Macon in April, Whitney Smith of Des Peres in June and Jim Martin of Perryville in July.&nbsp;With Robin Wheeler Sanders serving as the chair since 2022, the commission finally had a quorum after those three appointments.&nbsp;However, only Sanders and Schneider remain after Parson withdrew his appointments for Smith and Martin. The law states the vacancies are to be filled within 75 days.&nbsp;“State government has made crime fighting a priority, and that should include enforcement of the ethics and nepotism and conflict of interest laws,” Ketcher said, “and they ought to move promptly to get a full commission in place to deal with those important issues.”Missouri’s governor appoints commission members from nominations received by the congressional districts of the political parties that received the two highest votes for the last gubernatorial election.Members are prohibited from running for office, making contributions for or against a candidate or issue, working as a lobbyist, for the state or any political subdivision, being an officer of a political party or participating in an election except for voting.The state Senate must then confirm the appointments.&nbsp;For Ketcher’s complaint, he believes the Senate confirmation raises an “interesting” question.The focus of his complaint is Joe Nicola, a Republican from Grain Valley now serving in the Senate and able to vote on nominees for the ethics commission.“Let’s assume the governor does appoint some commissioners, is Nicola gonna basically get to vote for or against his jury pool?” Ketcher said. “And I think that will be a moment of truth for the state Senate and for him.”Nicola told The Independent that Ketcher’s complaint was “ridiculous.”“My church made donations to a PAC,” Nicola said, but he doesn’t believe it’s against regulations because his church isn’t a registered nonprofit.

Missouri campaign watchdog is once again unable to function due to vacancies

LYON COUNTY— The David Traylor Zoo of Emporia announced the passing of one of its most beloved animals, Hot Lips the cotton-top tamarin. Hot Lips passed away on April 16, 2025, due to age-related complications.

Born at the Zoo on March 13, 2000, Hot Lips spent his entire life at the David Traylor Zoo, bringing joy to generations of visitors and serving as a remarkable ambassador for his species. Throughout his 25 years, Hot Lips fathered 13 offspring and became a grandfather to 7, playing an important role in the conservation of cotton-top tamarins.

In March, Hot Lips celebrated his 25th birthday, a milestone that made him the second oldest cotton-top tamarin in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution. Due to his advanced age, he had been retired from public exhibit but remained under the close care of Zoo staff who ensured his comfort and quality of life.

"Hot Lips was truly one of a kind," said Zoo staff. "He entertained and inspired thousands of visitors during his lifetime, and his legacy will continue through the lives of his offspring and the awareness he helped raise for his species."

The David Traylor Zoo extends its heartfelt gratitude to the community for their ongoing support and invites guests to remember Hot Lips as an enduring symbol of compassion, conservation, and care.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745244694210.png" alt="Hot Lips courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Hot Lips courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY— The David Traylor Zoo of Emporia announced the passing of one of its most beloved animals, Hot Lips the cotton-top tamarin. Hot Lips passed away on April 16, 2025, due to age-related complications.Born at the Zoo on March 13, 2000, Hot Lips spent his entire life at the David Traylor Zoo, bringing joy to generations of visitors and serving as a remarkable ambassador for his species. Throughout his 25 years, Hot Lips fathered 13 offspring and became a grandfather to 7, playing an important role in the conservation of cotton-top tamarins.In March, Hot Lips celebrated his 25th birthday, a milestone that made him the second oldest cotton-top tamarin in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution. Due to his advanced age, he had been retired from public exhibit but remained under the close care of Zoo staff who ensured his comfort and quality of life."Hot Lips was truly one of a kind," said Zoo staff. "He entertained and inspired thousands of visitors during his lifetime, and his legacy will continue through the lives of his offspring and the awareness he helped raise for his species."The David Traylor Zoo extends its heartfelt gratitude to the community for their ongoing support and invites guests to remember Hot Lips as an enduring symbol of compassion, conservation, and care.

Kansas zoo mourns the loss of 25-year-old tamarin

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

TOPEKA — A Kansas City suburb rose to the top in a major e-commerce company’s nationwide search for a new hub through hefty &nbsp;incentives.

Fortune 500 company Fiserv plans to open a new location in Overland Park, the Kansas governor’s office announced Monday, touting the addition of 2,000 jobs and a 10-year, $6.5 billion economic impact. The state is offering millions in incentives.

Gov. Laura Kelly’s office called the deal the largest office recruitment in the state’s history.

Frank Bisignano, chairman and CEO of Fiserv, said the planned Overland Park hub is an opportunity to expand the company’s footprint in the United States and foster innovation in the financial services field on behalf of its clients.

“The greater Kansas City metro area offers a dynamic environment with a growing population of tech talent, making it the ideal location for Fiserv’s next strategic fintech hub,” he said.

State incentives totaling nearly $155 million over 10 years reward Fiserv with tax credits for above-average wages, a payroll tax withholding refund for creating jobs, relocation funds for out-of-state employees, a job creation award, personal property tax and sales tax abatements, and workforce recruitment assistance.

For every one-dollar investment in state incentives, $21.22 will be added to Kansas’ gross domestic product,&nbsp;said Patrick Lowry, a spokesman for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“These are high-value jobs to help keep more graduates of Kansas colleges and universities remain in Kansas,” he said.

Fiserv has committed $175 million for the project, according to Lowry.

The company’s announcement came less than a week after Overland Park’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee unanimously gave preliminary approval to a property tax rebate program for “Project Turtle,” which has been connected to Fiserv.

The Overland Park City Council is set to take up the issue Monday, but the project has already earned Mayor Curt Skoog’s unofficial approval.

“This is the biggest job-creating project that we’ve worked on in my time,” he said at the economic development committee’s Wednesday meeting.

In Skoog’s 20 years of involvement with the city, he said, he has witnessed significant growth successes and attractive additions to the community

“But this one is a really, really amazing win for us,” he said.

If approved, Project Turtle would receive a rebate on city, county and Blue Valley Recreation Commission property taxes. The company would pay full property taxes to the Blue Valley School District and Johnson County Community College levies.

Under the rebate agreement, taxes will be paid, and then the company would submit an application to the city to be reimbursed for about 40% of those taxes, or an estimated $1.3 million over 10 years of the company’s 15-year lease.

But the rebate is contingent on meeting certain conditions.

Those conditions include a $125 million investment in renovations and improvements and maintaining 2,000 full-time employees by 2030. The governor’s office said those employees will earn an average salary of $102,000 annually. The state anticipates Fiserv will contribute up to $4 billion in payroll investment over the next decade.

&nbsp;The company also would be required to participate in community engagement, invest in memberships with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and the Overland Park Economic Development Council, and commit to using Overland Park hotels and facilities for conventions and meetings.

The economic development committee liked the idea of reusing existing space and increasing the long-term property value at the 200-acre Aspiria campus, which was considered at one point as a new location for the Kansas City Royals. After Sprint sold the campus in 2019, it was envisioned as a live-work-play environment tailored to businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s one of the largest corporate campuses in the U.S., second only to Microsoft’s campus in Washington state.

Fiserv is expected to lease two buildings on the campus, totaling 427,000 square feet.

The tax incentives are an “important component” of the deal, said Alex Leath, an Alabama attorney with the international law firm Bradley Arant who helped bring Panasonic to De Soto.

The Kansas City area wasn’t initially a contender for Fiserv, Leath said.

“What I saw first and foremost — what I do see — is the quality of the people, the work ethic of the people,” Leath told the economic development committee. “This is a company that expects people to be in the office five days a week, … and Kansans struck me as people who would enjoy that, or embrace that.”

Overland Park beat out Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas, Fort Worth, Atlanta and the South Florida area in the company’s search.

Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids lauded the deal.

“Kansas continues to attract top-tier businesses, and I look forward to welcoming Fiserv to Overland Park,” Moran said.

The governor said the new hub is making good on her administration’s promise to “modernize and diversify” the state’s economy.

“Fiserv’s new strategic hub in Overland Park is a significant step forward as we continue to elevate Kansas to new heights,” Kelly said. “Fiserv will create high-value career options, including opportunities for military personnel transitioning to civilian life and graduates of our higher education system.”

Fiserv chose Overland Park, the announcement said, because of its central location in the United States, proximity to clients in the Midwest, affordable cost of living and the opportunity to recruit talent in the tech field.

Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council, called the investment “monumental.”

He added: “And so is the Kansas City region’s ability to deliver.”

The Kansas City area has the capacity and competitiveness to rise to the occasion, he said, which he attributed to a “fast-growing tech sector,” a cache of talent and a prosperous, collaborative business community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745325511316.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly, pictured here with Lt. Gov. David Toland behind her in July 2022 after announcing the $4 billion Panasonic factory in De Soto, announced Monday the arrival of another major company in Kansas — Fiserv, which is expected to usher in 2,000 jobs in the next five years. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly, pictured here with Lt. Gov. David Toland behind her in July 2022 after announcing the $4 billion Panasonic factory in De Soto, announced Monday the arrival of another major company in Kansas — Fiserv, which is expected to usher in 2,000 jobs in the next five years. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Kansas City suburb rose to the top in a major e-commerce company’s nationwide search for a new hub through hefty &nbsp;incentives.Fortune 500 company Fiserv plans to open a new location in Overland Park, the Kansas governor’s office announced Monday, touting the addition of 2,000 jobs and a 10-year, $6.5 billion economic impact. The state is offering millions in incentives.Gov. Laura Kelly’s office called the deal the largest office recruitment in the state’s history.Frank Bisignano, chairman and CEO of Fiserv, said the planned Overland Park hub is an opportunity to expand the company’s footprint in the United States and foster innovation in the financial services field on behalf of its clients.“The greater Kansas City metro area offers a dynamic environment with a growing population of tech talent, making it the ideal location for Fiserv’s next strategic fintech hub,” he said.State incentives totaling nearly $155 million over 10 years reward Fiserv with tax credits for above-average wages, a payroll tax withholding refund for creating jobs, relocation funds for out-of-state employees, a job creation award, personal property tax and sales tax abatements, and workforce recruitment assistance.For every one-dollar investment in state incentives, $21.22 will be added to Kansas’ gross domestic product,&nbsp;said Patrick Lowry, a spokesman for the Kansas Department of Commerce.“These are high-value jobs to help keep more graduates of Kansas colleges and universities remain in Kansas,” he said.Fiserv has committed $175 million for the project, according to Lowry.The company’s announcement came less than a week after Overland Park’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee unanimously gave preliminary approval to a property tax rebate program for “Project Turtle,” which has been connected to Fiserv.The Overland Park City Council is set to take up the issue Monday, but the project has already earned Mayor Curt Skoog’s unofficial approval.“This is the biggest job-creating project that we’ve worked on in my time,” he said at the economic development committee’s Wednesday meeting.In Skoog’s 20 years of involvement with the city, he said, he has witnessed significant growth successes and attractive additions to the community“But this one is a really, really amazing win for us,” he said.If approved, Project Turtle would receive a rebate on city, county and Blue Valley Recreation Commission property taxes. The company would pay full property taxes to the Blue Valley School District and Johnson County Community College levies.Under the rebate agreement, taxes will be paid, and then the company would submit an application to the city to be reimbursed for about 40% of those taxes, or an estimated $1.3 million over 10 years of the company’s 15-year lease.But the rebate is contingent on meeting certain conditions.Those conditions include a $125 million investment in renovations and improvements and maintaining 2,000 full-time employees by 2030. The governor’s office said those employees will earn an average salary of $102,000 annually. The state anticipates Fiserv will contribute up to $4 billion in payroll investment over the next decade.&nbsp;The company also would be required to participate in community engagement, invest in memberships with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and the Overland Park Economic Development Council, and commit to using Overland Park hotels and facilities for conventions and meetings.The economic development committee liked the idea of reusing existing space and increasing the long-term property value at the 200-acre Aspiria campus, which was considered at one point as a new location for the Kansas City Royals. After Sprint sold the campus in 2019, it was envisioned as a live-work-play environment tailored to businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s one of the largest corporate campuses in the U.S., second only to Microsoft’s campus in Washington state.Fiserv is expected to lease two buildings on the campus, totaling 427,000 square feet.The tax incentives are an “important component” of the deal, said Alex Leath, an Alabama attorney with the international law firm Bradley Arant who helped bring Panasonic to De Soto.The Kansas City area wasn’t initially a contender for Fiserv, Leath said.“What I saw first and foremost — what I do see — is the quality of the people, the work ethic of the people,” Leath told the economic development committee. “This is a company that expects people to be in the office five days a week, … and Kansans struck me as people who would enjoy that, or embrace that.”Overland Park beat out Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas, Fort Worth, Atlanta and the South Florida area in the company’s search.Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids lauded the deal.“Kansas continues to attract top-tier businesses, and I look forward to welcoming Fiserv to Overland Park,” Moran said.The governor said the new hub is making good on her administration’s promise to “modernize and diversify” the state’s economy.“Fiserv’s new strategic hub in Overland Park is a significant step forward as we continue to elevate Kansas to new heights,” Kelly said. “Fiserv will create high-value career options, including opportunities for military personnel transitioning to civilian life and graduates of our higher education system.”Fiserv chose Overland Park, the announcement said, because of its central location in the United States, proximity to clients in the Midwest, affordable cost of living and the opportunity to recruit talent in the tech field.Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council, called the investment “monumental.”He added: “And so is the Kansas City region’s ability to deliver.”The Kansas City area has the capacity and competitiveness to rise to the occasion, he said, which he attributed to a “fast-growing tech sector,” a cache of talent and a prosperous, collaborative business community.

Tax incentives, work ethic attract Fortune 500 company to Kansas

KANSAS CITY—One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in the Costco parking lot&nbsp;

In the Costco parking lot at 241 East Linwood, a pedestrian became involved in a verbal altercation and disturbance with the driver of a black Mercedes, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The pedestrian was hanging onto the Mercedes as the driver began to leave the scene. As the Mercedes was driving away, the pedestrian was knocked to the ground and run over by the vehicle.

The driver of the Mercedes left the scene without stopping. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY—One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in the Costco parking lot&nbsp;In the Costco parking lot at 241 East Linwood, a pedestrian became involved in a verbal altercation and disturbance with the driver of a black Mercedes, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.The pedestrian was hanging onto the Mercedes as the driver began to leave the scene. As the Mercedes was driving away, the pedestrian was knocked to the ground and run over by the vehicle.The driver of the Mercedes left the scene without stopping. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp;

After verbal fight, shopper run over in Costco parking lot

By Devin Watkins Vatican News Service

The Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday that Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.

The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the&nbsp;Ultima commendatio&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis' soul.

The late Pope's body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, so that the faithful may pay their respects.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on April 23, which will begin at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer.

The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, according to the Holy See Press Office.

The procession will then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door.

At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745322565144.png" alt="The late Pope Francis' body lies in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta photo Vatican News Service" />
 <figcaption>The late Pope Francis' body lies in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta photo Vatican News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By Devin Watkins Vatican News ServiceThe Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday that Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square.Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the&nbsp;Ultima commendatio&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis' soul.The late Pope's body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.Earlier, on Wednesday, the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, so that the faithful may pay their respects.Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on April 23, which will begin at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer.The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, according to the Holy See Press Office.The procession will then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door.At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence.

Cardinals set date for Pope Francis’ funeral, public viewing

KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in an accident during a police chase just before 1p.m. Monday in Kansas City.

According to a preliminary investigation, the driver was eluding Sugar Creek Police Department on Interstate 70 westbound from 435 Highway at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Offier&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

 During the pursuit, Kansas City Police assisted by using tire deflation devices which caused the driver to slow down. The driver attempted to exit on Paseo where she lost control and the vehicle rolled. The driver was transported to an area hospital for treatment.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in an accident during a police chase just before 1p.m. Monday in Kansas City.According to a preliminary investigation, the driver was eluding Sugar Creek Police Department on Interstate 70 westbound from 435 Highway at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Offier&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez. During the pursuit, Kansas City Police assisted by using tire deflation devices which caused the driver to slow down. The driver attempted to exit on Paseo where she lost control and the vehicle rolled. The driver was transported to an area hospital for treatment.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Woman injured after crash during I-70 police chase

SHAWNEE COUNTY —&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities investigating a fatal house fire in Topeka have identified the victim as 65-year-old Michael J. Ullman, the only resident of the home, according to Fire Marshal Alan Stahl.

Just before 6a.m. Friday, crews responded to report of a house fire a 419 SE Rodgers Street in Topeka, according to Stahl.&nbsp; First arriving crews found smoke coming from the home and quickly extinguished the fire. During a search of the home, firefighters found Ullman deceased.. There were no other occupants of the home.

Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire.&nbsp; The home did not have working smoke detectors, according to Stahl.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744990133110.png" alt="Crews on the scene of the Friday morning fire-photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Crews on the scene of the Friday morning fire-photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities investigating a fatal house fire in Topeka have identified the victim as 65-year-old Michael J. Ullman, the only resident of the home, according to Fire Marshal Alan Stahl.Just before 6a.m. Friday, crews responded to report of a house fire a 419 SE Rodgers Street in Topeka, according to Stahl.&nbsp; First arriving crews found smoke coming from the home and quickly extinguished the fire. During a search of the home, firefighters found Ullman deceased.. There were no other occupants of the home.Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire.&nbsp; The home did not have working smoke detectors, according to Stahl.

Fire Marshal IDs man who died in Kansas house fire

U.S. Representatives Maxine Dexter (Oregon), Robert Garcia(Calif.), Maxwell Frost (Fla), and Yassamin Ansari(Ariz) arrived in El Salvador Monday to pressure the Trump Administration to abide by a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man with "protected legal status" who was unlawfully deported by the Trump Administration, according to a statement from Dexter's office.

Abrego Garcia is currently detained in El Salvador despite having no criminal conviction in the United States, a direct violation of due process protected by the Constitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Congressional members are in El Salvador to bring attention to President Trump’s illegal defiance of the binding and unanimous Supreme Court decision in Noem v. Abrego Garcia that demands the Administration facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return and due process in the United States. This visit comes after the Trump Administration admitted that Mr. Abrego Garcia’s detention was an “error” but refused to abide by a federal judge and the Supreme Court’s orders to facilitate Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return home. Members will also advocate for other detainees who are being held without due process.&nbsp;

This trip is not being financed by taxpayer dollars and comes after Chairman James Comer refused to approve Garcia and Frost’s&nbsp;<a href="https://robertgarcia.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/robertgarcia.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/garcia-frost-letter.pdf" target="_blank">request&nbsp;</a>for an official CODEL.

“What happened to Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not just one family’s nightmare—it is a constitutional crisis that should outrage every single one of us,” said&nbsp;Congresswoman&nbsp; Dexter. “We will not rest while due process is discarded, and our constitutional rights are ignored. We will be loud in demanding that the Trump Administration abide by the Supreme Court’s decision and uphold the rule of law. Because if this can happen to Mr. Abrego Garcia, it can happen to anyone.”

“While Donald Trump continues to defy the Supreme Court, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held illegally in El Salvador after being wrongfully deported,” said&nbsp;Congressman Robert Garcia.&nbsp;“That is why we’re here– to remind the American people that kidnapping immigrants and deporting them without due process is not how we do things in America. We are demanding the Trump Administration abide by the Supreme Court decision and give Kilmar and the other migrants mistakenly sent to El Salvador due process in the United States.”

“Donald Trump and his Administration are running a government-funded kidnapping program– illegally arresting, jailing, and deporting innocent people with zero due process. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is Trump’s latest victim,”&nbsp;said Congressman Maxwell Frost. “As Members of Congress it is our responsibility to hold the President and Administration accountable for defying the constitution of the United States. Donald Trump and ICE are not above the law. Today it’s Kilmar, but tomorrow it could be anyone else. We cannot and will not let Donald Trump get away with this."&nbsp;

“My parents fled an authoritarian regime in Iran where people were ‘disappeared’ – I refuse to sit back and watch it happen here, too. Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s illegal abduction and President Trump’s complete disregard of due process and a unanimous Supreme Court ruling are deeply disturbing. We should all be appalled by this treatment by the United States government,” said&nbsp;Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari. “I’m in El Salvador to advocate for the Trump Administration to facilitate his safe return home, and make sure Trump’s attack on our Constitution and due process stops now. Trump has already threatened to illegally deport ‘home-growns’ and American citizens. If this can happen to Mr. Abrego Garcia, it can happen to any of us. This is a constitutional crisis. ”

U.S. Representatives Maxine Dexter (Oregon), Robert Garcia(Calif.), Maxwell Frost (Fla), and Yassamin Ansari(Ariz) arrived in El Salvador Monday to pressure the Trump Administration to abide by a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man with "protected legal status" who was unlawfully deported by the Trump Administration, according to a statement from Dexter's office.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am in El Salvador because I will not stand by while our country is thrown into a constitutional crisis. This is a moment to act. I will not rest until due process is upheld for all. <a href="https://t.co/q5b4cZg3iV">pic.twitter.com/q5b4cZg3iV</a>&mdash; Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (@RepDexterOR) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDexterOR/status/1914346370841903519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Abrego Garcia is currently detained in El Salvador despite having no criminal conviction in the United States, a direct violation of due process protected by the Constitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Congressional members are in El Salvador to bring attention to President Trump’s illegal defiance of the binding and unanimous Supreme Court decision in Noem v. Abrego Garcia that demands the Administration facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return and due process in the United States. This visit comes after the Trump Administration admitted that Mr. Abrego Garcia’s detention was an “error” but refused to abide by a federal judge and the Supreme Court’s orders to facilitate Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return home. Members will also advocate for other detainees who are being held without due process.&nbsp;This trip is not being financed by taxpayer dollars and comes after Chairman James Comer refused to approve Garcia and Frost’s&nbsp;<a href="https://robertgarcia.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/robertgarcia.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/garcia-frost-letter.pdf" target="_blank">request&nbsp;</a>for an official CODEL.“What happened to Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not just one family’s nightmare—it is a constitutional crisis that should outrage every single one of us,” said&nbsp;Congresswoman&nbsp; Dexter. “We will not rest while due process is discarded, and our constitutional rights are ignored. We will be loud in demanding that the Trump Administration abide by the Supreme Court’s decision and uphold the rule of law. Because if this can happen to Mr. Abrego Garcia, it can happen to anyone.”“While Donald Trump continues to defy the Supreme Court, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held illegally in El Salvador after being wrongfully deported,” said&nbsp;Congressman Robert Garcia.&nbsp;“That is why we’re here– to remind the American people that kidnapping immigrants and deporting them without due process is not how we do things in America. We are demanding the Trump Administration abide by the Supreme Court decision and give Kilmar and the other migrants mistakenly sent to El Salvador due process in the United States.”“Donald Trump and his Administration are running a government-funded kidnapping program– illegally arresting, jailing, and deporting innocent people with zero due process. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is Trump’s latest victim,”&nbsp;said Congressman Maxwell Frost. “As Members of Congress it is our responsibility to hold the President and Administration accountable for defying the constitution of the United States. Donald Trump and ICE are not above the law. Today it’s Kilmar, but tomorrow it could be anyone else. We cannot and will not let Donald Trump get away with this."&nbsp;“My parents fled an authoritarian regime in Iran where people were ‘disappeared’ – I refuse to sit back and watch it happen here, too. Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s illegal abduction and President Trump’s complete disregard of due process and a unanimous Supreme Court ruling are deeply disturbing. We should all be appalled by this treatment by the United States government,” said&nbsp;Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari. “I’m in El Salvador to advocate for the Trump Administration to facilitate his safe return home, and make sure Trump’s attack on our Constitution and due process stops now. Trump has already threatened to illegally deport ‘home-growns’ and American citizens. If this can happen to Mr. Abrego Garcia, it can happen to any of us. This is a constitutional crisis. ”

🎥More lawmakers visit El Salvador on Abrego Garcia's behalf

JOHNSON—A Kansas man accused in the killing of his wife and son made another court appearance in the case last week.

Todd M. Donovan, 53, plead guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and to cruelty to animals, according to the Johnson County District Attorney. Donovan is scheduled for sentencing July 21st.

Just before 8:30p.m. Nov. 1, police responded on the report of an armed disturbance at a home in the 7900 block of Hallet in the city of Lenexa, according to a media release. As officers arrived, they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of the residence.

Lenexa officers spoke on the phone with the individual suspected of firing shots and learned 53-year-old Todd M. Donovan was inside his residence on Hallet.

Donovan refused to comply with officer’s requests to come outside peacefully and the Lenexa Tactical Team and crisis negotiators responded on the barricade operation. Negotiators spoke with Donovan for nearly two hours before he discontinued dialogue.

Just before 2a.m. the next morning, members of the Lenexa Tactical Team entered the residence and took Donovan into custody. He was taken to an area hospital due to a possible overdose.

Officers located two individuals later identified as Donovan's wife 52-year-old Sheila Donovan and his son 22-year-old Tyler Donovan deceased inside the home. The preliminary investigation indicates that both were shot. As part of this investigation, it was also learned that a neighbor's dog was shot and killed around the same time that officers responded on the initial call.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730686002368.png" alt="Donovan photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Donovan photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON—A Kansas man accused in the killing of his wife and son made another court appearance in the case last week.Todd M. Donovan, 53, plead guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and to cruelty to animals, according to the Johnson County District Attorney. Donovan is scheduled for sentencing July 21st.Just before 8:30p.m. Nov. 1, police responded on the report of an armed disturbance at a home in the 7900 block of Hallet in the city of Lenexa, according to a media release. As officers arrived, they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of the residence.Lenexa officers spoke on the phone with the individual suspected of firing shots and learned 53-year-old Todd M. Donovan was inside his residence on Hallet.Donovan refused to comply with officer’s requests to come outside peacefully and the Lenexa Tactical Team and crisis negotiators responded on the barricade operation. Negotiators spoke with Donovan for nearly two hours before he discontinued dialogue.Just before 2a.m. the next morning, members of the Lenexa Tactical Team entered the residence and took Donovan into custody. He was taken to an area hospital due to a possible overdose.Officers located two individuals later identified as Donovan's wife 52-year-old Sheila Donovan and his son 22-year-old Tyler Donovan deceased inside the home. The preliminary investigation indicates that both were shot. As part of this investigation, it was also learned that a neighbor's dog was shot and killed around the same time that officers responded on the initial call.

Kansas man admits killing wife, son and neighbor's dog

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/surprise-guest-shows-us-house-dems-slam-education-cuts-education-secretary" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Education</a>&nbsp;said Monday that it will&nbsp;resume collections May 5 for defaulted federal student loans.

After pausing during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has not collected on defaulted loans in over five years. More than 5 million borrowers sit in default on their federal student loans, and just 38% of borrowers are current on their payments, the department said.

“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-begin-federal-student-loan-collections-other-actions-help-borrowers-get-back-repayment" target="_blank">a statement</a>&nbsp;Monday.

During last year’s presidential campaign, President Donald Trump criticized his predecessor and successor, President Joe Biden, for his efforts to erase student debt. McMahon resumed that line of attack Monday, blaming Biden’s administration for unreasonably raising borrowers’ expectations of forgiveness.

“The Biden Administration misled borrowers: the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to wipe debt away, nor do the loan balances simply disappear. Hundreds of billions have already been transferred to taxpayers,” McMahon said.

She added that “going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment — both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook.”

The department said the Office of Federal Student Aid will restart the Treasury Offset Program, which the U.S. Treasury Department administers, on May 5.

The Education Department statement said all borrowers who are in default will get emails over the next two weeks “making them aware of these developments and urging them to contact the Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation.”

The department said the Office of Federal Student Aid will “send required notices beginning administrative wage garnishment” later this summer.

More than 42.7 million borrowers owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt, according to the department.&nbsp;

The administration claims that “instead of protecting responsible taxpayers, the Biden-Harris Administration put them on the hook for irresponsible lending, pushing the federal student loan portfolio toward a fiscal cliff.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745271542976.png" alt=" U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks at a press conference outside the U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 2 (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption> U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks at a press conference outside the U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 2 (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>WASHINGTON — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/surprise-guest-shows-us-house-dems-slam-education-cuts-education-secretary" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Education</a>&nbsp;said Monday that it will&nbsp;resume collections May 5 for defaulted federal student loans.After pausing during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has not collected on defaulted loans in over five years. More than 5 million borrowers sit in default on their federal student loans, and just 38% of borrowers are current on their payments, the department said.“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-begin-federal-student-loan-collections-other-actions-help-borrowers-get-back-repayment" target="_blank">a statement</a>&nbsp;Monday.During last year’s presidential campaign, President Donald Trump criticized his predecessor and successor, President Joe Biden, for his efforts to erase student debt. McMahon resumed that line of attack Monday, blaming Biden’s administration for unreasonably raising borrowers’ expectations of forgiveness.“The Biden Administration misled borrowers: the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to wipe debt away, nor do the loan balances simply disappear. Hundreds of billions have already been transferred to taxpayers,” McMahon said.She added that “going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment — both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook.”The department said the Office of Federal Student Aid will restart the Treasury Offset Program, which the U.S. Treasury Department administers, on May 5.The Education Department statement said all borrowers who are in default will get emails over the next two weeks “making them aware of these developments and urging them to contact the Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation.”The department said the Office of Federal Student Aid will “send required notices beginning administrative wage garnishment” later this summer.More than 42.7 million borrowers owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt, according to the department.&nbsp;The administration claims that “instead of protecting responsible taxpayers, the Biden-Harris Administration put them on the hook for irresponsible lending, pushing the federal student loan portfolio toward a fiscal cliff.”&nbsp;

U.S. Education Dept. to restart defaulted student loan collections

ELLIS COUNTY —We have a winner! On Thursday, the Kansas Highway Patrol asked for your help with a name for Trooper Ian's new K9. partner, according to KHP Trooper Tod Hileman.

On Monday, Hileman wrote, "Trooper Ian has chosen “Ike.” It seems like an appropriate name for a KHP K9..

  Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

ELLIS COUNTY —We have a winner! On Thursday, the Kansas Highway Patrol asked for your help with a name for Trooper Ian's new K9. partner, according to KHP Trooper Tod Hileman.On Monday, Hileman wrote, "Trooper Ian has chosen “Ike.” It seems like an appropriate name for a KHP K9..<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">WE HAVE A WINNER! Trooper Ian has chosen “Ike”. It seems like an appropriate name for a Kansas HP K9. ☺️ Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ServiceCourtesyProtection?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ServiceCourtesyProtection</a> <a href="https://t.co/bCCKSValo6">pic.twitter.com/bCCKSValo6</a>&mdash; Trooper Tod (@TrooperTodKHP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrooperTodKHP/status/1914385991424475444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

Winner: KHP Trooper selects a name for his K9 partner

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

Former Missouri Congressman Billy Long received $137,000 in campaign contributions — just enough to pay off a personal loan to his campaign — soon after he was tapped to lead the Internal Revenue Service.

Some of the donations are connected to companies that will be policed by the agency Long has been nominated to run.

According to recently filed financial disclosures, which were first reported on by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.levernews.com/trump-irs-pick-was-just-enriched-by-tax-schemers/" target="_blank">investigative journalism site The Lever</a>, Long only raised roughly $36,000 in the last two years.&nbsp;

He was named as&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/donald-trump-picks-missouris-billy-long-to-lead-the-irs/">President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the IRS</a>&nbsp;in December, and in January received $137,000 in donations. He then paid back the remaining&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00460063/?tab=summary" target="_blank">$130,000 in debt from a $250,000 loan</a>&nbsp;he made to his unsuccessful 2022 U.S. Senate campaign.

The donations, and their timing, have renewed criticism of Long’s appointment, which still awaits Senate confirmation. Senate Democrats have already called for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/wyden-cortez-masto-call-for-criminal-investigation-into-evidence-of-fraud-by-promoters-affiliated-with-irs-nominee-billy-long" target="_blank">criminal investigation of firms with ties to Long</a>&nbsp;that they allege are involved in fraudulent tax credit schemes.&nbsp;

Among the donors to Long’s campaign are financial advisers from some of those firms.

“When they told Billy he’d be in charge of revenue collection, did they forget to tell him that meant for the American people, not his own bank account?” said Sean Nicholson, a longtime progressive activist and campaign consultant in Missouri.&nbsp;

Jordan Libowitz, vice president of communications for the liberal watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said the timing of the donations and the “explicit knowledge that they’d end up directly in Long’s bank account, it’s hard to see them as anything other than an attempt to curry favor with the future head of the IRS.”

Long did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

After a career as an auctioneer and conservative radio host, Long served six terms representing a Southwest Missouri congressional district. He gave up his seat to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/07/21/billy-longs-chances-in-missouri-gop-senate-primary-depend-on-donald-trump/">run for U.S. Senate in 2022</a>, losing in the GOP primary to now-Sen. Eric Schmitt.&nbsp;

Long then worked for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/billy-long-irs-tax-credit.html" target="_blank">Lifetime Advisors</a>&nbsp;and earned at least $5,000 in income from&nbsp;<a href="https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/trump-irs-pick-has-ties-to-group-that-pushed-dubious-tax-credits" target="_blank">White River Energy</a>. Both companies have drawn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-presses-irs-nominee-billy-long-on-questionable-record-of-pushing-fraud-ridden-tax-credit" target="_blank">scorn from Senate Democrats</a>, and intense media scrutiny, over their involvement in controversial tax credit programs.&nbsp;

In 2022, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/16/ted-cruz-supreme-court-campaign-finance/" target="_blank">U.S. Supreme Court struck down a limit&nbsp;</a>on the amount of post-election funds a candidate can use to pay back personal loans. The majority found the limit an unconstitutional restriction on the freedom of speech, while the dissenting justices argued removing it would pave the way for political corruption.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Even if our broken campaign finance system allows this behavior,” Libowitz said, “it raises serious questions about future conflicts of interest and needs to be addressed in any hearings (Billy Long) has before Congress.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734986359615.png" alt="- Billy Long speaks during a press conference before filing for to be on the ballot in the Missouri GOP Senate primary on Feb. 22, 2022, in Jefferson City (Madeline Carter/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>- Billy Long speaks during a press conference before filing for to be on the ballot in the Missouri GOP Senate primary on Feb. 22, 2022, in Jefferson City (Madeline Carter/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Former Missouri Congressman Billy Long received $137,000 in campaign contributions — just enough to pay off a personal loan to his campaign — soon after he was tapped to lead the Internal Revenue Service.Some of the donations are connected to companies that will be policed by the agency Long has been nominated to run.According to recently filed financial disclosures, which were first reported on by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.levernews.com/trump-irs-pick-was-just-enriched-by-tax-schemers/" target="_blank">investigative journalism site The Lever</a>, Long only raised roughly $36,000 in the last two years.&nbsp;He was named as&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/donald-trump-picks-missouris-billy-long-to-lead-the-irs/">President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the IRS</a>&nbsp;in December, and in January received $137,000 in donations. He then paid back the remaining&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00460063/?tab=summary" target="_blank">$130,000 in debt from a $250,000 loan</a>&nbsp;he made to his unsuccessful 2022 U.S. Senate campaign.The donations, and their timing, have renewed criticism of Long’s appointment, which still awaits Senate confirmation. Senate Democrats have already called for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/wyden-cortez-masto-call-for-criminal-investigation-into-evidence-of-fraud-by-promoters-affiliated-with-irs-nominee-billy-long" target="_blank">criminal investigation of firms with ties to Long</a>&nbsp;that they allege are involved in fraudulent tax credit schemes.&nbsp;Among the donors to Long’s campaign are financial advisers from some of those firms.“When they told Billy he’d be in charge of revenue collection, did they forget to tell him that meant for the American people, not his own bank account?” said Sean Nicholson, a longtime progressive activist and campaign consultant in Missouri.&nbsp;Jordan Libowitz, vice president of communications for the liberal watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said the timing of the donations and the “explicit knowledge that they’d end up directly in Long’s bank account, it’s hard to see them as anything other than an attempt to curry favor with the future head of the IRS.”Long did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;After a career as an auctioneer and conservative radio host, Long served six terms representing a Southwest Missouri congressional district. He gave up his seat to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/07/21/billy-longs-chances-in-missouri-gop-senate-primary-depend-on-donald-trump/">run for U.S. Senate in 2022</a>, losing in the GOP primary to now-Sen. Eric Schmitt.&nbsp;Long then worked for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/billy-long-irs-tax-credit.html" target="_blank">Lifetime Advisors</a>&nbsp;and earned at least $5,000 in income from&nbsp;<a href="https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/trump-irs-pick-has-ties-to-group-that-pushed-dubious-tax-credits" target="_blank">White River Energy</a>. Both companies have drawn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-presses-irs-nominee-billy-long-on-questionable-record-of-pushing-fraud-ridden-tax-credit" target="_blank">scorn from Senate Democrats</a>, and intense media scrutiny, over their involvement in controversial tax credit programs.&nbsp;In 2022, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/16/ted-cruz-supreme-court-campaign-finance/" target="_blank">U.S. Supreme Court struck down a limit&nbsp;</a>on the amount of post-election funds a candidate can use to pay back personal loans. The majority found the limit an unconstitutional restriction on the freedom of speech, while the dissenting justices argued removing it would pave the way for political corruption.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Even if our broken campaign finance system allows this behavior,” Libowitz said, “it raises serious questions about future conflicts of interest and needs to be addressed in any hearings (Billy Long) has before Congress.”&nbsp;Last updated 5:57 a.m., Apr. 19, 2025

Billy Long’s bid to lead IRS under scrutiny over donations that paid off personal debt

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a violent attack on a woman is due in court in Johnson County Monday.

Just before 11p.m. April 17,&nbsp; police were dispatched to an armed disturbance in the 1000 block of North Ridgeview Road in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant John Moncayo.

First responders discovered a 23-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a nearby hospital and was expected to survive.

Police later ilocated a 19-year-old man identified according to online booking records as Jesus Anaya of Olathe, and took him into custody. He is being held on a $250,000 bond requested charges of aggravated battery with great bodily harm. He first appearance before a judge is scheduled to face a judge at 1:30p.m. Monday, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745194472423.png" alt="Anaya photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Anaya photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a violent attack on a woman is due in court in Johnson County Monday.Just before 11p.m. April 17,&nbsp; police were dispatched to an armed disturbance in the 1000 block of North Ridgeview Road in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant John Moncayo.First responders discovered a 23-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a nearby hospital and was expected to survive.Police later ilocated a 19-year-old man identified according to online booking records as Jesus Anaya of Olathe, and took him into custody. He is being held on a $250,000 bond requested charges of aggravated battery with great bodily harm. He first appearance before a judge is scheduled to face a judge at 1:30p.m. Monday, according to online jail records.