SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with the theft of and damage to a priceless fixture in the Wichita community.

On Thursday afternoon, police were notified of the theft of a decorative cannon from the Spanish American War Memorial in Riverside Park in Wichita, according to Officer Brad Wright.

Wichita Police immediately notified&nbsp; Patrol Officers, Property Crimes Task Force Officers and Detectives. Around 5:00pm police located the cannon at a residence in the 2000 Block of N Woodland. The cannon was significantly damaged.&nbsp;

The investigation led to the identification of a 37-year-old male suspect identified from sheriff's booking records as Gordon Lyle Pierce of Wichita who was arrested in the 2300 block of N Amidon without incident.&nbsp;

Pierce was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of Felony theft, vandalism, possession of methamphetamine and warrants.&nbsp;

Police are working closely with City of Wichita- Government Parks and Recreation regarding this investigation. This cannon was gifted to the City in 1900 and is a priceless fixture in our community.&nbsp;

The facts of this case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743766394986.png" alt="Pierce photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Pierce photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with the theft of and damage to a priceless fixture in the Wichita community.On Thursday afternoon, police were notified of the theft of a decorative cannon from the Spanish American War Memorial in Riverside Park in Wichita, according to Officer Brad Wright.Wichita Police immediately notified&nbsp; Patrol Officers, Property Crimes Task Force Officers and Detectives. Around 5:00pm police located the cannon at a residence in the 2000 Block of N Woodland. The cannon was significantly damaged.&nbsp;The investigation led to the identification of a 37-year-old male suspect identified from sheriff's booking records as Gordon Lyle Pierce of Wichita who was arrested in the 2300 block of N Amidon without incident.&nbsp;Pierce was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of Felony theft, vandalism, possession of methamphetamine and warrants.&nbsp;Police are working closely with City of Wichita- Government Parks and Recreation regarding this investigation. This cannon was gifted to the City in 1900 and is a priceless fixture in our community.&nbsp;The facts of this case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

Police: Kan. man stole priceless war memorial cannon from park 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Two days after sending the economy reeling by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">announcing widespread tariffs</a>, President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;insisted his trade policies will never change as he remained ensconced in a bubble of wealth and power in Florida.

He woke up on Friday morning at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, and headed to his nearby golf course a few miles away after writing on social media that “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO GET RICH."

Several supporters stood on the sidewalk as Trump, wearing his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat and white polo shirt, glided down a street lined with palm trees. They waved to him and he waved back,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-florida-supporters-glimpse-motorcade-flags-086a4f9a1659de959750a4c29fa5a443">part of a ritual</a>&nbsp;that plays out every weekend that he's in town.

The Republican president was not expected to appear publicly, although he's scheduled to attend a candlelit dinner for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-florida-donald-trump-campaigns-b3cca05169fa51ca5a996df61b3dfcbf">MAGA Inc.</a>, an allied political organization, on Friday evening. He spent Thursday in Miami at a different one of his golf courses, where he attended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-golf-liv-tour-pga-ab77d9aafb22c33e859fd6541b417836">a Saudi-funded tournament</a>. He landed in Marine One and was picked up in a golf cart driven by his son Eric.

Trump has often proved impervious to the kind of scandals or gaffes that would damage another politician, but his decision to spend the weekend at his gilded properties could test Americans' patience at a time when their retirement savings are evaporating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/market-rates-trump-tariffs-d86db525c370e9da834e6dfb76e23b86">along with the stock market.</a>&nbsp;The tariffs are expected to increase prices by thousands of dollars per year and slow economic growth, and there are fears about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-tariffs-trump-trade-cea98013c677e5b9bd6ce6166f4ce659">a potential recession</a>.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday that the tariffs were “significantly larger than expected” and are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-inflation-economy-trump-powell-490417656971634592bbeb3b2ade3593">“highly likely”</a>&nbsp;to cause more inflation — at least in the short term but possibly in the long term as well.

However, Trump has described his policies as a painful yet necessary step to encourage companies to relocate their operations to the United States, and he spent the morning defending himself on Truth Social, his social media platform, vowing he is sticking with his policies.

Although experts have harshly criticized Trump's tariffs, he's found some support on TikTok. He shared a video that said “Trump is crashing the stock market” and “he’s doing it on purpose” as part of a “secret game he’s playing, and it could make you rich.”

The goal, the video said, is to push the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, something that Trump explicitly called for later in the morning.

“This would be a PERFECT time" for Powell to cut interest rates, he wrote. “CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!”

With foreign leaders scrambling in response to Trump's announcement this week, the president lashed out and looked to cut deals.

He said he spoke with Vietnamese leader To Lam and claimed Vietnam wants to eliminate its tariffs on U.S. goods if it can make a deal with the U.S.

He also criticized China for announcing its own tariffs on U.S. imports.

“CHINA PLAYED IT WRONG, THEY PANICKED - THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!” he wrote.

Republicans suggested that Trump's policies would be the start of a parley with foreign countries.

“The president is a dealmaker if nothing else, and he’s going to continue to deal country by country with each of them,” said Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming. He added that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had told Senate Republicans this week that the tariffs would be a “high level mark with the ultimate goal of getting them reduced” unless other countries retaliate.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York called Trump’s tariffs “a brutal pincer move with American families trapped in the middle.”

Meanwhile, Trump also celebrated a new report showing the U.S. added&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-unemployment-inflation-federal-reserve-trump-d43b08bda57cb5d90b5bac1f092e1f3d">228,000 jobs in March</a>, beating expectations. Although the numbers were a snapshot of the economy before the tariff announcement, Trump claimed vindication, saying they already show his moves are working.

“HANG TOUGH," he wrote. "WE CAN’T LOSE!!!”

WASHINGTON (AP) —Although experts have harshly criticized the president’s economic policies, he’s finding support on TikTok.

He shared a video on Friday morning that said “Trump is crashing the stock market” and “he’s doing it on purpose” as part of “secret game he’s playing, and it could make you rich.”

Trump is at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida, for the weekend. In another all-caps post, Trump said he would stay the course despite fears about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-tariffs-trump-trade-cea98013c677e5b9bd6ce6166f4ce659">a potential recession</a>.

“TO THE MANY INVESTORS COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES AND INVESTING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY, MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE. THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO GET RICH, RICHER THAN EVER BEFORE!!!” he wrote.

Later Friday morning, Trump criticized China's decision to match his tariffs with a 34% tariff on U.S. imports.

“CHINA PLAYED IT WRONG, THEY PANICKED - THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!” he wrote in a social media post

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743779999264.png" alt="President Trump upon his arrival in Florida Thursday evening- image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Trump upon his arrival in Florida Thursday evening- image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Two days after sending the economy reeling by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">announcing widespread tariffs</a>, President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;insisted his trade policies will never change as he remained ensconced in a bubble of wealth and power in Florida.He woke up on Friday morning at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, and headed to his nearby golf course a few miles away after writing on social media that “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO GET RICH."Several supporters stood on the sidewalk as Trump, wearing his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat and white polo shirt, glided down a street lined with palm trees. They waved to him and he waved back,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-florida-supporters-glimpse-motorcade-flags-086a4f9a1659de959750a4c29fa5a443">part of a ritual</a>&nbsp;that plays out every weekend that he's in town.The Republican president was not expected to appear publicly, although he's scheduled to attend a candlelit dinner for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-florida-donald-trump-campaigns-b3cca05169fa51ca5a996df61b3dfcbf">MAGA Inc.</a>, an allied political organization, on Friday evening. He spent Thursday in Miami at a different one of his golf courses, where he attended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-golf-liv-tour-pga-ab77d9aafb22c33e859fd6541b417836">a Saudi-funded tournament</a>. He landed in Marine One and was picked up in a golf cart driven by his son Eric.Trump has often proved impervious to the kind of scandals or gaffes that would damage another politician, but his decision to spend the weekend at his gilded properties could test Americans' patience at a time when their retirement savings are evaporating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/market-rates-trump-tariffs-d86db525c370e9da834e6dfb76e23b86">along with the stock market.</a>&nbsp;The tariffs are expected to increase prices by thousands of dollars per year and slow economic growth, and there are fears about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-tariffs-trump-trade-cea98013c677e5b9bd6ce6166f4ce659">a potential recession</a>.Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday that the tariffs were “significantly larger than expected” and are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-inflation-economy-trump-powell-490417656971634592bbeb3b2ade3593">“highly likely”</a>&nbsp;to cause more inflation — at least in the short term but possibly in the long term as well.However, Trump has described his policies as a painful yet necessary step to encourage companies to relocate their operations to the United States, and he spent the morning defending himself on Truth Social, his social media platform, vowing he is sticking with his policies.Although experts have harshly criticized Trump's tariffs, he's found some support on TikTok. He shared a video that said “Trump is crashing the stock market” and “he’s doing it on purpose” as part of a “secret game he’s playing, and it could make you rich.”The goal, the video said, is to push the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, something that Trump explicitly called for later in the morning.“This would be a PERFECT time" for Powell to cut interest rates, he wrote. “CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!”With foreign leaders scrambling in response to Trump's announcement this week, the president lashed out and looked to cut deals.He said he spoke with Vietnamese leader To Lam and claimed Vietnam wants to eliminate its tariffs on U.S. goods if it can make a deal with the U.S.He also criticized China for announcing its own tariffs on U.S. imports.“CHINA PLAYED IT WRONG, THEY PANICKED - THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!” he wrote.Republicans suggested that Trump's policies would be the start of a parley with foreign countries.“The president is a dealmaker if nothing else, and he’s going to continue to deal country by country with each of them,” said Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming. He added that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had told Senate Republicans this week that the tariffs would be a “high level mark with the ultimate goal of getting them reduced” unless other countries retaliate.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York called Trump’s tariffs “a brutal pincer move with American families trapped in the middle.”Meanwhile, Trump also celebrated a new report showing the U.S. added&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-unemployment-inflation-federal-reserve-trump-d43b08bda57cb5d90b5bac1f092e1f3d">228,000 jobs in March</a>, beating expectations. Although the numbers were a snapshot of the economy before the tariff announcement, Trump claimed vindication, saying they already show his moves are working.“HANG TOUGH," he wrote. "WE CAN’T LOSE!!!”------------WASHINGTON (AP) —Although experts have harshly criticized the president’s economic policies, he’s finding support on TikTok.He shared a video on Friday morning that said “Trump is crashing the stock market” and “he’s doing it on purpose” as part of “secret game he’s playing, and it could make you rich.”Trump is at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida, for the weekend. In another all-caps post, Trump said he would stay the course despite fears about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-tariffs-trump-trade-cea98013c677e5b9bd6ce6166f4ce659">a potential recession</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/2LMCM0HJRB">pic.twitter.com/2LMCM0HJRB</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1908143673755263005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“TO THE MANY INVESTORS COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES AND INVESTING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY, MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE. THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO GET RICH, RICHER THAN EVER BEFORE!!!” he wrote.Later Friday morning, Trump criticized China's decision to match his tariffs with a 34% tariff on U.S. imports.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/NduyAYedVK">pic.twitter.com/NduyAYedVK</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1908149633160757495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“CHINA PLAYED IT WRONG, THEY PANICKED - THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!” he wrote in a social media post

Trump hits the golf course as stock market plummets for 2nd day over tariffs

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed seven bipartisan bills focused on technical changes, such as modifying definitions and streamlining processes.

“I am always looking for ways to make our government more efficient for the people of Kansas,” Kelly said. “I’m pleased to sign bills into law that do just that.”

<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fsb104%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/VHuu3rSpDxhtd6gb0rRukFQQavvqV5PInx-898NiNMc=399" target="_blank">Senate Bill&nbsp;104</a>: Provides flexibility to the Shawnee County board of county commissioners to create a citizens commission on local government.

<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fsb77%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/usIsBG-osx5fOMcxlI9TMzksUrW6LK-YwXA1NXUjReA=399" target="_blank">Senate Bill&nbsp;77</a>: Streamlines processes by removing state agencies that no longer exist from Kansas Administrative Regulations and establishing standards for public notice for the repeal of certain regulations.

<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fsb13%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/RUasLgbNRzREtwJM-hESmO28qBUQtkr2zVdZ6t3AQ1M=399" target="_blank">Senate&nbsp;Bill&nbsp;13</a>: Reduces requirements for filings, registrations and licenses that certain businesses and organizations must submit to the Secretary of State.

<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fhb2222%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/Fhz3ZolNux1tYcxKF-6FTEpUiD_jRJyUJkih42GW5Ak=399" target="_blank">House Bill 2222</a>: Requires ignition interlock device manufacturers to compensate the state for the administration of the ignition interlock program.

<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fhb2221%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/sv37coQ8JceanDmABH5RuwRydGpGEDTq3iY5sGfJyak=399" target="_blank">House Bill 2221</a>: Transfers the alcohol and drug abuse treatment fund from the Department of Corrections to the Department for Aging and Disability Services.

<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fhb2215%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/246a5vNgLtwCq7CYpQ2sHAGi0TawpC15h7avC4qWwXo=399" target="_blank">House Bill 2215</a>: Modifies the definition of public-private partnership to increase the allowable cost-share for certain Department of Corrections projects, letting the Career Campus project to move forward.

<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fhb2110%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/2MGFngsoXoMgwD9XT-JIPa6kIv7C_gQ80SLM8-Y0dNk=399" target="_blank">House Bill&nbsp;2110</a>: Facilitates the State 911 Board’s transition to a state agency by establishing necessary budget funds and providing flexibility to ensure the agency can provide sufficient grant funding to public safety partners.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736987794697.png" alt="File photo -Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during the 2025 State of the State address" />
 <figcaption>File photo -Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during the 2025 State of the State address</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed seven bipartisan bills focused on technical changes, such as modifying definitions and streamlining processes.“I am always looking for ways to make our government more efficient for the people of Kansas,” Kelly said. “I’m pleased to sign bills into law that do just that.”Kelly signed the following:<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fsb104%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/VHuu3rSpDxhtd6gb0rRukFQQavvqV5PInx-898NiNMc=399" target="_blank">Senate Bill&nbsp;104</a>: Provides flexibility to the Shawnee County board of county commissioners to create a citizens commission on local government.<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fsb77%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/usIsBG-osx5fOMcxlI9TMzksUrW6LK-YwXA1NXUjReA=399" target="_blank">Senate Bill&nbsp;77</a>: Streamlines processes by removing state agencies that no longer exist from Kansas Administrative Regulations and establishing standards for public notice for the repeal of certain regulations.<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fsb13%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/RUasLgbNRzREtwJM-hESmO28qBUQtkr2zVdZ6t3AQ1M=399" target="_blank">Senate&nbsp;Bill&nbsp;13</a>: Reduces requirements for filings, registrations and licenses that certain businesses and organizations must submit to the Secretary of State.<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fhb2222%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/Fhz3ZolNux1tYcxKF-6FTEpUiD_jRJyUJkih42GW5Ak=399" target="_blank">House Bill 2222</a>: Requires ignition interlock device manufacturers to compensate the state for the administration of the ignition interlock program.<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fhb2221%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/sv37coQ8JceanDmABH5RuwRydGpGEDTq3iY5sGfJyak=399" target="_blank">House Bill 2221</a>: Transfers the alcohol and drug abuse treatment fund from the Department of Corrections to the Department for Aging and Disability Services.<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fhb2215%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/246a5vNgLtwCq7CYpQ2sHAGi0TawpC15h7avC4qWwXo=399" target="_blank">House Bill 2215</a>: Modifies the definition of public-private partnership to increase the allowable cost-share for certain Department of Corrections projects, letting the Career Campus project to move forward.<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kslegislature.gov%2Fli%2Fb2025_26%2Fmeasures%2Fhb2110%2F/1/01010195fd07afa5-8de0bd7f-863c-4628-8412-1a2eba230f63-000000/2MGFngsoXoMgwD9XT-JIPa6kIv7C_gQ80SLM8-Y0dNk=399" target="_blank">House Bill&nbsp;2110</a>: Facilitates the State 911 Board’s transition to a state agency by establishing necessary budget funds and providing flexibility to ensure the agency can provide sufficient grant funding to public safety partners.

Kansas Governor signs seven technical bills, praises government efficiency

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday endorsed a proposal that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy, rather than in person.

Trump’s position, articulated to reporters on Air Force One on Thursday, put him at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/proxy-voting-discharge-petition-moms-anna-paulina-luna-118e3ff0fb12137714862c99a6bc92dd">odds with House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>, who mounted an aggressive push to kill that effort this week but was foiled by nine of his own members, along with all Democrats.

Though the president said he would defer to Johnson on the operations of the House, he also said, “I don’t know why it’s controversial.” Trump said he had spoken to Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the leading Republican proponent of the effort.

“If you’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote,” Trump told reporters Thursday as he traveled to Florida. “I’m in favor of that.”

In a post late Thursday on X, Luna said Johnson called her after Trump's remarks “and we discussed limiting the vote to just new moms who cannot physically travel in event of emergency etc. This is smart.”

Luna and Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado have led an effort that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy for 12 weeks as they care for their newborns. It has the support of the majority of the House, with 218 lawmakers signing on to a so-called discharge petition that would force the measure on the House floor for consideration.

But Johnson is an adamant opponent of casting votes by proxy, saying that doing so is an affront to the Constitution and invoked similar efforts instituted by then-House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>&nbsp;during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“It was quickly abused. Republicans put an end to it then, and we cannot allow it again,” Johnson said in a lengthy social media post this week. The speaker says he is working on “every possible accommodation” aside from being able to vote by proxy to aid new mothers in Congress.

Johnson attempted to squash the proxy effort in a dramatic floor vote earlier this week, but nine of his own Republicans joined all Democrats in rejecting his plan, 206-222. The speaker canceled House votes for the rest of the week while supporters of the proxy voting plan were undeterred and vowed to continue to push for it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743537969784.png" alt="Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado with her baby spoke in the House Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado with her baby spoke in the House Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday endorsed a proposal that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy, rather than in person.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump on proxy voting in House of Representatives: &quot;I don’t know why it’s controversial...going to let the speaker make the decision, but I like the idea of being able to, if you’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote. I’m in favor of that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MWocen5X4R">pic.twitter.com/MWocen5X4R</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1907947685631430987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump’s position, articulated to reporters on Air Force One on Thursday, put him at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/proxy-voting-discharge-petition-moms-anna-paulina-luna-118e3ff0fb12137714862c99a6bc92dd">odds with House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>, who mounted an aggressive push to kill that effort this week but was foiled by nine of his own members, along with all Democrats.Though the president said he would defer to Johnson on the operations of the House, he also said, “I don’t know why it’s controversial.” Trump said he had spoken to Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the leading Republican proponent of the effort.“If you’re having a baby, I think you should be able to call in and vote,” Trump told reporters Thursday as he traveled to Florida. “I’m in favor of that.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Parental Proxy Resolution author <a href="https://twitter.com/RepPettersen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepPettersen</a> speaks while holding her nine month old son, Sam: &quot;It is unfathomable that in 2025 we have not modernized Congress to address these very unique challenges that members face, these life events.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Hxg5BZIeBn">pic.twitter.com/Hxg5BZIeBn</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1907114967800668534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a post late Thursday on X, Luna said Johnson called her after Trump's remarks “and we discussed limiting the vote to just new moms who cannot physically travel in event of emergency etc. This is smart.”Luna and Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado have led an effort that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy for 12 weeks as they care for their newborns. It has the support of the majority of the House, with 218 lawmakers signing on to a so-called discharge petition that would force the measure on the House floor for consideration.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: After less than a day in session, the House is DONE for the week, Speaker Johnson says. This comes after a handful of Republicans joined all the Democrats to allow certain members to vote from their couches instead of coming in to work. Infuriating. “That rule… <a href="https://t.co/1eCtbtJsWk">pic.twitter.com/1eCtbtJsWk</a>&mdash; Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/1907142417037336992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But Johnson is an adamant opponent of casting votes by proxy, saying that doing so is an affront to the Constitution and invoked similar efforts instituted by then-House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>&nbsp;during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.“It was quickly abused. Republicans put an end to it then, and we cannot allow it again,” Johnson said in a lengthy social media post this week. The speaker says he is working on “every possible accommodation” aside from being able to vote by proxy to aid new mothers in Congress.Johnson attempted to squash the proxy effort in a dramatic floor vote earlier this week, but nine of his own Republicans joined all Democrats in rejecting his plan, 206-222. The speaker canceled House votes for the rest of the week while supporters of the proxy voting plan were undeterred and vowed to continue to push for it.

🎥Trump and House Speaker at odds over proxy voting for new parents in Congress

NEMAHA COUNTY —A community is mourning the death of 7-year-old girl in an accident in Nemaha County.

On Thursday, the Nemaha County Sheriff reported their deputies responded March 26, to an injury accident involving a seven year old who had been operating a 2022 Polaris Sportsman in an open field several hundred feet east of N Road, approximately 2 miles north of US 36 Hwy.

 The ATV rolled over trapping the child. A private vehicle transported the child to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. Emilee Ann Sauer died two days later.&nbsp; Her funeral service is scheduled for Friday, according Lauer Funeral Home.

She was first grade student at Nemaha Central Elementary School and a proud “graduate” of kindergarten in May of 2024, according to her obituary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743722415172.png" alt="Emilee Sauer photo courtesy Lauer Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Emilee Sauer photo courtesy Lauer Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>NEMAHA COUNTY —A community is mourning the death of 7-year-old girl in an accident in Nemaha County.On Thursday, the Nemaha County Sheriff reported their deputies responded March 26, to an injury accident involving a seven year old who had been operating a 2022 Polaris Sportsman in an open field several hundred feet east of N Road, approximately 2 miles north of US 36 Hwy. The ATV rolled over trapping the child. A private vehicle transported the child to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. Emilee Ann Sauer died two days later.&nbsp; Her funeral service is scheduled for Friday, according Lauer Funeral Home.She was first grade student at Nemaha Central Elementary School and a proud “graduate” of kindergarten in May of 2024, according to her obituary.

Sheriff: 7-year-old Kansas girl died in ATV accident

DECATUR COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust on Thursday that briefly prompted a lock down at a northwest Kansas high school.

After several months of investigation the Oberlin Police Department and the Decatur County Sheriff's Office executed search warrants on Thursday on three different locations within the city of Oberlin, according to&nbsp;David Wachendorfer. Deputies arrested two suspects and seized drugs, firearms and other contraband. 

 Due to the proximity of the law enforcement activity, Decatur Community High School&nbsp; was placed on lockdown for approximately a half hour while the high-risk portion of the warrant service occurred. 

Deputies arrested 63-year-old Michael Dedeyne and 47-year-old Dacaralei Cleveland, both of Oberlin. They are being held in the&nbsp;Thomas County Jail on requested charges that include possession of controlled substances and firearms violations.

All operations were concluded without incident, with no injuries or adverse actions involving either suspects or officers.

The Oberlin Police Department, was assisted by the Decatur County Sheriff's Office,&nbsp;Sheridan County Sheriff's Department, the&nbsp;Thomas County Sheriff's Office, the&nbsp;Gove County Sheriff's Office, the&nbsp;Oakley, Ks. Police Department, and the Department of&nbsp;Kansas Wildlife &amp; Parks - Game Wardens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743761911225.png" alt="Dedeyne photo Thomas Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Dedeyne photo Thomas Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>DECATUR COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust on Thursday that briefly prompted a lock down at a northwest Kansas high school.After several months of investigation the Oberlin Police Department and the Decatur County Sheriff's Office executed search warrants on Thursday on three different locations within the city of Oberlin, according to&nbsp;David Wachendorfer. Deputies arrested two suspects and seized drugs, firearms and other contraband. Due to the proximity of the law enforcement activity, Decatur Community High School&nbsp; was placed on lockdown for approximately a half hour while the high-risk portion of the warrant service occurred. Deputies arrested 63-year-old Michael Dedeyne and 47-year-old Dacaralei Cleveland, both of Oberlin. They are being held in the&nbsp;Thomas County Jail on requested charges that include possession of controlled substances and firearms violations.All operations were concluded without incident, with no injuries or adverse actions involving either suspects or officers.The Oberlin Police Department, was assisted by the Decatur County Sheriff's Office,&nbsp;Sheridan County Sheriff's Department, the&nbsp;Thomas County Sheriff's Office, the&nbsp;Gove County Sheriff's Office, the&nbsp;Oakley, Ks. Police Department, and the Department of&nbsp;Kansas Wildlife &amp; Parks - Game Wardens.

NW Kansas school briefly locked down during drug bust

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement across Kansas continue to encounter drivers traveling far above the posted speed limit.

Last week, a sheriff's deputy stopped a motorcycle traveling 102mhp in a 55mhp zone near 47th St. South and Rock Road, just north of Derby, according to a social media report from the Sedgwick County Sheriff.

"This happened at 4:00 in the afternoon—a time when traffic is heavy, people are heading home from work, and yes, school buses are on the road."

"This kind of speed isn’t just illegal—it’s dangerous and irresponsible. A crash at that speed could have been catastrophic for the rider and everyone around them."

"We can’t stress this enough: Slow down, stay alive. Respect the lives of those who share the road with you."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743701339144.png" alt="Photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement across Kansas continue to encounter drivers traveling far above the posted speed limit.Last week, a sheriff's deputy stopped a motorcycle traveling 102mhp in a 55mhp zone near 47th St. South and Rock Road, just north of Derby, according to a social media report from the Sedgwick County Sheriff."This happened at 4:00 in the afternoon—a time when traffic is heavy, people are heading home from work, and yes, school buses are on the road.""This kind of speed isn’t just illegal—it’s dangerous and irresponsible. A crash at that speed could have been catastrophic for the rider and everyone around them.""We can’t stress this enough: Slow down, stay alive. Respect the lives of those who share the road with you."

Motorcyclist clocked at 102mph in a 55mph zone on Kansas street

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Trump administration is ordering schools nationwide to certify that they are following federal civil rights laws — and eliminating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-schools-dear-colleague-6cca8440afa62689991d373cc4903a4c">DEI practices</a>&nbsp;— as a condition for receiving federal money.

<a href="https://www.ed.gov/media/document/reminder-of-legal-obligations-undertaken-exchange-receiving-federal-financial-assistance-and-request-certification-under-title-vi-and-sffa-v-harvard-april-3">Click here to read</a> the full notice

A notice sent Thursday by the Education Department gives the nation’s states and schools 10 days to sign and return the certification. It marks another escalation in the Trump administration’s attack on diversity, equity and inclusion policies, apparently giving the administration a new lever for terminating federal money. “Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right,” Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement.

The certification asks state and school leaders to acknowledge that their federal aid is conditioned on compliance with antidiscrimination laws. It says “the use of certain DEI practices can violate federal law” and result in a termination of funding.

It follows a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">Feb. 14 memo</a>&nbsp;declaring that any school policy that treats students or staff differently because of their race is illegal. It aimed to fight what the memo described as widespread discrimination in education, often against white and Asian American students.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Trump administration is ordering schools nationwide to certify that they are following federal civil rights laws — and eliminating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-schools-dear-colleague-6cca8440afa62689991d373cc4903a4c">DEI practices</a>&nbsp;— as a condition for receiving federal money.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743709447177.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.ed.gov/media/document/reminder-of-legal-obligations-undertaken-exchange-receiving-federal-financial-assistance-and-request-certification-under-title-vi-and-sffa-v-harvard-april-3">Click here to read</a> the full noticeA notice sent Thursday by the Education Department gives the nation’s states and schools 10 days to sign and return the certification. It marks another escalation in the Trump administration’s attack on diversity, equity and inclusion policies, apparently giving the administration a new lever for terminating federal money. “Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right,” Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement.The certification asks state and school leaders to acknowledge that their federal aid is conditioned on compliance with antidiscrimination laws. It says “the use of certain DEI practices can violate federal law” and result in a termination of funding.It follows a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">Feb. 14 memo</a>&nbsp;declaring that any school policy that treats students or staff differently because of their race is illegal. It aimed to fight what the memo described as widespread discrimination in education, often against white and Asian American students.

Read the notice: Schools have deadline to comply with Trump anti-DEI policy

NEMAHA COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a murder that occurred Thursday in Seneca, Kansas..

Just before 3p.m., a 911 call was placed reporting shots fired at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church rectory at 411 Pioneer St., in Seneca, according to a media release from the KBI.

Deputies from the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Seneca Police Department arrived and discovered Father Arul Carasala, 57, of Seneca, outside the residence suffering from gunshot wounds.

Seneca EMS arrived and transported Father Carasala to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. Despite life-saving measures, he died at the hospital from his injuries.

Kansas Highway Patrol troopers responded and helped secure the scene. Shortly after,&nbsp; deputies from the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Seneca Police Department took Gary L. Hermesch, 66, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, into custody. He was booked into the Nemaha County Jail on requested charges of first-degree murder.

Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, announced the death on social media Thursday afternoon,

 "I am heartbroken to share the tragic news of the death of Fr. Arul Carasala, who was fatally shot earlier today.," wrote Naumann.

" This senseless act of violence has left us grieving the loss of a beloved priest, leader, and friend."

The Archbishop described "Fr. Carasala as "a devoted and zealous pastor who faithfully served our Archdiocese for over twenty years, including as dean of the Nemaha-Marshall region. His love for Christ and His Church was evident in how he ministered to his people with great generosity and care. His parishioners, friends, and brother priests will deeply miss him."

"In this time of sorrow, let us entrust Fr. Carasala to the mercy of God and lift up in prayer his family in Cuddapah, India, his parish community at Saints Peter and Paul in Seneca, and all who mourn his passing. Let us also pray for the perpetrator, that God may touch and transform his heart."

" I recognize the pain and shock that such an event brings. In moments like these, we turn to our Lord, who is close to the brokenhearted. As we grieve, may we find strength in our faith and in the hope of Christ’s Resurrection."

The Knights of Columbus were scheduled to lead a Rosary at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca Thursday evening.&nbsp; Naumann was also going to celebrate a Mass there after the Rosary.&nbsp;

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen." Nauman wrote.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743721682115.png" alt="-Father Arul Carasala-photo courtesy Saints Peter &amp; Paul Parish" />
 <figcaption>-Father Arul Carasala-photo courtesy Saints Peter &amp; Paul Parish</figcaption>
 </figure>NEMAHA COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a murder that occurred Thursday in Seneca, Kansas..Just before 3p.m., a 911 call was placed reporting shots fired at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church rectory at 411 Pioneer St., in Seneca, according to a media release from the KBI.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743730286838.png" alt="Hermesch photo Nemaha Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Hermesch photo Nemaha Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies from the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Seneca Police Department arrived and discovered Father Arul Carasala, 57, of Seneca, outside the residence suffering from gunshot wounds.Seneca EMS arrived and transported Father Carasala to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. Despite life-saving measures, he died at the hospital from his injuries.Kansas Highway Patrol troopers responded and helped secure the scene. Shortly after,&nbsp; deputies from the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Seneca Police Department took Gary L. Hermesch, 66, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, into custody. He was booked into the Nemaha County Jail on requested charges of first-degree murder.Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, announced the death on social media Thursday afternoon, "I am heartbroken to share the tragic news of the death of Fr. Arul Carasala, who was fatally shot earlier today.," wrote Naumann." This senseless act of violence has left us grieving the loss of a beloved priest, leader, and friend."The Archbishop described "Fr. Carasala as "a devoted and zealous pastor who faithfully served our Archdiocese for over twenty years, including as dean of the Nemaha-Marshall region. His love for Christ and His Church was evident in how he ministered to his people with great generosity and care. His parishioners, friends, and brother priests will deeply miss him.""In this time of sorrow, let us entrust Fr. Carasala to the mercy of God and lift up in prayer his family in Cuddapah, India, his parish community at Saints Peter and Paul in Seneca, and all who mourn his passing. Let us also pray for the perpetrator, that God may touch and transform his heart."" I recognize the pain and shock that such an event brings. In moments like these, we turn to our Lord, who is close to the brokenhearted. As we grieve, may we find strength in our faith and in the hope of Christ’s Resurrection."The Knights of Columbus were scheduled to lead a Rosary at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca Thursday evening.&nbsp; Naumann was also going to celebrate a Mass there after the Rosary.&nbsp;"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen." Nauman wrote.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Suspect arrested in shooting death of priest at parish rectory in Kansas

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect jailed on multiple allegations after a high-speed chase in rural Jackson County.

Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, a Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a disturbance at Casey’s General Store, 4th and Arizona Avenue in Holton, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The suspect in the disturbance allegedly failed to follow a lawful order from the deputy and got into a 2009 Mazda and fled the scene pulling out into Arizona Avenue and continued south out of Holton. 

 A pursuit ensued, with the deputy and Holton Police attempting to stop the vehicle. The pursuit continued southbound on U.S. Highway 75.&nbsp; A Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy deployed a tire deflating device flattening 3 of the vehicle’s tires at 178th Road. 

 A Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention spinning the suspect’s vehicle into the median at 166th Road. 

The vehicle continued southbound in the median until becoming stuck at 162nd Road. Deputies took the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Martin Daniel Sanchez Martinez of Lincoln, Nebraska into custody. 

 During the incident, traffic on southbound U.S. Highway 75 was stopped for approximately 10 minutes. Martinez is being held in the Jackson County Jail for multiple charges including felony flee and eluding law enforcement and felony interference with law enforcement. 

The sheriff asked for any witnesses of Martinez’ actions at Casey’s or driving from the scene to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the PBPN Police assisted with the incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743716425076.png" alt="Martinez photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Martinez photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect jailed on multiple allegations after a high-speed chase in rural Jackson County.Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, a Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a disturbance at Casey’s General Store, 4th and Arizona Avenue in Holton, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. The suspect in the disturbance allegedly failed to follow a lawful order from the deputy and got into a 2009 Mazda and fled the scene pulling out into Arizona Avenue and continued south out of Holton. A pursuit ensued, with the deputy and Holton Police attempting to stop the vehicle. The pursuit continued southbound on U.S. Highway 75.&nbsp; A Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy deployed a tire deflating device flattening 3 of the vehicle’s tires at 178th Road. A Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention spinning the suspect’s vehicle into the median at 166th Road. The vehicle continued southbound in the median until becoming stuck at 162nd Road. Deputies took the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Martin Daniel Sanchez Martinez of Lincoln, Nebraska into custody. During the incident, traffic on southbound U.S. Highway 75 was stopped for approximately 10 minutes. Martinez is being held in the Jackson County Jail for multiple charges including felony flee and eluding law enforcement and felony interference with law enforcement. The sheriff asked for any witnesses of Martinez’ actions at Casey’s or driving from the scene to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the PBPN Police assisted with the incident.&nbsp;

Man jailed after car gets stuck during Kan. high-speed chase

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former heart surgeon and TV pitchman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mehmet-oz">Dr. Mehmet Oz</a>&nbsp;was confirmed Thursday to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Oz became the agency’s administrator in a party line 53-45 vote. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

The 64-year-old will manage health insurance programs for roughly half the country, with oversight of Medicare, Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage. He steps into the new role as Congress is debating cuts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-budget-republicans-health-care-4a13fc3528d7bf20ea52db4a5551c8bf">to the Medicaid program</a>, which provides coverage to millions of poor and disabled Americans.

Oz has not said yet whether he would oppose such cuts to the government-funded program, instead offering a vision of promoting healthier lifestyles, integrating artificial intelligence and telehealth into the system, and rethinking rural health care delivery.

During a hearing last month, he told senators that he did favor work requirements for Medicaid recipients, but paperwork shouldn’t be used to reaffirm that they are working or to block people from staying enrolled.

Oz, who worked for years a respected heart surgeon at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-funding-trump-fa70143c715df8fd4ef337c0e1ccf872">Columbia University</a>, also noted that doctors dislike Medicaid for its relatively low payments and some don’t want to take those patients.

He said that when Medicaid eligibility was expanded without improving resources for doctors, that made care options even thinner for the program’s core patients, which include children, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

“We have to make some important decisions to improve the quality of care,” he said.

Oz has formed a close relationship with his new boss,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>. He’s hosted the health secretary and his inner circle regularly at his home in Florida. He’s leaned into Kennedy’s campaign to “Make America Healthy Again,” an effort to redesign the nation’s food supply, reject vaccine mandates and cast doubt on some long-established scientific research.

The former TV show host talks often about the importance of a healthy diet, aligning closely with Kennedy’s views.

While has has faced some criticism for promoting unproven vitamin supplements and holistic treatments — staples of the “MAHA movement” — he’s regularly encouraged Americans to get vaccinated.

Oz will take over CMS days after the agency was spared from the type of deep&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-human-services-layoffs-restructuring-rfk-jr-ec4d7731695e4204970c7eab953b2289">cuts</a>&nbsp;that Kennedy ordered at other public health agencies. Thousands of staffers at the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the National Institutes for Health are out of a job after mass layoffs that started Tuesday.

CMS is expected to lose about 300 staffers, including those who worked on minority health and to shrink the cost of health care delivery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743726503203.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. and Dr. Oz" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. and Dr. Oz</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Former heart surgeon and TV pitchman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mehmet-oz">Dr. Mehmet Oz</a>&nbsp;was confirmed Thursday to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Oz became the agency’s administrator in a party line 53-45 vote. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.The 64-year-old will manage health insurance programs for roughly half the country, with oversight of Medicare, Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage. He steps into the new role as Congress is debating cuts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-budget-republicans-health-care-4a13fc3528d7bf20ea52db4a5551c8bf">to the Medicaid program</a>, which provides coverage to millions of poor and disabled Americans.Oz has not said yet whether he would oppose such cuts to the government-funded program, instead offering a vision of promoting healthier lifestyles, integrating artificial intelligence and telehealth into the system, and rethinking rural health care delivery.During a hearing last month, he told senators that he did favor work requirements for Medicaid recipients, but paperwork shouldn’t be used to reaffirm that they are working or to block people from staying enrolled.Oz, who worked for years a respected heart surgeon at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-funding-trump-fa70143c715df8fd4ef337c0e1ccf872">Columbia University</a>, also noted that doctors dislike Medicaid for its relatively low payments and some don’t want to take those patients.He said that when Medicaid eligibility was expanded without improving resources for doctors, that made care options even thinner for the program’s core patients, which include children, pregnant women and people with disabilities.“We have to make some important decisions to improve the quality of care,” he said.Oz has formed a close relationship with his new boss,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>. He’s hosted the health secretary and his inner circle regularly at his home in Florida. He’s leaned into Kennedy’s campaign to “Make America Healthy Again,” an effort to redesign the nation’s food supply, reject vaccine mandates and cast doubt on some long-established scientific research.The former TV show host talks often about the importance of a healthy diet, aligning closely with Kennedy’s views.While has has faced some criticism for promoting unproven vitamin supplements and holistic treatments — staples of the “MAHA movement” — he’s regularly encouraged Americans to get vaccinated.Oz will take over CMS days after the agency was spared from the type of deep&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-human-services-layoffs-restructuring-rfk-jr-ec4d7731695e4204970c7eab953b2289">cuts</a>&nbsp;that Kennedy ordered at other public health agencies. Thousands of staffers at the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the National Institutes for Health are out of a job after mass layoffs that started Tuesday.CMS is expected to lose about 300 staffers, including those who worked on minority health and to shrink the cost of health care delivery.

Moran, Marshall help Senate confirm Dr. Oz to lead CMS

NEOSHO COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8a.m. Thursday in Neosho County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Nissan Kicks driven by Janee M. Umbarger, 55, Chanute, was northbound on U.S. 169 just north of&nbsp;&nbsp;70th Road. The SUV and a southbound 2009 GMC Sierra driven by Carrol E. Clark, 76, Piqua, collided&nbsp;near the center of the roadway.

Umbarger was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Countryside Funeral Home. EMS transported&nbsp; Clark to&nbsp;Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; Clark was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NEOSHO COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 8a.m. Thursday in Neosho County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Nissan Kicks driven by Janee M. Umbarger, 55, Chanute, was northbound on U.S. 169 just north of&nbsp;&nbsp;70th Road. The SUV and a southbound 2009 GMC Sierra driven by Carrol E. Clark, 76, Piqua, collided&nbsp;near the center of the roadway.Umbarger was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Countryside Funeral Home. EMS transported&nbsp; Clark to&nbsp;Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; Clark was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies in SUV, pickup crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett has completed the review of the use of deadly force that resulted in the death of Daniel Stowe. The incident occurred on December 3, 2023, in the 4200 block of East Gilbert in Wichita.&nbsp;

The sole question addressed by the District Attorney is whether sufficient evidence exists to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that a violation of the criminal laws of the State of Kansas occurred in this instance.

Under Kansas law and the facts of the case, Bennett determined no criminal charges will be filed against the Wichita Police Officer involved.

Just before 2:30p.m., on Dec. 3, 2023, Sedgwick County 911 received a call of a domestic disturbance in the 4200 block of East Gilbert. While officers were on the way to the call, they learned the man involved in the disturbance was known to carry firearm.

At approximately 2:40p.m., four Wichita Police Officers arrive at the east Gilbert location and encountered 50-year-old Daniel Stowe from Wichita, according to Gibbs.

Stowe was standing in the street in front of the call location. One officer met with the calling party inside the house while the other officers spoke to Stowe in the street.

One officer learned from the calling party that Stowe had been making suicidal statements. This information was relayed to the officers who were interacting with Stowe. Officers attempted to pat Stowe down for weapons for their safety and the safety of others based on the information he was known to carry firearms and was making suicidal statements.

Stowe was not compliant to the officer’s requests to be patted down. He made statements indicating he intended to escalate the situation despite the officer’s attempts to deescalate the situation.

At 2:42p.m., Stowe drew a Glock handgun from his right hip area and held it down to his side. Officers gave numerous commands for Stowe to “drop the weapon.” At 2:43p.m., Stowe raised the gun with his right hand and pointed it directly at one of the officers. Another officer fired their issued duty weapon four times, striking Stowe one time in the right torso. Stowe fell to the ground and the officers immediately started rendering medical aid until EMS arrived.

He was transported by Sedgwick County EMS to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 3:07p.m. by medical personnel.

Sedgwick County Forensic Investigators recovered a loaded Glock 27 from the scene. This investigation will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, according to Gibbs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701719615522.png" alt="Image from photos taken from Wichita Police Axon camera footage of the incident.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Image from photos taken from Wichita Police Axon camera footage of the incident.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett has completed the review of the use of deadly force that resulted in the death of Daniel Stowe. The incident occurred on December 3, 2023, in the 4200 block of East Gilbert in Wichita.&nbsp;The sole question addressed by the District Attorney is whether sufficient evidence exists to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that a violation of the criminal laws of the State of Kansas occurred in this instance.Under Kansas law and the facts of the case, Bennett determined no criminal charges will be filed against the Wichita Police Officer involved.Just before 2:30p.m., on Dec. 3, 2023, Sedgwick County 911 received a call of a domestic disturbance in the 4200 block of East Gilbert. While officers were on the way to the call, they learned the man involved in the disturbance was known to carry firearm.At approximately 2:40p.m., four Wichita Police Officers arrive at the east Gilbert location and encountered 50-year-old Daniel Stowe from Wichita, according to Gibbs.Stowe was standing in the street in front of the call location. One officer met with the calling party inside the house while the other officers spoke to Stowe in the street.One officer learned from the calling party that Stowe had been making suicidal statements. This information was relayed to the officers who were interacting with Stowe. Officers attempted to pat Stowe down for weapons for their safety and the safety of others based on the information he was known to carry firearms and was making suicidal statements.Stowe was not compliant to the officer’s requests to be patted down. He made statements indicating he intended to escalate the situation despite the officer’s attempts to deescalate the situation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701719883175.png" alt="Photo of the Glock handgun taken by forensic personnel and released by the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office" />
 <figcaption>Photo of the Glock handgun taken by forensic personnel and released by the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office</figcaption>
 </figure>At 2:42p.m., Stowe drew a Glock handgun from his right hip area and held it down to his side. Officers gave numerous commands for Stowe to “drop the weapon.” At 2:43p.m., Stowe raised the gun with his right hand and pointed it directly at one of the officers. Another officer fired their issued duty weapon four times, striking Stowe one time in the right torso. Stowe fell to the ground and the officers immediately started rendering medical aid until EMS arrived.He was transported by Sedgwick County EMS to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 3:07p.m. by medical personnel.Sedgwick County Forensic Investigators recovered a loaded Glock 27 from the scene. This investigation will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, according to Gibbs.

DA: No charges against Kan. officer in deadly shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump offered a rosy assessment after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-tariffs-trump-trade-cea98013c677e5b9bd6ce6166f4ce659">stock market dropped sharply</a>&nbsp;Thursday over his tariffs, saying, “I think it's going very well.”

“The markets are going to boom, the stock is going to boom, the country is going to boom,” he said when asked about the market as he left the White House to fly to one of his Florida golf clubs.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-tariffs-52dbb020a4c41122e31669c2da236d67">dropped more than 1,600 points</a>&nbsp;on Thursday as U.S. stocks led a worldwide selloff after the Republican president's announcement of tariffs against much of the world&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-economic-impact-trade-markets-3e38352ab5693852bfd9bc8dd2ac2d56">ignited a shock</a>&nbsp;like none seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">announced a minimum tariff of 10%</a>&nbsp;on imports, with the tax rate running much higher on products from certain countries like China and those from the European Union.

The announcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-us-world-reaction-5b8411d056e013015a0df6227b41dd5b">jolted markets worldwide</a>, but Trump said that was to be expected. He compared the United States to a sick patient in need of surgery when asked by a reporter for his reaction to the worst stock market drop in years.

“I think it's going very well. We have an operation, like when a patient gets operated on and it's a big thing. I said this would exactly be the way it is,” he said, an apparent reference to the selloff.

He talked about trillions of dollars in investment that is “coming into our country” from companies that want to make their products in the U.S. to avoid tariffs.

“The rest of the world wants to see is there any way they can make a deal," he said.

Later, speaking with the reporters on aboard Air Force One, Trump said that he'd be open to using tariffs to negotiate with other countries and that it would depend on whether they had something “phenomenal” to offer in return.

He maintains that other countries have been taking advantage of the U.S. for a long time and he wants it to stop.

“For many years, we’ve been at the wrong side of the ball and I’ll tell you what, I think it’s going to be unbelievable," Trump said as he left the White House to attend a Saudi-backed golf tournament at his club in Doral, Florida.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump offered a rosy assessment after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-tariffs-trump-trade-cea98013c677e5b9bd6ce6166f4ce659">stock market dropped sharply</a>&nbsp;Thursday over his tariffs, saying, “I think it's going very well.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump: &quot;I think its going very well. It was an operation, like when a when a patient gets operated on. It&#39;s a big thing. I said this would exactly be the way it is. We have six or seven trillion dollars coming into our country...the markets are going to boom.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/hhrGOFgX2J">pic.twitter.com/hhrGOFgX2J</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1907874672068165724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The markets are going to boom, the stock is going to boom, the country is going to boom,” he said when asked about the market as he left the White House to fly to one of his Florida golf clubs.The Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-tariffs-52dbb020a4c41122e31669c2da236d67">dropped more than 1,600 points</a>&nbsp;on Thursday as U.S. stocks led a worldwide selloff after the Republican president's announcement of tariffs against much of the world&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-economic-impact-trade-markets-3e38352ab5693852bfd9bc8dd2ac2d56">ignited a shock</a>&nbsp;like none seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.Trump on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">announced a minimum tariff of 10%</a>&nbsp;on imports, with the tax rate running much higher on products from certain countries like China and those from the European Union.The announcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-us-world-reaction-5b8411d056e013015a0df6227b41dd5b">jolted markets worldwide</a>, but Trump said that was to be expected. He compared the United States to a sick patient in need of surgery when asked by a reporter for his reaction to the worst stock market drop in years.“I think it's going very well. We have an operation, like when a patient gets operated on and it's a big thing. I said this would exactly be the way it is,” he said, an apparent reference to the selloff.He talked about trillions of dollars in investment that is “coming into our country” from companies that want to make their products in the U.S. to avoid tariffs.“The rest of the world wants to see is there any way they can make a deal," he said.Later, speaking with the reporters on aboard Air Force One, Trump said that he'd be open to using tariffs to negotiate with other countries and that it would depend on whether they had something “phenomenal” to offer in return.He maintains that other countries have been taking advantage of the U.S. for a long time and he wants it to stop.“For many years, we’ve been at the wrong side of the ball and I’ll tell you what, I think it’s going to be unbelievable," Trump said as he left the White House to attend a Saudi-backed golf tournament at his club in Doral, Florida.

🎥Trump's first reaction to stock market drop day after tariff announcement

TOPEKA — Five of the six southwest Kansas counties reporting measles cases have seen kindergarten vaccination rates drop, one showing a 24 percentage point dip over a four-year period.

Vaccination rates are one focus of many Kansas county health officers and medical experts as they work to educate against misinformation about vaccines in the hopes of staving off a growing measles outbreak. As of April 2, Kansas has 24 confirmed measles cases in Grant, Gray, Haskell, Kiowa, Morton and Stevens counties, with one case added in the last week.

For herd immunity to be achieved — the point where enough people are vaccinated that those who are unvaccinated will be protected — 95% of a population must be vaccinated against measles, according to the World Health Organization. The Kansas measles immunization rate of kindergarteners dropped from 94.47% in 2019 to 90.21% in 2023, Kansas Department of Health and Environment data shows.

Jennifer Bacani McKenney, a family physician and county health officer in Wilson County, said she saw vaccine hesitancy increase after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID made it more OK for people to decline vaccines for themselves and for children,” she said.

The idea, though, that some counties are seeing kindergarten vaccination rates drop — such as Gray County, where the rate declined from 85% in 2019 to 61% in 2023 — is concerning, Bacani McKenney said.

“When we’re getting to those points when barely the majority are vaccinated, that’s when these diseases have a chance to come back,” she said. “We know vaccines work. Polio is still probably the No. 1 example. For the longest time, so was measles, and now we’re at the point where we can’t use measles as an example.

“We are very voluntarily not protecting ourselves against a very preventable illness,” Bacani McKenney said. “The people who are suffering are really not us adults. It’s going to be our children.”

Haskell County also hit a double-digit drop in vaccination rates, with 21% fewer kindergarteners being vaccinated over that same four-year period.

Vaccinations are required for school in Kansas unless there is a religious or medical exemption. KDHE and the Kansas State Department of Education track the percentage of kindergarteners who have vaccine exemptions, and those rates are increasing too — in Haskell County from 11% in 2019 to over 25% in 2023 and in Gray County jumping from about 2% to 11%.

In Barton County, where kindergarten immunization rates dropped by nearly 7 percentage points from 2019 to 2023, Karen Winkelman, a registered nurse and director of the Barton County Health Department said she is receiving numerous questions from parents about vaccine safety. She said her team made the decision to be proactive once they heard that measles cases were reappearing nationwide.

Winkelman stresses having productive, positive conversations.

“We need to take a positive approach on this and hold down that hysteria,” she said. “We know this disease. We know the vaccine. We have something available for protection.”

It isn’t like the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, where the vaccine information changed frequently. They are disseminating information carefully, using only reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KDHE, the American Academy of Family Physicians and others.

“We are going with factual information. The more we can educate and provide the factual, the better it is,” Winkelman said. “We’re never going to be able to control on social media or in normal conversations what is being said. We just have to really focus on those organizations that are reliable and accurate.”

The Barton County Health Department is holding an immunization clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, outside of their regular business hours, to make sure staff is available to answer questions and offer vaccinations, Winkelman said.

“We’re not going to force anyone to get the vaccine,” she said. “I just want to have all of those things available to the public for them to make an educated decision. It might be a conversation with their primary care also.”

Stevens County, which was the first Kansas county to report a measles case on March 13, currently has had six measles cases. Cammie Heaton, administrator for the county’s health department, is taking the same approach as Barton County — educate and be available to answer questions.

“We’re actually, knock on wood, sitting better now than we were three weeks ago. We are hopeful that we aren’t going to have any more,” she said. “We’re still monitoring some susceptible individuals.”

Like Barton County, her staff have offered walk-in clinics for measles vaccinations or boosters. Stevens County, according to KDHE data, has seen its vaccination rate among kindergarteners drop by 14 percentage points, from 87% in 2019 to 73% in 2023.

All measles cases in Stevens County were in unvaccinated individuals, Heaton said.

Dana Hawkinson, an internal medicine and infectious disease physician, spoke about the measles outbreak at a recent University of Kansas Health System news briefing.

“I think people should be concerned, particularly if they’re in communities that have decreased vaccination rates,” he said. “Measles is probably the most infectious viral disease that we know of. It is spread through airborne means, so people will express it into the air when they cough or breathe. Measles can linger in the air in a room for two hours.”

Combatting misinformation about the disease is critical, Hawkinson said, pointing to social media algorithms that can play into the information people receive online. But there are other factors, as well.

“We know misinformation is significant but we can’t be myopic in thinking that is the only thing we need to understand,” he said. “There are other factors in play as well.”

Those include people seeking less medical care after the pandemic, states offering increased options for vaccine exemptions, significant mistrust of science and public health medicine, as well as mistrust of physicians, Hawkinson said.

“All of these things are playing a role now to increase the risk of an individual and a community against things like this which were otherwise vaccine preventable,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743085628490.png" alt="Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Five of the six southwest Kansas counties reporting measles cases have seen kindergarten vaccination rates drop, one showing a 24 percentage point dip over a four-year period.Vaccination rates are one focus of many Kansas county health officers and medical experts as they work to educate against misinformation about vaccines in the hopes of staving off a growing measles outbreak. As of April 2, Kansas has 24 confirmed measles cases in Grant, Gray, Haskell, Kiowa, Morton and Stevens counties, with one case added in the last week.For herd immunity to be achieved — the point where enough people are vaccinated that those who are unvaccinated will be protected — 95% of a population must be vaccinated against measles, according to the World Health Organization. The Kansas measles immunization rate of kindergarteners dropped from 94.47% in 2019 to 90.21% in 2023, Kansas Department of Health and Environment data shows.Jennifer Bacani McKenney, a family physician and county health officer in Wilson County, said she saw vaccine hesitancy increase after the COVID-19 pandemic.“COVID made it more OK for people to decline vaccines for themselves and for children,” she said.The idea, though, that some counties are seeing kindergarten vaccination rates drop — such as Gray County, where the rate declined from 85% in 2019 to 61% in 2023 — is concerning, Bacani McKenney said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743693382314.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“When we’re getting to those points when barely the majority are vaccinated, that’s when these diseases have a chance to come back,” she said. “We know vaccines work. Polio is still probably the No. 1 example. For the longest time, so was measles, and now we’re at the point where we can’t use measles as an example.“We are very voluntarily not protecting ourselves against a very preventable illness,” Bacani McKenney said. “The people who are suffering are really not us adults. It’s going to be our children.”Haskell County also hit a double-digit drop in vaccination rates, with 21% fewer kindergarteners being vaccinated over that same four-year period.Vaccinations are required for school in Kansas unless there is a religious or medical exemption. KDHE and the Kansas State Department of Education track the percentage of kindergarteners who have vaccine exemptions, and those rates are increasing too — in Haskell County from 11% in 2019 to over 25% in 2023 and in Gray County jumping from about 2% to 11%.In Barton County, where kindergarten immunization rates dropped by nearly 7 percentage points from 2019 to 2023, Karen Winkelman, a registered nurse and director of the Barton County Health Department said she is receiving numerous questions from parents about vaccine safety. She said her team made the decision to be proactive once they heard that measles cases were reappearing nationwide.Winkelman stresses having productive, positive conversations.“We need to take a positive approach on this and hold down that hysteria,” she said. “We know this disease. We know the vaccine. We have something available for protection.”It isn’t like the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, where the vaccine information changed frequently. They are disseminating information carefully, using only reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KDHE, the American Academy of Family Physicians and others.“We are going with factual information. The more we can educate and provide the factual, the better it is,” Winkelman said. “We’re never going to be able to control on social media or in normal conversations what is being said. We just have to really focus on those organizations that are reliable and accurate.”The Barton County Health Department is holding an immunization clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, outside of their regular business hours, to make sure staff is available to answer questions and offer vaccinations, Winkelman said.“We’re not going to force anyone to get the vaccine,” she said. “I just want to have all of those things available to the public for them to make an educated decision. It might be a conversation with their primary care also.”Stevens County, which was the first Kansas county to report a measles case on March 13, currently has had six measles cases. Cammie Heaton, administrator for the county’s health department, is taking the same approach as Barton County — educate and be available to answer questions.“We’re actually, knock on wood, sitting better now than we were three weeks ago. We are hopeful that we aren’t going to have any more,” she said. “We’re still monitoring some susceptible individuals.”Like Barton County, her staff have offered walk-in clinics for measles vaccinations or boosters. Stevens County, according to KDHE data, has seen its vaccination rate among kindergarteners drop by 14 percentage points, from 87% in 2019 to 73% in 2023.All measles cases in Stevens County were in unvaccinated individuals, Heaton said.Dana Hawkinson, an internal medicine and infectious disease physician, spoke about the measles outbreak at a recent University of Kansas Health System news briefing.“I think people should be concerned, particularly if they’re in communities that have decreased vaccination rates,” he said. “Measles is probably the most infectious viral disease that we know of. It is spread through airborne means, so people will express it into the air when they cough or breathe. Measles can linger in the air in a room for two hours.”Combatting misinformation about the disease is critical, Hawkinson said, pointing to social media algorithms that can play into the information people receive online. But there are other factors, as well.“We know misinformation is significant but we can’t be myopic in thinking that is the only thing we need to understand,” he said. “There are other factors in play as well.”Those include people seeking less medical care after the pandemic, states offering increased options for vaccine exemptions, significant mistrust of science and public health medicine, as well as mistrust of physicians, Hawkinson said.“All of these things are playing a role now to increase the risk of an individual and a community against things like this which were otherwise vaccine preventable,” he said.

Vaccination rates down in most Kansas counties where measles cases reported

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A former Thomas More Prep-Marian employee has been arrested on a requested  charge of theft from the school.

Joseph Arnold Roth, 31, of Hays, was arrested on Feb. 25 for allegedly transferring $19,153 from a TMP account into his personal account on or about Feb. 5, according to court records.

The crime is listed in court records as a level 9 nonperson felony.

Roths was released on a $2,500 bond. He entered a not guilty plea on March 10.

Roth is set for a first appearance in Ellis County District court in front of Judge Richard Flax at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 8.

The Hays Post contacted TMP Principal Chad Meitner, and he said the school had no comment on the case at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743699431355.png" alt="Roth photo Ellis County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Roth photo Ellis County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA former Thomas More Prep-Marian employee has been arrested on a requested charge of theft from the school.Joseph Arnold Roth, 31, of Hays, was arrested on Feb. 25 for allegedly transferring $19,153 from a TMP account into his personal account on or about Feb. 5, according to court records.The crime is listed in court records as a level 9 nonperson felony.Roths was released on a $2,500 bond. He entered a not guilty plea on March 10.Roth is set for a first appearance in Ellis County District court in front of Judge Richard Flax at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 8.The Hays Post contacted TMP Principal Chad Meitner, and he said the school had no comment on the case at this time.

Former Kan. school employee accused of theft of funds from school

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department Traffic Division continues to investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident and are working to identify the victim.

Just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of an accident in the 4300 block of State Line Road, according to a statement from KCK Officer Jovanna Cheatum.

 When officers arrived on scene, they located a man deceased in the roadway. The initial investigation revealed a large construction dump truck struck the pedestrian and left the scene. Police&nbsp;located the driver of the vehicle, according to Cheatum. They are cooperating with detectives.&nbsp; An autopsy is scheduled on the victim for Thursday and police are hopeful this might help to identify him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743534048942.png" alt="Police on the scene of the incident -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the incident -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department Traffic Division continues to investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident and are working to identify the victim.Just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of an accident in the 4300 block of State Line Road, according to a statement from KCK Officer Jovanna Cheatum. When officers arrived on scene, they located a man deceased in the roadway. The initial investigation revealed a large construction dump truck struck the pedestrian and left the scene. Police&nbsp;located the driver of the vehicle, according to Cheatum. They are cooperating with detectives.&nbsp; An autopsy is scheduled on the victim for Thursday and police are hopeful this might help to identify him.