BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</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 — Kansas Republicans returned from last year’s Republican National Convention dismayed by the party’s decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://rollcall.com/2024/07/08/rnc-softens-platform-stance-on-abortion/" target="_blank">soften its stance on abortion</a>.

The RNC platform would only go so far as to oppose late-term abortion.

Part of the problem, as Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft explained in a private video meeting with Republicans on July 26, was the ripple effect of Kansas voters overwhelmingly supporting abortion rights in the August 2022 election. Kansas Reflector obtained a recording from the meeting.

“Everybody was talking about how Kansas lost Value Them Both, and it affected the rest of the country,” Croft said during his weekly call with select Johnson County Republicans and invited guests.

For Croft, the issue underscored the need for Republicans to preserve their supermajorities in the Kansas House and Senate, which would allow them to overhaul the way Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected. He promised to “work on it” in the 2025 legislative session, but there was a catch.

“Remember, the problem last time was we could not agree amongst ourselves what the heck we wanted,” Croft said. “Do we want to use the federal selection process, or do we want to use election? And we got to get this thing figured out and move forward until we get it done.”

Kansas voters overwhelmingly supported anti-abortion candidates in November, expanding the GOP supermajorities in both chambers at the Statehouse and setting the stage for an overhaul of the judicial selection process.

On Thursday, the Kansas Senate adopted a resolution that calls for the election of justices to the Kansas Supreme Court by popular vote. The House now has a choice: Accept the Senate’s resolution, pass an alternative, or table the issue for another year.

The stakes, as Croft made clear last July, include abortion rights. Opponents also fear that elected justices could overturn rulings that require adequate and equitable funding of public schools.

Senate Republican leadership took a victory lap Thursday after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1611/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611</a>&nbsp;passed by a 27-13 vote, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20250306152736_842568/" target="_blank">four Republicans joining Democrats</a>&nbsp;in dissent. The resolution, which required 27 votes in the Senate and would require 84 votes in the House, would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot in August 2026 that asks voters to replace the decades-old merit-based selection of justices with direct elections.

Under the current system, the&nbsp;<a href="https://kscourts.gov/Judges/Become-a-Judge/Supreme-Court-Nominating-Commission" target="_blank">Supreme Court Nominating Commission</a>&nbsp;reviews applications for a vacancy and sends three finalists to the governor, who makes the appointment from those three finalists. The commission consists of five attorneys who are elected by attorneys, and four members appointed by the governor. Justices already are subjected to retention votes after they are appointed and again every six years.

“Rather than a system that consolidates authority in the hands of an elite society of super voters, it’s time to restore the power to all Kansans,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican.

Before the vote, 17 organizations issued a joint statement opposing the resolution and supporting the current method for selecting justices. The organizations include the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas AFL-CIO, and the Disability Rights Center of Kansas.

The statement warned of the likelihood, based on elections in other states, that dark money would dominate the judiciary.

“SCR 1611 shifts too much power over the selection of Kansas Supreme Court justices to special interests outside the state of Kansas who do not care about the rule of law in our state,” the statement read.

After the Senate vote, Rep. Rui Xu, a Westwood Democrat, wrote on X: “Republicans are mad that our Supreme Court wanted us to fully fund school and not ban abortions so now they want to change the Supreme Court.”

House Republican leadership has not publicly indicated whether it will take up the Senate’s resolution or produce its own. One alternative would be to require Senate confirmation of the governor’s appointments.

When Croft, an Overland Park Republican, brought the issue up in July, he lamented that “nobody in the Legislature gets a vote” on those appointments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741385265690.png" alt=" House Majority Leader Chris Croft talks to colleagues during a Feb. 25, 2025, session of the House. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> House Majority Leader Chris Croft talks to colleagues during a Feb. 25, 2025, session of the House. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</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 — Kansas Republicans returned from last year’s Republican National Convention dismayed by the party’s decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://rollcall.com/2024/07/08/rnc-softens-platform-stance-on-abortion/" target="_blank">soften its stance on abortion</a>.The RNC platform would only go so far as to oppose late-term abortion.Part of the problem, as Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft explained in a private video meeting with Republicans on July 26, was the ripple effect of Kansas voters overwhelmingly supporting abortion rights in the August 2022 election. Kansas Reflector obtained a recording from the meeting.“Everybody was talking about how Kansas lost Value Them Both, and it affected the rest of the country,” Croft said during his weekly call with select Johnson County Republicans and invited guests.For Croft, the issue underscored the need for Republicans to preserve their supermajorities in the Kansas House and Senate, which would allow them to overhaul the way Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected. He promised to “work on it” in the 2025 legislative session, but there was a catch.“Remember, the problem last time was we could not agree amongst ourselves what the heck we wanted,” Croft said. “Do we want to use the federal selection process, or do we want to use election? And we got to get this thing figured out and move forward until we get it done.”Kansas voters overwhelmingly supported anti-abortion candidates in November, expanding the GOP supermajorities in both chambers at the Statehouse and setting the stage for an overhaul of the judicial selection process.On Thursday, the Kansas Senate adopted a resolution that calls for the election of justices to the Kansas Supreme Court by popular vote. The House now has a choice: Accept the Senate’s resolution, pass an alternative, or table the issue for another year.The stakes, as Croft made clear last July, include abortion rights. Opponents also fear that elected justices could overturn rulings that require adequate and equitable funding of public schools.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741385213225.png" alt=" Senate President Ty Masterson presides over the Senate on March 5, 2025, before debating a resolution to make the Kansas Supreme Court an elected office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Senate President Ty Masterson presides over the Senate on March 5, 2025, before debating a resolution to make the Kansas Supreme Court an elected office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Senate Republican leadership took a victory lap Thursday after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1611/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611</a>&nbsp;passed by a 27-13 vote, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20250306152736_842568/" target="_blank">four Republicans joining Democrats</a>&nbsp;in dissent. The resolution, which required 27 votes in the Senate and would require 84 votes in the House, would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot in August 2026 that asks voters to replace the decades-old merit-based selection of justices with direct elections.Under the current system, the&nbsp;<a href="https://kscourts.gov/Judges/Become-a-Judge/Supreme-Court-Nominating-Commission" target="_blank">Supreme Court Nominating Commission</a>&nbsp;reviews applications for a vacancy and sends three finalists to the governor, who makes the appointment from those three finalists. The commission consists of five attorneys who are elected by attorneys, and four members appointed by the governor. Justices already are subjected to retention votes after they are appointed and again every six years.“Rather than a system that consolidates authority in the hands of an elite society of super voters, it’s time to restore the power to all Kansans,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican.Before the vote, 17 organizations issued a joint statement opposing the resolution and supporting the current method for selecting justices. The organizations include the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas AFL-CIO, and the Disability Rights Center of Kansas.The statement warned of the likelihood, based on elections in other states, that dark money would dominate the judiciary.“SCR 1611 shifts too much power over the selection of Kansas Supreme Court justices to special interests outside the state of Kansas who do not care about the rule of law in our state,” the statement read.After the Senate vote, Rep. Rui Xu, a Westwood Democrat, wrote on X: “Republicans are mad that our Supreme Court wanted us to fully fund school and not ban abortions so now they want to change the Supreme Court.”House Republican leadership has not publicly indicated whether it will take up the Senate’s resolution or produce its own. One alternative would be to require Senate confirmation of the governor’s appointments.When Croft, an Overland Park Republican, brought the issue up in July, he lamented that “nobody in the Legislature gets a vote” on those appointments.“That’s gotta be fixed,” he said.

Kansas Senate adopts plan to elect Supreme Court justices, a step toward overturning abortion rights

SEDGWICK COUNTY—The Wichita Police Department continues asking for information about the whereabouts of Brent Cruz, who is wanted in connection with a homicide investigation from 2022.

If you know his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately or contact WPD Detectives at 316-268-4407.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—The Wichita Police Department continues asking for information about the whereabouts of Brent Cruz, who is wanted in connection with a homicide investigation from 2022.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740681835763.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>If you know his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately or contact WPD Detectives at 316-268-4407.

Police: Search continues for Kansas homicide suspect

DENVER (AP) — Immigration authorities don't need to revert to a Biden-era policy limiting arrests at schools after officials in Denver challenged new policies from the Trump administration, a federal judge ruled Friday.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico said Denver Public Schools failed to prove that a drop in attendance was due to the Trump administration's new policy. It wasn’t clear how much of the fear surrounding possible enforcement actions in schools was really due to the new rules as opposed to broader concerns of increased immigration actions, he said.

The new policy has not yet been acted upon, according to a group representing large urban school districts across the U.S.

Besides a drop in attendance, Denver Public Schools says it has had to divert resources to respond to fear among students and families over the lifting of longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc">near schools, churches and other sensitive locations</a>.

“This includes providing mental health support to students, diverting administrator attention from academics to immigration issues, and assisting students who miss school to catch up,” lawyers for the school district said in their request to block the new rules.

The ruling came just days after Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and the Democratic leaders of other cities were in Washington to answer questions from Republican members of Congress about their their so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-sanctuary-cities-trump-immigration-border-49766af8d0bad4be8b4e46d0ffa0ab02">sanctuary city policies</a>&nbsp;that they see as undermining President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-address-congress-takeaways-partisan-divide-b25327f1c728190102c2a7ade61cb498">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;immigration and mass deportation efforts. The lawsuit was brought by the school district, not the city.

Under the previous “sensitive locations” guidance issued in 2021, officers were generally required to get approval for any enforcement operations at those locations, although exceptions were allowed for matters like national security. The change announced in January by the acting leader of the Department of Homeland Security, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, scrapped that guidance and emphasized that field agents should use “common sense” and “discretion” to conduct immigration enforcement operations.

However, Domenico noted that the head of ICE later issued a directive for its officers that immigration arrests at sensitive places like schools still had to be approved by supervisors. The fear over the new rules, as well as the belief that the old rules provided protection to schools, both seem to be “overstated", Domenico said.

Domenico, a Trump appointee and Colorado's former solicitor general, denied a request that he grant a nationwide preliminary injunction forcing immigration officials to revert to the 2021 guidance.

Denver Public Schools issued a statement expressing disappointment in his ruling, while asserting that its lawsuit was successful in making public details of the Trump administration rules.

Arrests at schools have been rare. According to data from ICE cited by lawyers for Denver schools, there were only two immigration arrests made in schools between 2018 and 2020 along with 18 arrests near schools.

There have not been any arrests at schools under the new policy as of last week, according to a filing submitted by the Council of the Great City Schools in support of Denver’s lawsuit.

Last month, a federal judge in Maryland&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dhs-immigration-agents-churches-trump-7c12f2509966dadeba98e920578f24c2">blocked immigration agents</a>&nbsp;from conducting enforcement operations in houses of worship for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-immigration-california-migrants-c23754f4ed025097af119c660cf6b788">Quakers</a>&nbsp;and a handful of other religious groups after they filed a lawsuit challenging the directive. The order does not apply to any religious groups beyond the ones who brought the lawsuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738002670796.png" alt="File photo Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>File photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — Immigration authorities don't need to revert to a Biden-era policy limiting arrests at schools after officials in Denver challenged new policies from the Trump administration, a federal judge ruled Friday.U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico said Denver Public Schools failed to prove that a drop in attendance was due to the Trump administration's new policy. It wasn’t clear how much of the fear surrounding possible enforcement actions in schools was really due to the new rules as opposed to broader concerns of increased immigration actions, he said.The new policy has not yet been acted upon, according to a group representing large urban school districts across the U.S.Besides a drop in attendance, Denver Public Schools says it has had to divert resources to respond to fear among students and families over the lifting of longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc">near schools, churches and other sensitive locations</a>.“This includes providing mental health support to students, diverting administrator attention from academics to immigration issues, and assisting students who miss school to catch up,” lawyers for the school district said in their request to block the new rules.The ruling came just days after Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and the Democratic leaders of other cities were in Washington to answer questions from Republican members of Congress about their their so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-sanctuary-cities-trump-immigration-border-49766af8d0bad4be8b4e46d0ffa0ab02">sanctuary city policies</a>&nbsp;that they see as undermining President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-address-congress-takeaways-partisan-divide-b25327f1c728190102c2a7ade61cb498">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;immigration and mass deportation efforts. The lawsuit was brought by the school district, not the city.Under the previous “sensitive locations” guidance issued in 2021, officers were generally required to get approval for any enforcement operations at those locations, although exceptions were allowed for matters like national security. The change announced in January by the acting leader of the Department of Homeland Security, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, scrapped that guidance and emphasized that field agents should use “common sense” and “discretion” to conduct immigration enforcement operations.However, Domenico noted that the head of ICE later issued a directive for its officers that immigration arrests at sensitive places like schools still had to be approved by supervisors. The fear over the new rules, as well as the belief that the old rules provided protection to schools, both seem to be “overstated", Domenico said.Domenico, a Trump appointee and Colorado's former solicitor general, denied a request that he grant a nationwide preliminary injunction forcing immigration officials to revert to the 2021 guidance.Denver Public Schools issued a statement expressing disappointment in his ruling, while asserting that its lawsuit was successful in making public details of the Trump administration rules.Arrests at schools have been rare. According to data from ICE cited by lawyers for Denver schools, there were only two immigration arrests made in schools between 2018 and 2020 along with 18 arrests near schools.There have not been any arrests at schools under the new policy as of last week, according to a filing submitted by the Council of the Great City Schools in support of Denver’s lawsuit.Last month, a federal judge in Maryland&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dhs-immigration-agents-churches-trump-7c12f2509966dadeba98e920578f24c2">blocked immigration agents</a>&nbsp;from conducting enforcement operations in houses of worship for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-immigration-california-migrants-c23754f4ed025097af119c660cf6b788">Quakers</a>&nbsp;and a handful of other religious groups after they filed a lawsuit challenging the directive. The order does not apply to any religious groups beyond the ones who brought the lawsuit.

Federal judge won't order immigration officials to change school arrests policy

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City is facing charges for stealing a Kansas City Area Transportation Authority city bus and then assaulting an officer, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2524/PRATT-Complaint-Redacted">Shahid Pratt, 49, was charged</a>&nbsp;with Assault in the 2nd Degree, Stealing a Motor Vehicle, and Tampering in the 1st Degree.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2525/Shahid-Pratt-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to the area of East 75th Street and Prospect Avenue regarding a stolen KCATA bus and observed Pratt in the driver’s seat. Officers gave Pratt multiple verbal commands to exit the bus, and he refused.

When officers attempted to unlock the bus doors, the defendant reached out of the driver’s window and struck an officer with a metal bar. Officers were able to use multiple less-lethal options to detain him.

Pratt has 11 prior felony convictions. He remains jailed on a $50,000 bond, according to the Johnson.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741383836374.png" alt="Pratt photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Pratt photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City is facing charges for stealing a Kansas City Area Transportation Authority city bus and then assaulting an officer, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2524/PRATT-Complaint-Redacted">Shahid Pratt, 49, was charged</a>&nbsp;with Assault in the 2nd Degree, Stealing a Motor Vehicle, and Tampering in the 1st Degree.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2525/Shahid-Pratt-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to the area of East 75th Street and Prospect Avenue regarding a stolen KCATA bus and observed Pratt in the driver’s seat. Officers gave Pratt multiple verbal commands to exit the bus, and he refused. When officers attempted to unlock the bus doors, the defendant reached out of the driver’s window and struck an officer with a metal bar. Officers were able to use multiple less-lethal options to detain him.Pratt has 11 prior felony convictions. He remains jailed on a $50,000 bond, according to the Johnson.&nbsp;

Man accused of stealing a Kansas City public transit bus

Hutchinson, KAN. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Devon Malechi Stutesman, 24, died Monday, March 3, 2025. Stutesman was found unresponsive in his cell Saturday, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. He was transported to a local hospital where he died Monday afternoon. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Stutesman was serving a 122-month sentence for convictions of possession and distribution of heroin and attempt to traffic firearms into a correctional facility in Lyon County, Kansas.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741376489351.png" alt="Stutesman photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Stutesman photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson, KAN. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Devon Malechi Stutesman, 24, died Monday, March 3, 2025. Stutesman was found unresponsive in his cell Saturday, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. He was transported to a local hospital where he died Monday afternoon. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Stutesman was serving a 122-month sentence for convictions of possession and distribution of heroin and attempt to traffic firearms into a correctional facility in Lyon County, Kansas.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Kan. inmate serving time for selling heroin has died

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.

On March 5, the Garden City Police Department and Finney County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at 109 N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City as part of an extensive narcotics investigation by the Garden City/Finney County Joint Drug Task Force, according to a media release.

The warrant was served with the assistance of the Garden City/Finney County SWAT Team, Dodge City SWAT Team, and Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

During the service of the search warrant, Francisco Gracia Jr., 44, and Britta Thompson, 42, were located and taken into custody without incident. Inside the residence, suspected methamphetamine and marijuana, various drug paraphernalia indicative of the distribution and consumption of illegal narcotics, a firearm, and numerous rounds of ammunition were seized as evidence.

Gracia Jr. is being held on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Thompson is being held on an outstanding warrant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741314466232.png" alt="Gracia photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Gracia photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.On March 5, the Garden City Police Department and Finney County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at 109 N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City as part of an extensive narcotics investigation by the Garden City/Finney County Joint Drug Task Force, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741314383535.png" alt="Thompson photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Thompson photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The warrant was served with the assistance of the Garden City/Finney County SWAT Team, Dodge City SWAT Team, and Kansas Bureau of Investigation.During the service of the search warrant, Francisco Gracia Jr., 44, and Britta Thompson, 42, were located and taken into custody without incident. Inside the residence, suspected methamphetamine and marijuana, various drug paraphernalia indicative of the distribution and consumption of illegal narcotics, a firearm, and numerous rounds of ammunition were seized as evidence.Gracia Jr. is being held on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Thompson is being held on an outstanding warrant.

SWAT team helps make drug bust at SW Kansas home

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gene-hackman">Actor Gene Hackman</a>&nbsp;died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-hantavirus-death-rodent-af52b4943d854b52a5da36100113bc1b">hantavirus</a>&nbsp;in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, authorities revealed Friday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-obituary-dies-a76fbe0cd6594393acaeea1c2710706d">Both deaths</a>&nbsp;were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference.

“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Jarrell said. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”

Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/betsy-arakawa-obit-gene-hackman-f7813a04c0313f6eaf73828ec54bd298">Betsy Arakawa</a>, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-dead-investigation-f77231a7a04bb7eff5de3c391d56a031">carbon monoxide poisoning were negative</a>.

Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday.

Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm on Feb. 18., the day he likely died, Jarrell said.

Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said.

“It’s quite possible he was not aware she was deceased,” Jarrell said.

Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer’s disease and unable to deal with his wife’s death in the last week of his life.

“You are talking about very severe Alzheimer’s disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care of him until she passed away,” Baden said.

Their bodies were found a little over a week later. Hackman was found in the home’s entryway. His death was tied to heart disease with Alzheimer’s disease contributing.

Arakawa was found in a bathroom. Authorities linked her death to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by infected rodent droppings. Thyroid medication pills prescribed to Arakawa were found nearby and weren’t listed as contributing to her death, Jarrell said.

Hantavirus typically is reported in spring and summer, often due to exposures that occur when people are near mouse droppings in homes, sheds or poorly ventilated areas. This is the first confirmed case of hantavirus in New Mexico this year.

While hantavirus is found throughout the world, most cases in the U.S. have been found in western states. The virus can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection. Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

Jarrell said it was not known how quickly Arakawa died.

Investigators earlier retrieved personal items from the couple’s home, including a monthly planner and two cellphones.

One of the couple’s three dogs also was found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, while two other dogs survived. Authorities initially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-died-dogs-santa-fe-22d7f6921577f012c87027de8652795d">misidentified the breed</a>.

Dogs do not get sick from hantavirus, said Erin Phipps, a veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department. A necropsy will be done on the dog. The sheriff considers this an open investigation until they finish checking into cellphone data and receive results of the dog’s necropsy.

When Hackman and Arakawa were found, the bodies were decomposing with some mummification, a consequence of body type and climate in Santa Fe’s especially dry air at an elevation of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters).

Hackman, a Hollywood icon, won two Oscars during a storied career in films including “The French Connection,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-sports-hoosiers-7bcee7d0694f1daee94057ac7ec33430">“Hoosiers”</a>&nbsp;and “Superman” from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.

The couple’s stucco, Pueblo-revival style home sits on a hill in a gated community at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-santa-fe-new-mexico-1ad28385c861861f289516767410267f">Santa Fe</a>&nbsp;is known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.

Hackman dedicated much of his time in retirement to painting and writing novels far from Hollywood’s social circuit. He served for several years on the board of trustees at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and he and his wife were investors in local businesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740789743372.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gene-hackman">Actor Gene Hackman</a>&nbsp;died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-hantavirus-death-rodent-af52b4943d854b52a5da36100113bc1b">hantavirus</a>&nbsp;in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, authorities revealed Friday.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-obituary-dies-a76fbe0cd6594393acaeea1c2710706d">Both deaths</a>&nbsp;were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference.“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Jarrell said. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/betsy-arakawa-obit-gene-hackman-f7813a04c0313f6eaf73828ec54bd298">Betsy Arakawa</a>, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-dead-investigation-f77231a7a04bb7eff5de3c391d56a031">carbon monoxide poisoning were negative</a>.Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday.Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm on Feb. 18., the day he likely died, Jarrell said.Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said.“It’s quite possible he was not aware she was deceased,” Jarrell said.Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer’s disease and unable to deal with his wife’s death in the last week of his life.“You are talking about very severe Alzheimer’s disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care of him until she passed away,” Baden said.Their bodies were found a little over a week later. Hackman was found in the home’s entryway. His death was tied to heart disease with Alzheimer’s disease contributing.Arakawa was found in a bathroom. Authorities linked her death to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by infected rodent droppings. Thyroid medication pills prescribed to Arakawa were found nearby and weren’t listed as contributing to her death, Jarrell said.Hantavirus typically is reported in spring and summer, often due to exposures that occur when people are near mouse droppings in homes, sheds or poorly ventilated areas. This is the first confirmed case of hantavirus in New Mexico this year.While hantavirus is found throughout the world, most cases in the U.S. have been found in western states. The virus can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection. Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.Jarrell said it was not known how quickly Arakawa died.Investigators earlier retrieved personal items from the couple’s home, including a monthly planner and two cellphones.One of the couple’s three dogs also was found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, while two other dogs survived. Authorities initially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-died-dogs-santa-fe-22d7f6921577f012c87027de8652795d">misidentified the breed</a>.Dogs do not get sick from hantavirus, said Erin Phipps, a veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department. A necropsy will be done on the dog. The sheriff considers this an open investigation until they finish checking into cellphone data and receive results of the dog’s necropsy.When Hackman and Arakawa were found, the bodies were decomposing with some mummification, a consequence of body type and climate in Santa Fe’s especially dry air at an elevation of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters).Hackman, a Hollywood icon, won two Oscars during a storied career in films including “The French Connection,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-sports-hoosiers-7bcee7d0694f1daee94057ac7ec33430">“Hoosiers”</a>&nbsp;and “Superman” from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.The couple’s stucco, Pueblo-revival style home sits on a hill in a gated community at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gene-hackman-santa-fe-new-mexico-1ad28385c861861f289516767410267f">Santa Fe</a>&nbsp;is known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.Hackman dedicated much of his time in retirement to painting and writing novels far from Hollywood’s social circuit. He served for several years on the board of trustees at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and he and his wife were investors in local businesses.___

Authorities reveal what killed actor Gene Hackman and his wife

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/devi-shastri">DEVI SHASTRI</a> Associated Press

An adult who was infected with measles has died in New Mexico, state health officials announced Thursday, though the virus has not been confirmed as the cause.

The person who died was unvaccinated and did not seek medical care, a state health department spokesperson said in a statement. The person’s exact age and other details were not immediately released.

The person was from Lea County, just across the state line from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">the West Texas</a>&nbsp;region where 159 measles cases have been identified and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">a school-age child died last week</a>. New Mexico health officials have not linked the outbreak there to the Texas cases.

The person is the 10th in Lea County to have a confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-mmr-vaccine-texas-rfk-ff8e744b19ead87698d7217de02814ee">measles infection</a>. Seven were unvaccinated. The vaccination status of the other three is unknown. Six of the cases are in adults and the rest are in children younger than 17.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that they were sending a team to Texas to help local public health officials respond to the outbreak, which began in late January.

Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours. Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.html" target="_blank">according to the CDC</a>.

he measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing infection and severe cases. The first shot is recommended for children ages 12 to 15 months, and the second for ages 4 to 6 years.

“We don’t want to see New Mexicans getting sick or dying from measles,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, the deputy state epidemiologist. “The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is the best protection against this serious disease.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740584009532.png" alt="A sign warning of measles is posted on a glass door as a patient checks in for an appointment in the family medicine wing of at the Texas Tech Physicians of the Permian Basin Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Odessa, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)" />
 <figcaption>A sign warning of measles is posted on a glass door as a patient checks in for an appointment in the family medicine wing of at the Texas Tech Physicians of the Permian Basin Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Odessa, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/devi-shastri">DEVI SHASTRI</a> Associated PressAn adult who was infected with measles has died in New Mexico, state health officials announced Thursday, though the virus has not been confirmed as the cause.The person who died was unvaccinated and did not seek medical care, a state health department spokesperson said in a statement. The person’s exact age and other details were not immediately released.The person was from Lea County, just across the state line from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">the West Texas</a>&nbsp;region where 159 measles cases have been identified and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">a school-age child died last week</a>. New Mexico health officials have not linked the outbreak there to the Texas cases.The person is the 10th in Lea County to have a confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-mmr-vaccine-texas-rfk-ff8e744b19ead87698d7217de02814ee">measles infection</a>. Seven were unvaccinated. The vaccination status of the other three is unknown. Six of the cases are in adults and the rest are in children younger than 17.On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that they were sending a team to Texas to help local public health officials respond to the outbreak, which began in late January.Measles is a respiratory virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours. Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.html" target="_blank">according to the CDC</a>.he measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing infection and severe cases. The first shot is recommended for children ages 12 to 15 months, and the second for ages 4 to 6 years.“We don’t want to see New Mexicans getting sick or dying from measles,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, the deputy state epidemiologist. “The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is the best protection against this serious disease.”

2nd suspected measles death reported in US outbreak

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 — The lunch rush in downtown Topeka’s restaurants and cafés hasn’t been the same since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Seth Wagoner, an investment executive.

Thousands of state employees who once worked in office buildings in Kansas’ capital and frequented downtown businesses for lunch and happy hour now work from home all or part of the time. They could be called back to the office under proposed legislation.

At a Thursday hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, legislators considered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb256/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 256</a>, or the “back to work act.” Wagoner, the CEO of private equity firm AIM Strategies, said in testimony that at some lunch hotspots in downtown Topeka, business is still down by 10% from pre-pandemic times, accounting for inflation.

He was the one proponent to speak, and five state employees, testifying as private citizens, spoke against the bill.

One employee, Frances Dewell, who works in the protection report center within Kansas Department for Children and Families, which fields calls related to suspected abuse and neglect, said mandating state workers back to the office full time risks losing at least a quarter of their staff.

“Yes, state workers could return to a pre-COVID office setting,” Dewell said. “However, the changes that have developed over the last five years have compelled us to evolve.”

A virtual work culture has developed in her workplace and allowed prioritization of employee growth and well-being, she said.

A 2023 report from the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit examining 81 state executive branch agencies found that 30% of state workers work from home all or part of the time.

Of the state’s roughly 18,000 employees, the estimated 5,500 who work remotely under a telework agreement, the state’s official term for working from home full-time or on a hybrid schedule involving remote and in-office work, would be required to return to office buildings full-time with some exceptions. Agency heads would be allowed to offer exemptions to employees with atypical work hours, positions that don’t reasonably require in-office work and if office space constraints would mean added costs to accommodate a return to work mandate.

In smaller agencies that have around 100 employees or fewer, most or all of them telework, according to the data from spring 2023. That includes the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Sentencing Commission, the state board of optometry examiners and the board of mortuary arts. It also includes the Kansas Board of Regents, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

In the largest agencies, the popularity of remote work varies. In the Kansas Department for Children and Families, 85% of employees engaged in some form of remote work as of April 2023. At the Kansas Department of Transportation, which employed more than 2,100 people at the same time, around 14% had telework agreements. More than half of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s roughly 1,500 employees worked remotely.

“Telework is viewed as a benefit by many state employees,” said Adam Proffitt, speaking on behalf of the Department of Administration, which includes Gov. Laura Kelly’s office.

Proffitt, who shared that he often works from home one day a week usually when the Legislature is not in session, told legislators that the state offers a template for agencies that dictates the roles eligible for telework and the number of days employees can work remotely. He said telework can be a tool to attract and retain employees, and “can actually expand our radius of talent,” by hiring employees who don’t live in Topeka or cannot commute.

The department of administration will be required under the bill to create a report for the government efficiency committee listing state agencies granting exceptions to the mandate, the number of exceptions granted, the job descriptions or titles associated with each exception, the number and costs of buildings leased by each agency and the number of state employees assigned to a physical office space but working remotely.

However, concerns for state employees with disabilities arose in the Thursday hearing because of the job description or title reporting requirement. Employees with disabilities could be identifiable in smaller agencies, a violation of legal protections including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Martha Gabehart, the executive director of the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, said in written testimony that the mandate would be out of sync with Kansas’ reputation as a model employer for people with disabilities.

“By creating a policy that would, if not implemented correctly, violate the rights of employees with disabilities, we would no longer be considered a model employer,” she said.

A back to work mandate would be costly to the state, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill. The health department estimates the change would cost the state a combined $1.3 million over the next two fiscal years. More than 160 of the department’s employees are fully remote, and office space for them does not currently exist. Several other agencies noted increased costs associated with finding new office space for returning employees and the possibility of employees resigning if the back to work act is implemented. Agencies including the Department of Corrections noted no or minimal cost increases because the majority of their employees have returned to in-person work.

The bill is awaiting final approval in the Senate committee and has yet to be introduced in the House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741373059207.png" alt="Adam Proffitt, Secretary of the Department of Administration and the state budget director, addressing Kansas legislators on Jan. 16, 2025. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Adam Proffitt, Secretary of the Department of Administration and the state budget director, addressing Kansas legislators on Jan. 16, 2025. (Tim Carpenter/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 — The lunch rush in downtown Topeka’s restaurants and cafés hasn’t been the same since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Seth Wagoner, an investment executive.Thousands of state employees who once worked in office buildings in Kansas’ capital and frequented downtown businesses for lunch and happy hour now work from home all or part of the time. They could be called back to the office under proposed legislation.At a Thursday hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, legislators considered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb256/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 256</a>, or the “back to work act.” Wagoner, the CEO of private equity firm AIM Strategies, said in testimony that at some lunch hotspots in downtown Topeka, business is still down by 10% from pre-pandemic times, accounting for inflation.He was the one proponent to speak, and five state employees, testifying as private citizens, spoke against the bill.One employee, Frances Dewell, who works in the protection report center within Kansas Department for Children and Families, which fields calls related to suspected abuse and neglect, said mandating state workers back to the office full time risks losing at least a quarter of their staff.“Yes, state workers could return to a pre-COVID office setting,” Dewell said. “However, the changes that have developed over the last five years have compelled us to evolve.”A virtual work culture has developed in her workplace and allowed prioritization of employee growth and well-being, she said.A 2023 report from the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit examining 81 state executive branch agencies found that 30% of state workers work from home all or part of the time.Of the state’s roughly 18,000 employees, the estimated 5,500 who work remotely under a telework agreement, the state’s official term for working from home full-time or on a hybrid schedule involving remote and in-office work, would be required to return to office buildings full-time with some exceptions. Agency heads would be allowed to offer exemptions to employees with atypical work hours, positions that don’t reasonably require in-office work and if office space constraints would mean added costs to accommodate a return to work mandate.In smaller agencies that have around 100 employees or fewer, most or all of them telework, according to the data from spring 2023. That includes the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Sentencing Commission, the state board of optometry examiners and the board of mortuary arts. It also includes the Kansas Board of Regents, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.In the largest agencies, the popularity of remote work varies. In the Kansas Department for Children and Families, 85% of employees engaged in some form of remote work as of April 2023. At the Kansas Department of Transportation, which employed more than 2,100 people at the same time, around 14% had telework agreements. More than half of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s roughly 1,500 employees worked remotely.“Telework is viewed as a benefit by many state employees,” said Adam Proffitt, speaking on behalf of the Department of Administration, which includes Gov. Laura Kelly’s office.Proffitt, who shared that he often works from home one day a week usually when the Legislature is not in session, told legislators that the state offers a template for agencies that dictates the roles eligible for telework and the number of days employees can work remotely. He said telework can be a tool to attract and retain employees, and “can actually expand our radius of talent,” by hiring employees who don’t live in Topeka or cannot commute.The department of administration will be required under the bill to create a report for the government efficiency committee listing state agencies granting exceptions to the mandate, the number of exceptions granted, the job descriptions or titles associated with each exception, the number and costs of buildings leased by each agency and the number of state employees assigned to a physical office space but working remotely.However, concerns for state employees with disabilities arose in the Thursday hearing because of the job description or title reporting requirement. Employees with disabilities could be identifiable in smaller agencies, a violation of legal protections including the Americans with Disabilities Act.Martha Gabehart, the executive director of the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, said in written testimony that the mandate would be out of sync with Kansas’ reputation as a model employer for people with disabilities.“By creating a policy that would, if not implemented correctly, violate the rights of employees with disabilities, we would no longer be considered a model employer,” she said.A back to work mandate would be costly to the state, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill. The health department estimates the change would cost the state a combined $1.3 million over the next two fiscal years. More than 160 of the department’s employees are fully remote, and office space for them does not currently exist. Several other agencies noted increased costs associated with finding new office space for returning employees and the possibility of employees resigning if the back to work act is implemented. Agencies including the Department of Corrections noted no or minimal cost increases because the majority of their employees have returned to in-person work.The bill is awaiting final approval in the Senate committee and has yet to be introduced in the House.

Kansas ‘back to work act’ would force state employees to return to offices

The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman accused of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. According to a social medi report from the sheriff's office, deputies&nbsp;located and arrested 22-year-old Nevaeh Ann Thompson.

At approximately 3:00 a.m. Sunday, a Sedgwick County Deputy conducted a traffic stop near Lincoln and Rock Road. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Thompson. During the stop, Thompson informed the deputy that she might have outstanding warrants for her arrest. Before she could be taken into custody, Thompson quickly jumped back into her vehicle in an attempt to flee.

The deputy followed her into the vehicle, trying to prevent her escape. However, Thompson managed to shift the car into drive and sped away, dragging the deputy a short distance.

The deputy sustained minor injuries during the incident but is expected to make a full recovery. Thompson’s vehicle was later found abandoned in the 7300 block of E. Indianapolis. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence shows Thompson running from the vehicle. As of 8p.m. Sunday, she had not been located.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741371903644.png" alt="Thompson photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Thompson photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman accused of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. According to a social medi report from the sheriff's office, deputies&nbsp;located and arrested 22-year-old Nevaeh Ann Thompson.At approximately 3:00 a.m. Sunday, a Sedgwick County Deputy conducted a traffic stop near Lincoln and Rock Road. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Thompson. During the stop, Thompson informed the deputy that she might have outstanding warrants for her arrest. Before she could be taken into custody, Thompson quickly jumped back into her vehicle in an attempt to flee.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740967523593.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The deputy followed her into the vehicle, trying to prevent her escape. However, Thompson managed to shift the car into drive and sped away, dragging the deputy a short distance.The deputy sustained minor injuries during the incident but is expected to make a full recovery. Thompson’s vehicle was later found abandoned in the 7300 block of E. Indianapolis. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence shows Thompson running from the vehicle. As of 8p.m. Sunday, she had not been located.

Sheriff: Woman who dragged Kan. deputy after traffic stop is in custody

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in locating two suspects involved in a robbery.

At about 12:26 a.m. on March 1, Hays Police responded to a report of possible aggravated battery in the 500 block of West 7th St. in the back alley of Chucks, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said.

A Hays man was allegedly accosted at gunpoint by two male suspects and taken to an area between houses, where he was physically assaulted and pistol-whipped.

Scheibler said the man was allegedly stripped of his clothing, except for his underwear, and robbed of his wallet and phone.

Twenty-year-old Roqua James Fleenor of Hays is wanted for alleged aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.

Twenty-six-year-old Isaiah Tai Simpson of Hays is wanted for allegedly aiding and abetting in aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, and interference with law enforcement.

Both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. Scheibler cautions the public from approaching the suspects.

If the public has any information about the robbery or the suspects' locations, please call the Hays Police Department at (785) 625-1030 and request to speak to Detective Scott Heimann.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741358029777.jpeg" alt="Wanted suspect Roqua James Fleenor (Hays Police Department believe the right photo is the most accurate of how he looks today)" />
 <figcaption>Wanted suspect Roqua James Fleenor (Hays Police Department believe the right photo is the most accurate of how he looks today)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Hays Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in locating two suspects involved in a robbery.At about 12:26 a.m. on March 1, Hays Police responded to a report of possible aggravated battery in the 500 block of West 7th St. in the back alley of Chucks, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said.A Hays man was allegedly accosted at gunpoint by two male suspects and taken to an area between houses, where he was physically assaulted and pistol-whipped.Scheibler said the man was allegedly stripped of his clothing, except for his underwear, and robbed of his wallet and phone.Twenty-year-old Roqua James Fleenor of Hays is wanted for alleged aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.Twenty-six-year-old Isaiah Tai Simpson of Hays is wanted for allegedly aiding and abetting in aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, and interference with law enforcement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741357826276.png" alt="-Wanted suspect Isaiah Tai Simpson " />
 <figcaption>-Wanted suspect Isaiah Tai Simpson </figcaption>
 </figure>Both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. Scheibler cautions the public from approaching the suspects.If the public has any information about the robbery or the suspects' locations, please call the Hays Police Department at (785) 625-1030 and request to speak to Detective Scott Heimann.

Police: Wanted NW Kan. robbery suspects  considered armed, dangerous

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man found guilty of killing&nbsp;23-year-old Deniq Ingram, his step-daughter turned common law wife, is scheduled for sentencing before&nbsp;Judge Tyler Roush Friday afternoon.

In January, a jury found 42-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Larry Ingram</a>, Wichita guilty of unintentional reckless murder and violation of a protection order, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 22, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 7700 block of E. 32nd Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located Deniq Ingram of Wichita with a gunshot wound to her upper torso area. She was transported to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The suspect, identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Ingram,&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;was on the scene and taken into custody.&nbsp;

In December, in a separate case,&nbsp; a jury convicted Ingram on seven counts of rape, two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated assault, battery, criminal sodomy, aggravated incest, and three counts of aggravated intimidation of a witness, according to the district attorney's office. The crimes occurred between 2014 and 2018, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741346342850.png" alt="Ingram -photo Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Ingram -photo Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man found guilty of killing&nbsp;23-year-old Deniq Ingram, his step-daughter turned common law wife, is scheduled for sentencing before&nbsp;Judge Tyler Roush Friday afternoon.In January, a jury found 42-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Larry Ingram</a>, Wichita guilty of unintentional reckless murder and violation of a protection order, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 22, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 7700 block of E. 32nd Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders located Deniq Ingram of Wichita with a gunshot wound to her upper torso area. She was transported to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.The suspect, identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Ingram,&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;was on the scene and taken into custody.&nbsp;In December, in a separate case,&nbsp; a jury convicted Ingram on seven counts of rape, two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated assault, battery, criminal sodomy, aggravated incest, and three counts of aggravated intimidation of a witness, according to the district attorney's office. The crimes occurred between 2014 and 2018, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.

Sentencing Day: Kansas sex offender killed common-law wife

WASHINGTON —The teen recognized by President Trump during the Address to Congress&nbsp; has a connection to Kansas.

On Tuesday night, at President Trump’s direction, Secret Service Director Sean Curran presented&nbsp;<a href="https://www.police1.com/police-heroes/articles/10-year-old-boy-with-terminal-cancer-to-be-sworn-into-668th-le-agency-Ewjl2Y7NbXDyCOgm/">Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel</a>&nbsp;with an honorary badge. Daniel, who has battled brain cancer since he was 6-year-old, became the youngest ever Secret Service agent

In 2022, McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden and his FBI National Academy (Class #284) swore in DJ as an Honorary McPherson Police Officer.

"When DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer, doctors gave him just 6 months to live, but this warrior is finding a way to beat the odds!" Chief Golden wrote on the department social media page.&nbsp;"Congratulations DJ, we are very proud of you, keep fighting, our thoughts and prayers are always with you! "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741354560810.png" alt="DJ and his father in the Oval Office Wednesday-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>DJ and his father in the Oval Office Wednesday-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The teen recognized by President Trump during the Address to Congress&nbsp; has a connection to Kansas.On Tuesday night, at President Trump’s direction, Secret Service Director Sean Curran presented&nbsp;<a href="https://www.police1.com/police-heroes/articles/10-year-old-boy-with-terminal-cancer-to-be-sworn-into-668th-le-agency-Ewjl2Y7NbXDyCOgm/">Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel</a>&nbsp;with an honorary badge. Daniel, who has battled brain cancer since he was 6-year-old, became the youngest ever Secret Service agent<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741354457629.png" alt="Daniel and McPherson Police Chief Golden in 2022- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Daniel and McPherson Police Chief Golden in 2022- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In 2022, McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden and his FBI National Academy (Class #284) swore in DJ as an Honorary McPherson Police Officer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741354866643.png" alt="Image courtesy White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy White House video</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Tonight, DJ Daniel, we are going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service.” –President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/JG38AUYMqj">pic.twitter.com/JG38AUYMqj</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1897331345413820795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"When DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer, doctors gave him just 6 months to live, but this warrior is finding a way to beat the odds!" Chief Golden wrote on the department social media page.&nbsp;"Congratulations DJ, we are very proud of you, keep fighting, our thoughts and prayers are always with you! "

Teen recognized by President Trump has Kansas connection

JEFFERSON CITY Mo, – On Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent a letter to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk, calling for an immediate investigation into the nearly $5 billion worth of planned waste in federal loan guarantee to be awarded to the Grain Belt Express (GBE) project — a scheme Attorney General Bailey describes as one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory, according to a media release from Bailey's office.

The Grain Belt Express project proposes constructing massive transmission lines across Missouri farmland to transport wind-generated energy from Kansas to other states. The project has sparked widespread outrage among Missouri farmers and landowners whose properties face confiscation through the unjust use of eminent domain.

“In the waning, chaotic days of the Biden Administration — when the former president’s mental decline had grown to such a severe state that we now know he was not actually running his own White House and often signed documents without even knowing what they contained — left-wing bureaucrats seized the opportunity to advance their radical ‘green agenda,'”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey.&nbsp;“In the shadows of this confusion, far-left deep staters advanced a $4.9 billion green energy federal loan guarantee boondoggle to bankroll the Grain Belt Express (GBE), one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory.”

Attorney General Bailey emphasized that the project is less about renewable energy and more about lining the pockets of wealthy investors. “This so-called renewable energy project is nothing more than a government-sponsored land grab disguised as environmentalism. Missouri farmers — the backbone of our state and nation — now face the prospect of watching their lands carved apart, all to satisfy the greed of private investors.”

The letter highlights that the GBE project has initiated nearly&nbsp;40 eminent domain proceedings&nbsp;against Missouri landowners, threatening to strip hard-working citizens of their property rights to benefit out-of-state corporations.

“We will not stand by while Missouri families are steamrolled by out-of-state interests and unelected bureaucrats pushing a radical green agenda,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Attorney General Bailey. “I urge DOGE to immediately investigate and cancel federal funding for the nearly $5 billion in waste from the GBE, putting an end to this shameful legacy of the Biden Administration—a legacy defined by incompetence, corruption, and blatant disregard for American property rights. Missouri farmers, taxpayers, and the American people deserve better.”

The Attorney General’s office remains committed to defending Missouri citizens from government overreach and ensuring federal funds are used in the best interest of the people, not private investors.

A full copy of the letter can be viewed&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=964fcab12c&amp;e=fe147aceeb__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!CJo7cSvAIA2NcrqCBESSpR4VztkW3r6-71FtFLTmu5FvVFMwCJrvykg6j8pHn5mI2r8zkNxmF7ecCN61NXe1JDjxRg$">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739195184098.png" alt="The Grain Belt Express is designed to carry 5,000 megawatts of electricity to the eastern half of the country. It would connect solar and wind farms in the Midwest to cities in the East, eventually contributing power to 3.1 million homes (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption>The Grain Belt Express is designed to carry 5,000 megawatts of electricity to the eastern half of the country. It would connect solar and wind farms in the Midwest to cities in the East, eventually contributing power to 3.1 million homes (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY Mo, – On Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent a letter to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk, calling for an immediate investigation into the nearly $5 billion worth of planned waste in federal loan guarantee to be awarded to the Grain Belt Express (GBE) project — a scheme Attorney General Bailey describes as one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory, according to a media release from Bailey's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741308223484.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Grain Belt Express project proposes constructing massive transmission lines across Missouri farmland to transport wind-generated energy from Kansas to other states. The project has sparked widespread outrage among Missouri farmers and landowners whose properties face confiscation through the unjust use of eminent domain.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598444309811.png" alt="Map of Grain Belt Express across Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Map of Grain Belt Express across Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>“In the waning, chaotic days of the Biden Administration — when the former president’s mental decline had grown to such a severe state that we now know he was not actually running his own White House and often signed documents without even knowing what they contained — left-wing bureaucrats seized the opportunity to advance their radical ‘green agenda,'”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey.&nbsp;“In the shadows of this confusion, far-left deep staters advanced a $4.9 billion green energy federal loan guarantee boondoggle to bankroll the Grain Belt Express (GBE), one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory.”Attorney General Bailey emphasized that the project is less about renewable energy and more about lining the pockets of wealthy investors. “This so-called renewable energy project is nothing more than a government-sponsored land grab disguised as environmentalism. Missouri farmers — the backbone of our state and nation — now face the prospect of watching their lands carved apart, all to satisfy the greed of private investors.”The letter highlights that the GBE project has initiated nearly&nbsp;40 eminent domain proceedings&nbsp;against Missouri landowners, threatening to strip hard-working citizens of their property rights to benefit out-of-state corporations.“We will not stand by while Missouri families are steamrolled by out-of-state interests and unelected bureaucrats pushing a radical green agenda,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Attorney General Bailey. “I urge DOGE to immediately investigate and cancel federal funding for the nearly $5 billion in waste from the GBE, putting an end to this shameful legacy of the Biden Administration—a legacy defined by incompetence, corruption, and blatant disregard for American property rights. Missouri farmers, taxpayers, and the American people deserve better.”The Attorney General’s office remains committed to defending Missouri citizens from government overreach and ensuring federal funds are used in the best interest of the people, not private investors.A full copy of the letter can be viewed&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=964fcab12c&amp;e=fe147aceeb__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!CJo7cSvAIA2NcrqCBESSpR4VztkW3r6-71FtFLTmu5FvVFMwCJrvykg6j8pHn5mI2r8zkNxmF7ecCN61NXe1JDjxRg$">here</a>.

Mo. AG calls on DOGE to investigate $5 Billion waste in Grain Belt Express project

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victims as 45-year-old Matthew Weimer and 44-year-old Holly Weimer, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of North Madison on a check the welfare call for service.

Officers were directed to a home on North Madison and located the victims suffering from a gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced deceased on scene.

This is now being investigated as murder, suicide according to DiMartino

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741348099683.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victims as 45-year-old Matthew Weimer and 44-year-old Holly Weimer, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of North Madison on a check the welfare call for service.Officers were directed to a home on North Madison and located the victims suffering from a gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced deceased on scene.This is now being investigated as murder, suicide according to DiMartino

Police ID man and woman found dead in Kansas City home

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement across the state continue to report drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.

On Thursday morning during work and school morning traffic, not on a highway, it was on a city street in Bel Aire between Woodlawn and Rock Road on 53rd St. N., according to Bel Aire Police.

This driver was initially observed on radar traveling at 102 mph in a posted 40 mph zone. The officer locked the speed at 99 mph. The driver was late for school. 

"This is not an excuse to be driving that fast on a city street or any street/highway to begin with. Obey the speed limit and avoid a costly citation, trip to jail, or worse."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741308581388.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement across the state continue to report drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.On Thursday morning during work and school morning traffic, not on a highway, it was on a city street in Bel Aire between Woodlawn and Rock Road on 53rd St. N., according to Bel Aire Police.This driver was initially observed on radar traveling at 102 mph in a posted 40 mph zone. The officer locked the speed at 99 mph. The driver was late for school. "This is not an excuse to be driving that fast on a city street or any street/highway to begin with. Obey the speed limit and avoid a costly citation, trip to jail, or worse."

Police: Kan. driver late for school clocked at 102mph in a 40mph zone

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not his fault.

Billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;is telling Republican lawmakers that he is not to blame for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712">firings of thousands of federal workers</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-veterans-fired-1032360fdc6b2fb33d88edaf8f54d5ca">veterans</a>, as pushes to downsize the government. Instead, he said in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-cuts-congress-5f2101c129924c9d416437aca05e1e11">private talks this week</a>&nbsp;that those decisions are left to the various federal agencies.

The message from one of President Donald Trump’s most influential advisers came as Republicans publicly support Musk’s work at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-federal-job-cuts-congressional-districts-data-5d79e2a7ef2160166b0bee59dfa4e9e2">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;digging up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">waste, fraud and abuse</a>, but are privately raising questions as personnel cuts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-science-medicine-research-cancer-funding-university-0ef3fa47694784e47b0ecd51680410ba">ripple through communities across the nation</a>.

“Elon doesn’t fire people,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., after a dinner-time pizza meeting with Musk in the basement of the Capitol.

“He doesn’t have hiring and firing authority,” added Hudson, who leads the House Republicans’ campaign arm. “The president’s empowered him to go uncover this information, that’s it.”

It’s a remarkable shift of emphasis away from the chainsaw-wielding tech entrepreneur whose vast power has made him an admired, revered and deeply feared figure in the second Trump administration.

The Republican president weighed in Thursday after a Cabinet meeting, saying he has instructed department secretaries to work with DOGE but to “be very precise” about which workers will stay or go — using a “‘scalpel’” he said in a social media post “rather than the ‘hatchet.”

“I don’t want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut,“ Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump suggested that Cabinet and agency leaders would take the lead, but Musk could push harder down the line.

“If they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”

He had said in the earlier post that Musk and Cabinet officials will meet every two weeks to advance their cost-cutting goals.

The comments come amid mounting legal disputes over Musk’s attempts to centralize management of the government workforce and bypass the traditional role of Congress to appropriate federal dollars.

For example, the White House’s Office of Personnel Management directed federal agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-layoffs-doge-406752da1614755b8fabe9c94e0c71a8">to fire probationary workers</a>, who lack full civil service protection. The scorched-earth approach led to deep cuts that have occasionally been reversed, such as when workers on nuclear weapons programs were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-doge-firings-trump-federal-916e6819104f04f44c345b7dde4904d5">brought back on the job.</a>

A federal judge in San Francisco expressed concerns that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-employees-firings-a85d1aaf1088e050d39dcf7e3664bb9f">layoffs violated the law</a>, leading administration officials to insist that it was individual agencies — not Musk or the Office of Personnel Management — calling the shots.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said Musk told lawmakers that “some of the folks that were the probationary people, he didn’t fire them, they were actually supposedly fired by the agencies —and they messed up.”

Did Musk actually say “they messed up?”

“Well, if they were in fact, you know, critical people, and the agency did the firing, then yeah, they messed up,” Gimenez said. “But not him.”

Musk and his team have burrowed into agencies, accessing sensitive data and rattling career officials with their demands. Top officials, including at the Social Security Administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-elon-musk-doge-164c91f8477d5e7833af7f6de4bbde57">abruptly stepped down</a>&nbsp;after refusing to comply with Musk’s team. Tens of thousands of workers accepted an offer to resign early and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">more are facing potential layoffs.</a>

“We’re making good progress,” Musk said late Wednesday as he dashed through the halls of the Capitol.

The richest person in the world, Musk is known as a driven, demanding executive who is willing to take bold risks, often with great rewards. His enterprises include the rocket company SpaceX, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and social media platform X, known the world over.

But his perch at DOGE is Musk’s first public foray into the grit of governing. The speed and scale of the cuts, which are being challenged in dozens of court cases, are introducing businessman to the concept of political blowback.

When the topic of the fired federal workers came up during a Senate lunch, Musk deflected blame.

“I would say that there was an argument that that’s not coming from DOGE, it’s actually coming from individual agencies,” said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Another Republican, Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky, said that Musk went so far as to emphasize that not only had DOGE not recommended mass termination of probationary employees, but that he thought some federal agencies were either incompetent or sabotaging the effort. Musk told them he wanted more precise terminations of those not performing.

“The point that he was making is that DOGE had not made recommendations for across-the-board cuts of all probationary employees at every agency,” Barr said.

“But the agencies had implemented it improperly through either incompetence or in a handful of cases actual malicious efforts to sabotage and create a public relations problem for DOGE.”

In fact, scores of fired workers are being recalled back to work across the federal agencies. This week, about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-reinstatements-c1f0b33d677e5a02a4df1210b82ca930">180 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;were being told they could come back, in an email that said: “Read this email immediately.”

Musk was invited to Capitol Hill this week by Trump’s allies and party leaders to provide more information to lawmakers facing questions about the DOGE cuts. Many Republicans are being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/town-halls-musk-doge-trump-gop-749d91ea516284057e4c7bcb1615527e">hammered at town halls</a>&nbsp;back home, so much so that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has encouraged them to meet with constituents in other venues.

Musk gave his cellphone number to the senators –- though not the members of the House –- and his team is setting up a dedicated phone line the lawmakers can call if they have further questions, complaints or suggestions about his work, and about jobs and agencies that should be spared.

Democrats, and their allies in outside advocacy groups, have been highlighting the way the cutbacks will hurt Americans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741308398885.png" alt="Musk met with Trump Cabinet secretaries Thursday -Photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Musk met with Trump Cabinet secretaries Thursday -Photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not his fault.Billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;is telling Republican lawmakers that he is not to blame for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712">firings of thousands of federal workers</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-veterans-fired-1032360fdc6b2fb33d88edaf8f54d5ca">veterans</a>, as pushes to downsize the government. Instead, he said in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-cuts-congress-5f2101c129924c9d416437aca05e1e11">private talks this week</a>&nbsp;that those decisions are left to the various federal agencies.The message from one of President Donald Trump’s most influential advisers came as Republicans publicly support Musk’s work at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-federal-job-cuts-congressional-districts-data-5d79e2a7ef2160166b0bee59dfa4e9e2">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;digging up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">waste, fraud and abuse</a>, but are privately raising questions as personnel cuts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-science-medicine-research-cancer-funding-university-0ef3fa47694784e47b0ecd51680410ba">ripple through communities across the nation</a>.“Elon doesn’t fire people,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., after a dinner-time pizza meeting with Musk in the basement of the Capitol.“He doesn’t have hiring and firing authority,” added Hudson, who leads the House Republicans’ campaign arm. “The president’s empowered him to go uncover this information, that’s it.”It’s a remarkable shift of emphasis away from the chainsaw-wielding tech entrepreneur whose vast power has made him an admired, revered and deeply feared figure in the second Trump administration.The Republican president weighed in Thursday after a Cabinet meeting, saying he has instructed department secretaries to work with DOGE but to “be very precise” about which workers will stay or go — using a “‘scalpel’” he said in a social media post “rather than the ‘hatchet.”“I don’t want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut,“ Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office.Trump suggested that Cabinet and agency leaders would take the lead, but Musk could push harder down the line.“If they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”He had said in the earlier post that Musk and Cabinet officials will meet every two weeks to advance their cost-cutting goals.The comments come amid mounting legal disputes over Musk’s attempts to centralize management of the government workforce and bypass the traditional role of Congress to appropriate federal dollars.For example, the White House’s Office of Personnel Management directed federal agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-layoffs-doge-406752da1614755b8fabe9c94e0c71a8">to fire probationary workers</a>, who lack full civil service protection. The scorched-earth approach led to deep cuts that have occasionally been reversed, such as when workers on nuclear weapons programs were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-doge-firings-trump-federal-916e6819104f04f44c345b7dde4904d5">brought back on the job.</a>A federal judge in San Francisco expressed concerns that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-employees-firings-a85d1aaf1088e050d39dcf7e3664bb9f">layoffs violated the law</a>, leading administration officials to insist that it was individual agencies — not Musk or the Office of Personnel Management — calling the shots.Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said Musk told lawmakers that “some of the folks that were the probationary people, he didn’t fire them, they were actually supposedly fired by the agencies —and they messed up.”Did Musk actually say “they messed up?”“Well, if they were in fact, you know, critical people, and the agency did the firing, then yeah, they messed up,” Gimenez said. “But not him.”Musk and his team have burrowed into agencies, accessing sensitive data and rattling career officials with their demands. Top officials, including at the Social Security Administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-elon-musk-doge-164c91f8477d5e7833af7f6de4bbde57">abruptly stepped down</a>&nbsp;after refusing to comply with Musk’s team. Tens of thousands of workers accepted an offer to resign early and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">more are facing potential layoffs.</a>“We’re making good progress,” Musk said late Wednesday as he dashed through the halls of the Capitol.The richest person in the world, Musk is known as a driven, demanding executive who is willing to take bold risks, often with great rewards. His enterprises include the rocket company SpaceX, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and social media platform X, known the world over.But his perch at DOGE is Musk’s first public foray into the grit of governing. The speed and scale of the cuts, which are being challenged in dozens of court cases, are introducing businessman to the concept of political blowback.When the topic of the fired federal workers came up during a Senate lunch, Musk deflected blame.“I would say that there was an argument that that’s not coming from DOGE, it’s actually coming from individual agencies,” said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.Another Republican, Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky, said that Musk went so far as to emphasize that not only had DOGE not recommended mass termination of probationary employees, but that he thought some federal agencies were either incompetent or sabotaging the effort. Musk told them he wanted more precise terminations of those not performing.“The point that he was making is that DOGE had not made recommendations for across-the-board cuts of all probationary employees at every agency,” Barr said.“But the agencies had implemented it improperly through either incompetence or in a handful of cases actual malicious efforts to sabotage and create a public relations problem for DOGE.”In fact, scores of fired workers are being recalled back to work across the federal agencies. This week, about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-reinstatements-c1f0b33d677e5a02a4df1210b82ca930">180 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;were being told they could come back, in an email that said: “Read this email immediately.”Musk was invited to Capitol Hill this week by Trump’s allies and party leaders to provide more information to lawmakers facing questions about the DOGE cuts. Many Republicans are being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/town-halls-musk-doge-trump-gop-749d91ea516284057e4c7bcb1615527e">hammered at town halls</a>&nbsp;back home, so much so that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has encouraged them to meet with constituents in other venues.Musk gave his cellphone number to the senators –- though not the members of the House –- and his team is setting up a dedicated phone line the lawmakers can call if they have further questions, complaints or suggestions about his work, and about jobs and agencies that should be spared.Democrats, and their allies in outside advocacy groups, have been highlighting the way the cutbacks will hurt Americans.On Thursday, 141 House Democrats led by Virginia Rep. Gerald Connolly, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, urged the OPM to reinstate all the probationary employees who have been unlawfully terminated.“We write in strong opposition to the expansion of the Trump Administration’s efforts to purge nonpartisan civil servants from the federal workforce, specifically recent unlawful mass terminations of employees in probationary status,” wrote the lawmakers in a letter to the office’s acting director, Charles Ezell.“Indiscriminately firing thousands of these employees threatens the future of the nonpartisan federal workforce and our government’s ability to deliver life-saving services to the American people.”House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said that if the White House wants to abolish an entire agency such as the Department of Education, “Bring the bill to Congress. We welcome that fight.”Jeffries added: “We’ll stand on the side of the American people, and they’ll continue to stand on the side of Elon Musk.”