NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;'s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, wants to keep grand jury records secret in the sex trafficking case that sent her to prison, her lawyers said Tuesday as prosecutors continued urging a court to release some of those records in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">criminal case-turned-political fireball</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">Maxwell</a>&nbsp;hasn't seen the material herself, her attorneys said — the grand jury process is conducted behind closed doors. But she opposes unsealing what her lawyers described as potentially “hearsay-laden” transcripts of grand jury testimony, which was given in secret and without her lawyers there to challenge it.

“Whatever interest the public may have in Epstein, that interest cannot justify a broad intrusion into grand jury secrecy in a case where the defendant is alive, her legal options are viable and her due process rights remain,” attorneys David O. Markus and Melissa Madrigal wrote.

Government attorneys have been trying to quell a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">clamor for transparency</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-bondi-91f911d2d7a909f78259cdca7b55d9a6">seeking the transcripts' release</a>&nbsp;— though the government also says the public already knows much of what’s in the documents.

Most of the information “was made publicly available at trial or has otherwise been publicly reported through the public statements of victims and witnesses,” prosecutors wrote in court papers Monday. They noted that the disclosures excluded some victims’ and witnesses’ names.

Prosecutors had also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-grand-jury-transcripts-trump-d7b6be64eb7cf79de765d7870069e780">said last week</a>&nbsp;that some of what the grand jurors heard eventually came out at Maxwell’s 2021 trial and in various victims’ lawsuits. There were only two grand jury witnesses, both of them law enforcement officials, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors made clear Monday that they’re seeking to unseal only the transcripts of grand jury witnesses’ testimony, not the exhibits that accompanied it. But they are also working to parse how much of the exhibits also became public record over the years.

While prosecutors have sought to temper expectations about any new revelations from the grand jury proceedings, they aren’t proposing to release&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-bondi-91f911d2d7a909f78259cdca7b55d9a6">a cache of other information</a>&nbsp;the government collected while looking into Epstein.

The transcript faceoff comes six years after authorities said Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a947e0d85d31496eb5bd9ff4994c9718">killed himself</a>&nbsp;while awaiting trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bb41822a39a147ccb03501acf049b58c">sex trafficking charges</a>&nbsp;and four years after Maxwell was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-convicted-jeffrey-epstein-trial-verdict-63a71a2825eab41184a79e37bb967e90">convicted</a>&nbsp;of grooming underage girls to participate in sex acts with him. The British socialite denied the allegations and has appealed her conviction,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-sex-trafficking-conviction-2e090610b579c8313bea7c31174ae0c4">so far unsuccessfully</a>.

Some of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s allies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-their-words-bondi-patel-bongino-70176344eeab6f66e015bc294afbbf59">spent years suggesting there was more to the Epstein saga</a>&nbsp;than met the eye and calling for more disclosures. A few got powerful positions in Trump’s Justice Department — and then faced backlash after it abruptly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3">announced that nothing more would be released</a>&nbsp;and that a long-rumored Epstein “client list” doesn’t exist.

After trying unsuccessfully&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-bondi-bongino-fbi-a143076353acbc1193cb9697e7fc4a90">to change the subject</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supporters-epstein-sex-trafficking-investigation-bondi-47370e63060d79af64b0b8ac70b970a4">denigrating his own supporters</a>&nbsp;for not moving on, the Republican president told Attorney General Pam Bondi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-bondi-91f911d2d7a909f78259cdca7b55d9a6">to ask courts to unseal the grand jury transcripts</a>&nbsp;in the case.

A top Justice Department official, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-justice-department-interview-053ad2ae16f31b9d7300340d5f9349c5">interviewed Maxwell</a>&nbsp;late last month, at the government’s request. Last week, she was moved from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas to continue serving her 20-year sentence. Officials didn’t explain why.

Trump said Tuesday that he didn't know ahead of time about Maxwell's prison transfer and hadn't spoken to Blanche about his conversation with her.

“I think he probably wants to make sure that people should not be involved, or aren’t involved, are not hurt by something that would be very, very unfortunate, very unfair to a lot of people,” Trump said in a news conference Tuesday.

The Epstein uproar also has reached Congress, where the House Oversight Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-trump-congress-subpoena-clintons-a02749e1fe6f0de0c385c7fac186d3ba">subpoenaed the Justice Department</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday for files in the case. The committee also issued subpoenas to conduct sworn questioning of former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and eight former top law enforcement officials.

Bill Clinton, a Democrat, was among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-prince-andrew-bill-clinton-donald-trump-385ccf8d49d337ae4866022877aa9a90">a number of Epstein's famous former friends;</a>&nbsp;so was Trump, a Republican. Both men have said they knew nothing of Epstein's crimes until he was charged, and Epstein's accusers have not alleged any wrongdoing by Trump or Clinton.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704416234390.png" alt="FILE —&nbsp; a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell shown during a news conference, July 2, 2020, in New York.&nbsp; (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE —&nbsp; a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell shown during a news conference, July 2, 2020, in New York.&nbsp; (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;'s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, wants to keep grand jury records secret in the sex trafficking case that sent her to prison, her lawyers said Tuesday as prosecutors continued urging a court to release some of those records in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">criminal case-turned-political fireball</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">Maxwell</a>&nbsp;hasn't seen the material herself, her attorneys said — the grand jury process is conducted behind closed doors. But she opposes unsealing what her lawyers described as potentially “hearsay-laden” transcripts of grand jury testimony, which was given in secret and without her lawyers there to challenge it.“Whatever interest the public may have in Epstein, that interest cannot justify a broad intrusion into grand jury secrecy in a case where the defendant is alive, her legal options are viable and her due process rights remain,” attorneys David O. Markus and Melissa Madrigal wrote.Prosecutors declined to comment.Government attorneys have been trying to quell a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">clamor for transparency</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-bondi-91f911d2d7a909f78259cdca7b55d9a6">seeking the transcripts' release</a>&nbsp;— though the government also says the public already knows much of what’s in the documents.Most of the information “was made publicly available at trial or has otherwise been publicly reported through the public statements of victims and witnesses,” prosecutors wrote in court papers Monday. They noted that the disclosures excluded some victims’ and witnesses’ names.Prosecutors had also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-grand-jury-transcripts-trump-d7b6be64eb7cf79de765d7870069e780">said last week</a>&nbsp;that some of what the grand jurors heard eventually came out at Maxwell’s 2021 trial and in various victims’ lawsuits. There were only two grand jury witnesses, both of them law enforcement officials, prosecutors said.Prosecutors made clear Monday that they’re seeking to unseal only the transcripts of grand jury witnesses’ testimony, not the exhibits that accompanied it. But they are also working to parse how much of the exhibits also became public record over the years.While prosecutors have sought to temper expectations about any new revelations from the grand jury proceedings, they aren’t proposing to release&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-bondi-91f911d2d7a909f78259cdca7b55d9a6">a cache of other information</a>&nbsp;the government collected while looking into Epstein.The transcript faceoff comes six years after authorities said Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/a947e0d85d31496eb5bd9ff4994c9718">killed himself</a>&nbsp;while awaiting trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bb41822a39a147ccb03501acf049b58c">sex trafficking charges</a>&nbsp;and four years after Maxwell was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-convicted-jeffrey-epstein-trial-verdict-63a71a2825eab41184a79e37bb967e90">convicted</a>&nbsp;of grooming underage girls to participate in sex acts with him. The British socialite denied the allegations and has appealed her conviction,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-sex-trafficking-conviction-2e090610b579c8313bea7c31174ae0c4">so far unsuccessfully</a>.Some of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s allies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-their-words-bondi-patel-bongino-70176344eeab6f66e015bc294afbbf59">spent years suggesting there was more to the Epstein saga</a>&nbsp;than met the eye and calling for more disclosures. A few got powerful positions in Trump’s Justice Department — and then faced backlash after it abruptly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3">announced that nothing more would be released</a>&nbsp;and that a long-rumored Epstein “client list” doesn’t exist.After trying unsuccessfully&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-bondi-bongino-fbi-a143076353acbc1193cb9697e7fc4a90">to change the subject</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supporters-epstein-sex-trafficking-investigation-bondi-47370e63060d79af64b0b8ac70b970a4">denigrating his own supporters</a>&nbsp;for not moving on, the Republican president told Attorney General Pam Bondi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-bondi-91f911d2d7a909f78259cdca7b55d9a6">to ask courts to unseal the grand jury transcripts</a>&nbsp;in the case.A top Justice Department official, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-justice-department-interview-053ad2ae16f31b9d7300340d5f9349c5">interviewed Maxwell</a>&nbsp;late last month, at the government’s request. Last week, she was moved from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas to continue serving her 20-year sentence. Officials didn’t explain why.Trump said Tuesday that he didn't know ahead of time about Maxwell's prison transfer and hadn't spoken to Blanche about his conversation with her.“I think he probably wants to make sure that people should not be involved, or aren’t involved, are not hurt by something that would be very, very unfortunate, very unfair to a lot of people,” Trump said in a news conference Tuesday.The Epstein uproar also has reached Congress, where the House Oversight Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-trump-congress-subpoena-clintons-a02749e1fe6f0de0c385c7fac186d3ba">subpoenaed the Justice Department</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday for files in the case. The committee also issued subpoenas to conduct sworn questioning of former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and eight former top law enforcement officials.Bill Clinton, a Democrat, was among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-prince-andrew-bill-clinton-donald-trump-385ccf8d49d337ae4866022877aa9a90">a number of Epstein's famous former friends;</a>&nbsp;so was Trump, a Republican. Both men have said they knew nothing of Epstein's crimes until he was charged, and Epstein's accusers have not alleged any wrongdoing by Trump or Clinton.

New details released in Epstein files drama

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused of killing his mother-in-law in front of his 8-year-old son made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.

&nbsp;Stephen Jacob Rogers was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated endangering a child, and criminal threat in the death of&nbsp;49-year-old Sharmaine Burke, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred late Wednesday night&nbsp;

At 11:32 p.m., July 30, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 49-year-old Sharmaine Marlene Burke, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. Burke reported that her son-in-law, 29-year-old Stephen J. Rogers of Wichita, was drunk and had threatened to shoot her. She also stated that her eight-year-old grandson, Rogers’ son, was inside their home at the time, at the Longbranch Mobile Home Park near Derby.

The 911 call-taker stayed on the line as deputies responded. A few minutes into the call, gunshots were heard, and the line went silent.

Deputies arrived at 11:41 p.m. and found Burke with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. Deputies and Sedgwick County EMS attempted life-saving measures, but Burke succumbed to her injuries at 11:57 p.m.

Rogers and his son were not at the scene when deputies arrived. An immediate search for both the suspect and the child began. Deputies obtained critical information, including a description of Rogers’ vehicle, and shared it with surrounding law enforcement agencies.

At 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, FLOCK camera technology detected Rogers’ vehicle in Augusta. Butler County law enforcement quickly located and stopped the vehicle on U.S. Highway 54 near Haverhill Road. Rogers was arrested and the child was found unharmed inside the vehicle.

Rogers was taken to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigations Division, and was booked into jail.

Deputies and investigators provided immediate resources to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing.

The Sheriff’s Office coordinated with multiple agencies during the investigation. Quick action and cooperation allowed law enforcement to safely locate the child and apprehend the suspect.

As part of the investigation, it was determined that an Amber Alert was not necessary because investigators obtained real-time intelligence on the suspect’s vehicle and used FLOCK technology to track it. Issuing an Amber Alert could have alerted the suspect, increasing the risk to the child and complicating the search.

The process for issuing an alert also involves the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the timeline indicates the alert would have been issued only after the suspect and child were located.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1754002321266.png" alt="Rogers-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Rogers-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused of killing his mother-in-law in front of his 8-year-old son made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.&nbsp;Stephen Jacob Rogers was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated endangering a child, and criminal threat in the death of&nbsp;49-year-old Sharmaine Burke, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754428952134.png" alt="Sharmaine Burke photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Sharmaine Burke photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred late Wednesday night&nbsp;At 11:32 p.m., July 30, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 49-year-old Sharmaine Marlene Burke, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. Burke reported that her son-in-law, 29-year-old Stephen J. Rogers of Wichita, was drunk and had threatened to shoot her. She also stated that her eight-year-old grandson, Rogers’ son, was inside their home at the time, at the Longbranch Mobile Home Park near Derby.The 911 call-taker stayed on the line as deputies responded. A few minutes into the call, gunshots were heard, and the line went silent.Deputies arrived at 11:41 p.m. and found Burke with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. Deputies and Sedgwick County EMS attempted life-saving measures, but Burke succumbed to her injuries at 11:57 p.m.Rogers and his son were not at the scene when deputies arrived. An immediate search for both the suspect and the child began. Deputies obtained critical information, including a description of Rogers’ vehicle, and shared it with surrounding law enforcement agencies.At 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, FLOCK camera technology detected Rogers’ vehicle in Augusta. Butler County law enforcement quickly located and stopped the vehicle on U.S. Highway 54 near Haverhill Road. Rogers was arrested and the child was found unharmed inside the vehicle.Rogers was taken to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigations Division, and was booked into jail.Deputies and investigators provided immediate resources to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing.The Sheriff’s Office coordinated with multiple agencies during the investigation. Quick action and cooperation allowed law enforcement to safely locate the child and apprehend the suspect.As part of the investigation, it was determined that an Amber Alert was not necessary because investigators obtained real-time intelligence on the suspect’s vehicle and used FLOCK technology to track it. Issuing an Amber Alert could have alerted the suspect, increasing the risk to the child and complicating the search.The process for issuing an alert also involves the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the timeline indicates the alert would have been issued only after the suspect and child were located.

Kan. man accused of killing his mother-in-law faces a judge

Ever since the NFL announced it was looking to sell NFL Network and other media assets, ESPN had been seen as one of the favorites to make a deal.

Nearly five years later, a framework is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-media-nfl-network-espn-7651546c42276b8691fb4ba522c75892">finally in place</a>.

The NFL announced Tuesday night that it has entered into a nonbinding agreement with ESPN. Under the terms, ESPN will acquire NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.

The league and ESPN still have to negotiate a final agreement and get approval from NFL owners. The agreement will also have to undergo regulatory approvals.

“Sometimes great things take a long time to get to the point where it’s right. And we both feel that it is at this stage,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a call with The Associated Press.

Along with the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN will have a second nonbinding agreement where the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property that can be used by NFL Network and other assets that have been purchased.

“We have been talking about it in earnest for the last few years. But interestingly enough, we started talking about this over a decade ago but nothing really ended up happening. And we got back at it when I came back to Disney after my retirement,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a call with the AP.

ESPN is expected to launch its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/espn-streaming-sportscenter-app-ec2b43ab06a2e1a874894486c8102434">direct-to-consumer service</a>&nbsp;before the end of September. The service would give cord-cutters access to all ESPN programs and networks for $29.99 per month. The addition of more NFL programming increases the value.

Many viewers will receive the service for free as part of their subscription to cable, satellite and most streaming services.

“When I came back to Disney and assessed essentially the future of ESPN, it became clear that ESPN had to launch a bigger and more robust and digital or direct-to-consumer product, not only for the sake of ESPN’s business, but for the sports fan,” Iger said. “And obviously, when you start thinking about high-quality sports content, your eyes immediately head in the direction of the NFL because there’s really nothing more valuable and more popular than that.”

NFL Network — which has nearly 50 million subscribers — would be owned and operated by ESPN and would be included in ESPN's direct-to-consumer product.

The NFL RedZone channel would be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite operators. However, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the channel as well as retain the rights to distribute the channel digitally. ESPN would also get rights to the RedZone brand, meaning RedZone channels for college football and basketball or other sports could be coming in the future.

NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, giving ESPN the official fantasy football game of the league.

NFL Network will still air seven games per season. Four of ESPN's games, including some that are in overlapping windows on Monday nights, would move to NFL Network. ESPN will license three additional games that will be carried on NFL Network.

The league gets a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Aidan O'Connor, a senior vice president at the Prosek Partners marketing firm, estimates the value of that would be $2.2 billion to $2.5 billion.

ESPN is currently 80% owned by ABC Inc. as an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The other 20% is owned by Hearst. Once the deal is official and approved, the breakdown of ESPN will be 72% ABC Inc., 18% Hearst and 10% NFL.

This isn't the first time the league has had an equity stake in a digital or communications business. It had that in the past with Sirius Satellite Radio and SportsLine. The NFL could also have equity in the newly formed “Paramount Skydance Corporation,” which owns CBS, due to the league's partnership with Skydance.

“This is new as far as a partner now operating a business that we built, ran and grew," said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution. "It’ll also be a little bit new again with some of the dynamics here, but we’ll continue to balance that in a really arm’s length way where we’ll think about how we manage and work across to all our partners.”

The league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the official websites of the 32 teams, the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST Channel (a free ad-supported streaming channel).

“The moves align with the NFL’s longstanding ambition to reach $25 billion in annual revenue by 2027 — a target first set in 2010, when league revenue stood at approximately $8.5 billion,” O’Connor said. “Financially, the move also signals to investors that ESPN is doubling down on differentiation and content stickiness by offering a scarce and premium product in a crowded marketplace. Intentionally ceding equity to the NFL transforms ESPN from a media licensee into a true platform partner — with few properties rivaling the league in terms of cultural significance, appointment viewing, audience reach, and monetization efficiency."

Viewers will likely not see any immediate impacts until next year once everything is approved.

Besides ESPN, the biggest winner in this could be NFL Network, which had seen reductions in original programming the past couple years. “Total Access,” the network's flagship show since its launch in 2003, ended in May 2024 amid a series of layoffs and cost-cutting moves. “Good Morning Football” also moved from New York, where it had been since its start in 2016, to Southern California last year.

NFL Network moved to a broadcast facility across the street from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in 2021.

“The thing that’s exciting for us is that we have put a lot into the network. I think it’s been very effective for fans. We know it’s in good hands,” Goodell said. “They’re innovative, they recognize great production and know how to produce it. They will do a fantastic job of operating the network and taking it to another level.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754488534841.jpeg" alt="ESPN Monday Night Football TV camera is seen during the second half of an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, File)" />
 <figcaption>ESPN Monday Night Football TV camera is seen during the second half of an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOE REEDY AP Sports WriterEver since the NFL announced it was looking to sell NFL Network and other media assets, ESPN had been seen as one of the favorites to make a deal.Nearly five years later, a framework is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-media-nfl-network-espn-7651546c42276b8691fb4ba522c75892">finally in place</a>.The NFL announced Tuesday night that it has entered into a nonbinding agreement with ESPN. Under the terms, ESPN will acquire NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.The league and ESPN still have to negotiate a final agreement and get approval from NFL owners. The agreement will also have to undergo regulatory approvals.“Sometimes great things take a long time to get to the point where it’s right. And we both feel that it is at this stage,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a call with The Associated Press.Along with the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN will have a second nonbinding agreement where the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property that can be used by NFL Network and other assets that have been purchased.“We have been talking about it in earnest for the last few years. But interestingly enough, we started talking about this over a decade ago but nothing really ended up happening. And we got back at it when I came back to Disney after my retirement,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a call with the AP.<h2>What ESPN gets</h2>ESPN is expected to launch its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/espn-streaming-sportscenter-app-ec2b43ab06a2e1a874894486c8102434">direct-to-consumer service</a>&nbsp;before the end of September. The service would give cord-cutters access to all ESPN programs and networks for $29.99 per month. The addition of more NFL programming increases the value.Many viewers will receive the service for free as part of their subscription to cable, satellite and most streaming services.“When I came back to Disney and assessed essentially the future of ESPN, it became clear that ESPN had to launch a bigger and more robust and digital or direct-to-consumer product, not only for the sake of ESPN’s business, but for the sports fan,” Iger said. “And obviously, when you start thinking about high-quality sports content, your eyes immediately head in the direction of the NFL because there’s really nothing more valuable and more popular than that.”NFL Network — which has nearly 50 million subscribers — would be owned and operated by ESPN and would be included in ESPN's direct-to-consumer product.The NFL RedZone channel would be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite operators. However, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the channel as well as retain the rights to distribute the channel digitally. ESPN would also get rights to the RedZone brand, meaning RedZone channels for college football and basketball or other sports could be coming in the future.NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, giving ESPN the official fantasy football game of the league.NFL Network will still air seven games per season. Four of ESPN's games, including some that are in overlapping windows on Monday nights, would move to NFL Network. ESPN will license three additional games that will be carried on NFL Network.<h2>What the NFL receives (and retains)</h2>The league gets a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Aidan O'Connor, a senior vice president at the Prosek Partners marketing firm, estimates the value of that would be $2.2 billion to $2.5 billion.ESPN is currently 80% owned by ABC Inc. as an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The other 20% is owned by Hearst. Once the deal is official and approved, the breakdown of ESPN will be 72% ABC Inc., 18% Hearst and 10% NFL.This isn't the first time the league has had an equity stake in a digital or communications business. It had that in the past with Sirius Satellite Radio and SportsLine. The NFL could also have equity in the newly formed “Paramount Skydance Corporation,” which owns CBS, due to the league's partnership with Skydance.“This is new as far as a partner now operating a business that we built, ran and grew," said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution. "It’ll also be a little bit new again with some of the dynamics here, but we’ll continue to balance that in a really arm’s length way where we’ll think about how we manage and work across to all our partners.”The league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the official websites of the 32 teams, the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST Channel (a free ad-supported streaming channel).“The moves align with the NFL’s longstanding ambition to reach $25 billion in annual revenue by 2027 — a target first set in 2010, when league revenue stood at approximately $8.5 billion,” O’Connor said. “Financially, the move also signals to investors that ESPN is doubling down on differentiation and content stickiness by offering a scarce and premium product in a crowded marketplace. Intentionally ceding equity to the NFL transforms ESPN from a media licensee into a true platform partner — with few properties rivaling the league in terms of cultural significance, appointment viewing, audience reach, and monetization efficiency."<h2>No major changes yet</h2>Viewers will likely not see any immediate impacts until next year once everything is approved.Besides ESPN, the biggest winner in this could be NFL Network, which had seen reductions in original programming the past couple years. “Total Access,” the network's flagship show since its launch in 2003, ended in May 2024 amid a series of layoffs and cost-cutting moves. “Good Morning Football” also moved from New York, where it had been since its start in 2016, to Southern California last year.NFL Network moved to a broadcast facility across the street from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in 2021.“The thing that’s exciting for us is that we have put a lot into the network. I think it’s been very effective for fans. We know it’s in good hands,” Goodell said. “They’re innovative, they recognize great production and know how to produce it. They will do a fantastic job of operating the network and taking it to another level.”

ESPN agrees to buy NFL Network, RedZone Channel

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/tim-sullivan">TIM SULLIVAN</a> Associated Press

The Justice Department identified some three dozen states, cities and counties as so-called sanctuary jurisdictions on Tuesday, two months after the federal government quietly removed a much longer list that included many localities that support the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies.

The earlier, typo-riddled list was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-sanctuary-jurisdictions-reaction-81059c23b02f82c7dbf6ae77c21bfab8">met with pushback</a>&nbsp;from across the political spectrum, with officials often saying it wasn’t clear why their jurisdictions were included.

The new announcement doesn’t appear to threaten consequences beyond what the federal government is already doing.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi warned in the announcement that the department would “continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.”

“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” she said.

The new list is composed overwhelmingly of Democratic jurisdictions, including states like New York, California and Connecticut, cities like Boston and New York City and a handful of counties, including Baltimore County, Maryland, and Cook County, Illinois.

There’s no clear definition of sanctuary jurisdictions, but the term is generally applied to state and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The administration never fully explained the errors in the first announcement, which included hundreds of jurisdictions, including places that had voted overwhelmingly for Trump and at least one that had declared itself a “non-sanctuary city.” The list was published in late May on the Department of Homeland Security’s website but within three days was replaced with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sanctuary-jurisdictions" target="_blank">“Page Not Found”</a>&nbsp;error message.

Trump officials have long warned that the federal government would go after jurisdictions that resist the president’s plans for mass deportations. In April, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/protecting-american-communities-from-criminal-aliens/" target="_blank">signed an executive order</a>&nbsp;requiring Homeland Security and the attorney general to publish a list of jurisdictions they believe are obstructing federal immigration laws.

The administration has filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-california-immigration-raids-trump-administration-lawsuit-70957edcec43e6def5a56e81f8cce512">series of lawsuits</a>&nbsp;targeting state or city policies it says are interfering with immigration enforcement, including those in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-california-immigration-raids-trump-administration-lawsuit-70957edcec43e6def5a56e81f8cce512">Los Angeles</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sanctuary-cities-trump-justice-department-522887bf4e05a927c7898312f1d8c129">New York City</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-lawsuit-denver-colorado-immigration-sanctuary-cities-f98bd31b494806c8545633861814a41d">Denver</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sanctuary-city-rochester-trump-immigration-enforcement-f8fe4f7c106e5c5c60fb752a614264e0">Rochester, New York</a>. It sued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-sanctuary-city-lawsuit-new-jersey-920a4c12fc968313e3cdd089051d0026">four New Jersey cities</a>&nbsp;in May.

In late July,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/illinois-chicago-sanctuary-law-trump-administration-6a2bef0fad3a50f045adc8be11f222e1">a judge in Illinois dismissed</a>&nbsp;a Trump administration lawsuit that sought to disrupt limits Chicago imposes on cooperation between federal immigration agents and local police.

In Connecticut, Democratic officials pushed back, arguing there’s no reference to sanctuary jurisdictions in state law.

Attorney General William Tong called the description of sanctuary states in the Department of Justice announcement “a concocted fiction” of the Trump administration.

Connecticut’s Trust Act law has limited how police in the state can work with federal immigration since 2013.

Associated Press reporter Susan Haigh contributed from Hartford, Connecticut.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754485085876.png" alt="U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi-courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi-courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/tim-sullivan">TIM SULLIVAN</a> Associated PressThe Justice Department identified some three dozen states, cities and counties as so-called sanctuary jurisdictions on Tuesday, two months after the federal government quietly removed a much longer list that included many localities that support the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies.The earlier, typo-riddled list was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-sanctuary-jurisdictions-reaction-81059c23b02f82c7dbf6ae77c21bfab8">met with pushback</a>&nbsp;from across the political spectrum, with officials often saying it wasn’t clear why their jurisdictions were included.The new announcement doesn’t appear to threaten consequences beyond what the federal government is already doing.Attorney General Pamela Bondi warned in the announcement that the department would “continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.”“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” she said.The new list is composed overwhelmingly of Democratic jurisdictions, including states like New York, California and Connecticut, cities like Boston and New York City and a handful of counties, including Baltimore County, Maryland, and Cook County, Illinois.STATES:<ul>
 <li>California</li><li>Colorado</li><li>Connecticut</li><li>Delaware</li><li>District of Columbia</li><li>Illinois</li><li>Minnesota</li><li>Nevada</li><li>New York</li><li>Oregon</li><li>Rhode Island</li><li>Vermont</li><li>Washington</li>
 </ul>COUNTIES:<ul>
 <li>Baltimore County, MD</li><li>Cook County, IL</li><li>San Diego County, CA</li><li>San Francisco County, CA</li>
 </ul>CITIES:<ul>
 <li>Albuquerque, NM</li><li>Berkeley, CA</li><li>Boston, MA</li><li>Chicago, IL</li><li>Denver, CO</li><li>East Lansing, MI</li><li>Hoboken, NJ</li><li>Jersey City, NJ</li><li>Los Angeles, CA</li><li>New Orleans, LA</li><li>New York City, NY</li><li>Newark, NJ</li><li>Paterson, NJ</li><li>Philadelphia, PA</li><li>Portland, OR</li><li>Rochester, NY</li><li>Seattle, WA</li><li>San Francisco City, CA</li>
 </ul>There’s no clear definition of sanctuary jurisdictions, but the term is generally applied to state and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.The administration never fully explained the errors in the first announcement, which included hundreds of jurisdictions, including places that had voted overwhelmingly for Trump and at least one that had declared itself a “non-sanctuary city.” The list was published in late May on the Department of Homeland Security’s website but within three days was replaced with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sanctuary-jurisdictions" target="_blank">“Page Not Found”</a>&nbsp;error message.Trump officials have long warned that the federal government would go after jurisdictions that resist the president’s plans for mass deportations. In April, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/protecting-american-communities-from-criminal-aliens/" target="_blank">signed an executive order</a>&nbsp;requiring Homeland Security and the attorney general to publish a list of jurisdictions they believe are obstructing federal immigration laws.The administration has filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-california-immigration-raids-trump-administration-lawsuit-70957edcec43e6def5a56e81f8cce512">series of lawsuits</a>&nbsp;targeting state or city policies it says are interfering with immigration enforcement, including those in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-california-immigration-raids-trump-administration-lawsuit-70957edcec43e6def5a56e81f8cce512">Los Angeles</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sanctuary-cities-trump-justice-department-522887bf4e05a927c7898312f1d8c129">New York City</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-lawsuit-denver-colorado-immigration-sanctuary-cities-f98bd31b494806c8545633861814a41d">Denver</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sanctuary-city-rochester-trump-immigration-enforcement-f8fe4f7c106e5c5c60fb752a614264e0">Rochester, New York</a>. It sued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-sanctuary-city-lawsuit-new-jersey-920a4c12fc968313e3cdd089051d0026">four New Jersey cities</a>&nbsp;in May.In late July,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/illinois-chicago-sanctuary-law-trump-administration-6a2bef0fad3a50f045adc8be11f222e1">a judge in Illinois dismissed</a>&nbsp;a Trump administration lawsuit that sought to disrupt limits Chicago imposes on cooperation between federal immigration agents and local police.In Connecticut, Democratic officials pushed back, arguing there’s no reference to sanctuary jurisdictions in state law.Attorney General William Tong called the description of sanctuary states in the Department of Justice announcement “a concocted fiction” of the Trump administration.Connecticut’s Trust Act law has limited how police in the state can work with federal immigration since 2013.___Associated Press reporter Susan Haigh contributed from Hartford, Connecticut.

Justice Department releases new list of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Wichita.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, police patrolling near the 600 block of N. Poplar in Wichita heard multiple gunshots. At the same time, a Raven gunshot detection alert was activated for the area, followed by several 911 calls reporting the shooting at 1:28 a.m., according to a media release from Wichita Police.

Officers, already en route after the Raven alert, arrived on scene. and found 22-year-old Kashmire Tisdale, of Wichita, behind a residence with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers began life-saving efforts until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and took over. Tisdale was pronounced dead at 1:36 a.m.

Multiple shell casings were located at the scene. Several homes and a vehicle were also struck by gunfire.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or possible suspect details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754428468367.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Wichita.Just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, police patrolling near the 600 block of N. Poplar in Wichita heard multiple gunshots. At the same time, a Raven gunshot detection alert was activated for the area, followed by several 911 calls reporting the shooting at 1:28 a.m., according to a media release from Wichita Police.Officers, already en route after the Raven alert, arrived on scene. and found 22-year-old Kashmire Tisdale, of Wichita, behind a residence with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers began life-saving efforts until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and took over. Tisdale was pronounced dead at 1:36 a.m.Multiple shell casings were located at the scene. Several homes and a vehicle were also struck by gunfire.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or possible suspect details.

Gunshot detection system alerted police to Kansas homicide

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after&nbsp;

A Kansas K9 is recovering after being stabbed early Tuesday.

Just before 4a.m. Tuesday, the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department was dispatched to disturbance at a home in the 900 block of Riverview, according to a media release.

At the home, officers spoke with the caller who said a family member had returned to the. home after an earlier assault involving a knife. When officers approached the home to talk to the man, he barricaded himself inside.

The Shawnee Police Department assisted and brought K9 Dagger, a Belgian Malinois, to the scene. When officers went inside the home to take make an arrest, the suspect stabbed the K9 officer.

Dagger was transported to a local veterinarian and is expected to make a full recovery. Dagger has been with the Shawnee Police Department since 2023.

At 7:30 a.m., the suspect surrendered and was arrested.&nbsp;

In 2024 the Kansas legislature passed&nbsp; “Bane’s Law,” that increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.

Governor Kelly vetoed the bill but on was overridden 105-20 in the House and 29-10 in the Senate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754443423545.png" alt="Daagger photo Shawnee Police" />
 <figcaption>Daagger photo Shawnee Police</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after&nbsp;A Kansas K9 is recovering after being stabbed early Tuesday.Just before 4a.m. Tuesday, the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department was dispatched to disturbance at a home in the 900 block of Riverview, according to a media release.At the home, officers spoke with the caller who said a family member had returned to the. home after an earlier assault involving a knife. When officers approached the home to talk to the man, he barricaded himself inside.The Shawnee Police Department assisted and brought K9 Dagger, a Belgian Malinois, to the scene. When officers went inside the home to take make an arrest, the suspect stabbed the K9 officer.Dagger was transported to a local veterinarian and is expected to make a full recovery. Dagger has been with the Shawnee Police Department since 2023.At 7:30 a.m., the suspect surrendered and was arrested.&nbsp;In 2024 the Kansas legislature passed&nbsp; “Bane’s Law,” that increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.Governor Kelly vetoed the bill but on was overridden 105-20 in the House and 29-10 in the Senate.

Kan. K9 officer stabbed during arrest, suspect surrendered

COMANCHE COUNTY —A suspect wanted in North Dakota is in custody in Kansas after a traffic stop in Comanche County.

On Monday afternoon, Sheriff's Deputy Stetsen Underwood conducted a traffic stop for a speeding violation, according to a social media report from the&nbsp;Comanche County Sheriff’s Office.

 During the stop, Deputy Underwood identified the driver as a wanted fugitive with an active warrant out of North Dakota for Rape, Kidnapping, and Aggravated Assault. 

The suspect, identified from online jail records as 24-year-old Fredi Barrientos Garcia was taken into custody without incident

He is currently being held without bond pending extradition.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754420720068.png" alt="Garcia is being held in Kiowa County" />
 <figcaption>Garcia is being held in Kiowa County</figcaption>
 </figure>COMANCHE COUNTY —A suspect wanted in North Dakota is in custody in Kansas after a traffic stop in Comanche County.On Monday afternoon, Sheriff's Deputy Stetsen Underwood conducted a traffic stop for a speeding violation, according to a social media report from the&nbsp;Comanche County Sheriff’s Office. During the stop, Deputy Underwood identified the driver as a wanted fugitive with an active warrant out of North Dakota for Rape, Kidnapping, and Aggravated Assault. The suspect, identified from online jail records as 24-year-old Fredi Barrientos Garcia was taken into custody without incidentHe is currently being held without bond pending extradition.&nbsp;

Man wanted for alleged rape, kidnapping captured in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary and a longtime vaccine critic, announced in a statement Tuesday that $500 million worth of vaccine development projects, all using mRNA technology, will be halted.

The projects — 22 of them — are being led by some of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna to prevent flu, COVID-19 and H5N1 infections.

The mRNA vaccines are credited with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

Kennedy said in the Tuesday statement that he wants the health department to move away from mRNA vaccines, calling on the department to start “investing in better solutions.” He provided no details on what those technologies might be.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward… <a href="https://t.co/GPKbuU7ywN">pic.twitter.com/GPKbuU7ywN</a>&mdash; Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy/status/1952851097019633766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary and a longtime vaccine critic, announced in a statement Tuesday that $500 million worth of vaccine development projects, all using mRNA technology, will be halted.The projects — 22 of them — are being led by some of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna to prevent flu, COVID-19 and H5N1 infections.The mRNA vaccines are credited with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.Kennedy said in the Tuesday statement that he wants the health department to move away from mRNA vaccines, calling on the department to start “investing in better solutions.” He provided no details on what those technologies might be.

🎥Why RFK Jr. pulled $500 million in funding for vaccine development

CLAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday in Clay County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Freightliner drump truck driven by a 33-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was southbound on U.S. 69 at Cameron Road. The driver failed to yield at the intersection and struck a 2013 Ford Transit van driven by a 74-year-old Liberty, Missouri, woman.&nbsp; After impact the van traveled off the road and overturned.

The van driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Forensic Medical. The dump truck driver was not injured. The van driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754438172374.png" alt="Image from the accident scene courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Image from the accident scene courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>CLAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday in Clay County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Freightliner drump truck driven by a 33-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was southbound on U.S. 69 at Cameron Road. The driver failed to yield at the intersection and struck a 2013 Ford Transit van driven by a 74-year-old Liberty, Missouri, woman.&nbsp; After impact the van traveled off the road and overturned.The van driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Forensic Medical. The dump truck driver was not injured. The van driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

KC area woman dies after crash with a dump truck

KANSAS CITY —A repeat offender in Kansas City is going back to prison for a long time.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2693/Brown-Otis-2416-CR04140-01-JT-Def-Sent-Judg-Rdctd">Otis W. Brown</a>, 49, was sentenced to 18.5 years in prison&nbsp; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – Dangerous Felon, Property Damage, and Interference with the Legal Process, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

On September 25, 2024,&nbsp; police arrested Brown. He reached into his waistband as he ran from police and officers later found a gun where he had run.

“When officers later attempted to obtain a court-ordered DNA sample to determine whether the firearm was his, Brown refused to comply and flipped chairs and a table inside the interview room, causing damage to the walls,” according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

Brown was previously identified as a SAVE KC individual. SAVE KC is a focused deterrence program that focuses on those involved in or at-risk of becoming involved in violent crime and offers resources and support for them to prevent them living a life of crime, while making it clear that continued participation in crime will result in swift and certain consequences.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740759587497.png" alt="Brown photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A repeat offender in Kansas City is going back to prison for a long time.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2693/Brown-Otis-2416-CR04140-01-JT-Def-Sent-Judg-Rdctd">Otis W. Brown</a>, 49, was sentenced to 18.5 years in prison&nbsp; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – Dangerous Felon, Property Damage, and Interference with the Legal Process, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.On September 25, 2024,&nbsp; police arrested Brown. He reached into his waistband as he ran from police and officers later found a gun where he had run.“When officers later attempted to obtain a court-ordered DNA sample to determine whether the firearm was his, Brown refused to comply and flipped chairs and a table inside the interview room, causing damage to the walls,” according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.Brown was previously identified as a SAVE KC individual. SAVE KC is a focused deterrence program that focuses on those involved in or at-risk of becoming involved in violent crime and offers resources and support for them to prevent them living a life of crime, while making it clear that continued participation in crime will result in swift and certain consequences.&nbsp;

Kansas City repeat offender refused court ordered DNA sample

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A Hays man was sentenced Monday to more than six years in prison on drug-dealing and sex charges after an emotional morning in court where his victim discussed her turmoil and supporters testified the defendant was a changed man after pursuing recovery for drug addiction.

Jordan Bradley Burgess, 32, was sentenced to 78 months in prison on a charge of distribution of cocaine and 40 months in prison on a charge of possession of cocaine, with both sentences to run concurrently.

He also pleaded to three counts misdemeanor sexual battery through an Alford plea, as well as a DUI charge with those sentences to also run concurrently with his prison sentence on the cocaine charges.

He will also be required to register for life as a sex offender.

Burgess has a criminal record, including sex and drug charges going back to 2018. He had 19 convictions, which put his criminal records score for sentencing at an A, which is the highest level on the sentencing grid.

Based on the Burgess' criminal record and charges, state sentencing guidelines would require a prison sentence.&nbsp;Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham requested 118 months in prison under the plea agreement.

However, Burgess' attorney, Kurt Kerns, filed a motion for a dispositional departure based on Burgess' participation in an intense drug recovery program.&nbsp;

Cunningham repeatedly referred to Burgess as a sexual predator as he cross-examined the six witnesses who were called to testify on Burgess' behalf.

However, before those witnesses took the stand, a victim of Burgess' alleged sexual abuse gave a statement.

She said she was haunted by Burgess' acts against her on May 29, 2021. She said the incident left her a "damaged shell of her former self," and said she was plagued by anxiety attacks and nightmares.

"That one night will last my lifetime," she told the judge, and urged him to do what was just, right and true.

Burgess was originally charged with rape, attempted aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated sexual battery, all felonies. Those charges were amended to misdemeanor sexual battery charges per the plea agreement.

In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains their innocence but acknowledges the prosecution has enough evidence to convict them.

In his address to the court before sentencing, Burgess did not discuss the sex charges or address the victim of his sexual crimes.

Those supporting Burgess testified to a dramatic transformation during the last year after he entered rehab in June 2024, which has included passionately trying to help others who are suffering from addiction and seeking a faith-driven life.

John Trembley, former Community Corrections director, testified he had never seen a more significant transformation than he has seen in Burgess.

Trembley said he regarded Burgess like a son.&nbsp;

"It's rare for someone to walk out of rehab and not use again," he said.

However, he said he believed Burgess was committed to his recovery and was not a threat to the community.

He said he was not attempting to excuse Burgess' behavior. Still, he thought he could be a contributing member of the community, and community corrections was the better alternative for Burgess.

"If we are here for 100% punishment for his past behavior, then there's nothing I can say," Trembley said.

He added, "I know the impact he has had on everybody. I know he is a changed man."

Cunningham asked&nbsp;Trembley if treatment for sex offenders was different from the treatment of substance abuse. Trembley said yes.

Cunningham also asked Trembley if he thought Burgess should have consequences for his crimes.

Trembley said, "Community corrections is not meant to be a cake walk. He is going to have a lot of consequences in his life.

"I have a daughter and granddaughter, and if I thought he was a risk, I wouldn't be here," he said.

Justin MacDonald, who leads a Bible study at the Family Worship Center, testified about Burgess' conversion and baptism.

"I think our city would be better if we had more men like Jordan," he said.

MacDonald said he had only known Burgess for 16 months and was not fully aware of his previous criminal history.

Several witnesses, who had participated in recovery programs with Burgess, also testified on his behalf.

Cade Gerhard said he had been struggling with alcoholism. He called Burgess out of desperation, and Burgess drove him to treatment.

Even after Gerhard relapsed, Burgess continued to call and encourage him in his road to recovery, he said.

Gerhard credited Burgess with saving his life.

"I think sending him to prison would be a disservice to the community," he said.

In his allocution to the court before sentencing, Burgess said he was a changed man. He said he wanted to be a father to his 11-year-old daughter.

He said he wanted to help people and to live as a "Godly man in service moving forward."

In his final statements to the court, Cunningham said Burgess had been given many chances on community corrections and had gone from using alcohol to marijuana to being a cocaine dealer.

"The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior," he said.

He said a prison sentence was not only warranted as punishment and a public deterrent, but also a matter of public safety and again referred to Burgess as a serial sex offender.

In 14 years, probation has not been helpful,&nbsp;Cunningham said.

Despite Burgess' plea to the sex charges, Burgess' attorney Kerns said the charges were based on false accusations.

Kerns said he had never had a client in more than 30 years who had attended recovery meetings every day for more than a year.

He asked the judge to give Burgess "a single opportunity to prove who he is."

Judge Curtis Brown said he was impressed by Burgess' dedication to his recovery and faith. He said deciding on Burgess' sentence was not easy.

However, he denied the defense's motion for a dispositional departure and probation.

"I think this is just, fair and true in regards to this matter," Brown said.

Brown encouraged Burgess to continue his mission to help others during his time incarcerated with the Department of Corrections.

Burgess spent two days in jail, for which he will be given credit toward his sentence, but he had been out on bond for the majority of the time since his arrest.&nbsp;

Burgess was remanded to begin his sentence with the Kansas Department of Corrections immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754420697316.png" alt="Burgess -photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Burgess -photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA Hays man was sentenced Monday to more than six years in prison on drug-dealing and sex charges after an emotional morning in court where his victim discussed her turmoil and supporters testified the defendant was a changed man after pursuing recovery for drug addiction.Jordan Bradley Burgess, 32, was sentenced to 78 months in prison on a charge of distribution of cocaine and 40 months in prison on a charge of possession of cocaine, with both sentences to run concurrently.He also pleaded to three counts misdemeanor sexual battery through an Alford plea, as well as a DUI charge with those sentences to also run concurrently with his prison sentence on the cocaine charges.He will also be required to register for life as a sex offender.Burgess has a criminal record, including sex and drug charges going back to 2018. He had 19 convictions, which put his criminal records score for sentencing at an A, which is the highest level on the sentencing grid.Based on the Burgess' criminal record and charges, state sentencing guidelines would require a prison sentence.&nbsp;Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham requested 118 months in prison under the plea agreement.However, Burgess' attorney, Kurt Kerns, filed a motion for a dispositional departure based on Burgess' participation in an intense drug recovery program.&nbsp;Cunningham repeatedly referred to Burgess as a sexual predator as he cross-examined the six witnesses who were called to testify on Burgess' behalf.However, before those witnesses took the stand, a victim of Burgess' alleged sexual abuse gave a statement.She said she was haunted by Burgess' acts against her on May 29, 2021. She said the incident left her a "damaged shell of her former self," and said she was plagued by anxiety attacks and nightmares."That one night will last my lifetime," she told the judge, and urged him to do what was just, right and true.Burgess was originally charged with rape, attempted aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated sexual battery, all felonies. Those charges were amended to misdemeanor sexual battery charges per the plea agreement.In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains their innocence but acknowledges the prosecution has enough evidence to convict them.In his address to the court before sentencing, Burgess did not discuss the sex charges or address the victim of his sexual crimes.Those supporting Burgess testified to a dramatic transformation during the last year after he entered rehab in June 2024, which has included passionately trying to help others who are suffering from addiction and seeking a faith-driven life.John Trembley, former Community Corrections director, testified he had never seen a more significant transformation than he has seen in Burgess.Trembley said he regarded Burgess like a son.&nbsp;"It's rare for someone to walk out of rehab and not use again," he said.However, he said he believed Burgess was committed to his recovery and was not a threat to the community.He said he was not attempting to excuse Burgess' behavior. Still, he thought he could be a contributing member of the community, and community corrections was the better alternative for Burgess."If we are here for 100% punishment for his past behavior, then there's nothing I can say," Trembley said.He added, "I know the impact he has had on everybody. I know he is a changed man."Cunningham asked&nbsp;Trembley if treatment for sex offenders was different from the treatment of substance abuse. Trembley said yes.Cunningham also asked Trembley if he thought Burgess should have consequences for his crimes.Trembley said, "Community corrections is not meant to be a cake walk. He is going to have a lot of consequences in his life."I have a daughter and granddaughter, and if I thought he was a risk, I wouldn't be here," he said.Justin MacDonald, who leads a Bible study at the Family Worship Center, testified about Burgess' conversion and baptism."I think our city would be better if we had more men like Jordan," he said.MacDonald said he had only known Burgess for 16 months and was not fully aware of his previous criminal history.Several witnesses, who had participated in recovery programs with Burgess, also testified on his behalf.Cade Gerhard said he had been struggling with alcoholism. He called Burgess out of desperation, and Burgess drove him to treatment.Even after Gerhard relapsed, Burgess continued to call and encourage him in his road to recovery, he said.Gerhard credited Burgess with saving his life."I think sending him to prison would be a disservice to the community," he said.In his allocution to the court before sentencing, Burgess said he was a changed man. He said he wanted to be a father to his 11-year-old daughter.He said he wanted to help people and to live as a "Godly man in service moving forward."In his final statements to the court, Cunningham said Burgess had been given many chances on community corrections and had gone from using alcohol to marijuana to being a cocaine dealer."The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior," he said.He said a prison sentence was not only warranted as punishment and a public deterrent, but also a matter of public safety and again referred to Burgess as a serial sex offender.In 14 years, probation has not been helpful,&nbsp;Cunningham said.Despite Burgess' plea to the sex charges, Burgess' attorney Kerns said the charges were based on false accusations.Kerns said he had never had a client in more than 30 years who had attended recovery meetings every day for more than a year.He asked the judge to give Burgess "a single opportunity to prove who he is."Judge Curtis Brown said he was impressed by Burgess' dedication to his recovery and faith. He said deciding on Burgess' sentence was not easy.However, he denied the defense's motion for a dispositional departure and probation."I think this is just, fair and true in regards to this matter," Brown said.Brown encouraged Burgess to continue his mission to help others during his time incarcerated with the Department of Corrections.Burgess spent two days in jail, for which he will be given credit toward his sentence, but he had been out on bond for the majority of the time since his arrest.&nbsp;Burgess was remanded to begin his sentence with the Kansas Department of Corrections immediately.

Plea deal sends NW Kansas sex offender back to prison

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titan-submersible-titanic-implosion-stockton-rush-b2294353a00fa88688ddb8fba3aefcde">Titan submersible disaster</a>&nbsp;could have been prevented, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a report Tuesday that held OceanGate CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oceangate-titanic-missing-submersibles-rush-deep-sea-83024b4c61c45c0270a4bd31deeb3d96">Stockton Rush</a>&nbsp;responsible for ignoring safety warnings, design flaws and crucial oversight which, had he survived, may have resulted in criminal charges.

Rush and four passengers were killed instantly deep below the North Atlantic in June 2023 when Titan suffered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-shipwreck-titan-submersible-search-deepsea-atlantic-implosion-90b9c54c3887c99099170a5afded15bc">catastrophic implosion</a>&nbsp;as it descended to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-submersible-lost-james-cameron-5e6eeb0b66c2d669c89c6eba278b00d1">wreck of the Titanic</a>. A multiday search for survivors off Canada grabbed international headlines, and the tragedy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-submersible-disaster-implosion-lawsuit-ba3efaf4c4dcb766698761206676b655">led to lawsuits</a>&nbsp;and calls for tighter regulation of the burgeoning private deep sea expedition industry.

The Coast Guard determined that safety procedures at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/u-s-coast-guard-atlantic-ocean-charleston-robotics-national-0b71476c31ed45ed96a10ee3e2a861cb">OceanGate</a>, a private company based in Washington state, were “critically flawed” and found “glaring disparities” between safety protocols and actual practices.

Jason Neubauer of the Marine Board of Investigation said the findings will help avoid future tragedies.

“There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework,” he said in a statement.

Salvatore Mercogliano, a professor of maritime history at Campbell University in North Carolina, said OceanGate was able to exploit gray areas in maritime law that made it unclear who was responsible for enforcing regulations.

Now, he said, the Coast Guard and other international maritime agencies will be looking to improve coordination and implement clearer mechanisms for enforcement, especially for private submarines.

“Unfortunately almost all maritime regulation is written in blood, and something had to happen first,” Mercogliano said.

OceanGate suspended operations in July 2023. Spokesperson Christian Hammond said the company has been wound down and was fully cooperating with the investigation, and he offered condolences to the families of those who died and everyone affected.

Investigators pointed to a culture at OceanGate of downplaying, ignoring and even falsifying key safety information to improve its reputation and evade scrutiny from regulators.

The company ignored “red flags” and had a “toxic workplace culture,” with firings of senior staff and the looming threat of dismissal used to dissuade employees and contractors from expressing safety concerns.

Rush, a former flight test engineer for fighter jets, founded the company in 2009 after years of experience in aerospace and aviation.

The Marine Board concluded that Rush had an “escalating disregard for established safety protocols,” which contributed to the deaths. If Rush were alive, the board would have passed the case to the U.S. Department of Justice and he may have faced criminal charges, it said.

Rush bragged that he would ‘buy a congressman’ if challenged

The company reclassified submersible passengers as “mission specialists” to bypass regulations on small passenger vessels and claim its subs were oceanic research vessels. Former mission specialists and OceanGate employees said their participation was “purely for a ride in the submersible, not for scientific research,” the report said.

Rush and OceanGate received numerous warnings about Titan’s fraudulent classifications. In 2017, Rush was told by a Coast Guard Reserve officer hired by OceanGate that his planned Titanic dive would be illegal.

Rush said “he would buy a congressman” if ever confronted by regulators, the officer testified.

Over the years the company resorted to increasingly deceptive strategies, the report said. By 2021 an OceanGate attorney falsely told a Virginia federal court, which was presiding over Titan’s authorization to conduct dives, that the vessel was registered in the Bahamas.

To obtain his credentials, Rush submitted a fraudulent sea service letter signed by OceanGate’s chief operations officer to the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center, the report said. In it Rush claimed past service as a crew member on Titan and misrepresented the size of the vessel, when in fact it had never been registered or admeasured.

Investigators found that the submersible’s design, certification, maintenance and inspection process were all inadequate. The vessel's carbon fiber hull design and construction introduced flaws that “weakened the overall structural integrity” of the hull, according to the report.

Mounting financial pressures in 2023 led to a decision by OceanGate to store the submersible outdoors in the Canadian winter, and the hull was exposed to temperature fluctuations that also compromised the vessel's integrity, the report said.

The implosion also killed French underwater explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, known as “Mr. Titanic”; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood.

Nargeolet's family filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-submersible-disaster-implosion-lawsuit-ba3efaf4c4dcb766698761206676b655">$50 million lawsuit</a>&nbsp;last year alleging that the crew experienced “terror and mental anguish” before the disaster. The lawsuit accused OceanGate of gross negligence.

The vessel had been making voyages to the Titanic site since 2021. Its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titan-implosion-submersible-titanic-25a496d4e80c51009d43b8e220bb92d7">final dive</a>&nbsp;came the morning of June 18, 2023. The submersible&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/coast-guard-releases-recording-thought-to-be-the-sound-of-titanic-submersible-implosion-49d10213d99847dd922f5c9b4992963f">lost contact</a>&nbsp;with its support vessel about two hours later and was reported overdue that afternoon. Ships, planes and equipment were rushed to the scene about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland.

The Coast Guard-led team operated under the possibility that there could be survivors for several days. Wreckage was subsequently found on the ocean floor about 330 yards (300 meters) off the bow of the Titanic.

Riddle reported from Montgomery, Alabama. Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island, and Leah Willingham in Boston contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687279790385.png" alt="Debris from the Titan was located about 12,500 feet underwater and roughly 1,600 feet from the Titanic on the ocean floor-photo courtesy Oceangate" />
 <figcaption>Debris from the Titan was located about 12,500 feet underwater and roughly 1,600 feet from the Titanic on the ocean floor-photo courtesy Oceangate</figcaption>
 </figure>PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titan-submersible-titanic-implosion-stockton-rush-b2294353a00fa88688ddb8fba3aefcde">Titan submersible disaster</a>&nbsp;could have been prevented, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a report Tuesday that held OceanGate CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oceangate-titanic-missing-submersibles-rush-deep-sea-83024b4c61c45c0270a4bd31deeb3d96">Stockton Rush</a>&nbsp;responsible for ignoring safety warnings, design flaws and crucial oversight which, had he survived, may have resulted in criminal charges.Rush and four passengers were killed instantly deep below the North Atlantic in June 2023 when Titan suffered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-shipwreck-titan-submersible-search-deepsea-atlantic-implosion-90b9c54c3887c99099170a5afded15bc">catastrophic implosion</a>&nbsp;as it descended to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-submersible-lost-james-cameron-5e6eeb0b66c2d669c89c6eba278b00d1">wreck of the Titanic</a>. A multiday search for survivors off Canada grabbed international headlines, and the tragedy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-submersible-disaster-implosion-lawsuit-ba3efaf4c4dcb766698761206676b655">led to lawsuits</a>&nbsp;and calls for tighter regulation of the burgeoning private deep sea expedition industry.The Coast Guard determined that safety procedures at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/u-s-coast-guard-atlantic-ocean-charleston-robotics-national-0b71476c31ed45ed96a10ee3e2a861cb">OceanGate</a>, a private company based in Washington state, were “critically flawed” and found “glaring disparities” between safety protocols and actual practices.<h2>Preventing the next Titan disaster</h2>Jason Neubauer of the Marine Board of Investigation said the findings will help avoid future tragedies.“There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework,” he said in a statement.Salvatore Mercogliano, a professor of maritime history at Campbell University in North Carolina, said OceanGate was able to exploit gray areas in maritime law that made it unclear who was responsible for enforcing regulations.Now, he said, the Coast Guard and other international maritime agencies will be looking to improve coordination and implement clearer mechanisms for enforcement, especially for private submarines.“Unfortunately almost all maritime regulation is written in blood, and something had to happen first,” Mercogliano said.OceanGate suspended operations in July 2023. Spokesperson Christian Hammond said the company has been wound down and was fully cooperating with the investigation, and he offered condolences to the families of those who died and everyone affected.<h2>‘Red flags’ at OceanGate</h2>Investigators pointed to a culture at OceanGate of downplaying, ignoring and even falsifying key safety information to improve its reputation and evade scrutiny from regulators.The company ignored “red flags” and had a “toxic workplace culture,” with firings of senior staff and the looming threat of dismissal used to dissuade employees and contractors from expressing safety concerns.Rush, a former flight test engineer for fighter jets, founded the company in 2009 after years of experience in aerospace and aviation.The Marine Board concluded that Rush had an “escalating disregard for established safety protocols,” which contributed to the deaths. If Rush were alive, the board would have passed the case to the U.S. Department of Justice and he may have faced criminal charges, it said.<h2>Rush bragged that he would ‘buy a congressman’ if challenged</h2>The company reclassified submersible passengers as “mission specialists” to bypass regulations on small passenger vessels and claim its subs were oceanic research vessels. Former mission specialists and OceanGate employees said their participation was “purely for a ride in the submersible, not for scientific research,” the report said.Rush and OceanGate received numerous warnings about Titan’s fraudulent classifications. In 2017, Rush was told by a Coast Guard Reserve officer hired by OceanGate that his planned Titanic dive would be illegal.Rush said “he would buy a congressman” if ever confronted by regulators, the officer testified.Over the years the company resorted to increasingly deceptive strategies, the report said. By 2021 an OceanGate attorney falsely told a Virginia federal court, which was presiding over Titan’s authorization to conduct dives, that the vessel was registered in the Bahamas.To obtain his credentials, Rush submitted a fraudulent sea service letter signed by OceanGate’s chief operations officer to the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center, the report said. In it Rush claimed past service as a crew member on Titan and misrepresented the size of the vessel, when in fact it had never been registered or admeasured.<h2>Titan's inadequacies</h2>Investigators found that the submersible’s design, certification, maintenance and inspection process were all inadequate. The vessel's carbon fiber hull design and construction introduced flaws that “weakened the overall structural integrity” of the hull, according to the report.Mounting financial pressures in 2023 led to a decision by OceanGate to store the submersible outdoors in the Canadian winter, and the hull was exposed to temperature fluctuations that also compromised the vessel's integrity, the report said.<h2>The victims</h2>The implosion also killed French underwater explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, known as “Mr. Titanic”; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood.Nargeolet's family filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-submersible-disaster-implosion-lawsuit-ba3efaf4c4dcb766698761206676b655">$50 million lawsuit</a>&nbsp;last year alleging that the crew experienced “terror and mental anguish” before the disaster. The lawsuit accused OceanGate of gross negligence.<h2>Titan's final dive</h2>The vessel had been making voyages to the Titanic site since 2021. Its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titan-implosion-submersible-titanic-25a496d4e80c51009d43b8e220bb92d7">final dive</a>&nbsp;came the morning of June 18, 2023. The submersible&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/coast-guard-releases-recording-thought-to-be-the-sound-of-titanic-submersible-implosion-49d10213d99847dd922f5c9b4992963f">lost contact</a>&nbsp;with its support vessel about two hours later and was reported overdue that afternoon. Ships, planes and equipment were rushed to the scene about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland.The Coast Guard-led team operated under the possibility that there could be survivors for several days. Wreckage was subsequently found on the ocean floor about 330 yards (300 meters) off the bow of the Titanic.___Riddle reported from Montgomery, Alabama. Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island, and Leah Willingham in Boston contributed.

Final report released on submersible disaster that killed 5 on way to Titanic

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-eric-don-jr-spac-manufacture-shell-company-86760765e1dc12a923d357d1cf448fcc">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;day began typically enough, with a television interview and a call with Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-ukraine-war-corruption-law-graft-drone-02aaa100244f82f41fea68c6b727e6a8">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>. Then it took an unexpected and unusual turn when he appeared on the roof of the White House's West Wing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754430889608.png" alt="Photo by Dan Scavino0Assistant to the President &amp; White House Deputy Chief of Staff." />
 <figcaption>Photo by Dan Scavino0Assistant to the President &amp; White House Deputy Chief of Staff.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-eric-don-jr-spac-manufacture-shell-company-86760765e1dc12a923d357d1cf448fcc">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;day began typically enough, with a television interview and a call with Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-ukraine-war-corruption-law-graft-drone-02aaa100244f82f41fea68c6b727e6a8">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>. Then it took an unexpected and unusual turn when he appeared on the roof of the White House's West Wing.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">&quot;Sir, why are you are on the roof?&quot; &quot;Mr. President, what are you doing up there?&quot; &quot;Come down and talk to us!&quot; &quot;What are you building?&quot; &quot;Are you considering more renovations, sir?&quot; &quot;Are you going to building up there?&quot; &quot;Add another level?&quot; - White House press corps to Pres. Trump <a href="https://t.co/UvDdstF3dx">pic.twitter.com/UvDdstF3dx</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1952747492526731428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> takes questions from the press while on the roof of the West Colonnade 🤣🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/nso4v3aFTA">pic.twitter.com/nso4v3aFTA</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1952745618658463758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">REPORTER: &quot;Mr. President, what are you doing up there?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Taking a little look!&quot; 🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/C7FMZuaTVH">pic.twitter.com/C7FMZuaTVH</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1952748679833567243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;President Trump is on the roof of the White House. He&#39;s taking questions.&quot; 🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/DjU0UMADgW">pic.twitter.com/DjU0UMADgW</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1952746454096773369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Late Tuesday morning, Trump emerged from a door connected to the State Dining Room and stepped onto the roof above the press briefing room and west colonnade that walls the Rose Garden. He spent nearly 20 minutes surveying the rooftop and the grounds below, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/trump-rose-garden-paved-over-photo-gallery-732b9521b69c10c12ce448f12e27401c">newly paved makeover</a>&nbsp;of the Rose Garden.Reporters, tipped off by the out-of-the-ordinary positioning of snipers above the Oval Office, shouted questions from below. One called out: “Sir, why are you on the roof?”“Taking a little walk,” Trump shouted back. “It’s good for your health.”Trump walked with a small group that included James McCrery, architect of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-trump-ballroom-ea5c645a45e8f8846ebc98d5b2976678">newly announced $200 million ballroom</a>&nbsp;project. They moved slowly, with Trump frequently gesturing and pointing at the roof and grounds. Several times, he wandered toward the corner nearest the press corps, waving and cupping his hands to shout responses to shouted questions.At one point, he said he was looking at “another way to spend my money for this country.” Later, near the end of his appearance on the roof, Trump was asked what he was going to build. He quipped, “Nuclear missiles.”The unexpected walk on the rooftop comes as Trump looks to leave a lasting footprint on what’s often referred to as “The People’s House.”He has substantially redecorated the Oval Office through the addition of golden flourishes and cherubs, presidential portraits and other items and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-flagpoles-a0928efcdcb6d1362a0e1827e96d0344">installed massive flagpoles</a>&nbsp;on the north and south lawns to fly the American flag. And last week, his administration announced that construction on a massive ballroom will begin in September and be ready before Trump ’s term ends in early 2029.While Trump appeared on the West Wing, the White House has said the ballroom will be where the “small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits.”While rare, there have been times through the years where presidents ventured out onto — and even slept on — the White House roof.To promote renewable energy, President Jimmy Carter installed 32 solar panels on the West Wing roof in the 1970s. The panels were removed during the Reagan administration.In 1910, President William Howard Taft had a sleeping porch built on the roof to escape Washington’s hot summer nights.