WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a double homicide in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victims as Victor Loza, 23, Bonner Springs and Tyler Wheeler, 26, of Kansas City, Kansas..

Just after 7p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the&nbsp; 1600 block of Washington Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders located Loza, Wheeler and a woman with gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced dead on at the scene and the other two victims were transported to a local hospital where the second man was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; The woman sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The suspects fled before officers arrived. Police have not released details on possible suspects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755600958908.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>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a double homicide in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victims as Victor Loza, 23, Bonner Springs and Tyler Wheeler, 26, of Kansas City, Kansas..Just after 7p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the&nbsp; 1600 block of Washington Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders located Loza, Wheeler and a woman with gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced dead on at the scene and the other two victims were transported to a local hospital where the second man was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; The woman sustained non-life threatening injuries.The suspects fled before officers arrived. Police have not released details on possible suspects.

Police ID victims in Kansas double-homicide

SEDGWICK COUNTY—An Oklahoma truck driver accused of intentionally backing over and killing a Georgia man in the parking lot of a Wichita truck stop made his first court appearance on Monday.

Travis Briscoe, 46, is charged with 2nd degree murder for the death of 57-year-old Abdelmuttalib Mohammed, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On Wednesday afternoon, police responded to the Love's Travel Stop in the 1500 block of East 21st Street North for an injury crash, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. They found 57-year-old Abdelmuttalib Mohammed of Georgia, under a truck. Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services pronounced him dead at 5:32 p.m.

Investigators with the Wichita Police Department determined Mohammed had been in a verbal altercation with Briscoe. The two men do not know each other, according to Gupilan. During the altercation, Briscoe began backing into a parking stall with his semitractor-trailer striking Mr. Mohammed.

Brisco remains jailed on a $250,000 bond and is due back in court September 2, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755126893221.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—An Oklahoma truck driver accused of intentionally backing over and killing a Georgia man in the parking lot of a Wichita truck stop made his first court appearance on Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755180791856.png" alt="Briscoe photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Briscoe photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Travis Briscoe, 46, is charged with 2nd degree murder for the death of 57-year-old Abdelmuttalib Mohammed, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On Wednesday afternoon, police responded to the Love's Travel Stop in the 1500 block of East 21st Street North for an injury crash, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. They found 57-year-old Abdelmuttalib Mohammed of Georgia, under a truck. Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services pronounced him dead at 5:32 p.m.Investigators with the Wichita Police Department determined Mohammed had been in a verbal altercation with Briscoe. The two men do not know each other, according to Gupilan. During the altercation, Briscoe began backing into a parking stall with his semitractor-trailer striking Mr. Mohammed.Brisco remains jailed on a $250,000 bond and is due back in court September 2, according to the district attorney's office.

Driver who backed over, killed man at Kan. truck stop faces a judge

BARRY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 2p.m. Monday at Table Rock Lake.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Jon boat driven by a 57-year-old Shell Knob man and a&nbsp;2015 Regal open motorboat driven by a 61-year-old Cassville man collided on the Kings River Arm of Table Rock Lake.

The 57-year-old was pronounced dead and transported to Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. EMS transported a 63-year-old female passenger in the motorboat to Mercy Hospital in Springfield.&nbsp; The 61-year-old man was not injured. None of those involved were wearing life jackets, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

BARRY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 2p.m. Monday at Table Rock Lake.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Jon boat driven by a 57-year-old Shell Knob man and a&nbsp;2015 Regal open motorboat driven by a 61-year-old Cassville man collided on the Kings River Arm of Table Rock Lake.The 57-year-old was pronounced dead and transported to Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. EMS transported a 63-year-old female passenger in the motorboat to Mercy Hospital in Springfield.&nbsp; The 61-year-old man was not injured. None of those involved were wearing life jackets, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Man dies after boats collide on Table Rock Lake

FINNEY COUNTY—A sheriff's deputy was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Finney County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Dodge 1500 driven by Finney County Sheriff's Deputy Riley&nbsp;Muniz, 24,&nbsp;Pierceville, was responding to a prior dispatched injury collision involving a teen driver. 

The Dodge had emergency lights and siren activated and passed a northbound 2018 Mack Truck driven by Jon&nbsp;Olomon, 61, Garden City,&nbsp; near the entrance to the TA Travel Center near the north junction of Highway 83 and Highway 50. The Mack truck was traveling within the left turn lane preparing to turn onto North Solar Avenue. 

The Dodge passed the Mack Truck on the left as Olomon initiated the left turn. The Mack Truck collided with the passenger side of the Dodge causing the Dodge to travel off the roadway into the ditch at the northwest corner of the intersection. 

The Dodge overturned and came to rest on its roof. The Mack Truck came to a controlled stop on North Solar Avenue.

 The Deputy was transported to St. Catherine's Hospital where he was monitored and treated for minor injuries. The truck driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

FINNEY COUNTY—A sheriff's deputy was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Finney County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Dodge 1500 driven by Finney County Sheriff's Deputy Riley&nbsp;Muniz, 24,&nbsp;Pierceville, was responding to a prior dispatched injury collision involving a teen driver. The Dodge had emergency lights and siren activated and passed a northbound 2018 Mack Truck driven by Jon&nbsp;Olomon, 61, Garden City,&nbsp; near the entrance to the TA Travel Center near the north junction of Highway 83 and Highway 50. The Mack truck was traveling within the left turn lane preparing to turn onto North Solar Avenue. The Dodge passed the Mack Truck on the left as Olomon initiated the left turn. The Mack Truck collided with the passenger side of the Dodge causing the Dodge to travel off the roadway into the ditch at the northwest corner of the intersection. The Dodge overturned and came to rest on its roof. The Mack Truck came to a controlled stop on North Solar Avenue. The Deputy was transported to St. Catherine's Hospital where he was monitored and treated for minor injuries. The truck driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. deputy injured in crash while responding to earlier crash

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;says he has called Russian President Vladimir Putin and begun to arrange a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-zelenskyy-russia-ukraine-war-d0ad768453210db23fe4b108f7b87135">meeting</a>&nbsp;between Putin and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-trump-blazer-white-house-russia-ukraine-war-81ce5677450d039552aa12e134739da6">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>, a critical step toward bringing a possible end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war on Ukraine</a>. Trump said the meeting’s location will be determined later.

Trump, Zelenskyy and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-leaders-white-house-meeting-zelenskyy-trump-d7b082bae4136ef8932e16ac2d166303">European leaders</a>&nbsp;met at the White House earlier Monday for hastily assembled multilateral talks, which came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">Trump met with Putin</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 15 and shut the other leaders out. European political leaders joined discussions as they pursue means to safeguard Ukraine and the continent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-witkoff-ukraine-russia-putin-war-048aa829a69b4020ca368577bfe18aee">from any widening aggression</a>&nbsp;from Moscow.

Zelenskyy says meeting with Putin should be held ‘without any conditions’

Zelenskyy says that if he starts to set conditions for the meeting, regarding a potential ceasefire or other matters, then Russia will want to set conditions, too, potentially jeopardizing those talks.

“That’s why I believe that we must meet without any conditions,” he told reporters.

Zelenskyy said Trump showed him a map of the Ukraine front lines in the Oval Office and they got into a little debate about territories it showed. But they didn’t argue, he said.

“We had a truly warm, good and substantial conversation,” Zelenskyy said.

Macron says takeaway from today’s meeting is US agreement to work with Europe to support Ukraine

The “most important” outcome of the meeting was the “U.S. commitment to work with us on providing security guarantees” to Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Macron told reporters that the participants of Monday’s talks are willing to set up a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy “in the coming days” and the trilateral meeting including Trump “by two to three weeks.”

Macron said he has “the greatest doubt” about Putin’s will to stop the war.

Rutte praises Trump’s negotiation efforts

The NATO leader also heaped praise on Trump for convincing European nations to increase their own defense spending.

“Today the conversation was a conversation among friends, among close allies who respect each other, who like each other, who know each other very well, discussing how we can bring this terrible war to an end,” he said. “This is a goal we all have in common, and without President Trump this deadlock with Putin would not have been broken. He’s the only one who could do it.”

NATO leader says ‘Article 5 kind of security guarantees’ will be discussed in coming days

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says Trump agreed that the United States would contribute to Ukraine’s security following a peace deal, a development he called “a breakthrough.”

Membership in NATO is not on the table, but the U.S. and European leaders are discussing “Article 5 kind of security guarantees for Ukraine,” Rutte said in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham. Article 5 of the NATO treaty says an attack on one member nation is an attack on all members, the heart of the transatlantic defense compact.

Details around U.S. involvement in Ukraine “will be discussed over the coming days,” which will give Zelenskyy the clarity he needs to decide whether Ukrainians can remain safe following a peace deal.

“It is important to also know what the situation will be with the security guarantees to prevent Vladimir Putin from ever, ever trying again to invade parts of Ukraine,” Rutte said.

The possibility of U.S. troops in Ukraine was not discussed Monday, he said.

Zelenskyy says he’s on board with Russia’s suggestion for a one-on-one meeting

Zelenskyy said Russia first suggested that Ukraine and Russia meet one on one, to be followed by a three-way meeting that would include Trump.

Briefing reporters after the White House talks, Zelenskyy said “we are ready” for any leader-level meetings. He said it’s the only way to solve these “complicated and painful issues.”

No date has been set for him and Putin to meet, he said.

Merz says European leaders spoke ‘with one voice’ in talks with Trump

He says the Europeans were well-prepared and well-coordinated. He said Trump “noticed that we Europeans are speaking with one voice; that was … particularly important.”

The German chancellor gave a positive assessment of the lengthy talks.

“I don’t want to hide the fact that I wasn’t sure it would go this way — it could have gone differently,” he said. “But my expectations were not just met, they were exceeded.”

He said Trump had also been “very open for humanitarian questions,” and the issue of thousands of children abducted from Ukraine had been discussed.

Merz says potential meeting between Ukrainian and Russian presidents concerns all of Europe

The German chancellor said the Europeans and Americans will need to discuss who participates in the security guarantees and to what extent. “It’s completely clear that the whole of Europe should participate,” he said.

“This is not just about the territory of Ukraine,” he added. “It’s about the political order of Europe.”

Asked about the possibility of German peacekeeping troops, he said it was too early to give a final answer.

German chancellor says Trump looking to have Zelenskyy-Putin meeting ‘within the next two weeks’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Trump, in his call with Putin, “agreed that there will be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks.” He said the venue must still be agreed upon.

Merz said that such a meeting “must, like all meetings, be well-prepared; we will do this with President Zelenskyy.” He said he doesn’t currently know what the meeting could produce.

Merz reiterated that it would be “desirable, and more than that, that there be a ceasefire in Ukraine at the latest with this meeting.”

“President Zelenskyy, for his part, said that he can hardly imagine having such a meeting with Putin without there being a ceasefire,” he added.

Russian official says Putin ‘spoke in favor’ of continued talks with Ukrainian delegation, state media reports

Russia state news agency Tass cited Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying the two presidents “spoke in favor” of continuing direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations.

Ushakov said they also discussed “the idea of raising the level of the direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations.”

Trump says arrangements underway for Zelenskyy and Putin to meet

After meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump said on social media that he called Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, at a location to be determined.

Trump said he will then sit down with both leaders after that meeting.

“This was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years,” he said.

He said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine.

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;says he has called Russian President Vladimir Putin and begun to arrange a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-zelenskyy-russia-ukraine-war-d0ad768453210db23fe4b108f7b87135">meeting</a>&nbsp;between Putin and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-trump-blazer-white-house-russia-ukraine-war-81ce5677450d039552aa12e134739da6">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>, a critical step toward bringing a possible end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war on Ukraine</a>. Trump said the meeting’s location will be determined later.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok <a href="https://t.co/dju9PJsPzd">pic.twitter.com/dju9PJsPzd</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1957613826557325581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Is there a date for you to meet with President Putin of Russian?&quot; Ukrainian President Zelensky: &quot;No. No. We don&#39;t have any date. We just confirmed after this productive meeting...that we are ready for a trilateral meeting.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/B1gOLSC4n4">pic.twitter.com/B1gOLSC4n4</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1957593380877164872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Before heading over to the Multilateral Meeting with European Leaders in the East Room of the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a>… <a href="https://t.co/720okDltQh">pic.twitter.com/720okDltQh</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1957518905066549314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">HAPPENING NOW! President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> meets with European leaders at the White House <a href="https://t.co/FLwFXU2Mxs">pic.twitter.com/FLwFXU2Mxs</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1957519323049713933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“That was not a great day!” President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> shows the European Leaders his Butler ‘Fight, Fight, Fight’ painting <a href="https://t.co/fGdBKhLjxj">pic.twitter.com/fGdBKhLjxj</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1957515452114169929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are here, as allies and friends, for peace in Ukraine and in Europe. This is an important moment, as we continue to work on strong security guarantees for Ukraine and a lasting and durable peace. <a href="https://t.co/FFF0Fqcq6y">pic.twitter.com/FFF0Fqcq6y</a>&mdash; Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1957553032712843775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">📸 Scenes from the Oval Office on an historic day <a href="https://t.co/ijs75dayYf">pic.twitter.com/ijs75dayYf</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1957633630676914241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump, Zelenskyy and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-leaders-white-house-meeting-zelenskyy-trump-d7b082bae4136ef8932e16ac2d166303">European leaders</a>&nbsp;met at the White House earlier Monday for hastily assembled multilateral talks, which came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">Trump met with Putin</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 15 and shut the other leaders out. European political leaders joined discussions as they pursue means to safeguard Ukraine and the continent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-witkoff-ukraine-russia-putin-war-048aa829a69b4020ca368577bfe18aee">from any widening aggression</a>&nbsp;from Moscow.Here's the latest:<h2>Zelenskyy says meeting with Putin should be held ‘without any conditions’</h2>Zelenskyy says that if he starts to set conditions for the meeting, regarding a potential ceasefire or other matters, then Russia will want to set conditions, too, potentially jeopardizing those talks.“That’s why I believe that we must meet without any conditions,” he told reporters.Zelenskyy said Trump showed him a map of the Ukraine front lines in the Oval Office and they got into a little debate about territories it showed. But they didn’t argue, he said.“We had a truly warm, good and substantial conversation,” Zelenskyy said.<h2>Macron says takeaway from today’s meeting is US agreement to work with Europe to support Ukraine</h2>The “most important” outcome of the meeting was the “U.S. commitment to work with us on providing security guarantees” to Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said.Macron told reporters that the participants of Monday’s talks are willing to set up a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy “in the coming days” and the trilateral meeting including Trump “by two to three weeks.”Macron said he has “the greatest doubt” about Putin’s will to stop the war.<h2>Rutte praises Trump’s negotiation efforts</h2>The NATO leader also heaped praise on Trump for convincing European nations to increase their own defense spending.“Today the conversation was a conversation among friends, among close allies who respect each other, who like each other, who know each other very well, discussing how we can bring this terrible war to an end,” he said. “This is a goal we all have in common, and without President Trump this deadlock with Putin would not have been broken. He’s the only one who could do it.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 NEW <a href="https://t.co/4kkBuLeKot">pic.twitter.com/4kkBuLeKot</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1957564587026358642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>NATO leader says ‘Article 5 kind of security guarantees’ will be discussed in coming days</h2>NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says Trump agreed that the United States would contribute to Ukraine’s security following a peace deal, a development he called “a breakthrough.”Membership in NATO is not on the table, but the U.S. and European leaders are discussing “Article 5 kind of security guarantees for Ukraine,” Rutte said in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham. Article 5 of the NATO treaty says an attack on one member nation is an attack on all members, the heart of the transatlantic defense compact.Details around U.S. involvement in Ukraine “will be discussed over the coming days,” which will give Zelenskyy the clarity he needs to decide whether Ukrainians can remain safe following a peace deal.“It is important to also know what the situation will be with the security guarantees to prevent Vladimir Putin from ever, ever trying again to invade parts of Ukraine,” Rutte said.The possibility of U.S. troops in Ukraine was not discussed Monday, he said.<h2>Zelenskyy says he’s on board with Russia’s suggestion for a one-on-one meeting</h2>Zelenskyy said Russia first suggested that Ukraine and Russia meet one on one, to be followed by a three-way meeting that would include Trump.Briefing reporters after the White House talks, Zelenskyy said “we are ready” for any leader-level meetings. He said it’s the only way to solve these “complicated and painful issues.”No date has been set for him and Putin to meet, he said.<h2>Merz says European leaders spoke ‘with one voice’ in talks with Trump</h2>He says the Europeans were well-prepared and well-coordinated. He said Trump “noticed that we Europeans are speaking with one voice; that was … particularly important.”The German chancellor gave a positive assessment of the lengthy talks.“I don’t want to hide the fact that I wasn’t sure it would go this way — it could have gone differently,” he said. “But my expectations were not just met, they were exceeded.”He said Trump had also been “very open for humanitarian questions,” and the issue of thousands of children abducted from Ukraine had been discussed.<h2>Merz says potential meeting between Ukrainian and Russian presidents concerns all of Europe</h2>The German chancellor said the Europeans and Americans will need to discuss who participates in the security guarantees and to what extent. “It’s completely clear that the whole of Europe should participate,” he said.“This is not just about the territory of Ukraine,” he added. “It’s about the political order of Europe.”Asked about the possibility of German peacekeeping troops, he said it was too early to give a final answer.<h2>German chancellor says Trump looking to have Zelenskyy-Putin meeting ‘within the next two weeks’</h2>German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Trump, in his call with Putin, “agreed that there will be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks.” He said the venue must still be agreed upon.Merz said that such a meeting “must, like all meetings, be well-prepared; we will do this with President Zelenskyy.” He said he doesn’t currently know what the meeting could produce.Merz reiterated that it would be “desirable, and more than that, that there be a ceasefire in Ukraine at the latest with this meeting.”“President Zelenskyy, for his part, said that he can hardly imagine having such a meeting with Putin without there being a ceasefire,” he added.<h2>Russian official says Putin ‘spoke in favor’ of continued talks with Ukrainian delegation, state media reports</h2>Russia state news agency Tass cited Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying the two presidents “spoke in favor” of continuing direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations.Ushakov said they also discussed “the idea of raising the level of the direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations.”<h2>Trump says arrangements underway for Zelenskyy and Putin to meet</h2>After meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump said on social media that he called Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, at a location to be determined.Trump said he will then sit down with both leaders after that meeting.“This was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years,” he said.He said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff are coordinating with Russia and Ukraine.

President Trump called Putin to schedule meeting with Zelenskyy

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a man who was found unresponsive at a park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, sheriff's deputies were dispatched to conduct welfare check at Northrup Park in the 900 Block of Barnett Avenue, according to a media release from the Wyandotte County Sheriff's office.

First responder found an unresponsive Hispanic male, according to the sheriff's office. Life-saving measures were performed, but the man was pronounced deceased by EMS.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477. All tips remain anonymous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755565179426.png" alt="Northrup&nbsp; Park -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Northrup&nbsp; Park -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a man who was found unresponsive at a park in Kansas City, Kansas.Just before 6p.m. Sunday, sheriff's deputies were dispatched to conduct welfare check at Northrup Park in the 900 Block of Barnett Avenue, according to a media release from the Wyandotte County Sheriff's office.First responder found an unresponsive Hispanic male, according to the sheriff's office. Life-saving measures were performed, but the man was pronounced deceased by EMS.Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477. All tips remain anonymous.

Kan. deputies found man dead after called to park for welfare check  

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects for an alleged sex assault kidnapping in Cowley County.&nbsp; U.S. Department of Homeland Security was also looking for one of the men.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a kidnapping in the 1600 block of South Sixth Street in Arkansas City, according to a media release.

 The reporting party stated that the involved vehicle, a gray SUV, was traveling northbound on South Sixth Street. Officers located the vehicle a short time later in the 400 block of South Eighth Street.

Upon making contact, officers identified two men and one woman in the vehicle.

 The woman reported that she had been taken against her will from the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla. She further stated that she was sexually assaulted by both male suspects and that the assaults continued while traveling through ArkansasCity. 

The suspects were identified as 35-year-old Luis Miguel Dominguez and 24-year-old Jose Fernando-Lux Morales both of Arkansas City,

The victim was treated by the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department on scene and transported to a hospital for further medical care.

Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Cowley County Jail.• Jose Morales is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Aggravated Kidnapping&nbsp; on a $500,000 bond.

Luis Dominguez is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, and Aggravated Kidnapping. He is being held on a $1,000,000 bond.

Officers also learned that Dominguez is subject to an immigration detainer from the Department of Homeland Security.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755531304119.png" alt="Morales photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Morales photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects for an alleged sex assault kidnapping in Cowley County.&nbsp; U.S. Department of Homeland Security was also looking for one of the men.Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of a kidnapping in the 1600 block of South Sixth Street in Arkansas City, according to a media release. The reporting party stated that the involved vehicle, a gray SUV, was traveling northbound on South Sixth Street. Officers located the vehicle a short time later in the 400 block of South Eighth Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755531263019.png" alt="Dominguez photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Dominguez photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon making contact, officers identified two men and one woman in the vehicle. The woman reported that she had been taken against her will from the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla. She further stated that she was sexually assaulted by both male suspects and that the assaults continued while traveling through ArkansasCity. The suspects were identified as 35-year-old Luis Miguel Dominguez and 24-year-old Jose Fernando-Lux Morales both of Arkansas City,The victim was treated by the Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department on scene and transported to a hospital for further medical care.Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Cowley County Jail.• Jose Morales is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Aggravated Kidnapping&nbsp; on a $500,000 bond.Luis Dominguez is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, and Aggravated Kidnapping. He is being held on a $1,000,000 bond.Officers also learned that Dominguez is subject to an immigration detainer from the Department of Homeland Security.

DHS was looking for suspect who is accused of sex crimes in Kansas

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 126 months in prison for distributing child sexual abuse materials, according to the United States's Attorney.

According to court documents, David M. Follett, 38, of El Dorado pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.

On multiple occasions Follett used his computer to share child pornography with other users on a peer-to-peer filesharing network. Among the recipients was an agent from Homeland Security

Investigations (HSI). While executing a search warrant at Follett’s home, agents found evidence of child pornography activities on Follett’s laptop.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755216248382.png" alt="Follett photo Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Follett photo Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 126 months in prison for distributing child sexual abuse materials, according to the United States's Attorney.According to court documents, David M. Follett, 38, of El Dorado pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.On multiple occasions Follett used his computer to share child pornography with other users on a peer-to-peer filesharing network. Among the recipients was an agent from Homeland SecurityInvestigations (HSI). While executing a search warrant at Follett’s home, agents found evidence of child pornography activities on Follett’s laptop.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

Prison for Kansas man who shared child porn online

Bailey’s short tenure as attorney general was defined by confrontation with the federal government and local officials, as well as accusations of corruption, incompetence and grandstanding

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri will need a new attorney general for the third time in six years as Andrew Bailey announced on Monday that he plans to step down to become co-deputy director of the FBI.&nbsp;

“My life has been defined by a call to service, and I am once again answering that call, this time at the national level,” Bailey said in a news release announcing his departure. “But wherever I am called, Missouri is and always will be home.”

Bailey was appointed attorney general in 2022 after Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate. Schmitt got the job in 2018, replacing another Republican who won a Senate seat, Josh Hawley.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe will name his replacement at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The new attorney general will then serve until Bailey’s current term expires in 2028. Bailey said his last day in office will be Sept. 8.&nbsp;

Bailey had never run for public office before former Missouri Gov. Mike Parson tapped him to replace Schmitt in 2022. At the time, he was serving as Parson’s general counsel. He previously worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Warren County and as an assistant attorney general.&nbsp;

Weeks after being elected to full four-year term last year, Bailey was vying to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/13/missouris-andrew-bailey-reportedly-a-finalist-to-be-donald-trumps-u-s-attorney-general/">President Donald Trump’s new attorney general or FBI director</a>. He will now join the FBI as it faces a torrent of criticism from across the political spectrum over the Trump administration’s refusal to release government files on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/24/pam-bondi-jeffrey-epstein-files-00475897" target="_blank">late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein</a>.&nbsp;

His short stint as Missouri’s attorney general was largely defined by confrontation — lawsuits against the federal government, investigations of health care providers and public fights with other statewide elected Republicans.

Bailey’s most high-profile cases since becoming attorney general included twice suing to block federal student loan forgiveness and carrying forward an unsuccessful lawsuit alleging the Biden administration was colluding with social media companies to censor conservative speech.

His office is also involved in four different lawsuits regarding medical records of transgender children — part of his effort to end gender-affirming care in Missouri.&nbsp;

The attorney general’s office under Bailey helped force St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner out of office and is pursuing felony charges against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.&nbsp;

Bailey has also been unflinchingly loyal to Trump, including&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/16/republican-missouri-attorney-general-candidates-proclaim-2020-election-was-stolen/">publicly endorsing the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article290766434.html" target="_blank">unsuccessfully attempting to intervene in the criminal case</a>&nbsp;against him in New York that resulted in 34 felony convictions.&nbsp;

But Bailey’s tenure as attorney general has also been marked by accusations of corruption, incompetence and grandstanding, with his critics alleging he’s more interested in scoring appearances on Fox News than effectively running the sprawling office or winning in the courtroom.

Among the many lawsuits Bailey inherited from his predecessor was a case against&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/14/time-runs-out-for-missouri-ag-to-appeal-ruling-in-school-mask-mandate-lawsuit/">Missouri school districts that implemented mask mandates&nbsp;</a>during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a judge ruled in support of the school boards, Bailey’s office missed its deadline to appeal.

Last summer, he&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-before-missouri-attorney-general-could-be-questioned-under-oath/">narrowly avoided being questioned under oath</a>&nbsp;about his contact with a defendant in his own case against Jackson County. One of Bailey’s deputies lost his license because of the meetings, according to a filing from the county’s attorneys.

Bailey was also the focus of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/hazelwood-schools-files-ethics-complaint-against-ag-bailey-over-dei-investigation/article_518f7ca0-07d2-11ef-a43d-9f3e0e63bf97.html" target="_blank">formal complaint about the behavior of his office</a>&nbsp;after he falsely blamed the Hazelwood School District’s diversity, equity and inclusion program for the off-campus assault of a student.

He’s also faced criticism over his contributions to his campaign.&nbsp;

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/01/missouri-ag-faces-criticism-for-dropping-out-of-gambling-lawsuit-against-highway-patrol/">Bailey recused himself from a gambling lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed against the Missouri State Highway Patrol after PACs connected to the lobbyist of the companies suing the state wrote checks to the committee supporting his campaign.

He raised eyebrows after accepting $50,000 in campaign donations from Doe Run, a St. Louis-based company<a href="https://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1661031_1661028_1661020,00.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;being sued by thousands of Peruvians</a>&nbsp;over allegations of lead smelter poisoning in their mining town in the Andes. A few months before the donation, Bailey filed a brief asking the federal court to move the lawsuit out of Missouri.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681466878038.png" alt="Andrew Bailey courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Andrew Bailey courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Bailey’s short tenure as attorney general was defined by confrontation with the federal government and local officials, as well as accusations of corruption, incompetence and grandstanding</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri will need a new attorney general for the third time in six years as Andrew Bailey announced on Monday that he plans to step down to become co-deputy director of the FBI.&nbsp;“My life has been defined by a call to service, and I am once again answering that call, this time at the national level,” Bailey said in a news release announcing his departure. “But wherever I am called, Missouri is and always will be home.”Bailey was appointed attorney general in 2022 after Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate. Schmitt got the job in 2018, replacing another Republican who won a Senate seat, Josh Hawley.Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe will name his replacement at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The new attorney general will then serve until Bailey’s current term expires in 2028. Bailey said his last day in office will be Sept. 8.&nbsp;Bailey had never run for public office before former Missouri Gov. Mike Parson tapped him to replace Schmitt in 2022. At the time, he was serving as Parson’s general counsel. He previously worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Warren County and as an assistant attorney general.&nbsp;Weeks after being elected to full four-year term last year, Bailey was vying to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/13/missouris-andrew-bailey-reportedly-a-finalist-to-be-donald-trumps-u-s-attorney-general/">President Donald Trump’s new attorney general or FBI director</a>. He will now join the FBI as it faces a torrent of criticism from across the political spectrum over the Trump administration’s refusal to release government files on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/24/pam-bondi-jeffrey-epstein-files-00475897" target="_blank">late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein</a>.&nbsp;His short stint as Missouri’s attorney general was largely defined by confrontation — lawsuits against the federal government, investigations of health care providers and public fights with other statewide elected Republicans.Bailey’s most high-profile cases since becoming attorney general included twice suing to block federal student loan forgiveness and carrying forward an unsuccessful lawsuit alleging the Biden administration was colluding with social media companies to censor conservative speech.His office is also involved in four different lawsuits regarding medical records of transgender children — part of his effort to end gender-affirming care in Missouri.&nbsp;The attorney general’s office under Bailey helped force St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner out of office and is pursuing felony charges against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.&nbsp;Bailey has also been unflinchingly loyal to Trump, including&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/16/republican-missouri-attorney-general-candidates-proclaim-2020-election-was-stolen/">publicly endorsing the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article290766434.html" target="_blank">unsuccessfully attempting to intervene in the criminal case</a>&nbsp;against him in New York that resulted in 34 felony convictions.&nbsp;But Bailey’s tenure as attorney general has also been marked by accusations of corruption, incompetence and grandstanding, with his critics alleging he’s more interested in scoring appearances on Fox News than effectively running the sprawling office or winning in the courtroom.Among the many lawsuits Bailey inherited from his predecessor was a case against&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/14/time-runs-out-for-missouri-ag-to-appeal-ruling-in-school-mask-mandate-lawsuit/">Missouri school districts that implemented mask mandates&nbsp;</a>during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a judge ruled in support of the school boards, Bailey’s office missed its deadline to appeal.Last summer, he&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-before-missouri-attorney-general-could-be-questioned-under-oath/">narrowly avoided being questioned under oath</a>&nbsp;about his contact with a defendant in his own case against Jackson County. One of Bailey’s deputies lost his license because of the meetings, according to a filing from the county’s attorneys.Bailey was also the focus of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/hazelwood-schools-files-ethics-complaint-against-ag-bailey-over-dei-investigation/article_518f7ca0-07d2-11ef-a43d-9f3e0e63bf97.html" target="_blank">formal complaint about the behavior of his office</a>&nbsp;after he falsely blamed the Hazelwood School District’s diversity, equity and inclusion program for the off-campus assault of a student.He’s also faced criticism over his contributions to his campaign.&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/01/missouri-ag-faces-criticism-for-dropping-out-of-gambling-lawsuit-against-highway-patrol/">Bailey recused himself from a gambling lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed against the Missouri State Highway Patrol after PACs connected to the lobbyist of the companies suing the state wrote checks to the committee supporting his campaign.He raised eyebrows after accepting $50,000 in campaign donations from Doe Run, a St. Louis-based company<a href="https://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1661031_1661028_1661020,00.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;being sued by thousands of Peruvians</a>&nbsp;over allegations of lead smelter poisoning in their mining town in the Andes. A few months before the donation, Bailey filed a brief asking the federal court to move the lawsuit out of Missouri.&nbsp;

Andrew Bailey stepping down as Missouri AG for job in Trump administration

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreaks-us-mmr-vaccine-rfk-jr-518e1059923135d79a2127a02e31bac2">Texas measles outbreak</a>&nbsp;that sickened 762 people since late January is over, state health officials said Monday.

Health officials have not confirmed a new case in the affected counties in more than 42 days, passing the threshold used to declare measles outbreaks over. The last outbreak-related case in Texas was on July 1, according to state data.

Two young Texas children&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">died of the virus</a>&nbsp;earlier this year and 100 people were hospitalized throughout the outbreak. The cases were linked to outbreaks in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">Canada and Mexico</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">jumped to other states</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.

The U.S. is having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-us-texas-mmr-vaccine-rfk-144ed193e13de675a750e52a505423e9">its worst year for measles</a>&nbsp;in more than three decades, with 1,356 cases as of Aug. 5. Nationwide, childhood vaccination rates against the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">are declining</a>&nbsp;as more parents claim exemptions from school requirements.

West Texas was the nation's measles epicenter for months. The virus started spreading there in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite communities</a>&nbsp;in Gaines County.

State officials say they will keep monitoring for new cases. Before the outbreak, most doctors in the state had never seen a measles case because of how uncommon it has become, said Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford.

She credited testing, vaccination, monitoring and education with helping to end the outbreak.

“I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses," Shuford said in a statement.

Measles causes a rash and respiratory symptoms that can lead to severe complications or death. It is prevented by the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is recommended for young kids before they start school.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755539235933.png" alt="Kansas has reported. 90 cases but no a new case of measles in several weeks-Image Kansas Dept. of Health" />
 <figcaption>Kansas has reported. 90 cases but no a new case of measles in several weeks-Image Kansas Dept. of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>By DEVI SHASTRI AP Health WriterThe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreaks-us-mmr-vaccine-rfk-jr-518e1059923135d79a2127a02e31bac2">Texas measles outbreak</a>&nbsp;that sickened 762 people since late January is over, state health officials said Monday.Health officials have not confirmed a new case in the affected counties in more than 42 days, passing the threshold used to declare measles outbreaks over. The last outbreak-related case in Texas was on July 1, according to state data.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740584009532.png" alt="File photo A sign warning of measles 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>File photo A sign warning of measles 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>Two young Texas children&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">died of the virus</a>&nbsp;earlier this year and 100 people were hospitalized throughout the outbreak. The cases were linked to outbreaks in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">Canada and Mexico</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">jumped to other states</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.The U.S. is having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-us-texas-mmr-vaccine-rfk-144ed193e13de675a750e52a505423e9">its worst year for measles</a>&nbsp;in more than three decades, with 1,356 cases as of Aug. 5. Nationwide, childhood vaccination rates against the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">are declining</a>&nbsp;as more parents claim exemptions from school requirements.West Texas was the nation's measles epicenter for months. The virus started spreading there in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite communities</a>&nbsp;in Gaines County.State officials say they will keep monitoring for new cases. Before the outbreak, most doctors in the state had never seen a measles case because of how uncommon it has become, said Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford.She credited testing, vaccination, monitoring and education with helping to end the outbreak.“I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses," Shuford said in a statement.Measles causes a rash and respiratory symptoms that can lead to severe complications or death. It is prevented by the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is recommended for young kids before they start school.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Texas declares deadly measles outbreak over

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in connection with an accidental shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl was back in court on Friday for a preliminary hearing

Judge Shawn Elliott ruled 50-year-old Ana Sorto Mejia, 50, of Wichita will go to trial in the case. In April, the judge charged her with one count of aggravated endangering a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 2p.m. April 11, police responded to the 2500 block of E. Harry in Wichita following reports of a shooting, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders found a 4-year-old girl who had sustained a single gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gupilan.

After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child's guardian, identified as Sorto, left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves.&nbsp;

Sorto will return to court in September, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744469792810.png" alt="Sorto photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sorto photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in connection with an accidental shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl was back in court on Friday for a preliminary hearingJudge Shawn Elliott ruled 50-year-old Ana Sorto Mejia, 50, of Wichita will go to trial in the case. In April, the judge charged her with one count of aggravated endangering a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just before 2p.m. April 11, police responded to the 2500 block of E. Harry in Wichita following reports of a shooting, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders found a 4-year-old girl who had sustained a single gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gupilan.After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child's guardian, identified as Sorto, left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves.&nbsp;Sorto will return to court in September, according to the district attorney's office.

Kan. woman will go to trial for accidental shooting of 4-year-old

WASHINGTON&nbsp;–&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jerry Moran led his Kansas delegation colleagues Sen. Roger Marshall, and U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Ron Estes (KS-04) in urging President Trump to make a disaster declaration for the State of Kansas following the severe wind storms, flooding and tornadoes that occurred from June 3 through June 7, according to a statement from Moran's office.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly formally submitted the request for federal support on August 6, 2025.

“We write today in support of Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas following the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from June 3 through June 7, 2025,”&nbsp;wrote the delegation.&nbsp;

“The aftermath of these natural disasters has left lasting impacts on the communities affected beyond when the storms have taken place.”“According to the National Weather Service, the state of Kansas experienced near record values of atmospheric moisture through a very deep layer which is more typical of a tropical environment as opposed to Kansas,”&nbsp;continued the delegation.&nbsp;

“This resulted in dangerous flash flooding across the state, with many counties experiencing the heaviest rainfall between 5-12 inches occurred.”

“Due to the extent of the damage, it will be important to have federal support available to assist rural electric cooperatives and municipally owned utilities rebuild their electric utility infrastructure,” Governor Kelly said.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management requested a joint Public Assistance Program to assess the damage caused in early June. Counties included in this letter include: Barber, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Coffey, Franklin, Greenwood, Harper, Hodgeman, Kingman, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Stanton, Sumner and Wallace.

WASHINGTON&nbsp;–&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jerry Moran led his Kansas delegation colleagues Sen. Roger Marshall, and U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Ron Estes (KS-04) in urging President Trump to make a disaster declaration for the State of Kansas following the severe wind storms, flooding and tornadoes that occurred from June 3 through June 7, according to a statement from Moran's office.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here&#39;s a look at the two day rainfall totals that brought the significant flooding to the area. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/jCKAnTyOkE">pic.twitter.com/jCKAnTyOkE</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/1930311315198713936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly formally submitted the request for federal support on August 6, 2025.“We write today in support of Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas following the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from June 3 through June 7, 2025,”&nbsp;wrote the delegation.&nbsp;“The aftermath of these natural disasters has left lasting impacts on the communities affected beyond when the storms have taken place.”“According to the National Weather Service, the state of Kansas experienced near record values of atmospheric moisture through a very deep layer which is more typical of a tropical environment as opposed to Kansas,”&nbsp;continued the delegation.&nbsp;“This resulted in dangerous flash flooding across the state, with many counties experiencing the heaviest rainfall between 5-12 inches occurred.”“Due to the extent of the damage, it will be important to have federal support available to assist rural electric cooperatives and municipally owned utilities rebuild their electric utility infrastructure,” Governor Kelly said.The Kansas Division of Emergency Management requested a joint Public Assistance Program to assess the damage caused in early June. Counties included in this letter include: Barber, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Coffey, Franklin, Greenwood, Harper, Hodgeman, Kingman, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Stanton, Sumner and Wallace.

Kan. delegation asks Trump to make disaster declaration for June storm damage

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is now rolling out a service where its Prime members can order their blueberries and milk at the same time as basic items like batteries and T-shirts and get them within hours.

The online juggernaut said that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns including Raleigh, North Carolina; Milwaukee; and Columbus, Ohio, now have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery service on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 cities and towns by year-end.

Amazon called the move “one of the most significant grocery expansions” for the online retailer as it introduces thousands of perishable items into its existing logistics network. The expansion is expected to put pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart, Kroger and Target, which all saw their shares take a hit in trading Wednesday.

Amazon said that if an order doesn’t meet the minimum, members can still choose same-day delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.

In the past, Prime subscribers’ grocery orders were fulfilled through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market.

Prime members pay $14.99 monthly or $139 annually.

Amazon launched its Prime membership in 2005, and it has become the gold standard for subscription services with a slew of perks including unlimited streaming with Prime Video and discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh. Walmart, which launched its membership program called Walmart + in 2020, has been racing to add more benefits. It costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year. Depending on members' location and availability, Walmart members can schedule same-day delivery for their groceries, including perishables.

“We’re continuously innovating to make grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for our customers, especially Prime members,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, in a statement. “By introducing fresh groceries into our Same-Day Delivery service, we’re creating a quick and easy experience for customers. ”

Herrington noted that customers can order milk alongside electronics; oranges, apples, and potatoes with a mystery novel; and frozen pizza at the same time as tools for their next home improvement project—and check out with one cart and have everything delivered to their doorstep within hours.

The company first tested the service in Phoenix, last year, and then added Orlando, Florida and Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year.

Amazon noted that many of its customers were first-time Amazon grocery shoppers who now return to shop twice as often with the same-day deliver service compared to those who didn't purchase food. It also noted that based on early sales, strawberries now regularly knock AirPods out of the top five best sellers of all products sold, while bananas, Honeycrisp apples, limes, and avocados round out the top ten best-selling perishable grocery items in their same-day delivery carts.

“It's a nice step forward,” said Jason Goldberg, chief commerce strategy officer at Publicis Groupe, a global marketing and communications company. “It definitely makes them more competitive" in perishables.

Goldberg noted that Amazon has struggled to succeed in fresh food and that shoppers have been confused ordering shelf stable items and perishables, and having them appear in different online shopping carts, including Amazon Fresh. He said this move will greatly improve the experience.

Amazon said it generated over $100 billion in gross sales of groceries and household essentials last year not including sales from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh.

In June, Amazon said it was investing more than $4 billion to triple the size of its delivery network by 2026, with a focus on small towns and rural communities across the country.

It also noted that it's using artificial intelligence to help it predict local customer preferences so it can stock popular items alongside items targeted for specific communities

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734613644311.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is now rolling out a service where its Prime members can order their blueberries and milk at the same time as basic items like batteries and T-shirts and get them within hours.The online juggernaut said that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns including Raleigh, North Carolina; Milwaukee; and Columbus, Ohio, now have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery service on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 cities and towns by year-end.Amazon called the move “one of the most significant grocery expansions” for the online retailer as it introduces thousands of perishable items into its existing logistics network. The expansion is expected to put pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart, Kroger and Target, which all saw their shares take a hit in trading Wednesday.Amazon's shares rose 1%.Amazon said that if an order doesn’t meet the minimum, members can still choose same-day delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.In the past, Prime subscribers’ grocery orders were fulfilled through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market.Prime members pay $14.99 monthly or $139 annually.Amazon launched its Prime membership in 2005, and it has become the gold standard for subscription services with a slew of perks including unlimited streaming with Prime Video and discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh. Walmart, which launched its membership program called Walmart + in 2020, has been racing to add more benefits. It costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year. Depending on members' location and availability, Walmart members can schedule same-day delivery for their groceries, including perishables.“We’re continuously innovating to make grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for our customers, especially Prime members,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, in a statement. “By introducing fresh groceries into our Same-Day Delivery service, we’re creating a quick and easy experience for customers. ”Herrington noted that customers can order milk alongside electronics; oranges, apples, and potatoes with a mystery novel; and frozen pizza at the same time as tools for their next home improvement project—and check out with one cart and have everything delivered to their doorstep within hours.The company first tested the service in Phoenix, last year, and then added Orlando, Florida and Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year.Amazon noted that many of its customers were first-time Amazon grocery shoppers who now return to shop twice as often with the same-day deliver service compared to those who didn't purchase food. It also noted that based on early sales, strawberries now regularly knock AirPods out of the top five best sellers of all products sold, while bananas, Honeycrisp apples, limes, and avocados round out the top ten best-selling perishable grocery items in their same-day delivery carts.“It's a nice step forward,” said Jason Goldberg, chief commerce strategy officer at Publicis Groupe, a global marketing and communications company. “It definitely makes them more competitive" in perishables.Goldberg noted that Amazon has struggled to succeed in fresh food and that shoppers have been confused ordering shelf stable items and perishables, and having them appear in different online shopping carts, including Amazon Fresh. He said this move will greatly improve the experience.Amazon said it generated over $100 billion in gross sales of groceries and household essentials last year not including sales from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh.In June, Amazon said it was investing more than $4 billion to triple the size of its delivery network by 2026, with a focus on small towns and rural communities across the country.It also noted that it's using artificial intelligence to help it predict local customer preferences so it can stock popular items alongside items targeted for specific communities

Amazon expands its delivery service, putting pressure on traditional grocers

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump answered questions from the media prior to&nbsp;&nbsp;critical talks on Ukraine with European leaders at the White House on Monday.

A reported who was critical of Zelenskyy's appearance during a February meeting, praised what Zelenskyy was wearing for the Monday meeting and apologized for his earlier comments.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump answered questions from the media prior to&nbsp;&nbsp;critical talks on Ukraine with European leaders at the White House on Monday.A reported who was critical of Zelenskyy's appearance during a February meeting, praised what Zelenskyy was wearing for the Monday meeting and apologized for his earlier comments.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">REPORTER: &quot;You look fabulous in that suit!&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I said the same thing!&quot; 🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/aRQLIOYJJC">pic.twitter.com/aRQLIOYJJC</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1957495624531865910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/brianglenntv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brianglenntv</a>: &quot;President Zelensky, you look fabulous in that suit.&quot; President Trump: &quot;I said the same thing...that&#39;s the one that attacked you last time.&quot; President Zelensky: &quot;I remember.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/GqxHRzkVag">https://t.co/GqxHRzkVag</a> <a href="https://t.co/f6kty4fh7s">pic.twitter.com/f6kty4fh7s</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1957497115464085817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥President Zelensky wears a suit to White House meeting

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man accused in a fatal hit-and-run will face a judge on Monday afternoon.

Gauge Brasher, 19, is scheduled to make a first appearance in court, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;Wichita police took Brasher&nbsp; into custody shortly after 4 p.m. Friday in the 3100 block of E. Range Road, according to a statement from Wichita Police.

Around 6:30 p.m. August 13, a nearby Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in the area saw the aftermath of fatal crash that killed&nbsp;14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa and saw two men running from a black BMW that had crashed. After a short foot pursuit, both men were apprehended.

The preliminary investigation indicated the BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a power pole and then a utility box. The impact forced the power pole and utility box into Nzabonimpa, who died on scene from his injuries.&nbsp;

Witnesses at the intersection identified the 19-year-old suspect Gauge Brasher, who fled as the driver. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. The investigation indicated that impairment and speed were likely contributing factors in the collision. Brasher was admitted to the hospital for medical treatment and later left the hospital. The passenger is a 24-year-old man who was detained and later released with no charges.&nbsp;

Police investigators presented the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, and Brasher was charged with second-degree murder in the Aug. 13, crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755212957933.png" alt="View of the crash scene -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>View of the crash scene -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man accused in a fatal hit-and-run will face a judge on Monday afternoon.Gauge Brasher, 19, is scheduled to make a first appearance in court, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755346851465.png" alt="Brasher photo Sedgwick Co. " />
 <figcaption>Brasher photo Sedgwick Co. </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Wichita police took Brasher&nbsp; into custody shortly after 4 p.m. Friday in the 3100 block of E. Range Road, according to a statement from Wichita Police.Around 6:30 p.m. August 13, a nearby Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in the area saw the aftermath of fatal crash that killed&nbsp;14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa and saw two men running from a black BMW that had crashed. After a short foot pursuit, both men were apprehended.The preliminary investigation indicated the BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a power pole and then a utility box. The impact forced the power pole and utility box into Nzabonimpa, who died on scene from his injuries.&nbsp;Witnesses at the intersection identified the 19-year-old suspect Gauge Brasher, who fled as the driver. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. The investigation indicated that impairment and speed were likely contributing factors in the collision. Brasher was admitted to the hospital for medical treatment and later left the hospital. The passenger is a 24-year-old man who was detained and later released with no charges.&nbsp;Police investigators presented the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, and Brasher was charged with second-degree murder in the Aug. 13, crash.

Suspect who hid after fatal Kansas crash will face a judge

MCPHERSON COUNTY&nbsp;—One person died in an accident just after 10a.m. Sunday in McPherson County.

The McPherson County Sheriff reported a GMC Acadia driven by 47-year-old Tawny O'Hara of Galva was attempting to make a left turn onto Comanche from 22nd. A Honda motorcycle driven by a 65-year-old Terrance Regehr of Galva attempted to pass the SUV.&nbsp; 

The motorcycle struck the driver's side of the Acadia. Moundridge EMS provided lifesaving aid to Regehr but he was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Sheriff's office.&nbsp; O'Hara was not injured.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no additional details.

MCPHERSON COUNTY&nbsp;—One person died in an accident just after 10a.m. Sunday in McPherson County.The McPherson County Sheriff reported a GMC Acadia driven by 47-year-old Tawny O'Hara of Galva was attempting to make a left turn onto Comanche from 22nd. A Honda motorcycle driven by a 65-year-old Terrance Regehr of Galva attempted to pass the SUV.&nbsp; The motorcycle struck the driver's side of the Acadia. Moundridge EMS provided lifesaving aid to Regehr but he was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Sheriff's office.&nbsp; O'Hara was not injured.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Kansas man dies in motorcycle, SUV crash

By&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas is making history today, honoring the voices, vision, and impact of women in sports media with the first-ever observance of Women in Sports Broadcasting Day.&nbsp;

The day was proclaimed by Gov. Laura Kelly at the urging of KSN-TV sports anchor and reporter Asia Cymone Smith, whose advocacy turned a personal mission into a statewide recognition. For Smith, the proclamation is more than a ceremonial gesture, it’s a statement of value in an industry where women still make up just 38% of sports broadcasting roles in Kansas, according to a review of recent staff directories from stations in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City.&nbsp;

“It’s something that felt surreal, something that I’d been thinking about for a long time,” Smith said. “I wanted to make sure that women, us hard-working women who are also putting in work here, are recognized. This is a testament to the recognition and the work we’ve put in. And it highlights contributions of the former women in sports broadcasting and the ones to come.”&nbsp;

Smith, who also serves as Miss Kansas USA, has made women in sports broadcasting a central part of her public platform. She operates a mentorship initiative called Girls Talk Game, aimed at uplifting young girls who aspire to careers in the field through school visits, group sessions and one-on-one coaching. “I want to be the help that I always wish I had when I first got started,” she said. “I want to be that person that teaches them the ropes so they don’t have to struggle and so they have the same opportunities to learn and get the knowledge they need to succeed.”&nbsp;

That desire was shaped by her own experiences. Early in her career, she was once told, “We’re not here to hold your hand or teach you the ropes.”

It was a moment that stayed with her, and one she vowed not to repeat with the next generation.

“For every little girl who really is watching the TV news and sees us, I want them to know that it’s possible, no matter what other people tell you, when they tell you, you don’t belong in the industry,” Smith said. “Those are comments we get all the time. And I want them to know those people can’t define your success.”&nbsp;

From left, Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director; and Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist, pose in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.

The proclamation also honors the women who have inspired others on the national stage. It names Kansas-connected journalists such as Becky Dixon, the first woman to co-host ABC’s Wide World of Sports; Aminia Smith, a former sports journalist in Lawrence now hosting ESPN’s SportsCenter; and Kendra Douglas, a former Wichita sports anchor now working as an NBA sideline reporter. Smith said seeing them succeed at such high levels serves as proof of what’s possible. “They’re inspirations to us who are sitting here today,” she said.&nbsp;

Joining Smith in celebrating the day are KAKE-TV sports director Micaela Dea and KWCH-TV multimedia journalist Rachel Hallam. Though they work at competing stations, the three regularly cross paths on the sidelines, at press conferences and in locker rooms, and have forged a bond over shared experiences.

“We see each other all the time,” Dea said. “I knew from the onset of joining this career I wanted to be one of those women that helped other women. If I could have my small part in making that easier for the next woman, that’s amazing. And of course, I want to pay tribute to all the other women before us that have literally trailblazed the way.”&nbsp;

Dea, who became KAKE’s first female sports director last year, said she is encouraged by how far the industry has come. “I can’t imagine where it will be in the next twenty years or the next couple of decades,” she said. “But I definitely am proud to be one of those women in sports that loves to empower other women.”&nbsp;

Hallam said the observance is a meaningful acknowledgment of both the progress made and the challenges that remain. “It means everything,” Hallam said. “It’s hard to be in this industry in the first place, and then how hard it is to be a woman in this industry. Just for everybody to finally recognize that, not just ourselves and not just the other women that are in this industry, but to know that it is still a growing industry and we still have opportunities laid out in front of us.”&nbsp;

Smith said she hopes today’s recognition sparks more opportunities for women in leadership roles, production and high-profile analyst positions in men’s sports. “There’s a lot of leadership positions I think can still be filled,” she said. “Women have completely trailblazed and transformed the sideline reporter role. But why not have those same broadcasters be analysts for the NBA and for the NFL? Our perspective is important and should be shown, too.” She pointed to growing momentum in women’s sports coverage, from WNBA expansion to record-breaking college softball and volleyball crowds, as proof that the appetite is there for more women’s voices. “I think it’s continuing to grow, and that’s great to see,” she said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755029604394.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Asia Cymone Smith" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Asia Cymone Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas is making history today, honoring the voices, vision, and impact of women in sports media with the first-ever observance of Women in Sports Broadcasting Day.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755029796536.jpeg" alt="From left, Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director; and Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist, pose in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas." />
 <figcaption>From left, Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director; and Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist, pose in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>The day was proclaimed by Gov. Laura Kelly at the urging of KSN-TV sports anchor and reporter Asia Cymone Smith, whose advocacy turned a personal mission into a statewide recognition. For Smith, the proclamation is more than a ceremonial gesture, it’s a statement of value in an industry where women still make up just 38% of sports broadcasting roles in Kansas, according to a review of recent staff directories from stations in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City.&nbsp;“It’s something that felt surreal, something that I’d been thinking about for a long time,” Smith said. “I wanted to make sure that women, us hard-working women who are also putting in work here, are recognized. This is a testament to the recognition and the work we’ve put in. And it highlights contributions of the former women in sports broadcasting and the ones to come.”&nbsp;Smith, who also serves as Miss Kansas USA, has made women in sports broadcasting a central part of her public platform. She operates a mentorship initiative called Girls Talk Game, aimed at uplifting young girls who aspire to careers in the field through school visits, group sessions and one-on-one coaching. “I want to be the help that I always wish I had when I first got started,” she said. “I want to be that person that teaches them the ropes so they don’t have to struggle and so they have the same opportunities to learn and get the knowledge they need to succeed.”&nbsp;That desire was shaped by her own experiences. Early in her career, she was once told, “We’re not here to hold your hand or teach you the ropes.”It was a moment that stayed with her, and one she vowed not to repeat with the next generation.“For every little girl who really is watching the TV news and sees us, I want them to know that it’s possible, no matter what other people tell you, when they tell you, you don’t belong in the industry,” Smith said. “Those are comments we get all the time. And I want them to know those people can’t define your success.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755029796536.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From left, Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director; and Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist, pose in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.The proclamation also honors the women who have inspired others on the national stage. It names Kansas-connected journalists such as Becky Dixon, the first woman to co-host ABC’s Wide World of Sports; Aminia Smith, a former sports journalist in Lawrence now hosting ESPN’s SportsCenter; and Kendra Douglas, a former Wichita sports anchor now working as an NBA sideline reporter. Smith said seeing them succeed at such high levels serves as proof of what’s possible. “They’re inspirations to us who are sitting here today,” she said.&nbsp;Joining Smith in celebrating the day are KAKE-TV sports director Micaela Dea and KWCH-TV multimedia journalist Rachel Hallam. Though they work at competing stations, the three regularly cross paths on the sidelines, at press conferences and in locker rooms, and have forged a bond over shared experiences.“We see each other all the time,” Dea said. “I knew from the onset of joining this career I wanted to be one of those women that helped other women. If I could have my small part in making that easier for the next woman, that’s amazing. And of course, I want to pay tribute to all the other women before us that have literally trailblazed the way.”&nbsp;Dea, who became KAKE’s first female sports director last year, said she is encouraged by how far the industry has come. “I can’t imagine where it will be in the next twenty years or the next couple of decades,” she said. “But I definitely am proud to be one of those women in sports that loves to empower other women.”&nbsp;Hallam said the observance is a meaningful acknowledgment of both the progress made and the challenges that remain. “It means everything,” Hallam said. “It’s hard to be in this industry in the first place, and then how hard it is to be a woman in this industry. Just for everybody to finally recognize that, not just ourselves and not just the other women that are in this industry, but to know that it is still a growing industry and we still have opportunities laid out in front of us.”&nbsp;Smith said she hopes today’s recognition sparks more opportunities for women in leadership roles, production and high-profile analyst positions in men’s sports. “There’s a lot of leadership positions I think can still be filled,” she said. “Women have completely trailblazed and transformed the sideline reporter role. But why not have those same broadcasters be analysts for the NBA and for the NFL? Our perspective is important and should be shown, too.” She pointed to growing momentum in women’s sports coverage, from WNBA expansion to record-breaking college softball and volleyball crowds, as proof that the appetite is there for more women’s voices. “I think it’s continuing to grow, and that’s great to see,” she said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755029846575.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From left, Rachel Hallam, KWCH-TV multimedia journalist; Asia Cymone Smith, KSN-TV sports anchor/reporter; Sean Boston, Eagle Media sports director; and Micaela Dea, KAKE-TV sports director, are pictured in the KWBW Radio studio in Hutchinson, Kan., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, during an interview marking the first Women in Sports Broadcasting Day in Kansas.While Women in Sports Broadcasting Day is new, those celebrating it hope it becomes an annual touchpoint for progress. “I hope every girl watching sees this and thinks, ‘That can be me,’” Smith said. “Because it absolutely can.”&nbsp;The proclamation urges Kansans to join in recognizing the achievements of women in sports media and to support ongoing efforts toward equality in the profession. For Smith, Dea and Hallam, that means continuing to show up for each other, and for the young women they hope will follow in their footsteps.&nbsp;“We’re supposed to be competitors,” Hallam said, “but we’re constantly having each other’s backs. That’s what makes this day so important, it’s a reminder that we’re here, we can do our job, and we’re not going anywhere.”&nbsp;