&nbsp;Danny Zeck, a member of the Kansas State Board of Education, appears at a July 8, 2025, board meeting. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)

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

TOPEKA — Judith Deedy said there’s been a disconnect for a decade in Kansas’ student assessment scores.

Her oldest child once earned fives — the highest level at the time — until 2015, when she began scoring at level three after the assessment scores changed.

“The Kansas assessment has persistently been an outlier for all of the three children in my own family and for thousands of students across the state, as data has shown,” Deedy, a public education advocate, said at a Tuesday meeting of the Kansas State Board of Education.

State assessment scores have shown a steady increase in the number of Kansas students scoring lower on math, science and English language arts tests since 2016, while achieving marks of post-secondary success, such as higher education degrees and military careers.

The state education board voted 7-3 on Tuesday to change assessment cut scores in the 2025-2026 school year, broadening the scoring range and shrinking the tests. Board members Michelle Dombrosky, Connie O’Brien and Debby Potter voted against resetting the scores.

In partnership with the University of Kansas and with input from nearly 150 educators, the Kansas State Department of Education crafted new metrics for the assessment tests students periodically take in English language arts, math and science throughout their school careers.

Cut scores divide performance levels, reflecting student achievement.

Following the board’s vote, cut scores are undergoing an expansion. Previously, the scoring scale ranged from 220-380, with cutoffs varying by grade, level and subject.

Now, the lowest obtainable score is 400 across all grades and subjects, and the highest is 700. Level two cuts off at 510, and the level three cutoff is 540 for all grades and subjects. The level four cutoff varies by grade and subject.

In May, the board approved new performance definitions for each level. Previously, scores fell into the following levels: limited, basic, effective and excellent. Now, “limited” and “basic” remain for levels one and two, but “effective” was changed to “proficient” and “excellent” to “advanced.”

Beth Fultz, director of career standards and assessment services for the education department, addressed the board before its vote. She said it “was an opportunity to impact Kansas education for several years to come.”

Beryl New, a board member from Topeka, said she has heard from constituents who are concerned the state education department is lowering standards.

Fultz responded that the change is more of a realignment of expectations for student performance.

“I do believe we are not reducing the rigor on this assessment,” Fultz said.

The state education commissioner, Randy Watson, said the department brought to the table “a scientifically based process that’s nationally recognized,” and came from the voices of teachers. He assured the board that the new scores still set the highest expectations for Kansas kids.

Deedy, who spoke during the board’s public forum section at the beginning of the meeting, said the old cut scores overshot a desire to be aspirational.

“Adjusting cut scores is not lowering our standards,” Deedy said, ”but rather improving the predictability and reliability of this point-in-time assessment to more accurately reflect student achievement levels.”

Danny Zeck, a board member from Leavenworth, said he struggles with assessments. He said he was once what he called “a level one kid.”

Zeck, following a long pause, said: “The problem I have with level one, two, three and four is that level one person wakes up sometime and they’re gonna be successful.”

He also encouraged parents, if they do not agree with the new cut scores, to exempt their students from participating in assessments.

“C’mon, people,” he said. “If you really dislike it, opt them out. It’s not a rocket science deal.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755189194778.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Danny Zeck, a member of the Kansas State Board of Education, appears at a July 8, 2025, board meeting. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Judith Deedy said there’s been a disconnect for a decade in Kansas’ student assessment scores.Her oldest child once earned fives — the highest level at the time — until 2015, when she began scoring at level three after the assessment scores changed.“The Kansas assessment has persistently been an outlier for all of the three children in my own family and for thousands of students across the state, as data has shown,” Deedy, a public education advocate, said at a Tuesday meeting of the Kansas State Board of Education.State assessment scores have shown a steady increase in the number of Kansas students scoring lower on math, science and English language arts tests since 2016, while achieving marks of post-secondary success, such as higher education degrees and military careers.The state education board voted 7-3 on Tuesday to change assessment cut scores in the 2025-2026 school year, broadening the scoring range and shrinking the tests. Board members Michelle Dombrosky, Connie O’Brien and Debby Potter voted against resetting the scores.In partnership with the University of Kansas and with input from nearly 150 educators, the Kansas State Department of Education crafted new metrics for the assessment tests students periodically take in English language arts, math and science throughout their school careers.Cut scores divide performance levels, reflecting student achievement.Following the board’s vote, cut scores are undergoing an expansion. Previously, the scoring scale ranged from 220-380, with cutoffs varying by grade, level and subject.Now, the lowest obtainable score is 400 across all grades and subjects, and the highest is 700. Level two cuts off at 510, and the level three cutoff is 540 for all grades and subjects. The level four cutoff varies by grade and subject.In May, the board approved new performance definitions for each level. Previously, scores fell into the following levels: limited, basic, effective and excellent. Now, “limited” and “basic” remain for levels one and two, but “effective” was changed to “proficient” and “excellent” to “advanced.”Beth Fultz, director of career standards and assessment services for the education department, addressed the board before its vote. She said it “was an opportunity to impact Kansas education for several years to come.”Beryl New, a board member from Topeka, said she has heard from constituents who are concerned the state education department is lowering standards.Fultz responded that the change is more of a realignment of expectations for student performance.“I do believe we are not reducing the rigor on this assessment,” Fultz said.The state education commissioner, Randy Watson, said the department brought to the table “a scientifically based process that’s nationally recognized,” and came from the voices of teachers. He assured the board that the new scores still set the highest expectations for Kansas kids.Deedy, who spoke during the board’s public forum section at the beginning of the meeting, said the old cut scores overshot a desire to be aspirational.“Adjusting cut scores is not lowering our standards,” Deedy said, ”but rather improving the predictability and reliability of this point-in-time assessment to more accurately reflect student achievement levels.”Danny Zeck, a board member from Leavenworth, said he struggles with assessments. He said he was once what he called “a level one kid.”Zeck, following a long pause, said: “The problem I have with level one, two, three and four is that level one person wakes up sometime and they’re gonna be successful.”Everybody reacts differently, he said.He also encouraged parents, if they do not agree with the new cut scores, to exempt their students from participating in assessments.“C’mon, people,” he said. “If you really dislike it, opt them out. It’s not a rocket science deal.”

Kansas state education board expands scoring range for student assessments

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating what police now believe is accidental shooting in Lawrence.

Just before 7p.m. Wednesday police found several people in and around the apartment&nbsp; near 19th and Naismith, according to a media release.&nbsp; One man had been shot in the abdomen. Officers worked to slow the bleeding and provide other lifesaving measures until medics from Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical arrived. 

Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene and detectives brought several witnesses in for questioning. The victim was transported to a trauma center by ambulance.&nbsp;The man who fired the gun is cooperating with police.&nbsp; Police released no additional details late Wednesday.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating what police now believe is accidental shooting in Lawrence.Just before 7p.m. Wednesday police found several people in and around the apartment&nbsp; near 19th and Naismith, according to a media release.&nbsp; One man had been shot in the abdomen. Officers worked to slow the bleeding and provide other lifesaving measures until medics from Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical arrived. Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene and detectives brought several witnesses in for questioning. The victim was transported to a trauma center by ambulance.&nbsp;The man who fired the gun is cooperating with police.&nbsp; Police released no additional details late Wednesday.

Police: Kansas man hospitalized after accidental shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — Look what you made her do —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;has announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

It will arrive October 3, she revealed Wednesday. Swift, Max Martin and Shellback are the credited producers, which includes a notable absence of her longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. The final track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” will feature Sabrina Carpenter. A full tracklist is below.

Swift announced the album on her website shortly after a countdown timer expired at 12:12 a.m. Tuesday. No release date was announced, but her site said vinyl editions of the album would ship before Oct. 13.

Fans have long theorized that Swift's 12th album would soon arrive. On Monday, Taylor Nation — an official branch of the pop superstar’s marketing team — posted a TikTok slideshow of 12 images with the caption “Thinking about when she said 'See you next era…'” Swift is seen wearing orange in every image.

She also revealed the album artwork, which features the singer submerged in water and continues her color scheme of orange and mint green.

A special limited vinyl edition of the album will be released in “Portofino orange glitter,” according to a preorder page on her site. A special cassette edition is also available for preorder.

Sensing a pattern, eagle-eyed fans noticed that 12 minutes before Monday's Taylor Nation post, the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelce-chiefs-eagles-jason-travis-new-heights-92761f6968b12ee06603d66e7ce9c5b7">“New Heights” podcast</a>&nbsp;posted a tease for Wednesday. The show, hosted by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-bills-nfl-playoffs-d978fa0be8100cc145cb6a63ffc656cf">Swift's boyfriend</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, posted an orange image on social media with a mysterious silhouette that many believed to be Swift.

The podcast later announced that Swift would indeed appear on “New Heights” and a teaser video posted about her appearance showed her pulling the album from a briefcase.

12. The Life of a Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)

How to watch Taylor Swift on the ‘New Heights’ podcast

Swift's episode of the “New Heights” podcast premiered at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday. It is available to stream in full on YouTube. Fans who'd prefer to listen to the show, instead, can do so via most podcast streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify and Wondery.

“The Life of a Showgirl” follows last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-review-b24d2275df5cf78ffa9069c61b9825ec">“The Tortured Poets Department,”</a>&nbsp;announced during the 2024 Grammys and released during her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-billion-dollar-record-52945111233438b1f2166aa19eee365f">record-breaking tour</a>, which raked in over $2.2 billion across two years and five continents, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time.

The album is also Swift's first release since she regained control over her entire body of work. In May, the pop star said she purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">Big Machine Records —</a>&nbsp;from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount paid.

In recent years, Swift had been re-recording and releasing her first six albums in an attempt to regain control of her music. The project was instigated by music executive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scooter-braun-what-to-know-d5669e8b0fe641dd268c2e2cf88b0e24">Scooter Braun’s</a>&nbsp;purchase and sale of her early catalog. Previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">“Taylor’s Version” releases</a>&nbsp;have been more than conventional re-recordings, arriving with new “from the vault” music, Easter eggs and visuals that deepen understanding of her work.

So far, there have been four re-recorded albums, beginning with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-redoing-fearless-album-127eefa2a3ef3373e65507495f50145c">“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-6fe895e1691f6cd85216e520cc3b8ce1">“Red (Taylor’s Version)”</a>&nbsp;in 2021. All four have been massive commercial and cultural successes, each debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Swift’s last re-recording,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-a4002b50f70b5899a846baf3e20de5ab">“1989 (Taylor’s Version),”</a>&nbsp;arrived in October 2023, just four months after the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-speak-now-taylors-version-a41998c4d1f08af9d89c6d314ed4c2bd">“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”</a>&nbsp;That was the same year Swift claimed the record for the woman with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-number-one-albums-speak-now-5dfb913b75ee6628d8804d5a02f9333f">most No. 1 albums in history.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728352544471.png" alt="Taylor Swift file photo (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Taylor Swift file photo (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Look what you made her do —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;has announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”It will arrive October 3, she revealed Wednesday. Swift, Max Martin and Shellback are the credited producers, which includes a notable absence of her longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. The final track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” will feature Sabrina Carpenter. A full tracklist is below.Swift announced the album on her website shortly after a countdown timer expired at 12:12 a.m. Tuesday. No release date was announced, but her site said vinyl editions of the album would ship before Oct. 13.Fans have long theorized that Swift's 12th album would soon arrive. On Monday, Taylor Nation — an official branch of the pop superstar’s marketing team — posted a TikTok slideshow of 12 images with the caption “Thinking about when she said 'See you next era…'” Swift is seen wearing orange in every image.She also revealed the album artwork, which features the singer submerged in water and continues her color scheme of orange and mint green.A special limited vinyl edition of the album will be released in “Portofino orange glitter,” according to a preorder page on her site. A special cassette edition is also available for preorder.Sensing a pattern, eagle-eyed fans noticed that 12 minutes before Monday's Taylor Nation post, the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelce-chiefs-eagles-jason-travis-new-heights-92761f6968b12ee06603d66e7ce9c5b7">“New Heights” podcast</a>&nbsp;posted a tease for Wednesday. The show, hosted by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-bills-nfl-playoffs-d978fa0be8100cc145cb6a63ffc656cf">Swift's boyfriend</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, posted an orange image on social media with a mysterious silhouette that many believed to be Swift.The podcast later announced that Swift would indeed appear on “New Heights” and a teaser video posted about her appearance showed her pulling the album from a briefcase.Here's the full tracklist:<h2>“The Life of a Showgirl”</h2>1. The Fate of Ophelia2. Elizabeth Taylor3. Opalite4. Father Figure5. Eldest Daughter6. Ruin the Friendship7. Actually Romantic8. Wi$h Li$t9. Wood10. Cancelled!11. Honey12. The Life of a Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)<h2>How to watch Taylor Swift on the ‘New Heights’ podcast</h2>Swift's episode of the “New Heights” podcast premiered at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday. It is available to stream in full on YouTube. Fans who'd prefer to listen to the show, instead, can do so via most podcast streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify and Wondery.<h2>The road to ‘The Life of a Showgirl’</h2>“The Life of a Showgirl” follows last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-review-b24d2275df5cf78ffa9069c61b9825ec">“The Tortured Poets Department,”</a>&nbsp;announced during the 2024 Grammys and released during her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-billion-dollar-record-52945111233438b1f2166aa19eee365f">record-breaking tour</a>, which raked in over $2.2 billion across two years and five continents, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time.The album is also Swift's first release since she regained control over her entire body of work. In May, the pop star said she purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">Big Machine Records —</a>&nbsp;from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount paid.In recent years, Swift had been re-recording and releasing her first six albums in an attempt to regain control of her music. The project was instigated by music executive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scooter-braun-what-to-know-d5669e8b0fe641dd268c2e2cf88b0e24">Scooter Braun’s</a>&nbsp;purchase and sale of her early catalog. Previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">“Taylor’s Version” releases</a>&nbsp;have been more than conventional re-recordings, arriving with new “from the vault” music, Easter eggs and visuals that deepen understanding of her work.So far, there have been four re-recorded albums, beginning with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-redoing-fearless-album-127eefa2a3ef3373e65507495f50145c">“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-6fe895e1691f6cd85216e520cc3b8ce1">“Red (Taylor’s Version)”</a>&nbsp;in 2021. All four have been massive commercial and cultural successes, each debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.Swift’s last re-recording,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-a4002b50f70b5899a846baf3e20de5ab">“1989 (Taylor’s Version),”</a>&nbsp;arrived in October 2023, just four months after the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-speak-now-taylors-version-a41998c4d1f08af9d89c6d314ed4c2bd">“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”</a>&nbsp;That was the same year Swift claimed the record for the woman with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-number-one-albums-speak-now-5dfb913b75ee6628d8804d5a02f9333f">most No. 1 albums in history.</a>

Taylor Swift reveals much more about her 12th studio album

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused in a fatal motel shooting will return to court Thursday.

Craig Steele, 34, will appear before Judge Roger Woods for a preliminary hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In April, police asked the public for help to locate Steele in connection with death of Eric Lopez-Morales, which occurred on April 17, in the 1600 block of S. Broadway in Wichita.&nbsp; A few hours later, police reported they had Steele in custody for questioning regarding this case.&nbsp;

On the night of the shooting, police were in the area of Harry and Broadway on an unrelated call when they heard gunshots nearby, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford. Officers immediately responded to the area and located&nbsp;Lopez-Morale with a gunshot wound. He was in front of the Frontier Motel at 1623 S. Broadway.

Despite the life-saving efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:04 p.m.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Lopez-Morales was involved in a physical altercation with unknown males in the parking lot of the motel before the shooting.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745333641854.png" alt="Steele-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Steele-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused in a fatal motel shooting will return to court Thursday.Craig Steele, 34, will appear before Judge Roger Woods for a preliminary hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In April, police asked the public for help to locate Steele in connection with death of Eric Lopez-Morales, which occurred on April 17, in the 1600 block of S. Broadway in Wichita.&nbsp; A few hours later, police reported they had Steele in custody for questioning regarding this case.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745003725186.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>On the night of the shooting, police were in the area of Harry and Broadway on an unrelated call when they heard gunshots nearby, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford. Officers immediately responded to the area and located&nbsp;Lopez-Morale with a gunshot wound. He was in front of the Frontier Motel at 1623 S. Broadway.Despite the life-saving efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:04 p.m.Preliminary investigations indicate that Lopez-Morales was involved in a physical altercation with unknown males in the parking lot of the motel before the shooting.&nbsp;

Preliminary hearing for suspect in deadly Kan. motel killing

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jim-gomez">JIM GOMEZ</a>

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The U.S. deployed two warships Wednesday in a disputed South China Sea shoal where two Chinese ships collided earlier in the week while trying to drive away a smaller Philippine ship in a high-seas accident that raised alarms about maritime safety.

Both China and the Philippines claim Scarborough Shoal and other outcroppings in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/south-china-sea">the South China Sea.</a>&nbsp;Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay overlapping claims in the contested waters.

The USS Higgins, a guided missile destroyer, and USS Cincinnati, a littoral combat ship, were shadowed by a Chinese navy ship while sailing about 30 nautical miles from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-philippines-sea-scarborough-shoal-063d817379f1a5268e2061b9c2764afe">Scarborough Shoal</a>. There were no reports of any untoward incident, Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said, citing information from U.S. officials and a Philippine surveillance flight.

The U.S. Navy has staged what it calls freedom-of-navigation voyages and overflights in the South China Sea for years to challenge China’s restrictions and its demand for entry notifications in virtually the entire stretch of the disputed waters that it claims. That has angered China and its forces have had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">close runs-in</a>&nbsp;with U.S. warships and aircraft on such patrols in international waters and airspace.

The deployment happened after Washington’s ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday condemned “the latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel” in Scarborough. The rich fishing atoll off the northwestern Philippines has been the scene of increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philippines-disputed-shoal-south-china-sea-scarborough-27a2ef0bda953cb6bda4f42057fb7e39">tense confrontations between</a>&nbsp;the Chinese and Philippine coast guard, fishing and other ships in recent years.

The Philippines is the oldest treaty ally of the U.S. in Asia. Washington has repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-collision-67aa7e2ca5df4f4e3a7c3bceff46c26f">warned</a>&nbsp;that it’s obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

On Monday, a Chinese navy destroyer and a Chinese coast guard ship accidentally collided while trying to block and drive away a smaller Philippine coast guard ship, the BRP Suluan, about 10.5 nautical miles (19 kilometers) from Scarborough. Video footages made public by the Philippine coast guard show the Chinese coast guard ship blasting its powerful water cannon and a number of Chinese personnel standing at the bow shortly before that section was hit by the fast-turning Chinese navy ship.

Shortly after the collision, the video shows the heavily shattered bow of the Chinese coast guard ship without the Chinese personnel, who were standing on deck before the crash. The Chinese navy ship sustained deep dents and what appeared to be linear gushes on its hull.

Japan, Australia and New Zealand expressed alarm on Wednesday over the dangerous maneuvers that led to the collision in the busy waters, a key global trade route.

“Japan upholds the rule of law and opposes any actions which increase tensions. Our concern goes to the repeated actions in the South China Sea,” Japanese Ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya said in a post on X.

The Australian Embassy in Manila expressed concern “by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal involving the Philippine Coast Guard,” saying in a statement the incident “highlights the need for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law.”

“This is a learning experience for the People’s Republic of China,” Tarriela, the Philippine coast guard commodore, told a news conference in Manila. “For so many years, we have been reminding them to stop dangerous maneuvers, to stop risky blockings, to adhere to the (anti-)collision regulations because if there is a very high chance of miscalculation, this kind of collision incident would happen.”

Tarriela spoke a few hours after a Chinese fighter jet flew as close as 500 feet (150 meters) to try to drive away a Philippine coast guard plane on a surveillance flight on Wednesday over the Scarborough with invited journalists on board. The Chinese jet carried out dangerous maneuvers for about 20 minutes, including flying about 200 feet (60 meters) above the small Philippine aircraft, Tarriela said.

Associated Press writers Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755136646024.png" alt="Google Map" />
 <figcaption>Google Map</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jim-gomez">JIM GOMEZ</a>MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The U.S. deployed two warships Wednesday in a disputed South China Sea shoal where two Chinese ships collided earlier in the week while trying to drive away a smaller Philippine ship in a high-seas accident that raised alarms about maritime safety.Both China and the Philippines claim Scarborough Shoal and other outcroppings in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/south-china-sea">the South China Sea.</a>&nbsp;Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay overlapping claims in the contested waters.The USS Higgins, a guided missile destroyer, and USS Cincinnati, a littoral combat ship, were shadowed by a Chinese navy ship while sailing about 30 nautical miles from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-philippines-sea-scarborough-shoal-063d817379f1a5268e2061b9c2764afe">Scarborough Shoal</a>. There were no reports of any untoward incident, Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said, citing information from U.S. officials and a Philippine surveillance flight.The U.S. Navy has staged what it calls freedom-of-navigation voyages and overflights in the South China Sea for years to challenge China’s restrictions and its demand for entry notifications in virtually the entire stretch of the disputed waters that it claims. That has angered China and its forces have had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">close runs-in</a>&nbsp;with U.S. warships and aircraft on such patrols in international waters and airspace.The deployment happened after Washington’s ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday condemned “the latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel” in Scarborough. The rich fishing atoll off the northwestern Philippines has been the scene of increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philippines-disputed-shoal-south-china-sea-scarborough-27a2ef0bda953cb6bda4f42057fb7e39">tense confrontations between</a>&nbsp;the Chinese and Philippine coast guard, fishing and other ships in recent years.The Philippines is the oldest treaty ally of the U.S. in Asia. Washington has repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-collision-67aa7e2ca5df4f4e3a7c3bceff46c26f">warned</a>&nbsp;that it’s obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.On Monday, a Chinese navy destroyer and a Chinese coast guard ship accidentally collided while trying to block and drive away a smaller Philippine coast guard ship, the BRP Suluan, about 10.5 nautical miles (19 kilometers) from Scarborough. Video footages made public by the Philippine coast guard show the Chinese coast guard ship blasting its powerful water cannon and a number of Chinese personnel standing at the bow shortly before that section was hit by the fast-turning Chinese navy ship.Shortly after the collision, the video shows the heavily shattered bow of the Chinese coast guard ship without the Chinese personnel, who were standing on deck before the crash. The Chinese navy ship sustained deep dents and what appeared to be linear gushes on its hull.Japan, Australia and New Zealand expressed alarm on Wednesday over the dangerous maneuvers that led to the collision in the busy waters, a key global trade route.“Japan upholds the rule of law and opposes any actions which increase tensions. Our concern goes to the repeated actions in the South China Sea,” Japanese Ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya said in a post on X.The Australian Embassy in Manila expressed concern “by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal involving the Philippine Coast Guard,” saying in a statement the incident “highlights the need for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law.”“This is a learning experience for the People’s Republic of China,” Tarriela, the Philippine coast guard commodore, told a news conference in Manila. “For so many years, we have been reminding them to stop dangerous maneuvers, to stop risky blockings, to adhere to the (anti-)collision regulations because if there is a very high chance of miscalculation, this kind of collision incident would happen.”Tarriela spoke a few hours after a Chinese fighter jet flew as close as 500 feet (150 meters) to try to drive away a Philippine coast guard plane on a surveillance flight on Wednesday over the Scarborough with invited journalists on board. The Chinese jet carried out dangerous maneuvers for about 20 minutes, including flying about 200 feet (60 meters) above the small Philippine aircraft, Tarriela said.___Associated Press writers Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

US deployed warships to disputed South China Sea shoal after Chinese collision

RUSH COUNTY— A Kansas man is going to prison for child sex crimes.

Earlier this month, 31-year-old Tyler Whitten was sentenced to serve 27.5 years in prison, according to the Kansas Attorney General's office. In December he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a child under the age of 14.

The alleged acts in Pawnee County occurred at a private residence in Larned sometime between September 16, 2021, and March 1, 2023, and were discovered during an investigation by the Rush County Sheriff regarding similar allegations.

“We appreciate the hard work of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Rush County Sheriff’s Office, whose thorough investigation provided the evidence necessary for justice in this case,” said Assistant Attorney General Nicole Southall. “We are especially grateful for the bravery of these young girls in coming forward and to their mother for her quick actions in getting her children to safety.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755136017700.png" alt="Whitten photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Whitten photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>RUSH COUNTY— A Kansas man is going to prison for child sex crimes.Earlier this month, 31-year-old Tyler Whitten was sentenced to serve 27.5 years in prison, according to the Kansas Attorney General's office. In December he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a child under the age of 14.The alleged acts in Pawnee County occurred at a private residence in Larned sometime between September 16, 2021, and March 1, 2023, and were discovered during an investigation by the Rush County Sheriff regarding similar allegations.“We appreciate the hard work of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Rush County Sheriff’s Office, whose thorough investigation provided the evidence necessary for justice in this case,” said Assistant Attorney General Nicole Southall. “We are especially grateful for the bravery of these young girls in coming forward and to their mother for her quick actions in getting her children to safety.”

Western Kan. man sentenced for sex crimes with young children

MORGAN COUNTY —A 2-year-old girl drowned just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday at Lake of the Ozarks.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the child wandered away from home located at 10.2 of the Gravois Arm of the lake. She was discovered face-up in the lake and transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital. 

She was pronounced deceased just after 12:30p.m. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

MORGAN COUNTY —A 2-year-old girl drowned just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday at Lake of the Ozarks.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the child wandered away from home located at 10.2 of the Gravois Arm of the lake. She was discovered face-up in the lake and transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital. She was pronounced deceased just after 12:30p.m. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2-year-old wandered from home, drowns at Lake of the Ozarks

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jonathan-j-cooper">JONATHAN J. COOPER</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-honorees-6c553c800ba334ad1ea47858b3dc271c">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;demanded that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;retract comments linking her to sex trafficker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;and threatened to sue if he does not.

Trump takes issue with two comments Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, made in an interview this month with British journalist Andrew Callaghan. He alleged that Epstein introduced the first lady to now-President Donald Trump.

The statements are false, defamatory and “extremely salacious,” Melania Trump’s lawyer, Alejandro Brito, wrote in a letter to Biden. Biden’s remarks were widely disseminated on social media and reported by media outlets around the world, causing the first lady “to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm,” he wrote.

Biden made the Epstein comments during a sprawling interview in which he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-clooney-election-interview-fde14797b7808053d2e5fa9c3ad5d71b">lashed out</a>&nbsp;at “elites” and others in the Democratic Party he says undermined his father before he dropped out of last year’s presidential campaign.

“Epstein introduced Melania to Trump. The connections are, like, so wide and deep,” Biden said in one of the comments Trump disputes. Biden attributed the claim to author Michael Wolff, whom Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114616348045430286" target="_blank">disparaged</a>&nbsp;in June as a “Third Rate Reporter.” He has accused Wolff of making up stories to sell books.

The first lady’s threats echo a favored strategy of her husband, who has aggressively used litigation to go after critics. Public figures like the Trumps face a high bar to succeed in a defamation lawsuit.

The president and first lady have long said they were introduced by Paolo Zampolli, a modeling agent, at a New York Fashion Week party in 1998.

The letter is dated Aug. 6 and was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/first-lady-melania-trump-puts-hunter-biden-1b-notice-over-false-defamatory-epstein-comments" target="_blank">first reported</a>&nbsp;Wednesday by Fox News Digital.

Abbe Lowell, a lawyer who has represented Biden in his criminal cases and to whom Brito’s letter is addressed, did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741036833111.png" alt="File photo First lady Melania Trump- courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo First lady Melania Trump- courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jonathan-j-cooper">JONATHAN J. COOPER</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-honorees-6c553c800ba334ad1ea47858b3dc271c">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;demanded that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;retract comments linking her to sex trafficker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;and threatened to sue if he does not.Trump takes issue with two comments Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, made in an interview this month with British journalist Andrew Callaghan. He alleged that Epstein introduced the first lady to now-President Donald Trump.The statements are false, defamatory and “extremely salacious,” Melania Trump’s lawyer, Alejandro Brito, wrote in a letter to Biden. Biden’s remarks were widely disseminated on social media and reported by media outlets around the world, causing the first lady “to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm,” he wrote.Biden made the Epstein comments during a sprawling interview in which he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-clooney-election-interview-fde14797b7808053d2e5fa9c3ad5d71b">lashed out</a>&nbsp;at “elites” and others in the Democratic Party he says undermined his father before he dropped out of last year’s presidential campaign.“Epstein introduced Melania to Trump. The connections are, like, so wide and deep,” Biden said in one of the comments Trump disputes. Biden attributed the claim to author Michael Wolff, whom Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114616348045430286" target="_blank">disparaged</a>&nbsp;in June as a “Third Rate Reporter.” He has accused Wolff of making up stories to sell books.The first lady’s threats echo a favored strategy of her husband, who has aggressively used litigation to go after critics. Public figures like the Trumps face a high bar to succeed in a defamation lawsuit.The president and first lady have long said they were introduced by Paolo Zampolli, a modeling agent, at a New York Fashion Week party in 1998.The letter is dated Aug. 6 and was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/first-lady-melania-trump-puts-hunter-biden-1b-notice-over-false-defamatory-epstein-comments" target="_blank">first reported</a>&nbsp;Wednesday by Fox News Digital.Abbe Lowell, a lawyer who has represented Biden in his criminal cases and to whom Brito’s letter is addressed, did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Wednesday.

First lady demands Hunter Biden retract 'salacious' Epstein comments

KANSAS CITY —Three people were rescued from apartment building fire in Kansas City on Wednesday.

Just before 6a.m. Wednesday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported building fire in the 4100 block of Pennsylvania in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders reported heavy fire from the second floor of a three-story multi-use building. The building contained commercial space on the first floor and apartments on the second and third. 

Crews initiated interior operations and conducted three successful rescue operations. Additional searches of the structure came back all clear. All three patients were transported in stable condition to be evaluated for smoke inhalation. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755113249137.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Three people were rescued from apartment building fire in Kansas City on Wednesday.Just before 6a.m. Wednesday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported building fire in the 4100 block of Pennsylvania in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.First responders reported heavy fire from the second floor of a three-story multi-use building. The building contained commercial space on the first floor and apartments on the second and third. Crews initiated interior operations and conducted three successful rescue operations. Additional searches of the structure came back all clear. All three patients were transported in stable condition to be evaluated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.

Three rescued from apartment fire in Kansas City

WICHITA, KAN. – Two Kansas men have been charged through separate criminal complaints with charges related to drug trafficking following search warrants executed.

Thomas Lewis Williams, 64, of Haysville is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, according to the United State's Attorney.

On August 6, a federal search warrant was conducted at Williams’ home on South Meridian Avenue in Haysville. Officers found firearms, U.S. currency, items used in the conversion process of methamphetamine, and suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl pills.

Oswaldo Gutierrez-Rodriguez, 29, of Wichita is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

According to court documents, on August 6, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a commercial building on North Mascot Avenue in Wichita. During a search, officers found acetone containers, ventilation fans, a propane tank hooked up to a hot plate, and other paraphernalia used to aid in conversion of methamphetamine. They also located a white crystal/powder substance that field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

Both men made initial court appearances August 11, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gwynne E. Birzer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

The Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security

Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755120228896.png" alt="Gutierrez-Rodriguez photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Gutierrez-Rodriguez photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – Two Kansas men have been charged through separate criminal complaints with charges related to drug trafficking following search warrants executed.Thomas Lewis Williams, 64, of Haysville is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, according to the United State's Attorney.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755119905512.png" alt="Williams photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On August 6, a federal search warrant was conducted at Williams’ home on South Meridian Avenue in Haysville. Officers found firearms, U.S. currency, items used in the conversion process of methamphetamine, and suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl pills.Oswaldo Gutierrez-Rodriguez, 29, of Wichita is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.According to court documents, on August 6, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a commercial building on North Mascot Avenue in Wichita. During a search, officers found acetone containers, ventilation fans, a propane tank hooked up to a hot plate, and other paraphernalia used to aid in conversion of methamphetamine. They also located a white crystal/powder substance that field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.Both men made initial court appearances August 11, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gwynne E. Birzer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.The Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland SecurityInvestigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

2 Kansas men accused of making, selling methamphetamine

KANSAS CITY –&nbsp;<a></a>A Kansas City, Missouri man was sentenced to four years of imprisonment in federal court for conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons and illegally trafficking firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.

Antonio Manning, Sr., 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 48 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp;The court also ordered the defendant to pay a criminal forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $11,260.

On April 14, 2025, Antonio Manning admitted that he knowingly and willfully joined in an agreement to sell firearms to individuals who were prohibited from possessing them under federal law.&nbsp; According to the plea agreement, the defendants trafficked at least 22 firearms to persons who were known felons or they sold firearms that were converted into unregistered machineguns in violation of federal law.&nbsp; Pursuant to the plea agreement, Antonio Manning admitted that he was personally involved in illegally selling at least nine firearms and one of those firearms was an unregistered machinegun.

On Jan. 22, 2025, co-defendant Sheron Manning, the brother of Antonio Manning, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons and to one count of illegally trafficking a firearm that had been converted into an unregistered machinegun.&nbsp; On May 21, 2025, Sheron Manning, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 57 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On April 07, 2025, co-defendant Michael Dewayne Hardy, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons, to one count of illegally trafficking a firearm that had been converted into an unregistered machinegun, and one count of knowingly being a felon in possession of firearms.&nbsp; On June 26, 2024, Michael Dewayne Hardy, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 70 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

KANSAS CITY –&nbsp;<a></a>A Kansas City, Missouri man was sentenced to four years of imprisonment in federal court for conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons and illegally trafficking firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.Antonio Manning, Sr., 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 48 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp;The court also ordered the defendant to pay a criminal forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $11,260.On April 14, 2025, Antonio Manning admitted that he knowingly and willfully joined in an agreement to sell firearms to individuals who were prohibited from possessing them under federal law.&nbsp; According to the plea agreement, the defendants trafficked at least 22 firearms to persons who were known felons or they sold firearms that were converted into unregistered machineguns in violation of federal law.&nbsp; Pursuant to the plea agreement, Antonio Manning admitted that he was personally involved in illegally selling at least nine firearms and one of those firearms was an unregistered machinegun.On Jan. 22, 2025, co-defendant Sheron Manning, the brother of Antonio Manning, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons and to one count of illegally trafficking a firearm that had been converted into an unregistered machinegun.&nbsp; On May 21, 2025, Sheron Manning, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 57 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.On April 07, 2025, co-defendant Michael Dewayne Hardy, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons, to one count of illegally trafficking a firearm that had been converted into an unregistered machinegun, and one count of knowingly being a felon in possession of firearms.&nbsp; On June 26, 2024, Michael Dewayne Hardy, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 70 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Prison for selling unregistered machine guns to known felons 

KANSAS CITY– The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced on Wednesday a case of an adult Missouri resident with a laboratory-confirmed infection of&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/index.html">Naegleria fowleri</a>&nbsp;is a microscopic single-celled free-living ameba that can cause a rare deadly infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as “brain-eating” infection. Typically, fewer than 10 people a year in the United States get PAM.

The Missouri patient is currently being treated for PAM in an intensive care unit of a hospital, and currently, no additional suspected cases of PAM are being investigated in Missouri.

The ameba is common and naturally present in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers and ponds; however, PAM is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2024, there were 167 reported cases of PAM in the United States.

The source of the patient’s exposure is currently being investigated by public health officials. While not confirmed, preliminary information implies the patient may have been water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks days prior to becoming ill. Recreational water users should assume that&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;is present in warm freshwater across the United States; however, infection remains very rare.

Although a rare occurrence, people become infected by&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose from freshwater sources. The&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;ameba then travels up the nose to the brain where it damages the brain tissue. This infection cannot be spread from one person to another, and it cannot be contracted by swallowing contaminated water.

People can take actions to reduce the risk of infection by limiting the amount of water going up the nose. These actions could include:

Those who experience the following symptoms after swimming in any warm body of water should contact their health care provider immediately as the disease progresses rapidly:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755118398929.png" alt="Naegleria fowleri  infects people by traveling up the nose and to the brain (shown here) where it consumes brain tissue. Photo: Dr. James Roberts, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta" />
 <figcaption>Naegleria fowleri  infects people by traveling up the nose and to the brain (shown here) where it consumes brain tissue. Photo: Dr. James Roberts, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced on Wednesday a case of an adult Missouri resident with a laboratory-confirmed infection of&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/index.html">Naegleria fowleri</a>&nbsp;is a microscopic single-celled free-living ameba that can cause a rare deadly infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as “brain-eating” infection. Typically, fewer than 10 people a year in the United States get PAM.The Missouri patient is currently being treated for PAM in an intensive care unit of a hospital, and currently, no additional suspected cases of PAM are being investigated in Missouri.The ameba is common and naturally present in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers and ponds; however, PAM is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2024, there were 167 reported cases of PAM in the United States.The source of the patient’s exposure is currently being investigated by public health officials. While not confirmed, preliminary information implies the patient may have been water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks days prior to becoming ill. Recreational water users should assume that&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;is present in warm freshwater across the United States; however, infection remains very rare.Although a rare occurrence, people become infected by&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose from freshwater sources. The&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;ameba then travels up the nose to the brain where it damages the brain tissue. This infection cannot be spread from one person to another, and it cannot be contracted by swallowing contaminated water.People can take actions to reduce the risk of infection by limiting the amount of water going up the nose. These actions could include:<ul>
 <li>Hold your nose shut, use nose clips, or keep your head above water when taking part in activities in bodies of warm freshwater, especially if you jump or dive into the water.</li><li>Avoid putting your head under the water in hot springs and other untreated thermal waters.</li><li>Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high-water temperature.</li><li>Avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;amebas are more likely to live in sediment at the bottom of lakes, ponds and rivers.</li>
 </ul>Those who experience the following symptoms after swimming in any warm body of water should contact their health care provider immediately as the disease progresses rapidly:<ul>
 <li>Severe headache.</li><li>Fever.</li><li>Nausea.</li><li>Vomiting.</li><li>Stiff neck.</li><li>Seizures.</li><li>Altered mental status.</li><li>Hallucinations.</li>
 </ul>

Victim in ICU with 'brain-eating' amoeba had been at Lake of the Ozarks

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift's</a>&nbsp;latest era is almost upon us. The superstar isn't just releasing her 12th album in October — she also appeared Wednesday on “New Heights” for the first time to discuss it at length.

Part of the rollout for Tuesday's announcement of “The Life of a Showgirl” involved the popular, typically football-focused podcast hosted by Travis Kelce —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-bills-nfl-playoffs-d978fa0be8100cc145cb6a63ffc656cf">Swift’s boyfriend</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Kansas City Chiefs tight end</a>&nbsp;— and his brother, Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center. Her episode, which ran just over two hours on audio streaming and an hour and 45 minutes via YouTube, was particularly revealing.

Here's everything you need to know about Swift's episode.

The big Taylor Swift takeaways arrived ... swiftly

1. Swift partially announced her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-new-album-life-of-showgirl-c4262686b5b68ee210f7571b8716ab51">new album “The Life of a Showgirl”</a>&nbsp;on the podcast, originally shared Tuesday in a preview clip. Swift told the Kelce brothers she wanted to show them something, revealing a mint-green briefcase that featured her initials in orange. Jason Kelce asked what’s in it, prompting her to pull out a vinyl record. “This is my brand new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’” she said.

2. In the full episode, Swift revealed she worked on the album in Europe while she was on the “Eras Tour" — flying between dates to record, truly embodying the album's title, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Then she read the track list. The entire album was completed in Sweden with producers Max Martin and Shellback.

3. Why orange? The color embodies “what was going on in my inner life during this tour,” she said, before referring to Martin as her “mentor.” “These guys, they're just geniuses,” she said of Martin and Shellback.

4. “Bangers,” is how she describes the album. She also said, “There aren't other ones coming,” referring to a surprising double album like in the case of 2024's “The Tortured Poets Department.” The release is 12 tracks — that's it. And it arrives Oct. 3. “I care about this record more than I can even overstate,” she said. “It's a lot more upbeat,” Travis Kelce said, describing it as a “180 from ‘Tortured Poets.’” Swift agreed, adding, "Life is more upbeat.”

5. The album's theme? “Everything that was going on behind the curtain," she said.

6. The album's goal? Infectious melodies and vivid lyrics, she explained.

7. The album's cover? Themed after “the end of my day,” she said. “My day ends with me in a bathtub."

8. She also shared personal information on “New Heights," arguably in a way she hasn't in years. For example: Her mom “got a new knee,” she said. And her dad had quintuple bypass surgery this summer. He had “five blockages in his heart” discovered through a stress test. “This was the summer of my parental upgrades,” she said.

9. She spent considerable time in Florida with Travis Kelce. She also said “our jobs are very similar,” it is “to entertain people for three hours in NFL stadiums.”

10. Jason Kelce asked his brother and Swift how they handle online chatter about their relationship. “We don’t, really. I don’t see a lot of things,” she said. “My name can be in the actual headline, and it’s none of my business.”

11. She shared her favorite segments from “New Heights,” her self-described “favorite podcast.” That is “new news.” She credited the podcast as getting her “a boyfriend," and discussed how the pair started dating via friendship bracelet exchange. “If this guy isn't crazy," she joked, he's the kind of guy she's “been writing songs about.”

12. Swift also discussed the “Eras Tour,” which Travis Kelce described as a catalyst for his interest in Swift. She mentioned exiting through an orange door at the last date of the tour, a “subliminal hint that I may be leaving the ‘Eras Tour’ era,” she said. It was an Easter egg for “The Life of a Showgirl.”

13. Swift is known for teasing her fans with Easter eggs. Her favorite use? Getting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-honorary-doctorate-NYU-fd824b0123766d2a2738afeffc863b00">an honorary degree from NYU</a>&nbsp;in 2022 and littering her speech with references to her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-midnights-review-45cf7eca3326d784829b405deb48310f">then yet-to-be-announced “Midnights” album.</a>&nbsp;“Fans were like, ‘the whole speech was an easter egg!’” she said.

14. Swift listed her hobbies, which still include baking. Her current obsession? Making sourdough bread, specifically blueberry lemon, cinnamon swirl and Funfetti variations. She offered a few bread-related puns referencing her discography: “Are you bread-y for it?” “It’s a loaf story, baby just say yeast,” and “Loafing him was bread,” among them.

15. Swift discussed regaining control over her entire body of work. In May, it was announced that the popstar purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">Big Machine Records —</a>&nbsp;from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount.

16. Swift said she loves all the rerecorded albums, but “<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-6fe895e1691f6cd85216e520cc3b8ce1">Red (Taylor's Version)</a>” is particularly special — for the fan-favorite “<a href="https://apnews.com/domestic-news-domestic-news-general-news-f77fd05cd59ed180af3461c26c5b7e6d">All Too Well</a>” vault track, which spans ten minutes.

How to watch — or listen to — Taylor Swift on the ‘New Heights’ podcast

Swift’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast premiered at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday night. It is available to stream on YouTube.

Fans who prefer to listen to the show instead can do so via most podcast-streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify and Wondery, which produces the show.

The audio recording of the podcast is about 20 minutes longer in duration than YouTube and includes a rapid-fire question section, where the Kelce brothers and Swift discuss cats, pop tarts, Bad Bunny in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/happy-gilmore-2-adam-sandler-interview-5bf420950989b85b4b728a5e4dc9a07e">“Happy Gilmore 2,”</a>&nbsp;hiding in a cleaning cart at the “Eras Tour" and more.

Little was known about Swift's episode ahead of its airing.

On Tuesday and Wednesday morning, the podcast shared clips teasing the forthcoming episode.

“As we all know, you know, you guys have a lot of male sports fans that listen to your podcast," Swift joked in one cut. “I think we all know that if there's one thing that male sports fans want to see in their spaces and on their screens it's more of me.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid was supportive, though, saying Wednesday that he was happy for the pair.

“Both of them like each other, and what a plus that is. They care about each other, and I think that’s the most important thing,” he said. “The older you get, you want these guys to have somebody they can settle down with and that whole deal. And so I think it’s a neat deal for them – both of them.”

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift’s</a>&nbsp;latest era is almost upon us. The superstar isn’t just releasing new music — she’s appearing Wednesday on “New Heights” for the first time.

Part of the rollout for Tuesday’s announcement of “The Life of a Showgirl” involved the popular, typically football-focused podcast hosted by Travis Kelce —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-bills-nfl-playoffs-d978fa0be8100cc145cb6a63ffc656cf">Swift’s boyfriend</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Kansas City Chiefs tight end</a>&nbsp;— and his brother, Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center.

The show teased “a special episode with a VERY special guest” on social media Monday, sharing an orange background and a mysterious silhouette that many believed to be Swift. It turned out to be true, the show’s social media accounts confirmed later, at the same time Swift announced her 12th studio album.

Here’s everything you need to know about Swift’s episode.

Swift’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast will premiere at 7 p.m. Eastern. It will be available to stream in full on YouTube.

Fans who would prefer to listen to the show, instead, can do so via most podcast-streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify and Wondery, which produces the show, among them.

Episodes can run up to two hours. It is unclear how long Swift’s episode will be or how long she will be present.

What we know about Taylor Swift’s episode

On Wednesday morning, the podcast shared a nearly two-minute video clip in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jason-kelce">Jason Kelce</a>&nbsp;gave Swift an extended, enthusiastic introduction.

“As we all know, you know, you guys have a lot of male sports fans that listen to your podcast. I think we all know that if there’s one thing that male sports fans want to see in their spaces and on their screens it’s more of me,” Swift joked.

In another clip shared Tuesday, Swift told the Kelce brothers she wanted to show them something, revealing a mint-green briefcase that featured her initials in orange. Jason Kelce asked what’s in it, prompting her to pull out a vinyl record with a blurred cover.

“This is my brand new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’” she shared.

Soon afterward, the “New Heights” podcast shared another clip featuring Swift to tease Wednesday’s episode. In it, Swift complimented the color of Travis Kelce’s sweatshirt, who responded, “It’s the color of your eyes, sweetie. It’s why we match so well.”

Swift retorted, “We’re about to do a (expletive) podcast.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755128235018.png" alt="Photo courtesy Union Station in Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Union Station in Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift's</a>&nbsp;latest era is almost upon us. The superstar isn't just releasing her 12th album in October — she also appeared Wednesday on “New Heights” for the first time to discuss it at length.Part of the rollout for Tuesday's announcement of “The Life of a Showgirl” involved the popular, typically football-focused podcast hosted by Travis Kelce —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-bills-nfl-playoffs-d978fa0be8100cc145cb6a63ffc656cf">Swift’s boyfriend</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Kansas City Chiefs tight end</a>&nbsp;— and his brother, Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center. Her episode, which ran just over two hours on audio streaming and an hour and 45 minutes via YouTube, was particularly revealing.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Get a first look at the cover of Taylor’s new album The Life of a Showgirl Available for pre-order now at <a href="https://t.co/aYNn7lTXv8">https://t.co/aYNn7lTXv8</a> and releasing everywhere 10/3 NEW EPISODE OUT NOW … And, baby, that’s show business for you ❤️‍🔥 <a href="https://t.co/BULHWUkDC4">pic.twitter.com/BULHWUkDC4</a>&mdash; New Heights (@newheightshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/newheightshow/status/1955766325806272598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 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">And now for The Life of a Showgirl back cover and tracklist reveal ………… <a href="https://t.co/qYYZe62OfK">pic.twitter.com/qYYZe62OfK</a>&mdash; New Heights (@newheightshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/newheightshow/status/1955769598407795133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 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">And, baby, that’s show business for you. New album The Life of a Showgirl. Out October 3 ❤️‍🔥<a href="https://t.co/rIaG2Ezo7Z">https://t.co/rIaG2Ezo7Z</a> Album Producers: Max Martin, Shellback and Taylor Swift 📸: Mert Alas &amp; Marcus Piggott <a href="https://t.co/QRzLbLpnUS">pic.twitter.com/QRzLbLpnUS</a>&mdash; Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) <a href="https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/1955766695483543743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 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">We&#39;re celebrating with our KC Swifties, and now through Sunday, we have a brand new TS12 photo op from our friends at AlphaLitKC and Events By Erika. The photo op is located in our Grand Hall and is free to visit from 6:30am to 11:30pm daily through Sunday. PLUS this Saturday,… <a href="https://t.co/pX49f61xWE">pic.twitter.com/pX49f61xWE</a>&mdash; Union Station KC (@UnionStationKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnionStationKC/status/1955469733433610298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Here's everything you need to know about Swift's episode.<h2>The big Taylor Swift takeaways arrived ... swiftly</h2>1. Swift partially announced her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-new-album-life-of-showgirl-c4262686b5b68ee210f7571b8716ab51">new album “The Life of a Showgirl”</a>&nbsp;on the podcast, originally shared Tuesday in a preview clip. Swift told the Kelce brothers she wanted to show them something, revealing a mint-green briefcase that featured her initials in orange. Jason Kelce asked what’s in it, prompting her to pull out a vinyl record. “This is my brand new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’” she said.2. In the full episode, Swift revealed she worked on the album in Europe while she was on the “Eras Tour" — flying between dates to record, truly embodying the album's title, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Then she read the track list. The entire album was completed in Sweden with producers Max Martin and Shellback.3. Why orange? The color embodies “what was going on in my inner life during this tour,” she said, before referring to Martin as her “mentor.” “These guys, they're just geniuses,” she said of Martin and Shellback.4. “Bangers,” is how she describes the album. She also said, “There aren't other ones coming,” referring to a surprising double album like in the case of 2024's “The Tortured Poets Department.” The release is 12 tracks — that's it. And it arrives Oct. 3. “I care about this record more than I can even overstate,” she said. “It's a lot more upbeat,” Travis Kelce said, describing it as a “180 from ‘Tortured Poets.’” Swift agreed, adding, "Life is more upbeat.”5. The album's theme? “Everything that was going on behind the curtain," she said.6. The album's goal? Infectious melodies and vivid lyrics, she explained.7. The album's cover? Themed after “the end of my day,” she said. “My day ends with me in a bathtub."8. She also shared personal information on “New Heights," arguably in a way she hasn't in years. For example: Her mom “got a new knee,” she said. And her dad had quintuple bypass surgery this summer. He had “five blockages in his heart” discovered through a stress test. “This was the summer of my parental upgrades,” she said.9. She spent considerable time in Florida with Travis Kelce. She also said “our jobs are very similar,” it is “to entertain people for three hours in NFL stadiums.”10. Jason Kelce asked his brother and Swift how they handle online chatter about their relationship. “We don’t, really. I don’t see a lot of things,” she said. “My name can be in the actual headline, and it’s none of my business.”11. She shared her favorite segments from “New Heights,” her self-described “favorite podcast.” That is “new news.” She credited the podcast as getting her “a boyfriend," and discussed how the pair started dating via friendship bracelet exchange. “If this guy isn't crazy," she joked, he's the kind of guy she's “been writing songs about.”12. Swift also discussed the “Eras Tour,” which Travis Kelce described as a catalyst for his interest in Swift. She mentioned exiting through an orange door at the last date of the tour, a “subliminal hint that I may be leaving the ‘Eras Tour’ era,” she said. It was an Easter egg for “The Life of a Showgirl.”13. Swift is known for teasing her fans with Easter eggs. Her favorite use? Getting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-honorary-doctorate-NYU-fd824b0123766d2a2738afeffc863b00">an honorary degree from NYU</a>&nbsp;in 2022 and littering her speech with references to her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-midnights-review-45cf7eca3326d784829b405deb48310f">then yet-to-be-announced “Midnights” album.</a>&nbsp;“Fans were like, ‘the whole speech was an easter egg!’” she said.14. Swift listed her hobbies, which still include baking. Her current obsession? Making sourdough bread, specifically blueberry lemon, cinnamon swirl and Funfetti variations. She offered a few bread-related puns referencing her discography: “Are you bread-y for it?” “It’s a loaf story, baby just say yeast,” and “Loafing him was bread,” among them.15. Swift discussed regaining control over her entire body of work. In May, it was announced that the popstar purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">Big Machine Records —</a>&nbsp;from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount.16. Swift said she loves all the rerecorded albums, but “<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-6fe895e1691f6cd85216e520cc3b8ce1">Red (Taylor's Version)</a>” is particularly special — for the fan-favorite “<a href="https://apnews.com/domestic-news-domestic-news-general-news-f77fd05cd59ed180af3461c26c5b7e6d">All Too Well</a>” vault track, which spans ten minutes.<h2>How to watch — or listen to — Taylor Swift on the ‘New Heights’ podcast</h2>Swift’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast premiered at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday night. It is available to stream on YouTube.Fans who prefer to listen to the show instead can do so via most podcast-streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify and Wondery, which produces the show.The audio recording of the podcast is about 20 minutes longer in duration than YouTube and includes a rapid-fire question section, where the Kelce brothers and Swift discuss cats, pop tarts, Bad Bunny in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/happy-gilmore-2-adam-sandler-interview-5bf420950989b85b4b728a5e4dc9a07e">“Happy Gilmore 2,”</a>&nbsp;hiding in a cleaning cart at the “Eras Tour" and more.<h2>The road to Taylor Swift's episode</h2>Little was known about Swift's episode ahead of its airing.On Tuesday and Wednesday morning, the podcast shared clips teasing the forthcoming episode.“As we all know, you know, you guys have a lot of male sports fans that listen to your podcast," Swift joked in one cut. “I think we all know that if there's one thing that male sports fans want to see in their spaces and on their screens it's more of me.”Chiefs coach Andy Reid was supportive, though, saying Wednesday that he was happy for the pair.“Both of them like each other, and what a plus that is. They care about each other, and I think that’s the most important thing,” he said. “The older you get, you want these guys to have somebody they can settle down with and that whole deal. And so I think it’s a neat deal for them – both of them.”-------------NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift’s</a>&nbsp;latest era is almost upon us. The superstar isn’t just releasing new music — she’s appearing Wednesday on “New Heights” for the first time.Part of the rollout for Tuesday’s announcement of “The Life of a Showgirl” involved the popular, typically football-focused podcast hosted by Travis Kelce —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-bills-nfl-playoffs-d978fa0be8100cc145cb6a63ffc656cf">Swift’s boyfriend</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Kansas City Chiefs tight end</a>&nbsp;— and his brother, Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center.The show teased “a special episode with a VERY special guest” on social media Monday, sharing an orange background and a mysterious silhouette that many believed to be Swift. It turned out to be true, the show’s social media accounts confirmed later, at the same time Swift announced her 12th studio album.Here’s everything you need to know about Swift’s episode.<h2>How to watch — or listen to — Taylor Swift on the ‘New Heights’ podcast</h2>Swift’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast will premiere at 7 p.m. Eastern. It will be available to stream in full on YouTube.Fans who would prefer to listen to the show, instead, can do so via most podcast-streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify and Wondery, which produces the show, among them.Episodes can run up to two hours. It is unclear how long Swift’s episode will be or how long she will be present.<h2>What we know about Taylor Swift’s episode</h2>Not a whole lot.On Wednesday morning, the podcast shared a nearly two-minute video clip in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jason-kelce">Jason Kelce</a>&nbsp;gave Swift an extended, enthusiastic introduction.“As we all know, you know, you guys have a lot of male sports fans that listen to your podcast. I think we all know that if there’s one thing that male sports fans want to see in their spaces and on their screens it’s more of me,” Swift joked.Chiefs coach Andy Reid was supportive, though, saying Wednesday that he was happy for the pair.“Both of them like each other, and what a plus that is. They care about each other, and I think that’s the most important thing,” he said. “The older you get, you want these guys to have somebody they can settle down with and that whole deal. And so I think it’s a neat deal for them – both of them.”In another clip shared Tuesday, Swift told the Kelce brothers she wanted to show them something, revealing a mint-green briefcase that featured her initials in orange. Jason Kelce asked what’s in it, prompting her to pull out a vinyl record with a blurred cover.“This is my brand new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’” she shared.Soon afterward, the “New Heights” podcast shared another clip featuring Swift to tease Wednesday’s episode. In it, Swift complimented the color of Travis Kelce’s sweatshirt, who responded, “It’s the color of your eyes, sweetie. It’s why we match so well.”Swift retorted, “We’re about to do a (expletive) podcast.”

Every major update from Taylor Swift's appearance on the Kelces' 'New Heights' podcast

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted of a 2023 is going back to prison.

On Tuesday Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced 24-year-old Julian Wedge to 285 months in prison for the death of Evan Harrison,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Earlier this year, Wedge was found guilty of 1st degree murder, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and interference with law enforcement.

On March 4, 2023, sheriff's deputies made a welfare check of a man lying in the street at 4200 S. Clifton in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.

&nbsp;Deputies found individuals attempting to help Harrison who had been shot. EMS transported Harrison to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Days later police arrested Wedge who has been registered as a violent offender since March of 2019 for convictions that include criminal discharge of firearm into an unoccupied dwelling, according to the Kansas offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714661173832.png" alt="Wedge photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Wedge photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted of a 2023 is going back to prison.On Tuesday Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced 24-year-old Julian Wedge to 285 months in prison for the death of Evan Harrison,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier this year, Wedge was found guilty of 1st degree murder, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and interference with law enforcement.On March 4, 2023, sheriff's deputies made a welfare check of a man lying in the street at 4200 S. Clifton in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;Deputies found individuals attempting to help Harrison who had been shot. EMS transported Harrison to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Days later police arrested Wedge who has been registered as a violent offender since March of 2019 for convictions that include criminal discharge of firearm into an unoccupied dwelling, according to the Kansas offender registry.

Prison for violent Kansas offender in robbery killing

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks ticked higher on Wednesday after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-inflation-trump-china-3b9c602e05756778028b70f97e15ccb2">rally spurred by hopes for lower U.S. interest rates</a>&nbsp;wrapped around the world.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.3%, coming off its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 463 points, or 1%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.1% to its own record set the day before.

Treasury yields eased in the bond market as expectations reached a virtual consensus that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-rates-99d90bab1ba2faa0fc5d4a6106125da7">the Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in September. Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-1831d4d6a716370de822f9851e65e3ee">borrow to buy houses</a>, cars or equipment, though they risk worsening inflation.

Stock indexes in Asia jumped in their first trading after Tuesday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-consumer-prices-jerome-powell-fed-interest-rates-7956da9c097730929b12c269f8c08399">better-than-expected report on U.S. inflation</a>&nbsp;triggered a jump in bets that a cut to interest rates is coming. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng leaped 2.6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rallied 1.3% and South Korea’s Kospi climbed 1.1%.

Indexes also rose in Europe, though the moves were more modest after they already had the chance to trade on the U.S. inflation data the afternoon before. Germany’s DAX returned 0.7%, and France’s CAC 40 rose 0.7%.

On Wall Street, stocks of companies that could benefit most from lower interest rates helped lead the way. PulteGroup climbed 5.4%, and Lennar rose 5.2% as part of a broad rally for homebuilders and others in the housing industry. Lower rates could make mortgages cheaper to get, which could spur more buying.

The hopes for lower interest rates are helping to drown out criticism that the U.S. stock market has broadly grown too expensive after its big leap since hitting a low in April.

One way companies can make their stock prices look less expensive is to deliver strong growth in profits, and Brinker International rose 1.6% after becoming the latest to report stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company behind the Chili’s brand said it saw more customers coming to its restaurants, and it’s also making more profit off each $1 in sales.

“Chili’s is officially back, baby back!” CEO Kevin Hochman said.

HanesBrands climbed 3.7% after it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gildan-hanesbrands-hanes-maidenform-57b14618d7611f4a644af4150049502e">agreed to sell itself to Gildan Activewear for $2.2 billion</a>&nbsp;in cash and Gildan stock. The deal would combine North Carolinas’ HanesBrands with Canada’s Gildan, and Gildan’s stock that trades in the United States rose 11.8%.

Bullish soared in its debut on the New York Stock Exchange and rose 83.8% in its first day of trading. The cryptocurrency exchange’s CEO is Tom Farley, who used to be president of the NYSE Group.

On the losing end of Wall Street were grocery stores and delivery companies, which fell after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-perishable-prime-grocery-834dbc5d25eb01caafcf37f09aa308ad">Amazon said it will offer fresh groceries</a>&nbsp;to customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns through same-day delivery. Kroger fell 4.4%, and DoorDash dropped 3.8%, while Amazon rose 1.4%.

Cava Group sank 16.6% after the Mediterranean restaurant chain reported weaker revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit topped forecasts. It also cut its 2025 forecast for an important underlying measure of restaurant sales.

CoreWeave lost 20.8% after the company, whose cloud platform helps customers running artificial-intelligence workloads, reported a larger loss for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 20.82 points to 6,466.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 463.66 to 44,922.27, and the Nasdaq composite added 31.24 to 21,713.14.

In the bond market, Treasury yields eased as expectations built for coming cuts to interest rates by the Fed.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.23% from 4.29% late Tuesday and from 4.50% in mid-July. That’s a notable move for the bond market.

President Donald Trump has angrily been calling for cuts to help the economy, often&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114953049546233760">insulting the Fed’s chair personally</a>&nbsp;while doing so.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755116533012.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks ticked higher on Wednesday after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-inflation-trump-china-3b9c602e05756778028b70f97e15ccb2">rally spurred by hopes for lower U.S. interest rates</a>&nbsp;wrapped around the world.The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.3%, coming off its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 463 points, or 1%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.1% to its own record set the day before.Treasury yields eased in the bond market as expectations reached a virtual consensus that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-rates-99d90bab1ba2faa0fc5d4a6106125da7">the Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in September. Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-1831d4d6a716370de822f9851e65e3ee">borrow to buy houses</a>, cars or equipment, though they risk worsening inflation.Stock indexes in Asia jumped in their first trading after Tuesday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-consumer-prices-jerome-powell-fed-interest-rates-7956da9c097730929b12c269f8c08399">better-than-expected report on U.S. inflation</a>&nbsp;triggered a jump in bets that a cut to interest rates is coming. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng leaped 2.6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rallied 1.3% and South Korea’s Kospi climbed 1.1%.Indexes also rose in Europe, though the moves were more modest after they already had the chance to trade on the U.S. inflation data the afternoon before. Germany’s DAX returned 0.7%, and France’s CAC 40 rose 0.7%.On Wall Street, stocks of companies that could benefit most from lower interest rates helped lead the way. PulteGroup climbed 5.4%, and Lennar rose 5.2% as part of a broad rally for homebuilders and others in the housing industry. Lower rates could make mortgages cheaper to get, which could spur more buying.The hopes for lower interest rates are helping to drown out criticism that the U.S. stock market has broadly grown too expensive after its big leap since hitting a low in April.One way companies can make their stock prices look less expensive is to deliver strong growth in profits, and Brinker International rose 1.6% after becoming the latest to report stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company behind the Chili’s brand said it saw more customers coming to its restaurants, and it’s also making more profit off each $1 in sales.“Chili’s is officially back, baby back!” CEO Kevin Hochman said.HanesBrands climbed 3.7% after it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gildan-hanesbrands-hanes-maidenform-57b14618d7611f4a644af4150049502e">agreed to sell itself to Gildan Activewear for $2.2 billion</a>&nbsp;in cash and Gildan stock. The deal would combine North Carolinas’ HanesBrands with Canada’s Gildan, and Gildan’s stock that trades in the United States rose 11.8%.Bullish soared in its debut on the New York Stock Exchange and rose 83.8% in its first day of trading. The cryptocurrency exchange’s CEO is Tom Farley, who used to be president of the NYSE Group.On the losing end of Wall Street were grocery stores and delivery companies, which fell after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-perishable-prime-grocery-834dbc5d25eb01caafcf37f09aa308ad">Amazon said it will offer fresh groceries</a>&nbsp;to customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns through same-day delivery. Kroger fell 4.4%, and DoorDash dropped 3.8%, while Amazon rose 1.4%.Cava Group sank 16.6% after the Mediterranean restaurant chain reported weaker revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit topped forecasts. It also cut its 2025 forecast for an important underlying measure of restaurant sales.CoreWeave lost 20.8% after the company, whose cloud platform helps customers running artificial-intelligence workloads, reported a larger loss for the latest quarter than analysts expected.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 20.82 points to 6,466.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 463.66 to 44,922.27, and the Nasdaq composite added 31.24 to 21,713.14.In the bond market, Treasury yields eased as expectations built for coming cuts to interest rates by the Fed.The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.23% from 4.29% late Tuesday and from 4.50% in mid-July. That’s a notable move for the bond market.President Donald Trump has angrily been calling for cuts to help the economy, often&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114953049546233760">insulting the Fed’s chair personally</a>&nbsp;while doing so.But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-rates-99d90bab1ba2faa0fc5d4a6106125da7">Fed has been hesitant so far</a>&nbsp;because of the possibility that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-deadline-delay-d8ffef07d944dc1d460b472e4ffd2f57">Trump’s tariffs</a>&nbsp;could make inflation much worse. Lowering rates would give inflation more fuel, potentially adding oxygen to a growing fire. That’s why Fed officials have said they wanted to see more data come in about inflation before moving.On Thursday, a report will show how bad inflation was at the wholesale level across the United States. Economists expect it to show inflation accelerated a touch to 2.4% in July from 2.3% in June.___AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.