RENO COUNTY — Firefighters from three departments responded to a fully involved house fire Wednesday night in rural Reno County.

Just before 8p.m., crews from Pretty Prairie and Reno County Fire Districts 8 and 9 were dispatched&nbsp; to the 24,000 block of South Graber Road, according to Reno County Emergency Management. The first unit on scene reported a single-story home engulfed in flames.

The fire was reported by a neighbor, as the resident was not home at the time, officials said. No injuries were reported. Pretty Prairie EMS responded and provided rehabilitation for fire crews.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753967897558.jpeg" alt="Photos Reno County Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Photos Reno County Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — Firefighters from three departments responded to a fully involved house fire Wednesday night in rural Reno County.Just before 8p.m., crews from Pretty Prairie and Reno County Fire Districts 8 and 9 were dispatched&nbsp; to the 24,000 block of South Graber Road, according to Reno County Emergency Management. The first unit on scene reported a single-story home engulfed in flames.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753967878991.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The fire was reported by a neighbor, as the resident was not home at the time, officials said. No injuries were reported. Pretty Prairie EMS responded and provided rehabilitation for fire crews.The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office.

Fire destroys rural Kansas home

NEOSHO COUNTY&nbsp;–The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Neosho County Sherriff’s Office arrested an Erie, Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 7:30a.m. on Wednesday, KBI agents and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42-year-old registered sex offender Peter Hawkinson, of Erie.

 Hawkinson was arrested on requested charges that include 24 counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of violating Kansas offender registration after a search warrant was conducted at 22030 Ottawa Road in Erie.

The KBI Child Victims Unit began investigating after a cyber-tip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in May.

Hawkinson has been listed as a Registered Sex Offender since April of 2016 for two aggravated indecent solicitation of a child convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Following the arrest, Hawkinson was booked into the Neosho County Jail.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The case is expected to be prosecuted by the Neosho County Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753912125686.png" alt="Hawkinson has been listed as a Registered Sex Offender since 2016- photo Neosho Co." />
 <figcaption>Hawkinson has been listed as a Registered Sex Offender since 2016- photo Neosho Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>NEOSHO COUNTY&nbsp;–The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Neosho County Sherriff’s Office arrested an Erie, Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes, according to a media release from the KBI.Just after 7:30a.m. on Wednesday, KBI agents and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42-year-old registered sex offender Peter Hawkinson, of Erie. Hawkinson was arrested on requested charges that include 24 counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of violating Kansas offender registration after a search warrant was conducted at 22030 Ottawa Road in Erie.The KBI Child Victims Unit began investigating after a cyber-tip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in May.Hawkinson has been listed as a Registered Sex Offender since April of 2016 for two aggravated indecent solicitation of a child convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.Following the arrest, Hawkinson was booked into the Neosho County Jail.&nbsp;&nbsp;The case is expected to be prosecuted by the Neosho County Attorney’s Office.

Kan. sex offender accused of new child sex crimes

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement have a suspect in custody after a 7-hour standoff.

Just before 2a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a disturbance in the 1100 Block of Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; Police arrived and the victims reported a suspect fired a gun at them as they were walking their dog down the sidewalk.

The suspect then ran back into the building and barricaded himself in his apartment when officers attempted to talk to him. Just before 9a.m. Wednesday, police took him into custody. Police have not released his name or possible charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753922133036.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement have a suspect in custody after a 7-hour standoff.Just before 2a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a disturbance in the 1100 Block of Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; Police arrived and the victims reported a suspect fired a gun at them as they were walking their dog down the sidewalk. The suspect then ran back into the building and barricaded himself in his apartment when officers attempted to talk to him. Just before 9a.m. Wednesday, police took him into custody. Police have not released his name or possible charges.

7-hour Kan. standoff after shooting at victim walking a dog

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas police charged a 28-year-old schoolteacher in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-state-park-stabbing-deaths-0366548e23a690beb4bb26f138a8cddc">killing of a married couple</a>&nbsp;who were hiking with their children at Devil’s Den State Park, finding him in a nearby city after a five-day search and public pleas for trailgoers to look through their photos.

State Police arrested Andrew James McGann at a barbershop in Springdale, said Col. Stacie Rhoads, commander of the department's criminal investigation division. He was charged with two counts of capital murder and was being held Thursday in the state's Washington County jail.

Police announced the arrest at a Wednesday night news conference but would not discuss a motive. McGann had been hired at Springdale Public Schools as a teacher candidate for the upcoming year but had not yet come into contact with any of its families or students, the district said in a statement.

A lawyer couldn't be located for McGann, and a message was left for a number listed for him. It was not immediately clear when his first court appearance was.

“If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state, our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice, because that’s what the people of Arkansas frankly deserve,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters.

Springdale is roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of the state's remote Devil's Den park, where trails have remained closed since Saturday's killings.

Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on a walking trail at Devil’s Den. Their daughters, who are 7 and 9, were not hurt and are being cared for by family members, authorities have said.

The State Police have released few details about the investigation, including how the couple was killed. In the days after the attack, police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-hikers-stabbed-devils-day-park-f4c83732c08cd75ecc79c6dc51f7d4f8">released a composite sketch</a>&nbsp;and then a photo of a person of interest that showed them only from behind. Authorities urged trailgoers who had been at the park to check their camera rolls for photos or video that might help point to a suspect.

Rhoads said the public’s help and video footage they received was instrumental in capturing McGann. Tips came in from as far away as Washington state, she said.

Suspect taught in Oklahoma before Arkansas job

McGann was a teacher at a small Oklahoma school district until May and then resigned to take a job in another state, according to a statement from Sand Springs Public Schools, which is near Tulsa. It added that McGann had passed all background checks.

McGann had not yet started his new job in Arkansas at Springdale Public Schools, said Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent. He said the district could not provide more information, citing the investigation.

“Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers,” Cleveland said.

Sierra Marcum said three years ago, her son was a student in McGann’s fourth grade classroom in Flower Mound, Texas, and described him as the “most standoff teacher she had ever met.” Her son’s yearbook includes a photo of McGann.

“Pretty cold. You could ask him a question and he would give you a one word response,” she said. “Overall just pretty disinterested in his students.”

Clinton and Cristen Brink had just moved from South Dakota to the small city of Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas. Their water had been connected less than two weeks ago, Mayor David Faulk said.

Clinton Brink had been scheduled to start a job as a milk delivery driver Monday in the nearby Fayetteville area, according to Hiland Dairy, his employer. Cristen Brink had been licensed as a nurse in Montana and South Dakota before moving to Arkansas.

The Brink family said the couple died “heroes protecting their little girls.”

“Our entire state is grieving for the tragic loss and senseless and horrific crime that’s taken place in this area,” Sanders said.

Devil's Den is a 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) state park near West Fork, about 140 miles (220 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock, the state capital.

The park is known for its hiking trails and rock formations, and it is a short drive from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and Walmart’s Bentonville headquarters.

It was selected as a state park site in the 1930s and the park's trails lead to the surrounding Ozark National Forest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753957733622.png" alt="McGann photo Arkansas State Police" />
 <figcaption>McGann photo Arkansas State Police</figcaption>
 </figure>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas police charged a 28-year-old schoolteacher in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-state-park-stabbing-deaths-0366548e23a690beb4bb26f138a8cddc">killing of a married couple</a>&nbsp;who were hiking with their children at Devil’s Den State Park, finding him in a nearby city after a five-day search and public pleas for trailgoers to look through their photos.State Police arrested Andrew James McGann at a barbershop in Springdale, said Col. Stacie Rhoads, commander of the department's criminal investigation division. He was charged with two counts of capital murder and was being held Thursday in the state's Washington County jail.Police announced the arrest at a Wednesday night news conference but would not discuss a motive. McGann had been hired at Springdale Public Schools as a teacher candidate for the upcoming year but had not yet come into contact with any of its families or students, the district said in a statement.A lawyer couldn't be located for McGann, and a message was left for a number listed for him. It was not immediately clear when his first court appearance was.“If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state, our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice, because that’s what the people of Arkansas frankly deserve,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters.Springdale is roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of the state's remote Devil's Den park, where trails have remained closed since Saturday's killings.<h2>Police flooded with tips</h2>Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on a walking trail at Devil’s Den. Their daughters, who are 7 and 9, were not hurt and are being cared for by family members, authorities have said.The State Police have released few details about the investigation, including how the couple was killed. In the days after the attack, police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-hikers-stabbed-devils-day-park-f4c83732c08cd75ecc79c6dc51f7d4f8">released a composite sketch</a>&nbsp;and then a photo of a person of interest that showed them only from behind. Authorities urged trailgoers who had been at the park to check their camera rolls for photos or video that might help point to a suspect.Rhoads said the public’s help and video footage they received was instrumental in capturing McGann. Tips came in from as far away as Washington state, she said.“It was overwhelming,” she said.<h2>Suspect taught in Oklahoma before Arkansas job</h2>McGann was a teacher at a small Oklahoma school district until May and then resigned to take a job in another state, according to a statement from Sand Springs Public Schools, which is near Tulsa. It added that McGann had passed all background checks.McGann had not yet started his new job in Arkansas at Springdale Public Schools, said Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent. He said the district could not provide more information, citing the investigation.“Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers,” Cleveland said.Sierra Marcum said three years ago, her son was a student in McGann’s fourth grade classroom in Flower Mound, Texas, and described him as the “most standoff teacher she had ever met.” Her son’s yearbook includes a photo of McGann.“Pretty cold. You could ask him a question and he would give you a one word response,” she said. “Overall just pretty disinterested in his students.”<h2>Victims had recently moved before hike</h2>Clinton and Cristen Brink had just moved from South Dakota to the small city of Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas. Their water had been connected less than two weeks ago, Mayor David Faulk said.Clinton Brink had been scheduled to start a job as a milk delivery driver Monday in the nearby Fayetteville area, according to Hiland Dairy, his employer. Cristen Brink had been licensed as a nurse in Montana and South Dakota before moving to Arkansas.The Brink family said the couple died “heroes protecting their little girls.”“Our entire state is grieving for the tragic loss and senseless and horrific crime that’s taken place in this area,” Sanders said.Devil's Den is a 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) state park near West Fork, about 140 miles (220 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock, the state capital.The park is known for its hiking trails and rock formations, and it is a short drive from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and Walmart’s Bentonville headquarters.It was selected as a state park site in the 1930s and the park's trails lead to the surrounding Ozark National Forest.

Teacher charged with killing couple hiking in Devil's Den with their kids

TOPEKA — Kansas officials stood firm against a July 30 deadline set by the federal government to turn over the personal data of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients.

In a press release Wednesday afternoon, the Department for Children and Families said releasing the requested data could open DCF to liability, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit filed by multiple states.

This is the<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/22/kansas-denies-usda-request-for-personal-data-of-residents-receiving-food-assistance/">&nbsp;second time Kansas has refused</a>&nbsp;to turn over data requested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.&nbsp;

The lawsuit, in which Kansas is not a party, asks the courts to stop the USDA from forcing states to turn over the data, the press release said.&nbsp;

The data includes sensitive personal information about Kansans who lived in households that applied for or received SNAP benefits from Jan. 1, 2020, to July 30, 2025. It includes Social Security numbers, dates of birth and addresses, as well as retailer and business data documenting SNAP usage, the press release said.&nbsp;

“The purpose of the USDA demand is to create a federal database of SNAP participant information that may be disclosed to other federal, state and local agencies,” the release said.

In a letter to Gina Brand, USDA senior policy advisor for integrity, Kansas DCF Secretary Laura Howard said the USDA’s plan to share the data with other agencies to investigate and prosecute violations of the law was part of the reason she would not turn over the data until the lawsuit is resolved.&nbsp;

“The suit argues that the demands for state-held SNAP data is contrary to statute and the Constitution,” Howard said. “Due to the pending litigation, we are forced to deny the USDA’s demand for data at this time. Doing the opposite will place KDCF in a position of potential liability in the event a court finds that the USDA’s demand violates federal law.”

In addition, Howard said the process to gather the requested data would require “significant” time, manpower and expense, and the short July 30 deadline was unreasonable.&nbsp;

“DCF is committed to the security of Kansans’ personal information and maintaining confidentiality consistent with state and federal law,” Howard said in the press release. “This demand for personal information goes beyond the scope of administering the program and puts in jeopardy the privacy of hundreds of thousands of Kansans who depend on SNAP to put food on their tables.”&nbsp;

Howard said DCF will monitor the pending litigation and may re-evaluate its position.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753921871201.png" alt="Copy of the letter sent to USDA" />
 <figcaption>Copy of the letter sent to USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Kansas officials stood firm against a July 30 deadline set by the federal government to turn over the personal data of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753921826184.png" alt=" Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard denied the U.S. Department of Agriculture's request for personal information of Kansas food program recipients. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard denied the U.S. Department of Agriculture's request for personal information of Kansas food program recipients. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In a press release Wednesday afternoon, the Department for Children and Families said releasing the requested data could open DCF to liability, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit filed by multiple states.This is the<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/22/kansas-denies-usda-request-for-personal-data-of-residents-receiving-food-assistance/">&nbsp;second time Kansas has refused</a>&nbsp;to turn over data requested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.&nbsp;The lawsuit, in which Kansas is not a party, asks the courts to stop the USDA from forcing states to turn over the data, the press release said.&nbsp;The data includes sensitive personal information about Kansans who lived in households that applied for or received SNAP benefits from Jan. 1, 2020, to July 30, 2025. It includes Social Security numbers, dates of birth and addresses, as well as retailer and business data documenting SNAP usage, the press release said.&nbsp;“The purpose of the USDA demand is to create a federal database of SNAP participant information that may be disclosed to other federal, state and local agencies,” the release said.In a letter to Gina Brand, USDA senior policy advisor for integrity, Kansas DCF Secretary Laura Howard said the USDA’s plan to share the data with other agencies to investigate and prosecute violations of the law was part of the reason she would not turn over the data until the lawsuit is resolved.&nbsp;“The suit argues that the demands for state-held SNAP data is contrary to statute and the Constitution,” Howard said. “Due to the pending litigation, we are forced to deny the USDA’s demand for data at this time. Doing the opposite will place KDCF in a position of potential liability in the event a court finds that the USDA’s demand violates federal law.”In addition, Howard said the process to gather the requested data would require “significant” time, manpower and expense, and the short July 30 deadline was unreasonable.&nbsp;“DCF is committed to the security of Kansans’ personal information and maintaining confidentiality consistent with state and federal law,” Howard said in the press release. “This demand for personal information goes beyond the scope of administering the program and puts in jeopardy the privacy of hundreds of thousands of Kansans who depend on SNAP to put food on their tables.”&nbsp;Howard said DCF will monitor the pending litigation and may re-evaluate its position.&nbsp;

State officials again refuse to release Kansans’ personal data to USDA

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;administration announced it is launching a new program that will allow Americans to share personal health data and medical records across health systems and apps run by private tech companies, promising that will make it easier to access health records and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/continuous-glucose-monitor-cgm-diabetes-75469f79bc649cab0d831e6ec52758a7">monitor wellness.</a>

More than 60 companies, including major tech companies like Google, Amazon and Apple as well as health care giants like UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health, have agreed to share patient data in the system. The initiative will focus on diabetes and weight management,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-ai-nurses-hospitals-health-care-3e41c0a2768a3b4c5e002270cc2abe23">conversational artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;that helps patients, and digital tools such as QR codes and apps that register patients for check-ins or track medications.

“For decades America’s health care networks have been overdue for a high tech upgrade,” President Donald Trump said during an event with company CEOs at the White House on Wednesday. “The existing systems are often slow, costly and incompatible with one another, but with today’s announcement, we take a major step to bring health care into the digital age.”

The system, spearheaded by an administration that has already freely shared highly personal data about Americans in ways&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-medicaid-trump-ice-ab9c2267ce596089410387bfcb40eeb7">that have tested legal bounds</a>, could put patients' desires for more convenience at their doctor’s office on a collision course with their expectations that their medical information be kept private.

“There are enormous ethical and legal concerns,” said Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University law professor who specializes in public health. “Patients across America should be very worried that their medical records are going to be used in ways that harm them and their families.”

Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who will be in charge of maintaining the system, have said patients will need to opt in for the sharing of their medical records and data, which will be kept secure.

Those officials said patients will benefit from a system that lets them quickly call up their own records without the hallmark difficulties, such as requiring the use of fax machines to share documents, that have prevented them from doing so in the past.

“We're going to have remarkable advances in how consumers can use their own records,” Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oz-hhs-cms-kennedy-health-medicare-medicaid-ef02cafd3100a4794d8e882fdf2ad7b0">Mehmet Oz</a>, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said during the White House event.

Popular weight loss and fitness subscription service Noom, which has signed onto the initiative, will be able to pull medical records after the system's expected launch early next year.

That might include labs or medical tests that the app could use to develop an AI-driven analysis of what might help users lose weight, CEO Geoff Cook told The Associated Press. Apps and health systems will also have access to their competitors' information, too. Noom would be able to access a person's data from Apple Health, for example.

“Right now you have a lot of siloed data,” Cook said.

Patients who travel across the country for treatment at the Cleveland Clinic often have a hard time obtaining all their medical records from various providers, said the hospital system's CEO, Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic. He said the new system would eliminate that barrier, which sometimes delays treatment or prevents doctors from making an accurate diagnosis because they do not have a full view of a patient's medical history.

Having seamless access to health app data, such as what patients are eating or how much they are exercising, will also help doctors manage obesity and other chronic diseases, Mihaljevic said.

“These apps give us insight about what’s happening with the patient’s health outside of the physician's office,” he said.

CMS will also recommend a list of apps on Medicare.gov that are designed to help people manage chronic diseases, as well as help them select health care providers and insurance plans.

Digital privacy advocates are skeptical that patients will be able to count on their data being stored securely.

The federal government, however, has done little to regulate health apps or telehealth programs, said Jeffrey Chester at the Center for Digital Democracy.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and those within his circle have pushed for more technology in health care, advocating for wearable devices that monitor wellness and telehealth.

Kennedy also sought to collect more data from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-autism-medicare-medicaid-0507cd8117f299a50bc20b9ea8569048">Americans’ medical records,</a>&nbsp;which he has previously said he wants to use to study autism and vaccine safety. Kennedy has filled the agency with staffers who have a history of working at or running health technology&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/calley-means-rfk-maha-wellness-ethics-f2702b2e26c2883f15dc281f02fe3008">startups and businesses</a>.

CMS already has troves of information on more than 140 million Americans who enroll in Medicare and Medicaid. Earlier this month, the federal agency agreed to hand over its massive database, including home addresses, to deportation officials.

The new initiative would deepen the pool of information on patients for the federal government and tech companies. Medical records typically contain far more sensitive information, such as doctors' notes about conversations with patients and substance abuse or mental health history.

“This scheme is an open door for the further use and monetization of sensitive and personal health information,” Chester said.

The Trump administration tried to launch a less&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-myhealthedata-initiative-put-patients-center-us-healthcare-system">ambitious electronic record program</a>&nbsp;in 2018 that did not get finalized during his first term, but it did not have buy in from major tech companies at the time.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;administration announced it is launching a new program that will allow Americans to share personal health data and medical records across health systems and apps run by private tech companies, promising that will make it easier to access health records and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/continuous-glucose-monitor-cgm-diabetes-75469f79bc649cab0d831e6ec52758a7">monitor wellness.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on the Trump Administration&#39;s new initiative to make electronic patient health records more accessible: &quot;This will allow patients to easily transmit information from one doctor to another, even if they&#39;re on different networks.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/UwPJx3qjpE">pic.twitter.com/UwPJx3qjpE</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1950661020181295361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Under the leadership of <a href="https://twitter.com/DrOzCMS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrOzCMS</a>, we&#39;re officially launching the CMS Digital Health Tech Ecosystem to give healthcare providers, insurers and software companies the tools they need to empower Americans with a 21st Century experience on health.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ZtcQIvDInh">pic.twitter.com/ZtcQIvDInh</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1950660471108878411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Delivers Remarks on Making Health Technology Great Again <a href="https://t.co/B5yRoG5iyO">https://t.co/B5yRoG5iyO</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1950658293401043158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>More than 60 companies, including major tech companies like Google, Amazon and Apple as well as health care giants like UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health, have agreed to share patient data in the system. The initiative will focus on diabetes and weight management,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-ai-nurses-hospitals-health-care-3e41c0a2768a3b4c5e002270cc2abe23">conversational artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;that helps patients, and digital tools such as QR codes and apps that register patients for check-ins or track medications.“For decades America’s health care networks have been overdue for a high tech upgrade,” President Donald Trump said during an event with company CEOs at the White House on Wednesday. “The existing systems are often slow, costly and incompatible with one another, but with today’s announcement, we take a major step to bring health care into the digital age.”The system, spearheaded by an administration that has already freely shared highly personal data about Americans in ways&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-medicaid-trump-ice-ab9c2267ce596089410387bfcb40eeb7">that have tested legal bounds</a>, could put patients' desires for more convenience at their doctor’s office on a collision course with their expectations that their medical information be kept private.“There are enormous ethical and legal concerns,” said Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University law professor who specializes in public health. “Patients across America should be very worried that their medical records are going to be used in ways that harm them and their families.”Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who will be in charge of maintaining the system, have said patients will need to opt in for the sharing of their medical records and data, which will be kept secure.Those officials said patients will benefit from a system that lets them quickly call up their own records without the hallmark difficulties, such as requiring the use of fax machines to share documents, that have prevented them from doing so in the past.“We're going to have remarkable advances in how consumers can use their own records,” Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oz-hhs-cms-kennedy-health-medicare-medicaid-ef02cafd3100a4794d8e882fdf2ad7b0">Mehmet Oz</a>, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said during the White House event.Popular weight loss and fitness subscription service Noom, which has signed onto the initiative, will be able to pull medical records after the system's expected launch early next year.That might include labs or medical tests that the app could use to develop an AI-driven analysis of what might help users lose weight, CEO Geoff Cook told The Associated Press. Apps and health systems will also have access to their competitors' information, too. Noom would be able to access a person's data from Apple Health, for example.“Right now you have a lot of siloed data,” Cook said.Patients who travel across the country for treatment at the Cleveland Clinic often have a hard time obtaining all their medical records from various providers, said the hospital system's CEO, Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic. He said the new system would eliminate that barrier, which sometimes delays treatment or prevents doctors from making an accurate diagnosis because they do not have a full view of a patient's medical history.Having seamless access to health app data, such as what patients are eating or how much they are exercising, will also help doctors manage obesity and other chronic diseases, Mihaljevic said.“These apps give us insight about what’s happening with the patient’s health outside of the physician's office,” he said.CMS will also recommend a list of apps on Medicare.gov that are designed to help people manage chronic diseases, as well as help them select health care providers and insurance plans.Digital privacy advocates are skeptical that patients will be able to count on their data being stored securely.The federal government, however, has done little to regulate health apps or telehealth programs, said Jeffrey Chester at the Center for Digital Democracy.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and those within his circle have pushed for more technology in health care, advocating for wearable devices that monitor wellness and telehealth.Kennedy also sought to collect more data from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-autism-medicare-medicaid-0507cd8117f299a50bc20b9ea8569048">Americans’ medical records,</a>&nbsp;which he has previously said he wants to use to study autism and vaccine safety. Kennedy has filled the agency with staffers who have a history of working at or running health technology&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/calley-means-rfk-maha-wellness-ethics-f2702b2e26c2883f15dc281f02fe3008">startups and businesses</a>.CMS already has troves of information on more than 140 million Americans who enroll in Medicare and Medicaid. Earlier this month, the federal agency agreed to hand over its massive database, including home addresses, to deportation officials.The new initiative would deepen the pool of information on patients for the federal government and tech companies. Medical records typically contain far more sensitive information, such as doctors' notes about conversations with patients and substance abuse or mental health history.“This scheme is an open door for the further use and monetization of sensitive and personal health information,” Chester said.The Trump administration tried to launch a less&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-myhealthedata-initiative-put-patients-center-us-healthcare-system">ambitious electronic record program</a>&nbsp;in 2018 that did not get finalized during his first term, but it did not have buy in from major tech companies at the time.

Trump admin. launches new private health tracking system with Big Tech's help

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on sex crime allegations.

Police began an investigation focusing on an incident that occurred at the Walmart Store located at 1920 U.S.73 in Atchison on the afternoon of Thursday, July 24, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

A 17-year-old girl was shopping in the store when she was approached by a man who attempted to solicit her for illicit sexual activity. She was able to walk away from the suspect and quickly went to store employees for safety and reported the incident. 

The suspect, later identified as 51-year-old David Holmgren of Weston, Missouri, left the store. 

An investigation led police detectives to Holmgren. Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested Holmgren on requested charges of commercial sexual exploitation of a child. He turned himself in at Police headquarters, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753888651713.png" alt="Holmgren photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Holmgren photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on sex crime allegations.Police began an investigation focusing on an incident that occurred at the Walmart Store located at 1920 U.S.73 in Atchison on the afternoon of Thursday, July 24, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.A 17-year-old girl was shopping in the store when she was approached by a man who attempted to solicit her for illicit sexual activity. She was able to walk away from the suspect and quickly went to store employees for safety and reported the incident. The suspect, later identified as 51-year-old David Holmgren of Weston, Missouri, left the store. An investigation led police detectives to Holmgren. Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested Holmgren on requested charges of commercial sexual exploitation of a child. He turned himself in at Police headquarters, according to Wilson.

Police: Man solicited teen for sex while in Walmart

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;will not run for California governor next year, leaving open the possibility that she could mount a third run for the White House in 2028.

“Over the past six months, I have spent time reflecting on this moment in our nation’s history and the best way for me to continue fighting for the American people and advancing the values and ideals I hold dear,” Harris said in a statement released by her office Wednesday.

“I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their governor. I love this state, its people and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election,” she said.

Harris' decision extends a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-2028-democrats-california-president-governor-6d3b5bef946b9c51c8096328865d3a84">guessing game</a>&nbsp;about her political future that started after she lost last year’s presidential election to Donald Trump. Harris spent months privately considering whether to run for governor, stage another run for the White House or step away from electoral politics altogether after her bruising defeat by Trump.

She has not ruled out another run for president, after unsuccessful bids in 2020 and 2024. It’s not known when she will make that decision.

In her statement, Harris never mentions Trump directly but said “our politics, our government, and our institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in this moment of crisis.”

“For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office. I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans,” Harris added.

“In the United States of America, power must lie with the people. And We, the People must use our power to fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness and the dignity of all. I will remain in that fight,” the statement said.

Harris would have entered the crowded contest to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom as a front-runner given her widespread name recognition, fundraising prowess and track record of winning statewide elections. Before serving as U.S. senator and vice president, she was elected state attorney general and district attorney in San Francisco.

But after years in Washington on the national and international stage, it was never clear if Harris was interested in returning to the less-glamorous world of statehouse politics in Sacramento.

Outside California, Harris’ political career has been marked by historic firsts but also disappointments.

Harris sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but dropped out of the race before the leadoff Iowa caucuses — the first defeat of her political career. After Joe Biden chose her as his running mate, she made history as the first woman, Black person or person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. In 2024, Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee after Biden left the race months before Election Day and endorsed her. She lost that race to Trump, who won every swing state.

Harris faces some uncertainty if she chooses to make another White House run.

Harris would have to convince national Democrats that she’s the face of the party’s future, despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">losing</a>&nbsp;to Trump last fall. She also carries the baggage of being tied to Biden, whom Democrats have increasingly criticized for seeking a second term rather than stepping aside. Biden’s legacy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-poll-low-ratings-obama-trump-390f25a858bf4cdec28719a2fe17b525">was tarnished</a>&nbsp;as he left office, and since then new questions have swirled about his physical and mental abilities as his term ended.

The 2028 presidential contest is expected to attract a large field, which could potentially include Newsom. Any candidate will have to unify a fractious Democratic Party with low approval&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-democrats-pessimism-sanders-ocasio-cortez-schumer-8dcde90d9666721fb376db90140f8e23">ratings</a>&nbsp;that is struggling to slow Trump’s agenda in Washington.

In her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January, Harris said in a San Francisco speech that Trump’s leadership represented a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-speech-california-trump-democrats-governor-7f3fe64bfb93fcd39a5d06c39b2935f7">wholesale abandonment</a>&nbsp;” of American ideals.

Harris’ decision not to seek the governorship keeps the contest to replace Newsom wide open. The Democratic field includes former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Biden administration health secretary Xavier Becerra and a handful of state officeholders.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753903327321.png" alt="Former Vice President Kamala Harris image from a video appearance at the Free and Just Storyteller Summit&nbsp; in June" />
 <figcaption>Former Vice President Kamala Harris image from a video appearance at the Free and Just Storyteller Summit&nbsp; in June</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;will not run for California governor next year, leaving open the possibility that she could mount a third run for the White House in 2028.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My statement on the California governor&#39;s race and the fight ahead. <a href="https://t.co/HYzK1BIlhD">pic.twitter.com/HYzK1BIlhD</a>&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1950633431945379888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Over the past six months, I have spent time reflecting on this moment in our nation’s history and the best way for me to continue fighting for the American people and advancing the values and ideals I hold dear,” Harris said in a statement released by her office Wednesday.“I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their governor. I love this state, its people and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election,” she said.Harris' decision extends a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-2028-democrats-california-president-governor-6d3b5bef946b9c51c8096328865d3a84">guessing game</a>&nbsp;about her political future that started after she lost last year’s presidential election to Donald Trump. Harris spent months privately considering whether to run for governor, stage another run for the White House or step away from electoral politics altogether after her bruising defeat by Trump.She has not ruled out another run for president, after unsuccessful bids in 2020 and 2024. It’s not known when she will make that decision.In her statement, Harris never mentions Trump directly but said “our politics, our government, and our institutions have too often failed the American people, culminating in this moment of crisis.”“For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office. I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans,” Harris added.“In the United States of America, power must lie with the people. And We, the People must use our power to fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness and the dignity of all. I will remain in that fight,” the statement said.Harris would have entered the crowded contest to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom as a front-runner given her widespread name recognition, fundraising prowess and track record of winning statewide elections. Before serving as U.S. senator and vice president, she was elected state attorney general and district attorney in San Francisco.But after years in Washington on the national and international stage, it was never clear if Harris was interested in returning to the less-glamorous world of statehouse politics in Sacramento.Outside California, Harris’ political career has been marked by historic firsts but also disappointments.Harris sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but dropped out of the race before the leadoff Iowa caucuses — the first defeat of her political career. After Joe Biden chose her as his running mate, she made history as the first woman, Black person or person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. In 2024, Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee after Biden left the race months before Election Day and endorsed her. She lost that race to Trump, who won every swing state.Harris faces some uncertainty if she chooses to make another White House run.Harris would have to convince national Democrats that she’s the face of the party’s future, despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">losing</a>&nbsp;to Trump last fall. She also carries the baggage of being tied to Biden, whom Democrats have increasingly criticized for seeking a second term rather than stepping aside. Biden’s legacy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-poll-low-ratings-obama-trump-390f25a858bf4cdec28719a2fe17b525">was tarnished</a>&nbsp;as he left office, and since then new questions have swirled about his physical and mental abilities as his term ended.The 2028 presidential contest is expected to attract a large field, which could potentially include Newsom. Any candidate will have to unify a fractious Democratic Party with low approval&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-democrats-pessimism-sanders-ocasio-cortez-schumer-8dcde90d9666721fb376db90140f8e23">ratings</a>&nbsp;that is struggling to slow Trump’s agenda in Washington.In her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January, Harris said in a San Francisco speech that Trump’s leadership represented a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-speech-california-trump-democrats-governor-7f3fe64bfb93fcd39a5d06c39b2935f7">wholesale abandonment</a>&nbsp;” of American ideals.Harris’ decision not to seek the governorship keeps the contest to replace Newsom wide open. The Democratic field includes former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Biden administration health secretary Xavier Becerra and a handful of state officeholders.

Former VP Kamala Harris explains why she won't run for Calif. governor 

By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer

Investigators probing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-american-airlines-helicopter-ntsb-b78bce07efa055aa6f9c04e580ffe24e">the January midair collision</a>&nbsp;of a passenger plane and an Army helicopter over Washington that killed 67 people found the chopper was flying higher than the it should have been and the altitude readings were inaccurate.

The details came out of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-36d4d06b3b29243a1eb8c00819222ce8">first day of National Transportation Safety Board hearings</a>&nbsp;in Washington, where investigators aim to uncover insights into what caused the crash between the American Airlines plane from Wichita, Kansas, and the Black Hawk helicopter over Ronald Reagan National Airport.

The board opened the three days of hearings by showing an animation and playing audio and video from the night of the collision, as well as questioning witnesses and investigators about how the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army may have contributed to nation's deadlines plane crash since November 2001.

It's likely too early for the board to identify what caused the crash.

The January incident was the first in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-crash-aviation-safety-76215f9d429274f3b5089e81baa97d6a">string of crashes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-flight-military-bomber-north-dakota-d4fb212c7875e89b2e9c7ec29709d74d">near misses</a>&nbsp;this year that have alarmed officials and the traveling public, despite statistics that still show flying remains the safest form of transportation.

The hearing opened Wednesday with a video animation showing where the helicopter and airliner were leading up to the collision. It showed how the helicopter flew above the 200 feet (61 meters) altitude limit on the helicopter route along the Potomac River before colliding with the plane.

Investigators said Wednesday the flight data recorder showed the helicopter was actually 80 feet to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters) higher than the barometric altimeter the pilots relied upon showed they were flying. So the NTSB conducted tests on three other helicopters from the same unit in a flight over the same area and found similar discrepancies in their altimeters.

Dan Cooper with Sikorsky helicopters said that when the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the crash was designed in the 1970s, it used a style of altimeter that was common at the time. Newer helicopters have air data computers that didn’t exist back then that help provide more accurate altitude readings.

Chief Warrant Officer Kylene Lewis told the board that she wouldn’t find an 80 to 100 foot discrepancy between the different altimeters on a helicopter alarming because at lower altitudes she would be relying more on the radar altimeter than the barometric altimeter. Below 500 feet (152 meters) , Lewis said she would be checking both instruments and cross referencing them.

She said as long as an altimeter registers an altitude within 70 feet of the published altitude before takeoff the altimeter is considered accurate under the checklists.

But previously, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy highlighted that the published helicopter routes around Washington D.C. would allow planes and helicopters to routinely come within 75 feet of each other during landing.

Army officials said Wednesday that the flight manual for these older Black Hawks doesn’t highlight the discrepancies in altimeters that has been documented previously, but typical flight separations are at least 500 feet around airports.

Previously disclosed air traffic control audio had the helicopter pilot telling the controller twice that they saw the airplane and would avoid it. The animation ended with surveillance video showing the helicopter colliding with the plane in a fiery crash.

Investigations have already shown the FAA failed to recognize a troubling history of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-near-misses-53cc37d586a981c3382462a07b3d99ec">85 near misses</a>&nbsp;around Reagan airport in the years before the collision, and that the Army's helicopters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-congress-ntsb-faa-helicopter-e6cabb82fd788039e16ab2af84220712">routinely flew</a>&nbsp;around the nation's capitol with a key piece of locating equipment, known as ADS-B Out, turned off.

Aviation attorney Bob Clifford, who is working to file one of the first lawsuits against the government next month, said he hopes NTSB will look beyond the immediate factors that caused this crash to highlight the bigger ongoing concerns in the crowded Washington airspace.

Even though the final NTSB report won't be released until sometime next year, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz isn't waiting to propose changes. He introduced legislation Tuesday that would require all aircraft operators to use both forms of ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, the technology to broadcast aircraft location data to other planes and air traffic controllers. Most aircraft today are equipped with ADS-B Out equipment but the airlines would have to add the more comprehensive ADS-B In technology to their planes.

“There cannot be a double standard in aviation safety,” Cruz said. “We should not tolerate special exceptions for military training flights, operating in congested air space.”

The legislation would revoke an exemption on ADS-B transmission requests for Department of Defense aircrafts. It also would require the FAA to evaluate helicopter routes near airports and require the Army Inspector General to review the Army’s aviation safety practices.

Homendy said her agency has been recommending that move for decades after several other crashes.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that while he’d like to discuss “a few tweaks,” the legislation is “the right approach.” He also suggested that the previous administration “was asleep at the wheel” amid dozens of near-misses in the airspace around Washington's airspace.

Homendy said the hearings over the next few days will be a “fact-finding proceeding.” The NTSB will also post thousands of pages of evidence from the crash investigation online.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that he expects “we’re going to have some very uncomfortable conversations over the next two and a half days” but that “they need to be had in the clear light of day – and simply put the best interest of the traveling public ahead of any of our personal interests, perhaps.”

The hearings in Washington involve NTSB board members, investigators and witnesses for organizations involved in the crash. Panels will focus on military helicopter routes in the Washington area, collision avoidance technology and training for air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan National Airport, among other subjects.

Federal officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-faa-close-calls-senate-hearing-7309801ccbf64bcecfb0cf58e3e58498">have also raised concerns</a>&nbsp;over the nation’s outdated and understaffed air traffic control system. During January’s mid-air crash above Washington, one controller was handing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-crash-night-faa-helicopter-286319ac01bee91e4992c95e7946063e">both commercial airline and helicopter traffic</a>&nbsp;at the busy airport.

Duffy has announced a multi-billion-dollar plan to overhaul the system controllers use that relies on old technology like floppy disks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753879190797.png" alt="NTSB photo" />
 <figcaption>NTSB photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation WriterInvestigators probing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-american-airlines-helicopter-ntsb-b78bce07efa055aa6f9c04e580ffe24e">the January midair collision</a>&nbsp;of a passenger plane and an Army helicopter over Washington that killed 67 people found the chopper was flying higher than the it should have been and the altitude readings were inaccurate.The details came out of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-36d4d06b3b29243a1eb8c00819222ce8">first day of National Transportation Safety Board hearings</a>&nbsp;in Washington, where investigators aim to uncover insights into what caused the crash between the American Airlines plane from Wichita, Kansas, and the Black Hawk helicopter over Ronald Reagan National Airport.The board opened the three days of hearings by showing an animation and playing audio and video from the night of the collision, as well as questioning witnesses and investigators about how the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army may have contributed to nation's deadlines plane crash since November 2001.It's likely too early for the board to identify what caused the crash.The January incident was the first in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-crash-aviation-safety-76215f9d429274f3b5089e81baa97d6a">string of crashes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-flight-military-bomber-north-dakota-d4fb212c7875e89b2e9c7ec29709d74d">near misses</a>&nbsp;this year that have alarmed officials and the traveling public, despite statistics that still show flying remains the safest form of transportation.<h2>Animation, altimeter discrepancy</h2>The hearing opened Wednesday with a video animation showing where the helicopter and airliner were leading up to the collision. It showed how the helicopter flew above the 200 feet (61 meters) altitude limit on the helicopter route along the Potomac River before colliding with the plane.Investigators said Wednesday the flight data recorder showed the helicopter was actually 80 feet to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters) higher than the barometric altimeter the pilots relied upon showed they were flying. So the NTSB conducted tests on three other helicopters from the same unit in a flight over the same area and found similar discrepancies in their altimeters.Dan Cooper with Sikorsky helicopters said that when the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the crash was designed in the 1970s, it used a style of altimeter that was common at the time. Newer helicopters have air data computers that didn’t exist back then that help provide more accurate altitude readings.Chief Warrant Officer Kylene Lewis told the board that she wouldn’t find an 80 to 100 foot discrepancy between the different altimeters on a helicopter alarming because at lower altitudes she would be relying more on the radar altimeter than the barometric altimeter. Below 500 feet (152 meters) , Lewis said she would be checking both instruments and cross referencing them.She said as long as an altimeter registers an altitude within 70 feet of the published altitude before takeoff the altimeter is considered accurate under the checklists.But previously, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy highlighted that the published helicopter routes around Washington D.C. would allow planes and helicopters to routinely come within 75 feet of each other during landing.Army officials said Wednesday that the flight manual for these older Black Hawks doesn’t highlight the discrepancies in altimeters that has been documented previously, but typical flight separations are at least 500 feet around airports.Previously disclosed air traffic control audio had the helicopter pilot telling the controller twice that they saw the airplane and would avoid it. The animation ended with surveillance video showing the helicopter colliding with the plane in a fiery crash.Investigations have already shown the FAA failed to recognize a troubling history of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-near-misses-53cc37d586a981c3382462a07b3d99ec">85 near misses</a>&nbsp;around Reagan airport in the years before the collision, and that the Army's helicopters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-congress-ntsb-faa-helicopter-e6cabb82fd788039e16ab2af84220712">routinely flew</a>&nbsp;around the nation's capitol with a key piece of locating equipment, known as ADS-B Out, turned off.Aviation attorney Bob Clifford, who is working to file one of the first lawsuits against the government next month, said he hopes NTSB will look beyond the immediate factors that caused this crash to highlight the bigger ongoing concerns in the crowded Washington airspace.<h2>Proposed changes</h2>Even though the final NTSB report won't be released until sometime next year, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz isn't waiting to propose changes. He introduced legislation Tuesday that would require all aircraft operators to use both forms of ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, the technology to broadcast aircraft location data to other planes and air traffic controllers. Most aircraft today are equipped with ADS-B Out equipment but the airlines would have to add the more comprehensive ADS-B In technology to their planes.“There cannot be a double standard in aviation safety,” Cruz said. “We should not tolerate special exceptions for military training flights, operating in congested air space.”The legislation would revoke an exemption on ADS-B transmission requests for Department of Defense aircrafts. It also would require the FAA to evaluate helicopter routes near airports and require the Army Inspector General to review the Army’s aviation safety practices.Homendy said her agency has been recommending that move for decades after several other crashes.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that while he’d like to discuss “a few tweaks,” the legislation is “the right approach.” He also suggested that the previous administration “was asleep at the wheel” amid dozens of near-misses in the airspace around Washington's airspace.<h2>'Fact-finding proceeding'</h2>Homendy said the hearings over the next few days will be a “fact-finding proceeding.” The NTSB will also post thousands of pages of evidence from the crash investigation online.FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that he expects “we’re going to have some very uncomfortable conversations over the next two and a half days” but that “they need to be had in the clear light of day – and simply put the best interest of the traveling public ahead of any of our personal interests, perhaps.”The hearings in Washington involve NTSB board members, investigators and witnesses for organizations involved in the crash. Panels will focus on military helicopter routes in the Washington area, collision avoidance technology and training for air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan National Airport, among other subjects.Federal officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-faa-close-calls-senate-hearing-7309801ccbf64bcecfb0cf58e3e58498">have also raised concerns</a>&nbsp;over the nation’s outdated and understaffed air traffic control system. During January’s mid-air crash above Washington, one controller was handing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-crash-night-faa-helicopter-286319ac01bee91e4992c95e7946063e">both commercial airline and helicopter traffic</a>&nbsp;at the busy airport.Duffy has announced a multi-billion-dollar plan to overhaul the system controllers use that relies on old technology like floppy disks.

NTSB reveals new details in fatal midair crash with passenger jet from Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a wanted homicide suspect in Topeka.

Just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday, police were&nbsp;notified that an individual wanted in connection to a homicide in Oklahoma City was in Topeka, according to police spokesman Daniel Garrett.

Officers went to the 1200 block of SW. Orleans to take the individual, identified as 51-year-old Carlos Slaughter, into custody.

Upon police arrival, Slaughter barricaded himself inside a home. Around 4:00 a.m., Topeka Police entered the home, to find&nbsp; Slaughter deceased. Topeka Police is investigating this death as a possible suicide.

The lead agency for this investigation is Oklahoma City Police Department, with the FBI and Topeka Police assisting.&nbsp; Police released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753908315672.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a wanted homicide suspect in Topeka.Just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday, police were&nbsp;notified that an individual wanted in connection to a homicide in Oklahoma City was in Topeka, according to police spokesman Daniel Garrett.Officers went to the 1200 block of SW. Orleans to take the individual, identified as 51-year-old Carlos Slaughter, into custody.Upon police arrival, Slaughter barricaded himself inside a home. Around 4:00 a.m., Topeka Police entered the home, to find&nbsp; Slaughter deceased. Topeka Police is investigating this death as a possible suicide.The lead agency for this investigation is Oklahoma City Police Department, with the FBI and Topeka Police assisting.&nbsp; Police released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

Suspect wanted for murder in Oklahoma found dead in Kan. home

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key short-term interest rate unchanged for the fifth time this year, brushing off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">repeated calls</a>&nbsp;from President Donald Trump for a cut.

The Fed’s decision Wednesday leaves its key short-term rate at about 4.3%, where it has stood after the central bank made three cuts last year. Chair Jerome Powell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-federal-reserve-4821bb5d0baa9980c4c69ab26fab3ab4">has said</a>&nbsp;the Fed would likely have cut rates already if not for Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">sweeping tariffs</a>. Powell and other Fed officials say they want to see how Trump’s duties on imports will impact inflation and the broader economy. So far the duties have lifted costs of some goods, such as appliances, furniture, and toys, and overall inflation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-trump-fed-powell-prices-8842d6ebca9d1870983e678e578d2091">has risen a bit</a>, though less than many economists had expected.

There were some signs of splits in the Fed’s ranks: Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman voted to reduce borrowing costs, while 9 officials, including Powell, favored standing pat. It is the first time in more than three decades that two of the seven Washington-based governors have dissented. One official, Governor Adriana Kugler, was absent and didn’t vote.

The choice to hold off on a rate cut will almost certainly result in further&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">conflict between the Fed and White House</a>, as Trump has repeatedly demanded that the central bank reduce borrowing costs as part of his effort to assert control over one of the few remaining independent federal agencies.

Trump argues that because the U.S. economy is doing well, rates should be lowered. But unlike a blue-chip company that usually pays lower rates than a troubled start-up, the Fed adjusts rates to either slow or speed growth, and would be more likely to keep them high if the economy is strong to prevent an inflationary outbreak.

Earlier Wednesday, the government said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-economy-growth-tariffs-629549a1e77e6f1823adbcd5ccf78941">the economy expanded</a>&nbsp;at a healthy 3% annual rate in the second quarter, though that figure followed a negative reading for the first three months of the year, when the economy shrank 0.5% at an annual rate. Most economists averaged the two figures to get a growth rate of about 1.2% for the first half of this year.

Some of the disagreement likely reflects jockeying to replace Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Waller in particular has been mentioned as a potential future Fed chair.

Bowman, meanwhile, last dissented in September 2024, when the Fed cut its key rate by a half-point. She said she preferred a quarter point cut instead, and cited the fact that inflation was still above 2.5% as a reason for caution.

Waller also said earlier this month that he favored cutting rates, but for very different reasons than Trump has cited:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-14dc02f2a212067f4343037504cf1d19">Waller thinks</a>&nbsp;that growth and hiring are slowing, and that the Fed should reduce borrowing costs to forestall a weaker economy and a rise in unemployment.

There are other camps on the Fed’s 19-member rate-setting committee (only 12 of the 19 actually vote on rate decisions). In June, seven members signaled that they supported leaving rates unchanged through the end of this year, while two suggested they preferred a single rate cut this year. The other half supported more reductions, with eight officials backing two cuts, and two — widely thought to be Waller and Bowman — supporting three reductions.

The dissents could be a preview of what might happen after Powell steps down, if President Donald Trump appoints a replacement who pushes for the much lower interest rates the White House desires. Other Fed officials could push back if a future chair sought to cut rates by more than economic conditions would otherwise support.

Overall, the committee’s quarterly forecasts in June suggested the Fed would cut twice this year. There are only three more Fed policy meetings — in September, October, and December — and some economists forecast that a cut will occur in September. Wall Street investors also expect cuts in September and December, according to futures pricing.

When the Fed cuts its rate, it often — but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-fed-inflation-tariffs-recession-e698dca7ceddf382c1b030e7bf1bd202">not always</a>&nbsp;— results in lower borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards.

Some economists agree with Waller's concerns about the job market. Excluding government hiring, the economy added just 74,000 jobs in June, with most of those gains occurring in health care.

“We are in a much slower job hiring backdrop than most people appreciate,” said Tom Porcelli, chief U.S. economist at PGIM Fixed Income.

Michael Feroli, an economist at JPMorgan Chase, said in a note to clients this week if the pair were to dissent, “it would say more about auditioning for the Fed chair appointment than about economic conditions.”

The Fed's two-day meeting comes after a week of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">extraordinary interactions</a>&nbsp;with the Trump White House, which has accused Powell of mismanaging an extensive, $2.5 billion renovation of two office buildings. Trump suggested two weeks ago that the rising cost for the project could be a “firing offense” but has since backed off that characterization.

Notably, Trump argues that the Fed should cut because the economy is doing very well, which is a different viewpoint than nearly all economists, who say that a healthy, growing economy doesn't need rate cuts.

“If your economy is hot, you're supposed to have higher short-term rates,” Porcelli said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key short-term interest rate unchanged for the fifth time this year, brushing off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">repeated calls</a>&nbsp;from President Donald Trump for a cut.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/federalreserve?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FederalReserve</a> Chair Jerome Powell: &quot;Today the Federal Open Market Committee decided to leave our policy interest rate unchanged.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/FnLmx3NOMn">pic.twitter.com/FnLmx3NOMn</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1950628177300119703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Fed’s decision Wednesday leaves its key short-term rate at about 4.3%, where it has stood after the central bank made three cuts last year. Chair Jerome Powell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-federal-reserve-4821bb5d0baa9980c4c69ab26fab3ab4">has said</a>&nbsp;the Fed would likely have cut rates already if not for Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">sweeping tariffs</a>. Powell and other Fed officials say they want to see how Trump’s duties on imports will impact inflation and the broader economy. So far the duties have lifted costs of some goods, such as appliances, furniture, and toys, and overall inflation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-trump-fed-powell-prices-8842d6ebca9d1870983e678e578d2091">has risen a bit</a>, though less than many economists had expected.There were some signs of splits in the Fed’s ranks: Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman voted to reduce borrowing costs, while 9 officials, including Powell, favored standing pat. It is the first time in more than three decades that two of the seven Washington-based governors have dissented. One official, Governor Adriana Kugler, was absent and didn’t vote.The choice to hold off on a rate cut will almost certainly result in further&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">conflict between the Fed and White House</a>, as Trump has repeatedly demanded that the central bank reduce borrowing costs as part of his effort to assert control over one of the few remaining independent federal agencies.Trump argues that because the U.S. economy is doing well, rates should be lowered. But unlike a blue-chip company that usually pays lower rates than a troubled start-up, the Fed adjusts rates to either slow or speed growth, and would be more likely to keep them high if the economy is strong to prevent an inflationary outbreak.Earlier Wednesday, the government said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-economy-growth-tariffs-629549a1e77e6f1823adbcd5ccf78941">the economy expanded</a>&nbsp;at a healthy 3% annual rate in the second quarter, though that figure followed a negative reading for the first three months of the year, when the economy shrank 0.5% at an annual rate. Most economists averaged the two figures to get a growth rate of about 1.2% for the first half of this year.Some of the disagreement likely reflects jockeying to replace Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Waller in particular has been mentioned as a potential future Fed chair.Bowman, meanwhile, last dissented in September 2024, when the Fed cut its key rate by a half-point. She said she preferred a quarter point cut instead, and cited the fact that inflation was still above 2.5% as a reason for caution.Waller also said earlier this month that he favored cutting rates, but for very different reasons than Trump has cited:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-trump-14dc02f2a212067f4343037504cf1d19">Waller thinks</a>&nbsp;that growth and hiring are slowing, and that the Fed should reduce borrowing costs to forestall a weaker economy and a rise in unemployment.There are other camps on the Fed’s 19-member rate-setting committee (only 12 of the 19 actually vote on rate decisions). In June, seven members signaled that they supported leaving rates unchanged through the end of this year, while two suggested they preferred a single rate cut this year. The other half supported more reductions, with eight officials backing two cuts, and two — widely thought to be Waller and Bowman — supporting three reductions.The dissents could be a preview of what might happen after Powell steps down, if President Donald Trump appoints a replacement who pushes for the much lower interest rates the White House desires. Other Fed officials could push back if a future chair sought to cut rates by more than economic conditions would otherwise support.Overall, the committee’s quarterly forecasts in June suggested the Fed would cut twice this year. There are only three more Fed policy meetings — in September, October, and December — and some economists forecast that a cut will occur in September. Wall Street investors also expect cuts in September and December, according to futures pricing.When the Fed cuts its rate, it often — but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-fed-inflation-tariffs-recession-e698dca7ceddf382c1b030e7bf1bd202">not always</a>&nbsp;— results in lower borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards.Some economists agree with Waller's concerns about the job market. Excluding government hiring, the economy added just 74,000 jobs in June, with most of those gains occurring in health care.“We are in a much slower job hiring backdrop than most people appreciate,” said Tom Porcelli, chief U.S. economist at PGIM Fixed Income.Michael Feroli, an economist at JPMorgan Chase, said in a note to clients this week if the pair were to dissent, “it would say more about auditioning for the Fed chair appointment than about economic conditions.”The Fed's two-day meeting comes after a week of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">extraordinary interactions</a>&nbsp;with the Trump White House, which has accused Powell of mismanaging an extensive, $2.5 billion renovation of two office buildings. Trump suggested two weeks ago that the rising cost for the project could be a “firing offense” but has since backed off that characterization.Notably, Trump argues that the Fed should cut because the economy is doing very well, which is a different viewpoint than nearly all economists, who say that a healthy, growing economy doesn't need rate cuts.“If your economy is hot, you're supposed to have higher short-term rates,” Porcelli said.

🎥More bad news on interest rates despite plea from White House

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Two girls were waiting for a relative to finish work at a Nebraska biofuel plant when all three were killed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/industrial-explosion-fire-nebraska-9422cee0eba3a9e6496d002ffc1a69c0">massive explosion</a>&nbsp;that shook the town, officials said Wednesday. The fire was still smoldering more than a day later and crews say they can't safely enter the building's unstable wreckage to recover the remains.

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said at a news conference that the children were at the Horizon Biofuels plant ahead of a doctor's appointment, and although he wasn't sure of their exact ages, he believed both were under age 12. Dodge County Sheriff Sgt. Brie Frank later confirmed the three were family.

The plant makes animal bedding and wood pellets for heating and smoking food, using tons of wood waste. Spellerberg said authorities believe Tuesday's blast was likely a wood dust explosion in the tall elevator tower.

“That’s really the only thing that makes sense,” Spellerberg said. He said Horizon Biofuels is cooperating “as far as I know.”

The company did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment.

The top of the elevator tower was torn apart, exposing a mangled concrete-and-rebar core. Metal siding on the building below was left crumpled and charred, while wisps of white smoke drifted into the air Wednesday despite rain overnight.

Spellerberg said fire crews were evaluating whether the whole facility might collapse, making it difficult to get inside as they battle the fire.

“It’s going to be very slow,” said Carl Nielsen of the city’s volunteer fire department. He said authorities do not have a timeline for when they expect to bring the bodies out.

“My heart hurts,” Spellerberg told reporters. “It’s a tragedy. We pray for all the families involved.”

The company has 10 employees, according to the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

A 2014 fire at the building had damaged the electrical system but left the structure intact, according to reporting by the Fremont Tribune. Significant accumulations of wood dust particles can be a fire and explosion hazard, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Taylor Kirklin, who lives about a half mile (0.8 kilometers) from the building, said her whole house shook from the explosion at around noon, which was so loud she thought someone crashed a car into her family’s dog kennel business on the property.

“We were really unsure when the explosion happened which plant it was, because there are so many in that area,” she said.

Emily Anderson, who lives just blocks from the plant, said she heard “one really big boom” before police cars flooded in.

“There were just huge plumes of very, very black smoke,” Anderson said. “It was scary.”

Fremont, a city of about 27,000 and the sixth-largest in Nebraska, is 32 miles (52 kilometers) northwest of Omaha.

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Two girls and an adult missing since a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/industrial-explosion-fire-nebraska-9422cee0eba3a9e6496d002ffc1a69c0">huge explosion</a>&nbsp;tore through a Nebraska biofuels plant are confirmed dead, officials said Wednesday, as firefighters have battled smoke and flames smoldering in the wreckage for nearly a day.

“My heart hurts,” Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said at a news conference. “It’s a tragedy. We pray for every person involved.”

Spellerberg said the two children were waiting for the employee to get off work so they could go to a doctor’s appointment. He wasn’t sure of their exact ages but said both were under age 12.

Photos taken after Tuesday’s blast show the plant’s tall tower torn off, exposing mangled metal and ripped siding. Debris littered the ground, and nearby residents say the blast shook their homes.

The fire has prevented crews from getting close enough to the Horizon Biofuels plant to search for the missing people inside, the mayor said.

“We had a fire going all night, even through the rain,” Spellerberg told radio station&nbsp;<a href="https://kfab.iheart.com/" target="_blank">KFAB</a>&nbsp;in Omaha earlier Wednesday.

“You have the feed mill area, you have the office area just under flames, basically it has not stopped,” he said.

Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt said first responders were up against “heavy smoke and a lot of flames” when they first arrived at the facility, which is surrounded by other manufacturing and food processing plants.

The plant makes animal bedding and wood pellets for heating and smoking food, using tons of wood waste, and Bernt said they believe the facility stores wood and some alcohol-based materials. A 2014 fire at the building had damaged the electrical system but left the structure intact, according to reporting by the Fremont Tribune.

Taylor Kirklin, who lives about a half mile (0.8 kilometers) from the building, said her whole house shook Tuesday. She said the explosion was so loud that she thought someone had crashed a car into her family’s dog kennel business on the property.

“I got up and looked outside and there was a huge plume of smoke,” she said. “We were really unsure when the explosion happened which plant it was, because there are so many in that area.”

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Firefighters in eastern Nebraska battled a fire for hours following an explosion Tuesday at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/mississippi-europe-aerospace-and-defense-industry-european-union-government-programs-f902ec0e082647e0b771338733905412">wood pellet</a>&nbsp;manufacturing plant, but authorities said they have been unable to get close enough to search for three people believed to be missing.

The explosion happened at the Horizon Biofuels plant, which makes animal bedding and wood pellets for heating and smoking food, on the south end of Fremont, Nebraska.

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said three individuals were in the building, but “that’s all we can say at this point,” he said in a briefing Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re working with the state patrol as well as the state of Nebraska and other groups to assess the building and the structure of the building to where, again, we can be able to get in,” Spellerberg said.

Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt said first responders were up against “heavy smoke and a lot of flames” when they first arrived on scene. The first call reporting the explosion came in just before noon, according to Spellerberg.

Photos taken after the explosion show the top of the facility’s tall tower — marked by a distinctive sunbeam logo of the former owner, Golden Sun Feeds — torn off, exposing mangled metal and ripped siding. Debris littered the ground below.

The facility uses tons of wood waste to manufacture their wood fuel pellets. An overnight fire at the building in 2014 had damaged the electrical system but left the structure in tact, according to reporting by the Fremont Tribune. A fire captain said at the time that the building has a “cement structure on the outside and the metal frame is tied into that.”

Bernt said they believe the facility stores wood and some alcohol-based materials.

Dodge County Attorney Pamela Hopkins, who also serves as the county coroner, said law enforcement and first responders were busy securing the scene Tuesday afternoon and had not yet contacted her in her role as coroner. She added that she was hoping not to get that call.

“Right now, we’re focused on the safety of the community and getting the situation under control — keeping the scene secure,” Hopkins said. She declined to comment further.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753886360252.png" alt="Security camera image at the time of the explosion- image courtesy KETV" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image at the time of the explosion- image courtesy KETV</figcaption>
 </figure>FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Two girls were waiting for a relative to finish work at a Nebraska biofuel plant when all three were killed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/industrial-explosion-fire-nebraska-9422cee0eba3a9e6496d002ffc1a69c0">massive explosion</a>&nbsp;that shook the town, officials said Wednesday. The fire was still smoldering more than a day later and crews say they can't safely enter the building's unstable wreckage to recover the remains.Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said at a news conference that the children were at the Horizon Biofuels plant ahead of a doctor's appointment, and although he wasn't sure of their exact ages, he believed both were under age 12. Dodge County Sheriff Sgt. Brie Frank later confirmed the three were family.The plant makes animal bedding and wood pellets for heating and smoking food, using tons of wood waste. Spellerberg said authorities believe Tuesday's blast was likely a wood dust explosion in the tall elevator tower.“That’s really the only thing that makes sense,” Spellerberg said. He said Horizon Biofuels is cooperating “as far as I know.”The company did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment.The top of the elevator tower was torn apart, exposing a mangled concrete-and-rebar core. Metal siding on the building below was left crumpled and charred, while wisps of white smoke drifted into the air Wednesday despite rain overnight.Spellerberg said fire crews were evaluating whether the whole facility might collapse, making it difficult to get inside as they battle the fire.“It’s going to be very slow,” said Carl Nielsen of the city’s volunteer fire department. He said authorities do not have a timeline for when they expect to bring the bodies out.“My heart hurts,” Spellerberg told reporters. “It’s a tragedy. We pray for all the families involved.”The company has 10 employees, according to the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership.A 2014 fire at the building had damaged the electrical system but left the structure intact, according to reporting by the Fremont Tribune. Significant accumulations of wood dust particles can be a fire and explosion hazard, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.Taylor Kirklin, who lives about a half mile (0.8 kilometers) from the building, said her whole house shook from the explosion at around noon, which was so loud she thought someone crashed a car into her family’s dog kennel business on the property.“We were really unsure when the explosion happened which plant it was, because there are so many in that area,” she said.Emily Anderson, who lives just blocks from the plant, said she heard “one really big boom” before police cars flooded in.“There were just huge plumes of very, very black smoke,” Anderson said. “It was scary.”Fremont, a city of about 27,000 and the sixth-largest in Nebraska, is 32 miles (52 kilometers) northwest of Omaha.-------------FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Two girls and an adult missing since a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/industrial-explosion-fire-nebraska-9422cee0eba3a9e6496d002ffc1a69c0">huge explosion</a>&nbsp;tore through a Nebraska biofuels plant are confirmed dead, officials said Wednesday, as firefighters have battled smoke and flames smoldering in the wreckage for nearly a day.“My heart hurts,” Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said at a news conference. “It’s a tragedy. We pray for every person involved.”Spellerberg said the two children were waiting for the employee to get off work so they could go to a doctor’s appointment. He wasn’t sure of their exact ages but said both were under age 12.Photos taken after Tuesday’s blast show the plant’s tall tower torn off, exposing mangled metal and ripped siding. Debris littered the ground, and nearby residents say the blast shook their homes.The fire has prevented crews from getting close enough to the Horizon Biofuels plant to search for the missing people inside, the mayor said.“We had a fire going all night, even through the rain,” Spellerberg told radio station&nbsp;<a href="https://kfab.iheart.com/" target="_blank">KFAB</a>&nbsp;in Omaha earlier Wednesday.“You have the feed mill area, you have the office area just under flames, basically it has not stopped,” he said.Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt said first responders were up against “heavy smoke and a lot of flames” when they first arrived at the facility, which is surrounded by other manufacturing and food processing plants.The plant makes animal bedding and wood pellets for heating and smoking food, using tons of wood waste, and Bernt said they believe the facility stores wood and some alcohol-based materials. A 2014 fire at the building had damaged the electrical system but left the structure intact, according to reporting by the Fremont Tribune.Taylor Kirklin, who lives about a half mile (0.8 kilometers) from the building, said her whole house shook Tuesday. She said the explosion was so loud that she thought someone had crashed a car into her family’s dog kennel business on the property.“I got up and looked outside and there was a huge plume of smoke,” she said. “We were really unsure when the explosion happened which plant it was, because there are so many in that area.”Fremont, a city of about 27,000 and the sixth-largest in Nebraska, is 32 miles (52 kilometers) northwest of Omaha.---------OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Firefighters in eastern Nebraska battled a fire for hours following an explosion Tuesday at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/mississippi-europe-aerospace-and-defense-industry-european-union-government-programs-f902ec0e082647e0b771338733905412">wood pellet</a>&nbsp;manufacturing plant, but authorities said they have been unable to get close enough to search for three people believed to be missing.The explosion happened at the Horizon Biofuels plant, which makes animal bedding and wood pellets for heating and smoking food, on the south end of Fremont, Nebraska.Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said three individuals were in the building, but “that’s all we can say at this point,” he said in a briefing Tuesday afternoon.“We’re working with the state patrol as well as the state of Nebraska and other groups to assess the building and the structure of the building to where, again, we can be able to get in,” Spellerberg said.Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt said first responders were up against “heavy smoke and a lot of flames” when they first arrived on scene. The first call reporting the explosion came in just before noon, according to Spellerberg.Photos taken after the explosion show the top of the facility’s tall tower — marked by a distinctive sunbeam logo of the former owner, Golden Sun Feeds — torn off, exposing mangled metal and ripped siding. Debris littered the ground below.The facility uses tons of wood waste to manufacture their wood fuel pellets. An overnight fire at the building in 2014 had damaged the electrical system but left the structure in tact, according to reporting by the Fremont Tribune. A fire captain said at the time that the building has a “cement structure on the outside and the metal frame is tied into that.”Bernt said they believe the facility stores wood and some alcohol-based materials.Dodge County Attorney Pamela Hopkins, who also serves as the county coroner, said law enforcement and first responders were busy securing the scene Tuesday afternoon and had not yet contacted her in her role as coroner. She added that she was hoping not to get that call.“Right now, we’re focused on the safety of the community and getting the situation under control — keeping the scene secure,” Hopkins said. She declined to comment further.Fremont, a city of about 27,000 and the sixth-largest in Nebraska, is located 32 miles (52 kilometers) northwest of Omaha, Nebraska. The site of the explosion is surrounded by other manufacturing and food processing plants.Taylor Kirklin, who lives about a half mile (0.8 kilometers) from the building, said her whole house shook Tuesday. She said the explosion was so loud that she thought someone had driven into the lobby of her family’s dog kennel business on the property.“I got up and looked outside and there was a huge plume of smoke,” she said. “We were really unsure when the explosion happened which plant it was because there are so many in that area.”