NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy Combs was convicted of a prostitution-related offense but acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.

The mixed result came on the third day of deliberations. It could still send Combs, 55, to prison for as long as a decade, and is likely to end his career as a hitmaking music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.

But the verdict cleared him of charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.

After they read the verdict, Combs held his hands up in a prayer motion, looking at jury and hugged his defense lawyer Teny Geragos.

Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.

But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with the men.

Combs and his defense team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges.

After the verdict was read, Combs continued to pump his right fist subtly, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian was weighing whether to grant Combs bail in the wake of the verdict. He adjourned the court while he considers whether to free Combs on bail.

Combs, 55, has been behind bars since his arrest in September. His lawyers argued that the acquittal on the most serious counts changed the legal landscape enough that he should get bail.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sean-diddy-combs">Combs</a>&nbsp;seemed buoyant arriving in the courtroom earlier Wednesday morning, a contrast to his mood a day earlier after he learned that the jury at his sex trafficking trial had reached a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-combs-diddy-trial-jury-deliberations-25c62300cae33ca9f18aee28788449b5">yet-to-be-disclosed verdict</a>&nbsp;on all but one of the five charges.

Combs smiled and clasped his hands together in the air toward his family and supporters before hugging several of his lawyers and sitting down to await the outcome of the jury's third day of deliberations.

On Tuesday, Subramanian ordered the jury to continue its closed-door discussions for a third day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-trial-jury-jurors-81dec675f8c17599dfafa0829517470a">the panel of eight men and four women</a>&nbsp;said it was unable to reach consensus on the top count: racketeering conspiracy.

The judge agreed with prosecutors and Combs’ defense team that less than 13 hours of deliberations was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts.

In a note to the court late Tuesday, the jury said “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” among some jurors had prevented the group from reaching a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge.

The disclosure of Tuesday's jury note about the partial verdict had seemed to put defense attorneys and their client in a dour mood even before it was read in open court by the judge.

Eight defense lawyers formed a half-circle behind Combs as the smiles and lighthearted mood that accompanied the arrival of other jury notes over two days seemed absent as the attorneys contemplated the possibility that jurors had reached agreement on counts that carry the heaviest sentencing penalties.

Combs appeared morose as his lawyers spoke with him. At one point,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-timeline-f9c343652872f787a73069d50a821611">the hip-hop mogul</a>&nbsp;solemnly read a piece of paper that attorney Marc Agnifilo handed to him.

After the jury came in for instructions and then exited the room, a subdued Combs sat in his chair for a few minutes. As he stood to leave, he faced his relatives and supporters in the audience, blew a kiss and tapped his heart, as he frequently has done at the start and end of each day.

Then he paused before his mother and exchanged a few words, telling her, “Love you” and “I’ll be all right.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751300290551.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy Combs was convicted of a prostitution-related offense but acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.The mixed result came on the third day of deliberations. It could still send Combs, 55, to prison for as long as a decade, and is likely to end his career as a hitmaking music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.But the verdict cleared him of charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.After they read the verdict, Combs held his hands up in a prayer motion, looking at jury and hugged his defense lawyer Teny Geragos.Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with the men.Combs and his defense team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges.After the verdict was read, Combs continued to pump his right fist subtly, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges.U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian was weighing whether to grant Combs bail in the wake of the verdict. He adjourned the court while he considers whether to free Combs on bail.Combs, 55, has been behind bars since his arrest in September. His lawyers argued that the acquittal on the most serious counts changed the legal landscape enough that he should get bail.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sean-diddy-combs">Combs</a>&nbsp;seemed buoyant arriving in the courtroom earlier Wednesday morning, a contrast to his mood a day earlier after he learned that the jury at his sex trafficking trial had reached a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-combs-diddy-trial-jury-deliberations-25c62300cae33ca9f18aee28788449b5">yet-to-be-disclosed verdict</a>&nbsp;on all but one of the five charges.Combs smiled and clasped his hands together in the air toward his family and supporters before hugging several of his lawyers and sitting down to await the outcome of the jury's third day of deliberations.On Tuesday, Subramanian ordered the jury to continue its closed-door discussions for a third day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-trial-jury-jurors-81dec675f8c17599dfafa0829517470a">the panel of eight men and four women</a>&nbsp;said it was unable to reach consensus on the top count: racketeering conspiracy.The judge agreed with prosecutors and Combs’ defense team that less than 13 hours of deliberations was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts.In a note to the court late Tuesday, the jury said “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” among some jurors had prevented the group from reaching a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge.The disclosure of Tuesday's jury note about the partial verdict had seemed to put defense attorneys and their client in a dour mood even before it was read in open court by the judge.Eight defense lawyers formed a half-circle behind Combs as the smiles and lighthearted mood that accompanied the arrival of other jury notes over two days seemed absent as the attorneys contemplated the possibility that jurors had reached agreement on counts that carry the heaviest sentencing penalties.Combs appeared morose as his lawyers spoke with him. At one point,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-timeline-f9c343652872f787a73069d50a821611">the hip-hop mogul</a>&nbsp;solemnly read a piece of paper that attorney Marc Agnifilo handed to him.After the jury came in for instructions and then exited the room, a subdued Combs sat in his chair for a few minutes. As he stood to leave, he faced his relatives and supporters in the audience, blew a kiss and tapped his heart, as he frequently has done at the start and end of each day.Then he paused before his mother and exchanged a few words, telling her, “Love you” and “I’ll be all right.”Marshals then led him from the room.

Split verdict: Sean “Diddy” Combs not guilty on most serious charges

PHILLIPS COUNTY —On Wednesday morning, the Phillips County Sheriff's Office shared the obituary of Deputy Brandon Gaede who died in the line of duty on Friday.

Phillipsburg resident, Brandon Pierce Gaede, passed away June 27, 2025 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 30.

Survivors include his wife Karlye &amp; children, Axel, Otto &amp; Emilie all of the home; his father, Eric &amp; wife Alyssa Gaede of Colby; his mother, Angie Gaede of Atwood; his in-laws, Gary &amp; Amy Stephen of Phillipsburg; his brother Steven of Shelbyville, TN; sisters, Sami Talsma &amp; Molly Tolle of Colby.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. &nbsp;The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. &nbsp;Burial will follow in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Stuttgart.

The family will receive friends Thursday, July 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Huck Boyd Community Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office or the Colby High School Wrestling Club.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751127258786.png" alt="Deputy Brandon Gaede courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Deputy Brandon Gaede courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPS COUNTY —On Wednesday morning, the Phillips County Sheriff's Office shared the obituary of Deputy Brandon Gaede who died in the line of duty on Friday.Phillipsburg resident, Brandon Pierce Gaede, passed away June 27, 2025 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 30.Survivors include his wife Karlye &amp; children, Axel, Otto &amp; Emilie all of the home; his father, Eric &amp; wife Alyssa Gaede of Colby; his mother, Angie Gaede of Atwood; his in-laws, Gary &amp; Amy Stephen of Phillipsburg; his brother Steven of Shelbyville, TN; sisters, Sami Talsma &amp; Molly Tolle of Colby.Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. &nbsp;The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. &nbsp;Burial will follow in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Stuttgart.The family will receive friends Thursday, July 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Huck Boyd Community Center.Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office or the Colby High School Wrestling Club.

Sheriff's office shares obituary of fallen Kansas deputy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on President Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inside-trump-republican-spending-bill-provisions-details-06eb10bad4fd2a7ea2ac236e6535e61d">tax and spending cuts package</a>, determined to seize momentum from a hard-fought vote in the Senate while essentially daring members to defy their party's leader and vote against it.

“The American people gave us a clear mandate, and after four years of Democrat failure, we intend to deliver without delay,” the top four House GOP leaders said Tuesday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-trump-big-bill-bf3f94471b13db3e5d50f0cd1f8fe793">the bill passed the Senate 51-50</a>, thanks to Vice President JD Vance's tiebreaking vote.

It's a risky gambit, one designed to meet Trump's demand for a July 4 finish — and there's a steep climb ahead. Since launching early this year, Republicans have struggled mightily with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnson-trump-republicans-budget-vote-tax-cuts-4cb74ca15f6a74a7344355e4507ab9fe">the bill</a>&nbsp;nearly every step of the way, often succeeding by only a single vote. Their House majority stands at only 220-212, leaving little room for defections.

GOP members of the Kansas delegation are ready to push the bill over the finish line.

Some Republicans are likely to balk at being asked to rubber stamp the Senate bill less than 24 hours after passage, having had little time to read or absorb the changes that were made, many at the last minute to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-bill-murkowski-senate-alaska-9a5b0538bb4eb510d5438a2dacc76627">win the vote</a>&nbsp;of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

House Republicans from competitive districts have bristled at the Senate bill's cuts to Medicaid, while conservatives have lambasted the legislation as straying from their fiscal goals.

It falls to Speaker Mike Johnson and his team to convince them that the time for negotiations is over.

Trump pushes Republicans to do ‘the right thing’

The bill would extend and make permanent various individual and business tax breaks that Republicans passed in Trump's first term, plus temporarily add new ones that Trump promised during the campaign, including allowing workers to deduct tips and overtime pay, and provide a new $6,000 deduction for most older adults. In all, the legislation contains about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years.

The bill also provides some $350 billion for defense and Trump's immigration crackdown. Republicans partially pay for it all through less spending on Medicaid and food assistance. The Congressional Budget Office projects that it will add about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-trump-tax-bill-republicans-senate-5f591bea21bd95eec45ba90c93c50687">$3.3 trillion</a>&nbsp;in federal deficits over the coming decade.

The House passed its version of the bill back in May, despite worries about spending cuts and the overall price tag. Now, they are being asked to give final passage to a version that, in many respects, exacerbates those concerns. The Senate bill's projected impact on federal deficits, for example, is significantly higher.

Trump praised the bill profusely in a social media post, saying “We can have all of this right now, but only if the House GOP UNITES, ignores its occasional ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ (You know who you are!), and does the right thing, which is sending this Bill to my desk.”

Speaker Johnson, R-La., is intent on meeting the president's July 4 timeline. He's also betting that hesitant Republicans won't cross Trump because of the heavy political price they would have to pay.

They need only look to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who announced his intention to vote against the legislation over the weekend. Soon, the president was calling for a primary challenger to the senator and personally attacking him on social media. Tillis quickly announced he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tillis-senate-north-carolina-trump-reelection-republicans-382f72ff5228d864b38009904cbc4e6b">not seek</a>&nbsp;a third term.

Others could face a similar fate. One House Republican who has staked out opposition to the bill, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, is already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kentucky-thomas-massie-primary-iran-55252ce7fbda9c27f6fbd9123927b1b4">being targeted</a>&nbsp;by Trump's well-funded political operation.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said leadership was not entertaining the possibility of making changes to the bill before the final vote. He said the two chambers already agree on the vast majority of what's in it.

“It’s not as easy as saying, ‘hey, I just want one more change,’ because one more change could end up being what collapses the entire thing,” Scalise said.

Democratic lawmakers, united against the bill as harmful to the country, condemned the process as rushed. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said there’s no real deadline for getting the bill passed by July 4th.

“We’re rushing not because the country demands it, but because he wants to throw himself another party,” McGovern said. “This isn’t policy. It’s ego management.”

Democrats warn health care, food aid are being ripped away

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described the bill in dire terms, saying that cuts in Medicaid spending would result in “Americans losing their lives because of their inability to access health care coverage.” He said Republicans are “literally ripping the food out of the mouths of children, veterans and seniors.”

“House Democrats are going to do everything we can for the next few hours, today, tomorrow, for the balance of this week and beyond to stop this bill from ever becoming law,” Jeffries said.

Republicans say they are trying to rightsize the safety net programs for the population they were initially designed to serve, mainly pregnant women, the disabled and children, and root out what they describe as waste, fraud and abuse.

The package includes new 80-hour-a-month work requirements for many adults receiving Medicaid and applies existing work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to more beneficiaries. States will also pick up more of the cost for food benefits, with the amount based on their payment error rates, which include both underpayments and overpayments.

The driving force behind the bill, however, is the tax cuts. Many expire at the end of this year if Congress doesn't act.

“Passing this bill means smaller tax bills and bigger paychecks for the American people — permanently,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-thune-senate-leader-daf1aee85669ac9a242908e2a13f9346">Senate Majority Leader John Thune</a>. “It will also help get our economy firing on all cylinders again.”

The Tax Policy Center, which provides nonpartisan analysis of tax and budget policy, projected the bill would result next year in a $150 tax break for the lowest quintile of Americans, a $1,750 tax cut for the middle quintile, and a $10,950 tax cut for the top quintile. That's compared to what they'd face if the 2017 tax cuts expired.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on President Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inside-trump-republican-spending-bill-provisions-details-06eb10bad4fd2a7ea2ac236e6535e61d">tax and spending cuts package</a>, determined to seize momentum from a hard-fought vote in the Senate while essentially daring members to defy their party's leader and vote against it.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MAGA VICTORY: The United States Senate PASSES President Trump&#39;s One Big Beautiful Bill 🇺🇸🦅🎉 <a href="https://t.co/28JThZW5z0">pic.twitter.com/28JThZW5z0</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1940083696012599735?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The American people gave us a clear mandate, and after four years of Democrat failure, we intend to deliver without delay,” the top four House GOP leaders said Tuesday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-trump-big-bill-bf3f94471b13db3e5d50f0cd1f8fe793">the bill passed the Senate 51-50</a>, thanks to Vice President JD Vance's tiebreaking vote.It's a risky gambit, one designed to meet Trump's demand for a July 4 finish — and there's a steep climb ahead. Since launching early this year, Republicans have struggled mightily with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnson-trump-republicans-budget-vote-tax-cuts-4cb74ca15f6a74a7344355e4507ab9fe">the bill</a>&nbsp;nearly every step of the way, often succeeding by only a single vote. Their House majority stands at only 220-212, leaving little room for defections.GOP members of the Kansas delegation are ready to push the bill over the finish line.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The One Big Beautiful Bill is exactly what Kansas agricultural producers voted for.<a href="https://twitter.com/HouseAgGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HouseAgGOP</a> is raising reference prices, solidifying the estate tax deduction, and strengthening the farm safety net. Promises made, promises kept. <a href="https://t.co/xX6fx7C4QM">pic.twitter.com/xX6fx7C4QM</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1940148959009493254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 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/SenateGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenateGOP</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> got the One Big Beautiful Bill over the finish line and now it comes back to the House. I look forward to voting on this with my <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HouseGOP</a> colleagues and sending it to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> for his signature. <a href="https://t.co/lfjW2cRAz5">https://t.co/lfjW2cRAz5</a>&mdash; Rep. Ron Estes (@RepRonEstes) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRonEstes/status/1940089576900477088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congressman Schmidt is applauding the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Read his full statement here: <a href="https://t.co/yY0mTxLiUA">https://t.co/yY0mTxLiUA</a> <a href="https://t.co/En8kViNBNY">pic.twitter.com/En8kViNBNY</a>&mdash; Rep. Derek Schmidt Press (@RepDerekSchmidt) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDerekSchmidt/status/1925618961351070107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Some Republicans are likely to balk at being asked to rubber stamp the Senate bill less than 24 hours after passage, having had little time to read or absorb the changes that were made, many at the last minute to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-bill-murkowski-senate-alaska-9a5b0538bb4eb510d5438a2dacc76627">win the vote</a>&nbsp;of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.House Republicans from competitive districts have bristled at the Senate bill's cuts to Medicaid, while conservatives have lambasted the legislation as straying from their fiscal goals.It falls to Speaker Mike Johnson and his team to convince them that the time for negotiations is over.<h2>Trump pushes Republicans to do ‘the right thing’</h2>The bill would extend and make permanent various individual and business tax breaks that Republicans passed in Trump's first term, plus temporarily add new ones that Trump promised during the campaign, including allowing workers to deduct tips and overtime pay, and provide a new $6,000 deduction for most older adults. In all, the legislation contains about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years.The bill also provides some $350 billion for defense and Trump's immigration crackdown. Republicans partially pay for it all through less spending on Medicaid and food assistance. The Congressional Budget Office projects that it will add about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-trump-tax-bill-republicans-senate-5f591bea21bd95eec45ba90c93c50687">$3.3 trillion</a>&nbsp;in federal deficits over the coming decade.The House passed its version of the bill back in May, despite worries about spending cuts and the overall price tag. Now, they are being asked to give final passage to a version that, in many respects, exacerbates those concerns. The Senate bill's projected impact on federal deficits, for example, is significantly higher.Trump praised the bill profusely in a social media post, saying “We can have all of this right now, but only if the House GOP UNITES, ignores its occasional ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ (You know who you are!), and does the right thing, which is sending this Bill to my desk.”<h2>The high price of opposing Trump's bill</h2>Speaker Johnson, R-La., is intent on meeting the president's July 4 timeline. He's also betting that hesitant Republicans won't cross Trump because of the heavy political price they would have to pay.They need only look to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who announced his intention to vote against the legislation over the weekend. Soon, the president was calling for a primary challenger to the senator and personally attacking him on social media. Tillis quickly announced he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tillis-senate-north-carolina-trump-reelection-republicans-382f72ff5228d864b38009904cbc4e6b">not seek</a>&nbsp;a third term.Others could face a similar fate. One House Republican who has staked out opposition to the bill, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, is already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kentucky-thomas-massie-primary-iran-55252ce7fbda9c27f6fbd9123927b1b4">being targeted</a>&nbsp;by Trump's well-funded political operation.House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said leadership was not entertaining the possibility of making changes to the bill before the final vote. He said the two chambers already agree on the vast majority of what's in it.“It’s not as easy as saying, ‘hey, I just want one more change,’ because one more change could end up being what collapses the entire thing,” Scalise said.Democratic lawmakers, united against the bill as harmful to the country, condemned the process as rushed. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said there’s no real deadline for getting the bill passed by July 4th.“We’re rushing not because the country demands it, but because he wants to throw himself another party,” McGovern said. “This isn’t policy. It’s ego management.”<h2>Democrats warn health care, food aid are being ripped away</h2>House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described the bill in dire terms, saying that cuts in Medicaid spending would result in “Americans losing their lives because of their inability to access health care coverage.” He said Republicans are “literally ripping the food out of the mouths of children, veterans and seniors.”“House Democrats are going to do everything we can for the next few hours, today, tomorrow, for the balance of this week and beyond to stop this bill from ever becoming law,” Jeffries said.Republicans say they are trying to rightsize the safety net programs for the population they were initially designed to serve, mainly pregnant women, the disabled and children, and root out what they describe as waste, fraud and abuse.The package includes new 80-hour-a-month work requirements for many adults receiving Medicaid and applies existing work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to more beneficiaries. States will also pick up more of the cost for food benefits, with the amount based on their payment error rates, which include both underpayments and overpayments.The driving force behind the bill, however, is the tax cuts. Many expire at the end of this year if Congress doesn't act.“Passing this bill means smaller tax bills and bigger paychecks for the American people — permanently,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-thune-senate-leader-daf1aee85669ac9a242908e2a13f9346">Senate Majority Leader John Thune</a>. “It will also help get our economy firing on all cylinders again.”The Tax Policy Center, which provides nonpartisan analysis of tax and budget policy, projected the bill would result next year in a $150 tax break for the lowest quintile of Americans, a $1,750 tax cut for the middle quintile, and a $10,950 tax cut for the top quintile. That's compared to what they'd face if the 2017 tax cuts expired.___

🎥Kan. GOP lawmakers race toward final vote on Big, Beautiful Bill

KANSAS CITY—A man wounded in a shooting last month has died.

Just before 3:30a.m. June 15, officers were dispatched to Truman and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp; First responders located a victim, later identified as 24-year-old Jalin Brewer, inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. 

EMS transported Brewer to an area hospital for treatment&nbsp;&nbsp;Detectives were notified on Tuesday he died as a result of his injuries. Preliminary investigation indicated this was a result of an argument that led to gunfire. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

KANSAS CITY—A man wounded in a shooting last month has died.Just before 3:30a.m. June 15, officers were dispatched to Truman and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp; First responders located a victim, later identified as 24-year-old Jalin Brewer, inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. EMS transported Brewer to an area hospital for treatment&nbsp;&nbsp;Detectives were notified on Tuesday he died as a result of his injuries. Preliminary investigation indicated this was a result of an argument that led to gunfire. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Victim dies two-weeks after wounded in Kansas City shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — In a case seen as a challenge to American free-speech principles, Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/former-president-donald-trump-files-lawsuit-against-cbs-in-amarillo-federal-court">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by President Donald Trump over the editing of CBS' “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-trump-cbs-interview-edit-024c435a19fd37eee7a090ece76d925c">60 Minutes” interview</a>&nbsp;with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in October.

Paramount, which owns CBS, said the money will go to Trump’s future presidential library, not to the Republican president himself. It said the settlement did not involve an apology.

Trump’s lawyer said Trump had suffered “mental anguish” over the editing of the interview by CBS News, while Paramount and CBS rejected his contention that it was edited to enhance how Harris, the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, sounded. They had called Trump's case “completely without merit” and tried to have it dismissed, even while involved in settlement negotiations.

The case was widely discussed and was being seen as a referendum on how far organizations would go to curry favor with Trump. Paramount is simultaneously seeking approval from his administration for its proposed merger with Skydance Media.

A spokesman for Trump's legal team said that with the settlement, Trump “delivers another win for the American people.”

Paramount agreed that ‘60 Minutes’ transcripts will be released

In early February, “60 Minutes” released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cbs-60-minutes-harris-interview-ac36372dd700c9d233eee78773473f49">full, unedited transcript</a>&nbsp;of the Harris interview.

Under the settlement reached with help of a mediator, Paramount agreed that “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future interviews of presidential candidates, “subject to redactions as required for legal and national security concerns,” CBS News cited the statement as saying.

Trump, who did not agree to be interviewed by “60 Minutes” during the campaign, protested editing where Harris is seen giving two different answers to a question by the show’s Bill Whitaker in separate clips aired on “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation” earlier in the day. CBS said each reply came within Harris’ long-winded answer to Whitaker, but was edited to be more succinct.

“This settlement is a cowardly capitulation by the corporate leaders of Paramount, and a fundamental betrayal of ‘60 Minutes’ and CBS News,” said Rome Hartman, a producer of the Harris interview for the show. “The story that was the subject of this lawsuit was edited by the book and in accordance with CBS News standards.”

Correspondents had worried of a settlement with ‘wrongdoing’ implications

In a letter to Paramount's leadership in early May, “60 Minutes” correspondents said they were troubled by reports that Paramount might settle the case “in a way that acknowledges some sort of wrongdoing on our part."

The correspondents, in the letter obtained by The Associated Press, said that “if our parent company caves in to his pressure and lies, it will leave a shameful stain and undermine the First Amendment.” It was signed by Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, Jon Wertheim and Cecilia Vega.

Trump's lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said the interview caused confusion and “mental anguish," misleading voters and causing them to pay less attention to Trump and his Truth Social online platform.

Paramount and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were seeking the settlement with Trump. CBS News President and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cbs-news-60-minutes-lawsuit-d43effebb7b3b76c31d38908bd31460e">CEO Wendy McMahon</a>&nbsp;and “60 Minutes” executive producer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/60-minutes-cbs-producer-quits-4c7729507684fa516391a7022d27586b">Bill Owens</a>, who both opposed a settlement, resigned in recent weeks.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://freedom.press/">Freedom of the Press Foundation</a>, a media advocacy group that says it is a Paramount shareholder, has said that it would file a lawsuit in protest if a settlement was reached.

In December, ABC News&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68">settled a defamation lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by Trump over statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, agreeing to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library rather than engage in a public fight. Meta&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-settlement-zuckerberg-capitol-riot-9939e52679364080c983e0cab739b805">reportedly paid $25 million</a>&nbsp;to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the company over its decision to suspend his social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747061767917.jpeg" alt="File photo (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)" />
 <figcaption>File photo (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — In a case seen as a challenge to American free-speech principles, Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/former-president-donald-trump-files-lawsuit-against-cbs-in-amarillo-federal-court">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by President Donald Trump over the editing of CBS' “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-trump-cbs-interview-edit-024c435a19fd37eee7a090ece76d925c">60 Minutes” interview</a>&nbsp;with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in October.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨BREAKING: Paramount, CBS’s parent company, agrees to a $16 million settlement in President Trump’s lawsuit over the edited 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. <a href="https://t.co/aPrHJ3PVqp">pic.twitter.com/aPrHJ3PVqp</a>&mdash; Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1940265863111979091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Paramount, which owns CBS, said the money will go to Trump’s future presidential library, not to the Republican president himself. It said the settlement did not involve an apology.Trump’s lawyer said Trump had suffered “mental anguish” over the editing of the interview by CBS News, while Paramount and CBS rejected his contention that it was edited to enhance how Harris, the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, sounded. They had called Trump's case “completely without merit” and tried to have it dismissed, even while involved in settlement negotiations.The case was widely discussed and was being seen as a referendum on how far organizations would go to curry favor with Trump. Paramount is simultaneously seeking approval from his administration for its proposed merger with Skydance Media.A spokesman for Trump's legal team said that with the settlement, Trump “delivers another win for the American people.”<h2>Paramount agreed that ‘60 Minutes’ transcripts will be released</h2>In early February, “60 Minutes” released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cbs-60-minutes-harris-interview-ac36372dd700c9d233eee78773473f49">full, unedited transcript</a>&nbsp;of the Harris interview.Under the settlement reached with help of a mediator, Paramount agreed that “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future interviews of presidential candidates, “subject to redactions as required for legal and national security concerns,” CBS News cited the statement as saying.Trump, who did not agree to be interviewed by “60 Minutes” during the campaign, protested editing where Harris is seen giving two different answers to a question by the show’s Bill Whitaker in separate clips aired on “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation” earlier in the day. CBS said each reply came within Harris’ long-winded answer to Whitaker, but was edited to be more succinct.“This settlement is a cowardly capitulation by the corporate leaders of Paramount, and a fundamental betrayal of ‘60 Minutes’ and CBS News,” said Rome Hartman, a producer of the Harris interview for the show. “The story that was the subject of this lawsuit was edited by the book and in accordance with CBS News standards.”<h2>Correspondents had worried of a settlement with ‘wrongdoing’ implications</h2>In a letter to Paramount's leadership in early May, “60 Minutes” correspondents said they were troubled by reports that Paramount might settle the case “in a way that acknowledges some sort of wrongdoing on our part."The correspondents, in the letter obtained by The Associated Press, said that “if our parent company caves in to his pressure and lies, it will leave a shameful stain and undermine the First Amendment.” It was signed by Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, Jon Wertheim and Cecilia Vega.Trump's lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said the interview caused confusion and “mental anguish," misleading voters and causing them to pay less attention to Trump and his Truth Social online platform.Paramount and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were seeking the settlement with Trump. CBS News President and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cbs-news-60-minutes-lawsuit-d43effebb7b3b76c31d38908bd31460e">CEO Wendy McMahon</a>&nbsp;and “60 Minutes” executive producer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/60-minutes-cbs-producer-quits-4c7729507684fa516391a7022d27586b">Bill Owens</a>, who both opposed a settlement, resigned in recent weeks.The&nbsp;<a href="https://freedom.press/">Freedom of the Press Foundation</a>, a media advocacy group that says it is a Paramount shareholder, has said that it would file a lawsuit in protest if a settlement was reached.In December, ABC News&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68">settled a defamation lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by Trump over statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, agreeing to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library rather than engage in a public fight. Meta&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-settlement-zuckerberg-capitol-riot-9939e52679364080c983e0cab739b805">reportedly paid $25 million</a>&nbsp;to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the company over its decision to suspend his social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

🎥Paramount to pay Trump $16 million to settle '60 Minutes' lawsuit

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are asking for help to identify a suspect involved in a robbery at 242 S. Tyler in Wichita, according to a social media report from Wichita Polce. He may be driving the vehicle pictured above. Do you recognize him?&nbsp; Do you now where he is?&nbsp; Have you seen he vehicle?



 The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

Do not approach him. Call 911 immediately if you see him.

If you have any information, contact investigators at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. 

You can remain anonymous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751418935722.png" alt="KWCH" />
 <figcaption>KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are asking for help to identify a suspect involved in a robbery at 242 S. Tyler in Wichita, according to a social media report from Wichita Polce. He may be driving the vehicle pictured above. Do you recognize him?&nbsp; Do you now where he is?&nbsp; Have you seen he vehicle?

 The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

Do not approach him. Call 911 immediately if you see him.

If you have any information, contact investigators at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. 

You can remain anonymous.

Police ask for help to ID armed, dangerous Kansas suspect

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jon-gambrell">JON GAMBRELL</a>

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran is assessing the damage and lashing out over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-facilities-us-strikes-b79fc83a904076f6fffb383e9269a908">American and Israeli airstrikes</a>&nbsp;on its nuclear sites, though Tehran kept open the possibility Tuesday of resuming talks with Washington over its atomic program.

The comments by government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani also included another acknowledgment that Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz — key sites within Iran’s nuclear program — had been “seriously damaged” by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bunker-buster-bomb-israel-iran-fordo-fordow-b2-nuclear-8a612cbf16aa0f99bd9992334ffc93d7">the American strikes</a>. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Mohajerani as making the remarks at a briefing for journalists.

That acknowledgment comes as Iran’s theocracy has slowly begun to admit the scale of the damage wrought by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-war-nuclear-program-tehran-43365ba495100c55a8d876ba67cf0ccd">the 12-day war with Israel</a>, which saw Israeli fighter jets decimate the country’s air defenses and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-nuclear-science-attacks-e298f00ba261debba4499a48c9df8b3d">conduct strikes</a>&nbsp;at will over the Islamic Republic. And keeping the door open to talks with the United States likely shows Tehran wants to avoid further economic pain as another deadline over U.N. sanctions looms.

“No date (for U.S. talks) is announced, and it’s not probably very soon, but a decision hasn’t been made in this field,” Mohajerani said.

Israeli airstrikes, which began June 13,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-28-2025-f53ad5751d7427deab42111e1ca7751d">decimated the upper ranks</a>&nbsp;of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard and targeted its arsenal of ballistic missiles. The strikes also hit Iran’s nuclear sites, which Israel claimed put Tehran within reach of a nuclear weapon. U.S. intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency had assessed Iran last had an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003, though Tehran had been enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

On Monday, Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir offered a sharply increased, government-issued death toll from the war. He said that the Israeli attacks killed 935 “Iranian citizens,” including 38 children and 102 women, IRNA reported.

“The enemy aimed to change the country’s circumstances by assassinating military commanders and scientists, intending to spread fear and exert pressure,” Jahangir added. However, he asserted — like others up to 86-year-old Supreme Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-26-2025-d09bf2282deea3b2edd63f29c867c058">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;— that Iran had “won” the war.

Iran has a long history of offering lower death counts around unrest over political considerations. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from multiple rounds of unrest in Iran, has put the death toll at 1,190 people killed, including 436 civilians and 435 security force members. The attacks wounded another 4,475 people, the group said.

Meanwhile, it appears that Iranian officials now are assessing the damage done by the American strikes conducted on the three nuclear sites on June 22, including those at Fordo,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bunker-buster-bomb-israel-iran-fordo-fordow-b2-nuclear-8a612cbf16aa0f99bd9992334ffc93d7">a site built under a mountain</a>&nbsp;about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Tehran.

Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by The Associated Press show Iranian officials at Fordo on Monday likely examining the damage caused by American bunker busters. Trucks could be seen in the images, as well as at least one crane and an excavator at tunnels on the site. That corresponded to images shot Sunday by Maxar Technologies similarly showing the ongoing work.

The tunnels likely had been filled in by Iran before the strikes to protect the facility. The presence of trucks before the attacks has raised questions about whether any enriched uranium or centrifuges had been spirited away before the attack, something repeatedly claimed by Iranian officials. Even before the strikes, the IAEA warned that its inspectors had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arak-heavy-water-reactor-iran-israel-airstrikes-628381fb9b0706bacac8a1b8820b1cf3">lost their “continuity of knowledge”</a>&nbsp;regarding the program, meaning material could be at undeclared sites in the country.

Iran hasn’t said what work is being done at the sites, though it has said that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran planned to issue a report about the damage done by the strikes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whose profile sharply rose during the war, also has kept open the possibility of talks with the U.S.

However, hard-liners within Iran are increasingly criticizing any effort at negotiations or cooperation with the West. Iran’s hard-line Kayhan newspaper, in a piece written by its Khamenei-appointed managing editor, Hossein Shariatmadari, mocked any possible talks Tuesday by saying being a “traitor or stupid are two sides of the same coin.”

Shariatmadari’s newspaper on Saturday also suggested that the IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi, should be “tried and executed” if he visited Iran — something that drew immediate criticism from European nations and others.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750556182930.png" alt="File photo A B-2 Spirit, assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Heather Salazar)" />
 <figcaption>File photo A B-2 Spirit, assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Heather Salazar)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jon-gambrell">JON GAMBRELL</a>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran is assessing the damage and lashing out over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-facilities-us-strikes-b79fc83a904076f6fffb383e9269a908">American and Israeli airstrikes</a>&nbsp;on its nuclear sites, though Tehran kept open the possibility Tuesday of resuming talks with Washington over its atomic program.The comments by government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani also included another acknowledgment that Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz — key sites within Iran’s nuclear program — had been “seriously damaged” by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bunker-buster-bomb-israel-iran-fordo-fordow-b2-nuclear-8a612cbf16aa0f99bd9992334ffc93d7">the American strikes</a>. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Mohajerani as making the remarks at a briefing for journalists.That acknowledgment comes as Iran’s theocracy has slowly begun to admit the scale of the damage wrought by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-war-nuclear-program-tehran-43365ba495100c55a8d876ba67cf0ccd">the 12-day war with Israel</a>, which saw Israeli fighter jets decimate the country’s air defenses and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-nuclear-science-attacks-e298f00ba261debba4499a48c9df8b3d">conduct strikes</a>&nbsp;at will over the Islamic Republic. And keeping the door open to talks with the United States likely shows Tehran wants to avoid further economic pain as another deadline over U.N. sanctions looms.“No date (for U.S. talks) is announced, and it’s not probably very soon, but a decision hasn’t been made in this field,” Mohajerani said.<h2>Iran offers rising death toll</h2>Israeli airstrikes, which began June 13,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-28-2025-f53ad5751d7427deab42111e1ca7751d">decimated the upper ranks</a>&nbsp;of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard and targeted its arsenal of ballistic missiles. The strikes also hit Iran’s nuclear sites, which Israel claimed put Tehran within reach of a nuclear weapon. U.S. intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency had assessed Iran last had an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003, though Tehran had been enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.On Monday, Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir offered a sharply increased, government-issued death toll from the war. He said that the Israeli attacks killed 935 “Iranian citizens,” including 38 children and 102 women, IRNA reported.“The enemy aimed to change the country’s circumstances by assassinating military commanders and scientists, intending to spread fear and exert pressure,” Jahangir added. However, he asserted — like others up to 86-year-old Supreme Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-26-2025-d09bf2282deea3b2edd63f29c867c058">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;— that Iran had “won” the war.Iran has a long history of offering lower death counts around unrest over political considerations. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from multiple rounds of unrest in Iran, has put the death toll at 1,190 people killed, including 436 civilians and 435 security force members. The attacks wounded another 4,475 people, the group said.<h2>Activity seen at Iran’s Fordo facility</h2>Meanwhile, it appears that Iranian officials now are assessing the damage done by the American strikes conducted on the three nuclear sites on June 22, including those at Fordo,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bunker-buster-bomb-israel-iran-fordo-fordow-b2-nuclear-8a612cbf16aa0f99bd9992334ffc93d7">a site built under a mountain</a>&nbsp;about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Tehran.Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by The Associated Press show Iranian officials at Fordo on Monday likely examining the damage caused by American bunker busters. Trucks could be seen in the images, as well as at least one crane and an excavator at tunnels on the site. That corresponded to images shot Sunday by Maxar Technologies similarly showing the ongoing work.The tunnels likely had been filled in by Iran before the strikes to protect the facility. The presence of trucks before the attacks has raised questions about whether any enriched uranium or centrifuges had been spirited away before the attack, something repeatedly claimed by Iranian officials. Even before the strikes, the IAEA warned that its inspectors had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arak-heavy-water-reactor-iran-israel-airstrikes-628381fb9b0706bacac8a1b8820b1cf3">lost their “continuity of knowledge”</a>&nbsp;regarding the program, meaning material could be at undeclared sites in the country.Iran hasn’t said what work is being done at the sites, though it has said that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran planned to issue a report about the damage done by the strikes.<h2>Hard-liners lash out</h2>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whose profile sharply rose during the war, also has kept open the possibility of talks with the U.S.However, hard-liners within Iran are increasingly criticizing any effort at negotiations or cooperation with the West. Iran’s hard-line Kayhan newspaper, in a piece written by its Khamenei-appointed managing editor, Hossein Shariatmadari, mocked any possible talks Tuesday by saying being a “traitor or stupid are two sides of the same coin.”Shariatmadari’s newspaper on Saturday also suggested that the IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi, should be “tried and executed” if he visited Iran — something that drew immediate criticism from European nations and others.

Iran assesses damage, lashes out after US and Israeli strikes

SEWARD COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the man who died in a pedestrian accident Monday in Seward County as 54-year-old&nbsp;Adan Lozano of Liberal.

Just after 2p.m. Monday, Lozano was walking northbound at South Kansas Avenue and Rock Island Road. An eastbound train struck him. He was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Hornung Funeral Home.&nbsp; The KHP released no additional information.

SEWARD COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the man who died in a pedestrian accident Monday in Seward County as 54-year-old&nbsp;Adan Lozano of Liberal.Just after 2p.m. Monday, Lozano was walking northbound at South Kansas Avenue and Rock Island Road. An eastbound train struck him. He was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Hornung Funeral Home.&nbsp; The KHP released no additional information.

KHP identifies Kansas man who died after struck by a train

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspects on multiple allegations

&nbsp;Just after&nbsp; 3:30 a.m. Monday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a person with a gun threatening people and a report of multiple gun shots at 18199 S. Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies responded to the location and while on scene discovered that a pickup at the residence was used in running down a man on a motorcycle causing injuries to the man. It was reported that the pickup also struck a second vehicle.

On Monday, Jackson County Sheriff Deputies and Detectives served a search warrant at the scene. Three juveniles that were found staying at the residence were placed into police protective custody.

Chellcie Lynn Sparks, 37, of Mayetta was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of attempted second degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal threat, criminal restraint, aggravated endangering a child, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no details on the condition of the motorcyclist.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751399232739.png" alt="Sparks photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Sparks photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspects on multiple allegations&nbsp;Just after&nbsp; 3:30 a.m. Monday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a person with a gun threatening people and a report of multiple gun shots at 18199 S. Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Deputies responded to the location and while on scene discovered that a pickup at the residence was used in running down a man on a motorcycle causing injuries to the man. It was reported that the pickup also struck a second vehicle.On Monday, Jackson County Sheriff Deputies and Detectives served a search warrant at the scene. Three juveniles that were found staying at the residence were placed into police protective custody.Chellcie Lynn Sparks, 37, of Mayetta was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of attempted second degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal threat, criminal restraint, aggravated endangering a child, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp; The sheriff's office released no details on the condition of the motorcyclist.

Kansas woman accused of running motorcyclist down with a pickup

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

Just before 3:30p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;June 24, a Sheriff’s Deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a white Ford Taurus in the 1700 block of SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. A K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp;

Dee’Yana A. S. Scaggs, 20, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body

Stanley K. Lawton, 76, of Topeka, was also arrested and booked into the SNDOC for Topeka bench warrants. He has previous drug convictions and was in the Kansas prison system from 1984-2004, according the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751294324511.png" alt="Lawton photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Lawton photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.Just before 3:30p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;June 24, a Sheriff’s Deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a white Ford Taurus in the 1700 block of SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. A K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751294285377.png" alt="Scaggs photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Scaggs photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dee’Yana A. S. Scaggs, 20, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human bodyStanley K. Lawton, 76, of Topeka, was also arrested and booked into the SNDOC for Topeka bench warrants. He has previous drug convictions and was in the Kansas prison system from 1984-2004, according the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. couple with 56-year age difference caught with illegal drugs

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22KATE%20PAYNE%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By KATE PAYNE Associated Press/Report for America</a>

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-history-immigration-detention-activism-796d5fae66d28de45c647241aa02d7bd">immigration detention center</a>&nbsp;at an isolated airstrip in the Florida Everglades that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-immigration-florida-desantis-ecfe7ed2abd27b10e1af0cb88bd76b2e">President Donald Trump visited on Tuesday</a>&nbsp;was heralded by Republicans as a potential model for other states to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detention-trump-desantis-0597dd71a0cfcbc819b82929c03466cd">aggressively ramp up detention</a>&nbsp;and deportation efforts.

Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other state and federal officials toured the facility, which was built by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration in a matter of days and is expected to receive its first detainees Wednesday. The site can currently house 3,000 people in dormitories corralled by chain-link fences and topped with barbed wire, and state officials say it can be expanded to ultimately house 5,000.

“We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland and the only way out is, really, deportation,” Trump said, adding, “This is an amazing thing that they’ve done here.”

Dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by state officials, the facility is located at an isolated airfield about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of downtown Miami and is surrounded by swamps filled with mosquitoes, pythons and alligators.

Florida officials raced to erect the compound of heavy-duty tents, trailers and temporary buildings in eight days, as part of the state’s muscular efforts to help carry out Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">immigration crackdown</a>. The center is estimated to cost $450 million a year, with the expenses incurred by Florida and reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a U.S. official said.

Inside, rows of bunkbeds are cordoned off by lines of chain-link fencing, where migrants could be housed for days, weeks or months. Officials say detainees will have access to medical care, 24/7 air conditioning, and a rec yard, as well as support from attorneys and members of the clergy.

The facility is meant to help the Trump administration reach its goal of more than doubling its existing 41,000 beds for detaining migrants to at least 100,000 beds.

The site's remote location — entirely surrounded by rough and rugged wetlands — is meant to be a deterrent against illegal immigration and a motivator for detainees to self-deport.

“You don’t always have land so beautiful and so secure. You have a lot of bodyguards and a lot of cops that are in the form of alligators. You don’t have pay them so much,” Trump said.

State officials are showcasing what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-florida-everglades-protest-db34866aae64a3ff6880310403be40fd">critics are condemning</a>&nbsp;as an inhumane makeshift prison camp, but what supporters say is an “innovative” and “cost-effective” approach to the federal government's pressing problem: how to operationalize enough detention space to carry out Trump's mass deportation agenda.

To help speed up the process, DeSantis is offering up members of the state's National Guard to be “deputized” as immigration judges to hear detainees' cases, as a way to loosen another chokepoint in the country’s long-overburdened immigration court system.

“I would ask every other governor to do the exact same thing,” Noem said. “This is unique because we can hold individuals here. They can have their hearings, to get due process and then immediately be flown back home to their home countries.”

“I hope my phone rings off the hook from governors calling and saying, ‘How can we do what Florida just did?’” she added.

DeSantis said Tuesday the state is moving forward with building another makeshift detention center for migrants at a National Guard training facility called Camp Blanding, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Jacksonville in northeast Florida.

State officials have opened a bid for contractors on that site, which is expected to hold another 2,000 beds, with plans to start construction there after the July 4 holiday.

The state is pouring significant resources into the makeshift facilities and hiring private contractors to help build and supply the sites, even as a recent report suggested that Florida has thousands of vacant beds in county jails and detention centers that already exist. According to a state report shared with The Associated Press, as of March 28, 2025, there were more than 7,500 vacant beds available to sublet to ICE for use as immigration detention beds.

Florida uses emergency powers to build the site

State officials have commandeered the land using emergency powers, under a years-old executive order issued by DeSantis during the administration of then-President Joe Biden to respond to what the governor deemed a crisis caused by illegal immigration.

Relying on the emergency order, the state has fast-tracked the project, sidestepping laws and regulations in what critics have called an abuse of power.

State officials say the installation is critical to support Trump’s mass deportation agenda, which has pushed detentions to a record high, totaling more than 56,000 immigrants in June, the most since 2019.

“Governor DeSantis has insisted that the state of Florida, under his leadership, will facilitate the federal government in enforcing immigration law,” a DeSantis spokesperson said in a statement.

“Florida will continue to lead on immigration enforcement.”

Hundreds of immigrant advocates, environmental activists and Native Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detention-desantis-trump-8856c0e2b9ecb8c0fb960f6e3e72a5ae">defending their ancestral homelands</a>&nbsp;have thronged to the airstrip to protest.

On Saturday, as dump trucks hauling construction materials lumbered into the airfield, demonstrators waved signs calling for the protection of the expansive preserve as passing cars honked in support.

In Big Cypress National Preserve, where the airstrip is located, 15 traditional Miccosukee and Seminole villages, as well as burial grounds and ceremonial sites, remain.

Worries about environmental impacts have also been at the forefront, prompting the Center for Biological Diversity and the Friends of the Everglades to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-history-immigration-detention-activism-796d5fae66d28de45c647241aa02d7bd">file a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;Friday to halt the detention center plans.

Associated Press writer Gisela Salomon reported from Miami. Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/">Report for America</a>&nbsp;is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22KATE%20PAYNE%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By KATE PAYNE Associated Press/Report for America</a>TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-history-immigration-detention-activism-796d5fae66d28de45c647241aa02d7bd">immigration detention center</a>&nbsp;at an isolated airstrip in the Florida Everglades that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-immigration-florida-desantis-ecfe7ed2abd27b10e1af0cb88bd76b2e">President Donald Trump visited on Tuesday</a>&nbsp;was heralded by Republicans as a potential model for other states to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detention-trump-desantis-0597dd71a0cfcbc819b82929c03466cd">aggressively ramp up detention</a>&nbsp;and deportation efforts.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump: &quot;It&#39;s known as alligator alcatraz, which is very appropriate, because I looked outside and it&#39;s not a place I want to go hiking anytime soon...We&#39;re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland and the only way out is really deportation.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vAcOPWifwX">pic.twitter.com/vAcOPWifwX</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1940087277398466733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 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;Biden wanted me in here ... Didn&#39;t work out that way.&quot; 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/pP76ik1huq">pic.twitter.com/pP76ik1huq</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1940072389598941416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ: MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/kfMZuMwc9N">pic.twitter.com/kfMZuMwc9N</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1940128362892337660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 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> at Alligator Alcatraz: &quot;Between <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sec_Noem</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovRonDeSantis</a> and the whole group — it&#39;s really government working together.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/NnbPBwg87b">pic.twitter.com/NnbPBwg87b</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1940070379470430636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 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> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sec_Noem</a> on the ground at &quot;Alligator Alcatraz&quot; in the Everglades <a href="https://t.co/di8AZY95bD">pic.twitter.com/di8AZY95bD</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1940067632725602696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/ovBH34PX8o">pic.twitter.com/ovBH34PX8o</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1940075727875084645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/CWteT6W68n">pic.twitter.com/CWteT6W68n</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1940090130179793333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other state and federal officials toured the facility, which was built by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration in a matter of days and is expected to receive its first detainees Wednesday. The site can currently house 3,000 people in dormitories corralled by chain-link fences and topped with barbed wire, and state officials say it can be expanded to ultimately house 5,000.“We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland and the only way out is, really, deportation,” Trump said, adding, “This is an amazing thing that they’ve done here.”Dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by state officials, the facility is located at an isolated airfield about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of downtown Miami and is surrounded by swamps filled with mosquitoes, pythons and alligators.Here's what to know.<h2>It took just days to build</h2>Florida officials raced to erect the compound of heavy-duty tents, trailers and temporary buildings in eight days, as part of the state’s muscular efforts to help carry out Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">immigration crackdown</a>. The center is estimated to cost $450 million a year, with the expenses incurred by Florida and reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a U.S. official said.Inside, rows of bunkbeds are cordoned off by lines of chain-link fencing, where migrants could be housed for days, weeks or months. Officials say detainees will have access to medical care, 24/7 air conditioning, and a rec yard, as well as support from attorneys and members of the clergy.The facility is meant to help the Trump administration reach its goal of more than doubling its existing 41,000 beds for detaining migrants to at least 100,000 beds.The site's remote location — entirely surrounded by rough and rugged wetlands — is meant to be a deterrent against illegal immigration and a motivator for detainees to self-deport.“You don’t always have land so beautiful and so secure. You have a lot of bodyguards and a lot of cops that are in the form of alligators. You don’t have pay them so much,” Trump said.<h2>Backers call it a 'one-stop shop'</h2>State officials are showcasing what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-florida-everglades-protest-db34866aae64a3ff6880310403be40fd">critics are condemning</a>&nbsp;as an inhumane makeshift prison camp, but what supporters say is an “innovative” and “cost-effective” approach to the federal government's pressing problem: how to operationalize enough detention space to carry out Trump's mass deportation agenda.To help speed up the process, DeSantis is offering up members of the state's National Guard to be “deputized” as immigration judges to hear detainees' cases, as a way to loosen another chokepoint in the country’s long-overburdened immigration court system.“I would ask every other governor to do the exact same thing,” Noem said. “This is unique because we can hold individuals here. They can have their hearings, to get due process and then immediately be flown back home to their home countries.”“I hope my phone rings off the hook from governors calling and saying, ‘How can we do what Florida just did?’” she added.<h2>It won't be the only one</h2>DeSantis said Tuesday the state is moving forward with building another makeshift detention center for migrants at a National Guard training facility called Camp Blanding, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Jacksonville in northeast Florida.State officials have opened a bid for contractors on that site, which is expected to hold another 2,000 beds, with plans to start construction there after the July 4 holiday.The state is pouring significant resources into the makeshift facilities and hiring private contractors to help build and supply the sites, even as a recent report suggested that Florida has thousands of vacant beds in county jails and detention centers that already exist. According to a state report shared with The Associated Press, as of March 28, 2025, there were more than 7,500 vacant beds available to sublet to ICE for use as immigration detention beds.<h2>Florida uses emergency powers to build the site</h2>State officials have commandeered the land using emergency powers, under a years-old executive order issued by DeSantis during the administration of then-President Joe Biden to respond to what the governor deemed a crisis caused by illegal immigration.Relying on the emergency order, the state has fast-tracked the project, sidestepping laws and regulations in what critics have called an abuse of power.State officials say the installation is critical to support Trump’s mass deportation agenda, which has pushed detentions to a record high, totaling more than 56,000 immigrants in June, the most since 2019.“Governor DeSantis has insisted that the state of Florida, under his leadership, will facilitate the federal government in enforcing immigration law,” a DeSantis spokesperson said in a statement.“Florida will continue to lead on immigration enforcement.”<h2>It's drawn hundreds of protestors</h2>Hundreds of immigrant advocates, environmental activists and Native Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detention-desantis-trump-8856c0e2b9ecb8c0fb960f6e3e72a5ae">defending their ancestral homelands</a>&nbsp;have thronged to the airstrip to protest.On Saturday, as dump trucks hauling construction materials lumbered into the airfield, demonstrators waved signs calling for the protection of the expansive preserve as passing cars honked in support.In Big Cypress National Preserve, where the airstrip is located, 15 traditional Miccosukee and Seminole villages, as well as burial grounds and ceremonial sites, remain.Worries about environmental impacts have also been at the forefront, prompting the Center for Biological Diversity and the Friends of the Everglades to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-history-immigration-detention-activism-796d5fae66d28de45c647241aa02d7bd">file a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;Friday to halt the detention center plans.___Associated Press writer Gisela Salomon reported from Miami. Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/">Report for America</a>&nbsp;is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

🎥President Trump toured Florida's  “Alligator Alcatraz” 

&nbsp;FORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Tuesday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Freightliner semi driven by Mahipal&nbsp;Singh, 35, Buena&nbsp; Park, California, was westbound on U.S. Highway 54 just east of 130 Road.&nbsp; The semi crossed over the center line, traveled off the eastbound lane and into the ditch. The tractor and trailer turned over on its drivers side, skidded and came to rest in facing northwest.

Singh was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

&nbsp;FORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Tuesday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Freightliner semi driven by Mahipal&nbsp;Singh, 35, Buena&nbsp; Park, California, was westbound on U.S. Highway 54 just east of 130 Road.&nbsp; The semi crossed over the center line, traveled off the eastbound lane and into the ditch. The tractor and trailer turned over on its drivers side, skidded and came to rest in facing northwest.Singh was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Driver dies when semi overturns on Kansas highway

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;Senate Republicans passed&nbsp;President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;big&nbsp;tax breaks and spending cuts bill Tuesday on the narrowest of margins after a turbulent overnight session.

Moments after the vote, Kansas U.S. Senator&nbsp;Jerry Moran released a statement on his vote in support of the Big, Beautiful Bill. Moran wrote,&nbsp;&nbsp;“The Senate budget reconciliation bill provides certainty for Kansans by preventing a tax hike on middle-class families and small businesses, while also investing in the long-term security of our southern border and bolstering our military’s capabilities at a time when threats from our adversaries are increasing."

“As this legislation was being drafted, I worked to make certain hospitals in Kansas were at the forefront of these discussions. After numerous discussions with Kansas hospital leaders, my colleagues and Administrator Oz, I was able to make changes to the legislation to make certain Kansas hospitals will not face any immediate cuts upon enactment of this legislation."

“These provisions will protect Kansas’ ability to continue pursuing its application for increased Medicaid payments for certain providers. This change ensures that as state directed payments wind down, Kansas providers will be starting at a higher percentage of enhanced payments buying them much-needed time to utilize federal dollars as payments are reduced."

“I also secured a one-year delay in the implementation of reductions to state directed payments to give Kansas providers more time to access these resources. Finally, I pushed for the establishment of a rural provider fund to aid rural hospitals facing significant financial challenges. These changes and investments, along with tax cuts for Kansas families, will bolster our economy and strengthen the safety of our nation.” &nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Protecting Rural Hospitals –&nbsp;Creates a $50 billion fund to provide emergency assistance for rural hospitals at risk of closure due to significant financial hardships.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Securing the Border –&nbsp;Provides robust funding to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to enhance the long-term security of our nation’s borders and inhibit the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the U.S.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ensuring Safety &amp; Modernization in Air Travel –&nbsp;Provides $12.52 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize and enhance safety of air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bolstering U.S. Defense &amp; National Security –&nbsp;Provides $150 billion to the Department of Defense to support the modernization and readiness of our Armed Forces some of which will be spent in Kansas.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Expanding Access to Capital for Farmers &amp; Rural Communities –&nbsp;Includes Sen. Moran’s legislation, the&nbsp;Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act, which gives greater flexibility to more financial institutions to offer affordable lines of credit to rural and agricultural borrowers.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Supporting Kansas Agriculture&nbsp;–&nbsp;Modernizes Farm Bill provisions that are years overdue by updating agricultural reference prices, makes much-needed updates to disaster programs, bolsters crop insurance and provides more resources for animal health programs. Also, provides permanent relief from the Death Tax to allow Kansas farmers to pass their family farms on to the next generation of producers.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reducing the Tax Burden for Working Americans –&nbsp;Lowers taxes for American families, workers and small businesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751334816395.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during the overnight vote-o-rama -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during the overnight vote-o-rama -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON –&nbsp;Senate Republicans passed&nbsp;President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;big&nbsp;tax breaks and spending cuts bill Tuesday on the narrowest of margins after a turbulent overnight session.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">✅ PASSED: <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> casts the deciding vote as the Senate approves the One Big Beautiful Bill — moving it back to the House and one step closer to President Trump&#39;s desk. <a href="https://t.co/zAcMgrxS0z">pic.twitter.com/zAcMgrxS0z</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1940079817686413712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Moments after the vote, Kansas U.S. Senator&nbsp;Jerry Moran released a statement on his vote in support of the Big, Beautiful Bill. Moran wrote,&nbsp;&nbsp;“The Senate budget reconciliation bill provides certainty for Kansans by preventing a tax hike on middle-class families and small businesses, while also investing in the long-term security of our southern border and bolstering our military’s capabilities at a time when threats from our adversaries are increasing."“As this legislation was being drafted, I worked to make certain hospitals in Kansas were at the forefront of these discussions. After numerous discussions with Kansas hospital leaders, my colleagues and Administrator Oz, I was able to make changes to the legislation to make certain Kansas hospitals will not face any immediate cuts upon enactment of this legislation."“These provisions will protect Kansas’ ability to continue pursuing its application for increased Medicaid payments for certain providers. This change ensures that as state directed payments wind down, Kansas providers will be starting at a higher percentage of enhanced payments buying them much-needed time to utilize federal dollars as payments are reduced."“I also secured a one-year delay in the implementation of reductions to state directed payments to give Kansas providers more time to access these resources. Finally, I pushed for the establishment of a rural provider fund to aid rural hospitals facing significant financial challenges. These changes and investments, along with tax cuts for Kansas families, will bolster our economy and strengthen the safety of our nation.” &nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s bill has passed the Senate and will deliver MAJOR wins to every single American. I look forward to seeing it get through the House and to the President’s desk by the 4th of July. 🇺🇸&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1940082519455551861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sen. Moran’s priorities:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Protecting Rural Hospitals –&nbsp;Creates a $50 billion fund to provide emergency assistance for rural hospitals at risk of closure due to significant financial hardships.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Securing the Border –&nbsp;Provides robust funding to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to enhance the long-term security of our nation’s borders and inhibit the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the U.S.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ensuring Safety &amp; Modernization in Air Travel –&nbsp;Provides $12.52 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize and enhance safety of air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bolstering U.S. Defense &amp; National Security –&nbsp;Provides $150 billion to the Department of Defense to support the modernization and readiness of our Armed Forces some of which will be spent in Kansas.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Expanding Access to Capital for Farmers &amp; Rural Communities –&nbsp;Includes Sen. Moran’s legislation, the&nbsp;Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act, which gives greater flexibility to more financial institutions to offer affordable lines of credit to rural and agricultural borrowers.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Supporting Kansas Agriculture&nbsp;–&nbsp;Modernizes Farm Bill provisions that are years overdue by updating agricultural reference prices, makes much-needed updates to disaster programs, bolsters crop insurance and provides more resources for animal health programs. Also, provides permanent relief from the Death Tax to allow Kansas farmers to pass their family farms on to the next generation of producers.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reducing the Tax Burden for Working Americans –&nbsp;Lowers taxes for American families, workers and small businesses.

🎥Moran explains his vote to help Senate pass the Big, Beautiful Bill

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Law enforcement investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 29-year-old&nbsp;Rayondre Johnson, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 10 p.m. Sunday, were called to the 3300 block of Cypress Avenue in Kansas City.&nbsp;

They located a man, later identified as Johnson, suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers rendered aid until EMS arrived, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say early information indicates the victim and one or more suspects had an interaction in front of the residence that escalated to gunfire.

If you have information about this case, contact 816-234-5043 or remain anonymous by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

A reward of up $25,000 is available for anonymous tips submitted to the hotline.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Law enforcement investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 29-year-old&nbsp;Rayondre Johnson, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 10 p.m. Sunday, were called to the 3300 block of Cypress Avenue in Kansas City.&nbsp;They located a man, later identified as Johnson, suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers rendered aid until EMS arrived, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.Police say early information indicates the victim and one or more suspects had an interaction in front of the residence that escalated to gunfire.If you have information about this case, contact 816-234-5043 or remain anonymous by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.A reward of up $25,000 is available for anonymous tips submitted to the hotline.

Homicide: Police ID 29-year-old found dead outside KC home

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Presidents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-w-bush">George W. Bush</a>&nbsp;delivered rare open criticism of the Trump administration — and singer Bono held back tears as he recited a poem — in an emotional video farewell on Monday with staffers of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Obama called the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID “a colossal mistake.”

Monday was the last day as an independent agency for the six-decade-old humanitarian and development organization, created by President John F. Kennedy as a peaceful way of promoting U.S. national security by boosting goodwill and prosperity abroad.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-rubio-usaid-foreign-aid-bf442d62af67918a6fc5eee839074601">has ordered USAID absorbed</a>&nbsp;into the State Department on Tuesday.

The former presidents and Bono spoke with thousands in the USAID community in a videoconference, which was billed as a closed-press event to allow political leaders and others privacy for sometimes angry and often teary remarks. Parts of the video were shared with The Associated Press.

They expressed their appreciation for the thousands of USAID staffers who have lost their jobs and life’s work. Their agency was one of the first and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-usaid-c0c7799be0b2fa7cad4c806565985fe2">most fiercely targeted</a>&nbsp;for government-cutting by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and his billionaire ally Elon Musk, with staffers abruptly locked out of systems and offices and terminated by mass emailing.

Trump claimed the agency was run by “radical left lunatics” and rife with “tremendous fraud.” Musk called it “a criminal organization.”

Obama, speaking in a recorded statement, offered assurances to the aid and development workers, some listening from overseas.

“Your work has mattered and will matter for generations to come,” he told them.

Obama has largely kept a low public profile during Trump’s second term and refrained from criticizing the monumental changes that Trump has made to U.S. programs and priorities at home and abroad.

“Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy. Because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world,” Obama said. He credited USAID with not only saving lives, but being a main factor in global economic growth that has turned some aid-receiving countries into U.S. markets and trade partners.

The former Democratic president predicted that ”sooner or later, leaders on both sides of the aisle will realize how much you are needed.”

Asked for comment, the State Department said it would be introducing the department’s foreign assistance successor to USAID, to be called America First, this week.

“The new process will ensure there is proper oversight and that every tax dollar spent will help advance our national interests,” the department said.

USAID oversaw programs around the world, providing water and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/somalia-hunger-malnutrition-funding-cuts-usaid-03dfebfdbe19f55a520dad2be390faf5">life-saving food to millions</a>&nbsp;uprooted by conflict in Sudan, Syria, Gaza and elsewhere, sponsoring the “Green Revolution” that revolutionized modern agriculture and curbed starvation and famine, preventing disease outbreaks, promoting democracy, and providing financing and development that allowed countries and people to climb out of poverty.

Bush, who also spoke in a recorded message, went straight to the cuts in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aids-hiv-pepfar-nkengasong-abortion-congress-43b09c9ad24530d24161a95b2fb80eaa">landmark AIDS and HIV program</a>&nbsp;started by his Republican administration and credited with saving 25 million lives around the world.

Bipartisan blowback from Congress to cutting the popular President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, helped save significant funding for the program. But cuts and rule changes have reduced the number getting the life-saving care.

“You’ve showed the great strength of America through your work — and that is your good heart,’’ Bush told USAID staffers. “Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you,” he said.

Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former Colombian President Juan Manual Santos and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield also spoke to the staffers.

So did humanitarian workers, including one who spoke of the welcome appearance of USAID staffers with food when she was a frightened 8-year-old child in a camp for Liberian refugees. A World Food Program official vowed through sobs that the U.S. aid mission would be back someday.

Bono, a longtime humanitarian advocate in Africa and elsewhere, was announced as the “surprise guest,” in shades and a cap.

He jokingly hailed the USAID staffers as “secret agents of international development” in acknowledgment of the down-low nature of Monday’s unofficial gathering of the USAID community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724234553511.png" alt="File photo- Former President Barack Obama -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo- Former President Barack Obama -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Presidents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-w-bush">George W. Bush</a>&nbsp;delivered rare open criticism of the Trump administration — and singer Bono held back tears as he recited a poem — in an emotional video farewell on Monday with staffers of the U.S. Agency for International Development.Obama called the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID “a colossal mistake.”Monday was the last day as an independent agency for the six-decade-old humanitarian and development organization, created by President John F. Kennedy as a peaceful way of promoting U.S. national security by boosting goodwill and prosperity abroad.Secretary of State Marco Rubio&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-rubio-usaid-foreign-aid-bf442d62af67918a6fc5eee839074601">has ordered USAID absorbed</a>&nbsp;into the State Department on Tuesday.The former presidents and Bono spoke with thousands in the USAID community in a videoconference, which was billed as a closed-press event to allow political leaders and others privacy for sometimes angry and often teary remarks. Parts of the video were shared with The Associated Press.They expressed their appreciation for the thousands of USAID staffers who have lost their jobs and life’s work. Their agency was one of the first and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-usaid-c0c7799be0b2fa7cad4c806565985fe2">most fiercely targeted</a>&nbsp;for government-cutting by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and his billionaire ally Elon Musk, with staffers abruptly locked out of systems and offices and terminated by mass emailing.Trump claimed the agency was run by “radical left lunatics” and rife with “tremendous fraud.” Musk called it “a criminal organization.”Obama, speaking in a recorded statement, offered assurances to the aid and development workers, some listening from overseas.“Your work has mattered and will matter for generations to come,” he told them.Obama has largely kept a low public profile during Trump’s second term and refrained from criticizing the monumental changes that Trump has made to U.S. programs and priorities at home and abroad.“Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy. Because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world,” Obama said. He credited USAID with not only saving lives, but being a main factor in global economic growth that has turned some aid-receiving countries into U.S. markets and trade partners.The former Democratic president predicted that ”sooner or later, leaders on both sides of the aisle will realize how much you are needed.”Asked for comment, the State Department said it would be introducing the department’s foreign assistance successor to USAID, to be called America First, this week.“The new process will ensure there is proper oversight and that every tax dollar spent will help advance our national interests,” the department said.USAID oversaw programs around the world, providing water and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/somalia-hunger-malnutrition-funding-cuts-usaid-03dfebfdbe19f55a520dad2be390faf5">life-saving food to millions</a>&nbsp;uprooted by conflict in Sudan, Syria, Gaza and elsewhere, sponsoring the “Green Revolution” that revolutionized modern agriculture and curbed starvation and famine, preventing disease outbreaks, promoting democracy, and providing financing and development that allowed countries and people to climb out of poverty.Bush, who also spoke in a recorded message, went straight to the cuts in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aids-hiv-pepfar-nkengasong-abortion-congress-43b09c9ad24530d24161a95b2fb80eaa">landmark AIDS and HIV program</a>&nbsp;started by his Republican administration and credited with saving 25 million lives around the world.Bipartisan blowback from Congress to cutting the popular President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, helped save significant funding for the program. But cuts and rule changes have reduced the number getting the life-saving care.“You’ve showed the great strength of America through your work — and that is your good heart,’’ Bush told USAID staffers. “Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you,” he said.Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former Colombian President Juan Manual Santos and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield also spoke to the staffers.So did humanitarian workers, including one who spoke of the welcome appearance of USAID staffers with food when she was a frightened 8-year-old child in a camp for Liberian refugees. A World Food Program official vowed through sobs that the U.S. aid mission would be back someday.Bono, a longtime humanitarian advocate in Africa and elsewhere, was announced as the “surprise guest,” in shades and a cap.He jokingly hailed the USAID staffers as “secret agents of international development” in acknowledgment of the down-low nature of Monday’s unofficial gathering of the USAID community.Bono held back tears at times as he recited a poem he had written to the agency and its gutting. He spoke of children dying of malnutrition, a reference to millions of people who Boston University researchers and other analysts say will die because of the U.S. cuts to funding for health and other programs abroad.