LITTLE ROCK (AP) —Investigators said they believe that a convicted murderer and former police chief known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-prison-escape-police-chief-grant-hardin-934e7fe6a45d3eafb18443f5b2bc5680?utm_source=Facebook&amp;utm_medium=share&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawKjFE9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF4MmxjbUJyV05JWjVpTWZxAR7HdBxBzlrOzjOfYiCdChZPCLBAhbxLUw0ibnBZA-1ZgEI9955QwHFHVGhqmw_aem_bQ6Hm8suIdhTYD_ucbzvWg">the “Devil in the Ozark</a>&nbsp;s" has likely fled Arkansas after escaping from prison last month, a federal court filing released this week shows.

A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Little Rock against Grant Hardin, who escaped prison last month, was released this week. Authorities have said Hardin escaped the Calico Rock prison in Arkansas by donning an outfit designed to look like a law enforcement uniform.

In the complaint, Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert J. Hammons cites two previously publicized unconfirmed sightings of Hardin — one in central Arkansas and another in southern Missouri.

“Based on this information, investigators believe Hardin has fled the state of Arkansas to avoid recapture,” the filing said. “He has extensive knowledge of the Ozark Mountain region, where he is believed to be possibly hiding in caves or rugged terrain that he is familiar with.”

The complaint, first reported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/jun/04/us-marshals-say-former-police-chief-may-have-left/">The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette</a>, does not detail any other sightings of Hardin or evidence of him fleeing the state. Arkansas authorities have previously said they are focusing on north-central Arkansas and tips of sightings elsewhere so far have not panned out.

“Until there's any confirmed, verifiable sightings or evidence that puts him outside the area, we're still focusing the search on this area,” Rand Champion, spokesman for the Department of Corrections, said Thursday.

Hardin, a former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-chief-arkansas-prison-escape-grant-hardin-280127e9737bc8e8e0d6388d7f268bd1">was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape</a>. He was the subject of the TV documentary “Devil in the Ozarks.”

A spokesperson for the Missouri Highway Patrol said it does not have an active team searching for Hardin, but the patrol has been watching for him and following up on any tips. Lt. Eric F. Brown said the patrol has received two tips about Hardin being in Missouri but both were unfounded.

Hardin was housed in a maximum-security wing of the primarily medium security prison, formally known as the North Central Unit. Officials are investigating whether a job Hardin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/devil-ozarks-arkansas-prison-grant-hardin-9f2600255eea6ec5be0aae045de550df">held in the kitchen</a>&nbsp;helped in his escape, including whether it gave him access to materials he could have used to fashion his makeshift uniform.

In a rambling 11-page letter to an Arkansas judge in 2018, Hardin said he started working in the prison's kitchen about eight years ago. In the letter, Hardin wrote that he told his defense lawyer that he wanted to withdraw his plea agreement in the murder case but was unable to do so.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections this week released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/devil-ozarks-calico-rock-hardin-10382e1c29c844b9a06b2b66bda9d09e">new photo rendering</a>&nbsp;of Hardin, depicting what he may look like now. The photo depicts Hardin with hair on his head and facial hair.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748998437729.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LITTLE ROCK (AP) —Investigators said they believe that a convicted murderer and former police chief known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-prison-escape-police-chief-grant-hardin-934e7fe6a45d3eafb18443f5b2bc5680?utm_source=Facebook&amp;utm_medium=share&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawKjFE9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF4MmxjbUJyV05JWjVpTWZxAR7HdBxBzlrOzjOfYiCdChZPCLBAhbxLUw0ibnBZA-1ZgEI9955QwHFHVGhqmw_aem_bQ6Hm8suIdhTYD_ucbzvWg">the “Devil in the Ozark</a>&nbsp;s" has likely fled Arkansas after escaping from prison last month, a federal court filing released this week shows.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748998090150.png" alt="Photo rendering of the convicted former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks"&nbsp; -Arkansas Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Photo rendering of the convicted former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks"&nbsp; -Arkansas Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Little Rock against Grant Hardin, who escaped prison last month, was released this week. Authorities have said Hardin escaped the Calico Rock prison in Arkansas by donning an outfit designed to look like a law enforcement uniform.In the complaint, Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert J. Hammons cites two previously publicized unconfirmed sightings of Hardin — one in central Arkansas and another in southern Missouri.“Based on this information, investigators believe Hardin has fled the state of Arkansas to avoid recapture,” the filing said. “He has extensive knowledge of the Ozark Mountain region, where he is believed to be possibly hiding in caves or rugged terrain that he is familiar with.”The complaint, first reported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/jun/04/us-marshals-say-former-police-chief-may-have-left/">The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette</a>, does not detail any other sightings of Hardin or evidence of him fleeing the state. Arkansas authorities have previously said they are focusing on north-central Arkansas and tips of sightings elsewhere so far have not panned out.“Until there's any confirmed, verifiable sightings or evidence that puts him outside the area, we're still focusing the search on this area,” Rand Champion, spokesman for the Department of Corrections, said Thursday.Hardin, a former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-chief-arkansas-prison-escape-grant-hardin-280127e9737bc8e8e0d6388d7f268bd1">was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape</a>. He was the subject of the TV documentary “Devil in the Ozarks.”A spokesperson for the Missouri Highway Patrol said it does not have an active team searching for Hardin, but the patrol has been watching for him and following up on any tips. Lt. Eric F. Brown said the patrol has received two tips about Hardin being in Missouri but both were unfounded.Hardin was housed in a maximum-security wing of the primarily medium security prison, formally known as the North Central Unit. Officials are investigating whether a job Hardin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/devil-ozarks-arkansas-prison-grant-hardin-9f2600255eea6ec5be0aae045de550df">held in the kitchen</a>&nbsp;helped in his escape, including whether it gave him access to materials he could have used to fashion his makeshift uniform.In a rambling 11-page letter to an Arkansas judge in 2018, Hardin said he started working in the prison's kitchen about eight years ago. In the letter, Hardin wrote that he told his defense lawyer that he wanted to withdraw his plea agreement in the murder case but was unable to do so.The Arkansas Department of Corrections this week released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/devil-ozarks-calico-rock-hardin-10382e1c29c844b9a06b2b66bda9d09e">new photo rendering</a>&nbsp;of Hardin, depicting what he may look like now. The photo depicts Hardin with hair on his head and facial hair.

Police: Escaped ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ likely fled Arkansas

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

A Ford F250 pulling a trailer was&nbsp; southbound on Prospect, making a left turn to travel eastbound on 31st Street, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

 A pedestrian was crossing 31st Street from south to north in the marked crosswalk. As the Ford made the left turn, the pickup struck the pedestrian, knocking the pedestrian to the ground. The pickup then ran over the pedestrian. The driver and three passengers of the Ford were uninjured in the collision. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.

 The investigation, includes suspected impairment of the driver of the Ford, according to Becchina. This is fatality #27 compared to #46 at this time last year. Police have not released the name of the victim or reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749172393390.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Thursday in Kansas City.A Ford F250 pulling a trailer was&nbsp; southbound on Prospect, making a left turn to travel eastbound on 31st Street, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. A pedestrian was crossing 31st Street from south to north in the marked crosswalk. As the Ford made the left turn, the pickup struck the pedestrian, knocking the pedestrian to the ground. The pickup then ran over the pedestrian. The driver and three passengers of the Ford were uninjured in the collision. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation, includes suspected impairment of the driver of the Ford, according to Becchina. This is fatality #27 compared to #46 at this time last year. Police have not released the name of the victim or reported an arrest.

KCPD: Pickup struck, ran over pedestrian in crosswalk

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement investigating the abuse of a dog have made an arrest.

In May of&nbsp;2024 police in the city of Atchison conducted an investigation relating to the abuse of a dog following a report made by the Atchison Humane Society, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The puppy had sustained injuries that resulted in its death.

On Wednesday, police arrested 28-year-old&nbsp;Taylor R. Bonar, 28, Atchison,&nbsp; on a District Court warrant for cruelty to animals.&nbsp; She is being held on a bond of $2,500, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749129001729.png" alt="Bonar photo Atchison Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Bonar photo Atchison Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement investigating the abuse of a dog have made an arrest.In May of&nbsp;2024 police in the city of Atchison conducted an investigation relating to the abuse of a dog following a report made by the Atchison Humane Society, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The puppy had sustained injuries that resulted in its death.On Wednesday, police arrested 28-year-old&nbsp;Taylor R. Bonar, 28, Atchison,&nbsp; on a District Court warrant for cruelty to animals.&nbsp; She is being held on a bond of $2,500, according to Wilson.

Animal cruelty: Kansas woman jailed for death of a dog

GEARY COUNTY —A routine traffic stop on Interstate 70 ended with the discovery of a massive quantity of drugs and two arrests.

On June 1 and 2, a coordinated multi-jurisdictional criminal enforcement effort was conducted along the Interstate 70 corridor through Geary County. The operation was aimed at locating, identifying, and apprehending major criminals using Interstate 70 as a trafficking corridor, according to a media release from the Geary County Sheriff.

On the evening of June 2, Undersheriff Justin Stopper and Sheriff Nate Boeckman, conducted a traffic stop on a Commercial Motor Vehicle&nbsp; near the K-18 East Manhattan exit for traffic infractions.

During the stop indicators of further criminal activity were observed, prompting the deployment of a K9 unit from the Junction City Police Department.

A probable cause search of the CMV revealed approximately 3,280 pounds of marijuana and 260 pounds of cocaine concealed within the trailer. The estimated street value of the seized narcotics is approximately $4 million.

Following the discovery, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was notified and responded to assist with the investigation. Two individuals were taken into custody as a result of the traffic stop, 33-year-old Yonas Tsegay and 31-year-old Samson Haliab both of California were taken into custody.

Both subjects are being held on $500,000 bonds each and the investigation is ongoing.

This operation brought together personnel from the Geary County Sheriff's Office, Junction City Police Department, Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, and Marshall County Sheriff's Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749166855562.jpeg" alt="Photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —A routine traffic stop on Interstate 70 ended with the discovery of a massive quantity of drugs and two arrests.On June 1 and 2, a coordinated multi-jurisdictional criminal enforcement effort was conducted along the Interstate 70 corridor through Geary County. The operation was aimed at locating, identifying, and apprehending major criminals using Interstate 70 as a trafficking corridor, according to a media release from the Geary County Sheriff.On the evening of June 2, Undersheriff Justin Stopper and Sheriff Nate Boeckman, conducted a traffic stop on a Commercial Motor Vehicle&nbsp; near the K-18 East Manhattan exit for traffic infractions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749171047422.png" alt="Tsegay photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Tsegay photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the stop indicators of further criminal activity were observed, prompting the deployment of a K9 unit from the Junction City Police Department.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749166988498.jpeg" alt="Photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A probable cause search of the CMV revealed approximately 3,280 pounds of marijuana and 260 pounds of cocaine concealed within the trailer. The estimated street value of the seized narcotics is approximately $4 million.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749171107073.png" alt="Haliab photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Haliab photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Following the discovery, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was notified and responded to assist with the investigation. Two individuals were taken into custody as a result of the traffic stop, 33-year-old Yonas Tsegay and 31-year-old Samson Haliab both of California were taken into custody.Both subjects are being held on $500,000 bonds each and the investigation is ongoing.This operation brought together personnel from the Geary County Sheriff's Office, Junction City Police Department, Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, and Marshall County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies seize $4 million worth of cocaine, pot on I-70 

WICHITA —The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/today?__cft__[0]=AZUwuIO2ZWYCf7sYjoVJaCR8k7sm4CB5Z-gd8Z9DsIEBDMXHNwhGE2qFsfsMC7xNb7Ebm_S6KbZcuQRd6W1zXNwHmrmDlnXkrVgczCWpbRL4HiWm5_GR4t8y3gV3dIGESjO_zGo_-F-0vqJfi-8CFbiYF7_G0b1dvVP48CNgzNHzzp13fZW29Q4WzOEROUOOOFGwsMFVZfITdUiFMUPGZq17&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Today Show</a> helped the Sedgwick County Zoo reveal the gender and name of zoo's newest elephant calf Thursday morning. It's a girl and her name is Asali.

Asali means "sweet like honey" in Swahili, but at SCZ, it carries a deeper meaning. Herd matriarch, Stephanie, is 53 years old and has lived nearly her entire life at the Sedgwick County Zoo.

 Born in the wild and brought to the Zoo in 1972, she was named by the animal care team that welcomed her. However, Stephanie had already been given the name "Asali" before she left Africa. Our community grew to know and love Stephanie by her American name, but her African name remained a part of her identity in Zoo records.

Last year, a generous donor approached the Zoo with a significant donation to the ongoing capital campaign to fund the expansion of the existing Elephant Boma.&nbsp; That donor’s name? Stephanie

With two Stephanies making major contributions to the elephant herd - one financial and one matriarchal - we hope that their legacy will live on through the next generation by naming this new little one Asali.  

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749068637548.jpeg" alt="Photo Sedgwick County Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sedgwick County Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/today?__cft__[0]=AZUwuIO2ZWYCf7sYjoVJaCR8k7sm4CB5Z-gd8Z9DsIEBDMXHNwhGE2qFsfsMC7xNb7Ebm_S6KbZcuQRd6W1zXNwHmrmDlnXkrVgczCWpbRL4HiWm5_GR4t8y3gV3dIGESjO_zGo_-F-0vqJfi-8CFbiYF7_G0b1dvVP48CNgzNHzzp13fZW29Q4WzOEROUOOOFGwsMFVZfITdUiFMUPGZq17&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Today Show</a> helped the Sedgwick County Zoo reveal the gender and name of zoo's newest elephant calf Thursday morning. It's a girl and her name is Asali.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountyZoo%2Fvideos%2F9919610694741999%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Asali means "sweet like honey" in Swahili, but at SCZ, it carries a deeper meaning. Herd matriarch, Stephanie, is 53 years old and has lived nearly her entire life at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Born in the wild and brought to the Zoo in 1972, she was named by the animal care team that welcomed her. However, Stephanie had already been given the name "Asali" before she left Africa. Our community grew to know and love Stephanie by her American name, but her African name remained a part of her identity in Zoo records.Last year, a generous donor approached the Zoo with a significant donation to the ongoing capital campaign to fund the expansion of the existing Elephant Boma.&nbsp; That donor’s name? StephanieWith two Stephanies making major contributions to the elephant herd - one financial and one matriarchal - we hope that their legacy will live on through the next generation by naming this new little one Asali.

Name of baby elephant at Kansas zoo revealed on national TV

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

On&nbsp;May 30,&nbsp; the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at 209 E. Clark Street, in Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 Deputies arrested 70-year-old Perkins Whitetail of Mayetta on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748869873713.png" alt="Whitetail photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Whitetail photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.On&nbsp;May 30,&nbsp; the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at 209 E. Clark Street, in Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. Deputies arrested 70-year-old Perkins Whitetail of Mayetta on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: 70-year-old Kansas man caught with cocaine, meth

KANSAS CITY – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information related to the April 3, 2025, firebombing at a Tesla collision center in Lenexa. This case is being worked in conjunction with the FBI Kansas City Field Office and the Lenexa Police Department, according to a media release from the ATF.

At approximately 1:05 a.m., surveillance footage captured a vehicle parked on the shoulder of Interstate 435 near the back parking lot of the Tesla collision center located at 15125 W. 101st Terrace. The suspect exited the vehicle, threw two lit Molotov cocktails at the back of the collision center, and left in the same vehicle.

Investigators have determined the fire was an intentional act of arson. They are now seeking public assistance to identify the suspect and advance the investigation.

“This was a calculated attack that could have caused significant harm,” said ATF Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Bernard Hansen. “We’re working closely with our partners at the FBI and Lenexa Police to identify the individual responsible, and we need the public’s help. If you saw something or know something—even if it seems minor—now is the time to speak up.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

To be eligible for the ATF reward, tips must lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. If seeking a reward, individuals must provide their name and contact information. Tipsters are encouraged to share as many details as possible related to the identity and/or whereabouts of the suspect.

KANSAS CITY – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information related to the April 3, 2025, firebombing at a Tesla collision center in Lenexa. This case is being worked in conjunction with the FBI Kansas City Field Office and the Lenexa Police Department, according to a media release from the ATF.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/ATFKansasCity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ATFKansasCity</a> offers $5,000 reward in Lenexa Tesla arson case 🤝This investigation is in conjunction with <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIKansasCity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBIKansasCity</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/LenexaPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LenexaPolice</a>. ☎️Send tips to 800-CALL-FBI (225-5325). 🔗See full news release in comments. <a href="https://t.co/gGb5P7wqpR">pic.twitter.com/gGb5P7wqpR</a>&mdash; ATF Kansas City (@ATFKansasCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATFKansasCity/status/1930474198322831364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At approximately 1:05 a.m., surveillance footage captured a vehicle parked on the shoulder of Interstate 435 near the back parking lot of the Tesla collision center located at 15125 W. 101st Terrace. The suspect exited the vehicle, threw two lit Molotov cocktails at the back of the collision center, and left in the same vehicle.Investigators have determined the fire was an intentional act of arson. They are now seeking public assistance to identify the suspect and advance the investigation.“This was a calculated attack that could have caused significant harm,” said ATF Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Bernard Hansen. “We’re working closely with our partners at the FBI and Lenexa Police to identify the individual responsible, and we need the public’s help. If you saw something or know something—even if it seems minor—now is the time to speak up.”Anyone with information is urged to contact FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).To be eligible for the ATF reward, tips must lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. If seeking a reward, individuals must provide their name and contact information. Tipsters are encouraged to share as many details as possible related to the identity and/or whereabouts of the suspect.

🎥ATF offers reward in Kansas Tesla arson investigation

By the President of the United States of America a proclamation

During my first Administration, I restricted the entry of foreign nationals into the United States, which successfully prevented national security threats from reaching our borders and which the Supreme Court upheld.&nbsp; In Executive Order 14161 of January 20, 2025 (Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats), I stated that it is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.&nbsp;

I also stated that the United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those aliens approved for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans or our national interests.&nbsp; More importantly, the United States must identify such aliens before their admission or entry into the United States. &nbsp;The United States must ensure that admitted aliens and aliens otherwise already present in the United States do not bear hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, and do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists or other threats to our national security.

I directed the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, to identify countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full or partial suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries pursuant to section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8&nbsp;U.S.C. 1182(f).&nbsp; After completing that process, the Secretary of State determined that a number of countries remain deficient with regards to screening and vetting.&nbsp; Many of these countries have also taken advantage of the United States in their exploitation of our visa system and their historic failure to accept back their removable nationals.&nbsp;

As President, I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.&nbsp; I&nbsp;remain committed to engaging with those countries willing to cooperate to improve information-sharing and identity-management procedures, and to address both terrorism-related and public-safety risks. &nbsp;Nationals of some countries also pose significant risks of overstaying their visas in the United States, which increases burdens on immigration and law enforcement components of the United States, and often exacerbates other risks related to national security and public safety.

Some of the countries with inadequacies face significant challenges to reform efforts.&nbsp; Others have made important improvements to their protocols and procedures, and I commend them for these efforts.&nbsp; But until countries with identified inadequacies address them, members of my Cabinet have recommended certain conditional restrictions and limitations. &nbsp;I&nbsp;have considered and largely accepted those recommendations and impose the limitations set forth below on the entry into the United States by the classes of foreign nationals identified in sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United&nbsp;States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8&nbsp;U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), and section 301 of title 3, United&nbsp;States Code, hereby find that, absent the measures set forth in this proclamation, the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of persons described in sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and that their entry should be subject to certain restrictions, limitations, and exceptions.&nbsp; I therefore hereby proclaim the following:

Section&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Policy and Purpose.&nbsp; (a) &nbsp;It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security or public-safety threats.&nbsp; Screening and vetting protocols and procedures associated with visa adjudications and other immigration processes play a critical role in implementing that policy. &nbsp;These protocols enhance our ability to detect foreign nationals who may commit, aid, or support acts of terrorism, or otherwise pose a safety threat, and they aid our efforts to prevent such individuals from entering the United States.

(b) &nbsp;Information-sharing and identity-management protocols and practices of foreign governments are important for the effectiveness of the screening and vetting protocols and procedures of the United States. &nbsp;Governments manage the identity and travel documents of their nationals and residents. They also control the circumstances under which they provide information about their nationals to other governments, including information about known or suspected terrorists and criminal-history information.&nbsp; It is, therefore, the policy of the United States to take all necessary and appropriate steps to encourage foreign governments to improve their information-sharing and identity-management protocols and practices and to regularly share their identity and threat information with the immigration screening and vetting systems of the United States.

(c) &nbsp;Section 2(b) of Executive Order 14161 directed the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, within 60 days of the date of that order, to jointly submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, a report identifying countries throughout the&nbsp;world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full or partial suspension on the entry or admission of nationals from those countries pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)).

(d) &nbsp;On April 9, 2025, the Secretary of State, with the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, presented the report described in subsection (c) of this section, recommending that entry restrictions and limitations be placed on foreign nationals of several countries.&nbsp; The report identified countries for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full suspension of admissions and countries that warrant a partial suspension of admission.

(e) &nbsp;In evaluating the recommendations from the Secretary of State and in determining what restrictions to impose for each country, I consulted with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, appropriate Assistants to the President, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.&nbsp; I considered foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism goals.&nbsp; And I further considered various factors, including each country’s screening and vetting capabilities, information sharing policies, and country-specific risk factors — including whether each country has a significant terrorist presence within its territory, its visa-overstay rate, and its cooperation with accepting back its removable nationals.&nbsp;

I also considered the different risks posed by aliens admitted on immigrant visas and those admitted on nonimmigrant visas.&nbsp; Persons admitted on immigrant visas become lawful permanent residents of the United States.&nbsp; Such persons may present national security or public-safety concerns that may be distinct from those admitted as nonimmigrants.&nbsp; The United States affords lawful permanent residents more enduring rights than it does to nonimmigrants.&nbsp; Lawful permanent residents are more difficult to remove than nonimmigrants, even after national security concerns arise, which increases the costs and aggravates the dangers of errors associated with admitting such individuals.&nbsp; And although immigrants are generally subject to more extensive vetting than nonimmigrants, such vetting is far less reliable when the country from which someone seeks to emigrate maintains inadequate identity-management or information-sharing policies or otherwise poses risks to the national security of the United States.

I reviewed these factors and assessed these goals, with a&nbsp;particular focus on crafting country-specific restrictions.&nbsp; This approach was designed to encourage cooperation with the subject countries in recognition of each country’s unique circumstances. &nbsp;The restrictions and limitations imposed by this proclamation are, in my judgment, necessary to prevent the entry or admission of foreign nationals about whom the United States Government lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose to the United States.&nbsp; The restrictions and limitations imposed by this proclamation are necessary to garner cooperation from foreign governments, enforce our immigration laws, and advance other important foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives.

(f) &nbsp;After reviewing the report described in subsection (d) of this section, and after accounting for the foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives of the United States, I have determined to fully restrict and limit the entry of nationals of the following 12 countries:&nbsp; Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.&nbsp; These restrictions distinguish between, but apply to both, the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants.

(g) &nbsp;I have determined to partially restrict and limit the entry of nationals of the following 7 countries: &nbsp;Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.&nbsp; These restrictions distinguish between, but apply to both, the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants.&nbsp;

(h) &nbsp;Sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation describe some of the identity-management or information-sharing inadequacies that led me to impose restrictions.&nbsp; These inadequacies are sufficient to justify my finding that unrestricted entry of nationals from the named countries would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.&nbsp; Publicly disclosing additional details on which I relied in making these determinations, however, would cause serious damage to the national security of the United States, and many such details are classified.

Sec.&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Full Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern.&nbsp; The entry into the United States of nationals of the following countries is hereby suspended and limited, as follows, subject to the categorical exceptions and case-by-case waivers described in section 5 of this proclamation:

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;The Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group, controls Afghanistan.&nbsp; Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; According to the Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry/Exit Overstay Report (“Overstay Report”), Afghanistan had a&nbsp;business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visa overstay rate of 9.70 percent and a student (F), vocational (M), and exchange visitor (J) visa overstay rate of 29.30 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Afghanistan as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Burma had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 27.07 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 42.17 percent.&nbsp; Additionally, Burma has historically not cooperated with the United States to accept back their removable nationals.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Burma as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Chad had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 49.54 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 55.64 percent.&nbsp; According to the Fiscal Year 2022 Overstay Report, Chad had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 37.12 percent.&nbsp; The high visa overstay rate for 2022 and 2023 is unacceptable and indicates a blatant disregard for United States immigration laws.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Chad as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, the Republic of the Congo had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 29.63 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.14 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of the Republic of the Congo as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Equatorial Guinea had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 21.98 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 70.18 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Equatorial Guinea as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;The United States questions the competence of the central authority for issuance of passports or civil documents in Eritrea. &nbsp;Criminal records are not available to the United States for Eritrean nationals.&nbsp; Eritrea has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp; According to the Overstay Report, Eritrea had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 20.09 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 55.43 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Eritrea as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Haiti had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 31.38 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 25.05 percent.&nbsp; Additionally, hundreds of thousands of illegal Haitian aliens flooded into the United States during the Biden Administration.&nbsp; This influx harms American communities by creating acute risks of increased overstay rates, establishment of criminal networks, and other national security threats. &nbsp;As is widely known, Haiti lacks a central authority with sufficient availability and dissemination of law enforcement information necessary to ensure its nationals do not undermine the national security of the United States.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Haiti as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism.&nbsp; Iran regularly fails to cooperate with the United States Government in identifying security risks, is the source of significant terrorism around the world, and has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Iran as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby suspended.

(i)&nbsp; &nbsp;There is no competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents in Libya.&nbsp; The historical terrorist presence within Libya’s territory amplifies the risks posed by the entry into the United States of its nationals.

(ii)&nbsp; The entry into the United States of nationals of Libya as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;Somalia lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; Somalia stands apart from other countries in the degree to which its government lacks command and control of its territory, which greatly limits the effectiveness of its national capabilities in a variety of respects.&nbsp; A persistent terrorist threat also emanates from Somalia’s territory.&nbsp; The United States Government has identified Somalia as a terrorist safe haven.&nbsp; Terrorists use regions of Somalia as safe havens from which they plan, facilitate, and conduct their operations.&nbsp; Somalia also remains a destination for individuals attempting to join terrorist groups that threaten the national security of the United States.&nbsp; The Government of Somalia struggles to provide governance needed to limit terrorists’ freedom of movement.&nbsp; Additionally, Somalia has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Somalia as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;Sudan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; According to the Overstay Report, Sudan had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 26.30 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 28.40 percent.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Sudan as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

<a>(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;</a>Yemen lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; The government does not have physical control over its own territory.&nbsp; Since January 20, 2025, Yemen has been the site of active United States military operations.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Yemen as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

Sec.&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Partial Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Burundi had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 17.52 percent.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Burundi as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Burundi to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism.&nbsp; The Government of Cuba does not cooperate or share sufficient law enforcement information with the United States.&nbsp; Cuba has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp; According to the Overstay Report, Cuba had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 7.69 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 18.75 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Cuba as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Cuba to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Laos had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 34.77 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 6.49 percent.&nbsp; Laos has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Laos as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Laos to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Sierra Leone had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.43 percent and an&nbsp;F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.83 percent.&nbsp; Sierra Leone has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Sierra Leone as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Sierra Leone to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Togo had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 19.03 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.05 percent.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Togo as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Togo to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Turkmenistan had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and an&nbsp;F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 21.74 percent.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Turkmenistan as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Turkmenistan to the extent permitted by law.

(i)&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Venezuela lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; Venezuela has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp; According to the Overstay Report, Venezuela had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 9.83 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Venezuela as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B‑1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Venezuela to the extent permitted by law.

Sec.&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;Scope and Implementation of Suspensions and Limitations.&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) &nbsp;Scope.&nbsp;&nbsp;Subject to the exceptions set forth in subsection (b) of this section and any exceptions made pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the suspensions of and limitations on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation shall apply only to foreign nationals of the designated countries who:

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;are outside the United States on the applicable effective date of this proclamation; and

(ii) &nbsp;do not have a valid visa on the applicable effective date of this proclamation.

(b) &nbsp;Exceptions.&nbsp; The suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation shall not apply to:

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;any lawful permanent resident of the United States;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;any dual national of a country designated under sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation when the individual is traveling on a passport issued by a country not so designated;

(iii) &nbsp;&nbsp;any foreign national traveling with a valid nonimmigrant visa in the following classifications:&nbsp; A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO‑2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6;

(iv) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State;

(v) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship (e.g., DNA);

(vi) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;adoptions (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4);

(vii) &nbsp;&nbsp;Afghan Special Immigrant Visas;

(viii) &nbsp;Special Immigrant Visas for United States Government employees; and

(ix) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.

(c) &nbsp;Exceptions to the suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation may be made for certain individuals for whom the Attorney General finds, in her discretion, that the travel by the individual would advance a critical United States national interest involving the Department of Justice, including when individuals must be present to participate in criminal proceedings as witnesses.&nbsp; These exceptions shall be made only by the Attorney General, or her designee, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(d) &nbsp;Exceptions to the suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation may be made case-by-case for individuals for whom the Secretary of State finds, in his discretion, that the travel by the individual would serve a United States national interest.&nbsp; These exceptions shall be made by only the Secretary of State or his designee, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security or her designee.

Sec.&nbsp;5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Adjustments to and Removal of Suspensions and Limitations.&nbsp; (a) &nbsp;The Secretary of State shall, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director for National Intelligence, devise a process to assess whether any suspensions and limitations imposed by sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation should be continued, terminated, modified, or supplemented.&nbsp; Within 90 days of the date of this proclamation, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit a report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, describing his assessment and recommending whether any suspensions and limitations imposed by sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation should be continued, terminated, modified, or supplemented.

Read the full text of Trump's new travel ban involving 19 countries

Skeptic argues holding students back carries unintended consequences

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Kristey Williams and Sen. Beverly Gossage landed on the same page Wednesday in terms of altering the state’s public education system to encourage students to address academic deficiencies by retaking a grade.

“Are we doing these children a favor by just moving them through the grades?” said Gossage, a Eudora Republican serving on the Kansas Legislature’s school finance task force. “We need to take a look at that at each grade level.”

Williams, an Augusta Republican on the task force, said Kansas ought to direct third-graders to summer school programs if those children weren’t academically prepared to enter fourth grade.

In Kansas, however, students couldn’t be compelled to attend summer school. The state’s public schools could mandate a student repeat a grade, Williams said.

“We’re going to have to be a little bit stronger and not just give in on the first whim, the first cry,” Williams said.

Task force member Jim Porter, who serves on the Kansas State Board of Education and couldn’t read when he left third-grade, urged the task force to be wary of unintended consequences tied to holding students back.

“I think the research indicates … that holding kids back one year increases the probability of dropping out. Holding a kid back two years almost guarantees that they will be a dropout,” Porter said.

Task force chairwoman Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican in the Kansas Senate, said students who couldn’t read by third grade were likely to face significant scholarly and behavioral challenges during the remainder of their school years.

“Those are students, in my experience, that become behavior problems in the classroom,” Erickson said. “They’d rather be a behavior problem than look stupid in front of their peers.”

The task force scheduled a series of meetings this summer and fall with the goal of developing by January a blueprint for reforming how the Legislature allocated state tax dollars to K-12 public school districts.

The current education finance system has been found by the Kansas Supreme Court to comply with the state Constitution, but many lawmakers bristle at the cost of public schools and the ability of the state to suitably educate students.

Rep. Susan Estes, a Wichita Republican whose spouse is U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, said the objective should be a formula that guaranteed accountability for spending and improved educational opportunities for students. She said her key priorities were to enhance teacher salaries and concentrate on K-3 student learning.

“It really does come down to being able to redirect money,” she said. “We are trying to put together a 1,000-piece puzzle.”

Democrat Sen. Pat Pettey, a Kansas City, Kansas, member of the task force, said Kansas ought to expand its commitment to preparing 3- and 4-year-old children for public school. She said 90% of brain development occurred before age 5, but Kansas assisted only 47% of families with pre-K programs.

Kansas provided support to at-risk preschoolers for a half-day program despite working parents’ need for a full day of care, said task force member Melissa Rooker, executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.

“I would love to see us move from basically grant funding preschool offerings in Kansas to something more stable,” she said.

Rep. Nikki McDonald, an Olathe Democrat on the task force, said lawmakers should resist the temptation to micromanage school districts under the oversight of locally elected school boards and the elected state Board of Education.

The key measure of the state’s finance formula should be whether students sufficiently broadened their ability to process information, said Rep. Scott Hill, a task force member and Abilene Republican.

He said reading ability was a leading determinant of whether people were successful people were in life.

“Change for the sake of change is worse than no change,” he said. “Sometimes I think we want to not provide for the garden, but mow the weeds.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749139132635.png" alt="Sen. Beverly Gossage of Eudora, center, and Rep. Kristey Williams of Augusta, right, agreed Kansas ought to increase pressure on parents to encourage their children to repeat a grade level if confronted with fundamental academic deficiencies. Other members of the Kansas Legislature’s school finance task force pushed back, saying repeating a grade carried unintended consequences for students. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Beverly Gossage of Eudora, center, and Rep. Kristey Williams of Augusta, right, agreed Kansas ought to increase pressure on parents to encourage their children to repeat a grade level if confronted with fundamental academic deficiencies. Other members of the Kansas Legislature’s school finance task force pushed back, saying repeating a grade carried unintended consequences for students. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Skeptic argues holding students back carries unintended consequences</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Kristey Williams and Sen. Beverly Gossage landed on the same page Wednesday in terms of altering the state’s public education system to encourage students to address academic deficiencies by retaking a grade.“Are we doing these children a favor by just moving them through the grades?” said Gossage, a Eudora Republican serving on the Kansas Legislature’s school finance task force. “We need to take a look at that at each grade level.”Williams, an Augusta Republican on the task force, said Kansas ought to direct third-graders to summer school programs if those children weren’t academically prepared to enter fourth grade.In Kansas, however, students couldn’t be compelled to attend summer school. The state’s public schools could mandate a student repeat a grade, Williams said.“We’re going to have to be a little bit stronger and not just give in on the first whim, the first cry,” Williams said.Task force member Jim Porter, who serves on the Kansas State Board of Education and couldn’t read when he left third-grade, urged the task force to be wary of unintended consequences tied to holding students back.“I think the research indicates … that holding kids back one year increases the probability of dropping out. Holding a kid back two years almost guarantees that they will be a dropout,” Porter said.Task force chairwoman Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican in the Kansas Senate, said students who couldn’t read by third grade were likely to face significant scholarly and behavioral challenges during the remainder of their school years.“Those are students, in my experience, that become behavior problems in the classroom,” Erickson said. “They’d rather be a behavior problem than look stupid in front of their peers.”The task force scheduled a series of meetings this summer and fall with the goal of developing by January a blueprint for reforming how the Legislature allocated state tax dollars to K-12 public school districts.The current education finance system has been found by the Kansas Supreme Court to comply with the state Constitution, but many lawmakers bristle at the cost of public schools and the ability of the state to suitably educate students.Rep. Susan Estes, a Wichita Republican whose spouse is U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, said the objective should be a formula that guaranteed accountability for spending and improved educational opportunities for students. She said her key priorities were to enhance teacher salaries and concentrate on K-3 student learning.“It really does come down to being able to redirect money,” she said. “We are trying to put together a 1,000-piece puzzle.”Democrat Sen. Pat Pettey, a Kansas City, Kansas, member of the task force, said Kansas ought to expand its commitment to preparing 3- and 4-year-old children for public school. She said 90% of brain development occurred before age 5, but Kansas assisted only 47% of families with pre-K programs.Kansas provided support to at-risk preschoolers for a half-day program despite working parents’ need for a full day of care, said task force member Melissa Rooker, executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.“I would love to see us move from basically grant funding preschool offerings in Kansas to something more stable,” she said.Rep. Nikki McDonald, an Olathe Democrat on the task force, said lawmakers should resist the temptation to micromanage school districts under the oversight of locally elected school boards and the elected state Board of Education.The key measure of the state’s finance formula should be whether students sufficiently broadened their ability to process information, said Rep. Scott Hill, a task force member and Abilene Republican.He said reading ability was a leading determinant of whether people were successful people were in life.“Change for the sake of change is worse than no change,” he said. “Sometimes I think we want to not provide for the garden, but mow the weeds.”

GOP members of Kansas task force want more struggling students to repeat a grade

WASHINGTON(AP) —Elon Musk has posted without evidence that President Donald Trump is mentioned in still-secret Justice Department files related to wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein and he suggests that’s why the records have not been released.

Musk provided no support for the claim on his social media platform X, but it came amid a spectacular and public disintegration of his once-close relationship with Trump.

Trump has been named in previously released Epstein documents

The material on Epstein that has already been released includes mentions of Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Britain’s Prince Andrew and magician David Copperfield, as well as testimony from one victim who said she met Michael Jackson at Epstein’s Florida home but nothing untoward happened with him.

The previously released files included a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted spending several hours with Epstein at Trump’s Atlantic City casino but didn’t say if she actually met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing. Trump has also said that he once thought Epstein was a “terrific guy” but that they later had a falling out.

Musk’s latest claims about the Epstein files taps into long-standing conspiracy theories

Musk’s latest claim about Trump’s ties to Epstein taps into suspicions among conspiracy theorists and online sleuths that incriminating and sensitive files in the government’s possession have yet to be released.

Attorney General Pam Bondi fueled that speculation in February when she hyped the release of records by the department related to the case. Much of what was then distributed has for years been in the public domain.

Over the years, thousands of pages of records have been released through lawsuits, Epstein’s criminal dockets, public disclosures and Freedom of Information Act requests.

WASHINGTON(AP) —Elon Musk has posted without evidence that President Donald Trump is mentioned in still-secret Justice Department files related to wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein and he suggests that’s why the records have not been released.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749155085985.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Musk provided no support for the claim on his social media platform X, but it came amid a spectacular and public disintegration of his once-close relationship with Trump.<h2>Trump has been named in previously released Epstein documents</h2>The material on Epstein that has already been released includes mentions of Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Britain’s Prince Andrew and magician David Copperfield, as well as testimony from one victim who said she met Michael Jackson at Epstein’s Florida home but nothing untoward happened with him.The previously released files included a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted spending several hours with Epstein at Trump’s Atlantic City casino but didn’t say if she actually met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing. Trump has also said that he once thought Epstein was a “terrific guy” but that they later had a falling out.<h2>Musk’s latest claims about the Epstein files taps into long-standing conspiracy theories</h2>Musk’s latest claim about Trump’s ties to Epstein taps into suspicions among conspiracy theorists and online sleuths that incriminating and sensitive files in the government’s possession have yet to be released.Attorney General Pam Bondi fueled that speculation in February when she hyped the release of records by the department related to the case. Much of what was then distributed has for years been in the public domain.Over the years, thousands of pages of records have been released through lawsuits, Epstein’s criminal dockets, public disclosures and Freedom of Information Act requests.

Musk escalates feud with Trump: 'Time to drop the really big bomb'

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday handed down a unanimous ruling in a religious rights case, finding that a Catholic charity in Wisconsin can’t be required to pay unemployment taxes when other religious groups are exempt.

The high court said the state’s tax decisions created an advantage for groups with a more overtly religious tone in their daily work, a violation of the First Amendment.

“It is fundamental to our constitutional order that the government maintain ‘neutrality between religion and religion,’” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in the opinion. ”There may be hard calls to make in policing that rule, but this is not one.”

Wisconsin argued the Catholic Charities Bureau has paid the tax for more than 50 years and doesn’t qualify for an exemption because its day-to-day work doesn’t involve religious teachings. Much of the groups’ funding is from public money, and neither employees nor people receiving services have to belong to any faith, according to court papers.

Catholic Charities, though, said that it qualifies because its services to people who are disabled, low-income or elderly are motivated by religious beliefs and that the state shouldn’t be making determinations about what work qualifies as religious.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the group, heralded the ruling as a major victory for religious liberty. “It was always absurd to claim that Catholic Charities wasn’t religious because it helps everyone, no matter their religion,” said Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel.

The ruling is expected to allow the Catholic charity to pull out of the state’s unemployment system in favor of one operated by the faith.

The ruling could have wider effects around the country. Many states have tax exemptions for religious organizations and some big employers, like hospital systems, that have religious affiliations. “It’s awfully hard to read the tea leaves into the future, but this ruling could have seismic implications,” said tax attorney Lance Jacobs, with the firm Forvis Mazars.

The group Freedom From Religion condemned the ruling. “Treating religiously affiliated nonprofits the same as all other nonprofits is not a violation of the First Amendment,” co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said.

The charity appealed to the justices after Wisconsin’s highest court ruled against it. President Donald Trump’s administration weighed in on behalf of Catholic Charities.

The conservative-majority court has issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-coach-prayer-2981a8073ea82a1a688c367270c941aa">a string of decisions</a>&nbsp;siding with churches and religious plaintiffs in recent years. This term, though, a plan to establish a publicly funded Catholic charter school lost when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oklahoma-public-religious-charter-school-170e3701926e29ea5072eb50f0db97b6">the justices deadlocked</a>&nbsp;after Amy Coney Barrett recused herself.

The nine-member court is also considering a case over religious objections to books read in public schools. In those arguments, the majority appeared sympathetic to the religious rights of parents in Maryland who want to remove their children from elementary school classes using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-maryland-lgbtq-books-public-schools-c20d6e4fa084560c56ec2b2bb621c988">storybooks with LGBTQ characters</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday handed down a unanimous ruling in a religious rights case, finding that a Catholic charity in Wisconsin can’t be required to pay unemployment taxes when other religious groups are exempt.The high court said the state’s tax decisions created an advantage for groups with a more overtly religious tone in their daily work, a violation of the First Amendment.“It is fundamental to our constitutional order that the government maintain ‘neutrality between religion and religion,’” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in the opinion. ”There may be hard calls to make in policing that rule, but this is not one.”Wisconsin argued the Catholic Charities Bureau has paid the tax for more than 50 years and doesn’t qualify for an exemption because its day-to-day work doesn’t involve religious teachings. Much of the groups’ funding is from public money, and neither employees nor people receiving services have to belong to any faith, according to court papers.Catholic Charities, though, said that it qualifies because its services to people who are disabled, low-income or elderly are motivated by religious beliefs and that the state shouldn’t be making determinations about what work qualifies as religious.The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the group, heralded the ruling as a major victory for religious liberty. “It was always absurd to claim that Catholic Charities wasn’t religious because it helps everyone, no matter their religion,” said Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel.The ruling is expected to allow the Catholic charity to pull out of the state’s unemployment system in favor of one operated by the faith.The ruling could have wider effects around the country. Many states have tax exemptions for religious organizations and some big employers, like hospital systems, that have religious affiliations. “It’s awfully hard to read the tea leaves into the future, but this ruling could have seismic implications,” said tax attorney Lance Jacobs, with the firm Forvis Mazars.The group Freedom From Religion condemned the ruling. “Treating religiously affiliated nonprofits the same as all other nonprofits is not a violation of the First Amendment,” co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said.The charity appealed to the justices after Wisconsin’s highest court ruled against it. President Donald Trump’s administration weighed in on behalf of Catholic Charities.The conservative-majority court has issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-coach-prayer-2981a8073ea82a1a688c367270c941aa">a string of decisions</a>&nbsp;siding with churches and religious plaintiffs in recent years. This term, though, a plan to establish a publicly funded Catholic charter school lost when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oklahoma-public-religious-charter-school-170e3701926e29ea5072eb50f0db97b6">the justices deadlocked</a>&nbsp;after Amy Coney Barrett recused herself.The nine-member court is also considering a case over religious objections to books read in public schools. In those arguments, the majority appeared sympathetic to the religious rights of parents in Maryland who want to remove their children from elementary school classes using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-maryland-lgbtq-books-public-schools-c20d6e4fa084560c56ec2b2bb621c988">storybooks with LGBTQ characters</a>.

Supreme Court sides with Catholic charity in religious-rights case over taxes

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A car struck and damaged the&nbsp;Memorial Statue at the Kansas Firefighters Museum.

The crash occurred just after 2:30a.m. Thursday, according to a social media report from the museum.

&nbsp;The driver was hospitalized in critical condition, according to Wichita Police. The statue sustained significant damage.&nbsp; No damage estimate was available early Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749132166011.png" alt="Photos Kansas Firefighters Museum" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kansas Firefighters Museum</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A car struck and damaged the&nbsp;Memorial Statue at the Kansas Firefighters Museum.The crash occurred just after 2:30a.m. Thursday, according to a social media report from the museum.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749132132777.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The driver was hospitalized in critical condition, according to Wichita Police. The statue sustained significant damage.&nbsp; No damage estimate was available early Thursday.

Car crash damages statue at Kan. Firefighters Museum

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, spoke amid stalled talks over tariffs.

The discussion Thursday followed Trump suggesting it was tough to reach a deal with Xi.

“I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!,” Trump posted Wednesday on his social media site.

Trade negotiations between the United States and China stalled shortly after a May 12 agreement between both countries to reduce their tariff rates in order to have talks. Behind the gridlock has been the continued competition for an economic edge.

“Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined,” Trump wrote on his social media platform.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will represent the U.S. side in negotiations.

The Republican president also said Xi “graciously” invited him and first lady Melania Trump to China, and Trump reciprocated with his own invitation for Xi to visit the United States.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Trump initiated the call between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, spoke amid stalled talks over tariffs.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;I just concluded a very good phone call with President Xi, of China, discussing some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to, Trade Deal...&quot; - President Donald J. Trump <a href="https://t.co/vo9QO7IOWD">pic.twitter.com/vo9QO7IOWD</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1930639232164311149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The discussion Thursday followed Trump suggesting it was tough to reach a deal with Xi.“I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!,” Trump posted Wednesday on his social media site.Trade negotiations between the United States and China stalled shortly after a May 12 agreement between both countries to reduce their tariff rates in order to have talks. Behind the gridlock has been the continued competition for an economic edge.“Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined,” Trump wrote on his social media platform.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will represent the U.S. side in negotiations.The Republican president also said Xi “graciously” invited him and first lady Melania Trump to China, and Trump reciprocated with his own invitation for Xi to visit the United States.The Chinese foreign ministry said Trump initiated the call between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.

Trump describes phone call with Chinese leader on tariffs

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri senators on Thursday approved a plan to provide over $100 million in aid for tornado-ravaged St. Louis and authorized hundreds of millions of dollars worth of incentives to try to persuade the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to continue playing in Missouri in new or improved stadiums.

Lawmakers are acting with urgency in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-royals-stadiums-missouri-kansas-tornado-9627dbb949df43a7736d0d72cd4ebf56">a special session</a>&nbsp;because the professional sports teams face an end of June deadline to accept a competing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-royals-new-stadiums-3441b3084c8efab00057f593f4d9b95e">offer from Kansas</a>&nbsp;while residents in St. Louis are struggling to recover from May storms that caused an estimated $1.6 billion of damage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709142006045.jpeg" alt="File photo Arrowhead Stadium. Courtesy image." />
 <figcaption>File photo Arrowhead Stadium. Courtesy image.</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri senators on Thursday approved a plan to provide over $100 million in aid for tornado-ravaged St. Louis and authorized hundreds of millions of dollars worth of incentives to try to persuade the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to continue playing in Missouri in new or improved stadiums.Lawmakers are acting with urgency in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-royals-stadiums-missouri-kansas-tornado-9627dbb949df43a7736d0d72cd4ebf56">a special session</a>&nbsp;because the professional sports teams face an end of June deadline to accept a competing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-royals-new-stadiums-3441b3084c8efab00057f593f4d9b95e">offer from Kansas</a>&nbsp;while residents in St. Louis are struggling to recover from May storms that caused an estimated $1.6 billion of damage.The aid measures advanced in a series of early morning votes only after Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe struck a deal with some holdouts that included more disaster relief money and the potential for property tax breaks for some homeowners facing rising tax bills. The package also contains funding for building projects around the state, including $50 million for a nuclear research reactor used for cancer treatments at the University of Missouri.Though House approval is still needed, the Senate vote marked a major hurdle, because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stadiums-chiefs-royals-missouri-kansas-38ba267c224fdcf18f4a71455962776e">the stadium incentives stalled</a>&nbsp;there last month.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-damage-destruction-3f7207e36dc589e9635755a1f579e926">Tornadoes struck St. Louis</a>&nbsp;and other parts of Missouri on May 16, a day after lawmakers wrapped up work in their regular session.In addition to the $100 million for St. Louis disaster relief, the package authorizes $25 million for emergency housing assistance and a $5,000 income tax deduction to offset insurance policy deductibles for people in any area included in a request for a presidential disaster declaration.Kehoe said the plan would "help those in crisis, while also making smart decisions that secure opportunity for the future.”The future of the Chiefs and Royals has been up in the air for a while.The teams currently play professional football and baseball in side-by-side stadiums in eastern Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri, under leases that run until January 2031.Jackson County voters last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-royals-kansas-city-stadiums-e9605296b85e91699441e4ba10e83212">turned down a sales tax extension</a>&nbsp;that would have helped finance a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals in downtown Kansas City and an $800 million renovation of the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium.That prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-royals-new-stadiums-3441b3084c8efab00057f593f4d9b95e">Kansas lawmakers</a>&nbsp;last year to authorize bonds for up to 70% of the cost of new stadiums in their state.Missouri's counterproposal would authorize bonds for up to 50% of the cost of stadium projects while also providing up to $50 million of tax credits to go with unspecified support from local governments.While testifying Tuesday to a Senate committee, Chiefs lobbyist Rich AuBuchon described the Missouri offer as “legitimate” and “competitive.” If the Chiefs stay in Missouri, he said they likely would begin a $1.15 billion plan to renovate Arrowhead Stadium and upgrade the team's practice facilities in either 2027 or 2028. It would take three years to complete.AuBuchon pointed to other recent publicly financed stadium projects in Baltimore, New Orleans, Nashville and Buffalo, New York.“Throughout the country states are funding stadiums. They are a big economic development. They are a big business," AuBuchon said.However, many economists contend public funding for stadiums isn’t worth it, because sports tend to divert discretionary spending away from other forms of entertainment rather than generate new income.“What the teams are doing is playing Kansas and Missouri against each other,” said Patrick Tuohey, senior fellow at the Show-Me Institute, a free-market think tank whose St. Louis headquarters got hit by the tornado.“When cities and states do this, they hollow out their tax base for the benefit of wealthy billionaire team owners ... they lose the ability to provide public safety, basic services,” Tuohey said.Royals lobbyist Jewell Patek said that even with the state incentives, a planned stadium district likely would need voter approval for local tax incentives in either Jackson or Clay counties, which couldn't happen until later this year.He made no guarantee the Royals would pick Missouri over Kansas, but Patek added: “We love the community, we love the state ... we think this is a step in the right direction for the state of Missouri.”