KANSAS CITY —The staff at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium are mourning the loss of African elephant Lois, who lived at the KCZoo for more than four decades, according to a statement from the zoo.

At 47-years old, Lois was considered a geriatric elephant, so her long life is really a testament to the excellent care of the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary health teams. 

Lois was beloved by Zoo staff and guests, and most easily identified by her pointed left tusk and red hair on top of her head. Lois was born in 1978 and arrived in Kansas City on September 17, 1982, with another African elephant, Lea, who still resides at the Zoo. 

Due to her age, Lois showed signs of degenerative joints and had also ruptured the caudal cruciate ligament (CCL) in one of her hind legs 15 years ago. 

This type of injury would have been fatal in her native range, but the specialized care provided at the Zoo gave her many more years of wellbeing. 

While treating an elephant is complex, Lois responded well to laser therapy, anti-inflammatories, changes to the substrate in the barn stall, and other accommodations to make her comfortable. 

Recently, Lois had been experiencing more challenges with movement, and she did not respond to additional treatment options over the past week. 

The difficult decision to euthanize her was made on October 21 due to diminished quality of life. The care specialists that knew her best described Lois as “a strong-willed girl with an unwavering spirit.”

 They say she was a fiery redhead with a spunky personality who loved snacks and lots of attention. Her favorite game was showering her unsuspecting caregivers with water, soaking them and all their paperwork and supplies. Those early morning showers will be remembered fondly.

With the loss of Lois, the Zoo is home to eight elephants, four of which are considered geriatric. Lady is the oldest African elephant in North America at the age of 57, and Lea, Megan, and Tattoo, are also all 47 years old. Zoe, 40, Christy, 38, Zuri, 15, and Tamani, a 20-year-old male, round out the herd

.Lois was a beloved ambassador for her endangered species and helped to inspire the Zoo’s conservation efforts to save elephants and other wildlife through programs in Zambia and South Africa.  Lois will be dearly missed by all her Zoo family, including staff, volunteers, and guests.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761178925460.png" alt="Lois photo Kansas City Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Lois photo Kansas City Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The staff at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium are mourning the loss of African elephant Lois, who lived at the KCZoo for more than four decades, according to a statement from the zoo.At 47-years old, Lois was considered a geriatric elephant, so her long life is really a testament to the excellent care of the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary health teams. Lois was beloved by Zoo staff and guests, and most easily identified by her pointed left tusk and red hair on top of her head. Lois was born in 1978 and arrived in Kansas City on September 17, 1982, with another African elephant, Lea, who still resides at the Zoo. Due to her age, Lois showed signs of degenerative joints and had also ruptured the caudal cruciate ligament (CCL) in one of her hind legs 15 years ago. This type of injury would have been fatal in her native range, but the specialized care provided at the Zoo gave her many more years of wellbeing. While treating an elephant is complex, Lois responded well to laser therapy, anti-inflammatories, changes to the substrate in the barn stall, and other accommodations to make her comfortable. Recently, Lois had been experiencing more challenges with movement, and she did not respond to additional treatment options over the past week. The difficult decision to euthanize her was made on October 21 due to diminished quality of life. The care specialists that knew her best described Lois as “a strong-willed girl with an unwavering spirit.” They say she was a fiery redhead with a spunky personality who loved snacks and lots of attention. Her favorite game was showering her unsuspecting caregivers with water, soaking them and all their paperwork and supplies. Those early morning showers will be remembered fondly.With the loss of Lois, the Zoo is home to eight elephants, four of which are considered geriatric. Lady is the oldest African elephant in North America at the age of 57, and Lea, Megan, and Tattoo, are also all 47 years old. Zoe, 40, Christy, 38, Zuri, 15, and Tamani, a 20-year-old male, round out the herd.Lois was a beloved ambassador for her endangered species and helped to inspire the Zoo’s conservation efforts to save elephants and other wildlife through programs in Zambia and South Africa. Lois will be dearly missed by all her Zoo family, including staff, volunteers, and guests.

 Kansas City Zoo mourns loss of 47-year-old elephant

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony charges in connection with the fatal overdose of a teenager in 2023, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2744/Sajdak-Redacted-Complaint">Blake A. Sajdak</a>, 22, faces 2nd Degree Felony Murder and Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2743/Sajdak-Redacted-Probable-Cause-2">According to court records</a>, Independence police responded to an address on a call for medical service on January 10, 2023, and located the juvenile victim. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

The Jackson County Medical Examiner listed her cause of death as acute fentanyl intoxication.&nbsp; During the investigation over the last couple years, detectives identified Sajdak through messages between him and the victim clearly indicating drug transactions.&nbsp;

Based on the messages, the Sajdak delivered narcotics to the victim the day before her death. On the message thread that day, Sajdak said, “these ain’t the regular ones these are stronger…” He is being held on a $200,000/10% bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761077945031.png" alt="Sajdak photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Sajdak photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony charges in connection with the fatal overdose of a teenager in 2023, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2744/Sajdak-Redacted-Complaint">Blake A. Sajdak</a>, 22, faces 2nd Degree Felony Murder and Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2743/Sajdak-Redacted-Probable-Cause-2">According to court records</a>, Independence police responded to an address on a call for medical service on January 10, 2023, and located the juvenile victim. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;The Jackson County Medical Examiner listed her cause of death as acute fentanyl intoxication.&nbsp; During the investigation over the last couple years, detectives identified Sajdak through messages between him and the victim clearly indicating drug transactions.&nbsp;Based on the messages, the Sajdak delivered narcotics to the victim the day before her death. On the message thread that day, Sajdak said, “these ain’t the regular ones these are stronger…” He is being held on a $200,000/10% bond.&nbsp;

KC fentanyl dealer: These ain’t the regular ones, these are stronger

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military on Wednesday launched its ninth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d" rel="nofollow">strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel</a>, killing three people in the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday, further expanding the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd" rel="nofollow">campaign against drug trafficking in South America</a>.

Wednesday’s strike followed a strike Tuesday night, also in the eastern Pacific, that killed two people, according to Hegseth.

The attacks Tuesday and Wednesday were departures from the seven previous U.S. strikes that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-buildup-caribbean-venezuela-ships-troops-810f6181371f53536c723ea562c5277c" rel="nofollow">had targeted vessels</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean. They bring the death toll to at least 37 from attacks that began last month.

The strikes represent an expansion of the military’s targeting area as well as a shift to the waters off South America where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled. Hegseth’s social media posts also drew a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e" rel="nofollow">direct comparison between the war on terrorism</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. declared after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the Trump administration’s crackdown.

“Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people,” Hegseth said, adding “there will be no refuge or forgiveness — only justice.”

Later Wednesday, he referred to the alleged drug-runners as “the ‘Al Qaeda’ of our hemisphere.”

Republican President Donald Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d" rel="nofollow">an “armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>&nbsp;and proclaiming the criminal organizations unlawful combatants, relying on the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush’s administration for the war on terrorism.

Asked about the latest boat attack, Trump insisted that “we have legal authority. We’re allowed to do that.” He said similar strikes could eventually come on land.

“We will hit them very hard when they come in by land,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We’re totally prepared to do that. And we’ll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we’re doing when we come to the land.”

Lawmakers from both political parties have expressed concerns about Trump ordering the military actions without receiving authorization from Congress or providing many details.

Appearing alongside Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended such strikes, saying, “If people want to stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States.”

Targeting a boat in a thoroughfare for cocaine smuggling

In the first brief video Hegseth posted Wednesday, a small boat, half-filled with brown packages, is seen moving along the water. Several seconds into the video, the boat explodes and is seen floating motionless on the water in flames.

The second video shows another boat moving quickly before being struck by an explosion. Video apparently recorded after the explosion shows packages floating in the water.

The U.S. military has built up an unusually large&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d" rel="nofollow">force in the Caribbean Sea</a>&nbsp;and the waters off the coast of Venezuela since this summer, raising speculation that Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-strike-caribbean-drug-trafficking-trump-1061debe2f983ef7bc9666d3f002b3a0" rel="nofollow">could try to topple</a>&nbsp;Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f" rel="nofollow">charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S.</a>

In his posts on the strikes, Trump has repeatedly argued that illegal narcotics and the drug fentanyl carried by the vessels have been poisoning Americans.

While the bulk of American overdose deaths are from fentanyl, the drug is transported by land from Mexico. Venezuela is a major drug transit zone, but the eastern Pacific Ocean, not the Caribbean, is the primary area for smuggling cocaine.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colombia-coca-crop-033c449cf1124b4ce23cec3716e1aeef" rel="nofollow">Colombia</a>&nbsp;and Peru, countries with coastlines on the eastern Pacific, are the world’s top cocaine producers.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-bananas-cocaine-europe-drug-trafficking-6d6529e2b1d8f3cbd16aea74ade0b93d" rel="nofollow">Wedged between them is Ecuador</a>, whose world-class ports and myriad maritime shipping containers filled with bananas have become the perfect vehicle for drug traffickers to move their product.

The administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd" rel="nofollow">sidestepped prosecuting any occupants</a>&nbsp;of alleged drug-running vessels after returning two survivors of an earlier strike to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-strike-caribbean-trump-fentanyl-colombia-venezuela-0f8f1c004064857046398b388ddb8df5" rel="nofollow">Ecuadorian officials later said</a>&nbsp;they released the man who was returned because they had no evidence he committed a crime in their country.

Questions from Congress as strikes continue

Some Republican lawmakers have asked the White House for more clarification on its legal justification and specifics on how the strikes are conducted, while Democrats insist they are violations of U.S. and international law.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was alarmed and angry about a lack of information on the strikes.

“Expanding the geography simply expands the lawlessness and the recklessness in the use of the American military without seeming legal or practical justification,” Blumenthal said.

He said the way to target trafficking would be stopping the boats and interrogating those aboard to find the source of the drugs, “not just destroy the smugglers who are likely to be at the bottom of the smuggling chain.”

The Republican-controlled Senate recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-war-power-congress-2c8c491f88836249801b6b15b19217b5" rel="nofollow">voted down</a>&nbsp;a Democratic-sponsored&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63" rel="nofollow">war powers</a>&nbsp;resolution, mostly along party lines, that would have required the president to seek authorization from Congress before further military strikes.

Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said he’s met with Rubio.

“He has researched the legal ramifications carefully and he believes we’re on solid ground in attacking these narcoterrorists,” Kennedy said. “I trust his judgment.”

Associated Press writers Will Weissert and Kevin Freking in Washington and Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military conducted its eighth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-drugs-venezuela-boat-strike-af1a784864268707a76755a98615563e">strike against an alleged drug vessel</a>, killing two people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.

The Tuesday night strike occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The seven previous strikes all targeted vessels in the Caribbean. According to Hegseth in a social media post, the strike killed two people, bringing the death toll from all the strikes to at least 34 people.

In a brief video released by Hegseth, a small boat, half-filled with brown packages, is seen moving along the water. Several seconds into the video, the boat explodes and is seen floating motionless on the water in flames.

In his post, Hegseth took the unusual step of equating the alleged drug traffickers to the group behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.

President Donald Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">an “armed conflict”</a>&nbsp;with drug cartels and is relying on the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush's administration when it declared a war on terrorism after the Sept. 11 attack.

However, the Trump administration has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd">sidestepped prosecuting any of the occupants</a>&nbsp;of the alleged drug-running vessels after it returned two survivors of an earlier strike to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-strike-caribbean-trump-fentanyl-colombia-venezuela-0f8f1c004064857046398b388ddb8df5">Ecuadorian officials later said</a>&nbsp;that they released the man that was returned to their country, saying that they had no evidence he committed a crime in their country.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military on Wednesday launched its ninth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d" rel="nofollow">strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel</a>, killing three people in the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday, further expanding the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd" rel="nofollow">campaign against drug trafficking in South America</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out yet another lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). Yet again, the now-deceased terrorists were engaged in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. The… <a href="https://t.co/PEaKmakivD">pic.twitter.com/PEaKmakivD</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1981167670989926902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. The vessel was known by our intelligence to be… <a href="https://t.co/BayDhUZ4Ac">pic.twitter.com/BayDhUZ4Ac</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1981049943306752361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Wednesday’s strike followed a strike Tuesday night, also in the eastern Pacific, that killed two people, according to Hegseth.The attacks Tuesday and Wednesday were departures from the seven previous U.S. strikes that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-buildup-caribbean-venezuela-ships-troops-810f6181371f53536c723ea562c5277c" rel="nofollow">had targeted vessels</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean. They bring the death toll to at least 37 from attacks that began last month.The strikes represent an expansion of the military’s targeting area as well as a shift to the waters off South America where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled. Hegseth’s social media posts also drew a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e" rel="nofollow">direct comparison between the war on terrorism</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. declared after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the Trump administration’s crackdown.“Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people,” Hegseth said, adding “there will be no refuge or forgiveness — only justice.”Later Wednesday, he referred to the alleged drug-runners as “the ‘Al Qaeda’ of our hemisphere.”Republican President Donald Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d" rel="nofollow">an “armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>&nbsp;and proclaiming the criminal organizations unlawful combatants, relying on the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush’s administration for the war on terrorism.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on strikes against narcoterrorists: &quot;This is a national security problem... They killed 300,000 Americans last year.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/eKwaKMgGnT">pic.twitter.com/eKwaKMgGnT</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1981109926526132687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 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/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a>: &quot;These are drug boats. If people want to stop seeing drug boats blown up, stop sending drugs to the United States.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/qACz92D54g">pic.twitter.com/qACz92D54g</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1981109821031272738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Trump says strikes on land could be next</h2>Asked about the latest boat attack, Trump insisted that “we have legal authority. We’re allowed to do that.” He said similar strikes could eventually come on land.“We will hit them very hard when they come in by land,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We’re totally prepared to do that. And we’ll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we’re doing when we come to the land.”Lawmakers from both political parties have expressed concerns about Trump ordering the military actions without receiving authorization from Congress or providing many details.Appearing alongside Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended such strikes, saying, “If people want to stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States.”<h2>Targeting a boat in a thoroughfare for cocaine smuggling</h2>In the first brief video Hegseth posted Wednesday, a small boat, half-filled with brown packages, is seen moving along the water. Several seconds into the video, the boat explodes and is seen floating motionless on the water in flames.The second video shows another boat moving quickly before being struck by an explosion. Video apparently recorded after the explosion shows packages floating in the water.The U.S. military has built up an unusually large&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d" rel="nofollow">force in the Caribbean Sea</a>&nbsp;and the waters off the coast of Venezuela since this summer, raising speculation that Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-strike-caribbean-drug-trafficking-trump-1061debe2f983ef7bc9666d3f002b3a0" rel="nofollow">could try to topple</a>&nbsp;Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f" rel="nofollow">charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S.</a>In his posts on the strikes, Trump has repeatedly argued that illegal narcotics and the drug fentanyl carried by the vessels have been poisoning Americans.While the bulk of American overdose deaths are from fentanyl, the drug is transported by land from Mexico. Venezuela is a major drug transit zone, but the eastern Pacific Ocean, not the Caribbean, is the primary area for smuggling cocaine.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colombia-coca-crop-033c449cf1124b4ce23cec3716e1aeef" rel="nofollow">Colombia</a>&nbsp;and Peru, countries with coastlines on the eastern Pacific, are the world’s top cocaine producers.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-bananas-cocaine-europe-drug-trafficking-6d6529e2b1d8f3cbd16aea74ade0b93d" rel="nofollow">Wedged between them is Ecuador</a>, whose world-class ports and myriad maritime shipping containers filled with bananas have become the perfect vehicle for drug traffickers to move their product.The administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd" rel="nofollow">sidestepped prosecuting any occupants</a>&nbsp;of alleged drug-running vessels after returning two survivors of an earlier strike to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-strike-caribbean-trump-fentanyl-colombia-venezuela-0f8f1c004064857046398b388ddb8df5" rel="nofollow">Ecuadorian officials later said</a>&nbsp;they released the man who was returned because they had no evidence he committed a crime in their country.<h2>Questions from Congress as strikes continue</h2>Some Republican lawmakers have asked the White House for more clarification on its legal justification and specifics on how the strikes are conducted, while Democrats insist they are violations of U.S. and international law.Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was alarmed and angry about a lack of information on the strikes.“Expanding the geography simply expands the lawlessness and the recklessness in the use of the American military without seeming legal or practical justification,” Blumenthal said.He said the way to target trafficking would be stopping the boats and interrogating those aboard to find the source of the drugs, “not just destroy the smugglers who are likely to be at the bottom of the smuggling chain.”The Republican-controlled Senate recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-war-power-congress-2c8c491f88836249801b6b15b19217b5" rel="nofollow">voted down</a>&nbsp;a Democratic-sponsored&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63" rel="nofollow">war powers</a>&nbsp;resolution, mostly along party lines, that would have required the president to seek authorization from Congress before further military strikes.Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said he’s met with Rubio.“He has researched the legal ramifications carefully and he believes we’re on solid ground in attacking these narcoterrorists,” Kennedy said. “I trust his judgment.”___Associated Press writers Will Weissert and Kevin Freking in Washington and Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military conducted its eighth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-drugs-venezuela-boat-strike-af1a784864268707a76755a98615563e">strike against an alleged drug vessel</a>, killing two people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. The vessel was known by our intelligence to be… <a href="https://t.co/BayDhUZ4Ac">pic.twitter.com/BayDhUZ4Ac</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1981049943306752361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Tuesday night strike occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The seven previous strikes all targeted vessels in the Caribbean. According to Hegseth in a social media post, the strike killed two people, bringing the death toll from all the strikes to at least 34 people.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on strikes against narcoterrorists: &quot;This is a national security problem... They killed 300,000 Americans last year.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/eKwaKMgGnT">pic.twitter.com/eKwaKMgGnT</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1981109926526132687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 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/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a>: &quot;These are drug boats. If people want to stop seeing drug boats blown up, stop sending drugs to the United States.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/qACz92D54g">pic.twitter.com/qACz92D54g</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1981109821031272738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a brief video released by Hegseth, a small boat, half-filled with brown packages, is seen moving along the water. Several seconds into the video, the boat explodes and is seen floating motionless on the water in flames.In his post, Hegseth took the unusual step of equating the alleged drug traffickers to the group behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.“Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people,” Hegseth said, adding “there will be no refuge or forgiveness — only justice.”President Donald Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">an “armed conflict”</a>&nbsp;with drug cartels and is relying on the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush's administration when it declared a war on terrorism after the Sept. 11 attack.However, the Trump administration has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd">sidestepped prosecuting any of the occupants</a>&nbsp;of the alleged drug-running vessels after it returned two survivors of an earlier strike to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-strike-caribbean-trump-fentanyl-colombia-venezuela-0f8f1c004064857046398b388ddb8df5">Ecuadorian officials later said</a>&nbsp;that they released the man that was returned to their country, saying that they had no evidence he committed a crime in their country.

US strikes two alleged drug boats, expanding attacks to the Pacific

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is not considering dropping Bad Bunny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026-super-bowl-halftime-show-bad-bunny-8d39f256c8ff8922871f1d613ba51c3d" rel="nofollow">as its Super Bowl halftime headline performer</a>, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, reaffirming a decision to put the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage that led to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

Goodell addressed the Bad Bunny controversy at his news conference following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-kickoffs-owners-meeting-d1b40461b4c0a5a1311a620d1bad5410" rel="nofollow">the annual fall owners meeting</a>. It is the first time he has commented on the move announced in late September that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-bad-bunny-6d49dd171a6d46b5e302c541bb88d258" rel="nofollow">garnered</a>&nbsp;worldwide attention,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-streams-super-bowl-halftime-show-c7ab405d51032ae3e56614d1a1158a2a" rel="nofollow">including an increase</a>&nbsp;in streams of Bad Bunny’s music, along with backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”

The 31-year-old born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has been vocal in his opposition to Trump and his policies. He decided to do a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding stops in the mainland U.S., citing concerns about the mass deportation of Latinos.

He performs in Spanish and is expected to do so at the Super Bowl.

“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell said, acknowledging there could be more talent added to the lineup along with Bad Bunny. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”

The San Francisco 49ers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2026-site-49ers-b00c8fafa20d31290ad58580f3ee1a4e" rel="nofollow">hosting the Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if Trump plans to be there, though he has made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yankees-baseball-first-pitch-sporting-event-trips-79ad4edabf534e1a42e637eece2446ed" rel="nofollow">appearing in person at major sporting events</a>&nbsp;a significant part of his second term in the White House.

Trump in an interview on conservative news network Newsmax said he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny.

“I don’t know who he is,” Trump said. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Goodell defended the decision on Wednesday, explaining it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell said. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759140801620.png" alt="Bad Bunny image from AP video" />
 <figcaption>Bad Bunny image from AP video</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL is not considering dropping Bad Bunny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026-super-bowl-halftime-show-bad-bunny-8d39f256c8ff8922871f1d613ba51c3d" rel="nofollow">as its Super Bowl halftime headline performer</a>, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, reaffirming a decision to put the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage that led to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and some of his supporters.Goodell addressed the Bad Bunny controversy at his news conference following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-kickoffs-owners-meeting-d1b40461b4c0a5a1311a620d1bad5410" rel="nofollow">the annual fall owners meeting</a>. It is the first time he has commented on the move announced in late September that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-bad-bunny-6d49dd171a6d46b5e302c541bb88d258" rel="nofollow">garnered</a>&nbsp;worldwide attention,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-streams-super-bowl-halftime-show-c7ab405d51032ae3e56614d1a1158a2a" rel="nofollow">including an increase</a>&nbsp;in streams of Bad Bunny’s music, along with backlash.“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”The 31-year-old born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has been vocal in his opposition to Trump and his policies. He decided to do a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding stops in the mainland U.S., citing concerns about the mass deportation of Latinos.He performs in Spanish and is expected to do so at the Super Bowl.“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell said, acknowledging there could be more talent added to the lineup along with Bad Bunny. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”The San Francisco 49ers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2026-site-49ers-b00c8fafa20d31290ad58580f3ee1a4e" rel="nofollow">hosting the Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if Trump plans to be there, though he has made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-yankees-baseball-first-pitch-sporting-event-trips-79ad4edabf534e1a42e637eece2446ed" rel="nofollow">appearing in person at major sporting events</a>&nbsp;a significant part of his second term in the White House.Trump in an interview on conservative news network Newsmax said he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny.“I don’t know who he is,” Trump said. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”Goodell defended the decision on Wednesday, explaining it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell said. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”

NFL responds to critics of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man was taken into custody late Tuesday after driving his car into a security barrier outside the White House, authorities said.

The U. S. Secret Service said the man crashed into the security gate at a White House entrance at 10:37 p.m. on Tuesday. The man was immediately arrested by officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division, the agency said.

Investigators searched his car and deemed it to be safe, Secret Service officials said in a statement.

The man, whose name wasn’t immediately released, was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to a Secret Service spokesperson. He is expected to be charged with unlawful entry and destruction of government property, the spokesperson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756996833819.png" alt="File Image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>File Image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A man was taken into custody late Tuesday after driving his car into a security barrier outside the White House, authorities said.The U. S. Secret Service said the man crashed into the security gate at a White House entrance at 10:37 p.m. on Tuesday. The man was immediately arrested by officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division, the agency said.Investigators searched his car and deemed it to be safe, Secret Service officials said in a statement.The man, whose name wasn’t immediately released, was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to a Secret Service spokesperson. He is expected to be charged with unlawful entry and destruction of government property, the spokesperson said.

Man arrested after driving car into security gate outside White House

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>

Decision allows lawsuit against Capitol Federal to proceed in Shawnee County

TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court unanimously affirmed reversal of a district court judge who dismissed legal challenges to a Kansas bank’s policy on assessing overdraft fees.

The Supreme Court sent the case back to Shawnee County District Court, where Judge Merlin Wheeler had dismissed claims of plaintiffs alleging Capitol Federal Savings Bank’s practice of applying overdraft penalties on checking accounts was flawed.

One plaintiff claimed a breach of contract when Topeka-headquartered Capitol Federal charged multiple overdraft fees for repeated attempts to process a single payment that was returned for insufficient funds. Another plaintiff alleged the bank violated its contract by charging multiple fees on transactions that wouldn’t have initially overdrawn the account, but were later processed when the account was deficient.

Wheeler granted in October 2024 the bank’s motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ petition after concluding overdraft provisions of the contract with customers mandated each report “errors or improper charges” within 30 days of receiving an account statement.

The judge said plaintiffs Jennifer Harding and Samantha Ramirez failed to comply with the bank’s “very clear notice provision” regarding challenges of fees and both were prohibited from proceeding with claims.

The Kansas Court of Appeals reversed the district court after concluding Capitol Federal’s use of the term “improper charges” in its contract wasn’t “inherently clear” to consumers. Capitol Federal, which serves clients in Missouri and Kansas, appealed to the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall, appointed in 2014 by Gov. Sam Brownback, wrote the unanimous opinion affirming the Court of Appeals’ view that ambiguity in Capitol Federal’s contract meant the 30-day notice provision couldn’t be applied to the bank’s overdraft fees.

“We agree with the Court of Appeals that the contractual term ‘improper charges’ is ambiguous,” Stegall wrote in the opinion. “When a court properly finds a contract to be ambiguous, the court must construe that ambiguity against the drafter. Our task, at this point, becomes simple. The ambiguity inherent in the contested phrase ‘improper charges’ must be construed against Capitol Federal to exclude the fees the bank itself imposes upon its own customers.”

The case was remanded by the Supreme Court back to district court for further proceedings. The plaintiffs have sought to represent a class action against the bank.

Harding’s lawyers filed suit in 2022 asserting Capitol Federal assessed a overdraft fee for a purchase that was authorized when she had a positive balance in her checking account. The conflict arose when a subsequent, unrelated transaction that further lowered her account balance pushed the balance into overdraft status. When the original electronic transaction was presented for settlement, the transaction was declared an overdraft and the fee charged.

Harding claimed this sequence was a violation of the bank’s customer agreement to charge a $32 overdraft fee on the original transaction.

Ramirez’ counsel alleged Capitol Federal broke the account agreement by charging a fee each time AT&amp;T attempted to collect on a $164.87 bill. She alleged nothing in the customer agreement gave Capitol Federal authority to assess the $32 overdraft fee three separate times on a single debit card item.

Here is the key portion of Capitol Federal’s contract with customers that became a focus of the court case: “If your account statement contains any errors or improper charges, you agree to notify us of any such errors or improper charges within 30 days of the date on which we mailed or otherwise made the affected statement available to you. If you do not notify us within that time, you are barred from bringing any action against us that is in any way related to the errors or improper charges.”

Kersten Holzhueter, a Kansas City, Missouri, attorney who represented Capitol Federal in oral arguments last month before the Supreme Court, said the challenged fee structure was permitted by language contained in the contract with customers. She said the 30-day limit on challenges of fees was reasonable.

“Having a bank account comes with obligations on the bank, but it also has responsibility for the account holder,” she told Supreme Court justices. “This includes an obligation to notify Capitol Federal of certain disputes.”

However, the Supreme Court decided the bank’s notice provision didn’t clearly say “improper charges” included “bank fees.”

“The context within the notice provision itself is actually focused on forgeries and alterations and is clearly concerned with fraudulent activity on a customer’s account,” Stegall wrote in the opinion. “That is, it is talking about a disputed ‘charge’ made by a third party against the balance in a customer’s account. It is confusing at best to conflate this with a ‘charge’ made by the bank against the customer for services rendered” such as covering an overdraft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761159136896.png" alt="Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall, right, authored the high court's unanimous opinion rejecting arguments by Capitol Federal Savings Bank, headquartered in Topeka, that plaintiffs shouldn't be allowed to pursue a lawsuit claiming the bank's customer contract didn't clearly outline rules on overdraft fees. The Supreme Court affirmed a decision by the Kansas Court Appeals against Capitol Federal, which sends the case back to Shawnee County District Court. In this image from Jan. 15, 2025, Stegall is with Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall, right, authored the high court's unanimous opinion rejecting arguments by Capitol Federal Savings Bank, headquartered in Topeka, that plaintiffs shouldn't be allowed to pursue a lawsuit claiming the bank's customer contract didn't clearly outline rules on overdraft fees. The Supreme Court affirmed a decision by the Kansas Court Appeals against Capitol Federal, which sends the case back to Shawnee County District Court. In this image from Jan. 15, 2025, Stegall is with Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>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><h2>Decision allows lawsuit against Capitol Federal to proceed in Shawnee County</h2>TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court unanimously affirmed reversal of a district court judge who dismissed legal challenges to a Kansas bank’s policy on assessing overdraft fees.The Supreme Court sent the case back to Shawnee County District Court, where Judge Merlin Wheeler had dismissed claims of plaintiffs alleging Capitol Federal Savings Bank’s practice of applying overdraft penalties on checking accounts was flawed.One plaintiff claimed a breach of contract when Topeka-headquartered Capitol Federal charged multiple overdraft fees for repeated attempts to process a single payment that was returned for insufficient funds. Another plaintiff alleged the bank violated its contract by charging multiple fees on transactions that wouldn’t have initially overdrawn the account, but were later processed when the account was deficient.Wheeler granted in October 2024 the bank’s motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ petition after concluding overdraft provisions of the contract with customers mandated each report “errors or improper charges” within 30 days of receiving an account statement.The judge said plaintiffs Jennifer Harding and Samantha Ramirez failed to comply with the bank’s “very clear notice provision” regarding challenges of fees and both were prohibited from proceeding with claims.The Kansas Court of Appeals reversed the district court after concluding Capitol Federal’s use of the term “improper charges” in its contract wasn’t “inherently clear” to consumers. Capitol Federal, which serves clients in Missouri and Kansas, appealed to the Supreme Court.Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall, appointed in 2014 by Gov. Sam Brownback, wrote the unanimous opinion affirming the Court of Appeals’ view that ambiguity in Capitol Federal’s contract meant the 30-day notice provision couldn’t be applied to the bank’s overdraft fees.“We agree with the Court of Appeals that the contractual term ‘improper charges’ is ambiguous,” Stegall wrote in the opinion. “When a court properly finds a contract to be ambiguous, the court must construe that ambiguity against the drafter. Our task, at this point, becomes simple. The ambiguity inherent in the contested phrase ‘improper charges’ must be construed against Capitol Federal to exclude the fees the bank itself imposes upon its own customers.”The case was remanded by the Supreme Court back to district court for further proceedings. The plaintiffs have sought to represent a class action against the bank.Harding’s lawyers filed suit in 2022 asserting Capitol Federal assessed a overdraft fee for a purchase that was authorized when she had a positive balance in her checking account. The conflict arose when a subsequent, unrelated transaction that further lowered her account balance pushed the balance into overdraft status. When the original electronic transaction was presented for settlement, the transaction was declared an overdraft and the fee charged.Harding claimed this sequence was a violation of the bank’s customer agreement to charge a $32 overdraft fee on the original transaction.Ramirez’ counsel alleged Capitol Federal broke the account agreement by charging a fee each time AT&amp;T attempted to collect on a $164.87 bill. She alleged nothing in the customer agreement gave Capitol Federal authority to assess the $32 overdraft fee three separate times on a single debit card item.Here is the key portion of Capitol Federal’s contract with customers that became a focus of the court case: “If your account statement contains any errors or improper charges, you agree to notify us of any such errors or improper charges within 30 days of the date on which we mailed or otherwise made the affected statement available to you. If you do not notify us within that time, you are barred from bringing any action against us that is in any way related to the errors or improper charges.”Kersten Holzhueter, a Kansas City, Missouri, attorney who represented Capitol Federal in oral arguments last month before the Supreme Court, said the challenged fee structure was permitted by language contained in the contract with customers. She said the 30-day limit on challenges of fees was reasonable.“Having a bank account comes with obligations on the bank, but it also has responsibility for the account holder,” she told Supreme Court justices. “This includes an obligation to notify Capitol Federal of certain disputes.”However, the Supreme Court decided the bank’s notice provision didn’t clearly say “improper charges” included “bank fees.”“The context within the notice provision itself is actually focused on forgeries and alterations and is clearly concerned with fraudulent activity on a customer’s account,” Stegall wrote in the opinion. “That is, it is talking about a disputed ‘charge’ made by a third party against the balance in a customer’s account. It is confusing at best to conflate this with a ‘charge’ made by the bank against the customer for services rendered” such as covering an overdraft.

Kan. Supreme Court unanimously rejects bank’s overdraft fee policy as ‘ambiguous’

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday directed drills of the country’s strategic nuclear forces that featured practice missile launches, an exercise that came as his planned summit on Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump was put on hold.

The Kremlin said that as part of the maneuvers involving all parts of Moscow’s nuclear triad, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was test-fired from the Plesetsk launch facility in northwestern Russia, and a Sineva ICBM was launched by a submarine in the Barents Sea. The drills also involved Tu-95 strategic bombers firing long-range cruise missiles.

The exercise tested the skills of military command structures, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The chief of the military’s General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, reported to Putin via video link that the drills were intended to “practice procedures for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons.”

While Putin emphasized that the maneuvers had been planned in advance, they came hours after President Donald Trump said Tuesday his plan for a swift meeting with Putin in Budapest was on hold because he didn’t want it to be a “waste of time.”

The decision about the meeting in Budapest, Hungary, which Trump had announced last week, was made following a call Monday between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov made clear in comments Tuesday that Russia is opposed to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump, meanwhile, has been shifting his stance all year on key issues in the conflict, including whether a ceasefire should come before longer-term peace talks, and whether Ukraine could win back land seized by Russia during almost four years of fighting.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday emphasized that the planned Putin-Trump summit needs to be thoroughly prepared.

“No one wants to waste time: neither President Trump nor President Putin,” Peskov told reporters. “These are the two presidents who are accustomed to working efficiently with high productivity. But effectiveness always requires preparation.”

The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carnegie.org/" target="_blank">the Carnegie Corporation of New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://outrider.org/" target="_blank">Outrider Foundation</a>. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755307816617.png" alt="President Trump and Russian President Putin during their meeting in August -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and Russian President Putin during their meeting in August -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday directed drills of the country’s strategic nuclear forces that featured practice missile launches, an exercise that came as his planned summit on Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump was put on hold.The Kremlin said that as part of the maneuvers involving all parts of Moscow’s nuclear triad, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was test-fired from the Plesetsk launch facility in northwestern Russia, and a Sineva ICBM was launched by a submarine in the Barents Sea. The drills also involved Tu-95 strategic bombers firing long-range cruise missiles.The exercise tested the skills of military command structures, the Kremlin said in a statement.The chief of the military’s General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, reported to Putin via video link that the drills were intended to “practice procedures for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons.”While Putin emphasized that the maneuvers had been planned in advance, they came hours after President Donald Trump said Tuesday his plan for a swift meeting with Putin in Budapest was on hold because he didn’t want it to be a “waste of time.”The decision about the meeting in Budapest, Hungary, which Trump had announced last week, was made following a call Monday between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.Lavrov made clear in comments Tuesday that Russia is opposed to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump, meanwhile, has been shifting his stance all year on key issues in the conflict, including whether a ceasefire should come before longer-term peace talks, and whether Ukraine could win back land seized by Russia during almost four years of fighting.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday emphasized that the planned Putin-Trump summit needs to be thoroughly prepared.“No one wants to waste time: neither President Trump nor President Putin,” Peskov told reporters. “These are the two presidents who are accustomed to working efficiently with high productivity. But effectiveness always requires preparation.”___The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carnegie.org/" target="_blank">the Carnegie Corporation of New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://outrider.org/" target="_blank">Outrider Foundation</a>. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Russia holds nuclear drills after delay to Trump-Putin summit

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Agriculture Department will reopen about 2,100 county offices all across the country Thursday despite the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-republicans-senate-trump-white-house-8cac539f2a553ced68bc9e0b32bc7b94">ongoing government shutdown</a>&nbsp;to help farmers and ranchers get access to $3 billion of aid from existing programs.

The USDA said each Farm Service Agency office will have two workers who will be paid even though the government remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">shutdown</a>. These offices help farmers apply for farm loans, crop insurance, disaster aid and other programs. Thousands of other federal employees like air traffic controllers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-trump-furloughs-firings-economy-federal-workers-efced4c32282087c8c53aeab535230a0">working without pay</a>&nbsp;during the shutdown.

A USDA spokesperson said this move reflects President Trump's commitment to helping farmers and ranchers, who are traditionally some of his strongest supporters. Recently, some of them have been unhappy with Trump's latest moves although his support remains strong across rural America.

Just this week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-prices-cattle-imports-trump-argentina-9f8e9efd6e74e958c586ea1e32797ba2">ranchers were unhappy</a>&nbsp;with Trump's idea to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-argentina-us-consumers-prices-f7fadbe1b3fef4646f9c3623f901209a">import more beef</a>&nbsp;from Argentina because that could hurt their profits, and earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/soybeans-trade-tariff-china-united-states-export-025792707c4e4e91d975f8558edae1d8">soybean farmers complained</a>&nbsp;that a $20 billion aid package for Argentina allowed that country to sell soybeans to China. Farmers are also still waiting on details of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-soybean-farmers-trade-war-aid-1a848735ba89c2673d44489eea5a0e35">aid package Trump promised</a>&nbsp;to help them survive his trade war with China, but that aid has been put on hold because of the shutdown.

“President Trump will not let the radical left Democrat shutdown impact critical USDA services while harvest is underway across the country,” the USDA spokesman said.

A White House official said the administration is using funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation, a USDA agency that addresses agricultural prices. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the administration’s plans were not yet publicized.

Republicans like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven along with farm groups like the National Corn Growers Association and Illinois Soybean Association praised the move while Democrats accused the administration of using farmers as political pawns in the shutdown fight. Both parties have been unable to reach an agreement to fund the government and end the shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Thune said reopening these offices, like he has been urging the administration to do, will give farmers access to critical services in the midst of harvest season.

“Like many hardworking Americans, producers in South Dakota and across the country – who work tirelessly to provide high-quality food for our nation – are being hurt by Senate Democrats’ reckless government shutdown,” Thune said.

Kenneth Hartman Jr., who is chairman of the Corn Growers Association, said this is a crucial time because farmers are getting ready to place orders for next year's seed and fertilizer right now as well as settling up with the bankers for this year's operating loans. And farmers are grappling with soaring costs.

“Because of the inflation factor, the farm economy is really in a critical situation here. So anything that the farmers can get when it comes to support from the farm programs from the farm bill of last year, we need to get that open and get that money out to them,” said Hartman, who is in the middle of harvesting his crop near Waterloo, Illinois.

The House Agriculture Committee Democrats said on X that this shows that Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins “could have supported farmers all along, but you chose not to because you’d rather use farmers’ pain to score cheap political points while increasing the cost of living for ordinary Americans by making food and health care more expensive.”

Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, who is the ranking Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, said the administration should have done this sooner to ensure that farmers can get the help they need.

“I am glad the administration is finally doing right by America’s farmers by partially opening FSA offices, though I question why the administration waited so long and made this decision only after putting farmers through three weeks of uncertainty," Craig said.

Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this story from Washington.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761151096326.png" alt="USDA image" />
 <figcaption>USDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The Agriculture Department will reopen about 2,100 county offices all across the country Thursday despite the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-republicans-senate-trump-white-house-8cac539f2a553ced68bc9e0b32bc7b94">ongoing government shutdown</a>&nbsp;to help farmers and ranchers get access to $3 billion of aid from existing programs.The USDA said each Farm Service Agency office will have two workers who will be paid even though the government remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">shutdown</a>. These offices help farmers apply for farm loans, crop insurance, disaster aid and other programs. Thousands of other federal employees like air traffic controllers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-trump-furloughs-firings-economy-federal-workers-efced4c32282087c8c53aeab535230a0">working without pay</a>&nbsp;during the shutdown.A USDA spokesperson said this move reflects President Trump's commitment to helping farmers and ranchers, who are traditionally some of his strongest supporters. Recently, some of them have been unhappy with Trump's latest moves although his support remains strong across rural America.Just this week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-prices-cattle-imports-trump-argentina-9f8e9efd6e74e958c586ea1e32797ba2">ranchers were unhappy</a>&nbsp;with Trump's idea to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beef-argentina-us-consumers-prices-f7fadbe1b3fef4646f9c3623f901209a">import more beef</a>&nbsp;from Argentina because that could hurt their profits, and earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/soybeans-trade-tariff-china-united-states-export-025792707c4e4e91d975f8558edae1d8">soybean farmers complained</a>&nbsp;that a $20 billion aid package for Argentina allowed that country to sell soybeans to China. Farmers are also still waiting on details of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-soybean-farmers-trade-war-aid-1a848735ba89c2673d44489eea5a0e35">aid package Trump promised</a>&nbsp;to help them survive his trade war with China, but that aid has been put on hold because of the shutdown.“President Trump will not let the radical left Democrat shutdown impact critical USDA services while harvest is underway across the country,” the USDA spokesman said.A White House official said the administration is using funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation, a USDA agency that addresses agricultural prices. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the administration’s plans were not yet publicized.Republicans like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven along with farm groups like the National Corn Growers Association and Illinois Soybean Association praised the move while Democrats accused the administration of using farmers as political pawns in the shutdown fight. Both parties have been unable to reach an agreement to fund the government and end the shutdown that began Oct. 1.Thune said reopening these offices, like he has been urging the administration to do, will give farmers access to critical services in the midst of harvest season.“Like many hardworking Americans, producers in South Dakota and across the country – who work tirelessly to provide high-quality food for our nation – are being hurt by Senate Democrats’ reckless government shutdown,” Thune said.Kenneth Hartman Jr., who is chairman of the Corn Growers Association, said this is a crucial time because farmers are getting ready to place orders for next year's seed and fertilizer right now as well as settling up with the bankers for this year's operating loans. And farmers are grappling with soaring costs.“Because of the inflation factor, the farm economy is really in a critical situation here. So anything that the farmers can get when it comes to support from the farm programs from the farm bill of last year, we need to get that open and get that money out to them,” said Hartman, who is in the middle of harvesting his crop near Waterloo, Illinois.The House Agriculture Committee Democrats said on X that this shows that Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins “could have supported farmers all along, but you chose not to because you’d rather use farmers’ pain to score cheap political points while increasing the cost of living for ordinary Americans by making food and health care more expensive.”Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, who is the ranking Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, said the administration should have done this sooner to ensure that farmers can get the help they need.“I am glad the administration is finally doing right by America’s farmers by partially opening FSA offices, though I question why the administration waited so long and made this decision only after putting farmers through three weeks of uncertainty," Craig said.___Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this story from Washington.

USDA reopening some 2,100 offices to help farmers

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man jailed for a deadly shooting on a&nbsp;City of Wichita bus made his first court appearance on Tuesday.

&nbsp;Travis L. Finney, 34, was charged with first degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and probation violation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 3:30 p.m. October 16, police responded to a report of a shooting at South Meridian and West Burton. When officers arrived, they found a 54-year-old&nbsp; Reginald Griffith suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Sedgwick County EMS pronounced him deceased on scene.

Investigators determined that both Finney and Griffith were passengers on the bus and knew each other.

Finney remains jailed on bonds of&nbsp;$2,575,000.00, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760655721036.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man jailed for a deadly shooting on a&nbsp;City of Wichita bus made his first court appearance on Tuesday.&nbsp;Travis L. Finney, 34, was charged with first degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and probation violation, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760696407932.png" alt="Finney photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Finney photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 3:30 p.m. October 16, police responded to a report of a shooting at South Meridian and West Burton. When officers arrived, they found a 54-year-old&nbsp; Reginald Griffith suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Sedgwick County EMS pronounced him deceased on scene.Investigators determined that both Finney and Griffith were passengers on the bus and knew each other.Finney remains jailed on bonds of&nbsp;$2,575,000.00, according to online jail records.

Kan. suspect accused of killing a man on city bus faces a judge

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has received a letter from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, according to a media release from the ageny.

 That letter to all states says that if a lapse in funding, caused by the shutdown, continues, there will not be enough money to pay full SNAP benefits for November.

The letter directs agencies to hold off on processing November benefits until further notice. Until a budget agreement or continuing resolution is reached at the federal level, or the federal government identifies a funding pathway, November SNAP benefits may be delayed or interrupted entirely. If no federal action is taken by October 28, 2025, November SNAP benefits will not be disbursed until the federal government reaches a resolution.

SNAP provides benefits for approximately 42 million people across the country. That includes a total distribution of more than $34.4 million to more than 93,000 Kansas households&nbsp;–&nbsp;nearly 188,000 Kansans&nbsp;–&nbsp;who depend on SNAP each month to help put food on their tables.

This potential interruption in benefits comes at the start of the holiday season – an already busy time for food banks and food pantries helping people in need and when many children have days off from school without access to school meals.

DCF is monitoring the situation closely and is exploring what this may mean for Kansans. November benefits for current SNAP recipients are set to begin processing on October 28 and appearing on Kansas Benefits Cards beginning November 1-10 on an established staggered schedule based on last names. If an agreement is not reached by October 28, benefits could be delayed or suspended until the shutdown has ended.

“As soon as an agreement is reached or the federal government finds an alternative funding source, and DCF receives approval from FNS, we are prepared to act quickly with contracting partners to get benefits out to Kansans,”&nbsp;said DCF Secretary Laura Howard.&nbsp;“Depending on the timing of the approval, DCF and its partners could have benefits available on cards within 72 hours.”

October SNAP benefits were distributed as planned. At this time, SNAP recipients should continue using their October benefits as normal. SNAP recipients should continue meeting program requirements, including reporting required changes and completing recertifications.

DCF is continuing to process SNAP applications as usual. Applications can be accessed online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/Pw50Ky-F6jZe97hbD8910xmJbnwz4c5ds_T1aiJ-LPY=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or by visiting a local DCF service center. A map with service center locations can be found on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fcontacts.aspx/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/yIVHnmTgHvIx8KE_7gV4h9rxS4s3LfNUIP6BARB07NQ=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>.

DCF is closely monitoring the impact the federal government shutdown is having on programs and services the agency delivers and will provide updates through its various communication channels as this situation evolves. Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fcontacts.aspx/2/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/HyecglYp9szWTxUSH16i3dNP81VB1Yk_TwHNB2z3F1w=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>.

For Kansans in need of additional support, Kansas Food Source,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkansasfoodsource.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/VEyJqWTKk0_hI2zUeCwKkZH_zjY6AZ1kmIwda4WDuIY=427">kansasfoodsource.org</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.harvesters.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/1MBJcfOfx5eKTBQ3gAxcMFp0N-zWt-YKc8YD-kB-byo=427">Harvesters.org</a>&nbsp;provide locations of food banks and food pantries across the state. The United Way’s 211 hotline or website,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.211.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/_1vmhiAbZnEEnnUeIbHPI9qqsXHd2UeeT-8vEaesxug=427">211.org</a>, and 1-800-CHILDREN,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2F1800childrenks.com%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/ito8OQbQ2CaG44nOjBaS7MmKFdED3Q_3sl4uhHFy5Go=427">1800childrenks.com</a>, also connects Kansans to resources in their communities.

The loss of federal funding places additional stress on Kansas food banks, pantries and meals programs, which are already strained to meet the needs of those who utilize them. Kansans wishing to help their local food resources can find those locations on the Kansas Food Source website,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkansasfoodsource.org%2F/2/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/M-IrQv87Mio2He4EBpIzXKtc4WoQbFYcAAObNQh6drE=427">kansasfoodsource.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689674819900.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has received a letter from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, according to a media release from the ageny. That letter to all states says that if a lapse in funding, caused by the shutdown, continues, there will not be enough money to pay full SNAP benefits for November.The letter directs agencies to hold off on processing November benefits until further notice. Until a budget agreement or continuing resolution is reached at the federal level, or the federal government identifies a funding pathway, November SNAP benefits may be delayed or interrupted entirely. If no federal action is taken by October 28, 2025, November SNAP benefits will not be disbursed until the federal government reaches a resolution.SNAP provides benefits for approximately 42 million people across the country. That includes a total distribution of more than $34.4 million to more than 93,000 Kansas households&nbsp;–&nbsp;nearly 188,000 Kansans&nbsp;–&nbsp;who depend on SNAP each month to help put food on their tables.Impact on KansansThis potential interruption in benefits comes at the start of the holiday season – an already busy time for food banks and food pantries helping people in need and when many children have days off from school without access to school meals.DCF is monitoring the situation closely and is exploring what this may mean for Kansans. November benefits for current SNAP recipients are set to begin processing on October 28 and appearing on Kansas Benefits Cards beginning November 1-10 on an established staggered schedule based on last names. If an agreement is not reached by October 28, benefits could be delayed or suspended until the shutdown has ended.“As soon as an agreement is reached or the federal government finds an alternative funding source, and DCF receives approval from FNS, we are prepared to act quickly with contracting partners to get benefits out to Kansans,”&nbsp;said DCF Secretary Laura Howard.&nbsp;“Depending on the timing of the approval, DCF and its partners could have benefits available on cards within 72 hours.”October SNAP benefits were distributed as planned. At this time, SNAP recipients should continue using their October benefits as normal. SNAP recipients should continue meeting program requirements, including reporting required changes and completing recertifications.DCF is continuing to process SNAP applications as usual. Applications can be accessed online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/Pw50Ky-F6jZe97hbD8910xmJbnwz4c5ds_T1aiJ-LPY=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or by visiting a local DCF service center. A map with service center locations can be found on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fcontacts.aspx/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/yIVHnmTgHvIx8KE_7gV4h9rxS4s3LfNUIP6BARB07NQ=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>.What happens next?DCF is closely monitoring the impact the federal government shutdown is having on programs and services the agency delivers and will provide updates through its various communication channels as this situation evolves. Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fcontacts.aspx/2/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/HyecglYp9szWTxUSH16i3dNP81VB1Yk_TwHNB2z3F1w=427">dcf.ks.gov</a>.Help for KansansFor Kansans in need of additional support, Kansas Food Source,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkansasfoodsource.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/VEyJqWTKk0_hI2zUeCwKkZH_zjY6AZ1kmIwda4WDuIY=427">kansasfoodsource.org</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.harvesters.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/1MBJcfOfx5eKTBQ3gAxcMFp0N-zWt-YKc8YD-kB-byo=427">Harvesters.org</a>&nbsp;provide locations of food banks and food pantries across the state. The United Way’s 211 hotline or website,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.211.org%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/_1vmhiAbZnEEnnUeIbHPI9qqsXHd2UeeT-8vEaesxug=427">211.org</a>, and 1-800-CHILDREN,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2F1800childrenks.com%2F/1/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/ito8OQbQ2CaG44nOjBaS7MmKFdED3Q_3sl4uhHFy5Go=427">1800childrenks.com</a>, also connects Kansans to resources in their communities.The loss of federal funding places additional stress on Kansas food banks, pantries and meals programs, which are already strained to meet the needs of those who utilize them. Kansans wishing to help their local food resources can find those locations on the Kansas Food Source website,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkansasfoodsource.org%2F/2/0101019a09046a94-dc1eaf74-ebe0-4b03-ba24-ecde7a79d679-000000/M-IrQv87Mio2He4EBpIzXKtc4WoQbFYcAAObNQh6drE=427">kansasfoodsource.org</a>.

Kan. SNAP benefits on hold for November due to government shutdown

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 39-year-old Vincent Taylor, according to&nbsp;KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 12:30a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Jefferson in Kansas City on report of someone who was shot.

First responders located Taylor suffering from gunshot wounds, just inside of an apartment building at the Quality Hill Towers. Officers began performing life saving measures as KCFD Medics arrived. 

EMS pronounced him deceased on scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. 

Detectives are working to determine what led up to the shots being fired and Taylor being struck. Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 39-year-old Vincent Taylor, according to&nbsp;KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. Just before 12:30a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Jefferson in Kansas City on report of someone who was shot.First responders located Taylor suffering from gunshot wounds, just inside of an apartment building at the Quality Hill Towers. Officers began performing life saving measures as KCFD Medics arrived. EMS pronounced him deceased on scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. Detectives are working to determine what led up to the shots being fired and Taylor being struck. Police released no additional details.

Homicide: Police ID man found just inside KC apartment building

WASHINGTON (AP) — Head Start programs that serve tens of thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/preschool-head-start-alaska-education-b32c3623193f2b972521922954b71dbd">the nation’s neediest preschoolers</a>&nbsp;are facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">the government shutdown</a>, leaving many scrambling to figure out how to keep their doors open.

The early education initiative is funded almost entirely by the federal government, making it particularly vulnerable to funding disruptions. The programs — which are run by schools, local governments and nonprofits — receive new grants annually and are not allowed to carry over unspent money.

With new grants on hold, a half dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-preschool-child-care-teacher-pay-256a66cc4df8a331a2d0badcba7f72e8">Head Start</a>&nbsp;programs already missed federal disbursements they were expecting on Oct. 1 and are staying open with fast-dwindling reserves or help from local governments. Another 134 programs will not receive federal money that is due Nov. 1 if the government does not reopen, according to the National Head Start Association. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be affected.

In Tallahassee, Florida, a Head Start program run by Capital Area Community Action Agency Inc. has been running on “fumes” since it stopped receiving federal money at the start of the month, interim CEO Nina Singleton Self said. It is drawing down reserves, getting an advance on a city grant and taking out a line of credit, but those funds will run dry this week.

To stay open beyond that, Self is asking how many staff members would work without pay. She’s also steeling them for financial uncertainty, advising them on how to take loans out from their retirement accounts or apply to programs that would help them pay utility bills. She’s asked other nonprofits and philanthropies for help, too.

“We’re reaching out for everything that we can,” Self said.

Preschool centers count the days they could stay open

Another organization in north Florida that operates eight rural Head Start centers for 365 kids was cut off Oct. 1 and has enough funding to keep its doors open until the end of November.

After that, “I don’t really know what to tell you,” said Michele Ward, executive director of Suwanee Valley Community Coordinated Child Care.

In Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas warned Head Start centers that serve 2,300 children will have to shutter if the federal government remains closed.

“Closing early childhood care for thousands of Kansas City children and families will have devastating effects on thousands of Kansas City families, workplaces and, most importantly, kids,” said Lucas, a Democrat.

Rekah Strong, who leads a Vancouver, Washington-based organization that operates Head Start centers, said some likely will have to shut down around Nov. 1, when the organization would normally receive its federal grant. She doesn’t see other funding options.

Closing a center even briefly has ripple effects, Head Start leaders warn. The early education program provides two meals a day to students, along with medical screenings and dental care. Many of the children who attend Head Start have parents working in hourly jobs who risk losing work if they do not have child care.

“Every day this shutdown continues, programs are forced to make impossible choices just to keep their doors open. Children cannot wait,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association.

Low-income families that rely on Head Start are facing the prospect of losing other assistance as well.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-wic-food-a6d66fa0ce3d02257b5b43a79355b1bf">The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children</a>, better known as WIC, nearly ran out of money because of the shutdown before President Donald Trump’s administration provided $300 million to keep it running temporarily. The Republican president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sign-tax-cut-bill-july-4-3804df732e461a626fd8c2b43413c3f0">big tax breaks and spending cuts law</a>&nbsp;also imposes cuts on Medicaid and food stamps.

Launched six decades ago as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, Head Start has a history of bipartisan support but has faced calls this year for its funding to be cut back.

A budget document showed the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-trump-funding-budget-cuts-education-204077e046329eb22c71445d57ba002b">weighed shutting down</a>&nbsp;Head Start altogether, a prospect that led to an outcry from both sides of the aisle before Trump’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-budget-head-start-cuts-survive-f55be05f92250ab3ac5d5bcb389ded47">backed away from the proposal</a>. Project 2025, a detailed set of policy recommendations authored by the conservative Heritage Foundation, recommended eliminating Head Start.

In January, Head Start operators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-medicaid-federal-funding-4fe440e35df70c7ede8ce8e0409cb581">struggled to access their federal money</a>&nbsp;because of problems with the government’s online portal. Some had to shut down temporarily.

The shutdown began when Congress failed to pass a bill to fund the government. In a standoff with the Trump administration, Democrats are insisting on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-health-care-subsidies-obamacare-congress-10b2ae9648bc5252fc2bd485ddc83493">the extension of tax credits</a>&nbsp;that make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans and the restoration of cuts made to Medicaid. Without the tax credits, more than 20 million Americans on Affordable Care Act plans would see their health care costs rise. Republicans say they won’t discuss the health care subsidies, or any other policy, until the government reopens.

Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington Head Start Association, said he is eager for Congress to end the shutdown. But he said he also knows that many Head Start families and staff members rely on Medicaid and on the Affordable Care Act plans.

“I’m glad that the Democrats are fighting to restore health care access,” Ryan said. “I’m also really cognizant of the ramifications of the government shutdown.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Head Start programs that serve tens of thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/preschool-head-start-alaska-education-b32c3623193f2b972521922954b71dbd">the nation’s neediest preschoolers</a>&nbsp;are facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">the government shutdown</a>, leaving many scrambling to figure out how to keep their doors open.The early education initiative is funded almost entirely by the federal government, making it particularly vulnerable to funding disruptions. The programs — which are run by schools, local governments and nonprofits — receive new grants annually and are not allowed to carry over unspent money.With new grants on hold, a half dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-preschool-child-care-teacher-pay-256a66cc4df8a331a2d0badcba7f72e8">Head Start</a>&nbsp;programs already missed federal disbursements they were expecting on Oct. 1 and are staying open with fast-dwindling reserves or help from local governments. Another 134 programs will not receive federal money that is due Nov. 1 if the government does not reopen, according to the National Head Start Association. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be affected.In Tallahassee, Florida, a Head Start program run by Capital Area Community Action Agency Inc. has been running on “fumes” since it stopped receiving federal money at the start of the month, interim CEO Nina Singleton Self said. It is drawing down reserves, getting an advance on a city grant and taking out a line of credit, but those funds will run dry this week.To stay open beyond that, Self is asking how many staff members would work without pay. She’s also steeling them for financial uncertainty, advising them on how to take loans out from their retirement accounts or apply to programs that would help them pay utility bills. She’s asked other nonprofits and philanthropies for help, too.“We’re reaching out for everything that we can,” Self said.<h2>Preschool centers count the days they could stay open</h2>Another organization in north Florida that operates eight rural Head Start centers for 365 kids was cut off Oct. 1 and has enough funding to keep its doors open until the end of November.After that, “I don’t really know what to tell you,” said Michele Ward, executive director of Suwanee Valley Community Coordinated Child Care.In Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas warned Head Start centers that serve 2,300 children will have to shutter if the federal government remains closed.“Closing early childhood care for thousands of Kansas City children and families will have devastating effects on thousands of Kansas City families, workplaces and, most importantly, kids,” said Lucas, a Democrat.Rekah Strong, who leads a Vancouver, Washington-based organization that operates Head Start centers, said some likely will have to shut down around Nov. 1, when the organization would normally receive its federal grant. She doesn’t see other funding options.Closing a center even briefly has ripple effects, Head Start leaders warn. The early education program provides two meals a day to students, along with medical screenings and dental care. Many of the children who attend Head Start have parents working in hourly jobs who risk losing work if they do not have child care.“Every day this shutdown continues, programs are forced to make impossible choices just to keep their doors open. Children cannot wait,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association.Low-income families that rely on Head Start are facing the prospect of losing other assistance as well.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-wic-food-a6d66fa0ce3d02257b5b43a79355b1bf">The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children</a>, better known as WIC, nearly ran out of money because of the shutdown before President Donald Trump’s administration provided $300 million to keep it running temporarily. The Republican president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sign-tax-cut-bill-july-4-3804df732e461a626fd8c2b43413c3f0">big tax breaks and spending cuts law</a>&nbsp;also imposes cuts on Medicaid and food stamps.<h2>Head Start faces a string of challenges</h2>Launched six decades ago as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, Head Start has a history of bipartisan support but has faced calls this year for its funding to be cut back.A budget document showed the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-trump-funding-budget-cuts-education-204077e046329eb22c71445d57ba002b">weighed shutting down</a>&nbsp;Head Start altogether, a prospect that led to an outcry from both sides of the aisle before Trump’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-budget-head-start-cuts-survive-f55be05f92250ab3ac5d5bcb389ded47">backed away from the proposal</a>. Project 2025, a detailed set of policy recommendations authored by the conservative Heritage Foundation, recommended eliminating Head Start.In January, Head Start operators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-medicaid-federal-funding-4fe440e35df70c7ede8ce8e0409cb581">struggled to access their federal money</a>&nbsp;because of problems with the government’s online portal. Some had to shut down temporarily.The shutdown began when Congress failed to pass a bill to fund the government. In a standoff with the Trump administration, Democrats are insisting on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-health-care-subsidies-obamacare-congress-10b2ae9648bc5252fc2bd485ddc83493">the extension of tax credits</a>&nbsp;that make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans and the restoration of cuts made to Medicaid. Without the tax credits, more than 20 million Americans on Affordable Care Act plans would see their health care costs rise. Republicans say they won’t discuss the health care subsidies, or any other policy, until the government reopens.Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington Head Start Association, said he is eager for Congress to end the shutdown. But he said he also knows that many Head Start families and staff members rely on Medicaid and on the Affordable Care Act plans.“I’m glad that the Democrats are fighting to restore health care access,” Ryan said. “I’m also really cognizant of the ramifications of the government shutdown.”___

Government shutdown imperils dozens of Head Start preschool programs

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man found guilty of charges in a fatal hit-and-run that killed 43-year-old bicyclist Thomas Doyle learn his fate on Tuesday.

&nbsp;Judge Quentin Pittman sentenced 23-year-old Christopher Johnson to 19 months in prison&nbsp;for failure to stop at an accident resulting in death and an additional six months in jail for driving under the influence, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In June,&nbsp; Johnson plead not guilty to a charge of felony hit-and-run, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In September, he entered a no contest plea to avod a jury trial, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In August of 2024, police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and an electric bicycle at 2400 N. Hoover in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders found 43-year-old Thomas Doyle of Wichita who was riding the bike unresponsive. Doyle was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS.

Investigators determined Doyle was northbound on Hoover Street when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Johnson who then continued driving north.

On August 22, police arrested Johnson.&nbsp; He bonded out of jail the following day.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724409391079.png" alt="Johnson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man found guilty of charges in a fatal hit-and-run that killed 43-year-old bicyclist Thomas Doyle learn his fate on Tuesday.&nbsp;Judge Quentin Pittman sentenced 23-year-old Christopher Johnson to 19 months in prison&nbsp;for failure to stop at an accident resulting in death and an additional six months in jail for driving under the influence, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In June,&nbsp; Johnson plead not guilty to a charge of felony hit-and-run, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In September, he entered a no contest plea to avod a jury trial, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;In August of 2024, police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and an electric bicycle at 2400 N. Hoover in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders found 43-year-old Thomas Doyle of Wichita who was riding the bike unresponsive. Doyle was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS.Investigators determined Doyle was northbound on Hoover Street when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Johnson who then continued driving north.On August 22, police arrested Johnson.&nbsp; He bonded out of jail the following day.

Prison for DUI crash that killed Kansas man on electric bicycle

CLAY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with an incident outside a Kansas City area high school.

Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, a&nbsp;School Resource Officer was patrolling the parking lot of Liberty High School,&nbsp;200 Blue Jay Drive in Liberty, Missouri, when he noticed a suspicious person standing near several vehicles, according to a media release from Independence Police.

The officer stopped to check on the individual, and an altercation ensued when the person resisted being detained. The School Resource Officer called for emergency assistance from other officers. The individual was able to break free, and a foot chase followed.

Due to the unknown reason for the person’s presence on school property and their resistance to the officer, the resources officer requested assistance from surrounding agencies to help locate the suspect. 

At approximately 9:15a.m., the suspect was located at a nearby business and taken into custody without further incident. The suspect is a juvenile and is being referred to the Clay County Juvenile Office. 

CLAY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with an incident outside a Kansas City area high school.Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, a&nbsp;School Resource Officer was patrolling the parking lot of Liberty High School,&nbsp;200 Blue Jay Drive in Liberty, Missouri, when he noticed a suspicious person standing near several vehicles, according to a media release from Independence Police.The officer stopped to check on the individual, and an altercation ensued when the person resisted being detained. The School Resource Officer called for emergency assistance from other officers. The individual was able to break free, and a foot chase followed.Due to the unknown reason for the person’s presence on school property and their resistance to the officer, the resources officer requested assistance from surrounding agencies to help locate the suspect. At approximately 9:15a.m., the suspect was located at a nearby business and taken into custody without further incident. The suspect is a juvenile and is being referred to the Clay County Juvenile Office.

Police: Juvenile arrested after fight with resource officer outside KC area school

JOHNSON COUNTY, Missouri- Investigators confirmed that a fire Monday night at the Leeton United Methodist Church was intentionally set, prompting an arson investigation led by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to a statement from the Johnson County Fire Protection District.

Just after 9p.m. Monday, firefighters from the Johnson County Fire Protection District and the Warrensburg Fire Department, responding through automatic mutual aid for a ladder truck to 106 N. Wall Street in Leeton. 

 When crews arrived, heavy smoke and flames were visible from inside the 129-year-old church. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior and exterior attack, bringing the fire under control after nearly three hours. 

 Despite extensive damage throughout the structure, the church remains standing, and crews were able to save some items from inside.

The Leeton United Methodist Church, built in 1896, has long served as a cornerstone of the Leeton community.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office conducted the initial investigation into the origin and cause of the fire with assistance from the Johnson County Fire Protection District, Leeton Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Johnson County Fire Investigation Unit. 

 Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, prompting a formal arson investigation.“

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761096204652.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY, Missouri- Investigators confirmed that a fire Monday night at the Leeton United Methodist Church was intentionally set, prompting an arson investigation led by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to a statement from the Johnson County Fire Protection District.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1285842890014232%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" 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>Just after 9p.m. Monday, firefighters from the Johnson County Fire Protection District and the Warrensburg Fire Department, responding through automatic mutual aid for a ladder truck to 106 N. Wall Street in Leeton. When crews arrived, heavy smoke and flames were visible from inside the 129-year-old church. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior and exterior attack, bringing the fire under control after nearly three hours. Despite extensive damage throughout the structure, the church remains standing, and crews were able to save some items from inside.The Leeton United Methodist Church, built in 1896, has long served as a cornerstone of the Leeton community.The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office conducted the initial investigation into the origin and cause of the fire with assistance from the Johnson County Fire Protection District, Leeton Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Johnson County Fire Investigation Unit. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, prompting a formal arson investigation.“It’s heartbreaking to see a place that has stood for generations be deliberately set on fire,” said JCFPD Captain Joe Jennings. “This church isn’t just a building; it’s part of the history and identity of Leeton. Seeing it damaged in this way is difficult for the entire community.”Captain Jennings urged anyone with information to come forward.“Someone knows something,” Jennings said. “We’re asking the public to do the right thing and help bring whoever is responsible to justice. No tip is too small.”Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Missouri Arson Hotline at 1-800-39-ARSON (1-800-392-7766). A cash reward is available for information leading to an arrest.