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

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

Trump has been named in previously released Epstein documents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Car crash damages statue at Kan. Firefighters Museum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump describes phone call with Chinese leader on tariffs

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

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

The aid measures advanced in a series of early morning votes only after Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe struck a deal with some holdouts that included more disaster relief money and the potential for property tax breaks for some homeowners facing rising tax bills. The package also contains funding for building projects around the state, including $50 million for a nuclear research reactor used for cancer treatments at the University of Missouri.

Though House approval is still needed, the Senate vote marked a major hurdle, because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stadiums-chiefs-royals-missouri-kansas-38ba267c224fdcf18f4a71455962776e">the stadium incentives stalled</a>&nbsp;there last month.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-damage-destruction-3f7207e36dc589e9635755a1f579e926">Tornadoes struck St. Louis</a>&nbsp;and other parts of Missouri on May 16, a day after lawmakers wrapped up work in their regular session.

In addition to the $100 million for St. Louis disaster relief, the package authorizes $25 million for emergency housing assistance and a $5,000 income tax deduction to offset insurance policy deductibles for people in any area included in a request for a presidential disaster declaration.

Kehoe said the plan would "help those in crisis, while also making smart decisions that secure opportunity for the future.”

The future of the Chiefs and Royals has been up in the air for a while.

The teams currently play professional football and baseball in side-by-side stadiums in eastern Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri, under leases that run until January 2031.

Jackson County voters last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-royals-kansas-city-stadiums-e9605296b85e91699441e4ba10e83212">turned down a sales tax extension</a>&nbsp;that would have helped finance a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals in downtown Kansas City and an $800 million renovation of the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium.

That prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-royals-new-stadiums-3441b3084c8efab00057f593f4d9b95e">Kansas lawmakers</a>&nbsp;last year to authorize bonds for up to 70% of the cost of new stadiums in their state.

Missouri's counterproposal would authorize bonds for up to 50% of the cost of stadium projects while also providing up to $50 million of tax credits to go with unspecified support from local governments.

While testifying Tuesday to a Senate committee, Chiefs lobbyist Rich AuBuchon described the Missouri offer as “legitimate” and “competitive.” If the Chiefs stay in Missouri, he said they likely would begin a $1.15 billion plan to renovate Arrowhead Stadium and upgrade the team's practice facilities in either 2027 or 2028. It would take three years to complete.

AuBuchon pointed to other recent publicly financed stadium projects in Baltimore, New Orleans, Nashville and Buffalo, New York.

“Throughout the country states are funding stadiums. They are a big economic development. They are a big business," AuBuchon said.

However, many economists contend public funding for stadiums isn’t worth it, because sports tend to divert discretionary spending away from other forms of entertainment rather than generate new income.

“What the teams are doing is playing Kansas and Missouri against each other,” said Patrick Tuohey, senior fellow at the Show-Me Institute, a free-market think tank whose St. Louis headquarters got hit by the tornado.

“When cities and states do this, they hollow out their tax base for the benefit of wealthy billionaire team owners ... they lose the ability to provide public safety, basic services,” Tuohey said.

Royals lobbyist Jewell Patek said that even with the state incentives, a planned stadium district likely would need voter approval for local tax incentives in either Jackson or Clay counties, which couldn't happen until later this year.

He made no guarantee the Royals would pick Missouri over Kansas, but Patek added: “We love the community, we love the state ... we think this is a step in the right direction for the state of Missouri.”

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

Mo. Senate backs millions of dollars of incentives for KC Chiefs and Royals

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s big bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-medicaid-work-requirements-17cbde167f3b434e925a199c3253b8e1#:~:text=What's%20in%20Trump's%20big%20bill,Tennis%20Tennis">in Congress</a>&nbsp;would unleash trillions in tax cuts and slash spending, but also spike deficits by $2.4 trillion over the decade and leave some 10.9 million more people without health insurance, raising the political stakes for the GOP's signature domestic priority.

<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61461">Click here to read the full report</a>

Republican leaders in Congress, determined to muscle the sweeping package forward, had little to say after the analysis released Wednesday by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-big-beautiful-bill-trump-republican-deficit-debt-d432b67a965790e4a26de46ea8db1266">the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office</a>. GOP senators were heading for an afternoon meeting with Trump at the White House.

But Democrats laboring to halt the march of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act piled on with relentless opposition.

“In the words of Elon Musk, this bill is a ‘disgusting abomination,’” said Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, reviving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-trump-tax-spending-bill-abomination-157b8733b60c343a5f8e551ffc887bf3">the billionaire former Trump aide’s criticism</a>&nbsp;of the package.

The analysis comes at a crucial moment as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-senate-gop-debt-a0679756c6af762ac0291be6cb647145">Trump is pushing Congress</a>, where Republicans have majority control, to send the final product to his desk to become law by the Fourth of July. The House passed the bill last month by a single vote, but it's now slogging through the Senate, where Republicans want a number of significant changes.

After Musk blindsided Congress with his all-out assault against the bill this week, House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-johnson-trump-tax-bill-christian-prayer-f82ed140d9110d5cc7b4029b681ea9eb">Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;rushed to do damage control.

The GOP speaker said he called Musk to discuss the criticism leveled late Tuesday, but had not heard back. Musk has threatened to use his political apparatus to go after Republicans in the midterm elections.

“I hope he comes around,” Johnson, R-La., told reporters.

Hours later, Musk, whose business interests could be impacted by green energy rollbacks in the bill, implored voters to call their representatives and senators: “Bankrupting America is NOT ok!” he wrote on social media, “KILL the BILL”

The work of the CBO, which for decades has served as the official scorekeeper of legislation in Congress, is closely watched by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-trump-tax-spending-bill-abomination-157b8733b60c343a5f8e551ffc887bf3">lawmakers and others</a>&nbsp;seeking to understand the budgetary impacts of the sprawling 1,000-page-plus package.

Along with $3.75 trillion to extend the 2017 tax breaks and add the new ones Trump campaigned on, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-on-tips-things-to-know-budget-bill-02b9d99dbe17cef93a81bc0cbb2cffcb">no taxes on tips</a>, it found that the package would reduce federal spending outlays by nearly $1.3 trillion, largely through proposed reductions to Medicaid and rollbacks of green energy initiatives.

Some 7.8 million people would no longer have health insurance with changes to Medicaid, including 5.2 million from the proposed new work requirements on those able-bodied adults up to age 65, with some exceptions, according to the analysis.

As part of those Medicaid changes, 1.4 million people who are in the United States without legal status in state-funded health programs would no longer have coverage. Also, some 400,000 would lose coverage from the termination of a medical provider tax that key Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, want to keep in place to ensure rural hospitals can keep paying their bills.

Republicans argue that their proposals are intended to strengthen Medicaid and other programs by rooting out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">waste, fraud and abuse</a>. They want the federal funding to go to those who most need health care and other services, often citing women and children.

But Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said those claims are bogus and are simply part of long-running GOP efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-obamacare-health-care-biden-c2b1f5776310870deed2fb997b07fc2c">repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act</a>, or Obamacare, as most states have expanded Medicaid to serve more people under the program.

“They just want to strangle health care,” Schumer said.

Additionally, the CBO had previously estimated that nearly 4 million fewer people would have food stamps each month due to the legislation’s proposed changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-snap-states-house-trump-abortion-work-1556d8a594dc5668b298641081b759c9">the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, known as SNAP. Some would see their benefits reduced by about $15 by 2034, the CBO has said.

Ahead of the CBO’s release, the White House and Republican leaders criticized the budget office in a preemptive campaign designed to sow doubt in its findings.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the CBO was “flat wrong” because it underestimated the potential revenue growth from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2d9e099660064f2b8a8fc2237b4e7e4e">Trump’s first round of tax breaks in 2017</a>. The CBO last year said receipts were $1.5 trillion, or 5.6% greater than predicted, in large part because of the “burst of high inflation” during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

White House Budget Director Russ Vought said when you adjust for “current policy,” which means not counting some $4.5 trillion in existing tax breaks that are simply being extended for the next decade, the overall package actually doesn’t pile onto the deficit. He argued that the spending cuts alone, in fact, help reduce deficits by $1.4 trillion over the decade.

But Democrats and even some Republicans call that “current policy” accounting move a gimmick, but it’s the approach Senate Republicans intend to use during their consideration of the package to try to show it does not add to the nation’s deficits. Vought argued that the CBO is the one using a “gimmick” by tallying the costs of continuing those tax breaks that would otherwise expire.

“Russ is right,” Johnson, the House speaker, posted on social media. “Our One Big Beautiful Bill will REDUCE the deficit WHILE delivering on the mandate given to us by the American people. Let’s get it done!”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has also suggested that the CBO’s employees are biased, even though certain budget office workers face strict ethical rules — including restrictions on campaign donations and political activity — to ensure objectivity and impartiality.

The individual income tax breaks that had been approved during Trump's first term in the White House will expire in December if Congress fails to act, in what Republicans warn would be a massive tax hike on many American households.

The package also includes a massive buildup of $350 billion for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-border-trump-ice-6fecdf2313788bd889b51adfb003ca7a">border security, deportations and national security</a>&nbsp;that is central to the GOP agenda, as well as a $4 trillion increase to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-cbo-federal-default-borrowing-treasury-4487cd96c611bd1645a5ab099ca8fcd5">the nation’s $36 trillion debt limit</a>, which the Treasury Department says is needed by this summer to pay the nation’s bills.

Now in its 50th year, the CBO was established by law after Congress sought to assert its control, as outlined in the Constitution, over the budget process.

Staffed by some 275 economists, analysts and other employees, the CBO says it seeks to provide Congress with objective, impartial information about budgetary and economic issues.

Its current director, Phillip Swagel, a former Treasury official in Republican President George W. Bush’s administration, was reappointed to a four-year term in 2023.

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s big bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-medicaid-work-requirements-17cbde167f3b434e925a199c3253b8e1#:~:text=What's%20in%20Trump's%20big%20bill,Tennis%20Tennis">in Congress</a>&nbsp;would unleash trillions in tax cuts and slash spending, but also spike deficits by $2.4 trillion over the decade and leave some 10.9 million more people without health insurance, raising the political stakes for the GOP's signature domestic priority.<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61461">Click here to read the full report</a>Republican leaders in Congress, determined to muscle the sweeping package forward, had little to say after the analysis released Wednesday by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-big-beautiful-bill-trump-republican-deficit-debt-d432b67a965790e4a26de46ea8db1266">the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office</a>. GOP senators were heading for an afternoon meeting with Trump at the White House.But Democrats laboring to halt the march of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act piled on with relentless opposition.“In the words of Elon Musk, this bill is a ‘disgusting abomination,’” said Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, reviving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-trump-tax-spending-bill-abomination-157b8733b60c343a5f8e551ffc887bf3">the billionaire former Trump aide’s criticism</a>&nbsp;of the package.The analysis comes at a crucial moment as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-senate-gop-debt-a0679756c6af762ac0291be6cb647145">Trump is pushing Congress</a>, where Republicans have majority control, to send the final product to his desk to become law by the Fourth of July. The House passed the bill last month by a single vote, but it's now slogging through the Senate, where Republicans want a number of significant changes.And the politics are only intensifying.After Musk blindsided Congress with his all-out assault against the bill this week, House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-johnson-trump-tax-bill-christian-prayer-f82ed140d9110d5cc7b4029b681ea9eb">Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;rushed to do damage control.The GOP speaker said he called Musk to discuss the criticism leveled late Tuesday, but had not heard back. Musk has threatened to use his political apparatus to go after Republicans in the midterm elections.“I hope he comes around,” Johnson, R-La., told reporters.Hours later, Musk, whose business interests could be impacted by green energy rollbacks in the bill, implored voters to call their representatives and senators: “Bankrupting America is NOT ok!” he wrote on social media, “KILL the BILL”<h2>Tax breaks, but also cuts to health care</h2>The work of the CBO, which for decades has served as the official scorekeeper of legislation in Congress, is closely watched by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-trump-tax-spending-bill-abomination-157b8733b60c343a5f8e551ffc887bf3">lawmakers and others</a>&nbsp;seeking to understand the budgetary impacts of the sprawling 1,000-page-plus package.Along with $3.75 trillion to extend the 2017 tax breaks and add the new ones Trump campaigned on, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-on-tips-things-to-know-budget-bill-02b9d99dbe17cef93a81bc0cbb2cffcb">no taxes on tips</a>, it found that the package would reduce federal spending outlays by nearly $1.3 trillion, largely through proposed reductions to Medicaid and rollbacks of green energy initiatives.Some 7.8 million people would no longer have health insurance with changes to Medicaid, including 5.2 million from the proposed new work requirements on those able-bodied adults up to age 65, with some exceptions, according to the analysis.As part of those Medicaid changes, 1.4 million people who are in the United States without legal status in state-funded health programs would no longer have coverage. Also, some 400,000 would lose coverage from the termination of a medical provider tax that key Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, want to keep in place to ensure rural hospitals can keep paying their bills.Republicans argue that their proposals are intended to strengthen Medicaid and other programs by rooting out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">waste, fraud and abuse</a>. They want the federal funding to go to those who most need health care and other services, often citing women and children.But Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said those claims are bogus and are simply part of long-running GOP efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-obamacare-health-care-biden-c2b1f5776310870deed2fb997b07fc2c">repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act</a>, or Obamacare, as most states have expanded Medicaid to serve more people under the program.“They just want to strangle health care,” Schumer said.Additionally, the CBO had previously estimated that nearly 4 million fewer people would have food stamps each month due to the legislation’s proposed changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-snap-states-house-trump-abortion-work-1556d8a594dc5668b298641081b759c9">the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, known as SNAP. Some would see their benefits reduced by about $15 by 2034, the CBO has said.<h2>Republicans criticize the CBO</h2>Ahead of the CBO’s release, the White House and Republican leaders criticized the budget office in a preemptive campaign designed to sow doubt in its findings.Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the CBO was “flat wrong” because it underestimated the potential revenue growth from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2d9e099660064f2b8a8fc2237b4e7e4e">Trump’s first round of tax breaks in 2017</a>. The CBO last year said receipts were $1.5 trillion, or 5.6% greater than predicted, in large part because of the “burst of high inflation” during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.White House Budget Director Russ Vought said when you adjust for “current policy,” which means not counting some $4.5 trillion in existing tax breaks that are simply being extended for the next decade, the overall package actually doesn’t pile onto the deficit. He argued that the spending cuts alone, in fact, help reduce deficits by $1.4 trillion over the decade.But Democrats and even some Republicans call that “current policy” accounting move a gimmick, but it’s the approach Senate Republicans intend to use during their consideration of the package to try to show it does not add to the nation’s deficits. Vought argued that the CBO is the one using a “gimmick” by tallying the costs of continuing those tax breaks that would otherwise expire.“Russ is right,” Johnson, the House speaker, posted on social media. “Our One Big Beautiful Bill will REDUCE the deficit WHILE delivering on the mandate given to us by the American people. Let’s get it done!”White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has also suggested that the CBO’s employees are biased, even though certain budget office workers face strict ethical rules — including restrictions on campaign donations and political activity — to ensure objectivity and impartiality.<h2>What's at stake</h2>The individual income tax breaks that had been approved during Trump's first term in the White House will expire in December if Congress fails to act, in what Republicans warn would be a massive tax hike on many American households.The package also includes a massive buildup of $350 billion for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-border-trump-ice-6fecdf2313788bd889b51adfb003ca7a">border security, deportations and national security</a>&nbsp;that is central to the GOP agenda, as well as a $4 trillion increase to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-cbo-federal-default-borrowing-treasury-4487cd96c611bd1645a5ab099ca8fcd5">the nation’s $36 trillion debt limit</a>, which the Treasury Department says is needed by this summer to pay the nation’s bills.<h2>CBO aims for impartiality</h2>Now in its 50th year, the CBO was established by law after Congress sought to assert its control, as outlined in the Constitution, over the budget process.Staffed by some 275 economists, analysts and other employees, the CBO says it seeks to provide Congress with objective, impartial information about budgetary and economic issues.Its current director, Phillip Swagel, a former Treasury official in Republican President George W. Bush’s administration, was reappointed to a four-year term in 2023.___Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

Read controversial Congressional Budget Office report on Trump's bill

KANSAS CITY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Wednesday in Kansas City.

The driver of a light green Mercury was operating his vehicle at a high rate of speed Northbound on Blue Ridge Cut-of near 39th, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

As the Mercury was passing vehicles in a careless manner, the driver lost the control of his vehicle, struck a tree and a pedestrian who was waiting for the bus in the grassy area. EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital in a critical condition. The incident remains under investigation. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details

KANSAS CITY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Wednesday in Kansas City.The driver of a light green Mercury was operating his vehicle at a high rate of speed Northbound on Blue Ridge Cut-of near 39th, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.As the Mercury was passing vehicles in a careless manner, the driver lost the control of his vehicle, struck a tree and a pedestrian who was waiting for the bus in the grassy area. EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital in a critical condition. The incident remains under investigation. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details

KCPD: Careless driver struck pedestrian waiting for a bus

NEW YORK (AP) — Six weeks before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel in December, suspect Luigi Mangione mused about rebelling against “the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel” and said killing the executive “conveys a greedy bastard that had it coming,” prosecutors revealed Wednesday.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office quoted extensively from Mangione’s handwritten diary — highlighting his desire to kill an insurance honcho and praise for Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber — as they fight to uphold his state murder charges. They also cited a confession they say he penned “To the feds,” in which he wrote that “it had to be done.”

Mangione’s lawyers want the state case thrown out, arguing in court papers that those charges and a parallel federal death penalty case amount to double jeopardy.

They also want state terrorism charges dismissed, have asked for the federal case to go first and say prosecutors should be barred from using evidence collected during Mangione’s arrest, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-charges-extradition-64ba21747f41c3a81f661900e797b6d7">a 9mm handgun</a>, statements to police and the diary.

Manhattan prosecutors contend that there are no double jeopardy issues because neither case has gone to trial and because the state and federal prosecutions involve different legal theories.

His lawyers say that has created a “legal quagmire” that makes it “legally and logistically impossible to defend against them simultaneously.”

The state charges, which carry a maximum of life in prison, allege that Mangione wanted to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” that is, insurance employees and investors. The federal charges allege that Mangione stalked an individual, Thompson, and do not involve terror allegations.

Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty in both cases. No trial dates have been set.

Mangione’s “intentions were obvious from his acts, but his writings serve to make those intentions explicit,” prosecutors said in Wednesday’s filing. The writings, which they sometimes described as a manifesto, “convey one clear message: that the murder of Brian Thompson was intended to bring about revolutionary change to the healthcare industry.”

They quoted excerpts in which Mangione discussed options for the attack, such as bombing UnitedHealthcare’s headquarters, before deciding to target the company’s investor conference in Manhattan. He wrote about plans to “wack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention” because it was “targeted, precise and doesn’t risk innocents.”

UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, “literally extracts human life force for money,” Mangione wrote, envisioning the news headline, “Insurance CEO killed at annual investors conference.”

The company has said he was never a client.

Mangione is due back in state court June 26, when Judge Gregory Carro is expected to rule on his request for dismissal.

His lawyers asked Tuesday for his handcuffs and bulletproof vest to be removed during the hearing. They called him a “a model prisoner, a model defendant” and said the security measures would suggest to potential jurors that he is dangerous. Carro has not ruled on that.

Mangione’s next federal court date is Dec. 5, a day after the one-year anniversary of Thompson’s death.

Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind as he arrived for the conference Dec. 4 at the New York Hilton Midtown. Police say “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">how insurers avoid paying claims</a>.

Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) to the west, and he is being held in a federal jail in Brooklyn.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has called the ambush “a killing that was intended to evoke terror.”

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in April that she was directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for “an act of political violence” and a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”

The killing and ensuing search for Mangione rattled the business community while galvanizing health insurance critics who rallied around him&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-luigi-mangione-josh-shapiro-3a8c64a0bc412e0eeb84bca0c99b6e67">as a stand-in</a>&nbsp;for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty bills. Supporters have flocked to his court appearances and flooded him with mail.

Mangione “demonstrated in his manifesto that he was a revolutionary anarchist who would usher in a better healthcare system by killing the CEO” of one of the biggest U.S. companies, prosecutors wrote. “This brutal, cowardly murder was the mechanism that defendant chose to bring on that revolution.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733331393274.png" alt="Security camera image of the crime -Photo NYPD" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of the crime -Photo NYPD</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Six weeks before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel in December, suspect Luigi Mangione mused about rebelling against “the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel” and said killing the executive “conveys a greedy bastard that had it coming,” prosecutors revealed Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734643890089.png" alt="Luigi Mangione photo NYPD" />
 <figcaption>Luigi Mangione photo NYPD</figcaption>
 </figure>The Manhattan district attorney’s office quoted extensively from Mangione’s handwritten diary — highlighting his desire to kill an insurance honcho and praise for Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber — as they fight to uphold his state murder charges. They also cited a confession they say he penned “To the feds,” in which he wrote that “it had to be done.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733829544108.png" alt="Luigi Mangione photo Pennsylvania Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Luigi Mangione photo Pennsylvania Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>Mangione’s lawyers want the state case thrown out, arguing in court papers that those charges and a parallel federal death penalty case amount to double jeopardy.They also want state terrorism charges dismissed, have asked for the federal case to go first and say prosecutors should be barred from using evidence collected during Mangione’s arrest, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-charges-extradition-64ba21747f41c3a81f661900e797b6d7">a 9mm handgun</a>, statements to police and the diary.Manhattan prosecutors contend that there are no double jeopardy issues because neither case has gone to trial and because the state and federal prosecutions involve different legal theories.His lawyers say that has created a “legal quagmire” that makes it “legally and logistically impossible to defend against them simultaneously.”The state charges, which carry a maximum of life in prison, allege that Mangione wanted to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” that is, insurance employees and investors. The federal charges allege that Mangione stalked an individual, Thompson, and do not involve terror allegations.Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty in both cases. No trial dates have been set.Mangione’s “intentions were obvious from his acts, but his writings serve to make those intentions explicit,” prosecutors said in Wednesday’s filing. The writings, which they sometimes described as a manifesto, “convey one clear message: that the murder of Brian Thompson was intended to bring about revolutionary change to the healthcare industry.”They quoted excerpts in which Mangione discussed options for the attack, such as bombing UnitedHealthcare’s headquarters, before deciding to target the company’s investor conference in Manhattan. He wrote about plans to “wack the CEO at the annual parasitic bean-counter convention” because it was “targeted, precise and doesn’t risk innocents.”UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, “literally extracts human life force for money,” Mangione wrote, envisioning the news headline, “Insurance CEO killed at annual investors conference.”The company has said he was never a client.Mangione is due back in state court June 26, when Judge Gregory Carro is expected to rule on his request for dismissal.His lawyers asked Tuesday for his handcuffs and bulletproof vest to be removed during the hearing. They called him a “a model prisoner, a model defendant” and said the security measures would suggest to potential jurors that he is dangerous. Carro has not ruled on that.The company has said he was never a client.Mangione is due back in state court June 26, when Judge Gregory Carro is expected to rule on his request for dismissal.His lawyers asked Tuesday for his handcuffs and bulletproof vest to be removed during the hearing. They called him a “a model prisoner, a model defendant” and said the security measures would suggest to potential jurors that he is dangerous. Carro has not ruled on that.Mangione’s next federal court date is Dec. 5, a day after the one-year anniversary of Thompson’s death.Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind as he arrived for the conference Dec. 4 at the New York Hilton Midtown. Police say “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">how insurers avoid paying claims</a>.Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) to the west, and he is being held in a federal jail in Brooklyn.Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has called the ambush “a killing that was intended to evoke terror.”U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in April that she was directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for “an act of political violence” and a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”The killing and ensuing search for Mangione rattled the business community while galvanizing health insurance critics who rallied around him&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-luigi-mangione-josh-shapiro-3a8c64a0bc412e0eeb84bca0c99b6e67">as a stand-in</a>&nbsp;for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty bills. Supporters have flocked to his court appearances and flooded him with mail.Mangione “demonstrated in his manifesto that he was a revolutionary anarchist who would usher in a better healthcare system by killing the CEO” of one of the biggest U.S. companies, prosecutors wrote. “This brutal, cowardly murder was the mechanism that defendant chose to bring on that revolution.”

Suspect in Healthcare CEO killing said he 'had it coming,' according to prosecutors

Two tornadoes occurred in eastern Kansas City, Missouri through Independence, Missouri, on Tuesday, according the National Weather Service office in Kansas City.

 The first tornado is only confirmed via a radar debris signature and video footage and damage is limited, therefore it's EF rating is unknown. The second tornado is rated EF-1 with several damaged trees.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749118184030.png" alt="Image NWS" />
 <figcaption>Image NWS</figcaption>
 </figure>Two tornadoes occurred in eastern Kansas City, Missouri through Independence, Missouri, on Tuesday, according the National Weather Service office in Kansas City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749118117681.png" alt="Image NWS" />
 <figcaption>Image NWS</figcaption>
 </figure> The first tornado is only confirmed via a radar debris signature and video footage and damage is limited, therefore it's EF rating is unknown. The second tornado is rated EF-1 with several damaged trees.

NWS: Two tornadoes in Kansas City area on Tuesday

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken in Hamas’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Oct. 7, 2023, attack</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli strikes overnight and into Thursday meanwhile killed at least 13 people, including three local journalists, according to health officials in the territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the remains of Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai were recovered and returned to Israel in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency.

“Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed,” he said in a statement.

Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Weinstein, 70, and Haggai, 72, both of whom had Israeli and U.S. citizenship, in December 2023.

The military said they were killed in the Oct. 7 attack and taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, the small armed group that it said had also abducted and killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-ceasefire-bibas-hostages-funeral-02e50d565e28e82ace012e001e9a4e3e">Shiri Bibas and her two small children</a>. The army said it recovered the remains of Weinstein and Haggai overnight into Thursday from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728311007382.png" alt="Gadi Haggai, 73, was the firs U.S. hostage confirmed killed. -photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum." />
 <figcaption>Gadi Haggai, 73, was the firs U.S. hostage confirmed killed. -photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum.</figcaption>
 </figure>TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken in Hamas’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Oct. 7, 2023, attack</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli strikes overnight and into Thursday meanwhile killed at least 13 people, including three local journalists, according to health officials in the territory.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the remains of Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai were recovered and returned to Israel in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703800478199.png" alt="Judith Weinstein-Haggai is originally from New York is among the hostages killed. -photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum." />
 <figcaption>Judith Weinstein-Haggai is originally from New York is among the hostages killed. -photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum.</figcaption>
 </figure>“Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed,” he said in a statement.Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Weinstein, 70, and Haggai, 72, both of whom had Israeli and U.S. citizenship, in December 2023.The military said they were killed in the Oct. 7 attack and taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, the small armed group that it said had also abducted and killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-ceasefire-bibas-hostages-funeral-02e50d565e28e82ace012e001e9a4e3e">Shiri Bibas and her two small children</a>. The army said it recovered the remains of Weinstein and Haggai overnight into Thursday from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

Israel recovers bodies of 2 Israeli-American hostages from Gaza

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning at a gas station in northeast Wichita have made an arrest. Just after 4p.m. Tuesday,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=757665"> police booked</a> 59-year-old Rhonda Mukes of Wichita on requested charges of 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County Arrest report.

At 3:13 a.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the Valero gas and convenience store, 2011 E. 21st Street in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford. Upon their arrival, they found 33-year-old Darries Mitchell of Wichita suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; EMS transported him to Wesley Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748946944127.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning at a gas station in northeast Wichita have made an arrest. Just after 4p.m. Tuesday,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=757665"> police booked</a> 59-year-old Rhonda Mukes of Wichita on requested charges of 2nd degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County Arrest report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749043714982.png" alt="Mukes-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Mukes-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>At 3:13 a.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the Valero gas and convenience store, 2011 E. 21st Street in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford. Upon their arrival, they found 33-year-old Darries Mitchell of Wichita suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; EMS transported him to Wesley Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Police: Woman jailed for Kansas gas station killing

JOHNSON COUNTY —Police are seeking assistance locating a stolen SUV and the 2 suspects inside it. In the early morning hours of June 2, a silver 2014 Acura RDX was stolen from a residence near 87th Street and Renner in Lenexa, according to a social media report from Lenexa Police.

The vehicle had a Kansas tag of 275-RVB. Street cameras captured the vehicle occupied by 2 suspects near 95th Street and Interstate 35 highway at about <a href="https://x.com/LenexaPolice/status/1930351872369389830?t=150">2:30</a> AM on June 2.


If you have any information about this crime, including the identity of either suspect pictured inside, please call our detective at 913-825-8120 or send us a DM. Thank you for helping us fight crime in Lenexa.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Police are seeking assistance locating a stolen SUV and the 2 suspects inside it. In the early morning hours of June 2, a silver 2014 Acura RDX was stolen from a residence near 87th Street and Renner in Lenexa, according to a social media report from Lenexa Police.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">We are seeking assistance locating this stolen vehicle and the 2 suspects inside it. In the early morning hours of June 2, this silver 2014 Acura RDX was stolen from a residence near 87th Street and Renner. The vehicle had a Kansas tag of 275-RVB. Street cameras captured the… <a href="https://t.co/h2Hoe61881">pic.twitter.com/h2Hoe61881</a>&mdash; Lenexa Police (@LenexaPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/LenexaPolice/status/1930351872369389830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The vehicle had a Kansas tag of 275-RVB. Street cameras captured the vehicle occupied by 2 suspects near 95th Street and Interstate 35 highway at about <a href="https://x.com/LenexaPolice/status/1930351872369389830?t=150">2:30</a> AM on June 2.

If you have any information about this crime, including the identity of either suspect pictured inside, please call our detective at 913-825-8120 or send us a DM. Thank you for helping us fight crime in Lenexa.

Police ask for help to locate SUV taken from Kan. home and ID suspects

KANSAS CITY, MO. –&nbsp;Anthony Mansfield, a minimum-custody resident of the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) has been apprehended, according to a media release from the State of Kansas.

Mansfield was taken into custody Wednesday night, June 4, 2025, by U.S. Marshalls in Kansas City, Missouri. He was arrested without incident.

Mansfield was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Wednesday, May 28, 2025.&nbsp;Mansfield was convicted in Johnson County for eight-months of incarceration for criminal damage to property convictions. He is serving that sentence at the JCDOC-ARC from which he walked away.&nbsp;

No other details on the capture are being released as the investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748524255503.png" alt="Mansfield photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Mansfield photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, MO. –&nbsp;Anthony Mansfield, a minimum-custody resident of the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) has been apprehended, according to a media release from the State of Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749118499361.png" alt="Mansfield is now being held in the Jackson Co. Missouri Jail" />
 <figcaption>Mansfield is now being held in the Jackson Co. Missouri Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Mansfield was taken into custody Wednesday night, June 4, 2025, by U.S. Marshalls in Kansas City, Missouri. He was arrested without incident.Mansfield was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Wednesday, May 28, 2025.&nbsp;Mansfield was convicted in Johnson County for eight-months of incarceration for criminal damage to property convictions. He is serving that sentence at the JCDOC-ARC from which he walked away.&nbsp;No other details on the capture are being released as the investigation is ongoing.

U.S. Marshals capture Kan. inmate who escaped from work release 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is resurrecting the travel ban policy from his first term, signing a proclamation Wednesday night preventing people from a dozen countries from entering the United States.

The countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

In addition to the ban, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, there will be heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

“I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people,” Trump said in his proclamation.

The list results from a Jan. 20 executive order Trump issued requiring the departments of State and Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence to compile a report on “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. and whether entry from certain countries represented a national security risk.

During his first term, Trump issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/464756bcd7d7441da662d47e97bd44c1">an executive order</a>&nbsp;in January 2017 banning travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries — Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

It was one of the most chaotic and confusing moments of his young presidency. Travelers from those nations were either barred from getting on their flights to the U.S. or detained at U.S. airports after they landed. They included students and faculty as well as businesspeople, tourists and people visiting friends and family.

The order, often referred to as the “Muslim ban” or the “travel ban,” was retooled amid legal challenges, until a version was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3a20abe305bd4c989116f82bf535393b">upheld by the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;in 2018.

The ban affected various categories of travelers and immigrants from Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Libya, plus North Koreans and some Venezuelan government officials and their families.

Trump and others have defended the initial ban on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-6e822c892fdd490883adcaf60a1ed647">national security grounds</a>, arguing it was aimed at protecting the country and not founded on anti-Muslim bias. However, the president had called for an explicit ban on Muslims during his first campaign for the White House.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is resurrecting the travel ban policy from his first term, signing a proclamation Wednesday night preventing people from a dozen countries from entering the United States.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">&quot;We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen... That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others.&quot; –President Trump <a href="https://t.co/ER7nGM4TO2">pic.twitter.com/ER7nGM4TO2</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1930412786271547485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749083514295.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to the ban, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, there will be heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.“I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people,” Trump said in his proclamation.The list results from a Jan. 20 executive order Trump issued requiring the departments of State and Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence to compile a report on “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. and whether entry from certain countries represented a national security risk.During his first term, Trump issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/464756bcd7d7441da662d47e97bd44c1">an executive order</a>&nbsp;in January 2017 banning travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries — Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.It was one of the most chaotic and confusing moments of his young presidency. Travelers from those nations were either barred from getting on their flights to the U.S. or detained at U.S. airports after they landed. They included students and faculty as well as businesspeople, tourists and people visiting friends and family.The order, often referred to as the “Muslim ban” or the “travel ban,” was retooled amid legal challenges, until a version was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3a20abe305bd4c989116f82bf535393b">upheld by the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;in 2018.The ban affected various categories of travelers and immigrants from Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Libya, plus North Koreans and some Venezuelan government officials and their families.Trump and others have defended the initial ban on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-6e822c892fdd490883adcaf60a1ed647">national security grounds</a>, arguing it was aimed at protecting the country and not founded on anti-Muslim bias. However, the president had called for an explicit ban on Muslims during his first campaign for the White House.

🎥Trump signs bombshell travel ban involving over a dozen countries

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations

Just after 5:30p.m May 29, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Fusion on 94th Road and Deer Trail Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies located items believed to be illegal drug contraband.  Lasha Dupree Williams Sr., 46, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of violation of a protection order, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.

 Abbygail Elizabeth Council, 36, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

  Jeannette Lea Henry, 27, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of opiate, opium narcotics or certain stimulant, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748441884812.png" alt="Henry photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Henry photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating three suspect on multiple allegationsJust after 5:30p.m May 29, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Fusion on 94th Road and Deer Trail Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748441954577.png" alt="Williams photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies located items believed to be illegal drug contraband. Lasha Dupree Williams Sr., 46, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of violation of a protection order, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748442010043.png" alt="Council photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Council photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> Abbygail Elizabeth Council, 36, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jeannette Lea Henry, 27, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of opiate, opium narcotics or certain stimulant, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

3 accused of THC possession after Kansas traffic stop

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin told him “very strongly” in a phone call Wednesday that he will respond to Ukraine’s weekend drone attack on Russian airfields as the deadlock over the war drags on and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-memorandum-talks-instanbul-6014fb7e87c15aa60e30bf72bf6cd2fd">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses Russia's ceasefire proposal</a>.

The U.S. president said in a social media post that his lengthy call with Putin "was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.”

It's the first time Trump has weighed in on Ukraine's daring attack inside Russia. The U.S. did not have advance notice of the operation, according to the White House, a point Trump emphasized during the call with Putin, according to a Putin’s foreign affairs adviser.

The U.S. has led a recent diplomatic push to stop the full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.

Trump, in his social media post, did not say how he reacted to Putin's promise to respond to Ukraine's attack, but his post showed none of the frustration that Trump has expressed with his Russian counterpart in recent weeks over his prolonging of the war.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, said at a briefing that the two leaders characterized the call as “positive and quite productive,” and reaffirmed their readiness to stay in touch.

“I believe it was useful for Trump to hear our assessments of what happened,” Ushakov said, noting that the discussion of the attacks was one of the key points in the conversation. He didn’t respond to a question about what the Russian response to the attacks could be.

Trump repeatedly promised to end the war quickly, and even said he would accomplish it before he was sworn in. But he lost patience with Putin in recent weeks, publicly pleading with him to stop fighting and even said late last month that the Russian leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-1f2d99bbc4fa9c4bfcc84b50c94ca578">“has gone absolutely CRAZY</a>."

Trump, however, has not committed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-b2b9b69f504b8afd064055bb3bf11800">backing a bipartisan push to sanction Putin.</a>

The call was Trump’s first known talk with Putin since May 19. They also discussed, according to Trump and Ushakov, Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of Russia engaging in talks with Tehran as the U.S. pushes it to abandon its rapidly advancing nuclear program.

It was not clear if Trump also planned to speak with Zelenskyy. The White House did not respond to a message Wednesday afternoon.

Zelenskyy brushes off Russian plan and pushes for talks

The Ukrainian leader earlier Wednesday dismissed Russia's ceasefire plan as “an ultimatum” and renewed his call for direct talks with Putin to break the stalemate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>, which has dragged on for nearly 3½ years.

Putin, however, showed no willingness to meet with Zelenskyy, expressing anger Wednesday about what he said were Ukraine's recent “terrorist acts” on Russian rail lines in the Kursk and Bryansk regions on the countries' border.

“How can any such (summit) meetings be conducted in such circumstances? What shall we talk about?” Putin asked in a video call with top Russian officials.

Putin accused Ukraine of seeking a truce only to replenish its stockpiles of Western arms, recruit more soldiers and prepare new attacks like those in Kursk and Bryansk.

Putin also spoke Wednesday to Pope Leo XIV, who has promised to make “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-eastern-rite-christians-persecuted-protect-a06c75258299e585c7eb8ea2006dc22f">every effort</a>&nbsp;” to help end the war.

During the call, Leo urged Putin to make a gesture that would promote peace and stressed the importance of dialogue, according to the Vatican.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged memorandums setting out their conditions for a ceasefire for discussion at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-drone-attacks-0c2e0a4aeccd86c3fe18edf5cc73b250">Monday's direct peace talks</a>&nbsp;between delegations in Istanbul, their second meeting in just over two weeks. Zelenskyy had previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-2b3d2fad88436c5406ea63f81ac554ef">challenged Putin to meet him</a>&nbsp;in Turkey, but Putin stayed away.

Russia and Ukraine have established red lines that make a quick deal unlikely, despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">U.S.-led international diplomatic push</a>&nbsp;to stop the fighting. The Kremlin's Istanbul proposal contained a list of demands that Kyiv and its Western allies see as nonstarters.

Zelenskyy said that the second round of talks in Istanbul was no different from the first meeting on May 16. Zelenskyy described the latest negotiations in Istanbul as “a political performance” and “artificial diplomacy” designed to stall for time, delay sanctions and convince the United States that Russia is engaged in dialogue.

“The same ultimatums they voiced back then — now they just put them on paper ... Honestly, this document looks like spam. It’s spam meant to flood us and create the impression that they’re doing something,” Zelenskyy said in his first reaction to the Russian document.

The Ukrainian leader said that he sees little value in continuing talks at the current level of delegations. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, while Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin, headed the Russian team.

Zelenskyy said he wants a ceasefire with Russia before a possible summit meeting with Putin, possibly also including Trump, in an effort to remove obstacles to a peace settlement.

A second round of peace talks on Monday between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul lasted just over an hour and made no progress on ending the war. They agreed only to swap thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops.

Also, a new prisoner exchange with Russia could take place over the weekend, Zelenskyy said.

In tandem with the talks, both sides have kept up offensive military actions along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line and carried out deep strikes.

Ukraine’s Security Service gave more details Wednesday about its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attack-bomber-d9078d989efcec36ec65ddfedfd2b3a5">spectacular weekend drone strike</a>&nbsp;on Russian air bases, which it claimed destroyed or damaged 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers.

The agency released more footage showing drones swooping under and over parked aircraft and featuring some planes burning. It also claimed the planes struck included A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160, An-12, and Il-78 aircraft, adding that the drones had highly automated capabilities and were partly piloted by an operator and partly by using artificial intelligence which flew the drone along a planned route in the event it lost signal.

The drones were not fully autonomous and a “human is still choosing what target to hit,” said Caitlin Lee, a drone warfare expert at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rand.org/about.html">RAND</a>, a think thank.

Ukraine’s security agency said it also set off an explosion on Tuesday on the seabed beneath the Kerch Bridge, a vital transport link between Russia and illegally annexed Crimea, claiming it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/ukraine-claims-it-struck-key-bridge-linking-russia-with-crimea-causing-damage-1f55b3ffc93b4d91b27649092ef3b9f1">caused damage to the structure</a>.

But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that there was no damage.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its troops have taken control of another village in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, on the border with Russia. Putin announced on May 22 that Russian troops aim to create a buffer zone that might help prevent Ukrainian cross-border attacks. Since then, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims its forces have taken control of nine Sumy villages.

Arhirova reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Chris Megerian in Washington, Emma Burrows in London, Nicole Winfield in Rome and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England contributed reporting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="File image (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP" />
 <figcaption>File image (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin told him “very strongly” in a phone call Wednesday that he will respond to Ukraine’s weekend drone attack on Russian airfields as the deadlock over the war drags on and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-memorandum-talks-instanbul-6014fb7e87c15aa60e30bf72bf6cd2fd">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses Russia's ceasefire proposal</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia. The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes...&quot; - President Donald J. Trump <a href="https://t.co/LUe38UcoHQ">pic.twitter.com/LUe38UcoHQ</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1930306225347977475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The U.S. president said in a social media post that his lengthy call with Putin "was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.”It's the first time Trump has weighed in on Ukraine's daring attack inside Russia. The U.S. did not have advance notice of the operation, according to the White House, a point Trump emphasized during the call with Putin, according to a Putin’s foreign affairs adviser.The U.S. has led a recent diplomatic push to stop the full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022.Trump, in his social media post, did not say how he reacted to Putin's promise to respond to Ukraine's attack, but his post showed none of the frustration that Trump has expressed with his Russian counterpart in recent weeks over his prolonging of the war.Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, said at a briefing that the two leaders characterized the call as “positive and quite productive,” and reaffirmed their readiness to stay in touch.“I believe it was useful for Trump to hear our assessments of what happened,” Ushakov said, noting that the discussion of the attacks was one of the key points in the conversation. He didn’t respond to a question about what the Russian response to the attacks could be.Trump repeatedly promised to end the war quickly, and even said he would accomplish it before he was sworn in. But he lost patience with Putin in recent weeks, publicly pleading with him to stop fighting and even said late last month that the Russian leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-1f2d99bbc4fa9c4bfcc84b50c94ca578">“has gone absolutely CRAZY</a>."Trump, however, has not committed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-b2b9b69f504b8afd064055bb3bf11800">backing a bipartisan push to sanction Putin.</a>The call was Trump’s first known talk with Putin since May 19. They also discussed, according to Trump and Ushakov, Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of Russia engaging in talks with Tehran as the U.S. pushes it to abandon its rapidly advancing nuclear program.It was not clear if Trump also planned to speak with Zelenskyy. The White House did not respond to a message Wednesday afternoon.<h2>Zelenskyy brushes off Russian plan and pushes for talks</h2>The Ukrainian leader earlier Wednesday dismissed Russia's ceasefire plan as “an ultimatum” and renewed his call for direct talks with Putin to break the stalemate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war</a>, which has dragged on for nearly 3½ years.Putin, however, showed no willingness to meet with Zelenskyy, expressing anger Wednesday about what he said were Ukraine's recent “terrorist acts” on Russian rail lines in the Kursk and Bryansk regions on the countries' border.“How can any such (summit) meetings be conducted in such circumstances? What shall we talk about?” Putin asked in a video call with top Russian officials.Putin accused Ukraine of seeking a truce only to replenish its stockpiles of Western arms, recruit more soldiers and prepare new attacks like those in Kursk and Bryansk.Putin also spoke Wednesday to Pope Leo XIV, who has promised to make “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-eastern-rite-christians-persecuted-protect-a06c75258299e585c7eb8ea2006dc22f">every effort</a>&nbsp;” to help end the war.During the call, Leo urged Putin to make a gesture that would promote peace and stressed the importance of dialogue, according to the Vatican.Russia and Ukraine exchanged memorandums setting out their conditions for a ceasefire for discussion at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-drone-attacks-0c2e0a4aeccd86c3fe18edf5cc73b250">Monday's direct peace talks</a>&nbsp;between delegations in Istanbul, their second meeting in just over two weeks. Zelenskyy had previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-2b3d2fad88436c5406ea63f81ac554ef">challenged Putin to meet him</a>&nbsp;in Turkey, but Putin stayed away.Russia and Ukraine have established red lines that make a quick deal unlikely, despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">U.S.-led international diplomatic push</a>&nbsp;to stop the fighting. The Kremlin's Istanbul proposal contained a list of demands that Kyiv and its Western allies see as nonstarters.<h2>‘This document looks like spam’</h2>Zelenskyy said that the second round of talks in Istanbul was no different from the first meeting on May 16. Zelenskyy described the latest negotiations in Istanbul as “a political performance” and “artificial diplomacy” designed to stall for time, delay sanctions and convince the United States that Russia is engaged in dialogue.“The same ultimatums they voiced back then — now they just put them on paper ... Honestly, this document looks like spam. It’s spam meant to flood us and create the impression that they’re doing something,” Zelenskyy said in his first reaction to the Russian document.The Ukrainian leader said that he sees little value in continuing talks at the current level of delegations. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, while Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin, headed the Russian team.Zelenskyy said he wants a ceasefire with Russia before a possible summit meeting with Putin, possibly also including Trump, in an effort to remove obstacles to a peace settlement.<h2>U.S. defense secretary stays away</h2>A second round of peace talks on Monday between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul lasted just over an hour and made no progress on ending the war. They agreed only to swap thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops.Also, a new prisoner exchange with Russia could take place over the weekend, Zelenskyy said.In tandem with the talks, both sides have kept up offensive military actions along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line and carried out deep strikes.Ukraine’s Security Service gave more details Wednesday about its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attack-bomber-d9078d989efcec36ec65ddfedfd2b3a5">spectacular weekend drone strike</a>&nbsp;on Russian air bases, which it claimed destroyed or damaged 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers.The agency released more footage showing drones swooping under and over parked aircraft and featuring some planes burning. It also claimed the planes struck included A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160, An-12, and Il-78 aircraft, adding that the drones had highly automated capabilities and were partly piloted by an operator and partly by using artificial intelligence which flew the drone along a planned route in the event it lost signal.The drones were not fully autonomous and a “human is still choosing what target to hit,” said Caitlin Lee, a drone warfare expert at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rand.org/about.html">RAND</a>, a think thank.Ukraine’s security agency said it also set off an explosion on Tuesday on the seabed beneath the Kerch Bridge, a vital transport link between Russia and illegally annexed Crimea, claiming it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/ukraine-claims-it-struck-key-bridge-linking-russia-with-crimea-causing-damage-1f55b3ffc93b4d91b27649092ef3b9f1">caused damage to the structure</a>.But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that there was no damage.Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its troops have taken control of another village in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, on the border with Russia. Putin announced on May 22 that Russian troops aim to create a buffer zone that might help prevent Ukrainian cross-border attacks. Since then, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims its forces have taken control of nine Sumy villages.___Arhirova reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Chris Megerian in Washington, Emma Burrows in London, Nicole Winfield in Rome and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England contributed reporting.___