By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana">REBECCA SANTANA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/eric-tucker">ERIC TUCKER</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/james-comey">Former FBI Director James Comey</a>&nbsp;was being interviewed by the Secret Service on Friday about a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-trump-threat-shells-deleted-post-39b37b1d36c0463d3dad41a3d1339d4e">social media post</a>&nbsp;that Republicans insisted was a call for violence against President Donald Trump, according to a law enforcement official.

The interview is part of an ongoing Trump administration investigation and is expected to help investigators assess the purpose and intent of the post and whether Comey intended to communicate a threat to the president, which he flatly denied. Any decision on whether charges should be filed would be up to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump said Friday, though there’s a high bar in proving that comments or posts amount to direct threats of violence.

The official who confirmed the interview, which is standard for the Secret Service while investigating comments perceived as potentially threatening, was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press.

At issue is an Instagram post from Thursday in which Comey wrote “cool shell formation on my beach walk” under a picture of seashells that appeared to form the shapes for “86 47.”

Merriam-Webster, the dictionary used by The Associated Press, says&nbsp;<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/86" target="_blank">86 is slang</a>&nbsp;meaning “to throw out,” “to get rid of” or “to refuse service to.” It notes: “Among the most recent senses adopted is a logical extension of the previous ones, with the meaning of ‘to kill.’ We do not enter this sense, due to its relative recency and sparseness of use.”

Numerous Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, asserted that Comey was advocating the assassination of Trump, the 47th president. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau was also supporting the investigation.

Asked about it Friday during a Fox News interview, Trump said: “He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant. If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, that meant assassination. And it says it loud and clear.”

He deflected a question on what he thought should happen, saying the decision would be up to Bondi.

The post was deleted Thursday after it was made, with Comey subsequently writing: “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence.

Trump and Comey have had a fraught dynamic dating back nearly a decade.

Comey was the FBI director when Trump took office in 2017, having been appointed four years earlier by then-President Barack Obama and serving before that as a senior Justice Department official in President George W. Bush’s administration.

But the relationship was strained from the start, including after Comey resisted a request by Trump at a private dinner to pledge his personal loyalty to the president -- an overture that so unnerved the FBI director that he documented it in a contemporaneous memorandum.

<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-4ff1ecb621884a728b25e62661257ef0">Trump fired Comey in May 2017</a>&nbsp;amid an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump’s presidential campaign. That inquiry, later taken over by special counsel Robert Mueller, would ultimately find that while Russia interfered in the 2016 election and the Trump team welcomed the help, there was insufficient evidence to prove a criminal collaboration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747360229157.png" alt="From Comey's now deleted Instagram" />
 <figcaption>From Comey's now deleted Instagram</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana">REBECCA SANTANA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/eric-tucker">ERIC TUCKER</a>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/james-comey">Former FBI Director James Comey</a>&nbsp;was being interviewed by the Secret Service on Friday about a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-trump-threat-shells-deleted-post-39b37b1d36c0463d3dad41a3d1339d4e">social media post</a>&nbsp;that Republicans insisted was a call for violence against President Donald Trump, according to a law enforcement official.The interview is part of an ongoing Trump administration investigation and is expected to help investigators assess the purpose and intent of the post and whether Comey intended to communicate a threat to the president, which he flatly denied. Any decision on whether charges should be filed would be up to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump said Friday, though there’s a high bar in proving that comments or posts amount to direct threats of violence.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump. We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.&mdash; FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1923151715777356062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The official who confirmed the interview, which is standard for the Secret Service while investigating comments perceived as potentially threatening, was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press.At issue is an Instagram post from Thursday in which Comey wrote “cool shell formation on my beach walk” under a picture of seashells that appeared to form the shapes for “86 47.”Merriam-Webster, the dictionary used by The Associated Press, says&nbsp;<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/86" target="_blank">86 is slang</a>&nbsp;meaning “to throw out,” “to get rid of” or “to refuse service to.” It notes: “Among the most recent senses adopted is a logical extension of the previous ones, with the meaning of ‘to kill.’ We do not enter this sense, due to its relative recency and sparseness of use.”Numerous Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, asserted that Comey was advocating the assassination of Trump, the 47th president. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau was also supporting the investigation.Asked about it Friday during a Fox News interview, Trump said: “He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant. If you’re the FBI director and you don’t know what that meant, that meant assassination. And it says it loud and clear.”He deflected a question on what he thought should happen, saying the decision would be up to Bondi.The post was deleted Thursday after it was made, with Comey subsequently writing: “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence.Trump and Comey have had a fraught dynamic dating back nearly a decade.Comey was the FBI director when Trump took office in 2017, having been appointed four years earlier by then-President Barack Obama and serving before that as a senior Justice Department official in President George W. Bush’s administration.But the relationship was strained from the start, including after Comey resisted a request by Trump at a private dinner to pledge his personal loyalty to the president -- an overture that so unnerved the FBI director that he documented it in a contemporaneous memorandum.<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-4ff1ecb621884a728b25e62661257ef0">Trump fired Comey in May 2017</a>&nbsp;amid an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump’s presidential campaign. That inquiry, later taken over by special counsel Robert Mueller, would ultimately find that while Russia interfered in the 2016 election and the Trump team welcomed the help, there was insufficient evidence to prove a criminal collaboration.

Ex-FBI Director meets with Secret Service over '8647' post

HUTCHINSON, Kansas –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Tony Payne, 34, died Thursday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 He was found unresponsive in his cell Thursday evening. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. Payne was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Payne was serving a 46-month sentence for a violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. He was listed as a registered offender since May of 2018 for convictions in Sedgwick County for aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He had a dozen convictions for violent crimes and drugs.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747410602071.png" alt="Payne photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Payne photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kansas –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Tony Payne, 34, died Thursday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. He was found unresponsive in his cell Thursday evening. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. Payne was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Payne was serving a 46-month sentence for a violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. He was listed as a registered offender since May of 2018 for convictions in Sedgwick County for aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He had a dozen convictions for violent crimes and drugs.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Violent offender in Kanas prison has died 

BU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump used the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mideast-saudi-arabia-mbs-qatar-uae-b782fe922d09afced2e1074b65016e80">first major foreign trip</a>&nbsp;of his second term to outline a vision for restoring global stability that is grounded in pragmatism and self-interest rather than values, holding out U.S. ties to wealthy Gulf countries as a model for America’s longtime foes.

His four-day swing through Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which ends Friday, put a spotlight on Trump’s transactional approach to foreign affairs as he was feted by autocratic rulers with a trio of lavish state visits where there was heavy emphasis on economic and security partnerships.

His trip played out against the backdrop of stubborn global conflicts, including Gaza and Ukraine, that showed the limits of his influence. But Trump insisted he was turning the page on American “interventionalism” in the region as he moved to recognize the new government in Syria for the first time and prodded Iran to engage on nuclear talks before it’s too late.

Trump marveled at Gulf state opulence but held his tongue on human rights

Presidential trips to the Middle East usually feature at least some public calls for authoritarian governments to improve their human rights efforts. Not this one, as Trump celebrated his business deals with Gulf royals and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-air-force-one-white-house-wealth-mideast-c1e47bb068337293c360c53f7e542e59">admired their wealth</a>.

Trump toured the marble and gilded palaces of Gulf rulers and deemed them “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much less impressive” Air Force One.

In Trump’s remarks at a VIP business conference in Riyadh, he went out of his way to distance himself from the actions of past administrations, the days when he said American officials would fly in “in beautiful planes, giving you lectures on how to live and how to govern your own affairs.”

Rights advocates took that as a pledge of nonintervention, swearing off some of the pressure past U.S. presidents have brought to bear on partners to varying degrees to ease up on detentions, suppression of critics and other issues.

“It’s absolute support for absolute monarchy,” said Saudi exile Abdullah Alaoudh. His father, a Saudi cleric with a wide following there, is imprisoned in the kingdom.

Some rights advocates said Trump officials gave them private assurances the administration was working on behalf of detained Americans and rights advocates. Tommy Pigott, a deputy spokesman at the State Department, declined to say whether Trump raised those or other rights issues in discussions with Gulf royals.

While Trump was in the Mideast, Vladimir Putin opted to skip direct peace talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy despite the U.S. president's strong calls for them to meet face to face.

Trump has been pushing Putin and Zelenskyy to move with greater haste to end Russia's grinding war in Ukraine.

But after it became clear Putin wouldn’t be attending talks in Turkey this week and would instead be sending underlings to Istanbul, an annoyed Trump insisted he knew all along that it was highly likely Putin would be a no-show.

“I don’t believe anything’s going to happen whether you like it or not, until he and I get together,” Trump said. “But we’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying."

As he wrapped up his visit on Friday, Trump said the face-to-face would happen "as soon as we can set it up.”

Trump was scheduled to fly back to Washington on Friday, but tried to keep people guessing until the end. He teased late Thursday that he would be heading to a “destination unknown” — “probably" Washington, he added. His opaque language stoked speculation that he might make a drop-by to Turkey.

But on Friday morning, he told reporters he needed to get back to Washington. His daughter Tiffany had her first child while the president has been away.

“I would actually leave here and go,” Trump said. “I do want to see my beautiful grandson.”

On Syria sanctions, Trump takes a leap of faith

Just two months ago, the Trump administration wasn’t sold on Syria’s interim government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, the onetime al-Qaida-affiliated insurgent. They worried the Syrian president didn’t have the legitimacy to govern the country’s ethnically diverse population.

Clashes broke out in early March, killing hundreds and targeting many more members of the Alawite religious minority to which the ousted Syrian leader Basher Assad belongs.

The moment gave the Trump White House pause about easing sanctions on Syria. But Trump signaled Monday that he was having a change of heart and was moving toward lifting the Syria sanctions. A day later, he announced the move during an address to Gulf leaders.

Trump then took it another step by agreeing to meet al-Sharaa.

Trump said he was impressed with al-Sharaa, who not that long ago had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. The president called him a “young, attractive guy” with a "very strong past.”

Trump said it was recommendations from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that nudged him to take a chance on al-Sharra.

“President Erdogan called me and said: ‘Is there any way you could do that? Because if you don’t do that, they don’t have a chance,’” Trump said. “So, I did it.”

Throughout the trip, Trump felt more than comfortable dishing out exaggeration and hyperbole.

“This has been an amazing trip.” Trump told reporters Thursday as Air Force One was about to land in Qatar. “We’ve raised trillions of dollars of investment for our country.” A little later he put the figure at $4 trillion.

That figure is about two times the combined gross domestic products of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, meaning that any announced investments would likely accrue over several years — if at all — in ways that might not show up in overall U.S. economic growth numbers.

Boeing confirmed that Qatar’s $96 billion purchase of its 787 and 777X jets was the largest order for 787s and wide body jets in the company’s history. Trump enthused it was “the biggest order in the history of, I think, aviation, certainly of that size” of jets.

Trump also went overboard in running down the economic record of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, at one point declaring, “The days of economic misery under the last administration are rapidly giving way to the greatest economy in the history of the world.”

The U.S. economy grew at 2.8% last year. It declined at an annualized rate of 0.3% during the first three months of this year.

While Trump's trip initially was conceived as a visit to reward countries that invest in the United States, Trump at one point hoped it also would herald significant steps to end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Positive news on both fronts proved elusive.

Trump barely mentioned either conflict on his trip – and when he did, it was generally in the context of his assertion that they wouldn’t have occurred had he won reelection in 2020.

As Israel stepped up an offensive in Gaza — a prelude to a promised full takeover of the territory if Hamas doesn’t release the remaining hostages in its captivity — Trump was again musing about the creation of a “freedom zone” in its territory. It's a notion rejected by Palestinians and the broader Arab world because Trump's plan would relocate civilians from Gaza to allow for rebuilding.

Israel conducted significant airstrikes all week in Gaza as Trump was in the region and the fighting on the ground appeared to escalate Friday morning even before Trump left the UAE.

Meanwhile, Trump said “a lot of people are starving” in Gaza, a rare acknowledgement of the humanitarian crisis in the territory. Speaking to reporters at a business forum in Abu Dhabi on the final day of his trip to the Middle East, Trump said, “We’re looking at Gaza.”

“And we’ve got to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving. A lot of people are — there’s a lot of bad things going on.”

Ethics issues follow along as Trump travels the Mideast

Trump was already facing questions about conflicts of interest for traveling to the Middle East to shape U.S. policy at a time when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-business-interests-family-middle-east-cryptocurrency-cbb7d2354304ce0308800819944cf3f8">his family’s business interests in the region have boomed</a>. He attempted to quiet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-qatar-air-force-one-2ef13d87b71185bde547abe6840b098c">worries about national security</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emoluments-clause-trump-jet-qatar-56f995acb57eb741b0214aba5e7e8220">constitutional questions</a>&nbsp;by insisting he’s smart to accept a $400 million luxury plane from Qatar and use it as Air Force One.

“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114503203859060399">posted on his social media site</a>&nbsp;during his Middle East swing.

The president also dodged questions about a state-backed investment company in Abu Dhabi using a Trump family-aligned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-world-liberty-truth-social-etf-f11c47a99ea618aa06df4dd47b150800">stablecoin</a>&nbsp;for a $2 billion investment in the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

“I don’t know anything about it,” he said.

Beyond that, the Trump family has piled up deals to license its brand for real estate projects, and to build Trump towers and golf courses, around the Middle East. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says it’s “frankly ridiculous” to wonder if those profits might influence Trump’s governing decisions.

Madhani reported from Dubai. Associated Press writers Josh Boak, Will Weissert and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.

BU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump used the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mideast-saudi-arabia-mbs-qatar-uae-b782fe922d09afced2e1074b65016e80">first major foreign trip</a>&nbsp;of his second term to outline a vision for restoring global stability that is grounded in pragmatism and self-interest rather than values, holding out U.S. ties to wealthy Gulf countries as a model for America’s longtime foes.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai just lit up in the American 🇺🇸 flag on the occasion of President Trump’s visit tonight to the UAE. <a href="https://t.co/DqFgM3AVV7">pic.twitter.com/DqFgM3AVV7</a>&mdash; حسن سجواني 🇦🇪 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) <a href="https://twitter.com/HSajwanization/status/1923074780514677064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Pres. Trump receives the “Order of Sheikh Zayed&quot; from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE الحساب الرسمي لصاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن زايد آل نهيان رئيس دولة الإمارات <a href="https://t.co/6JjKacd0RS">pic.twitter.com/6JjKacd0RS</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1923064396680478760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump leaves a message of unity to the people of the UAE after signing the guest book at the Abrahamic Family House. 🇺🇸🇦🇪 “Great unity, great faith, incredible people, with a tremendous leader who is a friend of mine.” <a href="https://t.co/lcg5UF9P2s">pic.twitter.com/lcg5UF9P2s</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1923327926453391744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It’s 1am, can’t believe we have President Donald J. Trump sleeping in our county tonight. 🇦🇪 47 🇺🇸 is here tonight <a href="https://t.co/3AWJnTuqhA">pic.twitter.com/3AWJnTuqhA</a>&mdash; حسن سجواني 🇦🇪 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) <a href="https://twitter.com/HSajwanization/status/1923122198467723741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The welcome ceremony in UAE continues! 🇺🇸🇦🇪 <a href="https://t.co/sXqS1IboMN">pic.twitter.com/sXqS1IboMN</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922995639455044017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> enters Lusail Palace in Doha <a href="https://t.co/2vTplRuKWl">pic.twitter.com/2vTplRuKWl</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922707603861233712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>&#39;s motorcade is escorted into Lusail Palace for the Qatari State Dinner 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/bh8Hq0Ug3O">pic.twitter.com/bh8Hq0Ug3O</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922702397605818755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is greeted by the Emir of Qatar 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/G6iH4IM5ll">pic.twitter.com/G6iH4IM5ll</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922615197832806481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A view from above as F-15QA Multirole Strike Fighters of the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) escort Air Force One into Qatar🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/nzpk2L8Cds">pic.twitter.com/nzpk2L8Cds</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1922640677671747983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/NYEH8e1Vhk">pic.twitter.com/NYEH8e1Vhk</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1923306778009199040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> arrives at the Amiri Diwan in Doha 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/CZt28tCBid">pic.twitter.com/CZt28tCBid</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922621220089983248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/B50cJQRcpL">pic.twitter.com/B50cJQRcpL</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1923344460638736746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Qatari F-15’s providing honorary escort for Air Force One! 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/nUsif3HWrh">pic.twitter.com/nUsif3HWrh</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922607930374844426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>His four-day swing through Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which ends Friday, put a spotlight on Trump’s transactional approach to foreign affairs as he was feted by autocratic rulers with a trio of lavish state visits where there was heavy emphasis on economic and security partnerships.His trip played out against the backdrop of stubborn global conflicts, including Gaza and Ukraine, that showed the limits of his influence. But Trump insisted he was turning the page on American “interventionalism” in the region as he moved to recognize the new government in Syria for the first time and prodded Iran to engage on nuclear talks before it’s too late.Some takeaways from Trump’s travels:<h2>Trump marveled at Gulf state opulence but held his tongue on human rights</h2>Presidential trips to the Middle East usually feature at least some public calls for authoritarian governments to improve their human rights efforts. Not this one, as Trump celebrated his business deals with Gulf royals and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-air-force-one-white-house-wealth-mideast-c1e47bb068337293c360c53f7e542e59">admired their wealth</a>.Trump toured the marble and gilded palaces of Gulf rulers and deemed them “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much less impressive” Air Force One.In Trump’s remarks at a VIP business conference in Riyadh, he went out of his way to distance himself from the actions of past administrations, the days when he said American officials would fly in “in beautiful planes, giving you lectures on how to live and how to govern your own affairs.”Rights advocates took that as a pledge of nonintervention, swearing off some of the pressure past U.S. presidents have brought to bear on partners to varying degrees to ease up on detentions, suppression of critics and other issues.“It’s absolute support for absolute monarchy,” said Saudi exile Abdullah Alaoudh. His father, a Saudi cleric with a wide following there, is imprisoned in the kingdom.Some rights advocates said Trump officials gave them private assurances the administration was working on behalf of detained Americans and rights advocates. Tommy Pigott, a deputy spokesman at the State Department, declined to say whether Trump raised those or other rights issues in discussions with Gulf royals.<h2>Thwarted by Putin</h2>While Trump was in the Mideast, Vladimir Putin opted to skip direct peace talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy despite the U.S. president's strong calls for them to meet face to face.Trump has been pushing Putin and Zelenskyy to move with greater haste to end Russia's grinding war in Ukraine.But after it became clear Putin wouldn’t be attending talks in Turkey this week and would instead be sending underlings to Istanbul, an annoyed Trump insisted he knew all along that it was highly likely Putin would be a no-show.“I don’t believe anything’s going to happen whether you like it or not, until he and I get together,” Trump said. “But we’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying."As he wrapped up his visit on Friday, Trump said the face-to-face would happen "as soon as we can set it up.”Trump was scheduled to fly back to Washington on Friday, but tried to keep people guessing until the end. He teased late Thursday that he would be heading to a “destination unknown” — “probably" Washington, he added. His opaque language stoked speculation that he might make a drop-by to Turkey.But on Friday morning, he told reporters he needed to get back to Washington. His daughter Tiffany had her first child while the president has been away.“I would actually leave here and go,” Trump said. “I do want to see my beautiful grandson.”<h2>On Syria sanctions, Trump takes a leap of faith</h2>Just two months ago, the Trump administration wasn’t sold on Syria’s interim government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, the onetime al-Qaida-affiliated insurgent. They worried the Syrian president didn’t have the legitimacy to govern the country’s ethnically diverse population.Clashes broke out in early March, killing hundreds and targeting many more members of the Alawite religious minority to which the ousted Syrian leader Basher Assad belongs.The moment gave the Trump White House pause about easing sanctions on Syria. But Trump signaled Monday that he was having a change of heart and was moving toward lifting the Syria sanctions. A day later, he announced the move during an address to Gulf leaders.Trump then took it another step by agreeing to meet al-Sharaa.Trump said he was impressed with al-Sharaa, who not that long ago had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. The president called him a “young, attractive guy” with a "very strong past.”Trump said it was recommendations from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that nudged him to take a chance on al-Sharra.“President Erdogan called me and said: ‘Is there any way you could do that? Because if you don’t do that, they don’t have a chance,’” Trump said. “So, I did it.”<h2>Trump's fuzzy math on display</h2>Throughout the trip, Trump felt more than comfortable dishing out exaggeration and hyperbole.“This has been an amazing trip.” Trump told reporters Thursday as Air Force One was about to land in Qatar. “We’ve raised trillions of dollars of investment for our country.” A little later he put the figure at $4 trillion.That figure is about two times the combined gross domestic products of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, meaning that any announced investments would likely accrue over several years — if at all — in ways that might not show up in overall U.S. economic growth numbers.Boeing confirmed that Qatar’s $96 billion purchase of its 787 and 777X jets was the largest order for 787s and wide body jets in the company’s history. Trump enthused it was “the biggest order in the history of, I think, aviation, certainly of that size” of jets.Trump also went overboard in running down the economic record of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, at one point declaring, “The days of economic misery under the last administration are rapidly giving way to the greatest economy in the history of the world.”The U.S. economy grew at 2.8% last year. It declined at an annualized rate of 0.3% during the first three months of this year.<h2>Intractable conflicts remain just that</h2>While Trump's trip initially was conceived as a visit to reward countries that invest in the United States, Trump at one point hoped it also would herald significant steps to end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Positive news on both fronts proved elusive.Trump barely mentioned either conflict on his trip – and when he did, it was generally in the context of his assertion that they wouldn’t have occurred had he won reelection in 2020.As Israel stepped up an offensive in Gaza — a prelude to a promised full takeover of the territory if Hamas doesn’t release the remaining hostages in its captivity — Trump was again musing about the creation of a “freedom zone” in its territory. It's a notion rejected by Palestinians and the broader Arab world because Trump's plan would relocate civilians from Gaza to allow for rebuilding.Israel conducted significant airstrikes all week in Gaza as Trump was in the region and the fighting on the ground appeared to escalate Friday morning even before Trump left the UAE.Meanwhile, Trump said “a lot of people are starving” in Gaza, a rare acknowledgement of the humanitarian crisis in the territory. Speaking to reporters at a business forum in Abu Dhabi on the final day of his trip to the Middle East, Trump said, “We’re looking at Gaza.”“And we’ve got to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving. A lot of people are — there’s a lot of bad things going on.”<h2>Ethics issues follow along as Trump travels the Mideast</h2>Trump was already facing questions about conflicts of interest for traveling to the Middle East to shape U.S. policy at a time when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-business-interests-family-middle-east-cryptocurrency-cbb7d2354304ce0308800819944cf3f8">his family’s business interests in the region have boomed</a>. He attempted to quiet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-qatar-air-force-one-2ef13d87b71185bde547abe6840b098c">worries about national security</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emoluments-clause-trump-jet-qatar-56f995acb57eb741b0214aba5e7e8220">constitutional questions</a>&nbsp;by insisting he’s smart to accept a $400 million luxury plane from Qatar and use it as Air Force One.“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114503203859060399">posted on his social media site</a>&nbsp;during his Middle East swing.The president also dodged questions about a state-backed investment company in Abu Dhabi using a Trump family-aligned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-world-liberty-truth-social-etf-f11c47a99ea618aa06df4dd47b150800">stablecoin</a>&nbsp;for a $2 billion investment in the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.“I don’t know anything about it,” he said.Beyond that, the Trump family has piled up deals to license its brand for real estate projects, and to build Trump towers and golf courses, around the Middle East. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says it’s “frankly ridiculous” to wonder if those profits might influence Trump’s governing decisions.___Madhani reported from Dubai. Associated Press writers Josh Boak, Will Weissert and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.

🎥 Opulence, business deals: Takeaways from Trump's Mideast tour

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street cruised to the finish of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-trade-trump-catl-62fbd84396aaea011c68231363b283de">strong</a>&nbsp;week on Friday, as U.S. stocks glided closer to the all-time high they set just a few months earlier, though it may feel like an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">economic era</a>&nbsp;ago.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.7% for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-trump-inflation-bcadac520e55b17b88cb57596295009e">fifth straight gain</a>&nbsp;and closed out its third winning week in the last four. It’s rallied back within 3% of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-china-trump-b686ef0259c2f4894f9fcd1f3649a956">record set in February</a>&nbsp;after briefly dropping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-china-trump-b686ef0259c2f4894f9fcd1f3649a956">roughly 20% below</a>&nbsp;last month, thanks to building hopes that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-switzerland-tariffs-negotiations-b3f5174d086e39b2522ab848ddad9372">lower his tariffs</a>&nbsp;against other countries after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-uk-trump-starmer-trade-deal-79d55b8ade0dd8c9265ada9400d079db">reaching trade deals</a>&nbsp;with them.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 331 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5%.

Trump’s trade war had sent financial markets reeling worldwide because of twin dangers. On one hand, tariffs could slow the economy and drive it into a recession. On the other, tariffs could push inflation higher.

This week featured some encouraging news on each of those fronts. The United States and China announced a 90-day stand-down in most of their punishing tariffs against each other, while a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-tariffs-trump-5436b90e8e5a003f228c1bd08186589c">couple</a>&nbsp;reports on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/producer-wholesale-prices-tariffs-83aef2863cac075143e89dc2d951eff6">inflation</a>&nbsp;in the United States came in better than economists expected.

It was “a week to remember,” according to economists at Bank of America led by Claudio Irigoyen and Antonio Gabriel. But they also said they’re not expecting a significant drop in volatility, and they’re not changing big-picture forecasts.

“There is still huge uncertainty regarding the impact of tariffs on economic activity and inflation,” they said in a BofA Global Research report.

That uncertainty has been hitting U.S. households and businesses, raising worries that they may freeze their spending and long-term plans in response, which would hurt the economy. The latest reading in a survey of U.S. consumers by the University of Michigan showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-inflation-consumer-confidence-f7d2635e665fa1be2695c5e830fc23ae">sentiment soured again in May</a>, though the pace of decline wasn’t as bad as in prior months.

Perhaps more worryingly, expectations for coming inflation keep building, and U.S. consumers are now bracing for 7.3% in the next 12 months, according to the University of Michigan’s preliminary survey results. That’s up from a forecast of 6.5% a month before.

When everyone expects inflation to be high, it could kick off a vicious cycle of behavior that only worsens inflation.

To be sure, only some of the University of Michigan’s survey responses for the preliminary May reading came after the United States and China announced their 90-day truce.

On Wall Street, Charter Communications rose 1.8% after it said it agreed to merge with Cox Communications in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charter-cox-merger-cable-regulators-13d6bdf6320d4924ac75c7fa8a6b636d">deal that would combine</a>&nbsp;two of the country’s largest cable companies. The resulting company will change its name to Cox Communications and keep Charter’s headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

CoreWeave jumped 22.1% after Nvidia disclosed that it had increased its ownership stake in the company, whose cloud platform helps customers running artificial-intelligence workloads. Nvidia now owns 7% of CoreWeave, up from its nearly 6% stake before CoreWeave’s initial public offering of stock in March.

Novo Nordisk’s stock that trades in the United States fell 2.7% after the Danish company behind the Wegovy drug for weight loss said that Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wegovy-zepbound-obesity-novo-nordisk-eli-lilly-f725a97267e34781ea8dfafa3f82ae5c">step down as CEO</a>&nbsp;and that the board is looking for his successor. The company cited “recent market challenges” and how the stock has been performing recently.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 41.45 points to 5,958.38. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 331.99 to 42,654.74, and the Nasdaq composite gained 98.78 to 19,211.10.

In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.44% from 4.45% late Thursday and from more than 4.50% the day before that. Lower bond yields can encourage investors to pay higher prices for stocks and other investments.

The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for action by the Federal Reserve, rose to 3.99% from 3.96%. It had been as low as 3.93% earlier in the morning, before the release of the University of Michigan’s survey.

Hope remains that this week’s better-than-expected signals on inflation could give the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-trump-1e827f16bd34fb05ea7a339e3015c544">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;more leeway to cut interest rates later this year if high tariffs drag down the U.S. economy.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose modestly in Europe after finishing mixed in Asia.

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street cruised to the finish of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-trade-trump-catl-62fbd84396aaea011c68231363b283de">strong</a>&nbsp;week on Friday, as U.S. stocks glided closer to the all-time high they set just a few months earlier, though it may feel like an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">economic era</a>&nbsp;ago.The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.7% for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-trump-inflation-bcadac520e55b17b88cb57596295009e">fifth straight gain</a>&nbsp;and closed out its third winning week in the last four. It’s rallied back within 3% of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-china-trump-b686ef0259c2f4894f9fcd1f3649a956">record set in February</a>&nbsp;after briefly dropping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-china-trump-b686ef0259c2f4894f9fcd1f3649a956">roughly 20% below</a>&nbsp;last month, thanks to building hopes that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-switzerland-tariffs-negotiations-b3f5174d086e39b2522ab848ddad9372">lower his tariffs</a>&nbsp;against other countries after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-uk-trump-starmer-trade-deal-79d55b8ade0dd8c9265ada9400d079db">reaching trade deals</a>&nbsp;with them.The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 331 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5%.Trump’s trade war had sent financial markets reeling worldwide because of twin dangers. On one hand, tariffs could slow the economy and drive it into a recession. On the other, tariffs could push inflation higher.This week featured some encouraging news on each of those fronts. The United States and China announced a 90-day stand-down in most of their punishing tariffs against each other, while a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-tariffs-trump-5436b90e8e5a003f228c1bd08186589c">couple</a>&nbsp;reports on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/producer-wholesale-prices-tariffs-83aef2863cac075143e89dc2d951eff6">inflation</a>&nbsp;in the United States came in better than economists expected.It was “a week to remember,” according to economists at Bank of America led by Claudio Irigoyen and Antonio Gabriel. But they also said they’re not expecting a significant drop in volatility, and they’re not changing big-picture forecasts.“There is still huge uncertainty regarding the impact of tariffs on economic activity and inflation,” they said in a BofA Global Research report.That uncertainty has been hitting U.S. households and businesses, raising worries that they may freeze their spending and long-term plans in response, which would hurt the economy. The latest reading in a survey of U.S. consumers by the University of Michigan showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-inflation-consumer-confidence-f7d2635e665fa1be2695c5e830fc23ae">sentiment soured again in May</a>, though the pace of decline wasn’t as bad as in prior months.Perhaps more worryingly, expectations for coming inflation keep building, and U.S. consumers are now bracing for 7.3% in the next 12 months, according to the University of Michigan’s preliminary survey results. That’s up from a forecast of 6.5% a month before.When everyone expects inflation to be high, it could kick off a vicious cycle of behavior that only worsens inflation.To be sure, only some of the University of Michigan’s survey responses for the preliminary May reading came after the United States and China announced their 90-day truce.On Wall Street, Charter Communications rose 1.8% after it said it agreed to merge with Cox Communications in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charter-cox-merger-cable-regulators-13d6bdf6320d4924ac75c7fa8a6b636d">deal that would combine</a>&nbsp;two of the country’s largest cable companies. The resulting company will change its name to Cox Communications and keep Charter’s headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.CoreWeave jumped 22.1% after Nvidia disclosed that it had increased its ownership stake in the company, whose cloud platform helps customers running artificial-intelligence workloads. Nvidia now owns 7% of CoreWeave, up from its nearly 6% stake before CoreWeave’s initial public offering of stock in March.Novo Nordisk’s stock that trades in the United States fell 2.7% after the Danish company behind the Wegovy drug for weight loss said that Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wegovy-zepbound-obesity-novo-nordisk-eli-lilly-f725a97267e34781ea8dfafa3f82ae5c">step down as CEO</a>&nbsp;and that the board is looking for his successor. The company cited “recent market challenges” and how the stock has been performing recently.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 41.45 points to 5,958.38. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 331.99 to 42,654.74, and the Nasdaq composite gained 98.78 to 19,211.10.In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady.The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.44% from 4.45% late Thursday and from more than 4.50% the day before that. Lower bond yields can encourage investors to pay higher prices for stocks and other investments.The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for action by the Federal Reserve, rose to 3.99% from 3.96%. It had been as low as 3.93% earlier in the morning, before the release of the University of Michigan’s survey.Hope remains that this week’s better-than-expected signals on inflation could give the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-trump-1e827f16bd34fb05ea7a339e3015c544">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;more leeway to cut interest rates later this year if high tariffs drag down the U.S. economy.In stock markets abroad, indexes rose modestly in Europe after finishing mixed in Asia.

US stocks power to near their record as Wall Street closes out winning week

BUTLER COUNTY —A Kansas paramedic died Friday in the line of duty.

&nbsp;Paramedic Justin Lauppe&nbsp;experienced cardiac arrest  and lost his life during an emergency call, according to a statement from Butler County EMS. "Lauppe, a 14-year veteran of emergency services, was a pillar of our team, known for his unwavering commitment to saving lives and compassionate care."

"His loss is deeply felt by colleagues, friends, and the countless individuals he served in Butler County. We are heartbroken by the loss of Justin, whose dedication to our community was truly extraordinary. His sacrifice reminds us of the risks our first responders face every day."

"We honor his legacy by continuing to serve with the same passion and bravery he embodied.Butler County EMS is providing support to Justin’s family and colleagues during this difficult time."

"The circumstances of his passing were medical in nature, and further details will be shared as appropriate.Emergency Service agencies are encouraged to help us honoring Paramedic Justin Lauppe’s memory.

 A memorial service is being planned, with details to follow at a later date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747426200231.png" alt="Justin Lauppe photo Butler County EMS" />
 <figcaption>Justin Lauppe photo Butler County EMS</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —A Kansas paramedic died Friday in the line of duty.&nbsp;Paramedic Justin Lauppe&nbsp;experienced cardiac arrest and lost his life during an emergency call, according to a statement from Butler County EMS. "Lauppe, a 14-year veteran of emergency services, was a pillar of our team, known for his unwavering commitment to saving lives and compassionate care.""His loss is deeply felt by colleagues, friends, and the countless individuals he served in Butler County. We are heartbroken by the loss of Justin, whose dedication to our community was truly extraordinary. His sacrifice reminds us of the risks our first responders face every day.""We honor his legacy by continuing to serve with the same passion and bravery he embodied.Butler County EMS is providing support to Justin’s family and colleagues during this difficult time.""The circumstances of his passing were medical in nature, and further details will be shared as appropriate.Emergency Service agencies are encouraged to help us honoring Paramedic Justin Lauppe’s memory. A memorial service is being planned, with details to follow at a later date.

Kansas paramedic dies during emergency call

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MICHELLE%20CHAPMAN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer</a>

Charter Communications has offered to acquire Cox Communications, a $34.5 billion merger that would combine two of the top three cable companies in the U.S.

Cox is the third largest cable television company in the country, with more than 6.5 million digital cable, internet, telephone, and home security customers. It has a strong foothold in states spanning from California to Virginia. Charter Communications, known more widely as Spectrum, has more than 32 million customers in 41 states.

The cable industry has been under assault for years from streaming services like Disney, Netflix, Amazon and HBO Max, as well as internet plans offered by mobile phone companies.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comcast-cable-spinoff-cnbc-msnbc-0d012a413e6dd863966f8d7aa0a9624d">Comcast</a>, which is of nearly equal size to Charter, spun off many of its cable television networks in November as as consumers increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-race-and-ethnicity-coronavirus-pandemic-f71bd0baf4799bb48b7352b8391c4e2d">swap out their cable TV subscriptions for streaming platforms</a>.

So-called “cord cutting” has cost the industry millions of customers and left them searching for ways to successfully compete.

Charter said Friday that it will acquire Cox Communications’ commercial fiber and managed IT and cloud businesses. Cox Enterprises will contribute Cox Communications’ residential cable business to Charter Holdings, an existing subsidiary partnership of Charter.

Cox Enterprises will own about 23% of the combined company's outstanding shares.

The transaction, which needs approval from Charter shareholders as well as regulators, includes $12.6 billion in debt.

“This merger exemplifies the strategic consolidation reshaping media and telecom," Scott Purdy, KPMG U.S. Media Industry Lead, Strategy, said in a statement. “By pooling resources, these companies will create scale, drive significant cost synergies, and strengthen their competitive positioning in a challenging market.”

The proposed deal is one of the largest in over a year. Mars' announced a $30 billion deal with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mars-kellanova-eggo-skittles-pringles-b47c6906bea9c285c2a94711a543f6c7">Kellanova</a>&nbsp;last summer and Exxon Mobil's approximately $60 billion acquisition of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/exxon-pioneer-acquisition-crude-oil-natural-gas-00e0e0eea67b7fb8bf3685221e5423d1">Pioneer Natural</a>&nbsp;happened in late 2023.

The combined company will change its name to Cox Communications within a year after closing. It will keep Charter’s headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and have a significant presence on Cox’s Atlanta, Georgia campus following the closing.

After the deal is complete, Charter CEO Chris Winfrey will become president and CEO of the combined company. Cox CEO and Chairman Alex Taylor will serve as chairman.

Cox will be able to keep two directors on the 13-member board. Advance/Newhouse, which is part of Charter, will retain its two board members.

The transaction is expected to close at the same time as Charter's merger with Liberty Broadband, which was approved by Charter and Liberty Broadband stockholders in February.

Shares of Charter rose slightly in afternoon trading. Cox is a private company.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747421575929.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MICHELLE%20CHAPMAN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer</a>Charter Communications has offered to acquire Cox Communications, a $34.5 billion merger that would combine two of the top three cable companies in the U.S.Cox is the third largest cable television company in the country, with more than 6.5 million digital cable, internet, telephone, and home security customers. It has a strong foothold in states spanning from California to Virginia. Charter Communications, known more widely as Spectrum, has more than 32 million customers in 41 states.The cable industry has been under assault for years from streaming services like Disney, Netflix, Amazon and HBO Max, as well as internet plans offered by mobile phone companies.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comcast-cable-spinoff-cnbc-msnbc-0d012a413e6dd863966f8d7aa0a9624d">Comcast</a>, which is of nearly equal size to Charter, spun off many of its cable television networks in November as as consumers increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-race-and-ethnicity-coronavirus-pandemic-f71bd0baf4799bb48b7352b8391c4e2d">swap out their cable TV subscriptions for streaming platforms</a>.So-called “cord cutting” has cost the industry millions of customers and left them searching for ways to successfully compete.Charter said Friday that it will acquire Cox Communications’ commercial fiber and managed IT and cloud businesses. Cox Enterprises will contribute Cox Communications’ residential cable business to Charter Holdings, an existing subsidiary partnership of Charter.Cox Enterprises will own about 23% of the combined company's outstanding shares.The transaction, which needs approval from Charter shareholders as well as regulators, includes $12.6 billion in debt.“This merger exemplifies the strategic consolidation reshaping media and telecom," Scott Purdy, KPMG U.S. Media Industry Lead, Strategy, said in a statement. “By pooling resources, these companies will create scale, drive significant cost synergies, and strengthen their competitive positioning in a challenging market.”The proposed deal is one of the largest in over a year. Mars' announced a $30 billion deal with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mars-kellanova-eggo-skittles-pringles-b47c6906bea9c285c2a94711a543f6c7">Kellanova</a>&nbsp;last summer and Exxon Mobil's approximately $60 billion acquisition of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/exxon-pioneer-acquisition-crude-oil-natural-gas-00e0e0eea67b7fb8bf3685221e5423d1">Pioneer Natural</a>&nbsp;happened in late 2023.The combined company will change its name to Cox Communications within a year after closing. It will keep Charter’s headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and have a significant presence on Cox’s Atlanta, Georgia campus following the closing.After the deal is complete, Charter CEO Chris Winfrey will become president and CEO of the combined company. Cox CEO and Chairman Alex Taylor will serve as chairman.Cox will be able to keep two directors on the 13-member board. Advance/Newhouse, which is part of Charter, will retain its two board members.The transaction is expected to close at the same time as Charter's merger with Liberty Broadband, which was approved by Charter and Liberty Broadband stockholders in February.Shares of Charter rose slightly in afternoon trading. Cox is a private company.

Cable giants Charter and Cox pursue $34.5 billion merger

Both teams face a deadline at the end of June on whether they will accept an offer from Kansas to pay 70% of the cost of building new stadiums across the state line

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri lawmakers will return to Jefferson City next month for a special session to debate providing tax breaks to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in the state, Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a news conference Friday morning.

The special session could also consider a $500 million spending bill for construction needs around the state, he said, but a final decision has not been made.

In the final days of the regular session, which ended Thursday, Kehoe unveiled a plan to use&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/13/new-stadium-funding-plan-for-chiefs-royals-clears-missouri-house/">tax revenue generated by the Chiefs and Royals</a>&nbsp;to finance bonds for their stadiums. The Chiefs would use the money to upgrade Arrowhead Stadium while the Royals would use it for a new stadium in Missouri.

Despite the late reveal, the Missouri House passed the proposal on a 108-40 vote. But the Senate balked at the deal, with many members saying they could not support it because a $513 million capital construction bill died when the Missouri House refused to allow it to come up for a vote.

Kehoe did not see the delay of the stadium proposal as a final defeat.

“We introduced that in the last week of the session to try to find what the feelings were,” he said.

The exact date for the special session has not been determined, Kehoe said.

The Chiefs and the Royals face a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article289372524.html" target="_blank">deadline at the end of June</a>&nbsp;on whether they will accept an offer from Kansas to pay 70% of the cost of building new stadiums in that state. The proposal floated by Kehoe would pay up to half the cost as well as up to $50 million in tax credits for any direct investments made by the teams.

Remodeling Arrowhead and building a new baseball stadium would cost up to $3 billion, Kehoe said.&nbsp;

“I would consider that significant economic development,” Kehoe said of the stadiums, comparing them to manufacturing projects that won incentives from lawmakers in the past

Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said she agrees that the state should work to keep the Chiefs and Royals from moving to Kansas but blamed Kehoe for the late introduction of his plan for the need to hold a special session.

“We are at this point because Governor Kehoe committed gross legislative malpractice by springing his stadium plan on lawmakers with no warning and just days left in the regular session without bothering to first build support for it,” Aune said.

The hurdles for a successful special session are both political and financial. The stadium plan died in the regular session when the Senate twice used a rare procedural rule to end debate on controversial bills on abortion and sick leave rights.

The move infuriated Democrats, who vowed the Senate will not function normally until they feel they can trust the GOP to work towards compromise.

“I’ve heard a long time, ‘well, nobody has ever made us pay.’” Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat said at a news conference Wednesday. “You’ll find out now.”

Complicating the debate is lingering anger over the projects that were lost when the House sunk the capital improvements bill. The $513 million would have paid for projects at eight hospitals around the state, supported a new nuclear reactor at the University of Missouri to make cancer treatments and a new mental health hospital in Kansas City.

In all, more than 60 projects added by lawmakers, in addition to more than 20 sought by Kehoe, will not be funded.

One of the biggest boosters of the Chiefs and Royals, state Sen. Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat, said she could not support a stadium funding bill if the capital improvements bill is not part of a special session.

“Those things are more important to me and to my colleagues than the Chiefs,” Washington said.

Kehoe did not rule out including the capital spending in a call for a special session, but did not commit to it, either.

“I’ve heard and listened to quite a few senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle on that very same issue, and I understand what their concerns are,” Kehoe said. “And I think it’s fair to say everything is on the table of what that special session might look like.”

Kehoe has a June 30 deadline for acting on the $53 billion in spending that was approved for the coming fiscal year. The budget spends $15.8 billion in general revenue, about $2.2 billion more than estimated revenue for the year, by dipping into the accumulated surplus that stood at $3.6 billion when the current fiscal year began.

Revenues are not keeping up with projections and Missouri House leaders cited a need to maintain a fund balance in excess of $1 billion for future years. Kehoe, who will be responsible for making sure spending does not exceed available funds, said he agrees with that approach.

“I don’t think it’s ever appropriate for some politician to think just because we have it, we have to spend it,” Kehoe said. “ It’s more appropriate for us to leave some reserves in the tank for the times when the budget does get tougher.”

Kehoe, who took office in January, had a successful session. Major items he asked for in his State of the State Address — a state takeover of the St. Louis Police Department, school safety legislation and a major tax cut eliminating income taxes on capital gains — all passed.

Kehoe took some defeats as well, with lawmakers spending more than he wanted on public schools, the failure of a bill reducing the top income tax rate and the defeat of legislation allowing parents to enroll their children in school districts other than the one they live in.

He said he looks favorably on the bill repealing the Proposition A sick leave law but stopped short of promising to sign it.&nbsp;

Kehoe also did not say whether he would put the constitutional amendment imposing a new ban on abortions on a special election ballot or let it wait for a November 2026 vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709142006045.jpeg" alt="Aerial view of newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium. Courtesy image." />
 <figcaption>Aerial view of newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium. Courtesy image.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Both teams face a deadline at the end of June on whether they will accept an offer from Kansas to pay 70% of the cost of building new stadiums across the state line</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri lawmakers will return to Jefferson City next month for a special session to debate providing tax breaks to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in the state, Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a news conference Friday morning.The special session could also consider a $500 million spending bill for construction needs around the state, he said, but a final decision has not been made.In the final days of the regular session, which ended Thursday, Kehoe unveiled a plan to use&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/13/new-stadium-funding-plan-for-chiefs-royals-clears-missouri-house/">tax revenue generated by the Chiefs and Royals</a>&nbsp;to finance bonds for their stadiums. The Chiefs would use the money to upgrade Arrowhead Stadium while the Royals would use it for a new stadium in Missouri.Despite the late reveal, the Missouri House passed the proposal on a 108-40 vote. But the Senate balked at the deal, with many members saying they could not support it because a $513 million capital construction bill died when the Missouri House refused to allow it to come up for a vote.Kehoe did not see the delay of the stadium proposal as a final defeat.“We introduced that in the last week of the session to try to find what the feelings were,” he said.The exact date for the special session has not been determined, Kehoe said.The Chiefs and the Royals face a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article289372524.html" target="_blank">deadline at the end of June</a>&nbsp;on whether they will accept an offer from Kansas to pay 70% of the cost of building new stadiums in that state. The proposal floated by Kehoe would pay up to half the cost as well as up to $50 million in tax credits for any direct investments made by the teams.Remodeling Arrowhead and building a new baseball stadium would cost up to $3 billion, Kehoe said.&nbsp;“I would consider that significant economic development,” Kehoe said of the stadiums, comparing them to manufacturing projects that won incentives from lawmakers in the pastMissouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said she agrees that the state should work to keep the Chiefs and Royals from moving to Kansas but blamed Kehoe for the late introduction of his plan for the need to hold a special session.“We are at this point because Governor Kehoe committed gross legislative malpractice by springing his stadium plan on lawmakers with no warning and just days left in the regular session without bothering to first build support for it,” Aune said.The hurdles for a successful special session are both political and financial. The stadium plan died in the regular session when the Senate twice used a rare procedural rule to end debate on controversial bills on abortion and sick leave rights.The move infuriated Democrats, who vowed the Senate will not function normally until they feel they can trust the GOP to work towards compromise.“I’ve heard a long time, ‘well, nobody has ever made us pay.’” Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat said at a news conference Wednesday. “You’ll find out now.”Complicating the debate is lingering anger over the projects that were lost when the House sunk the capital improvements bill. The $513 million would have paid for projects at eight hospitals around the state, supported a new nuclear reactor at the University of Missouri to make cancer treatments and a new mental health hospital in Kansas City.In all, more than 60 projects added by lawmakers, in addition to more than 20 sought by Kehoe, will not be funded.One of the biggest boosters of the Chiefs and Royals, state Sen. Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat, said she could not support a stadium funding bill if the capital improvements bill is not part of a special session.“Those things are more important to me and to my colleagues than the Chiefs,” Washington said.Kehoe did not rule out including the capital spending in a call for a special session, but did not commit to it, either.“I’ve heard and listened to quite a few senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle on that very same issue, and I understand what their concerns are,” Kehoe said. “And I think it’s fair to say everything is on the table of what that special session might look like.”Kehoe has a June 30 deadline for acting on the $53 billion in spending that was approved for the coming fiscal year. The budget spends $15.8 billion in general revenue, about $2.2 billion more than estimated revenue for the year, by dipping into the accumulated surplus that stood at $3.6 billion when the current fiscal year began.Revenues are not keeping up with projections and Missouri House leaders cited a need to maintain a fund balance in excess of $1 billion for future years. Kehoe, who will be responsible for making sure spending does not exceed available funds, said he agrees with that approach.“I don’t think it’s ever appropriate for some politician to think just because we have it, we have to spend it,” Kehoe said. “ It’s more appropriate for us to leave some reserves in the tank for the times when the budget does get tougher.”Kehoe, who took office in January, had a successful session. Major items he asked for in his State of the State Address — a state takeover of the St. Louis Police Department, school safety legislation and a major tax cut eliminating income taxes on capital gains — all passed.Kehoe took some defeats as well, with lawmakers spending more than he wanted on public schools, the failure of a bill reducing the top income tax rate and the defeat of legislation allowing parents to enroll their children in school districts other than the one they live in.He said he looks favorably on the bill repealing the Proposition A sick leave law but stopped short of promising to sign it.&nbsp;Kehoe also did not say whether he would put the constitutional amendment imposing a new ban on abortions on a special election ballot or let it wait for a November 2026 vote.

Mo. governor will call lawmakers back into session for Royals, Chiefs stadium funding

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating five homicides in Kansas City, Missouri over the past week.

Just after 2:30a.m. May 9, patrol officers were dispatched to 11th and Wyandotte on the report of a dead body, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Security guards were conducting patrol rounds when they located an adult male victim in a nearby parking garage. Officers were directed to the upper floor of the parking garage and located the victim later identified as 22-year-old Russell Mason suffering from obvious bodily trauma.

KCFD EMS responded and medics pronounced the Mason deceased on scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. Investigators are working to determine what led up to the incident and what caused the victim’s fatal injuries.&nbsp;

Just after 2p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 8400 block of East 63rd street on a reported shooting, according to Sergeant Phil DiMartino. As officers arrived they were directed to the parking lot of a convenience store.

There they located a victim identified Thursday morning as 17-year-old&nbsp;Matim Nunley  suffering from gun shot wounds. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. Medics transported Nunley to a local hospital where he died a short time later.&nbsp; Preliminary investigation revealed there was an altercation in the parking lot that led to shots being fired and Nunley being struck. Police released no additional details.

Just after 8p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 9300 block of Cleveland on a reported shooting, according to Sergeant DiMartino.

As officers arrived they were directed to an apartment building.&nbsp; There they located a man later identified as 20-year-old Morgan William suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began performing lifesaving measures until KCFD EMS arrived. Medics took over and transported William to a local hospital where he died a short time later.

Preliminary information revealed an argument occurred in the parking lot that led to shots being fired and William being struck.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not reported an arrest from the weekend violence.

Just after 12:30p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1600 block of Topping in Kansas City, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

First responding officers were led to an alleyway next to a residence, where they located an adult female shooting victim later identified as 29-year-old Carissa Perryman unresponsive.

Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS transported Perryman to the hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries. She was pronounced&nbsp;deceased at the hospital a short time later.

Responding officers detained one subject of interest, an adult female, for further investigation. Detectives were talking to people who were at the scene when officers arrived and are looking for witnesses.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim and the subject of interest had an interaction next to the house that escalated and shots were fired that struck the victim.&nbsp; Police have released no additional detials.

Jusst before 10p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting call at 37th and Pennsylvania, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Callers reported hearing the sound of gunfire and looked out and saw a person down in the street.&nbsp; First responders found a shooting victim later identified as 20-year-old Layla A. Freemanin the street unresponsive. Officers rendered aid and summoned EMS to the scene for treatment. EMS declared the victim deceased at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746790386685.png" alt="Police near the parking garage investigation- photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police near the parking garage investigation- photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating five homicides in Kansas City, Missouri over the past week.Just after 2:30a.m. May 9, patrol officers were dispatched to 11th and Wyandotte on the report of a dead body, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Security guards were conducting patrol rounds when they located an adult male victim in a nearby parking garage. Officers were directed to the upper floor of the parking garage and located the victim later identified as 22-year-old Russell Mason suffering from obvious bodily trauma.KCFD EMS responded and medics pronounced the Mason deceased on scene. This is being investigated as a homicide. Investigators are working to determine what led up to the incident and what caused the victim’s fatal injuries.&nbsp;Just after 2p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 8400 block of East 63rd street on a reported shooting, according to Sergeant Phil DiMartino. As officers arrived they were directed to the parking lot of a convenience store.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746924246378.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>There they located a victim identified Thursday morning as 17-year-old&nbsp;Matim Nunley suffering from gun shot wounds. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. Medics transported Nunley to a local hospital where he died a short time later.&nbsp; Preliminary investigation revealed there was an altercation in the parking lot that led to shots being fired and Nunley being struck. Police released no additional details.Just after 8p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 9300 block of Cleveland on a reported shooting, according to Sergeant DiMartino.As officers arrived they were directed to an apartment building.&nbsp; There they located a man later identified as 20-year-old Morgan William suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began performing lifesaving measures until KCFD EMS arrived. Medics took over and transported William to a local hospital where he died a short time later.Preliminary information revealed an argument occurred in the parking lot that led to shots being fired and William being struck.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not reported an arrest from the weekend violence.Just after 12:30p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1600 block of Topping in Kansas City, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.First responding officers were led to an alleyway next to a residence, where they located an adult female shooting victim later identified as 29-year-old Carissa Perryman unresponsive.Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS transported Perryman to the hospital for treatment of life threatening injuries. She was pronounced&nbsp;deceased at the hospital a short time later.Responding officers detained one subject of interest, an adult female, for further investigation. Detectives were talking to people who were at the scene when officers arrived and are looking for witnesses.Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim and the subject of interest had an interaction next to the house that escalated and shots were fired that struck the victim.&nbsp; Police have released no additional detials.Jusst before 10p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting call at 37th and Pennsylvania, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Callers reported hearing the sound of gunfire and looked out and saw a person down in the street.&nbsp; First responders found a shooting victim later identified as 20-year-old Layla A. Freemanin the street unresponsive. Officers rendered aid and summoned EMS to the scene for treatment. EMS declared the victim deceased at the scene.

5 more homicides in Kansas City over the past week

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Patrick Penn, a Wichita Republican elected to the House in 2020, sent a letter to the Sedgwick County Republican Party and state officials announcing plans to resign.

John Whitmer, chairman of the county’s GOP organization, said he received the letter, in which Penn wrote he would leave office in June. The notice dated Wednesday did not explain why Penn would exit the Legislature six months after winning reelection to a two-year term.

“I’m aware of the reasons, but I will let him announce that when he chooses to do so,” Whitmer said.

The bulk of Penn’s 85th District is in Sedgwick County, including parts of the cities of Wichita, Bel Aire and Kechi, as well as a small portion of Butler County.

Contents of his resignation letter sent to Secretary of State Scott Schwab indicated that his vision for a prosperous Kansas and his family’s values of faith, family and service would continue to guide him,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article306503771.html" target="_blank">according to the Wichita Eagle</a>. In addition, the letter said he would work with the next representative to serve the district, and intended to remain “engaged in our community’s future.”

A precinct election was scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 28 to nominate a person to serve the remainder of the conservative Republican’s term.

“Anyone who wants to run for the seat is allowed to do so if they happen to be a resident of the district,” Whitmer said. “I know of at least two or three people who have expressed an interest.”

The person selected to replace Penn would remain a representative-elect until sworn into office after Penn’s resignation was complete. That individual would be eligible to complete Penn’s current term in the House, which would end in January 2027.

Penn, a former U.S. Army officer who deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, sought the House seat and defeated Rep. Michael Capps in the August 2020 primary. Capps was politically damaged by reports that he conspired with other Sedgwick County Republicans to damage the reputation of the Wichita mayor and engaged in a recorded conversation about how to conceal their involvement.

Penn was a persistent advocate for the Second Amendment right to bear arms and sought passage of legislation that introduced firearm training to elementary students.

He was combative with some statehouse reporters and provoked controversy this year by discussing on the House floor with Rep. Kyler Sweely, R-Hutchinson, the hypothetical idea of instigating an act of violence against former Democratic Rep. Jason Probst. Sweely defeated Probst by less than 300 votes in the 2024 election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747409260206.png" alt=" Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, shown here at the Statehouse in 2024, announced Thursday that he will resign in June. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, shown here at the Statehouse in 2024, announced Thursday that he will resign in June. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Patrick Penn, a Wichita Republican elected to the House in 2020, sent a letter to the Sedgwick County Republican Party and state officials announcing plans to resign.John Whitmer, chairman of the county’s GOP organization, said he received the letter, in which Penn wrote he would leave office in June. The notice dated Wednesday did not explain why Penn would exit the Legislature six months after winning reelection to a two-year term.“I’m aware of the reasons, but I will let him announce that when he chooses to do so,” Whitmer said.The bulk of Penn’s 85th District is in Sedgwick County, including parts of the cities of Wichita, Bel Aire and Kechi, as well as a small portion of Butler County.Contents of his resignation letter sent to Secretary of State Scott Schwab indicated that his vision for a prosperous Kansas and his family’s values of faith, family and service would continue to guide him,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article306503771.html" target="_blank">according to the Wichita Eagle</a>. In addition, the letter said he would work with the next representative to serve the district, and intended to remain “engaged in our community’s future.”A precinct election was scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 28 to nominate a person to serve the remainder of the conservative Republican’s term.“Anyone who wants to run for the seat is allowed to do so if they happen to be a resident of the district,” Whitmer said. “I know of at least two or three people who have expressed an interest.”The person selected to replace Penn would remain a representative-elect until sworn into office after Penn’s resignation was complete. That individual would be eligible to complete Penn’s current term in the House, which would end in January 2027.Penn, a former U.S. Army officer who deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, sought the House seat and defeated Rep. Michael Capps in the August 2020 primary. Capps was politically damaged by reports that he conspired with other Sedgwick County Republicans to damage the reputation of the Wichita mayor and engaged in a recorded conversation about how to conceal their involvement.Penn was a persistent advocate for the Second Amendment right to bear arms and sought passage of legislation that introduced firearm training to elementary students.He was combative with some statehouse reporters and provoked controversy this year by discussing on the House floor with Rep. Kyler Sweely, R-Hutchinson, the hypothetical idea of instigating an act of violence against former Democratic Rep. Jason Probst. Sweely defeated Probst by less than 300 votes in the 2024 election.

Kansas Republican state Rep. Patrick Penn of Wichita plans to quit House

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in connection with a shooting on Halloween that left a 13-year-old boy dead is due back in court Friday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=753675">Jermal Campbell, 19,</a> was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of criminal discharge of firearm, three counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; He will attend a preliminary hearing the case in&nbsp;Jeffrey Goering’s courtroom.

Just after 10:30p.m. October 31, police responded to a report of gunfire at the QuikTrip located at Central and Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

Officers discovered evidence of a shooting and the convenience store. Simultaneously, a walk-in report was received from a local hospital indicating that a private vehicle had transported victims of this incident for treatment.

The victims included a 15-year-old boy from Wichita, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, and a 13-year-old boy who sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival at the hospital.

Initial investigations reveal that a disturbance occurred in the QuikTrip parking lot, leading to the suspect firing at a crowd, which tragically resulted in injuries to the two victims.

On November 6, police arrested a 19-year-old&nbsp;Carrice Profit, Campbell's cousin in connection with the killing, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.&nbsp; Campbell finally turned himself in to police on November 25.

Profit was charged with 1st degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. She remains jailed on a $350,000 bond. Campbell is being held on a $1,000,000.00 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732583489717.png" alt="Campbell photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Campbell photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in connection with a shooting on Halloween that left a 13-year-old boy dead is due back in court Friday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=753675">Jermal Campbell, 19,</a> was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of criminal discharge of firearm, three counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; He will attend a preliminary hearing the case in&nbsp;Jeffrey Goering’s courtroom.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730455429350.png" alt="Police at the scene of the crime on Halloween-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the crime on Halloween-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 10:30p.m. October 31, police responded to a report of gunfire at the QuikTrip located at Central and Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.Officers discovered evidence of a shooting and the convenience store. Simultaneously, a walk-in report was received from a local hospital indicating that a private vehicle had transported victims of this incident for treatment.The victims included a 15-year-old boy from Wichita, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, and a 13-year-old boy who sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival at the hospital.Initial investigations reveal that a disturbance occurred in the QuikTrip parking lot, leading to the suspect firing at a crowd, which tragically resulted in injuries to the two victims.On November 6, police arrested a 19-year-old&nbsp;Carrice Profit, Campbell's cousin in connection with the killing, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.&nbsp; Campbell finally turned himself in to police on November 25.Profit was charged with 1st degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. She remains jailed on a $350,000 bond. Campbell is being held on a $1,000,000.00 bond.

Kan. suspect in Halloween killing of 13-year-old due back in court 

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

TOPEKA — A Pittsburg economic development professional and a Dodge City public school diversity and language director were chosen to lead the Kansas Board of Regents during the upcoming fiscal year.

Blake Benson was elected to serve as chairperson of the nine-member public higher education board, while Diana Mendoza was selected as vice chairperson. The board has governance authority over six state universities and a coordination role with Washburn University in Topeka and the state’s technical and community colleges.

Both were appointed to the state Board of Regents in 2022 by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

“Higher education is a powerful tool capable of transforming individual lives and uplifting entire communities,” said Benson, president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. “I look forward to working with my fellow regents, our Kansas colleges and universities and our external stakeholders to continue to leverage the system’s strengths for the benefit of all Kansans.”

He is in the 28th year of economic development work, and previously held positions in chamber of commerce organizations in Rogers and Fort Smith in Arkansas. He earned a journalism degree at Arkansas State University and a master’s degree in business from Pittsburg State University.

Benson replaced chairman Carl Ice, the retired chief executive officer of BNSF Railway, and a graduate of Coffeyville Community College and Kansas State University.

Mendoza, executive director of diversity and English for speakers of other languages in the Dodge City school district, works with teachers to develop best practices for the education of culturally and linguistically diverse students. She leads an effort to support migratory youth.

She said she was committed to making higher education beneficial to Kansas families and a contributing influence on the state’s economy.

“Guided by the Board’s strategic plan, Kansas colleges and universities are making significant strides in areas such as affordability and student success,” Mendoza said.

She earned bachelor and master degrees in education at Kansas State University. She is seeking a doctorate in curriculum and instruction at Kansas State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747339115302.png" alt="Blake Benson, left, the president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. was selected to serve as chairperson of the Kansas Board of Regents in the upcoming fiscal year. He will replace Regent Carl Ice, sitting, as chairman of the higher education board. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Blake Benson, left, the president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. was selected to serve as chairperson of the Kansas Board of Regents in the upcoming fiscal year. He will replace Regent Carl Ice, sitting, as chairman of the higher education board. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Pittsburg economic development professional and a Dodge City public school diversity and language director were chosen to lead the Kansas Board of Regents during the upcoming fiscal year.Blake Benson was elected to serve as chairperson of the nine-member public higher education board, while Diana Mendoza was selected as vice chairperson. The board has governance authority over six state universities and a coordination role with Washburn University in Topeka and the state’s technical and community colleges.Both were appointed to the state Board of Regents in 2022 by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.“Higher education is a powerful tool capable of transforming individual lives and uplifting entire communities,” said Benson, president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. “I look forward to working with my fellow regents, our Kansas colleges and universities and our external stakeholders to continue to leverage the system’s strengths for the benefit of all Kansans.”He is in the 28th year of economic development work, and previously held positions in chamber of commerce organizations in Rogers and Fort Smith in Arkansas. He earned a journalism degree at Arkansas State University and a master’s degree in business from Pittsburg State University.Benson replaced chairman Carl Ice, the retired chief executive officer of BNSF Railway, and a graduate of Coffeyville Community College and Kansas State University.Mendoza, executive director of diversity and English for speakers of other languages in the Dodge City school district, works with teachers to develop best practices for the education of culturally and linguistically diverse students. She leads an effort to support migratory youth.She said she was committed to making higher education beneficial to Kansas families and a contributing influence on the state’s economy.“Guided by the Board’s strategic plan, Kansas colleges and universities are making significant strides in areas such as affordability and student success,” Mendoza said.She earned bachelor and master degrees in education at Kansas State University. She is seeking a doctorate in curriculum and instruction at Kansas State.