KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 23-year-old&nbsp;Alejandro J. Meza Jr., according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 11a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting in the 3000 block of NE 37th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.

While officers were on the way to the scene they were notified of a shooting victim dropped off at a hospital by private vehicle.

Officers located evidence that a shooting likely occurred inside an apartment building at the original dispatched address. Detectives responded to the scene to begin investigation. They canvassed for witnesses and worked to coordinate crime scene processing. A short time later detectives were notified that the victim, later identified as Meza, died at the hospital from his injuries.

According to Becchina, detectives could really use the public’s help with information as there was not anyone that remained at the original scene and the victim was left by himself at the hospital. 

If anyone was in this area around that time and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749324419083.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 23-year-old&nbsp;Alejandro J. Meza Jr., according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 11a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting in the 3000 block of NE 37th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.While officers were on the way to the scene they were notified of a shooting victim dropped off at a hospital by private vehicle.Officers located evidence that a shooting likely occurred inside an apartment building at the original dispatched address. Detectives responded to the scene to begin investigation. They canvassed for witnesses and worked to coordinate crime scene processing. A short time later detectives were notified that the victim, later identified as Meza, died at the hospital from his injuries.According to Becchina, detectives could really use the public’s help with information as there was not anyone that remained at the original scene and the victim was left by himself at the hospital. If anyone was in this area around that time and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

Homicide: Shooting victim dropped off at KC hospital died

By ERIC THAYER, JASON DEAREN and JAKE OFFENHARTZ Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Law enforcement officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters in Los Angeles on Sunday as they gathered downtown in response to President Donald Trump's extraordinary deployment of the National Guard over the objections of the governor and mayor.

The clashes came on the third day of demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown in the region, as the arrival of around 300 federal troops spurred anger and fear among some residents.

By midday, hundreds had gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where people were detained after earlier immigration raids. Protesters directed chants of "shame" and "go home" at members of the National Guard, who stood shoulder to shoulder, carrying long guns and riot shields.

After some protesters closely approached the guard members, another set of uniformed officers advanced on the group, shooting smoke-filled canisters into the street.

Minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department fired rounds of crowd-control munitions to disperse the protesters, who they said were assembled unlawfully. Much of the group then moved to block traffic on the 101 freeway.

The presence of the Guard was "inflaming tensions" in the city, according to a letter sent to Trump by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday afternoon. He formerly requested Trump remove the guard members, which he called a "serious breach of state sovereignty."

Trump has said the National Guard was necessary because Newsom and other Democrats have failed to stanch recent protests targeting immigration agents.

Their deployment appeared to be the first time in decades that a state's national guard was activated without a request from its governor, a significant escalation against those who have sought to hinder the administration's mass deportation efforts.

The arrival of the National Guard followed two days of protests that began Friday in downtown Los Angeles before spreading on Saturday to Paramount, a heavily Latino city south of the city, and neighboring Compton.

As federal agents set up a staging area Saturday near a Home Depot in Paramount, demonstrators attempted to block Border Patrol vehicles, with some hurling rocks and chunks of cement. In response, agents in riot gear unleashed tear gas, flash-bang explosives and pepper balls.

Tensions were high after a series of sweeps by immigration authorities the previous day, as the weeklong tally of immigrant arrests in the city climbed above 100. A prominent union leader was arrested while protesting and accused of impeding law enforcement.

The recent protests remain far smaller than past events that have brought the National Guard to Los Angeles, including the Watts and Rodney King riots, and the 2020 protests against police violence, in which Newsom requested the assistance of federal troops.

The last time the National Guard was activated without a governor's permission was in 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

Trump says there will be 'very strong law and order'

In a directive Saturday, Trump invoked a legal provision allowing him to deploy federal service members when there is "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States."

He said he had authorized the deployment of 2,000 members of the National Guard.

Trump told reporters as he prepared to board Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, Sunday that there were "violent people" in Los Angeles "and they're not gonna get away with it."

Asked if he planned to send U.S. troops to Los Angeles, Trump replied: "We're gonna have troops everywhere. We're not going to let this happen to our country. We're not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden." He didn't elaborate.

Trump also said that California officials who stand in the way of the deportations could face charges. A Wisconsin judge was arrested last month on accusations she helped a man evade immigration authorities.

"If officials stay in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face charges," Trump said.

Newsom called Trump on Friday night and they spoke for about 40 minutes, according to the governor's office. It was not clear if they spoke Saturday or Sunday.

There was some confusion surrounding the exact timing of the guard's arrival. Shortly before midnight local time, Trump congratulated the National Guard on a "job well done." But less than an hour later, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said troops had yet to arrive in the city.

Defense secretary threatens to deploy active-duty Marines 'if violence continues'

In a statement Sunday, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused California's politicians and protesters of "defending heinous illegal alien criminals at the expense of Americans' safety."

"Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer," McLaughlin added.

The troops included members of the California Army National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to a social media post from the Department of Defense.

In a signal of the administration's aggressive approach, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also threatened to deploy active-duty Marines "if violence continues" in the region.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said the order by Trump reflected "a president moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism" and "usurping the powers of the United States Congress."

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lives in Los Angeles, said the immigration arrests and Guard deployment were designed as part of a "cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division."

She said she supports those "standing up to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms."

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a staunch Trump ally, endorsed the president's move, doubling down on Republicans' criticisms of California Democrats.

"Gavin Newsom has shown an inability or an unwillingness to do what is necessary, so the president stepped in," Johnson said.

Offenhartz reported from New York. Associated Press writer Michelle Price contributed to this report from Bridgewater, New Jersey.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749427066713.png" alt="Photos Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Photos Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>By ERIC THAYER, JASON DEAREN and JAKE OFFENHARTZ Associated Press<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Order will be restored! <a href="https://t.co/2Weukx1mKt">https://t.co/2Weukx1mKt</a>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1931822236446445875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Law enforcement officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters in Los Angeles on Sunday as they gathered downtown in response to President Donald Trump's extraordinary deployment of the National Guard over the objections of the governor and mayor.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles has been a chaotic escalation. The City will remain focused on protecting all who call L.A. home. <a href="https://t.co/CCR06PNH1E">pic.twitter.com/CCR06PNH1E</a>&mdash; Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorOfLA/status/1931862924618010663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The clashes came on the third day of demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown in the region, as the arrival of around 300 federal troops spurred anger and fear among some residents.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749427019979.png" alt="Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>By midday, hundreds had gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where people were detained after earlier immigration raids. Protesters directed chants of "shame" and "go home" at members of the National Guard, who stood shoulder to shoulder, carrying long guns and riot shields.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command. We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while… <a href="https://t.co/tOtA5dcfxc">pic.twitter.com/tOtA5dcfxc</a>&mdash; Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) <a href="https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1931840646773715068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After some protesters closely approached the guard members, another set of uniformed officers advanced on the group, shooting smoke-filled canisters into the street.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our law enforcement officers are just doing their jobs. Violence and intimidation against federal law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The United States is a nation of laws, and lawbreakers will be brought to justice. <a href="https://t.co/0wytuvEO5R">pic.twitter.com/0wytuvEO5R</a>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1931862064324366595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department fired rounds of crowd-control munitions to disperse the protesters, who they said were assembled unlawfully. Much of the group then moved to block traffic on the 101 freeway.The presence of the Guard was "inflaming tensions" in the city, according to a letter sent to Trump by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday afternoon. He formerly requested Trump remove the guard members, which he called a "serious breach of state sovereignty."Trump has said the National Guard was necessary because Newsom and other Democrats have failed to stanch recent protests targeting immigration agents.Their deployment appeared to be the first time in decades that a state's national guard was activated without a request from its governor, a significant escalation against those who have sought to hinder the administration's mass deportation efforts.Deployment follows days of protestThe arrival of the National Guard followed two days of protests that began Friday in downtown Los Angeles before spreading on Saturday to Paramount, a heavily Latino city south of the city, and neighboring Compton.As federal agents set up a staging area Saturday near a Home Depot in Paramount, demonstrators attempted to block Border Patrol vehicles, with some hurling rocks and chunks of cement. In response, agents in riot gear unleashed tear gas, flash-bang explosives and pepper balls.Tensions were high after a series of sweeps by immigration authorities the previous day, as the weeklong tally of immigrant arrests in the city climbed above 100. A prominent union leader was arrested while protesting and accused of impeding law enforcement.The recent protests remain far smaller than past events that have brought the National Guard to Los Angeles, including the Watts and Rodney King riots, and the 2020 protests against police violence, in which Newsom requested the assistance of federal troops.The last time the National Guard was activated without a governor's permission was in 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops to protect a civil rights march in Alabama, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.Trump says there will be 'very strong law and order'In a directive Saturday, Trump invoked a legal provision allowing him to deploy federal service members when there is "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States."He said he had authorized the deployment of 2,000 members of the National Guard.Trump told reporters as he prepared to board Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, Sunday that there were "violent people" in Los Angeles "and they're not gonna get away with it."Asked if he planned to send U.S. troops to Los Angeles, Trump replied: "We're gonna have troops everywhere. We're not going to let this happen to our country. We're not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden." He didn't elaborate.Trump also said that California officials who stand in the way of the deportations could face charges. A Wisconsin judge was arrested last month on accusations she helped a man evade immigration authorities."If officials stay in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face charges," Trump said.Newsom called Trump on Friday night and they spoke for about 40 minutes, according to the governor's office. It was not clear if they spoke Saturday or Sunday.There was some confusion surrounding the exact timing of the guard's arrival. Shortly before midnight local time, Trump congratulated the National Guard on a "job well done." But less than an hour later, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said troops had yet to arrive in the city.Defense secretary threatens to deploy active-duty Marines 'if violence continues'In a statement Sunday, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused California's politicians and protesters of "defending heinous illegal alien criminals at the expense of Americans' safety.""Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer," McLaughlin added.The troops included members of the California Army National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to a social media post from the Department of Defense.In a signal of the administration's aggressive approach, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also threatened to deploy active-duty Marines "if violence continues" in the region.Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said the order by Trump reflected "a president moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism" and "usurping the powers of the United States Congress."Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lives in Los Angeles, said the immigration arrests and Guard deployment were designed as part of a "cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division."She said she supports those "standing up to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms."House Speaker Mike Johnson, a staunch Trump ally, endorsed the president's move, doubling down on Republicans' criticisms of California Democrats."Gavin Newsom has shown an inability or an unwillingness to do what is necessary, so the president stepped in," Johnson said.___Offenhartz reported from New York. Associated Press writer Michelle Price contributed to this report from Bridgewater, New Jersey.

🎥Ice protests intensify in LA after Trump deploys National Guard troops

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City, Mo., man was charged in federal court on charges related to child sexual exploitation.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed last week, Mohammad Maher Chamma, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity in May 2023, one count of transportation of child pornography in May 2024, and one count of distribution of child pornography between June 2024 and January 2025, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers learned of multiple CyberTips reporting that Chamma had used various online aliases to distribute and transport images and videos depicting child pornography, also referred to as child sexual exploitation material. Law enforcement officers also received a report that Chamma had transported a minor female from Kansas to Missouri to engage in illegal sexual activity in May 2023.

The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749388141627.png" alt="Chamma from an arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Chamma from an arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City, Mo., man was charged in federal court on charges related to child sexual exploitation.According to a criminal complaint unsealed last week, Mohammad Maher Chamma, 26, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity in May 2023, one count of transportation of child pornography in May 2024, and one count of distribution of child pornography between June 2024 and January 2025, according to the United State's Attorney.According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers learned of multiple CyberTips reporting that Chamma had used various online aliases to distribute and transport images and videos depicting child pornography, also referred to as child sexual exploitation material. Law enforcement officers also received a report that Chamma had transported a minor female from Kansas to Missouri to engage in illegal sexual activity in May 2023.The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.

Affidavit: KC man used online aliases to distribute child porn

Ten years ago, Floyd Bledsoe walked free after spending more than 16 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. Today, he’s a father of three, an entrepreneur, and the owner of a small farm just outside Hutchinson.

On a chilly November afternoon in 1999, 14-year-old Zetta Camille Arfmann stepped off a school bus in the small town of Oskaloosa and walked into the trailer home she shared with her older sister, brother-in-law, and their two children. She was never seen alive again.

Just days later, Floyd Bledsoe—her sister’s 23-year-old husband—was arrested and charged with Camille’s murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, Bledsoe was convicted in April 2000 of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 16 years.

In 2004, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld Bledsoe’s conviction. But questions surrounding the handling of the case persisted, particularly over a pretrial agreement signed by the prosecutor, the county sheriff, and a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agent to not conduct DNA testing on the evidence.

Bledsoe’s legal team secured permission to test the preserved biological evidence. The results were staggering. DNA from a vaginal swab taken from Camille’s body matched Bledsoe’s brother, Tom Bledsoe—not Floyd. Floyd’s DNA was not found on any of the tested evidence. Additional DNA evidence, including samples found on Camille’s socks, implicated Tom and the brothers’ father in the disposal of the body.

As the case unraveled, Tom Bledsoe died by suicide on November 9, 2015, in Bonner Springs. He left behind handwritten confessions, including a note addressed to his parents in which he admitted to raping and killing Camille and implored them to "please tell Floyd I am sorry."

One month later, on December 8, 2015, Judge Gary Nafziger vacated Floyd Bledsoe’s convictions. Prosecutors dropped all charges, and Bledsoe walked free after spending nearly half his life imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.

Since his 2015 exoneration, Bledsoe has settled in Hutchinson and started four businesses. Among them is F-N-J Construction, a home remodeling and decking company, and Bledsoe Serenity Homestead, a working farm where he sells fresh produce and teaches others how to grow their own food.

The journey from prison to purpose hasn’t been easy.

“It takes a toll — mentally, emotionally. It just drains you,” Bledsoe said of his wrongful incarceration. “But it’s also made me who I am today. I went in at 23 and came out at 39. It taught me what true family really is — and sometimes, that’s not the one you’re born into, but the people who choose to walk alongside you.”

Now a father to three young children, Bledsoe’s focus is on creating meaningful experiences — both for his family and the broader community.

That mission comes to life at the Serenity Homestead, where children can interact with animals, ride horses, and experience hands-on farming.

“One of my goals is to teach people how to become self-sustaining,” he said. “You don’t have to rely on the grocery store if you know how to grow your own food.”

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bledsoe said. “I’ve learned a lot of stuff, gained a lot of great friends, and built a completely different life.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749356374241.jpeg" alt="Floyd Bledsoe - Hutch Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Floyd Bledsoe - Hutch Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch Post&nbsp;Ten years ago, Floyd Bledsoe walked free after spending more than 16 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. Today, he’s a father of three, an entrepreneur, and the owner of a small farm just outside Hutchinson.<h2>Looking back</h2>On a chilly November afternoon in 1999, 14-year-old Zetta Camille Arfmann stepped off a school bus in the small town of Oskaloosa and walked into the trailer home she shared with her older sister, brother-in-law, and their two children. She was never seen alive again.Just days later, Floyd Bledsoe—her sister’s 23-year-old husband—was arrested and charged with Camille’s murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, Bledsoe was convicted in April 2000 of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 16 years.In 2004, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld Bledsoe’s conviction. But questions surrounding the handling of the case persisted, particularly over a pretrial agreement signed by the prosecutor, the county sheriff, and a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agent to not conduct DNA testing on the evidence.Bledsoe’s legal team secured permission to test the preserved biological evidence. The results were staggering. DNA from a vaginal swab taken from Camille’s body matched Bledsoe’s brother, Tom Bledsoe—not Floyd. Floyd’s DNA was not found on any of the tested evidence. Additional DNA evidence, including samples found on Camille’s socks, implicated Tom and the brothers’ father in the disposal of the body.As the case unraveled, Tom Bledsoe died by suicide on November 9, 2015, in Bonner Springs. He left behind handwritten confessions, including a note addressed to his parents in which he admitted to raping and killing Camille and implored them to "please tell Floyd I am sorry."One month later, on December 8, 2015, Judge Gary Nafziger vacated Floyd Bledsoe’s convictions. Prosecutors dropped all charges, and Bledsoe walked free after spending nearly half his life imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.<h2>Today</h2>Since his 2015 exoneration, Bledsoe has settled in Hutchinson and started four businesses. Among them is F-N-J Construction, a home remodeling and decking company, and Bledsoe Serenity Homestead, a working farm where he sells fresh produce and teaches others how to grow their own food.The journey from prison to purpose hasn’t been easy.“It takes a toll — mentally, emotionally. It just drains you,” Bledsoe said of his wrongful incarceration. “But it’s also made me who I am today. I went in at 23 and came out at 39. It taught me what true family really is — and sometimes, that’s not the one you’re born into, but the people who choose to walk alongside you.”Now a father to three young children, Bledsoe’s focus is on creating meaningful experiences — both for his family and the broader community.That mission comes to life at the Serenity Homestead, where children can interact with animals, ride horses, and experience hands-on farming.“One of my goals is to teach people how to become self-sustaining,” he said. “You don’t have to rely on the grocery store if you know how to grow your own food.”“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bledsoe said. “I’ve learned a lot of stuff, gained a lot of great friends, and built a completely different life.”

Exonerated man builds new life in Kansas

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/graham-dunbar">GRAHAM DUNBAR</a>

GENEVA (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump often says the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are among the events he is most excited about in his second term.

Yet there is significant uncertainty regarding visa policies for foreign visitors planning trips to the U.S. for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-world-cup-olympics-612ae9d95a8bff29c31228396a375d7e">two biggest events in sports</a>.

Trump’s latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-travel-ban-adeaec442cb0f00f4f8a34d208118445">travel ban on citizens from 12 countries</a>&nbsp;added new questions about the impact on the World Cup and the Summer Olympics, which depend on hosts opening their doors to the world.

Here’s a look at the potential effects of the travel ban on those events.

When Sunday ticks over to Monday, citizens of 12 countries should be banned from entering the U.S.

They are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Tighter restrictions will apply to visitors from seven more: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

Trump said some countries had “deficient” screening and vetting processes or have historically refused to take back their own citizens.

How does it affect the World Cup and Olympics?

Iran, a soccer power in Asia, is the only targeted country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-asia-qualifying-fifa-eef5b27a5974c132b5c020f2effcd8a0">to qualify so far</a>&nbsp;for the World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico in one year’s time.

Cuba, Haiti and Sudan are in contention. Sierra Leone might stay involved through multiple playoff games. Burundi, Equatorial Guinea and Libya have very outside shots.

But all should be able to send teams to the World Cup if they qualify because the new policy makes exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state.”

About 200 countries could send athletes to the Summer Games, including those targeted by the latest travel restrictions. The exceptions should apply to them as well if the ban is still in place in its current form.

The travel ban doesn’t mention any exceptions for fans from the targeted countries wishing to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup or Olympics.

Even before the travel ban, fans of the Iran soccer team living in that country already had issues about getting a visa for a World Cup visit.

Still, national team supporters often profile differently to fans of club teams who go abroad for games in international competitions like the UEFA Champions League.

For many countries, fans traveling to the World Cup — an expensive travel plan with hiked flight and hotel prices — are often from the diaspora, wealthier, and could have different passport options.

A World Cup visitor is broadly higher-spending and lower-risk for host nation security planning.

Visitors to an Olympics are often even higher-end clients, though tourism for a Summer Games is significantly less than at a World Cup, with fewer still from most of the 19 countries now targeted.

How is the U.S. working with FIFA, Olympic officials?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly built close ties since 2018 to Trump —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-congress-infantino-trump-945ccead42e75c57c9111c571c4568bd">too close according to some</a>. He has cited the need to ensure FIFA’s smooth operations at a tournament that will earn a big majority of the soccer body’s expected $13 billion revenue from 2023-26.

Infantino sat next to Trump at the White House task force meeting on May 6 which prominently included Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. FIFA’s top delegate on the task force is Infantino ally Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs partner whose two-year run as U.S. Soccer Federation president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-international-soccer-major-league-soccer-world-cup-a4a68b6be7f34adeee12469426cd2216">ended in controversy in 2020</a>.

Any visa and security issues FIFA faces — including at the 32-team Club World Cup that kicks off next week in Miami — can help LA Olympics organizers finesse their plans.

“It was very clear in the directive that the Olympics require special consideration and I actually want to thank the federal government for recognizing that,” LA28 chairman and president Casey Wasserman said Thursday in Los Angeles.

“It’s very clear that the federal government understands that that’s an environment that they will be accommodating and provide for,” he said. “We have great confidence that that will only continue. It has been the case to date and it will certainly be the case going forward through the games.”

In March, at an IOC meeting in Greece, Wasserman said he had two discreet meetings with Trump and noted the State Department has a “fully staffed desk” to help prepare for short-notice visa processing in the summer of 2028 — albeit with a focus on teams rather than fans.

IOC member Nicole Hoevertsz, who is chair of the Coordination Commission for LA28, expressed “every confidence” that the U.S. government will cooperate, as it did in hosting previous Olympics.

“That is something that we will be definitely looking at and making sure that it is guaranteed as well,” she said. “We are very confident that this is going to be accomplished. I’m sure this is going to be executed well.”

FIFA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the new Trump travel ban.

The 2018 World Cup host Russia let fans enter the country with a game ticket doubling as their visa. So did Qatar four years later.

Both governments, however, also performed background checks on all visitors coming to the month-long soccer tournaments.

Governments have refused entry to unwelcome visitors. For the 2012 London Olympics, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko — who is still its authoritarian leader today — was denied a visa despite also leading its national Olympic body. The IOC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ioc-suspends-belarus-president-lukashenko-from-olympic-games-e232d14d99e959297eba9bd5740b5544">also suspended him</a>&nbsp;from the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.

AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741521131212.png" alt="File photo&nbsp;-President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveil the official trophy of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo&nbsp;-President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveil the official trophy of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/graham-dunbar">GRAHAM DUNBAR</a>GENEVA (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump often says the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are among the events he is most excited about in his second term.Yet there is significant uncertainty regarding visa policies for foreign visitors planning trips to the U.S. for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-world-cup-olympics-612ae9d95a8bff29c31228396a375d7e">two biggest events in sports</a>.Trump’s latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-travel-ban-adeaec442cb0f00f4f8a34d208118445">travel ban on citizens from 12 countries</a>&nbsp;added new questions about the impact on the World Cup and the Summer Olympics, which depend on hosts opening their doors to the world.Here’s a look at the potential effects of the travel ban on those events.<h2>What is the travel ban policy?</h2>When Sunday ticks over to Monday, citizens of 12 countries should be banned from entering the U.S.They are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.Tighter restrictions will apply to visitors from seven more: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.Trump said some countries had “deficient” screening and vetting processes or have historically refused to take back their own citizens.<h2>How does it affect the World Cup and Olympics?</h2>Iran, a soccer power in Asia, is the only targeted country&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-asia-qualifying-fifa-eef5b27a5974c132b5c020f2effcd8a0">to qualify so far</a>&nbsp;for the World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico in one year’s time.Cuba, Haiti and Sudan are in contention. Sierra Leone might stay involved through multiple playoff games. Burundi, Equatorial Guinea and Libya have very outside shots.But all should be able to send teams to the World Cup if they qualify because the new policy makes exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state.”About 200 countries could send athletes to the Summer Games, including those targeted by the latest travel restrictions. The exceptions should apply to them as well if the ban is still in place in its current form.<h2>What about fans?</h2>The travel ban doesn’t mention any exceptions for fans from the targeted countries wishing to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup or Olympics.Even before the travel ban, fans of the Iran soccer team living in that country already had issues about getting a visa for a World Cup visit.Still, national team supporters often profile differently to fans of club teams who go abroad for games in international competitions like the UEFA Champions League.For many countries, fans traveling to the World Cup — an expensive travel plan with hiked flight and hotel prices — are often from the diaspora, wealthier, and could have different passport options.A World Cup visitor is broadly higher-spending and lower-risk for host nation security planning.Visitors to an Olympics are often even higher-end clients, though tourism for a Summer Games is significantly less than at a World Cup, with fewer still from most of the 19 countries now targeted.<h2>How is the U.S. working with FIFA, Olympic officials?</h2>FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly built close ties since 2018 to Trump —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-congress-infantino-trump-945ccead42e75c57c9111c571c4568bd">too close according to some</a>. He has cited the need to ensure FIFA’s smooth operations at a tournament that will earn a big majority of the soccer body’s expected $13 billion revenue from 2023-26.Infantino sat next to Trump at the White House task force meeting on May 6 which prominently included Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. FIFA’s top delegate on the task force is Infantino ally Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs partner whose two-year run as U.S. Soccer Federation president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-international-soccer-major-league-soccer-world-cup-a4a68b6be7f34adeee12469426cd2216">ended in controversy in 2020</a>.Any visa and security issues FIFA faces — including at the 32-team Club World Cup that kicks off next week in Miami — can help LA Olympics organizers finesse their plans.“It was very clear in the directive that the Olympics require special consideration and I actually want to thank the federal government for recognizing that,” LA28 chairman and president Casey Wasserman said Thursday in Los Angeles.“It’s very clear that the federal government understands that that’s an environment that they will be accommodating and provide for,” he said. “We have great confidence that that will only continue. It has been the case to date and it will certainly be the case going forward through the games.”In March, at an IOC meeting in Greece, Wasserman said he had two discreet meetings with Trump and noted the State Department has a “fully staffed desk” to help prepare for short-notice visa processing in the summer of 2028 — albeit with a focus on teams rather than fans.IOC member Nicole Hoevertsz, who is chair of the Coordination Commission for LA28, expressed “every confidence” that the U.S. government will cooperate, as it did in hosting previous Olympics.“That is something that we will be definitely looking at and making sure that it is guaranteed as well,” she said. “We are very confident that this is going to be accomplished. I’m sure this is going to be executed well.”FIFA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the new Trump travel ban.<h2>What have other host nations done?</h2>The 2018 World Cup host Russia let fans enter the country with a game ticket doubling as their visa. So did Qatar four years later.Both governments, however, also performed background checks on all visitors coming to the month-long soccer tournaments.Governments have refused entry to unwelcome visitors. For the 2012 London Olympics, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko — who is still its authoritarian leader today — was denied a visa despite also leading its national Olympic body. The IOC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ioc-suspends-belarus-president-lukashenko-from-olympic-games-e232d14d99e959297eba9bd5740b5544">also suspended him</a>&nbsp;from the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.___AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

What the Trump travel ban means for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games

WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;made it easier Thursday to bring lawsuits over so-called reverse discrimination, siding with an Ohio woman who claims she didn’t get a job and then was demoted because she is straight.

The justices’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1039_c0n2.pdf">decision</a>&nbsp;affects lawsuits in 20 states and the District of Columbia where, until now, courts had set a higher bar when members of a majority group, including those who are white and heterosexual, sue for discrimination under federal law.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote for the court that federal civil rights law draws no distinction between members of majority and minority groups.

“By establishing the same protections for every ‘individual’ — without regard to that individual’s membership in a minority or majority group — Congress left no room for courts to impose special requirements on majority-group plaintiffs alone,” Jackson wrote.

The court ruled in an appeal from Marlean Ames, who has worked for the Ohio Department of Youth Services for more than 20 years.

Ames contends she was passed over for a promotion and then demoted because she is heterosexual. Both the job she sought and the one she had held were given to LGBTQ people.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars sex discrimination in the workplace. A trial court and the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Ames.

The 6th circuit is among the courts that had required an additional requirement for people like Ames, showing “background circumstances” that might include that LGBTQ people made the decisions affecting Ames or statistical evidence of a pattern of discrimination against members of the majority group.

The appeals court noted that Ames didn’t provide any such circumstances.

But Jackson wrote that “this additional ‘background circumstances’ requirement is not consistent with Title VII’s text or our case law construing the statute.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;made it easier Thursday to bring lawsuits over so-called reverse discrimination, siding with an Ohio woman who claims she didn’t get a job and then was demoted because she is straight.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749137586260.png" alt="U.S. Supreme Court" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Supreme Court</figcaption>
 </figure>The justices’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1039_c0n2.pdf">decision</a>&nbsp;affects lawsuits in 20 states and the District of Columbia where, until now, courts had set a higher bar when members of a majority group, including those who are white and heterosexual, sue for discrimination under federal law.Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote for the court that federal civil rights law draws no distinction between members of majority and minority groups.“By establishing the same protections for every ‘individual’ — without regard to that individual’s membership in a minority or majority group — Congress left no room for courts to impose special requirements on majority-group plaintiffs alone,” Jackson wrote.The court ruled in an appeal from Marlean Ames, who has worked for the Ohio Department of Youth Services for more than 20 years.Ames contends she was passed over for a promotion and then demoted because she is heterosexual. Both the job she sought and the one she had held were given to LGBTQ people.Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars sex discrimination in the workplace. A trial court and the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Ames.The 6th circuit is among the courts that had required an additional requirement for people like Ames, showing “background circumstances” that might include that LGBTQ people made the decisions affecting Ames or statistical evidence of a pattern of discrimination against members of the majority group.The appeals court noted that Ames didn’t provide any such circumstances.But Jackson wrote that “this additional ‘background circumstances’ requirement is not consistent with Title VII’s text or our case law construing the statute.”

Read the ruling: Supreme Court makes it easier to claim 'reverse discrimination'

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp;Investigators need help to identify an armed robber, who held a clerk at gunpoint at a business in the 4200 block of S. Seneca in Wichita on May 8, according to a social media report from Wichita&nbsp; Police. The suspect escaped with cash and liquor.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp;Investigators need help to identify an armed robber, who held a clerk at gunpoint at a business in the 4200 block of S. Seneca in Wichita on May 8, according to a social media report from Wichita&nbsp; Police. The suspect escaped with cash and liquor.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Tipsters! WPD Investigators need your help to identify this armed robber, who held a clerk at gunpoint at a local business in the 4200 block of S. Seneca on May 8th and escaped with cash and liquor. <a href="https://t.co/UOd1gsOth4">pic.twitter.com/UOd1gsOth4</a>&mdash; Crime Stoppers ICT (@crimestoppers) <a href="https://twitter.com/crimestoppers/status/1924481622235083247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Police ask for help to ID armed robbery suspect

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/wyatte-grantham-philips">WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Stragglers beware: U.S. travelers flying with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/newark-airport-flight-delays-cancellations-united-d0f8a2fbc8844a05ab9e7d577922c141">United Airlines</a>&nbsp;will have to check in to domestic flights a little earlier starting next week. That is, if they’re customers only taking carry-on bags.

Effective this week, United’s “check-in cutoff” for most U.S. flights will be 45 minutes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/laguardia-airport-close-call-faa-ntsb-821fcc0a18d5da17b832b2e17af765c0">before departure</a>. That’s the same deadline United has for passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-hearing-airlines-fees-seats-bags-3cd4a1fc1b29fc04f9607adea7b5bdf4">checking luggage</a>&nbsp;at the airport but 15 minutes earlier than the current one for people without bags to check.

In an email to The Associated Press, a United spokesperson said the change to a single cut-off minimum “brings greater consistency for our customers” and conforms with the policies of many other airlines.

Checking in for a flight confirms a passenger’s booking and intent to travel ahead of takeoff. Most major U.S. carriers have online check-in systems that can be used at least 24 hours in advance, so the process no longer reflects when many travelers arrive at the airport. But it’s still an important step since boarding passes are issued once check-ins are completed.

Other U.S. and international carriers have tightened their check-in and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-gate-lice-boarding-technology-907dfe7a751a0b8f19b8b0f6150c0b7b">boarding policies</a>&nbsp;as part of their strategies for maintaining on-time departures, particularly amid the high demand that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

Generally speaking, checking in allows airports&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/off-charts-airlines-earnings-forecast-8b4274a941439ddc7f6e8f1bd79e6174">and airlines</a>&nbsp;to prepare for upcoming flights — from confirming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-assigned-seats-earnings-6869dbe31934c87e049c9e428eae7761">seat assignments</a>&nbsp;to making sure passenger names are at the security checkpoint. Check-in cutoffs, or the latest possible time to claim a flight reservation, are typically earlier for international flights to account for the time needed to check passports and clear customs.

Still, requirements may vary by airline and airport. Dubai-based Emirates, for example, closes online check-ins 90 minutes before departure.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ryanair-alcohol-drink-limit-eu-airports-ff197c69dbd738cf221b24e591a1d52e">Ireland’s Ryanair</a>&nbsp;allows online check-in up to two hours before a flight; passengers still may check in at the airport 40 minutes in advance, but for a fee.

Here’s what check-in cutoffs look like for United and some other U.S. carriers.

Again,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fear-of-flying-8e348402efc654a7248fb9fe4e5df852">if you’re flying</a>&nbsp;United within the U.S., you’ll need to check in to your flight at least 45 minutes prior to takeoff as of June 3.

While the new cutoff applies to most of United’s domestic trips, check-in deadlines may vary by location and route. The carrier’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/airport/airport-process.html#check-in-time-limits" target="_blank">website notes</a>&nbsp;that St. Thomas’ airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands has a check-in time limit of 90 minutes prior to departure — the same cutoff listed for flights between Guam and Honolulu.

For international flights, United requires checking in at least an hour before departure. But many airports have earlier deadlines — such as 75 minutes for major airports in Paris and Dubai, and 90 minutes for the airports in Toronto and Lagos, Nigeria.

Delta passengers not checking any bags still have a minimum of a half-hour before a domestic flight to check in. Travelers with luggage to check need to get to the airline ticket counter at least 45 minutes prior, Delta’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.delta.com/us/en/check-in-security/check-in-time-requirements/domestic-check-in" target="_blank">website notes</a>, per an update that went into effect last month.

In a statement sent to the AP on Tuesday, Delta said it had made this “minor change” so that “Delta teams can ensure all customers have a great experience.”

For international flights, Delta travelers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.delta.com/us/en/check-in-security/check-in-time-requirements/international-check-in" target="_blank">must be checked in</a>&nbsp;at least 1 hour before departure. But, like other carriers, Delta’s minimum check-in requirements can vary by location for certain airports. Delta customers checking bags at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, for example, are supposed to check in an hour before departure whether their flights are domestic or international.

If you’re flying with American Airlines within the U.S., the deadline for checking in and checking a bag before a flight is 45 minutes ahead of departure, according to the carrier’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/check-in-and-arrival.jsp" target="_blank">website</a>.

For trips to or from locations outside the U.S., the cutoff to both check-in for your flight and check a bag is 60 minutes ahead of takeoff. But again, a handful of airports have earlier requirements.

Passengers with more than a carry-on bag should get to the airline counter at least 45 minutes before a scheduled flight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-checked-bag-5e1a887d57bf8d690f35ffab43572f3b">on Southwest</a>. The carrier&nbsp;<a href="https://mobile.southwest.com/baggage-restrictions#:~:text=Please%20see%20important%20information%20regarding,in%20or%20board%20the%20flight." target="_blank">warns</a>&nbsp;that baggage destined for a plane’s cargo hold is considered a “late check” and not guaranteed to get on your flight if it’s dropped off less than 45 minutes ahead of departure.

Beyond baggage, if Southwest travelers aren’t checked-in and in the boarding area at least 10 minutes prior to departure, their reservation could be canceled, a Southwest spokesperson told the AP via email.

The carrier did not specify any additional, firm check-in cutoffs for domestic flights. For international trips, Southwest’s&nbsp;<a href="https://mobile.southwest.com/baggage-restrictions#:~:text=Please%20see%20important%20information%20regarding,in%20or%20board%20the%20flight." target="_blank">website notes</a>&nbsp;that all passengers and their luggage must be checked in a minimum of 60 minutes prior to departure. And again, that can vary — with flights departing Aruba, for example, having an earlier deadline of 75 minutes before takeoff for passengers with or without checked bags.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-airlines-flights-tokyo-seoul-seattle-honolulu-7550281d0b25672184b0aa44e3151427">Alaska</a>&nbsp;requires a minimum of 50 minutes before takeoff to check in passengers for flights within the U.S., whether or not they have bags to check. The cutoff is 60 minutes for international flights, the carrier’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/at-the-airport/airport-boarding-times?srsltid=AfmBOop3VjjPWOXtipMub871jPfM-r9FDZOmn_UDJZFwFGh8YxG-iAja" target="_blank">website notes</a>.

Again, there are exceptions for certain locations and airports. Passengers traveling from Guadalajara, Mexico, for example, have to check their baggage and into their flights at least 90 minutes ahead of time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638546910878.jpeg" alt="United Airlines (Unsplash)" />
 <figcaption>United Airlines (Unsplash)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/wyatte-grantham-philips">WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS</a>NEW YORK (AP) — Stragglers beware: U.S. travelers flying with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/newark-airport-flight-delays-cancellations-united-d0f8a2fbc8844a05ab9e7d577922c141">United Airlines</a>&nbsp;will have to check in to domestic flights a little earlier starting next week. That is, if they’re customers only taking carry-on bags.Effective this week, United’s “check-in cutoff” for most U.S. flights will be 45 minutes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/laguardia-airport-close-call-faa-ntsb-821fcc0a18d5da17b832b2e17af765c0">before departure</a>. That’s the same deadline United has for passengers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-hearing-airlines-fees-seats-bags-3cd4a1fc1b29fc04f9607adea7b5bdf4">checking luggage</a>&nbsp;at the airport but 15 minutes earlier than the current one for people without bags to check.In an email to The Associated Press, a United spokesperson said the change to a single cut-off minimum “brings greater consistency for our customers” and conforms with the policies of many other airlines.Checking in for a flight confirms a passenger’s booking and intent to travel ahead of takeoff. Most major U.S. carriers have online check-in systems that can be used at least 24 hours in advance, so the process no longer reflects when many travelers arrive at the airport. But it’s still an important step since boarding passes are issued once check-ins are completed.Other U.S. and international carriers have tightened their check-in and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-gate-lice-boarding-technology-907dfe7a751a0b8f19b8b0f6150c0b7b">boarding policies</a>&nbsp;as part of their strategies for maintaining on-time departures, particularly amid the high demand that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.Generally speaking, checking in allows airports&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/off-charts-airlines-earnings-forecast-8b4274a941439ddc7f6e8f1bd79e6174">and airlines</a>&nbsp;to prepare for upcoming flights — from confirming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-assigned-seats-earnings-6869dbe31934c87e049c9e428eae7761">seat assignments</a>&nbsp;to making sure passenger names are at the security checkpoint. Check-in cutoffs, or the latest possible time to claim a flight reservation, are typically earlier for international flights to account for the time needed to check passports and clear customs.Still, requirements may vary by airline and airport. Dubai-based Emirates, for example, closes online check-ins 90 minutes before departure.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ryanair-alcohol-drink-limit-eu-airports-ff197c69dbd738cf221b24e591a1d52e">Ireland’s Ryanair</a>&nbsp;allows online check-in up to two hours before a flight; passengers still may check in at the airport 40 minutes in advance, but for a fee.Here’s what check-in cutoffs look like for United and some other U.S. carriers.<h2>United Airlines</h2>Again,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fear-of-flying-8e348402efc654a7248fb9fe4e5df852">if you’re flying</a>&nbsp;United within the U.S., you’ll need to check in to your flight at least 45 minutes prior to takeoff as of June 3.While the new cutoff applies to most of United’s domestic trips, check-in deadlines may vary by location and route. The carrier’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/airport/airport-process.html#check-in-time-limits" target="_blank">website notes</a>&nbsp;that St. Thomas’ airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands has a check-in time limit of 90 minutes prior to departure — the same cutoff listed for flights between Guam and Honolulu.For international flights, United requires checking in at least an hour before departure. But many airports have earlier deadlines — such as 75 minutes for major airports in Paris and Dubai, and 90 minutes for the airports in Toronto and Lagos, Nigeria.<h2>Delta Air Lines</h2>Delta passengers not checking any bags still have a minimum of a half-hour before a domestic flight to check in. Travelers with luggage to check need to get to the airline ticket counter at least 45 minutes prior, Delta’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.delta.com/us/en/check-in-security/check-in-time-requirements/domestic-check-in" target="_blank">website notes</a>, per an update that went into effect last month.In a statement sent to the AP on Tuesday, Delta said it had made this “minor change” so that “Delta teams can ensure all customers have a great experience.”For international flights, Delta travelers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.delta.com/us/en/check-in-security/check-in-time-requirements/international-check-in" target="_blank">must be checked in</a>&nbsp;at least 1 hour before departure. But, like other carriers, Delta’s minimum check-in requirements can vary by location for certain airports. Delta customers checking bags at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, for example, are supposed to check in an hour before departure whether their flights are domestic or international.<h2>American Airlines</h2>If you’re flying with American Airlines within the U.S., the deadline for checking in and checking a bag before a flight is 45 minutes ahead of departure, according to the carrier’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/check-in-and-arrival.jsp" target="_blank">website</a>.For trips to or from locations outside the U.S., the cutoff to both check-in for your flight and check a bag is 60 minutes ahead of takeoff. But again, a handful of airports have earlier requirements.<h2>Southwest Airlines</h2>Passengers with more than a carry-on bag should get to the airline counter at least 45 minutes before a scheduled flight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-checked-bag-5e1a887d57bf8d690f35ffab43572f3b">on Southwest</a>. The carrier&nbsp;<a href="https://mobile.southwest.com/baggage-restrictions#:~:text=Please%20see%20important%20information%20regarding,in%20or%20board%20the%20flight." target="_blank">warns</a>&nbsp;that baggage destined for a plane’s cargo hold is considered a “late check” and not guaranteed to get on your flight if it’s dropped off less than 45 minutes ahead of departure.Beyond baggage, if Southwest travelers aren’t checked-in and in the boarding area at least 10 minutes prior to departure, their reservation could be canceled, a Southwest spokesperson told the AP via email.The carrier did not specify any additional, firm check-in cutoffs for domestic flights. For international trips, Southwest’s&nbsp;<a href="https://mobile.southwest.com/baggage-restrictions#:~:text=Please%20see%20important%20information%20regarding,in%20or%20board%20the%20flight." target="_blank">website notes</a>&nbsp;that all passengers and their luggage must be checked in a minimum of 60 minutes prior to departure. And again, that can vary — with flights departing Aruba, for example, having an earlier deadline of 75 minutes before takeoff for passengers with or without checked bags.<h2>Alaska Airlines</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-airlines-flights-tokyo-seoul-seattle-honolulu-7550281d0b25672184b0aa44e3151427">Alaska</a>&nbsp;requires a minimum of 50 minutes before takeoff to check in passengers for flights within the U.S., whether or not they have bags to check. The cutoff is 60 minutes for international flights, the carrier’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/at-the-airport/airport-boarding-times?srsltid=AfmBOop3VjjPWOXtipMub871jPfM-r9FDZOmn_UDJZFwFGh8YxG-iAja" target="_blank">website notes</a>.Again, there are exceptions for certain locations and airports. Passengers traveling from Guadalajara, Mexico, for example, have to check their baggage and into their flights at least 90 minutes ahead of time.

Check-in window for US airlines have changed; how they compare

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chinese-scientists-charged-toxic-fungus-5ccaba9aff8e5941ebcea71b9b6690b2">charged two Chinese researchers</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday with smuggling a crop-killing fungus into the U.S. last summer — charges that come amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-tariffs-trade-war-xi-34e0fc90f720dfd0dd1e41336dd907d6">heightened political tensions</a>&nbsp;between the two countries and as the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-student-visa-republicans-056bb72cd0f06f6ea0148c3bbcac9be6">moves to revoke visas</a>&nbsp;from visiting Chinese students.

Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud for allegedly bringing the fungus Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. Jian, 33, was booked in a Detroit federal court. Liu, 34, is thought to be in China.

According to the FBI, Liu had small baggies of the fungus stashed in his backpack when he flew to the U.S. last year and, after claiming ignorance about the plant material inside them, said he was planning to use it for research at a University of Michigan lab where Jian worked and where Liu previously worked.

Fusarium graminearum causes a disease called Fusarium head blight that can wipe out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/morocco-grain-harvest-climate-change-agriculture-drought-34dc3fefa4a6ab182e4a5c3c70c90751">cereal crops</a>&nbsp;such as wheat, barley and maize and rice — it inflicts $1 billion in losses annually on U.S. wheat and barley crops, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It isn’t the only fungus to cause Fusarium head blight, but it’s the most common culprit in the U.S. The fungus infects plants early in the growing season, shriveling wheat grains and blanching crop heads a whitish-tan color. It also causes a toxin to accumulate in wheat kernels that can make them unsafe for people and livestock to eat.

Nicknamed “vomitoxin” because it’s most known for causing livestock to throw up, it can also cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache and fever in animals and people.

Wheat and other grain crops are screened for various toxins, including Fusarium graminearum, before they can be used to feed animals and humans. Farmers have to throw out any infected grains, which can cause devastating losses.

“It’s one of the many problems that farmers have to deal with that risks their livelihood,” said David Geiser, a Fusarium expert at Penn State.

Although Jian and Liu are accused of smuggling Fusarium graminearum into the country, the fungus is already prevalent in the U.S. — particularly in the east and Upper Midwest — and scientists have been studying it for decades.

Researchers often bring foreign plants, animals and even strains of fungi to the U.S. to study them, but they must file certain permits before moving anything across state or national borders. Studying the genes of a foreign fungus strain, for example, can help scientists learn how it tolerates heat, resists pesticides or mutates.

“We look at variations among individuals just like we do humans,” said Nicole Gauthier, a plant pathologist at the University of Kentucky who studies Fusarium.

That said, it’s unclear why the Chinese researchers might have wanted to bring that strain of Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. and why they didn’t fill out the proper paperwork to do so.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749002066377.png" alt="Photo United State's District Court" />
 <figcaption>Photo United State's District Court</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chinese-scientists-charged-toxic-fungus-5ccaba9aff8e5941ebcea71b9b6690b2">charged two Chinese researchers</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday with smuggling a crop-killing fungus into the U.S. last summer — charges that come amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-tariffs-trade-war-xi-34e0fc90f720dfd0dd1e41336dd907d6">heightened political tensions</a>&nbsp;between the two countries and as the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-student-visa-republicans-056bb72cd0f06f6ea0148c3bbcac9be6">moves to revoke visas</a>&nbsp;from visiting Chinese students.Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud for allegedly bringing the fungus Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. Jian, 33, was booked in a Detroit federal court. Liu, 34, is thought to be in China.According to the FBI, Liu had small baggies of the fungus stashed in his backpack when he flew to the U.S. last year and, after claiming ignorance about the plant material inside them, said he was planning to use it for research at a University of Michigan lab where Jian worked and where Liu previously worked.<h2>What is Fusarium head blight?</h2>Fusarium graminearum causes a disease called Fusarium head blight that can wipe out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/morocco-grain-harvest-climate-change-agriculture-drought-34dc3fefa4a6ab182e4a5c3c70c90751">cereal crops</a>&nbsp;such as wheat, barley and maize and rice — it inflicts $1 billion in losses annually on U.S. wheat and barley crops, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.It isn’t the only fungus to cause Fusarium head blight, but it’s the most common culprit in the U.S. The fungus infects plants early in the growing season, shriveling wheat grains and blanching crop heads a whitish-tan color. It also causes a toxin to accumulate in wheat kernels that can make them unsafe for people and livestock to eat.Nicknamed “vomitoxin” because it’s most known for causing livestock to throw up, it can also cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache and fever in animals and people.Wheat and other grain crops are screened for various toxins, including Fusarium graminearum, before they can be used to feed animals and humans. Farmers have to throw out any infected grains, which can cause devastating losses.“It’s one of the many problems that farmers have to deal with that risks their livelihood,” said David Geiser, a Fusarium expert at Penn State.<h2>What are the accusations?</h2>Although Jian and Liu are accused of smuggling Fusarium graminearum into the country, the fungus is already prevalent in the U.S. — particularly in the east and Upper Midwest — and scientists have been studying it for decades.Researchers often bring foreign plants, animals and even strains of fungi to the U.S. to study them, but they must file certain permits before moving anything across state or national borders. Studying the genes of a foreign fungus strain, for example, can help scientists learn how it tolerates heat, resists pesticides or mutates.“We look at variations among individuals just like we do humans,” said Nicole Gauthier, a plant pathologist at the University of Kentucky who studies Fusarium.That said, it’s unclear why the Chinese researchers might have wanted to bring that strain of Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. and why they didn’t fill out the proper paperwork to do so.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Agroterrorism: What is the fungus US says was smuggled in from China?

ANDERSON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Saturday in Anderson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris UTV driven by 16-year-old Wyatt L&nbsp;Whitham of Kincaid, Kansas, was southbound on NW Marshall Road two and one half miles west of Garnett.

The driver attempted to turn East onto NW 1750 Road. The UTV struck the South embankment and overturned onto the drivers side.

Whitham was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Medical - Kansas City. Two other passengers, a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, both from Garnett, were not seriously injured and not transported.&nbsp;

ANDERSON COUNTY—A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Saturday in Anderson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris UTV driven by 16-year-old Wyatt L&nbsp;Whitham of Kincaid, Kansas, was southbound on NW Marshall Road two and one half miles west of Garnett.The driver attempted to turn East onto NW 1750 Road. The UTV struck the South embankment and overturned onto the drivers side.Whitham was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Medical - Kansas City. Two other passengers, a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, both from Garnett, were not seriously injured and not transported.&nbsp;

Kansas teen killed when UTV overturns

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/robbiesequeira/">Robbie Sequeira</a>

Over the past few months, Celina Damian’s phone has been ringing off the hook with one bewildered, anxious question after another: “What kind of loan is this?” “Am I in default?” “Will the government really take my wages?”

“Sometimes they just don’t know where to start,” said Damian, California’s student loan servicing ombudsperson.

“I’m talking to borrowers from all ages, from new borrowers to — I have 80-, 90-year-old borrowers,” she said.

The federal government last month restarted collections on defaulted loans. State student loan ombudspersons such as Damian have become some of the only sources of contact for worried borrowers lost in a tangle of conflicting information at the federal level about their loan status and repayment options.

The U.S. Department of Education began collecting on defaulted student loans in May for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education come with&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/repaying-101" target="_blank">fixed rates, set repayment plans and borrower protections</a>. Private servicers handle billing, repayment-plan enrollments and defaults.

More than 5 million borrowers are in delinquency, and nearly 10 million — about 25% of the federal student loan portfolio — are at risk of default within months, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.

States can’t cancel that debt, but they do register and oversee servicers operating in their states, run ombuds offices, tweak tax rules and offer outreach or limited grants — actions aimed at reducing defaults and the economic fallout.

When borrowers default, states will likely feel the economic impact. They might lose tax revenue as homebuying stalls. They could end up paying more for Medicaid and social services if borrowers need to rely on them. And students with loan debt may be reluctant to go into lower-paying public-sector work, leading to staffing shortages at state agencies.

A borrower is considered delinquent after missing a payment to the servicing companies that handle billing, repayment plan enrollments, and defaults.

Damian’s office, established under California’s Student Borrower Bill of Rights, began as a narrow statutory role but now serves as a hub for outreach, “Student Loan 101” workshops and escalated complaints to federal agencies.

Roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/state-ombudsman" target="_blank">16 states</a>&nbsp;plus the District of Columbia have followed suit, creating ombuds offices to guide borrowers through confusing paperwork and misinformation. Damian believes these ombuds offices should be in every state, as borrowers across the country will likely have similar questions and little help at the federal level.

“If you don’t have an ombudsperson or even just a person at the state level who can educate borrowers, that will make a difference,” Damian told Stateline. “These borrowers are trying to pay, but the system is broken. No other financial product works this way.”

Student loans became a key issue during last year’s election race, with President Joe Biden blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in his effort to offer relief to 40 million Americans. In its waning days, his administration did forgive loans for some 150,000 borrowers under previous programs.

But President Donald Trump opposes most loan forgiveness programs, and&nbsp;in May, the U.S. Education Department issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2025-05-05/request-institutions-provide-repayment-information-former-students-prevent-defaults" target="_blank">“Dear Colleague” letter to higher education institutions</a>, reminding them of their legal obligations to help former students understand repayment responsibilities and access support.

Some conservative economists&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cato.org/testimony/state-higher-education#affordability:~:text=There%20is%20considerable%20evidence%20that%20colleges%20raise%20their%20prices%20and%20reduce%20institutional%20aid%20when%20federal%20financial%20aid%20is%20available.%20This%20phenomenon%20is%20referred%20to%20as%20the%20Bennett%20Hypothesis." target="_blank">say</a>&nbsp;that federal loan forgiveness and financial aid hurt all students, offering colleges an incentive to raise tuition or lower their own institutional aid.

Winston Berkman-Breen, the legal director at the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit aimed at protecting borrowers and improving the repayment system, said that more than 2 million borrowers are stuck in a backlog of&nbsp;<a href="https://protectborrowers.org/new-court-filing-reveals-backlog-of-2-million-borrower-payment-plan-applications/" target="_blank">unprocessed applications</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studentloanplanner.com/idr-pslf-application-delays/" target="_blank">income-driven repayment</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://protectborrowers.org/new-court-filing-reveals-backlog-of-2-million-borrower-payment-plan-applications/" target="_blank">IDR) plans</a>&nbsp;— calculated pay structures meant to keep payments affordable based on a borrower’s income.

Other borrowers have called federal agencies for help only to find that U.S. Education Department staff,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force" target="_blank">including servicer-oversight teams</a>, have been laid off as the Trump administration works toward dismantling the department entirely.

“There was an expectation to repay,” Berkman-Breen said. “But there was also an expectation that people would have access to affordable plans. That promise has broken down.”

States now have three primary tools to address student loan debt, Berkman-Breen said: enforcement actions to protect consumers, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/09/12/nx-s1-5110124/navient-lawsuit-settlement-student-loans#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20Navient%20reached%20a,Navient%20faced%20two%20serious%20allegations." target="_blank">39-state lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against servicer Navient; legal oversight by suing to uphold or challenge federal policy; and direct outreach to help public servants access Public Service Loan Forgiveness and similar programs.

Nineteen states now require registration for companies that service student loans, he said. And more than a dozen states align with federal policy to exempt forgiven loan balances from state income taxes.

Connecticut state Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, a Democrat, calls student debt “a drag on the economy,” and said states can’t afford to wait for Congress — mired in partisan gridlock over student loan forgiveness — to find common ground.

“[Student debt] is stopping people from buying homes, starting families and fully participating in the economy,” she told Stateline. “That hurts us as a state, as a city, and we can’t wait for Washington to figure it out.”

Last year, Connecticut created a bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/fortier/student-loan-reimbursement-program#:~:text=Starting%20January%201%2C%20Connecticut%20college,jointly%20or%20a%20surviving%20spouse." target="_blank">reimbursement program</a>&nbsp;that provides up to $20,000 for graduates of local colleges who make payments and complete community service. The state has distributed more than $2 million so far.

Kavros DeGraw hopes the program can serve as a model, and has already talked with lawmakers in other states on possibly developing their own versions of it.

“These were people who were already paying,” Kavros DeGraw said. “It just made sense. I think it’s something that other states could explore this session, and it would provide an immense deal of relief.”

Lawmakers in other states also have considered student loan legislation. This year, New Jersey introduced bills to&nbsp;<a href="https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S4500/4011_I1.PDF" target="_blank">register education lenders</a>&nbsp;and cap interest rates. Lawmakers in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/25%20Regular/bills/house/HB0224.HTML?utm_" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3772" target="_blank">New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S426" target="_blank">North Carolina</a>&nbsp;have proposed Borrower Bill of Rights legislation. Arizona has a registration bill for private servicers. None of these measures has advanced far.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 20 states have enacted laws expanding loan forgiveness, repayment programs and servicer oversight in recent years.

Several states are also investing directly in workforce-aligned loan forgiveness: Georgia expanded its service-cancelable loan&nbsp;<a href="https://healthcareworkforce.georgia.gov/dentist-loan-repayment-programs" target="_blank">program</a>&nbsp;to cover dental students working in rural areas. Idaho created a loan repayment&nbsp;<a href="https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/rural-health-and-underserved-areas/loan-repayment-and-grants" target="_blank">incentive</a>&nbsp;for rural nurses. Kentucky now offers $5,000&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1688009" target="_blank">stipends</a>&nbsp;to attract new teachers. Maryland authorized Anne Arundel County to launch a local&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0541?ys=2024RS" target="_blank">forgiveness</a>&nbsp;program for public school educators.

Student loan stress is not&nbsp;<a href="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2025/05/student-loan-delinquencies-are-back-and-credit-scores-take-a-tumble/" target="_blank">evenly distributed</a>. Seven states, all with Republican‐controlled legislatures, report delinquency rates above 30% among borrowers required to make payments.

Mississippi leads the nation with a conditional delinquency rate of nearly 45% — meaning borrowers who should be making payments are late. That’s just ahead of Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, all of which have rates above 31%, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

By contrast, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire maintain delinquency rates below 15%.

Experts say this chasm reflects deeper systemic differences, such as lower median incomes in higher delinquency states, along with weaker consumer protections and a higher share of students attending for-profit institutions or leaving college without a degree.

States also have promoted the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, established in 2007, that offers help to public service professionals. New Mexico has an outreach campaign that includes&nbsp;<a href="https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid/loan-repayment-programs/teacher" target="_blank">prospective teachers</a>&nbsp;and health care workers. Maine has provided&nbsp;<a href="https://www.maine.gov/pds/sites/maine.gov.pds/files/inline-files/Contractor%20Eligibility%20PSLF%20August%202023.pdf" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;to public defenders on how they can take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and touts a related state tax credit on a marketing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liveandworkinmaine.com/opportunity-maine" target="_blank">site</a>&nbsp;to lure new residents.

“States can regulate and enforce, but they can’t fix the structural problems in how repayment is administered,” said Michele Zampini, senior director of college affordability at The Institute for College Access &amp; Success, a research organization that advocates for students. “They’re helping around the edges, but the core system is still broken.”

A November&nbsp;<a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2024-annual-student-loan-ombudsmans-report_2024-11.pdf?utm" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau found at least 3.9 million borrowers received misleading or inaccurate bills from servicing companies.

“The repayment system is not in a good place to provide the services and repayment options borrowers are legally entitled to,” Zampini said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749295781301.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy Northwestern University graduation video 2024" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Northwestern University graduation video 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/robbiesequeira/">Robbie Sequeira</a>Over the past few months, Celina Damian’s phone has been ringing off the hook with one bewildered, anxious question after another: “What kind of loan is this?” “Am I in default?” “Will the government really take my wages?”“Sometimes they just don’t know where to start,” said Damian, California’s student loan servicing ombudsperson.“I’m talking to borrowers from all ages, from new borrowers to — I have 80-, 90-year-old borrowers,” she said.The federal government last month restarted collections on defaulted loans. State student loan ombudspersons such as Damian have become some of the only sources of contact for worried borrowers lost in a tangle of conflicting information at the federal level about their loan status and repayment options.The U.S. Department of Education began collecting on defaulted student loans in May for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.Federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education come with&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/repaying-101" target="_blank">fixed rates, set repayment plans and borrower protections</a>. Private servicers handle billing, repayment-plan enrollments and defaults.More than 5 million borrowers are in delinquency, and nearly 10 million — about 25% of the federal student loan portfolio — are at risk of default within months, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.States can’t cancel that debt, but they do register and oversee servicers operating in their states, run ombuds offices, tweak tax rules and offer outreach or limited grants — actions aimed at reducing defaults and the economic fallout.When borrowers default, states will likely feel the economic impact. They might lose tax revenue as homebuying stalls. They could end up paying more for Medicaid and social services if borrowers need to rely on them. And students with loan debt may be reluctant to go into lower-paying public-sector work, leading to staffing shortages at state agencies.A borrower is considered delinquent after missing a payment to the servicing companies that handle billing, repayment plan enrollments, and defaults.Damian’s office, established under California’s Student Borrower Bill of Rights, began as a narrow statutory role but now serves as a hub for outreach, “Student Loan 101” workshops and escalated complaints to federal agencies.Roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/state-ombudsman" target="_blank">16 states</a>&nbsp;plus the District of Columbia have followed suit, creating ombuds offices to guide borrowers through confusing paperwork and misinformation. Damian believes these ombuds offices should be in every state, as borrowers across the country will likely have similar questions and little help at the federal level.“If you don’t have an ombudsperson or even just a person at the state level who can educate borrowers, that will make a difference,” Damian told Stateline. “These borrowers are trying to pay, but the system is broken. No other financial product works this way.”Student loans became a key issue during last year’s election race, with President Joe Biden blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in his effort to offer relief to 40 million Americans. In its waning days, his administration did forgive loans for some 150,000 borrowers under previous programs.But President Donald Trump opposes most loan forgiveness programs, and&nbsp;in May, the U.S. Education Department issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2025-05-05/request-institutions-provide-repayment-information-former-students-prevent-defaults" target="_blank">“Dear Colleague” letter to higher education institutions</a>, reminding them of their legal obligations to help former students understand repayment responsibilities and access support.Some conservative economists&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cato.org/testimony/state-higher-education#affordability:~:text=There%20is%20considerable%20evidence%20that%20colleges%20raise%20their%20prices%20and%20reduce%20institutional%20aid%20when%20federal%20financial%20aid%20is%20available.%20This%20phenomenon%20is%20referred%20to%20as%20the%20Bennett%20Hypothesis." target="_blank">say</a>&nbsp;that federal loan forgiveness and financial aid hurt all students, offering colleges an incentive to raise tuition or lower their own institutional aid.Winston Berkman-Breen, the legal director at the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit aimed at protecting borrowers and improving the repayment system, said that more than 2 million borrowers are stuck in a backlog of&nbsp;<a href="https://protectborrowers.org/new-court-filing-reveals-backlog-of-2-million-borrower-payment-plan-applications/" target="_blank">unprocessed applications</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studentloanplanner.com/idr-pslf-application-delays/" target="_blank">income-driven repayment</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://protectborrowers.org/new-court-filing-reveals-backlog-of-2-million-borrower-payment-plan-applications/" target="_blank">IDR) plans</a>&nbsp;— calculated pay structures meant to keep payments affordable based on a borrower’s income.Other borrowers have called federal agencies for help only to find that U.S. Education Department staff,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force" target="_blank">including servicer-oversight teams</a>, have been laid off as the Trump administration works toward dismantling the department entirely.“There was an expectation to repay,” Berkman-Breen said. “But there was also an expectation that people would have access to affordable plans. That promise has broken down.”States now have three primary tools to address student loan debt, Berkman-Breen said: enforcement actions to protect consumers, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/09/12/nx-s1-5110124/navient-lawsuit-settlement-student-loans#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20Navient%20reached%20a,Navient%20faced%20two%20serious%20allegations." target="_blank">39-state lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against servicer Navient; legal oversight by suing to uphold or challenge federal policy; and direct outreach to help public servants access Public Service Loan Forgiveness and similar programs.Nineteen states now require registration for companies that service student loans, he said. And more than a dozen states align with federal policy to exempt forgiven loan balances from state income taxes.<h2>‘Can’t wait for Washington’</h2>Connecticut state Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, a Democrat, calls student debt “a drag on the economy,” and said states can’t afford to wait for Congress — mired in partisan gridlock over student loan forgiveness — to find common ground.“[Student debt] is stopping people from buying homes, starting families and fully participating in the economy,” she told Stateline. “That hurts us as a state, as a city, and we can’t wait for Washington to figure it out.”Last year, Connecticut created a bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/fortier/student-loan-reimbursement-program#:~:text=Starting%20January%201%2C%20Connecticut%20college,jointly%20or%20a%20surviving%20spouse." target="_blank">reimbursement program</a>&nbsp;that provides up to $20,000 for graduates of local colleges who make payments and complete community service. The state has distributed more than $2 million so far.Kavros DeGraw hopes the program can serve as a model, and has already talked with lawmakers in other states on possibly developing their own versions of it.“These were people who were already paying,” Kavros DeGraw said. “It just made sense. I think it’s something that other states could explore this session, and it would provide an immense deal of relief.”Lawmakers in other states also have considered student loan legislation. This year, New Jersey introduced bills to&nbsp;<a href="https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2024/S4500/4011_I1.PDF" target="_blank">register education lenders</a>&nbsp;and cap interest rates. Lawmakers in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/25%20Regular/bills/house/HB0224.HTML?utm_" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3772" target="_blank">New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S426" target="_blank">North Carolina</a>&nbsp;have proposed Borrower Bill of Rights legislation. Arizona has a registration bill for private servicers. None of these measures has advanced far.According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 20 states have enacted laws expanding loan forgiveness, repayment programs and servicer oversight in recent years.Several states are also investing directly in workforce-aligned loan forgiveness: Georgia expanded its service-cancelable loan&nbsp;<a href="https://healthcareworkforce.georgia.gov/dentist-loan-repayment-programs" target="_blank">program</a>&nbsp;to cover dental students working in rural areas. Idaho created a loan repayment&nbsp;<a href="https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/rural-health-and-underserved-areas/loan-repayment-and-grants" target="_blank">incentive</a>&nbsp;for rural nurses. Kentucky now offers $5,000&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1688009" target="_blank">stipends</a>&nbsp;to attract new teachers. Maryland authorized Anne Arundel County to launch a local&nbsp;<a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0541?ys=2024RS" target="_blank">forgiveness</a>&nbsp;program for public school educators.<h2>Repayment</h2>Student loan stress is not&nbsp;<a href="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2025/05/student-loan-delinquencies-are-back-and-credit-scores-take-a-tumble/" target="_blank">evenly distributed</a>. Seven states, all with Republican‐controlled legislatures, report delinquency rates above 30% among borrowers required to make payments.Mississippi leads the nation with a conditional delinquency rate of nearly 45% — meaning borrowers who should be making payments are late. That’s just ahead of Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, all of which have rates above 31%, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.By contrast, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire maintain delinquency rates below 15%.Experts say this chasm reflects deeper systemic differences, such as lower median incomes in higher delinquency states, along with weaker consumer protections and a higher share of students attending for-profit institutions or leaving college without a degree.States also have promoted the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, established in 2007, that offers help to public service professionals. New Mexico has an outreach campaign that includes&nbsp;<a href="https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid/loan-repayment-programs/teacher" target="_blank">prospective teachers</a>&nbsp;and health care workers. Maine has provided&nbsp;<a href="https://www.maine.gov/pds/sites/maine.gov.pds/files/inline-files/Contractor%20Eligibility%20PSLF%20August%202023.pdf" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;to public defenders on how they can take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and touts a related state tax credit on a marketing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liveandworkinmaine.com/opportunity-maine" target="_blank">site</a>&nbsp;to lure new residents.“States can regulate and enforce, but they can’t fix the structural problems in how repayment is administered,” said Michele Zampini, senior director of college affordability at The Institute for College Access &amp; Success, a research organization that advocates for students. “They’re helping around the edges, but the core system is still broken.”A November&nbsp;<a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2024-annual-student-loan-ombudsmans-report_2024-11.pdf?utm" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau found at least 3.9 million borrowers received misleading or inaccurate bills from servicing companies.“The repayment system is not in a good place to provide the services and repayment options borrowers are legally entitled to,” Zampini said.The Student Loan Borrower Survey, conducted between October 2023 and January 2024, found that 61% of borrowers who received debt relief made a beneficial life change earlier than they otherwise could have. Yet borrower awareness remains dangerously low: Nearly 42% of federal borrowers have only been on the standard repayment plan, and 31% of those didn’t know other options, such as an income-based plan, existed.In California, a major part of Damian’s job in the past few months has been to help borrowers access existing forgiveness programs.Meanwhile, new federal policy proposals could reshape repayment entirely. The Trump-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Section-by-Section.pdf" target="_blank">One Big Beautiful Bill Act</a>&nbsp;would consolidate existing IDR plans into a single tiered structure, with lower-income borrowers paying flat monthly rates and higher earners contributing 8% of their income. The bill also proposes extending standard repayment terms to 30 years — raising concerns it could delay forgiveness and inflate total interest costs.The bill passed the U.S. House and is pending in the Senate.<h2>‘Incentive to hike prices’</h2>Andrew Gillen, a Cato Institute research fellow who recently testified before Congress, argues that any meaningful fix must address the incentives driving rising tuition — namely, federal aid being tied directly to college sticker prices.“The link between rising tuition and increasing aid is what drives the Bennett Hypothesis, where federal student aid, in the form of loans, can lead to higher tuition costs at colleges and universities,” Gillen said in an interview. “If we instead use the median cost of attendance to calculate aid eligibility, we remove colleges’ incentive to hike prices just to capture more aid.”Even without agreement on blanket forgiveness, experts agree on smaller bipartisan steps: streamlined repayment, stronger servicer oversight and targeted help for borrowers with the greatest need.“We don’t want people defaulting. We don’t want payments that are too high for people just out of school. That should be the bipartisan starting point,” Zampini said.Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rsequeira@stateline.org">rsequeira@stateline.org</a>.<a href="https://stateline.org/" target="_blank">Stateline</a>&nbsp;is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@stateline.org">info@stateline.org</a>.