WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pam-bondi">Attorney General Pam Bondi</a>&nbsp;is facing Democratic calls to testify before Congress following a newspaper’s revelation that she told President Donald Trump that his name appeared in the files of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking investigation.</a>

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Bondi told Trump his name was among many high-profile figures mentioned in the files,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3">which the Justice Department this month said it would not be releasing</a>&nbsp;despite a clamor from online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and members of Trump’s base.

Trump’s personal ties to Epstein are well-established and his name is already known to have been included in records related to the wealthy financier, who killed himself in jail in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

Sen. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, responded to the report by calling on Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“We need to bring Bondi and Patel into the Judiciary Committee to testify about this now,” Schiff said in a video posted on X.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the report but issued a joint statement from Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying that investigators had reviewed the records and “nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.”

“As par of our routine briefing, we made the president aware of the findings,” the statement said.

The mere inclusion of a person’s name in Epstein’s files does not imply wrongdoing and he was known to have been associated with multiple prominent figures, including Trump.

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

They include a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted she spent several hours with Epstein at Trump’s Atlantic City casino but didn’t say if she met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing.

Trump has also said he once thought Epstein was a “terrific guy” but they later had a falling-out.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752615564413.png" alt="File photo Attorney General Pam Bondi" />
 <figcaption>File photo Attorney General Pam Bondi</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pam-bondi">Attorney General Pam Bondi</a>&nbsp;is facing Democratic calls to testify before Congress following a newspaper’s revelation that she told President Donald Trump that his name appeared in the files of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking investigation.</a>The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Bondi told Trump his name was among many high-profile figures mentioned in the files,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-pam-bondi-03fbcd024f631440f7ed62b3c6927db3">which the Justice Department this month said it would not be releasing</a>&nbsp;despite a clamor from online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and members of Trump’s base.Trump’s personal ties to Epstein are well-established and his name is already known to have been included in records related to the wealthy financier, who killed himself in jail in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.Sen. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, responded to the report by calling on Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.“We need to bring Bondi and Patel into the Judiciary Committee to testify about this now,” Schiff said in a video posted on X.The Justice Department declined to comment on the report but issued a joint statement from Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying that investigators had reviewed the records and “nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.”“As par of our routine briefing, we made the president aware of the findings,” the statement said.The mere inclusion of a person’s name in Epstein’s files does not imply wrongdoing and he was known to have been associated with multiple prominent figures, including Trump.Over the years, thousands of pages of records have been released through lawsuits, Epstein’s criminal dockets, public disclosures and Freedom of Information Act requests.They include a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted she spent several hours with Epstein at Trump’s Atlantic City casino but didn’t say if she met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing.Trump has also said he once thought Epstein was a “terrific guy” but they later had a falling-out.

AG facing calls to testify following report she told Trump he was in Epstein files

WICHITA, KAN. – A Georgia man was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered forever banned from hunting and fishing in Kansas after illegally hunting game, according to the United State's Attorney.

Matt Jennings, 35, of Bowdon, Georgia, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal taking of a white tail deer in interstate commerce, according to court documents.

On November 11, 2022, Jennings killed an antlered deer near Florence, Kansas. His antlered deer tag did not allow him to take a deer in this part of the state. The next day the Jennings drove to Oklahoma where he fraudulently registered the kill in Oklahoma using an Oklahoma electronic tag.

On November 19, 2022, the Jennings killed another antlered deer near Wakeeney. Although he had a valid tag for that area of Kansas, killing of a second antlered deer in the same year is a violation of state law. He illegally exceeded the bag limit of one antlered deer per season.

Jennings hosts a hunting show titled “The Game”. These two illegal hunts were featured as part of his show.

A federal judge ordered Jennings to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, pay a $10,000 fine, and forfeit the antlers from the white tail deer he illegally hunted.

During his five-year probation, Jennings is prohibited from guiding, hunting, trapping, fishing, or being with anyone engaged in those activities in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks investigated the case with assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753309370799.png" alt="Matt Jennings as seen in a video from his online show" />
 <figcaption>Matt Jennings as seen in a video from his online show</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Georgia man was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered forever banned from hunting and fishing in Kansas after illegally hunting game, according to the United State's Attorney.Matt Jennings, 35, of Bowdon, Georgia, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal taking of a white tail deer in interstate commerce, according to court documents.On November 11, 2022, Jennings killed an antlered deer near Florence, Kansas. His antlered deer tag did not allow him to take a deer in this part of the state. The next day the Jennings drove to Oklahoma where he fraudulently registered the kill in Oklahoma using an Oklahoma electronic tag.On November 19, 2022, the Jennings killed another antlered deer near Wakeeney. Although he had a valid tag for that area of Kansas, killing of a second antlered deer in the same year is a violation of state law. He illegally exceeded the bag limit of one antlered deer per season.Jennings hosts a hunting show titled “The Game”. These two illegal hunts were featured as part of his show.A federal judge ordered Jennings to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, pay a $10,000 fine, and forfeit the antlers from the white tail deer he illegally hunted.During his five-year probation, Jennings is prohibited from guiding, hunting, trapping, fishing, or being with anyone engaged in those activities in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks investigated the case with assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

Hunting show host receives lifetime hunting ban in Kansas 

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide that occurred earlier this month in Kansas City have identified the victim as 51-year-old Jorge Grageda,&nbsp; according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez

just after 5a.m. July 5, police were dispatched to the&nbsp;100&nbsp;block&nbsp;of&nbsp;N&nbsp;Belliare on reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers were directed to the rear&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;nearby residence where a victim later identified as Jorge Grageda was located suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

Emergency aid was immediately rendered by responding&nbsp;officers until EMS arrived on scene. EMS declared him deceased at that time. Preliminary investigation indicates this occurred as a result&nbsp;of&nbsp;an argument that escalated to gunfire.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751741015533.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide that occurred earlier this month in Kansas City have identified the victim as 51-year-old Jorge Grageda,&nbsp; according to Officer Alayna Gonzalezjust after 5a.m. July 5, police were dispatched to the&nbsp;100&nbsp;block&nbsp;of&nbsp;N&nbsp;Belliare on reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers were directed to the rear&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;nearby residence where a victim later identified as Jorge Grageda was located suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency aid was immediately rendered by responding&nbsp;officers until EMS arrived on scene. EMS declared him deceased at that time. Preliminary investigation indicates this occurred as a result&nbsp;of&nbsp;an argument that escalated to gunfire.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.

KCPD: 51-year-old died after argument led to gunfire

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes slid in June to the slowest pace since last September as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-9487b3a9ed45ca29a4fc9c673a0a46df">mortgage rates</a>&nbsp;remained elevated and the national median sales price rose to an all-time high of $435,300.

Existing home sales fell 2.7% last month from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.

Sales were flat compared with June last year. The latest home sales fell short of the 4.01 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 24th consecutive month to reach record heights.

The U.S. housing market has been in a slump since early 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Home sales fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years.

Sluggish home sales led to a lackluster spring homebuying season, traditionally the busiest period of the year for the housing market.

Stubbornly high mortgage rates and rising prices have intensified the hardships for would-be homebuyers who had already been pummeled by a real estate market that overheated during the pandemic. And while the number of homes on the market has increased sharply from a year ago, it remains well below normal levels, meaning prices continue to rise even as sales slow.

“The second half of the year really depends on what happens with mortgage rates,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

High mortgage rates can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting their purchasing power. So far this year, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained relatively close to 7%, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.

Homes purchased last month likely went under contract in May and June, when the average rate on a 30-year mortgage ranged from 6.76% to 6.89%.

Yun estimates that if the average rate on a 30-year mortgage were to fall to 6% that would lead to an additional roughly half-million more homes sold.

“If the mortgage rate remains stuck at this level, we are essentially looking at very small changes in our home sales and home price condition, but if the mortgage rate was to drop, we know there will be a more meaningful increase in sales,” he said.

The housing market’s affordability crunch is keeping many aspiring first-time homebuyers on the sidelines. They accounted for 30% of homes sales last month, unchanged from May, NAR said. Historically, they made up 40% of home sales.

Home shoppers who can afford to buy at current mortgage rates or pay in cash are benefiting from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/housing-market-real-estate-affordability-mortgage-rates-a8fad991e022d541c1ac4d95f78ccffa">more properties on the market</a>.

There were 1.53 million unsold homes at the end of last month, down 0.6% from May, but up nearly 16% from June last year, NAR said. That’s still well below the roughly 2 million homes for sale that was typical before the pandemic, however.

June’s month-end inventory translates to a 4.7-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 4.6-month pace at the end of May and 4 months in June last year. Traditionally, a 5- to 6-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

Homes for sale are staying on the market longer as sales remain in the doldrums. Properties typically remained on the market for 27 days last month before selling, up from 22 days in June last year, NAR said.

The housing market slowdown isn’t all bad, if you’re a home shopper who can afford to buy. In June, some 20.7% of homes listed for sale had their price reduced, the highest share for the month of June going back to at least 2016, according to Realtor.com.

Increasingly, however, many sellers are opting to pull their home off the market rather than lower prices. The number of properties taken off the market without having sold jumped 47% in May from a year earlier, according to Realtor.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753300731273.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes slid in June to the slowest pace since last September as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-9487b3a9ed45ca29a4fc9c673a0a46df">mortgage rates</a>&nbsp;remained elevated and the national median sales price rose to an all-time high of $435,300.Existing home sales fell 2.7% last month from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.Sales were flat compared with June last year. The latest home sales fell short of the 4.01 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 24th consecutive month to reach record heights.The U.S. housing market has been in a slump since early 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Home sales fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years.Sluggish home sales led to a lackluster spring homebuying season, traditionally the busiest period of the year for the housing market.Stubbornly high mortgage rates and rising prices have intensified the hardships for would-be homebuyers who had already been pummeled by a real estate market that overheated during the pandemic. And while the number of homes on the market has increased sharply from a year ago, it remains well below normal levels, meaning prices continue to rise even as sales slow.“The second half of the year really depends on what happens with mortgage rates,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.High mortgage rates can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting their purchasing power. So far this year, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained relatively close to 7%, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.Homes purchased last month likely went under contract in May and June, when the average rate on a 30-year mortgage ranged from 6.76% to 6.89%.Yun estimates that if the average rate on a 30-year mortgage were to fall to 6% that would lead to an additional roughly half-million more homes sold.“If the mortgage rate remains stuck at this level, we are essentially looking at very small changes in our home sales and home price condition, but if the mortgage rate was to drop, we know there will be a more meaningful increase in sales,” he said.The housing market’s affordability crunch is keeping many aspiring first-time homebuyers on the sidelines. They accounted for 30% of homes sales last month, unchanged from May, NAR said. Historically, they made up 40% of home sales.Home shoppers who can afford to buy at current mortgage rates or pay in cash are benefiting from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/housing-market-real-estate-affordability-mortgage-rates-a8fad991e022d541c1ac4d95f78ccffa">more properties on the market</a>.There were 1.53 million unsold homes at the end of last month, down 0.6% from May, but up nearly 16% from June last year, NAR said. That’s still well below the roughly 2 million homes for sale that was typical before the pandemic, however.June’s month-end inventory translates to a 4.7-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 4.6-month pace at the end of May and 4 months in June last year. Traditionally, a 5- to 6-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.Homes for sale are staying on the market longer as sales remain in the doldrums. Properties typically remained on the market for 27 days last month before selling, up from 22 days in June last year, NAR said.The housing market slowdown isn’t all bad, if you’re a home shopper who can afford to buy. In June, some 20.7% of homes listed for sale had their price reduced, the highest share for the month of June going back to at least 2016, according to Realtor.com.Increasingly, however, many sellers are opting to pull their home off the market rather than lower prices. The number of properties taken off the market without having sold jumped 47% in May from a year earlier, according to Realtor.com.

Home sales slid in June as prices hit new all-time high

KANSAS CITY —The death of a baby boy last fall is now being investigated as a homicide.

Just after 6:30p.m. October 26, 2023, police were dispatched to Children's Mercy Hospital on a reported assault that occurred in the 8000 block of NW Milrey Drive in Kansas City, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Upon arrival, they contacted hospital staff who advised that two-month-old Mateo Rideout&nbsp;was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. 

A person of interest was identified and taken into police custody for further investigation. On November 5, the child died at the hospital as a result of his injuries.

This death was ruled suspicious in nature until detectives would receive the official autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office. 

On June 10, an autopsy report from Forensic Medical was provided ruling this death a homicide. This case has been submitted to Platte County Prosecutors for charging consideration.

KANSAS CITY —The death of a baby boy last fall is now being investigated as a homicide.Just after 6:30p.m. October 26, 2023, police were dispatched to Children's Mercy Hospital on a reported assault that occurred in the 8000 block of NW Milrey Drive in Kansas City, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Upon arrival, they contacted hospital staff who advised that two-month-old Mateo Rideout&nbsp;was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. A person of interest was identified and taken into police custody for further investigation. On November 5, the child died at the hospital as a result of his injuries.This death was ruled suspicious in nature until detectives would receive the official autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office. On June 10, an autopsy report from Forensic Medical was provided ruling this death a homicide. This case has been submitted to Platte County Prosecutors for charging consideration.

KCPD: Baby's suspicious death now ruled a homicide

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement across Kansas continue to stop drivers traveling far above the legal speed limit.

On Sunday, KHP Trooper Lauren Braun was on patrol in Douglas County when she saw a white SUV driving at high speeds in her rearview mirror, according to a social media report from the KHP.

 She stopped the vehicle for 111mph in a posted 75 mph zone.  The driver was on their way to church and had a small child in the vehicle with them. 

"This is a good reminder to make sure that you are driving safe at all times, no matter where you are going.  The youngest travelers in Kansas are depending on drivers to make sure they arrive alive to all of their destinations."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753201622438.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement across Kansas continue to stop drivers traveling far above the legal speed limit.On Sunday, KHP Trooper Lauren Braun was on patrol in Douglas County when she saw a white SUV driving at high speeds in her rearview mirror, according to a social media report from the KHP.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753201607239.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> She stopped the vehicle for 111mph in a posted 75 mph zone. The driver was on their way to church and had a small child in the vehicle with them. "This is a good reminder to make sure that you are driving safe at all times, no matter where you are going. The youngest travelers in Kansas are depending on drivers to make sure they arrive alive to all of their destinations."

KHP: Driver on the way to church stopped for 111mph

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s order seeking to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-immigration-trump-20919d26029cf0f98ecb0dc7f90a066b">end birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;is unconstitutional, affirming a lower-court decision that blocked its enforcement nationwide.

The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trump’s plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire. It marks the first time an appeals court has weighed in and brings the issue one step closer to coming back quickly before the Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit decision keeps a block on the Trump administration enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.

“The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Order’s proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree,” the majority wrote.

The 2-1 ruling keeps in place a decision from U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-court-case-immigration-49e46d49b9e5d9f7caf14e8c5322c8b0">blocked Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;and decried what he described as the administration’s attempt to ignore the Constitution for political gain. Coughenour was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-donald-trump-lawsuit-immigration-9ac27b234c854a68a9b9f8c0d6cd8a1c">first to block the order</a>.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The Supreme Court has since restricted the power of lower court judges to issue orders that affect the whole country, known as nationwide injunctions.

But the 9th Circuit majority found that the case fell under one of the exceptions left open by the justices. The case was filed by a group of states who argued that they need a nationwide order to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship only being the law in half of the country.

“We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in issuing a universal injunction in order to give the States complete relief," Judge Michael Hawkins and Ronald Gould, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, wrote.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, dissented. He found that the states don't have the legal right, or standing, to sue. “We should approach any request for universal relief with good faith skepticism, mindful that the invocation of ‘complete relief’ isn’t a backdoor to universal injunctions,” he wrote.

Bumatay did not weigh in on whether ending birthright citizenship would be constitutional.

The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment says that all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens.

Justice Department attorneys argue that the phrase “subject to United States jurisdiction” in the amendment means that citizenship isn’t automatically conferred to children based on their birth location alone.

The states — Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon — argue that ignores the plain language of the Citizenship Clause as well as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-trump-immigration-735d28a2572f623f199f97b3bc97644a">landmark birthright citizenship case</a>&nbsp;in 1898 where the Supreme Court found a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a citizen by virtue of his birth on American soil.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737668953875.png" alt="File photo White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s order seeking to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-immigration-trump-20919d26029cf0f98ecb0dc7f90a066b">end birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;is unconstitutional, affirming a lower-court decision that blocked its enforcement nationwide.The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trump’s plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire. It marks the first time an appeals court has weighed in and brings the issue one step closer to coming back quickly before the Supreme Court.The 9th Circuit decision keeps a block on the Trump administration enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.“The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Order’s proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree,” the majority wrote.The 2-1 ruling keeps in place a decision from U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-court-case-immigration-49e46d49b9e5d9f7caf14e8c5322c8b0">blocked Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship</a>&nbsp;and decried what he described as the administration’s attempt to ignore the Constitution for political gain. Coughenour was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-donald-trump-lawsuit-immigration-9ac27b234c854a68a9b9f8c0d6cd8a1c">first to block the order</a>.The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.The Supreme Court has since restricted the power of lower court judges to issue orders that affect the whole country, known as nationwide injunctions.But the 9th Circuit majority found that the case fell under one of the exceptions left open by the justices. The case was filed by a group of states who argued that they need a nationwide order to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship only being the law in half of the country.“We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in issuing a universal injunction in order to give the States complete relief," Judge Michael Hawkins and Ronald Gould, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, wrote.Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, dissented. He found that the states don't have the legal right, or standing, to sue. “We should approach any request for universal relief with good faith skepticism, mindful that the invocation of ‘complete relief’ isn’t a backdoor to universal injunctions,” he wrote.Bumatay did not weigh in on whether ending birthright citizenship would be constitutional.The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment says that all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens.Justice Department attorneys argue that the phrase “subject to United States jurisdiction” in the amendment means that citizenship isn’t automatically conferred to children based on their birth location alone.The states — Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon — argue that ignores the plain language of the Citizenship Clause as well as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-trump-immigration-735d28a2572f623f199f97b3bc97644a">landmark birthright citizenship case</a>&nbsp;in 1898 where the Supreme Court found a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a citizen by virtue of his birth on American soil.

Appeals court: Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship unconstitutional

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a large commercial building in Kansas City.

Just after noon Wednesday, crews responded to a reported fire in a large commercial building in the 7400 block of E. 12th Street in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.&nbsp;

 Evacuating employees stated that there was a fire in the roof line. KCFD quickly deployed units to the interior and to the roof to investigate. Upon investigation it was discovered that a roof top air handling unit had caught fire and had began to spread into the roof line and structure.

 KCFD quickly got the fire under control and checked for fire extension. No injuries were reported. All employees were able to evacuate.

 Quick action by employees using extinguishers to contain the fire and rapid response of KCFD, worked together to avoid what could have been a disastrous fire.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753300957008.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a large commercial building in Kansas City.Just after noon Wednesday, crews responded to a reported fire in a large commercial building in the 7400 block of E. 12th Street in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.&nbsp; Evacuating employees stated that there was a fire in the roof line. KCFD quickly deployed units to the interior and to the roof to investigate. Upon investigation it was discovered that a roof top air handling unit had caught fire and had began to spread into the roof line and structure.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753300936008.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> KCFD quickly got the fire under control and checked for fire extension. No injuries were reported. All employees were able to evacuate. Quick action by employees using extinguishers to contain the fire and rapid response of KCFD, worked together to avoid what could have been a disastrous fire.&nbsp;

Quick action by employees helped stop spread of KC business fire

BARTON COUNTY —A father and son are facing multiple allegations after a tip led to a traffic stop in Barton County.

On Tuesday, the Barton County Sheriff’s office received information from the Kansas Department of Corrections EAI unit, that a quantity of drugs would be entering Barton County on K-156 Highway sometime during the day, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The Department of Corrections was able to provide suspect information as well as a vehicle description and tag number. Deputies and detectives were positioned in a number of locations in northeastern Barton County to intercept the vehicle. 

Just after 4 p.m., sheriff’s deputies observed the vehicle enter Barton County. It was known to the Barton County Sheriff's Office that the occupants were wanted for parole violations on a warrant.

A felony traffic stop was conducted and the subjects were removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without incident. The Sheriff’s Office K9 indicated the presence of controlled substances inside the 2008 Ford Taurus. Further investigation revealed a quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoids. Two handguns were also located in the vehicle.

The occupants of the vehicle were identified as Jerry Wayne Smith, Jr., 43, of Salina, and Christopher Lee Smith, 21,&nbsp; of Abilene. Jerry is Christopher's father, according to Bellendir.

Both were transported to the Barton County Jail where they were booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, criminal use of a firearm as well as possession of drug paraphernalia. Both had outstanding warrants from the Kansas Department of Corrections for parole violation. The drug charges carry a $100,000 bond. The warrants for parole violation have no bond. The Sheriff’s office was assisted in this operation by detectives from the Great Bend Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753293963993.png" alt="Jerry Smith photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Jerry Smith photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —A father and son are facing multiple allegations after a tip led to a traffic stop in Barton County.On Tuesday, the Barton County Sheriff’s office received information from the Kansas Department of Corrections EAI unit, that a quantity of drugs would be entering Barton County on K-156 Highway sometime during the day, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753293995823.png" alt="Chris Smith photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Chris Smith photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>The Department of Corrections was able to provide suspect information as well as a vehicle description and tag number. Deputies and detectives were positioned in a number of locations in northeastern Barton County to intercept the vehicle. Just after 4 p.m., sheriff’s deputies observed the vehicle enter Barton County. It was known to the Barton County Sheriff's Office that the occupants were wanted for parole violations on a warrant.A felony traffic stop was conducted and the subjects were removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without incident. The Sheriff’s Office K9 indicated the presence of controlled substances inside the 2008 Ford Taurus. Further investigation revealed a quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoids. Two handguns were also located in the vehicle.The occupants of the vehicle were identified as Jerry Wayne Smith, Jr., 43, of Salina, and Christopher Lee Smith, 21,&nbsp; of Abilene. Jerry is Christopher's father, according to Bellendir.Both were transported to the Barton County Jail where they were booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, criminal use of a firearm as well as possession of drug paraphernalia. Both had outstanding warrants from the Kansas Department of Corrections for parole violation. The drug charges carry a $100,000 bond. The warrants for parole violation have no bond. The Sheriff’s office was assisted in this operation by detectives from the Great Bend Police Department.

Kansas father, son caught transporting cocaine, meth and guns

NEW YORK (AP) — Columbia University announced Wednesday it has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-layoffs-campus-protests-trump-funding-antisemitism-ec6d152048d921bd1764ec11a287bbdd">federal research money</a>&nbsp;that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus.

Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years, the university said. It will also pay $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees that occurred following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the White House said.

“This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting University President Claire Shipman said.

The school had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants canceled earlier this year. The administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-protests-antisemitism-palestine-israel-9c209ce040e4b60d2702b40b9c2fb321">pulled the funding</a>&nbsp;because of what it described as the university’s failure to squelch antisemitism on campus during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>.

Columbia has since agreed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-funding-trump-fa70143c715df8fd4ef337c0e1ccf872">series of demands</a>&nbsp;laid out by the Republican administration, including overhauling the university’s student disciplinary process and applying a contentious, federally endorsed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/antisemitism-definition-states-law-zionism-indiana-georgia-871571f3b392455b1479827bdf1f5ea7">definition of antisemitism</a>&nbsp;not only to teaching but to a disciplinary committee that has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-campus-protests-trump-congress-ba0eddec4679d70287202831c52ebed6">investigating students critical of Israel</a>.

Wednesday’s agreement — which does not include an admission of wrongdoing — codifies those reforms while preserving the university’s autonomy, Shipman said.

‘Columbia’s reforms are a roadmap,' Trump administration says

Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the deal “a seismic shift in our nation’s fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment.”

“Columbia’s reforms are a roadmap for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public by renewing their commitment to truth-seeking, merit, and civil debate,” McMahon said in a statement.

As part of the agreement, Columbia agreed to a series of changes previously announced in March, including reviewing its Middle East curriculum to make sure it was “comprehensive and balanced” and appointing new faculty to its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies. It also promised to end programs “that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts.”

The university will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring that its programs “do not promote unlawful DEI goals.”

In a post Wednesday night on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump said Columbia had “committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus.”

He also warned, without being specific, “Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming.”

The pact comes after months of uncertainty and fraught negotiations at the more than 270-year-old university. It was among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-antisemitism-investigation-contracts-e0680c1d3de85930a3ee9deaa7f42c62">first targets</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges that he asserts have allowed Jewish students be threatened and harassed.

Columbia’s own antisemitism&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-protests-israel-palestine-columbia-f2984f21aa38a4f637982af7b98fed5e">task force found last summer</a>&nbsp;that Jewish students had faced verbal abuse, ostracism and classroom humiliation during the spring 2024 demonstrations.

Other Jewish students took part in the protests, however, and protest leaders maintain they aren’t targeting Jews but rather criticizing the Israeli government and its war in Gaza.

Columbia’s leadership — a revolving door of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-president-resigns-katrina-armstrong-f9479f6294a6fb536651def3f88309a6">three interim presidents</a>&nbsp;in the last year — has declared that the campus climate needs to change.

Columbia agrees to question international students

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students “questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States,” and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to “civil discourse.”

In a move that would potentially make it easier for the Trump administration to deport students who participate in protests, Columbia promised to provide the government with information, upon request, of disciplinary actions involving student-visa holders resulting in expulsions or suspensions.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-protests-columbia-discipline-trump-administration-f009b90113fe0ba7847c54ffc9197bd1">Columbia on Tuesday</a>&nbsp;announced it would suspend, expel or revoke degrees from more than 70 students who participated in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-pro-palestine-protest-d6963720d50e92f271346d9febb95f18">pro-Palestinian demonstration</a>&nbsp;inside the main library in May and an encampment during alumni weekend last year.

The pressure on Columbia began with a series of funding cuts. Then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-protester-mahmoud-khalil-immigration-arrest-5ae6eeb3ac95f190a505abebc4ee0944">Mahmoud Khalil</a>, a former graduate student who had been a visible figure in the protests,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-mahmoud-khalil-ice-15014bcbb921f21a9f704d5acdcae7a8">became the first</a>&nbsp;person detained in the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detainees-students-ozturk-khalil-78f544fb2c8b593c88a0c1f0e0ad9c5f">push to deport pro-Palestinian activists</a>&nbsp;who aren’t U.S. citizens.

Next came searches of some university residences amid a federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-mahmoud-khalil-ice-arrests-3a8db6e646b786a721089a6f0bc8d9fc">Justice Department investigation</a>&nbsp;into whether Columbia concealed “illegal aliens” on campus. The interim president at the time responded that the university was committed to upholding the law.

Columbia was an early test case for the Trump administration as it sought closer oversight of universities that the Republican president views as bastions of liberalism. Yet it soon was overshadowed by Harvard University, which became the first higher education institution to defy Trump’s demands and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-lawsuit-grants-f098f55c6986b37e1227e7bcf8967a46">fight back in court</a>.

The Trump administration has used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-federal-cuts-universities-protests-8fa92331b2780394ea171b0b32d5d243">federal research funding</a>&nbsp;as its primary lever in its campaign to reshape higher education. More than $2 billion in total has also been frozen at Cornell, Northwestern, Brown and Princeton universities.

Administration officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-transgender-swimmer-trump-federal-funding-2416de5d0abee40163a25294e8a72442">pulled $175 million from the University of Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;in March over a dispute around women’s sports. They restored it when school officials agreed to update records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and change their policies.

The administration also is looking beyond private universities. University of Virginia President James Ryan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-virginia-dei-james-ryan-6f8cfc43738944ca8164ab20814c5695">agreed to resign</a>&nbsp;in June under pressure from a U.S. Justice Department investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion practices. A similar investigation was opened this month at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-george-mason-university-trump-2157c7a294ab7b79811df6654394bacc">George Mason University</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753350506660.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Columbia University announced Wednesday it has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-layoffs-campus-protests-trump-funding-antisemitism-ec6d152048d921bd1764ec11a287bbdd">federal research money</a>&nbsp;that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus.Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years, the university said. It will also pay $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees that occurred following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the White House said.“This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting University President Claire Shipman said.The school had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants canceled earlier this year. The administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-protests-antisemitism-palestine-israel-9c209ce040e4b60d2702b40b9c2fb321">pulled the funding</a>&nbsp;because of what it described as the university’s failure to squelch antisemitism on campus during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>.Columbia has since agreed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-funding-trump-fa70143c715df8fd4ef337c0e1ccf872">series of demands</a>&nbsp;laid out by the Republican administration, including overhauling the university’s student disciplinary process and applying a contentious, federally endorsed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/antisemitism-definition-states-law-zionism-indiana-georgia-871571f3b392455b1479827bdf1f5ea7">definition of antisemitism</a>&nbsp;not only to teaching but to a disciplinary committee that has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-campus-protests-trump-congress-ba0eddec4679d70287202831c52ebed6">investigating students critical of Israel</a>.Wednesday’s agreement — which does not include an admission of wrongdoing — codifies those reforms while preserving the university’s autonomy, Shipman said.<h2>‘Columbia’s reforms are a roadmap,' Trump administration says</h2>Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the deal “a seismic shift in our nation’s fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment.”“Columbia’s reforms are a roadmap for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public by renewing their commitment to truth-seeking, merit, and civil debate,” McMahon said in a statement.As part of the agreement, Columbia agreed to a series of changes previously announced in March, including reviewing its Middle East curriculum to make sure it was “comprehensive and balanced” and appointing new faculty to its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies. It also promised to end programs “that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts.”The university will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring that its programs “do not promote unlawful DEI goals.”In a post Wednesday night on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump said Columbia had “committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus.”He also warned, without being specific, “Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming.”<h2>Crackdown follows Columbia protests</h2>The pact comes after months of uncertainty and fraught negotiations at the more than 270-year-old university. It was among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-antisemitism-investigation-contracts-e0680c1d3de85930a3ee9deaa7f42c62">first targets</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges that he asserts have allowed Jewish students be threatened and harassed.Columbia’s own antisemitism&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-protests-israel-palestine-columbia-f2984f21aa38a4f637982af7b98fed5e">task force found last summer</a>&nbsp;that Jewish students had faced verbal abuse, ostracism and classroom humiliation during the spring 2024 demonstrations.Other Jewish students took part in the protests, however, and protest leaders maintain they aren’t targeting Jews but rather criticizing the Israeli government and its war in Gaza.Columbia’s leadership — a revolving door of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-president-resigns-katrina-armstrong-f9479f6294a6fb536651def3f88309a6">three interim presidents</a>&nbsp;in the last year — has declared that the campus climate needs to change.<h2>Columbia agrees to question international students</h2>Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students “questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States,” and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to “civil discourse.”In a move that would potentially make it easier for the Trump administration to deport students who participate in protests, Columbia promised to provide the government with information, upon request, of disciplinary actions involving student-visa holders resulting in expulsions or suspensions.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-protests-columbia-discipline-trump-administration-f009b90113fe0ba7847c54ffc9197bd1">Columbia on Tuesday</a>&nbsp;announced it would suspend, expel or revoke degrees from more than 70 students who participated in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-pro-palestine-protest-d6963720d50e92f271346d9febb95f18">pro-Palestinian demonstration</a>&nbsp;inside the main library in May and an encampment during alumni weekend last year.The pressure on Columbia began with a series of funding cuts. Then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-protester-mahmoud-khalil-immigration-arrest-5ae6eeb3ac95f190a505abebc4ee0944">Mahmoud Khalil</a>, a former graduate student who had been a visible figure in the protests,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-mahmoud-khalil-ice-15014bcbb921f21a9f704d5acdcae7a8">became the first</a>&nbsp;person detained in the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detainees-students-ozturk-khalil-78f544fb2c8b593c88a0c1f0e0ad9c5f">push to deport pro-Palestinian activists</a>&nbsp;who aren’t U.S. citizens.Next came searches of some university residences amid a federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-mahmoud-khalil-ice-arrests-3a8db6e646b786a721089a6f0bc8d9fc">Justice Department investigation</a>&nbsp;into whether Columbia concealed “illegal aliens” on campus. The interim president at the time responded that the university was committed to upholding the law.<h2>University oversight expands</h2>Columbia was an early test case for the Trump administration as it sought closer oversight of universities that the Republican president views as bastions of liberalism. Yet it soon was overshadowed by Harvard University, which became the first higher education institution to defy Trump’s demands and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-lawsuit-grants-f098f55c6986b37e1227e7bcf8967a46">fight back in court</a>.The Trump administration has used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-federal-cuts-universities-protests-8fa92331b2780394ea171b0b32d5d243">federal research funding</a>&nbsp;as its primary lever in its campaign to reshape higher education. More than $2 billion in total has also been frozen at Cornell, Northwestern, Brown and Princeton universities.Administration officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/penn-transgender-swimmer-trump-federal-funding-2416de5d0abee40163a25294e8a72442">pulled $175 million from the University of Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;in March over a dispute around women’s sports. They restored it when school officials agreed to update records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and change their policies.The administration also is looking beyond private universities. University of Virginia President James Ryan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-virginia-dei-james-ryan-6f8cfc43738944ca8164ab20814c5695">agreed to resign</a>&nbsp;in June under pressure from a U.S. Justice Department investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion practices. A similar investigation was opened this month at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-george-mason-university-trump-2157c7a294ab7b79811df6654394bacc">George Mason University</a>.

Columbia to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump to restore federal funding

COWLEY COUNTY—Authorities are working to identify human remains found by a pond in Cowley County.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, deputies with the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a private residence in the Southwest portion of Cowley County for the report of a possible human body by a pond, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.

When Deputies arrived, the homeowner took them to the location where the remains were located.

The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office (SUSO) was contacted as they had recently issued a missing person report. Investigators contacted the Arkansas City Fire Department (ACFD) who assisted by retrieving the remains.

At this time the identity of the remains has not been made. An autopsy has been scheduled at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center (SCRFSC) in Wichita, Kansas. The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office on this on-going investigation.

COWLEY COUNTY—Authorities are working to identify human remains found by a pond in Cowley County.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, deputies with the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a private residence in the Southwest portion of Cowley County for the report of a possible human body by a pond, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.When Deputies arrived, the homeowner took them to the location where the remains were located.The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office (SUSO) was contacted as they had recently issued a missing person report. Investigators contacted the Arkansas City Fire Department (ACFD) who assisted by retrieving the remains.At this time the identity of the remains has not been made. An autopsy has been scheduled at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center (SCRFSC) in Wichita, Kansas. The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office on this on-going investigation.

Sheriff: Human remains found near a pond in rural Kansas

By&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/eric-tucker">ERIC TUCKER</a> Associated Press

Tulsi Gabbard, the Trump administration’s director of national intelligence, is touting from the White House podium the release of a House report that she claims helps undercut the reality of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Gabbard made a surprise appearance just hours after she made public a declassified report from House Republicans that was produced during the first presidential administration.

The report does not dispute the intelligence community’s assessment that Russia interfered in the election, but alleges tradecraft failings in how intelligence officials reached the conclusion that Russian President Vladimir Putin intended to have Trump win.

The release of the report, as Trump is facing backlash from elements of his base over the handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, is part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to rewrite the history of Russian election interference.

Gabbard lashed out during lengthy remarks at specific members of the Obama administration.

Gabbard calls Obama’s response a ‘disservice’

By<a href="https://apnews.com/author/collin-binkley">COLLIN BINKLEY</a>

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said former President Barack Obama did a “disservice to the American people” when his office attacked the government’s rehashed grievances over the Russia investigation that overshadowed President Donald Trump’s first term.

Obama’s post-presidential office issued a rare statement on Tuesday, condemning the Trump administration’s allegations as a “ridiculous and “a weak attempt at distraction.”

Asked about it at a Wednesday press briefing, Gabbard said Obama and others from his administration are “trying to deflect away from their culpability in what is a historic scandal.”

Calls for retribution in Russia investigation run into reality of Supreme Court immunity ruling

By<a href="https://apnews.com/author/eric-tucker">ERIC TUCKER</a>

As President Donald Trump urges scrutiny of fellow commander-in-chief Barack Obama, it’s worth remembering a simple fact: Former presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts they take in office.

That’s thanks to a Supreme Court opinion issued last year that shielded Trump in a case charging him with conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The topic has resurfaced thanks to efforts by the Trump administration to rewrite the history of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Trump has suggested that investigators should look into Obama and other senior officials, though none of them have been accused of any wrongdoing and the Supreme Court ruling in any event would foreclose the possibility of a prosecution of Obama.

White House doesn’t make it clear what kind of ‘accountability’ Trump wants of Obama

By<a href="https://apnews.com/author/michelle-l-price">MICHELLE L. PRICE</a>

Trump has repeated baseless claims that Obama engaged in treason and Leavitt said the president wants his predecessor to be held accountable. But she had no details, when pressed, about how Trump wants to see Obama held accountable when the Supreme Court ruled last year in a case involving Trump that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts that fall within their constitutional authority.

Leavitt said that the White House would let the Justice Department decide what to do.

“It’s in the Department of Justice’s hands and we trust them to move the ball forward,” she said.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/eric-tucker">ERIC TUCKER</a> Associated PressTulsi Gabbard, the Trump administration’s director of national intelligence, is touting from the White House podium the release of a House report that she claims helps undercut the reality of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">This is sending SHOCKWAVES through DC and the Democrats KNOW IT! This is perhaps one of the most crucial video segments of 2025. <a href="https://t.co/PMpxlbZwz6">pic.twitter.com/PMpxlbZwz6</a>&mdash; Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) <a href="https://twitter.com/GuntherEagleman/status/1948083367909405136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Gabbard made a surprise appearance just hours after she made public a declassified report from House Republicans that was produced during the first presidential administration.The report does not dispute the intelligence community’s assessment that Russia interfered in the election, but alleges tradecraft failings in how intelligence officials reached the conclusion that Russian President Vladimir Putin intended to have Trump win.The release of the report, as Trump is facing backlash from elements of his base over the handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, is part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to rewrite the history of Russian election interference.Gabbard lashed out during lengthy remarks at specific members of the Obama administration.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DNIGabbard</a>: If Russia was trying to influence the election like Democrats said in order to boost Donald Trump, they&#39;d have released the most damning information on Hillary prior to the election. They specifically withheld it because they thought she&#39;d win. <a href="https://t.co/XQQgXzmUNE">https://t.co/XQQgXzmUNE</a> <a href="https://t.co/8oSTEf8EVb">pic.twitter.com/8oSTEf8EVb</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1948090161100718176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a>: &quot;Tulsi Gabbard unveiled shocking new evidence that former President Barack Obama and top aides in the Obama administration conspired to subvert President Trump&#39;s 2016 election victory and undermined the democratic will of the American people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/pLo9jiutaH">pic.twitter.com/pLo9jiutaH</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1948083824442638462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🧵 New evidence has emerged of the most egregious weaponization and politicization of intelligence in American history. Per President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>&#39;s directive, I have declassified a <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseIntel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HouseIntel</a> oversight majority staff report that exposes how the Obama Administration… <a href="https://t.co/0sS4Df8yoI">pic.twitter.com/0sS4Df8yoI</a>&mdash; DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1948007534960198036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LIE: Putin and the Russian Government helped Trump win the 2016 election TRUTH: President Obama, former Director of the CIA John Brennan, and others fabricated the Russia Hoax, suppressed intelligence showing Putin was preparing for a Clinton victory, manufactured findings from… <a href="https://t.co/nkaLDMrUSv">pic.twitter.com/nkaLDMrUSv</a>&mdash; DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1948007538902904833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DNIGabbard</a> on new Obama report: &quot;There is irrefutable evidence that detail how President Obama and his national security team directed the creation of an intelligence community assessment that they knew was false.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/sCOivLlCDL">pic.twitter.com/sCOivLlCDL</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1948104168587010258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Gabbard calls Obama’s response a ‘disservice’</h2>By<a href="https://apnews.com/author/collin-binkley">COLLIN BINKLEY</a>Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said former President Barack Obama did a “disservice to the American people” when his office attacked the government’s rehashed grievances over the Russia investigation that overshadowed President Donald Trump’s first term.Obama’s post-presidential office issued a rare statement on Tuesday, condemning the Trump administration’s allegations as a “ridiculous and “a weak attempt at distraction.”Asked about it at a Wednesday press briefing, Gabbard said Obama and others from his administration are “trying to deflect away from their culpability in what is a historic scandal.”<h2>Calls for retribution in Russia investigation run into reality of Supreme Court immunity ruling</h2>By<a href="https://apnews.com/author/eric-tucker">ERIC TUCKER</a>As President Donald Trump urges scrutiny of fellow commander-in-chief Barack Obama, it’s worth remembering a simple fact: Former presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts they take in office.That’s thanks to a Supreme Court opinion issued last year that shielded Trump in a case charging him with conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election.The topic has resurfaced thanks to efforts by the Trump administration to rewrite the history of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.Trump has suggested that investigators should look into Obama and other senior officials, though none of them have been accused of any wrongdoing and the Supreme Court ruling in any event would foreclose the possibility of a prosecution of Obama.<h2>White House doesn’t make it clear what kind of ‘accountability’ Trump wants of Obama</h2>By<a href="https://apnews.com/author/michelle-l-price">MICHELLE L. PRICE</a>Trump has repeated baseless claims that Obama engaged in treason and Leavitt said the president wants his predecessor to be held accountable. But she had no details, when pressed, about how Trump wants to see Obama held accountable when the Supreme Court ruled last year in a case involving Trump that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts that fall within their constitutional authority.Leavitt said that the White House would let the Justice Department decide what to do.“It’s in the Department of Justice’s hands and we trust them to move the ball forward,” she said.

🎥DNI lashes out at Obama administration on Russia investigation

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Friends and relatives of four University of Idaho students murdered in their rental home by Bryan Kohberger delivered powerful statements of love, anguish and condemnation as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/bryan-kohberger-sentencing-idaho-murders-updates">his sentencing hearing</a>&nbsp;began Wednesday.

“This world was a better place with her in it,” Scott Laramie, the stepfather of Madison Mogen, told the court. ”Karen and I are ordinary people, but we lived extraordinary lives because we had Maddie.”

The father of Kaylee Goncalves taunted Kohberger for leaving his DNA behind and getting caught despite being a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/four-dead-idaho-university-students-3369af9472fa36cc5a6ed270fa5ace07">graduate student in criminology</a>&nbsp;at nearby Washington State University at the time.

“You were that careless, that foolish, that stupid,” Steve Goncalves said. “Master’s degree? You’re a joke.”

Judge Steven Hippler ordered Kohberger to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bryan-kohberger-sentencing-motive-plea-victims-54726aa3e3d9cacb489f637fa9f4e968">serve four life sentences</a>&nbsp;without parole for four counts of first-degree murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-slain-6626d7c53a08563cfa9df5123f41bd87">brutal stabbing deaths</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-killed-victims-5ab2369325a207db21541bccbbc11434">Mogen, Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin</a>&nbsp;early on Nov. 13, 2022. He was also given a 10-year sentence for burglary and assessed $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.

The defendant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-slain-6626d7c53a08563cfa9df5123f41bd87">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;early this month, just weeks before his trial was to start, in a deal to avoid the death penalty.

Kohberger broke into the home through a kitchen sliding door and brutally stabbed the four friends, who appeared to have no connection with him. No motive has been offered, and Kohberger chose not to speak at the hearing.

Dylan Mortenson, a roommate who told police of seeing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bryan-kohberger-stabbings-murder-trial-eyebrows-idaho-2efec9f917ce07d690acd43fce91d08c">a strange man with bushy eyebrows</a>&nbsp;and a ski mask in the home that night, sobbed as she described how Kohberger, seated across the room in an orange jumpsuit, “took the light they carried into each room.”

“He is a hollow vessel, something less than human,” Mortenson said. "A body without empathy without remorse.”

Mortenson and another surviving roommate, Bethany Funke, described crippling panic attacks and anxiety after the attack.

“I slept in my parents’ room for almost a year, and had them double lock every door, set an alarm, and still check everywhere in the room just in case someone was hiding,” Funke wrote in a statement read by a friend. “I have not slept through a single night since this happened. I constantly wake up in panic, terrified someone is breaking in or someone is here to hurt me, or I’m about to lose someone else that I love.”

Alivea Goncalves's voice didn’t waver as she asked Kohberger questions about the killings, including what her sister’s last words were. She drew applause after belittling Kohberger, who remained expressionless as she insulted him.

“You didn’t win, you just exposed yourself as the coward you are," Alivea Goncalves said. "You’re a delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser.”

Kohberger’s mother and sister also attended the hearing, sitting in the gallery near the defense table. His mother quietly wept at times as the other parents described their grief. She sobbed briefly when Maddie Mogen’s grandmother said that her heart goes out to the other families, including Kohberger’s.

Xana Kernodle’s aunt, Kim Kernodle, said she forgave Kohberger and asked him to call her from prison, hoping he would answer her lingering questions about the killings.

“Bryan, I’m here today to tell you I have forgiven you, because I no longer could live with that hate in my heart,” she said. “And for me to become a better person, I have forgiven you. And any time you want to talk and tell me what happened, get my number. I’m here. No judgment.”

Police initially had no suspects in the killings, which terrified the rural western Idaho city of Moscow. Some students at both universities left mid-semester, taking the rest of their classes online because they felt unsafe.

A knife sheath left near Mogen’s body had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-idaho-murder-kohberger-guilty-d73f71d01046a99e2dba6170e4ed7c50">a single source of male DNA on the button snap</a>, investigators said, and surveillance videos showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-pennsylvania-idaho-5f5173a3af306701d5659f2fb61a9d44">a white Hyundai Elantra</a>&nbsp;near the rental home around the time of the murders.

Police used genetic genealogy to identify Kohberger as a possible suspect and accessed cellphone data to pinpoint his movements the night of the killings. Online shopping records showed Kohberger had purchased a military-style knife months earlier, along with a sheath like the one at the home.

Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania about six weeks after the killings.

Both the investigation and the case drew widespread attention. Discussion groups proliferated online, members eagerly sharing their theories and questions about the case. Some armchair web-sleuths pointed fingers at innocent people simply because they knew the victims or lived in the same town. Misinformation spread, piling additional distress on the already-traumatized community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751459170755.png" alt="Kohberger photo Ada Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Kohberger photo Ada Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Friends and relatives of four University of Idaho students murdered in their rental home by Bryan Kohberger delivered powerful statements of love, anguish and condemnation as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/bryan-kohberger-sentencing-idaho-murders-updates">his sentencing hearing</a>&nbsp;began Wednesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Now *THIS* is how you give an impact statement that will undoubtedly get under Kohberger&#39;s skin. Holy shit. Alivea Goncalves throws some punches here. <a href="https://t.co/CkWqPWm9vO">pic.twitter.com/CkWqPWm9vO</a>&mdash; Frosty (@FrostyTakes) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrostyTakes/status/1948054679914733645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“This world was a better place with her in it,” Scott Laramie, the stepfather of Madison Mogen, told the court. ”Karen and I are ordinary people, but we lived extraordinary lives because we had Maddie.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751479520041.png" alt="From top left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle." />
 <figcaption>From top left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.</figcaption>
 </figure>The father of Kaylee Goncalves taunted Kohberger for leaving his DNA behind and getting caught despite being a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/four-dead-idaho-university-students-3369af9472fa36cc5a6ed270fa5ace07">graduate student in criminology</a>&nbsp;at nearby Washington State University at the time.“You were that careless, that foolish, that stupid,” Steve Goncalves said. “Master’s degree? You’re a joke.”Judge Steven Hippler ordered Kohberger to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bryan-kohberger-sentencing-motive-plea-victims-54726aa3e3d9cacb489f637fa9f4e968">serve four life sentences</a>&nbsp;without parole for four counts of first-degree murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-slain-6626d7c53a08563cfa9df5123f41bd87">brutal stabbing deaths</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-killed-victims-5ab2369325a207db21541bccbbc11434">Mogen, Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin</a>&nbsp;early on Nov. 13, 2022. He was also given a 10-year sentence for burglary and assessed $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.The defendant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-slain-6626d7c53a08563cfa9df5123f41bd87">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;early this month, just weeks before his trial was to start, in a deal to avoid the death penalty.Kohberger broke into the home through a kitchen sliding door and brutally stabbed the four friends, who appeared to have no connection with him. No motive has been offered, and Kohberger chose not to speak at the hearing.Dylan Mortenson, a roommate who told police of seeing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bryan-kohberger-stabbings-murder-trial-eyebrows-idaho-2efec9f917ce07d690acd43fce91d08c">a strange man with bushy eyebrows</a>&nbsp;and a ski mask in the home that night, sobbed as she described how Kohberger, seated across the room in an orange jumpsuit, “took the light they carried into each room.”“He is a hollow vessel, something less than human,” Mortenson said. "A body without empathy without remorse.”Mortenson and another surviving roommate, Bethany Funke, described crippling panic attacks and anxiety after the attack.“I slept in my parents’ room for almost a year, and had them double lock every door, set an alarm, and still check everywhere in the room just in case someone was hiding,” Funke wrote in a statement read by a friend. “I have not slept through a single night since this happened. I constantly wake up in panic, terrified someone is breaking in or someone is here to hurt me, or I’m about to lose someone else that I love.”Alivea Goncalves's voice didn’t waver as she asked Kohberger questions about the killings, including what her sister’s last words were. She drew applause after belittling Kohberger, who remained expressionless as she insulted him.“You didn’t win, you just exposed yourself as the coward you are," Alivea Goncalves said. "You’re a delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser.”Kohberger’s mother and sister also attended the hearing, sitting in the gallery near the defense table. His mother quietly wept at times as the other parents described their grief. She sobbed briefly when Maddie Mogen’s grandmother said that her heart goes out to the other families, including Kohberger’s.Xana Kernodle’s aunt, Kim Kernodle, said she forgave Kohberger and asked him to call her from prison, hoping he would answer her lingering questions about the killings.“Bryan, I’m here today to tell you I have forgiven you, because I no longer could live with that hate in my heart,” she said. “And for me to become a better person, I have forgiven you. And any time you want to talk and tell me what happened, get my number. I’m here. No judgment.”Police initially had no suspects in the killings, which terrified the rural western Idaho city of Moscow. Some students at both universities left mid-semester, taking the rest of their classes online because they felt unsafe.A knife sheath left near Mogen’s body had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-idaho-murder-kohberger-guilty-d73f71d01046a99e2dba6170e4ed7c50">a single source of male DNA on the button snap</a>, investigators said, and surveillance videos showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-pennsylvania-idaho-5f5173a3af306701d5659f2fb61a9d44">a white Hyundai Elantra</a>&nbsp;near the rental home around the time of the murders.Police used genetic genealogy to identify Kohberger as a possible suspect and accessed cellphone data to pinpoint his movements the night of the killings. Online shopping records showed Kohberger had purchased a military-style knife months earlier, along with a sheath like the one at the home.Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania about six weeks after the killings.Both the investigation and the case drew widespread attention. Discussion groups proliferated online, members eagerly sharing their theories and questions about the case. Some armchair web-sleuths pointed fingers at innocent people simply because they knew the victims or lived in the same town. Misinformation spread, piling additional distress on the already-traumatized community.

🎥Anger, sadness during sentencing for murder of 4 university students

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday canceled a $4.9 billion federal loan guarantee for a new high-voltage transmission line for delivering solar and wind-generated electricity from the Midwest to the eastern U.S.

The U.S. Department of Energy declared that it is "not critical for the federal government to have a role” in the first phase of Chicago-based Invenergy's planned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wind-energy-property-rights-missouri-053956078aed1a86e32ab540eb46c4f9">Grain Belt Express.</a>&nbsp;The department also questioned whether the $11 billion project could meet the financial conditions required for a loan guarantee.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly derided wind and solar energy as “unreliable” and opposed efforts to combat climate change by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-energy-department-clean-energy-wind-solar-batteries-hydrogen-fossil-fuels-cf1dff9ee771c566765e9ca3e3599d91">moving away from fossil fuels.</a>&nbsp;The Department of Energy also said Wednesday that the conditional commitment to Invenergy in November was among billions of dollars' worth of commitments "rushed out the doors" by former President Joe Biden's administration after Biden lost the election.

“To ensure more responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, DOE has terminated its conditional commitment,” the agency said in a statement.

It wasn’t immediately clear how much the department’s action would delay or stop the start of construction, which was set to begin next year. The company’s representatives didn’t immediately respond to emails Wednesday seeking comment

The company has said its project would create 4,000 jobs and new efficiencies in delivering power, and that it would save consumers $52 billion over 15 years. The line would deliver electricity from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois and into Indiana, connecting there to the power grid for the eastern U.S. It could deliver up to 5,000 megawatts of electricity.

"When electricity demand and consumer power bills are soaring, it’s hard to imagine a more backward move,” said Bob Keefe, executive director of E2, a nonpartisan, Washington-based group supporting renewable energy.

Keefe called the Grain Belt Express “one of the country’s most important energy projects” and suggested Trump canceled the loan guarantee “just because it will bring cleaner energy to more people.”

But two prominent Missouri Republicans, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley and state Attorney General Andrew Bailey, are vocal critics of the project, describing it as a threat to farmland and land owners' property rights. Bailey called the project a “scam” and a “boondoggle.”

Hawley said on July 10 that he had secured a pledge from U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to cancel the loan guarantee in a conversation with him and Trump.

Critics like Hawley object to the company's ability to use lawsuits against individual land owners along the line's route to compel them to sell their property, which Hawley called “an elitist land grab.”

Online court records show that the company filed dozens of such lawsuits in Missouri circuit courts in recent years, and the Missouri Farm Bureau's president posted on the social platform X Wednesday that the project threatened to “sacrifice rural America in the name of progress.”

Democrats on the U.S. Senate's energy committee suggested on X that Trump, Wright and Hawley “just killed" the project, but Invenergy announced in May that it had awarded $1.7 billion in contracts for work on the project.

And Bailey suggested in a statement that the project could still go forward with private funding without the loan guarantee, saying, “If Invenergy still intends to force this project on unwilling landowners, we will continue to fight every step of the way.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746648653179.png" alt=" The Grain Belt Express planned to build a transmission line through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. (Robert Zullo/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption> The Grain Belt Express planned to build a transmission line through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. (Robert Zullo/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday canceled a $4.9 billion federal loan guarantee for a new high-voltage transmission line for delivering solar and wind-generated electricity from the Midwest to the eastern U.S.The U.S. Department of Energy declared that it is "not critical for the federal government to have a role” in the first phase of Chicago-based Invenergy's planned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wind-energy-property-rights-missouri-053956078aed1a86e32ab540eb46c4f9">Grain Belt Express.</a>&nbsp;The department also questioned whether the $11 billion project could meet the financial conditions required for a loan guarantee.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598444309811.png" alt="Grain Belt Express map" />
 <figcaption>Grain Belt Express map</figcaption>
 </figure>President Donald Trump has repeatedly derided wind and solar energy as “unreliable” and opposed efforts to combat climate change by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-energy-department-clean-energy-wind-solar-batteries-hydrogen-fossil-fuels-cf1dff9ee771c566765e9ca3e3599d91">moving away from fossil fuels.</a>&nbsp;The Department of Energy also said Wednesday that the conditional commitment to Invenergy in November was among billions of dollars' worth of commitments "rushed out the doors" by former President Joe Biden's administration after Biden lost the election.“To ensure more responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, DOE has terminated its conditional commitment,” the agency said in a statement.It wasn’t immediately clear how much the department’s action would delay or stop the start of construction, which was set to begin next year. The company’s representatives didn’t immediately respond to emails Wednesday seeking commentThe company has said its project would create 4,000 jobs and new efficiencies in delivering power, and that it would save consumers $52 billion over 15 years. The line would deliver electricity from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois and into Indiana, connecting there to the power grid for the eastern U.S. It could deliver up to 5,000 megawatts of electricity."When electricity demand and consumer power bills are soaring, it’s hard to imagine a more backward move,” said Bob Keefe, executive director of E2, a nonpartisan, Washington-based group supporting renewable energy.Keefe called the Grain Belt Express “one of the country’s most important energy projects” and suggested Trump canceled the loan guarantee “just because it will bring cleaner energy to more people.”But two prominent Missouri Republicans, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley and state Attorney General Andrew Bailey, are vocal critics of the project, describing it as a threat to farmland and land owners' property rights. Bailey called the project a “scam” and a “boondoggle.”Hawley said on July 10 that he had secured a pledge from U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to cancel the loan guarantee in a conversation with him and Trump.Critics like Hawley object to the company's ability to use lawsuits against individual land owners along the line's route to compel them to sell their property, which Hawley called “an elitist land grab.”Online court records show that the company filed dozens of such lawsuits in Missouri circuit courts in recent years, and the Missouri Farm Bureau's president posted on the social platform X Wednesday that the project threatened to “sacrifice rural America in the name of progress.”Democrats on the U.S. Senate's energy committee suggested on X that Trump, Wright and Hawley “just killed" the project, but Invenergy announced in May that it had awarded $1.7 billion in contracts for work on the project.And Bailey suggested in a statement that the project could still go forward with private funding without the loan guarantee, saying, “If Invenergy still intends to force this project on unwilling landowners, we will continue to fight every step of the way.”

Feds cancel loan for Grain Belt Express transmission line project

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks set&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-japan-trump-earnings-41443e3b17bb389ecac11508640084ab">more records</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-japan-indonesia-philippines-6e1829cb570d945d13c00f07059a41d4">a trade deal</a>&nbsp;between the world’s No. 1 and No. 4 economies, one that would lower proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-japan-trump-earnings-41443e3b17bb389ecac11508640084ab">tariffs</a>&nbsp;on Japanese imports coming to the United States.

The S&amp;P 500 added 0.8% to its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 507 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.6% to hit its own record.

Stocks jumped even more in Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 rallied 3.5% after President Donald Trump announced a trade framework that would place a 15% tax on imports coming from Japan. That’s lower than the 25% rate that Trump had earlier said would kick in on Aug. 1.

“It’s a sign of the times that markets would cheer 15% tariffs,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. “A year ago, that level of tariffs would be shocking. Today, we breathe a sigh of relief.”

Trump has proposed stiff taxes on imports from around the world, which carry the double-edged risk of driving up inflation for U.S. households while slowing the economy. But many of Trump’s tariffs are currently on pause, giving time to reach deals with other countries that could lower the tax rates. Trump also announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marcos-trump-philippines-china-tariffs-3138d1d7f8368c022ab9242bebb4a2e2">trade agreement with the Philippines</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday.

So far, the U.S. economy has seemed to hold up OK despite the pressures on it. And tariffs already in place may be having less of an effect than expected, at least when it comes to the prices that U.S. households are paying at the moment.

“The main lesson about tariffs so far is that passthrough to consumer prices is tracking somewhat lower than in 2019,” according to Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks set&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-japan-trump-earnings-41443e3b17bb389ecac11508640084ab">more records</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-japan-indonesia-philippines-6e1829cb570d945d13c00f07059a41d4">a trade deal</a>&nbsp;between the world’s No. 1 and No. 4 economies, one that would lower proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-japan-trump-earnings-41443e3b17bb389ecac11508640084ab">tariffs</a>&nbsp;on Japanese imports coming to the United States.The S&amp;P 500 added 0.8% to its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 507 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.6% to hit its own record.Stocks jumped even more in Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 rallied 3.5% after President Donald Trump announced a trade framework that would place a 15% tax on imports coming from Japan. That’s lower than the 25% rate that Trump had earlier said would kick in on Aug. 1.“It’s a sign of the times that markets would cheer 15% tariffs,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. “A year ago, that level of tariffs would be shocking. Today, we breathe a sigh of relief.”Trump has proposed stiff taxes on imports from around the world, which carry the double-edged risk of driving up inflation for U.S. households while slowing the economy. But many of Trump’s tariffs are currently on pause, giving time to reach deals with other countries that could lower the tax rates. Trump also announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marcos-trump-philippines-china-tariffs-3138d1d7f8368c022ab9242bebb4a2e2">trade agreement with the Philippines</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday.So far, the U.S. economy has seemed to hold up OK despite the pressures on it. And tariffs already in place may be having less of an effect than expected, at least when it comes to the prices that U.S. households are paying at the moment.“The main lesson about tariffs so far is that passthrough to consumer prices is tracking somewhat lower than in 2019,” according to Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle.Tariffs are certainly having an effect, to be sure, as big U.S. companies across industries have been showing through their profit updates in recent days.Hasbro took a $1 billion, non-cash hit to its results for the spring to write down the value of some of its assets following a review triggered by the implementation of tariffs. It said tariffs have had no impact yet on how much profit it’s making from each $1 of its sales, but it expects to see costs ramp during the current quarter.Hasbro’s stock fell 0.9% even though it reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, when not including the $1 billion charge.Texas Instruments’ stock also fell despite delivering results for the latest quarter that were above analysts’ expectations. It gave a forecasted range for profit in the current quarter whose midpoint fell a bit shy of Wall Street’s.Analysts pointed to some cautious commentary from Texas Instruments executives about how the uncertainty created by tariffs could slow demand. Its stock sank 13.3%.Most of the stocks on Wall Street nevertheless rose, including a 14.6% jump for GE Vernova. The energy company not only delivered a stronger profit than analysts expected, it also raised its forecasts for revenue from its power and electrification businesses.GE Vernova said that the inflation it’s expecting to see as a result of tariffs may be trending toward the lower end of $300 million to $400 million, net of mitigating actions.Lamb Weston rallied 16.3% after the supplier of French fries and other potato products delivered better results for the latest quarter than analysts expected and said it expects customers will continue to eat fries even with an uncertain economy. It also announced a plan to cut at least $250 million in costs by cutting about 4% of its workforce and making other moves.Elsewhere on Wall Street, several stocks jumped as traders search for the next&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meme-stocks-kohls-opendoor-technologies-9b61a6a555451d49483666d8a9f5ba43">“meme stock”</a>&nbsp;that could ride a wave of online enthusiasm to high prices, regardless of what the company’s profits are doing. Krispy Kreme, which came into the day with a 58.4% loss for the year so far, jumped nearly 39% shortly after trading began. It then gave back most of it and ended with a gain of 4.6%. GoPro rose 12.4%.That’s even as other potential meme stocks lost their momentum. Opendoor Technologies, which had more than tripled between the last two Mondays, fell 20.3%.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 49.29 points to 6,358.91. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 507.85 to 45,010.29, and the Nasdaq composite gained 127.33 to 21,020.02.In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across Asia and Europe following Trump’s announcements of trade deals.Japan’s market was the big winner, where a series of automakers gave no public reaction as their stock prices rallied. Japanese companies tend to be cautious about their public reactions, and some business officials have privately remarked in off-record comments that they hesitate to say anything because Trump keeps changing his mind.Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.6%, and France’s CAC 40 gained 1.4% for two of the world’s bigger moves.In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher.