WASHINGTON DC —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal shooting that took the life of an intern in the office of Kansas Congressman Ron Estes.

Just before 10:30p.m. Monday, Third District officers responded to the sound of gunshots in the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest Washington, DC. according to a media release from Washington Metropolitan Police.

 Officers located one adult male, later identified as&nbsp;21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, of Granby, Massachusetts  unconscious, and an adult female and a 16-year-old male conscious and breathing suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded and transported all three victims to area hospitals.

On Tuesday, after all lifesaving measures failed Tarpinian-Jachym succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, according to Metropolitan Police.

The preliminary investigation indicates that multiple suspects exited a vehicle at the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest District of Columbia and began firing at a group. The suspect vehicle has been recovered. Detectives believe Tarpinian-Jachym&nbsp; was not the intended target of the shooting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes stated in a release from his office.&nbsp;Tarpinian-Jachym worked in Estes office since early June. He was a student at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

 "We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country," Estes wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751498967139.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON DC —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal shooting that took the life of an intern in the office of Kansas Congressman Ron Estes.Just before 10:30p.m. Monday, Third District officers responded to the sound of gunshots in the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest Washington, DC. according to a media release from Washington Metropolitan Police. Officers located one adult male, later identified as&nbsp;21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, of Granby, Massachusetts unconscious, and an adult female and a 16-year-old male conscious and breathing suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded and transported all three victims to area hospitals.On Tuesday, after all lifesaving measures failed Tarpinian-Jachym succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, according to Metropolitan Police.The preliminary investigation indicates that multiple suspects exited a vehicle at the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest District of Columbia and began firing at a group. The suspect vehicle has been recovered. Detectives believe Tarpinian-Jachym&nbsp; was not the intended target of the shooting.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes stated in a release from his office.&nbsp;Tarpinian-Jachym worked in Estes office since early June. He was a student at University of Massachusetts Amherst. "We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country," Estes wrote.

21-year-old intern for Kansas Congressman killed in shooting

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court last week for her leadership role in two cases that resulted in more than $900,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, according to the United State's Attorney.

Renetta Golden-Larimore, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 51 months imprisonment based upon her guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, contained in two separate federal indictments.

The CARES Act established several new temporary programs and provided for the expansion of others to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these programs, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorized forgivable loans to small businesses to retain workers and maintain payroll, make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments.

Golden-Larimore admitted that from February 2021 to May 2022 she conspired with others to submit false and fraudulent applications for PPP loans. The scheme caused over $900,000 in fraudulent PPP loans to be issued to ineligible borrowers, some of which were forgiven even though the funds were not used for the purposes specified in the PPP.

Golden-Larimore admitted she prepared and filed fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of other persons. Generally, she charged fees between $2,000 and $7,000 for her assistance in filing false and fraudulent PPP loans, earning a total of at least $75,833 from the scheme. Golden-Larimore created counterfeit IRS forms for nonexistent businesses and with inflated income for existing businesses in order to qualify the borrower for a PPP loan.

Golden-Larimore prepared approximately 43 false PPP loan applications that were funded and numerous other false applications that were rejected. The total loss to the Small Business Administration was $908,278.

Twenty-one other persons have been charged and convicted in the Golden-Larimore fraud scheme in these two cases and five additional cases.

Golden-Larimore was ordered to forfeit to the government at least $75,833, which represents the proceeds she personally obtained from the scheme and pay $908,278 in restitution to the Small Business Administration, representing the total fraud loss associated with the wire fraud scheme.

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court last week for her leadership role in two cases that resulted in more than $900,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, according to the United State's Attorney.Renetta Golden-Larimore, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 51 months imprisonment based upon her guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, contained in two separate federal indictments.The CARES Act established several new temporary programs and provided for the expansion of others to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these programs, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorized forgivable loans to small businesses to retain workers and maintain payroll, make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments.Golden-Larimore admitted that from February 2021 to May 2022 she conspired with others to submit false and fraudulent applications for PPP loans. The scheme caused over $900,000 in fraudulent PPP loans to be issued to ineligible borrowers, some of which were forgiven even though the funds were not used for the purposes specified in the PPP.Golden-Larimore admitted she prepared and filed fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of other persons. Generally, she charged fees between $2,000 and $7,000 for her assistance in filing false and fraudulent PPP loans, earning a total of at least $75,833 from the scheme. Golden-Larimore created counterfeit IRS forms for nonexistent businesses and with inflated income for existing businesses in order to qualify the borrower for a PPP loan.Golden-Larimore prepared approximately 43 false PPP loan applications that were funded and numerous other false applications that were rejected. The total loss to the Small Business Administration was $908,278.Twenty-one other persons have been charged and convicted in the Golden-Larimore fraud scheme in these two cases and five additional cases.Golden-Larimore was ordered to forfeit to the government at least $75,833, which represents the proceeds she personally obtained from the scheme and pay $908,278 in restitution to the Small Business Administration, representing the total fraud loss associated with the wire fraud scheme.

KC woman is going to prison for $900K PPP loan fraud scheme

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp;Law enforcement are investigating a fatal crash involving a bicyclist and a semi-tractor trailer that occurred Tuesday morning, in northwest Sedgwick County.

Just after 9a.m. deputies, along with Sedgwick County Fire District 1 and Sedgwick County EMS to a report of an injury crash at the intersection of 29th Street North and 247th Street West, about three miles south of Andale, according to Sheriff's Department Spokesman Brandon Stitt.

First responders found the bicyclist, identified as 82-year-old Ronald R. Wilson of Wichita, unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts by fellow cyclists and first responders, Wilson died at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Team determined that both Wilson and a semi-tractor trailer, driven by a 37-year-old Hutchinson man, were traveling northbound on 247th Street West. Preliminary findings indicate the semi moved into the southbound lane to pass Wilson, who then made a U-turn into the path of the truck.

Investigators do not believe impairment played a role in the crash.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp;Law enforcement are investigating a fatal crash involving a bicyclist and a semi-tractor trailer that occurred Tuesday morning, in northwest Sedgwick County.Just after 9a.m. deputies, along with Sedgwick County Fire District 1 and Sedgwick County EMS to a report of an injury crash at the intersection of 29th Street North and 247th Street West, about three miles south of Andale, according to Sheriff's Department Spokesman Brandon Stitt.First responders found the bicyclist, identified as 82-year-old Ronald R. Wilson of Wichita, unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts by fellow cyclists and first responders, Wilson died at the scene.The Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Team determined that both Wilson and a semi-tractor trailer, driven by a 37-year-old Hutchinson man, were traveling northbound on 247th Street West. Preliminary findings indicate the semi moved into the southbound lane to pass Wilson, who then made a U-turn into the path of the truck.Investigators do not believe impairment played a role in the crash.

Sheriff: Kan. bicyclist dies after u-turn into crash with semi

TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported three new cases of measles over the past week in the state for a total of 83 cases in 11 counties.

According to the Associated Press, Kentucky has its first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-vaccine-mmr-covid-exemptions-87cbfe44d8599b68408861f9b62421ed">measles outbreak</a>&nbsp;of 2025, as the U.S. case count sits just short of a 30-year high.

There have been 1,267 confirmed measles cases this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">Texas</a>&nbsp;confirmed three more measles cases this week tied to a major outbreak that raged through the late winter and spring.

There are three other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">large outbreaks</a>&nbsp;in North America. The longest, in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/24/measles-ontario-epi-summary.pdf?rev=3d8451977cd34084a8b494a6a11b4f1a&amp;sc_lang=en&amp;hash=48D1A6D0D037B39BD421AAF060204EE0">2,212 cases</a>&nbsp;from mid-October through June 24. The province logged its first death June 5 in a baby who got congenital measles but also had other preexisting conditions.

Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alberta.ca/measles">1,169 as of Wednesday</a>. And the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-measles-vaccines-misinformation-mmr-mennonites-misinformation-ea6158b9a4d513b20f33cbc09034e5c2">Mexican state of Chihuahua</a>&nbsp;had 2,810 measles cases and eight deaths as of Wednesday, according to data from the state health ministry.

Other U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas</a>, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah.

In the U.S.,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">two elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">epicenter in West Texas</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;have died of measles this year. All were unvaccinated.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">preventable through vaccines</a>&nbsp;and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?

Measles cases also have been reported this year in Alaska, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.

Health officials declared earlier outbreaks in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania over after six weeks of no new cases. Tennessee’s outbreak also appears to be over.

Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-asia-measles-rates-unicef-who-report-2f888732cc297090238956986fd89cc4">someone who caught the disease abroad</a>. The CDC said in May that more than twice as many measles have come from outside of the U.S. compared to May of last year. Most of those are in unvaccinated Americans returning home. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles.

What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html">measles, mumps and rubella</a>&nbsp;vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.

People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have “presumptive immunity."

Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — due to “herd immunity.” But childhood vaccination rates have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">declined nationwide</a>&nbsp;since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html">dangerous complications</a>&nbsp;such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741908251964.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported three new cases of measles over the past week in the state for a total of 83 cases in 11 counties.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751488873961.png" alt="KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>According to the Associated Press, Kentucky has its first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-vaccine-mmr-covid-exemptions-87cbfe44d8599b68408861f9b62421ed">measles outbreak</a>&nbsp;of 2025, as the U.S. case count sits just short of a 30-year high.There have been 1,267 confirmed measles cases this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">Texas</a>&nbsp;confirmed three more measles cases this week tied to a major outbreak that raged through the late winter and spring.There are three other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">large outbreaks</a>&nbsp;in North America. The longest, in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/24/measles-ontario-epi-summary.pdf?rev=3d8451977cd34084a8b494a6a11b4f1a&amp;sc_lang=en&amp;hash=48D1A6D0D037B39BD421AAF060204EE0">2,212 cases</a>&nbsp;from mid-October through June 24. The province logged its first death June 5 in a baby who got congenital measles but also had other preexisting conditions.Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alberta.ca/measles">1,169 as of Wednesday</a>. And the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-measles-vaccines-misinformation-mmr-mennonites-misinformation-ea6158b9a4d513b20f33cbc09034e5c2">Mexican state of Chihuahua</a>&nbsp;had 2,810 measles cases and eight deaths as of Wednesday, according to data from the state health ministry.Other U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas</a>, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah.In the U.S.,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">two elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">epicenter in West Texas</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;have died of measles this year. All were unvaccinated.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">preventable through vaccines</a>&nbsp;and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.<h2>Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?</h2>Measles cases also have been reported this year in Alaska, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.Health officials declared earlier outbreaks in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania over after six weeks of no new cases. Tennessee’s outbreak also appears to be over.Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-asia-measles-rates-unicef-who-report-2f888732cc297090238956986fd89cc4">someone who caught the disease abroad</a>. The CDC said in May that more than twice as many measles have come from outside of the U.S. compared to May of last year. Most of those are in unvaccinated Americans returning home. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles.<h2>What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?</h2>The best way to avoid measles is to get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html">measles, mumps and rubella</a>&nbsp;vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have “presumptive immunity."Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — due to “herd immunity.” But childhood vaccination rates have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">declined nationwide</a>&nbsp;since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.<h2>What are the symptoms of measles?</h2>Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html">dangerous complications</a>&nbsp;such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.<h2>How can you treat measles?</h2>There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.___

KDHE reports more measles cases in Kansas

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has put on hold $6.8 billion in federal funds for K-12 schools, according to an Education Department notice obtained by States Newsroom.

The agency informed states on Monday that it would be withholding funding for several programs, including before- and after-school programs, migrant education and English-language learning, among other initiatives.

But the agency notified states just a day ahead of July 1 — the date these funds are typically sent out as educators plan for the coming school year.

“The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” the Education Department wrote to states.

The notice, which did not provide any timeline, said the funds are under review and “decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year.”

The affected programs, according to the Democrats on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/senator-murray-calls-on-trump-admin-to-immediately-release-billions-in-funds-k-12-schools-across-america-are-counting-on" target="_blank">Senate Appropriations Committee</a>, include:

States have been on the lookout for these funds. For instance, just last week, Oklahoma’s Department of Education reported that it had yet to get money from the federal government for migrant education, English language acquisition and other programs, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/06/27/federal-funds-for-oklahoma-migrant-students-english-learners-in-doubt/" target="_blank">Oklahoma Voice</a>.&nbsp;

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump is looking to eliminate all these programs as part of his fiscal 2026 budget request. That wish list, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/media/document/fiscal-year-2026-budget-summary-110043.pdf" target="_blank">department summary</a>, calls for $12 billion in total spending cuts at the agency.

That proposed $12 billion cut “reflects an agency that is responsibly winding down,” the document notes.

Meanwhile, a coalition of 16 states is also&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/state-of-washington-et-al-v-united-states-department-of-education-complaint-2025.pdf" target="_blank">suing the Trump administration</a>&nbsp;over the cancellation earlier this year of roughly $1 billion in school mental health grants — a different piece of school funding — to try to restore that money.

The lawsuit was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle. The states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.

In a Tuesday statement, Washington state U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate spending panel, urged the Trump administration to immediately release the frozen funds.

“President Trump himself signed this funding into law — but that isn’t stopping him from choking off resources to support before and after school programs, help students learn, support teachers in the classroom, and a lot more,” Murray said. “The uncertainty he has created has already forced districts to delay hiring and other initiatives to help students. The only question left now is how much more damage this administration wants to inflict on our public schools.”

“Local school districts can’t afford to wait out lengthy court proceedings to get the federal funding they’re owed — nor can they make up the shortfall, especially not at the drop of a pin,” Murray added.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, blasted the administration’s actions, saying this is “another illegal usurpation of the authority of the Congress” and “directly harms the children in our nation.”

“K-12 public school leaders across the country who should have been able to start planning months ago for the summer and the upcoming school year are instead left mired in financial uncertainty,” added Weingarten, who leads one of the largest teachers unions in the country.

Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers, said “the administration must make the full extent of title funding available in a timely manner,” in a statement shared with States Newsroom on Tuesday.

“These funds were approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in March,” Miller said. “Schools need these funds to hire key staff and educate students this summer and in the upcoming school year.”

In response to a request for comment on the frozen funds, the Education Department referred States Newsroom to the Office of Management and Budget, which is responsible for administering the federal budget and overseeing the performance of departments throughout the federal government.

OMB did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s inquiry.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751469689354.png" alt="Education Secretary Linda McMahon-photo U.S. Dept. of Education" />
 <figcaption>Education Secretary Linda McMahon-photo U.S. Dept. of Education</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has put on hold $6.8 billion in federal funds for K-12 schools, according to an Education Department notice obtained by States Newsroom.The agency informed states on Monday that it would be withholding funding for several programs, including before- and after-school programs, migrant education and English-language learning, among other initiatives.But the agency notified states just a day ahead of July 1 — the date these funds are typically sent out as educators plan for the coming school year.“The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” the Education Department wrote to states.The notice, which did not provide any timeline, said the funds are under review and “decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year.”The affected programs, according to the Democrats on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/senator-murray-calls-on-trump-admin-to-immediately-release-billions-in-funds-k-12-schools-across-america-are-counting-on" target="_blank">Senate Appropriations Committee</a>, include:<ul>
 <li>Title I-C, on migrant education</li><li>Title II-A, on improving the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders</li><li>Title III-A, on English language acquisition</li><li>Title IV-A, on STEM education, college and career counseling and other activities</li><li>Title IV-B, on before- and after-school programs and summer school programs</li><li>Grants geared toward adult education and literacy programs</li>
 </ul>States have been on the lookout for these funds. For instance, just last week, Oklahoma’s Department of Education reported that it had yet to get money from the federal government for migrant education, English language acquisition and other programs, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/06/27/federal-funds-for-oklahoma-migrant-students-english-learners-in-doubt/" target="_blank">Oklahoma Voice</a>.&nbsp;<h2>‘Winding down’ the department</h2>Adding fuel to the fire, Trump is looking to eliminate all these programs as part of his fiscal 2026 budget request. That wish list, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/media/document/fiscal-year-2026-budget-summary-110043.pdf" target="_blank">department summary</a>, calls for $12 billion in total spending cuts at the agency.That proposed $12 billion cut “reflects an agency that is responsibly winding down,” the document notes.Meanwhile, a coalition of 16 states is also&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/state-of-washington-et-al-v-united-states-department-of-education-complaint-2025.pdf" target="_blank">suing the Trump administration</a>&nbsp;over the cancellation earlier this year of roughly $1 billion in school mental health grants — a different piece of school funding — to try to restore that money.The lawsuit was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle. The states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.<h2>Uncertainty created</h2>In a Tuesday statement, Washington state U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate spending panel, urged the Trump administration to immediately release the frozen funds.“President Trump himself signed this funding into law — but that isn’t stopping him from choking off resources to support before and after school programs, help students learn, support teachers in the classroom, and a lot more,” Murray said. “The uncertainty he has created has already forced districts to delay hiring and other initiatives to help students. The only question left now is how much more damage this administration wants to inflict on our public schools.”“Local school districts can’t afford to wait out lengthy court proceedings to get the federal funding they’re owed — nor can they make up the shortfall, especially not at the drop of a pin,” Murray added.Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, blasted the administration’s actions, saying this is “another illegal usurpation of the authority of the Congress” and “directly harms the children in our nation.”“K-12 public school leaders across the country who should have been able to start planning months ago for the summer and the upcoming school year are instead left mired in financial uncertainty,” added Weingarten, who leads one of the largest teachers unions in the country.<h2>Approved by Congress</h2>Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers, said “the administration must make the full extent of title funding available in a timely manner,” in a statement shared with States Newsroom on Tuesday.“These funds were approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in March,” Miller said. “Schools need these funds to hire key staff and educate students this summer and in the upcoming school year.”In response to a request for comment on the frozen funds, the Education Department referred States Newsroom to the Office of Management and Budget, which is responsible for administering the federal budget and overseeing the performance of departments throughout the federal government.OMB did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s inquiry.&nbsp;

Trump admin. tells states it’s freezing $6.8 billion for K-12 school programs

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Bryan Kohberger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-killed-plea-deal-9226e0768186084d1748d72fa1ed587e">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to murder Wednesday in the brutal stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in 2022 that stunned and terrified the campus and set off a nationwide search, which ended weeks later when he was arrested in Pennsylvania.

<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23564673/122922-affidavit-exhibit-a-statement-of-brett-payne_redacted.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full affidavit, which explains the basis for Kohberger's arrest.

Kohberger, who was a criminal justice graduate student at nearby Washington State University, admitted to the slayings before entering a formal guilty plea in a deal with prosecutors that will allow him to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-murders-students-stabbed-kohberger-da6b7758a2beda6c05a5373286f6a692">avoid the death penalty</a>. He was set to go to trial in August.

Idaho Fourth Judicial District Judge Steven Hippler said as the hearing began Wednesday that he would not take into account public opinion when deciding whether to accept the agreement.

“This court cannot require the prosecutor to seek the death penalty, nor would it be appropriate for this court to do that," he said. "This court … cannot force the state to seek the death penalty.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moscow-idaho-boise-university-of-d0ed74d74bd11f3c58e5f78ea52a0b6c">The small farming community</a>&nbsp;of Moscow, in the northern Idaho panhandle, had not had a homicide in about five years when Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were found dead at a rental home near campus on Nov. 13, 2022. Autopsies showed the four victims were all likely asleep when they were attacked. Some had defensive wounds and each was stabbed multiple times.

Long before sunrise Wednesday, reporters were setting up cameras outside the courthouse in Boise and lining up along with those hoping to snag a seat for the hearing.

The killings grabbed headlines around the world and set off a nationwide hunt, including an elaborate effort to track down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-pennsylvania-idaho-5f5173a3af306701d5659f2fb61a9d44">a white sedan</a>&nbsp;spotted on surveillance cameras repeatedly driving by the rental home. Police said they used genetic genealogy to identify Kohberger as a possible suspect and accessed cellphone data to pinpoint his movements the night of the killings.

At the time, Kohberger was a criminal justice graduate student at nearby Washington State University who had just completed his first semester and was a teaching assistant in the criminology program.

Kohberger was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/law-enforcement-idaho-pennsylvania-crime-5a9c3c1117dbf2efcd37cdf04e5c01ae">arrested in Pennsylvania</a>, where his parents lived, weeks later. Investigators said they matched his DNA to genetic material recovered from a knife sheath found at the crime scene.

Online shopping records showed that Kohberger had purchased a military-style knife months earlier — as well as a sheath like the one found at the scene.

No motive has emerged for the killings, nor is it clear why the attacker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/911-call-idaho-university-students-killed-kohberger-b6212886cfef1a269c0e172462f227e9">spared two roommates</a>&nbsp;who were in the home. There also was no indication he had a relationship with any of the victims,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-killed-victims-5ab2369325a207db21541bccbbc11434">who all were friends</a>&nbsp;and members of the university’s Greek system.

Authorities have said cellphone data and surveillance video show that Kohberger visited the victims’ neighborhood at least a dozen times before the killings, and that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-pennsylvania-idaho-5f5173a3af306701d5659f2fb61a9d44">traveled in the same area</a>&nbsp;that night.

Kohberger’s lawyers said he was simply on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-students-stabbed-bryan-kohberger-alibi-9854c98806921d698dd85a896481f5f2">long drive by himself</a>&nbsp;around the time the four were killed.

The case was moved to Boise because of pretrial publicity in northern Idaho. Hippler must approve the plea deal. If Kohberger pleads guilty as expected, he would likely be sentenced in July.

Although the Goncalves family opposed the agreement and said they would seek to stop it, they also argued that any such deal should require Kohberger to make a full confession, detail the facts of what happened and provide the location of the murder weapon.

"We deserve to know when the beginning of the end was,” they wrote in a Facebook post.

The family of Chapin —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-idaho-boise-university-of-67fb6e86a6c1a5da47862048c794c903">one of three triplets</a>&nbsp;who attended the university together — supports the deal, their spokesperson, Christina Teves, said Tuesday.

Attorney Leander James, who represents Mogen’s mother and stepfather, declined to give their views but said he would deliver a statement on their behalf after Wednesday’s hearing. Mogen’s father, Ben Mogen, told CBS News he was relieved by the agreement.

“We can actually put this behind us and not have these future dates and future things that we don’t want to have to be at, that we shouldn’t have to be at, that have to do with this terrible person,” he said. “We get to just think about the rest of lives and have to try and figure out how to do it without Maddie and the rest of the kids.”

<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) — Bryan Kohberger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-killed-plea-deal-9226e0768186084d1748d72fa1ed587e">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to murder Wednesday in the brutal stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in 2022 that stunned and terrified the campus and set off a nationwide search, which ended weeks later when he was arrested in Pennsylvania.<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23564673/122922-affidavit-exhibit-a-statement-of-brett-payne_redacted.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full affidavit, which explains the basis for Kohberger's arrest.Kohberger, who was a criminal justice graduate student at nearby Washington State University, admitted to the slayings before entering a formal guilty plea in a deal with prosecutors that will allow him to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-murders-students-stabbed-kohberger-da6b7758a2beda6c05a5373286f6a692">avoid the death penalty</a>. He was set to go to trial in August.<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. courtesy photos" />
 <figcaption>From top left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle. courtesy photos</figcaption>
 </figure>Idaho Fourth Judicial District Judge Steven Hippler said as the hearing began Wednesday that he would not take into account public opinion when deciding whether to accept the agreement.“This court cannot require the prosecutor to seek the death penalty, nor would it be appropriate for this court to do that," he said. "This court … cannot force the state to seek the death penalty.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moscow-idaho-boise-university-of-d0ed74d74bd11f3c58e5f78ea52a0b6c">The small farming community</a>&nbsp;of Moscow, in the northern Idaho panhandle, had not had a homicide in about five years when Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were found dead at a rental home near campus on Nov. 13, 2022. Autopsies showed the four victims were all likely asleep when they were attacked. Some had defensive wounds and each was stabbed multiple times.Long before sunrise Wednesday, reporters were setting up cameras outside the courthouse in Boise and lining up along with those hoping to snag a seat for the hearing.The killings grabbed headlines around the world and set off a nationwide hunt, including an elaborate effort to track down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-pennsylvania-idaho-5f5173a3af306701d5659f2fb61a9d44">a white sedan</a>&nbsp;spotted on surveillance cameras repeatedly driving by the rental home. Police said they used genetic genealogy to identify Kohberger as a possible suspect and accessed cellphone data to pinpoint his movements the night of the killings.At the time, Kohberger was a criminal justice graduate student at nearby Washington State University who had just completed his first semester and was a teaching assistant in the criminology program.Kohberger was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/law-enforcement-idaho-pennsylvania-crime-5a9c3c1117dbf2efcd37cdf04e5c01ae">arrested in Pennsylvania</a>, where his parents lived, weeks later. Investigators said they matched his DNA to genetic material recovered from a knife sheath found at the crime scene.Online shopping records showed that Kohberger had purchased a military-style knife months earlier — as well as a sheath like the one found at the scene.No motive has emerged for the killings, nor is it clear why the attacker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/911-call-idaho-university-students-killed-kohberger-b6212886cfef1a269c0e172462f227e9">spared two roommates</a>&nbsp;who were in the home. There also was no indication he had a relationship with any of the victims,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-idaho-students-killed-victims-5ab2369325a207db21541bccbbc11434">who all were friends</a>&nbsp;and members of the university’s Greek system.Authorities have said cellphone data and surveillance video show that Kohberger visited the victims’ neighborhood at least a dozen times before the killings, and that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-pennsylvania-idaho-5f5173a3af306701d5659f2fb61a9d44">traveled in the same area</a>&nbsp;that night.Kohberger’s lawyers said he was simply on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-students-stabbed-bryan-kohberger-alibi-9854c98806921d698dd85a896481f5f2">long drive by himself</a>&nbsp;around the time the four were killed.The case was moved to Boise because of pretrial publicity in northern Idaho. Hippler must approve the plea deal. If Kohberger pleads guilty as expected, he would likely be sentenced in July.Although the Goncalves family opposed the agreement and said they would seek to stop it, they also argued that any such deal should require Kohberger to make a full confession, detail the facts of what happened and provide the location of the murder weapon."We deserve to know when the beginning of the end was,” they wrote in a Facebook post.The family of Chapin —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-idaho-boise-university-of-67fb6e86a6c1a5da47862048c794c903">one of three triplets</a>&nbsp;who attended the university together — supports the deal, their spokesperson, Christina Teves, said Tuesday.Attorney Leander James, who represents Mogen’s mother and stepfather, declined to give their views but said he would deliver a statement on their behalf after Wednesday’s hearing. Mogen’s father, Ben Mogen, told CBS News he was relieved by the agreement.“We can actually put this behind us and not have these future dates and future things that we don’t want to have to be at, that we shouldn’t have to be at, that have to do with this terrible person,” he said. “We get to just think about the rest of lives and have to try and figure out how to do it without Maddie and the rest of the kids.”___

Plea deal: Man admits killing 4 Idaho students to avoid death penalty

GOP House speaker defends mandate, urges Kelly to identify future cuts

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

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly denounced across-the-board spending reductions ordered by the Kansas Legislature that sliced $189,000 from the Kansas School for the Deaf and $124,000 from the Kansas School for the Blind.

The Kansas Adjutant General’s Office lost $118,000 because of the budget mandate, while the Kansas Office of Veterans Services was nicked for $64,000.

It was all part of the $7.1 million reduction required by a bill approved by the House and Senate that took effect Tuesday with start of the state government’s new fiscal year. The Legislature mandated the governor take the money out of state general fund operating expenditures, which included agency salaries, contractual services, commodities and capital expenses.

Kelly said the Legislature’s preference for blanket reductions, rather than precision adjustments, was flawed because the result was “neither targeted nor thoughtful.”

“As governor, I have worked to get Kansas back on the right fiscal track and provide Kansans with the resources they need to prosper without risking the future of the state,” Kelly said. “I share the Legislature’s goal to reduce spending where possible and to increase efficiency in state government. However, the Legislature’s mandate to cut state agencies’ budgets across the board is not the way to increase efficiency.”

Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who is a candidate for state insurance commissioner, said the governor was wrong to oppose what he viewed as the “small 1.5%” reduction in spending decreed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb125/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 125</a>.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20250327175748_467002/" target="_blank">House voted 89-36 for the bill</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20250327215114_983861/" target="_blank">Senate approved it by a margin of 24-16</a>.

Kelly said the Legislature compelled her to strip millions of dollars from state agencies managing programs that were “vital lifelines to the most vulnerable Kansans.”

The cuts required of the governor took the biggest bite out of the Kansas Department for Children and Families by stripping $2.2 million from the agency. The second-largest loser in the Legislature’s budget was the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, which lost $1 million.

Taken together, the two agencies serving children, seniors and people with disabilities absorbed 44% of the reduction because a larger portion of their budgets came from the state general fund.

Hawkins, who controls the debate calendar in the House, said Kelly didn’t present options for shrinking state spending to the 2025 Legislature.

“This year the Legislature forced her hand with a small 1.5% across-the-board reduction,” Hawkins said. “I challenge Governor Kelly to come to the table before next session with meaningful ideas on how to make government agencies more efficient and reduce spending.”

He said if Kelly declined to present the 2026 Legislature with potential steps for lowering expenditures, “you can expect to see another across-the-board reduction.”

Typically, the starting point for annual budget debates in Kansas would be a governor’s recommended budget. GOP legislative leadership departed from precedent by establishing a special committee that drafted a budget bill for consideration by the 2025 Legislature. The objective was to set aside Kelly’s preferences so House and Senate members could concentrate on their objectives.

The final budget bill approved by the Legislature included the 1.5% across-the-board cut to state general fund expenditures.

Other reductions above $100,000 to meet the Legislature’s directive: Kansas Board of Indigents Defense Services, $919,000; Kansas Department of Health and Environment, $799,000; Office of Information Technology Services, $247,000; Kansas Department of Education, $314,000; Kansas Department of Revenue, $266,000; Kansas Department of Agriculture, $219,000; Kansas Department of Administration, $146,000; and Kansas Department of Labor, $142,000.

And, cuts to agencies with annual budgets at or below $5 million: Kansas Historical Society, $75,000; Office of the Governor, $73,000; Kansas State Library, $45,000; Kansas Board of Tax Appeals, $22,000; Kansas Guardianship Program, $21,000; Kansas Human Rights Commission, $18,000; Kansas Office of Child Advocate, $11,000; Kansas Public Disclosure Commission, $8,000; and Kansas Department of Commerce, $2,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751471394676.png" alt="Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins, photographed during Kelly's 2025 state of the state speech in January, disagreed on the appropriateness of the Legislature's decision to compel the governor to make 1.5% spending reductions in state agencies. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins, photographed during Kelly's 2025 state of the state speech in January, disagreed on the appropriateness of the Legislature's decision to compel the governor to make 1.5% spending reductions in state agencies. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>GOP House speaker defends mandate, urges Kelly to identify future cuts</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly denounced across-the-board spending reductions ordered by the Kansas Legislature that sliced $189,000 from the Kansas School for the Deaf and $124,000 from the Kansas School for the Blind.The Kansas Adjutant General’s Office lost $118,000 because of the budget mandate, while the Kansas Office of Veterans Services was nicked for $64,000.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Governor Kelly would rather cut your budget than find waste, fraud, and abuse in state government Read my full statement ⬇️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/1ewgUDuF6i">pic.twitter.com/1ewgUDuF6i</a>&mdash; Dan Hawkins (@DanHawkinsKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1940116084016705949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It was all part of the $7.1 million reduction required by a bill approved by the House and Senate that took effect Tuesday with start of the state government’s new fiscal year. The Legislature mandated the governor take the money out of state general fund operating expenditures, which included agency salaries, contractual services, commodities and capital expenses.Kelly said the Legislature’s preference for blanket reductions, rather than precision adjustments, was flawed because the result was “neither targeted nor thoughtful.”“As governor, I have worked to get Kansas back on the right fiscal track and provide Kansans with the resources they need to prosper without risking the future of the state,” Kelly said. “I share the Legislature’s goal to reduce spending where possible and to increase efficiency in state government. However, the Legislature’s mandate to cut state agencies’ budgets across the board is not the way to increase efficiency.”Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who is a candidate for state insurance commissioner, said the governor was wrong to oppose what he viewed as the “small 1.5%” reduction in spending decreed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb125/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 125</a>.The&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20250327175748_467002/" target="_blank">House voted 89-36 for the bill</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20250327215114_983861/" target="_blank">Senate approved it by a margin of 24-16</a>.Kelly said the Legislature compelled her to strip millions of dollars from state agencies managing programs that were “vital lifelines to the most vulnerable Kansans.”The cuts required of the governor took the biggest bite out of the Kansas Department for Children and Families by stripping $2.2 million from the agency. The second-largest loser in the Legislature’s budget was the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, which lost $1 million.Taken together, the two agencies serving children, seniors and people with disabilities absorbed 44% of the reduction because a larger portion of their budgets came from the state general fund.Hawkins, who controls the debate calendar in the House, said Kelly didn’t present options for shrinking state spending to the 2025 Legislature.“This year the Legislature forced her hand with a small 1.5% across-the-board reduction,” Hawkins said. “I challenge Governor Kelly to come to the table before next session with meaningful ideas on how to make government agencies more efficient and reduce spending.”He said if Kelly declined to present the 2026 Legislature with potential steps for lowering expenditures, “you can expect to see another across-the-board reduction.”Typically, the starting point for annual budget debates in Kansas would be a governor’s recommended budget. GOP legislative leadership departed from precedent by establishing a special committee that drafted a budget bill for consideration by the 2025 Legislature. The objective was to set aside Kelly’s preferences so House and Senate members could concentrate on their objectives.The final budget bill approved by the Legislature included the 1.5% across-the-board cut to state general fund expenditures.Other reductions above $100,000 to meet the Legislature’s directive: Kansas Board of Indigents Defense Services, $919,000; Kansas Department of Health and Environment, $799,000; Office of Information Technology Services, $247,000; Kansas Department of Education, $314,000; Kansas Department of Revenue, $266,000; Kansas Department of Agriculture, $219,000; Kansas Department of Administration, $146,000; and Kansas Department of Labor, $142,000.And, cuts to agencies with annual budgets at or below $5 million: Kansas Historical Society, $75,000; Office of the Governor, $73,000; Kansas State Library, $45,000; Kansas Board of Tax Appeals, $22,000; Kansas Guardianship Program, $21,000; Kansas Human Rights Commission, $18,000; Kansas Office of Child Advocate, $11,000; Kansas Public Disclosure Commission, $8,000; and Kansas Department of Commerce, $2,000.

Governor objects to 1.5% across-the-board budget cuts ordered by Kansas Legislature

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a Sunday homicide in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim who died as 19-year-old&nbsp;Jesse Marquez of Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from police.

Just before 7:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 2700 Block of S. 8th Terrace in Kansas City, Kansas.

First responders discovered&nbsp; Marquez outside a residence, the victim of apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle prior to officers arrival. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit.&nbsp; Police have not released details on an arrest.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a Sunday homicide in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim who died as 19-year-old&nbsp;Jesse Marquez of Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from police.Just before 7:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 2700 Block of S. 8th Terrace in Kansas City, Kansas.First responders discovered&nbsp; Marquez outside a residence, the victim of apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle prior to officers arrival. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit.&nbsp; Police have not released details on an arrest.

Police: Kansas teen identified as homicide victim

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy Combs was convicted of a prostitution-related offense but acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.

The mixed result came on the third day of deliberations. It could still send Combs, 55, to prison for as long as a decade, and is likely to end his career as a hitmaking music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.

But the verdict cleared him of charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.

After they read the verdict, Combs held his hands up in a prayer motion, looking at jury and hugged his defense lawyer Teny Geragos.

Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.

But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with the men.

Combs and his defense team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges.

After the verdict was read, Combs continued to pump his right fist subtly, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian was weighing whether to grant Combs bail in the wake of the verdict. He adjourned the court while he considers whether to free Combs on bail.

Combs, 55, has been behind bars since his arrest in September. His lawyers argued that the acquittal on the most serious counts changed the legal landscape enough that he should get bail.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sean-diddy-combs">Combs</a>&nbsp;seemed buoyant arriving in the courtroom earlier Wednesday morning, a contrast to his mood a day earlier after he learned that the jury at his sex trafficking trial had reached a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-combs-diddy-trial-jury-deliberations-25c62300cae33ca9f18aee28788449b5">yet-to-be-disclosed verdict</a>&nbsp;on all but one of the five charges.

Combs smiled and clasped his hands together in the air toward his family and supporters before hugging several of his lawyers and sitting down to await the outcome of the jury's third day of deliberations.

On Tuesday, Subramanian ordered the jury to continue its closed-door discussions for a third day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-trial-jury-jurors-81dec675f8c17599dfafa0829517470a">the panel of eight men and four women</a>&nbsp;said it was unable to reach consensus on the top count: racketeering conspiracy.

The judge agreed with prosecutors and Combs’ defense team that less than 13 hours of deliberations was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts.

In a note to the court late Tuesday, the jury said “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” among some jurors had prevented the group from reaching a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge.

The disclosure of Tuesday's jury note about the partial verdict had seemed to put defense attorneys and their client in a dour mood even before it was read in open court by the judge.

Eight defense lawyers formed a half-circle behind Combs as the smiles and lighthearted mood that accompanied the arrival of other jury notes over two days seemed absent as the attorneys contemplated the possibility that jurors had reached agreement on counts that carry the heaviest sentencing penalties.

Combs appeared morose as his lawyers spoke with him. At one point,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-timeline-f9c343652872f787a73069d50a821611">the hip-hop mogul</a>&nbsp;solemnly read a piece of paper that attorney Marc Agnifilo handed to him.

After the jury came in for instructions and then exited the room, a subdued Combs sat in his chair for a few minutes. As he stood to leave, he faced his relatives and supporters in the audience, blew a kiss and tapped his heart, as he frequently has done at the start and end of each day.

Then he paused before his mother and exchanged a few words, telling her, “Love you” and “I’ll be all right.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751300290551.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy Combs was convicted of a prostitution-related offense but acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.The mixed result came on the third day of deliberations. It could still send Combs, 55, to prison for as long as a decade, and is likely to end his career as a hitmaking music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star.But the verdict cleared him of charges that could have put one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures behind bars for life.After they read the verdict, Combs held his hands up in a prayer motion, looking at jury and hugged his defense lawyer Teny Geragos.Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act.But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with the men.Combs and his defense team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges.After the verdict was read, Combs continued to pump his right fist subtly, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges.U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian was weighing whether to grant Combs bail in the wake of the verdict. He adjourned the court while he considers whether to free Combs on bail.Combs, 55, has been behind bars since his arrest in September. His lawyers argued that the acquittal on the most serious counts changed the legal landscape enough that he should get bail.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sean-diddy-combs">Combs</a>&nbsp;seemed buoyant arriving in the courtroom earlier Wednesday morning, a contrast to his mood a day earlier after he learned that the jury at his sex trafficking trial had reached a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-combs-diddy-trial-jury-deliberations-25c62300cae33ca9f18aee28788449b5">yet-to-be-disclosed verdict</a>&nbsp;on all but one of the five charges.Combs smiled and clasped his hands together in the air toward his family and supporters before hugging several of his lawyers and sitting down to await the outcome of the jury's third day of deliberations.On Tuesday, Subramanian ordered the jury to continue its closed-door discussions for a third day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-trial-jury-jurors-81dec675f8c17599dfafa0829517470a">the panel of eight men and four women</a>&nbsp;said it was unable to reach consensus on the top count: racketeering conspiracy.The judge agreed with prosecutors and Combs’ defense team that less than 13 hours of deliberations was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts.In a note to the court late Tuesday, the jury said “unpersuadable opinions on both sides” among some jurors had prevented the group from reaching a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge.The disclosure of Tuesday's jury note about the partial verdict had seemed to put defense attorneys and their client in a dour mood even before it was read in open court by the judge.Eight defense lawyers formed a half-circle behind Combs as the smiles and lighthearted mood that accompanied the arrival of other jury notes over two days seemed absent as the attorneys contemplated the possibility that jurors had reached agreement on counts that carry the heaviest sentencing penalties.Combs appeared morose as his lawyers spoke with him. At one point,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-timeline-f9c343652872f787a73069d50a821611">the hip-hop mogul</a>&nbsp;solemnly read a piece of paper that attorney Marc Agnifilo handed to him.After the jury came in for instructions and then exited the room, a subdued Combs sat in his chair for a few minutes. As he stood to leave, he faced his relatives and supporters in the audience, blew a kiss and tapped his heart, as he frequently has done at the start and end of each day.Then he paused before his mother and exchanged a few words, telling her, “Love you” and “I’ll be all right.”Marshals then led him from the room.

Split verdict: Sean “Diddy” Combs not guilty on most serious charges

PHILLIPS COUNTY —On Wednesday morning, the Phillips County Sheriff's Office shared the obituary of Deputy Brandon Gaede who died in the line of duty on Friday.

Phillipsburg resident, Brandon Pierce Gaede, passed away June 27, 2025 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 30.

Survivors include his wife Karlye &amp; children, Axel, Otto &amp; Emilie all of the home; his father, Eric &amp; wife Alyssa Gaede of Colby; his mother, Angie Gaede of Atwood; his in-laws, Gary &amp; Amy Stephen of Phillipsburg; his brother Steven of Shelbyville, TN; sisters, Sami Talsma &amp; Molly Tolle of Colby.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. &nbsp;The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. &nbsp;Burial will follow in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Stuttgart.

The family will receive friends Thursday, July 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Huck Boyd Community Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office or the Colby High School Wrestling Club.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751127258786.png" alt="Deputy Brandon Gaede courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Deputy Brandon Gaede courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPS COUNTY —On Wednesday morning, the Phillips County Sheriff's Office shared the obituary of Deputy Brandon Gaede who died in the line of duty on Friday.Phillipsburg resident, Brandon Pierce Gaede, passed away June 27, 2025 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 30.Survivors include his wife Karlye &amp; children, Axel, Otto &amp; Emilie all of the home; his father, Eric &amp; wife Alyssa Gaede of Colby; his mother, Angie Gaede of Atwood; his in-laws, Gary &amp; Amy Stephen of Phillipsburg; his brother Steven of Shelbyville, TN; sisters, Sami Talsma &amp; Molly Tolle of Colby.Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Lee Bennight officiating. &nbsp;The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. &nbsp;Burial will follow in the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Stuttgart.The family will receive friends Thursday, July 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Huck Boyd Community Center.Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office or the Colby High School Wrestling Club.

Sheriff's office shares obituary of fallen Kansas deputy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on President Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inside-trump-republican-spending-bill-provisions-details-06eb10bad4fd2a7ea2ac236e6535e61d">tax and spending cuts package</a>, determined to seize momentum from a hard-fought vote in the Senate while essentially daring members to defy their party's leader and vote against it.

“The American people gave us a clear mandate, and after four years of Democrat failure, we intend to deliver without delay,” the top four House GOP leaders said Tuesday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-trump-big-bill-bf3f94471b13db3e5d50f0cd1f8fe793">the bill passed the Senate 51-50</a>, thanks to Vice President JD Vance's tiebreaking vote.

It's a risky gambit, one designed to meet Trump's demand for a July 4 finish — and there's a steep climb ahead. Since launching early this year, Republicans have struggled mightily with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnson-trump-republicans-budget-vote-tax-cuts-4cb74ca15f6a74a7344355e4507ab9fe">the bill</a>&nbsp;nearly every step of the way, often succeeding by only a single vote. Their House majority stands at only 220-212, leaving little room for defections.

GOP members of the Kansas delegation are ready to push the bill over the finish line.

Some Republicans are likely to balk at being asked to rubber stamp the Senate bill less than 24 hours after passage, having had little time to read or absorb the changes that were made, many at the last minute to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-bill-murkowski-senate-alaska-9a5b0538bb4eb510d5438a2dacc76627">win the vote</a>&nbsp;of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

House Republicans from competitive districts have bristled at the Senate bill's cuts to Medicaid, while conservatives have lambasted the legislation as straying from their fiscal goals.

It falls to Speaker Mike Johnson and his team to convince them that the time for negotiations is over.

Trump pushes Republicans to do ‘the right thing’

The bill would extend and make permanent various individual and business tax breaks that Republicans passed in Trump's first term, plus temporarily add new ones that Trump promised during the campaign, including allowing workers to deduct tips and overtime pay, and provide a new $6,000 deduction for most older adults. In all, the legislation contains about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years.

The bill also provides some $350 billion for defense and Trump's immigration crackdown. Republicans partially pay for it all through less spending on Medicaid and food assistance. The Congressional Budget Office projects that it will add about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-trump-tax-bill-republicans-senate-5f591bea21bd95eec45ba90c93c50687">$3.3 trillion</a>&nbsp;in federal deficits over the coming decade.

The House passed its version of the bill back in May, despite worries about spending cuts and the overall price tag. Now, they are being asked to give final passage to a version that, in many respects, exacerbates those concerns. The Senate bill's projected impact on federal deficits, for example, is significantly higher.

Trump praised the bill profusely in a social media post, saying “We can have all of this right now, but only if the House GOP UNITES, ignores its occasional ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ (You know who you are!), and does the right thing, which is sending this Bill to my desk.”

Speaker Johnson, R-La., is intent on meeting the president's July 4 timeline. He's also betting that hesitant Republicans won't cross Trump because of the heavy political price they would have to pay.

They need only look to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who announced his intention to vote against the legislation over the weekend. Soon, the president was calling for a primary challenger to the senator and personally attacking him on social media. Tillis quickly announced he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tillis-senate-north-carolina-trump-reelection-republicans-382f72ff5228d864b38009904cbc4e6b">not seek</a>&nbsp;a third term.

Others could face a similar fate. One House Republican who has staked out opposition to the bill, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, is already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kentucky-thomas-massie-primary-iran-55252ce7fbda9c27f6fbd9123927b1b4">being targeted</a>&nbsp;by Trump's well-funded political operation.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said leadership was not entertaining the possibility of making changes to the bill before the final vote. He said the two chambers already agree on the vast majority of what's in it.

“It’s not as easy as saying, ‘hey, I just want one more change,’ because one more change could end up being what collapses the entire thing,” Scalise said.

Democratic lawmakers, united against the bill as harmful to the country, condemned the process as rushed. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said there’s no real deadline for getting the bill passed by July 4th.

“We’re rushing not because the country demands it, but because he wants to throw himself another party,” McGovern said. “This isn’t policy. It’s ego management.”

Democrats warn health care, food aid are being ripped away

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described the bill in dire terms, saying that cuts in Medicaid spending would result in “Americans losing their lives because of their inability to access health care coverage.” He said Republicans are “literally ripping the food out of the mouths of children, veterans and seniors.”

“House Democrats are going to do everything we can for the next few hours, today, tomorrow, for the balance of this week and beyond to stop this bill from ever becoming law,” Jeffries said.

Republicans say they are trying to rightsize the safety net programs for the population they were initially designed to serve, mainly pregnant women, the disabled and children, and root out what they describe as waste, fraud and abuse.

The package includes new 80-hour-a-month work requirements for many adults receiving Medicaid and applies existing work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to more beneficiaries. States will also pick up more of the cost for food benefits, with the amount based on their payment error rates, which include both underpayments and overpayments.

The driving force behind the bill, however, is the tax cuts. Many expire at the end of this year if Congress doesn't act.

“Passing this bill means smaller tax bills and bigger paychecks for the American people — permanently,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-thune-senate-leader-daf1aee85669ac9a242908e2a13f9346">Senate Majority Leader John Thune</a>. “It will also help get our economy firing on all cylinders again.”

The Tax Policy Center, which provides nonpartisan analysis of tax and budget policy, projected the bill would result next year in a $150 tax break for the lowest quintile of Americans, a $1,750 tax cut for the middle quintile, and a $10,950 tax cut for the top quintile. That's compared to what they'd face if the 2017 tax cuts expired.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on President Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inside-trump-republican-spending-bill-provisions-details-06eb10bad4fd2a7ea2ac236e6535e61d">tax and spending cuts package</a>, determined to seize momentum from a hard-fought vote in the Senate while essentially daring members to defy their party's leader and vote against it.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MAGA VICTORY: The United States Senate PASSES President Trump&#39;s One Big Beautiful Bill 🇺🇸🦅🎉 <a href="https://t.co/28JThZW5z0">pic.twitter.com/28JThZW5z0</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1940083696012599735?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The American people gave us a clear mandate, and after four years of Democrat failure, we intend to deliver without delay,” the top four House GOP leaders said Tuesday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-trump-big-bill-bf3f94471b13db3e5d50f0cd1f8fe793">the bill passed the Senate 51-50</a>, thanks to Vice President JD Vance's tiebreaking vote.It's a risky gambit, one designed to meet Trump's demand for a July 4 finish — and there's a steep climb ahead. Since launching early this year, Republicans have struggled mightily with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnson-trump-republicans-budget-vote-tax-cuts-4cb74ca15f6a74a7344355e4507ab9fe">the bill</a>&nbsp;nearly every step of the way, often succeeding by only a single vote. Their House majority stands at only 220-212, leaving little room for defections.GOP members of the Kansas delegation are ready to push the bill over the finish line.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The One Big Beautiful Bill is exactly what Kansas agricultural producers voted for.<a href="https://twitter.com/HouseAgGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HouseAgGOP</a> is raising reference prices, solidifying the estate tax deduction, and strengthening the farm safety net. Promises made, promises kept. <a href="https://t.co/xX6fx7C4QM">pic.twitter.com/xX6fx7C4QM</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1940148959009493254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 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/SenateGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenateGOP</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> got the One Big Beautiful Bill over the finish line and now it comes back to the House. I look forward to voting on this with my <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HouseGOP</a> colleagues and sending it to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> for his signature. <a href="https://t.co/lfjW2cRAz5">https://t.co/lfjW2cRAz5</a>&mdash; Rep. Ron Estes (@RepRonEstes) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRonEstes/status/1940089576900477088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congressman Schmidt is applauding the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Read his full statement here: <a href="https://t.co/yY0mTxLiUA">https://t.co/yY0mTxLiUA</a> <a href="https://t.co/En8kViNBNY">pic.twitter.com/En8kViNBNY</a>&mdash; Rep. Derek Schmidt Press (@RepDerekSchmidt) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDerekSchmidt/status/1925618961351070107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Some Republicans are likely to balk at being asked to rubber stamp the Senate bill less than 24 hours after passage, having had little time to read or absorb the changes that were made, many at the last minute to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-bill-murkowski-senate-alaska-9a5b0538bb4eb510d5438a2dacc76627">win the vote</a>&nbsp;of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.House Republicans from competitive districts have bristled at the Senate bill's cuts to Medicaid, while conservatives have lambasted the legislation as straying from their fiscal goals.It falls to Speaker Mike Johnson and his team to convince them that the time for negotiations is over.<h2>Trump pushes Republicans to do ‘the right thing’</h2>The bill would extend and make permanent various individual and business tax breaks that Republicans passed in Trump's first term, plus temporarily add new ones that Trump promised during the campaign, including allowing workers to deduct tips and overtime pay, and provide a new $6,000 deduction for most older adults. In all, the legislation contains about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years.The bill also provides some $350 billion for defense and Trump's immigration crackdown. Republicans partially pay for it all through less spending on Medicaid and food assistance. The Congressional Budget Office projects that it will add about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-trump-tax-bill-republicans-senate-5f591bea21bd95eec45ba90c93c50687">$3.3 trillion</a>&nbsp;in federal deficits over the coming decade.The House passed its version of the bill back in May, despite worries about spending cuts and the overall price tag. Now, they are being asked to give final passage to a version that, in many respects, exacerbates those concerns. The Senate bill's projected impact on federal deficits, for example, is significantly higher.Trump praised the bill profusely in a social media post, saying “We can have all of this right now, but only if the House GOP UNITES, ignores its occasional ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ (You know who you are!), and does the right thing, which is sending this Bill to my desk.”<h2>The high price of opposing Trump's bill</h2>Speaker Johnson, R-La., is intent on meeting the president's July 4 timeline. He's also betting that hesitant Republicans won't cross Trump because of the heavy political price they would have to pay.They need only look to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who announced his intention to vote against the legislation over the weekend. Soon, the president was calling for a primary challenger to the senator and personally attacking him on social media. Tillis quickly announced he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tillis-senate-north-carolina-trump-reelection-republicans-382f72ff5228d864b38009904cbc4e6b">not seek</a>&nbsp;a third term.Others could face a similar fate. One House Republican who has staked out opposition to the bill, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, is already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kentucky-thomas-massie-primary-iran-55252ce7fbda9c27f6fbd9123927b1b4">being targeted</a>&nbsp;by Trump's well-funded political operation.House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said leadership was not entertaining the possibility of making changes to the bill before the final vote. He said the two chambers already agree on the vast majority of what's in it.“It’s not as easy as saying, ‘hey, I just want one more change,’ because one more change could end up being what collapses the entire thing,” Scalise said.Democratic lawmakers, united against the bill as harmful to the country, condemned the process as rushed. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said there’s no real deadline for getting the bill passed by July 4th.“We’re rushing not because the country demands it, but because he wants to throw himself another party,” McGovern said. “This isn’t policy. It’s ego management.”<h2>Democrats warn health care, food aid are being ripped away</h2>House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described the bill in dire terms, saying that cuts in Medicaid spending would result in “Americans losing their lives because of their inability to access health care coverage.” He said Republicans are “literally ripping the food out of the mouths of children, veterans and seniors.”“House Democrats are going to do everything we can for the next few hours, today, tomorrow, for the balance of this week and beyond to stop this bill from ever becoming law,” Jeffries said.Republicans say they are trying to rightsize the safety net programs for the population they were initially designed to serve, mainly pregnant women, the disabled and children, and root out what they describe as waste, fraud and abuse.The package includes new 80-hour-a-month work requirements for many adults receiving Medicaid and applies existing work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to more beneficiaries. States will also pick up more of the cost for food benefits, with the amount based on their payment error rates, which include both underpayments and overpayments.The driving force behind the bill, however, is the tax cuts. Many expire at the end of this year if Congress doesn't act.“Passing this bill means smaller tax bills and bigger paychecks for the American people — permanently,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-thune-senate-leader-daf1aee85669ac9a242908e2a13f9346">Senate Majority Leader John Thune</a>. “It will also help get our economy firing on all cylinders again.”The Tax Policy Center, which provides nonpartisan analysis of tax and budget policy, projected the bill would result next year in a $150 tax break for the lowest quintile of Americans, a $1,750 tax cut for the middle quintile, and a $10,950 tax cut for the top quintile. That's compared to what they'd face if the 2017 tax cuts expired.___

🎥Kan. GOP lawmakers race toward final vote on Big, Beautiful Bill

KANSAS CITY—A man wounded in a shooting last month has died.

Just before 3:30a.m. June 15, officers were dispatched to Truman and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp; First responders located a victim, later identified as 24-year-old Jalin Brewer, inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. 

EMS transported Brewer to an area hospital for treatment&nbsp;&nbsp;Detectives were notified on Tuesday he died as a result of his injuries. Preliminary investigation indicated this was a result of an argument that led to gunfire. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

KANSAS CITY—A man wounded in a shooting last month has died.Just before 3:30a.m. June 15, officers were dispatched to Truman and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp; First responders located a victim, later identified as 24-year-old Jalin Brewer, inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. EMS transported Brewer to an area hospital for treatment&nbsp;&nbsp;Detectives were notified on Tuesday he died as a result of his injuries. Preliminary investigation indicated this was a result of an argument that led to gunfire. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Victim dies two-weeks after wounded in Kansas City shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — In a case seen as a challenge to American free-speech principles, Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/former-president-donald-trump-files-lawsuit-against-cbs-in-amarillo-federal-court">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by President Donald Trump over the editing of CBS' “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-trump-cbs-interview-edit-024c435a19fd37eee7a090ece76d925c">60 Minutes” interview</a>&nbsp;with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in October.

Paramount, which owns CBS, said the money will go to Trump’s future presidential library, not to the Republican president himself. It said the settlement did not involve an apology.

Trump’s lawyer said Trump had suffered “mental anguish” over the editing of the interview by CBS News, while Paramount and CBS rejected his contention that it was edited to enhance how Harris, the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, sounded. They had called Trump's case “completely without merit” and tried to have it dismissed, even while involved in settlement negotiations.

The case was widely discussed and was being seen as a referendum on how far organizations would go to curry favor with Trump. Paramount is simultaneously seeking approval from his administration for its proposed merger with Skydance Media.

A spokesman for Trump's legal team said that with the settlement, Trump “delivers another win for the American people.”

Paramount agreed that ‘60 Minutes’ transcripts will be released

In early February, “60 Minutes” released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cbs-60-minutes-harris-interview-ac36372dd700c9d233eee78773473f49">full, unedited transcript</a>&nbsp;of the Harris interview.

Under the settlement reached with help of a mediator, Paramount agreed that “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future interviews of presidential candidates, “subject to redactions as required for legal and national security concerns,” CBS News cited the statement as saying.

Trump, who did not agree to be interviewed by “60 Minutes” during the campaign, protested editing where Harris is seen giving two different answers to a question by the show’s Bill Whitaker in separate clips aired on “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation” earlier in the day. CBS said each reply came within Harris’ long-winded answer to Whitaker, but was edited to be more succinct.

“This settlement is a cowardly capitulation by the corporate leaders of Paramount, and a fundamental betrayal of ‘60 Minutes’ and CBS News,” said Rome Hartman, a producer of the Harris interview for the show. “The story that was the subject of this lawsuit was edited by the book and in accordance with CBS News standards.”

Correspondents had worried of a settlement with ‘wrongdoing’ implications

In a letter to Paramount's leadership in early May, “60 Minutes” correspondents said they were troubled by reports that Paramount might settle the case “in a way that acknowledges some sort of wrongdoing on our part."

The correspondents, in the letter obtained by The Associated Press, said that “if our parent company caves in to his pressure and lies, it will leave a shameful stain and undermine the First Amendment.” It was signed by Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, Jon Wertheim and Cecilia Vega.

Trump's lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said the interview caused confusion and “mental anguish," misleading voters and causing them to pay less attention to Trump and his Truth Social online platform.

Paramount and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were seeking the settlement with Trump. CBS News President and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cbs-news-60-minutes-lawsuit-d43effebb7b3b76c31d38908bd31460e">CEO Wendy McMahon</a>&nbsp;and “60 Minutes” executive producer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/60-minutes-cbs-producer-quits-4c7729507684fa516391a7022d27586b">Bill Owens</a>, who both opposed a settlement, resigned in recent weeks.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://freedom.press/">Freedom of the Press Foundation</a>, a media advocacy group that says it is a Paramount shareholder, has said that it would file a lawsuit in protest if a settlement was reached.

In December, ABC News&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68">settled a defamation lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by Trump over statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, agreeing to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library rather than engage in a public fight. Meta&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-settlement-zuckerberg-capitol-riot-9939e52679364080c983e0cab739b805">reportedly paid $25 million</a>&nbsp;to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the company over its decision to suspend his social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747061767917.jpeg" alt="File photo (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)" />
 <figcaption>File photo (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — In a case seen as a challenge to American free-speech principles, Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/former-president-donald-trump-files-lawsuit-against-cbs-in-amarillo-federal-court">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by President Donald Trump over the editing of CBS' “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-trump-cbs-interview-edit-024c435a19fd37eee7a090ece76d925c">60 Minutes” interview</a>&nbsp;with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in October.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨BREAKING: Paramount, CBS’s parent company, agrees to a $16 million settlement in President Trump’s lawsuit over the edited 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. <a href="https://t.co/aPrHJ3PVqp">pic.twitter.com/aPrHJ3PVqp</a>&mdash; Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1940265863111979091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Paramount, which owns CBS, said the money will go to Trump’s future presidential library, not to the Republican president himself. It said the settlement did not involve an apology.Trump’s lawyer said Trump had suffered “mental anguish” over the editing of the interview by CBS News, while Paramount and CBS rejected his contention that it was edited to enhance how Harris, the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, sounded. They had called Trump's case “completely without merit” and tried to have it dismissed, even while involved in settlement negotiations.The case was widely discussed and was being seen as a referendum on how far organizations would go to curry favor with Trump. Paramount is simultaneously seeking approval from his administration for its proposed merger with Skydance Media.A spokesman for Trump's legal team said that with the settlement, Trump “delivers another win for the American people.”<h2>Paramount agreed that ‘60 Minutes’ transcripts will be released</h2>In early February, “60 Minutes” released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cbs-60-minutes-harris-interview-ac36372dd700c9d233eee78773473f49">full, unedited transcript</a>&nbsp;of the Harris interview.Under the settlement reached with help of a mediator, Paramount agreed that “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future interviews of presidential candidates, “subject to redactions as required for legal and national security concerns,” CBS News cited the statement as saying.Trump, who did not agree to be interviewed by “60 Minutes” during the campaign, protested editing where Harris is seen giving two different answers to a question by the show’s Bill Whitaker in separate clips aired on “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation” earlier in the day. CBS said each reply came within Harris’ long-winded answer to Whitaker, but was edited to be more succinct.“This settlement is a cowardly capitulation by the corporate leaders of Paramount, and a fundamental betrayal of ‘60 Minutes’ and CBS News,” said Rome Hartman, a producer of the Harris interview for the show. “The story that was the subject of this lawsuit was edited by the book and in accordance with CBS News standards.”<h2>Correspondents had worried of a settlement with ‘wrongdoing’ implications</h2>In a letter to Paramount's leadership in early May, “60 Minutes” correspondents said they were troubled by reports that Paramount might settle the case “in a way that acknowledges some sort of wrongdoing on our part."The correspondents, in the letter obtained by The Associated Press, said that “if our parent company caves in to his pressure and lies, it will leave a shameful stain and undermine the First Amendment.” It was signed by Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, Jon Wertheim and Cecilia Vega.Trump's lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said the interview caused confusion and “mental anguish," misleading voters and causing them to pay less attention to Trump and his Truth Social online platform.Paramount and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were seeking the settlement with Trump. CBS News President and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cbs-news-60-minutes-lawsuit-d43effebb7b3b76c31d38908bd31460e">CEO Wendy McMahon</a>&nbsp;and “60 Minutes” executive producer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/60-minutes-cbs-producer-quits-4c7729507684fa516391a7022d27586b">Bill Owens</a>, who both opposed a settlement, resigned in recent weeks.The&nbsp;<a href="https://freedom.press/">Freedom of the Press Foundation</a>, a media advocacy group that says it is a Paramount shareholder, has said that it would file a lawsuit in protest if a settlement was reached.In December, ABC News&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abc-trump-lawsuit-defamation-stephanopoulos-04aea8663310af39ae2a85f4c1a56d68">settled a defamation lawsuit</a>&nbsp;by Trump over statements made by anchor George Stephanopoulos, agreeing to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library rather than engage in a public fight. Meta&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-settlement-zuckerberg-capitol-riot-9939e52679364080c983e0cab739b805">reportedly paid $25 million</a>&nbsp;to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the company over its decision to suspend his social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.