HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair has added another major concert to its 2025 lineup, announcing that country music icon Lorrie Morgan will perform on the final Sunday of the fair, with viral sensation Mason Ramsey set to open the show.

The concert is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Nex-Tech Grandstand. The announcement was made Monday morning by Brian “Shell” Schultz, general manager of the Kansas State Fair.

“Last year we introduced a Sunday afternoon show with the Oak Ridge Boys, and it was a huge hit,” Schultz said. “This year, we’re excited to welcome Lorrie Morgan and Mason Ramsey to close out the fair.”

Morgan, known for hits like What Part of No, Five Minutes, and Something in Red, is considered one of the genre’s legendary vocalists. Schultz called her “one of the first pure queens of country,” noting her decades of success in the industry.

Opening the show will be 17-year-old Mason Ramsey, who rose to fame in 2018 with a viral video of him yodeling in a Walmart. Ramsey previously performed at the Kansas State Fair and is known for blending classic country with a youthful twist.

Tickets for the concert go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9. Subscribers to the fair’s email list will receive a presale code for early access beginning Thursday.

Reserved seats in the Nex-Tech Grandstand will be available for $30 and $40. The Kansas Star Casino Party Pit — a seated section near the stage — will be priced at $50. VIP deck tables, which include six seats, beverages, and hors d’oeuvres, are available for $500. Standing-room-only packages are $60 on the VIP deck.

All concert tickets include fair gate admission.

Schultz emphasized the fair’s commitment to offering accessible and enjoyable concert experiences.

“We’ve got great seating options for everyone,” he said. “Whether you’re looking for a big night out with friends or a close-up view of a country legend, we’ve got you covered.”

The Kansas State Fair runs Sept. 5–14 in Hutchinson. For more information and ticket purchases, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasstatefair.com/">www.kansasstatefair.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746457600471.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair has added another major concert to its 2025 lineup, announcing that country music icon Lorrie Morgan will perform on the final Sunday of the fair, with viral sensation Mason Ramsey set to open the show.The concert is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Nex-Tech Grandstand. The announcement was made Monday morning by Brian “Shell” Schultz, general manager of the Kansas State Fair.“Last year we introduced a Sunday afternoon show with the Oak Ridge Boys, and it was a huge hit,” Schultz said. “This year, we’re excited to welcome Lorrie Morgan and Mason Ramsey to close out the fair.”Morgan, known for hits like What Part of No, Five Minutes, and Something in Red, is considered one of the genre’s legendary vocalists. Schultz called her “one of the first pure queens of country,” noting her decades of success in the industry.Opening the show will be 17-year-old Mason Ramsey, who rose to fame in 2018 with a viral video of him yodeling in a Walmart. Ramsey previously performed at the Kansas State Fair and is known for blending classic country with a youthful twist.Tickets for the concert go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9. Subscribers to the fair’s email list will receive a presale code for early access beginning Thursday.Reserved seats in the Nex-Tech Grandstand will be available for $30 and $40. The Kansas Star Casino Party Pit — a seated section near the stage — will be priced at $50. VIP deck tables, which include six seats, beverages, and hors d’oeuvres, are available for $500. Standing-room-only packages are $60 on the VIP deck.All concert tickets include fair gate admission.Schultz emphasized the fair’s commitment to offering accessible and enjoyable concert experiences.“We’ve got great seating options for everyone,” he said. “Whether you’re looking for a big night out with friends or a close-up view of a country legend, we’ve got you covered.”The Kansas State Fair runs Sept. 5–14 in Hutchinson. For more information and ticket purchases, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasstatefair.com/">www.kansasstatefair.com</a>.

Country music star to perform at the Kansas State Fair

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump released a budget request Friday that would dramatically slash some federal spending, the initial step in a monthslong process that will include heated debate on Capitol Hill as both political parties work toward a final government funding agreement.

The proposal, for the first time, details how exactly this administration wants lawmakers to restructure spending across the federal government — steep cuts to domestic appropriations, including the elimination of dozens of programs that carry a long history of bipartisan support, and a significant increase in defense funding.

Trump wants more than 60 programs to be scrapped, some with long histories of assistance to states, including Community Services Block Grants, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the National Endowment for Democracy, the National Institute on Minority and Health Disparities within the National Institutes of Health, and the Sexual Risk Avoidance and Teen Pregnancy Prevention programs.

Congress will ultimately decide how much funding to provide to federal programs, and while Republicans hold majorities in both chambers, regular funding bills will need Democratic support to move through the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.

White House budget director Russ Vought wrote in a letter that the request proposes shifting some funding from the federal government to states and local communities.

“Just as the Federal Government has intruded on matters best left to American families, it has intruded on matters best left to the levels of government closest to the people, who understand and respect the needs and desires of their communities far better than the Federal Government ever could,” Vought wrote.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-resources/budget/the-presidents-fy-2026-discretionary-budget-request/" target="_blank">budget request</a>&nbsp;calls on Congress to cut non-defense accounts by $163 billion to $557 billion, while keeping defense funding flat at $893 billion in the dozen annual appropriations bills.

The proposal assumes the GOP Congress passes the separate reconciliation package that is currently being written in the House, bringing defense funding up to $1.01 trillion, a 13.4% increase, and reducing domestic spending to $601 billion, a 16.6% decrease.

Under Trump’s request many federal departments and agencies would be slated for significant spending reductions, though defense, border security and veterans would be exempt.&nbsp;

The budget request also asks Congress to eliminate AmeriCorps, which operates as the Corporation for National and Community Service; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides some funding to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service; the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences; and the 400 Years of African American History Commission.

What if Congress won’t act on the cuts?

Debate over the budget proposal will take place throughout the summer months, but will come to a head in September, when Congress must pass some sort of funding bill to avoid a partial government shutdown.

A senior White House official, speaking on background on a call with reporters to discuss details of the budget request, suggested that Trump would take unilateral action to cut funding if Congress doesn’t go along with the request.

“Obviously, we have never taken impoundment off the table, because the president and myself believe that 200 years of the president and executive branch had that ability,” the official said. “But we’re working with Congress to see what they will pass. And I believe that they have an interest in passing cuts.”

The 1974 Impoundment Control Act bars the president from canceling funding approved by Congress without consulting lawmakers via a rescissions request, which the officials said the administration plans to release “soon.”

The annual appropriations process is separate from the reconciliation process that Republicans are using to pass their massive tax cuts, border security, defense funding and spending cuts package.

The budget proposal aligns with the Trump’s administration’s plans for mass deportations of people without permanent legal status, and would provide the Department of Homeland Security with $42.3 billion, or a 64.9% increase.

The budget proposal suggests eliminating $650 million from a program that reimburses non-governmental organizations and local governments that help with resettling and aiding newly arrived migrants released from DHS custody, known as the Shelters and Services Program.

The Trump administration also seeks to eliminate the agency that handles the care and resettlement of unaccompanied minors within Health and Human Services. The budget proposal recommends getting rid of the Refugee and Unaccompanied Alien Children Programs’ $1.97 billion budget. The budget proposal argues that because of an executive order to suspend refugee resettlement services, there is no need for the programs.

A federal judge from Washington state issued a nationwide injunction, and ruled the Trump administration must continue refugee resettlement services.

The budget proposal also calls for axing programs that help newly arrived migrant children or students for whom English is not a first language.

For the Education Department, the budget proposal suggests eliminating $890 million in funding for the English Language Acquisition and $428 million for the Migrant Education and Special Programs for Migrant Students.

Members of Congress had mixed reactions to the budget request, with some GOP lawmakers praising its spending cuts, while others took issue with the defense budget.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., outright rejected the defense funding level, writing in a statement that relying on the reconciliation package to get military spending above $1 trillion was unacceptable.&nbsp;

“OMB is not requesting a trillion-dollar budget. It is requesting a budget of $892.6 billion, which is a cut in real terms. This budget would decrease President Trump’s military options and his negotiating leverage,” Wicker wrote. “We face an Axis of Aggressors led by the Chinese Communist Party, who have already started a trade war rather than negotiate in good faith. We need a real Peace Through Strength agenda to ensure Xi Jinping does not launch a military war against us in Asia, beyond his existing military support to the Russians, the Iranians, Hamas, and the Houthis.”

The senior White House official who spoke on a call with reporters to discuss details of the budget request said that splitting the defense increase between the regular Pentagon spending bill and the reconciliation package was a more “durable” proposal.

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, wrote the panel will have “an aggressive hearing schedule to learn more about the President’s proposal and assess funding needs for the coming year.”

“This request has come to Congress late, and key details still remain outstanding,” Collins wrote. “Based on my initial review, however, I have serious objections to the proposed freeze in our defense funding given the security challenges we face and to the proposed funding cuts to – and in some cases elimination of – programs like LIHEAP, TRIO, and those that support biomedical research.&nbsp;

“Ultimately, it is Congress that holds the power of the purse.”

Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., wrote in a statement she will work with others in Congress to block the domestic funding cuts from taking effect.

“Trump wants to rip away funding to safeguard Americans’ health, protect our environment, and to help rural communities and our farmers thrive. This president wants to turn our country’s back on Tribes—and let trash pile up at our national parks,” Murray wrote. “Trump is even proposing to cut investments to prevent violent crime, go after drug traffickers, and tackle the opioids and mental health crises.”

A press release from Murray’s office noted the budget request lacked details on certain programs, including Head Start.

House Speaker Mike Johnson R-La, praised the budget proposal in a statement and pledged that House GOP lawmakers are “ready to work alongside President Trump to implement a responsible budget that puts America first.”

“President Trump’s plan ensures every federal taxpayer dollar spent is used to serve the American people, not a bloated bureaucracy or partisan pet projects,” Johnson wrote.

The House and Senate Appropriations committees are set to begin hearings with Cabinet secretaries and agency heads next week, where Trump administration officials will explain their individual funding requests and answer lawmakers’ questions.

The members on those committees will ultimately write the dozen annual appropriations bills in the months ahead, determining funding levels and policy for numerous programs, including those at the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, State and Transportation.

The House panel’s bills will skew more toward Republican funding levels and priorities, though the Senate committee has a long history of writing broadly bipartisan bills.&nbsp;

The leaders of the two committees — House Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., House ranking member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Senate Chairwoman Collins and Senate ranking member Murray — will ultimately work out a final deal later in the year alongside congressional leaders.

Differences over the full-year bills are supposed to be solved before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, but members of Congress regularly rely on a stopgap spending bill through mid-December to give themselves more time to complete negotiations.

Failure to pass some sort of government funding measure, either a stopgap bill or all 12 full-year spending bills, before the funding deadline, would lead to a partial government shutdown.

This round of appropriations bills will be the first debated during Trump’s second-term presidency and will likely bring about considerable disagreement over the unilateral actions the administration has already taken to freeze or cancel federal spending, many of which are the subject of lawsuits arguing the president doesn’t have that impoundment authority.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746356978428.png" alt="President Trump during a meeting of his Cabinet last week -image White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during a meeting of his Cabinet last week -image White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump released a budget request Friday that would dramatically slash some federal spending, the initial step in a monthslong process that will include heated debate on Capitol Hill as both political parties work toward a final government funding agreement.The proposal, for the first time, details how exactly this administration wants lawmakers to restructure spending across the federal government — steep cuts to domestic appropriations, including the elimination of dozens of programs that carry a long history of bipartisan support, and a significant increase in defense funding.Trump wants more than 60 programs to be scrapped, some with long histories of assistance to states, including Community Services Block Grants, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the National Endowment for Democracy, the National Institute on Minority and Health Disparities within the National Institutes of Health, and the Sexual Risk Avoidance and Teen Pregnancy Prevention programs.Congress will ultimately decide how much funding to provide to federal programs, and while Republicans hold majorities in both chambers, regular funding bills will need Democratic support to move through the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.White House budget director Russ Vought wrote in a letter that the request proposes shifting some funding from the federal government to states and local communities.“Just as the Federal Government has intruded on matters best left to American families, it has intruded on matters best left to the levels of government closest to the people, who understand and respect the needs and desires of their communities far better than the Federal Government ever could,” Vought wrote.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-resources/budget/the-presidents-fy-2026-discretionary-budget-request/" target="_blank">budget request</a>&nbsp;calls on Congress to cut non-defense accounts by $163 billion to $557 billion, while keeping defense funding flat at $893 billion in the dozen annual appropriations bills.The proposal assumes the GOP Congress passes the separate reconciliation package that is currently being written in the House, bringing defense funding up to $1.01 trillion, a 13.4% increase, and reducing domestic spending to $601 billion, a 16.6% decrease.<h2>Many domestic cuts</h2>Under Trump’s request many federal departments and agencies would be slated for significant spending reductions, though defense, border security and veterans would be exempt.&nbsp;The cuts include:<ul>
 <li>Agriculture: – $5 billion, or 18.3%</li><li>Commerce: – $1.7 billion, or 16.5%</li><li>Education: – $12 billion, or 15.3%</li><li>Energy: – $4.7 billion, or 9.4%</li><li>Health and Human Services: – $33 billion, or 26.2%</li><li>Housing and Urban Development: – $33.6 billion, or 43.6%</li><li>Interior: – $5.1 billion, or 30.5%</li><li>Justice: – $2.7 billion, or 7.6%</li><li>Labor: – $4.6 billion, or 34.9%</li><li>State: – $49.1 billion, or 83.7%</li><li>Treasury: – $2.7 billion, or 19%</li>
 </ul>Increases include:<ul>
 <li>Defense: + $113 billion, or 13.4% with reconciliation package</li><li>Homeland Security: + $42.3 billion, or 64.9% with reconciliation package</li><li>Transportation: + $1.5 billion, or 5.8%</li><li>Veterans Affairs: + $5.4 billion, or 4.1%</li>
 </ul>The budget request also asks Congress to eliminate AmeriCorps, which operates as the Corporation for National and Community Service; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides some funding to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service; the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences; and the 400 Years of African American History Commission.<h2>What if Congress won’t act on the cuts?</h2>Debate over the budget proposal will take place throughout the summer months, but will come to a head in September, when Congress must pass some sort of funding bill to avoid a partial government shutdown.A senior White House official, speaking on background on a call with reporters to discuss details of the budget request, suggested that Trump would take unilateral action to cut funding if Congress doesn’t go along with the request.“Obviously, we have never taken impoundment off the table, because the president and myself believe that 200 years of the president and executive branch had that ability,” the official said. “But we’re working with Congress to see what they will pass. And I believe that they have an interest in passing cuts.”The 1974 Impoundment Control Act bars the president from canceling funding approved by Congress without consulting lawmakers via a rescissions request, which the officials said the administration plans to release “soon.”The annual appropriations process is separate from the reconciliation process that Republicans are using to pass their massive tax cuts, border security, defense funding and spending cuts package.<h2>Huge boost for Homeland Security</h2>The budget proposal aligns with the Trump’s administration’s plans for mass deportations of people without permanent legal status, and would provide the Department of Homeland Security with $42.3 billion, or a 64.9% increase.The budget proposal suggests eliminating $650 million from a program that reimburses non-governmental organizations and local governments that help with resettling and aiding newly arrived migrants released from DHS custody, known as the Shelters and Services Program.The Trump administration also seeks to eliminate the agency that handles the care and resettlement of unaccompanied minors within Health and Human Services. The budget proposal recommends getting rid of the Refugee and Unaccompanied Alien Children Programs’ $1.97 billion budget. The budget proposal argues that because of an executive order to suspend refugee resettlement services, there is no need for the programs.A federal judge from Washington state issued a nationwide injunction, and ruled the Trump administration must continue refugee resettlement services.The budget proposal also calls for axing programs that help newly arrived migrant children or students for whom English is not a first language.For the Education Department, the budget proposal suggests eliminating $890 million in funding for the English Language Acquisition and $428 million for the Migrant Education and Special Programs for Migrant Students.<h2>Key GOP senator rejects defense request</h2>Members of Congress had mixed reactions to the budget request, with some GOP lawmakers praising its spending cuts, while others took issue with the defense budget.Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., outright rejected the defense funding level, writing in a statement that relying on the reconciliation package to get military spending above $1 trillion was unacceptable.&nbsp;“OMB is not requesting a trillion-dollar budget. It is requesting a budget of $892.6 billion, which is a cut in real terms. This budget would decrease President Trump’s military options and his negotiating leverage,” Wicker wrote. “We face an Axis of Aggressors led by the Chinese Communist Party, who have already started a trade war rather than negotiate in good faith. We need a real Peace Through Strength agenda to ensure Xi Jinping does not launch a military war against us in Asia, beyond his existing military support to the Russians, the Iranians, Hamas, and the Houthis.”The senior White House official who spoke on a call with reporters to discuss details of the budget request said that splitting the defense increase between the regular Pentagon spending bill and the reconciliation package was a more “durable” proposal.Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, wrote the panel will have “an aggressive hearing schedule to learn more about the President’s proposal and assess funding needs for the coming year.”“This request has come to Congress late, and key details still remain outstanding,” Collins wrote. “Based on my initial review, however, I have serious objections to the proposed freeze in our defense funding given the security challenges we face and to the proposed funding cuts to – and in some cases elimination of – programs like LIHEAP, TRIO, and those that support biomedical research.&nbsp;“Ultimately, it is Congress that holds the power of the purse.”Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., wrote in a statement she will work with others in Congress to block the domestic funding cuts from taking effect.“Trump wants to rip away funding to safeguard Americans’ health, protect our environment, and to help rural communities and our farmers thrive. This president wants to turn our country’s back on Tribes—and let trash pile up at our national parks,” Murray wrote. “Trump is even proposing to cut investments to prevent violent crime, go after drug traffickers, and tackle the opioids and mental health crises.”A press release from Murray’s office noted the budget request lacked details on certain programs, including Head Start.House Speaker Mike Johnson R-La, praised the budget proposal in a statement and pledged that House GOP lawmakers are “ready to work alongside President Trump to implement a responsible budget that puts America first.”“President Trump’s plan ensures every federal taxpayer dollar spent is used to serve the American people, not a bloated bureaucracy or partisan pet projects,” Johnson wrote.<h2>Spending decisions coming</h2>The House and Senate Appropriations committees are set to begin hearings with Cabinet secretaries and agency heads next week, where Trump administration officials will explain their individual funding requests and answer lawmakers’ questions.The members on those committees will ultimately write the dozen annual appropriations bills in the months ahead, determining funding levels and policy for numerous programs, including those at the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, State and Transportation.The House panel’s bills will skew more toward Republican funding levels and priorities, though the Senate committee has a long history of writing broadly bipartisan bills.&nbsp;The leaders of the two committees — House Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., House ranking member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Senate Chairwoman Collins and Senate ranking member Murray — will ultimately work out a final deal later in the year alongside congressional leaders.Differences over the full-year bills are supposed to be solved before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, but members of Congress regularly rely on a stopgap spending bill through mid-December to give themselves more time to complete negotiations.Failure to pass some sort of government funding measure, either a stopgap bill or all 12 full-year spending bills, before the funding deadline, would lead to a partial government shutdown.This round of appropriations bills will be the first debated during Trump’s second-term presidency and will likely bring about considerable disagreement over the unilateral actions the administration has already taken to freeze or cancel federal spending, many of which are the subject of lawsuits arguing the president doesn’t have that impoundment authority.&nbsp;

Trump wants to cut $163B in non-defense spending, ax dozens of programs

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Sunday in Kansas City.

A Dodge Challenger was westbound on 63rd Street at a very high rate of speed, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

In the area of 63rd and Winchester, the driver failed to negotiate the curvature of the roadway. The Dodge traveled off the roadway to the right, traveling through the grassy shoulder area of the highway and overturned.

The unrestrained driver and unrestrained front seat passenger were ejected. Both were transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff, according to DiMartino.

The passenger was in very critical condition late Sunday. This is fatality #21 compared to #39 at this time last year, according to DiMartino.

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Sunday in Kansas City.A Dodge Challenger was westbound on 63rd Street at a very high rate of speed, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.In the area of 63rd and Winchester, the driver failed to negotiate the curvature of the roadway. The Dodge traveled off the roadway to the right, traveling through the grassy shoulder area of the highway and overturned.The unrestrained driver and unrestrained front seat passenger were ejected. Both were transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff, according to DiMartino.The passenger was in very critical condition late Sunday. This is fatality #21 compared to #39 at this time last year, according to DiMartino.

KCPD: Driver dies after ejected in rollover crash

ROME (AP) — This week’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-definition-what-happens-92a4da4116a62ccc165a63d1ae3c30dc">conclave</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-will-be-next-pope-a1c221a9a46edacb434341b3843393f0">elect the successor</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics is a solemn affair steeped in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">centuries-old traditions</a>.

But far from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-chimney-97dd5a6cb24294c85e48a933bf4e67b4">Sistine Chapel</a>&nbsp;where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-election-conclave-history-fun-facts-6a5dbba91e064dc0c973ae26773a0723">cloistered cardinals</a>&nbsp;will cast votes, people are placing bets on who will be chosen as the next pope. From cash bets on websites to online games modeled after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fantasy-sports">fantasy football leagues</a>&nbsp;and casual wagers among friends and families, the popularity of guessing and gambling on the future of the papacy is increasing worldwide, experts and participants say.

It's even topped the Europa League soccer tournament and Formula One drivers’ championship, said Sam Eaton, U.K. manager for Oddschecker, a leading online platform analyzing odds across sports, events and other betting markets.

“There’s a huge level of interest globally," he said. “I don’t think we’ve had a market like this where we’ve had so many countries interested in seeing odds.”

Around the world, thousands of bets on the next pope

Hundreds of thousands of people from some 140 countries have visited Oddschecker to review each cardinal’s chances of becoming the next pope, Eaton said. He noted special eagerness in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States.

In the U.K., about 30,000 pounds (almost $40,000) have been wagered with one leading online betting platform as of this week, Eaton said – a far cry from 1.2 million pounds on the singing contest Eurovision but still noteworthy as a trend, with the conclave days away.

“Betting on the next pope is definitely a niche market in the grand scheme of things, but it generates global interest,” said Lee Phelps, a spokesman for William Hill, one of the U.K.’s biggest bookmakers.

“Since April 21, we’ve taken thousands of bets, and it’s the busiest of all our non-sports betting markets,” said Phelps, who expects a surge in interest once the conclave begins Wednesday.

Betting on elections, papal conclaves and all manner of global events is almost a tradition of its own in the U.K., but such betting is not legal in the United States. BetMGM, one of the world’s top sports-betting companies, said it would not have any bets up.

But Eaton noted that in the unregulated, illegal space, one of the biggest sites has $10 million wagered so far in pope bets.

In Italy, betting on the papal election — and all religious events — is forbidden.

Some people in Rome are making friendly, informal wagers — the equivalent of $20 on a favorite cardinal, with the loser pledging to host a dinner or buy a pizza night out.

Others are turning to an online game called Fantapapa, or Fantasy Pope, which mimics popular fantasy football and soccer leagues. More than 60,000 people are playing, each choosing 11&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-pope-b4883723cbbba159b0264dd76526b55d">cardinals</a>&nbsp;– as if for a soccer team – whom they believe have the best shot at becoming the next pope.

They also draft the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-will-be-next-pope-a1c221a9a46edacb434341b3843393f0">top contender</a>, or captain. As with online wagers, the No. 1 choice for fantasy players has been Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, closely followed by Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

“It’s a really fun game to play with friends and have a laugh,” Italian student Federico La Rocca, 23, said. “Initially my dad sent it to me ironically, but now that it’s going to be the conclave, I decided to have a go and try it.”

La Rocca said he chose Tagle because “he looks like a nice guy and fun person.”

Players’ selections determine the number of points they rake in. But what’s the jackpot?

“Eternal glory,” joked Mauro Vanetti, who created the game when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-pneumonia-06324d49846f26a24acec1da5fc74ab2">Francis was hospitalized</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.

Vanetti said he and his co-founder are against gambling, but they wanted to create something fun around the event.

“It seems like in Italy there’s a certain inquisitiveness about the mechanisms of the Catholic hierarchy, but it’s a critical curiosity, a sarcastic and playful curiosity, so we were interested in this jesting spirit for such a solemn event,” Vanetti said. “In some ways it deflates the sacredness, in a nonaggressive way.”

Some concerns about betting on a solemn event

Beyond simply picking who the next pope will be, players and gamblers also can guess how many tries it will take the cardinals to choose the leader, which day of the week he’ll be elected, what new name he will decide on, or where his priorities will land on the progressive-conservative scale.

While the game and some of the bets have a novel or fun nature, anti-gambling advocates have raised overall concerns about legal gaming and the growing popularity of wagering on all manner of events.

A study published last fall found that 10% of young men in the U.S. show behavior that indicates a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-compulsive-gambling-addiction-d4d0b7a8465e5be0b451b115cab0fb15">gambling problem</a>, which is a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-brazil-crisis-e199e0ef30228c15fd25820b1a69a900">rising concern in other parts of the world, too.</a>

And for gambling around the papacy in general, some have raised religious concerns. Catholic teaching doesn’t go so far as to call games of chance or wagers sinful, but its Catechism warns that “the passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement.”

It says gambling becomes “morally unacceptable” if it gravely affects a person’s livelihood.

Hui reported from London. AP writers Giovanna Dell'Orto in Rome and Mark Anderson in Las Vegas contributed.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

ROME (AP) — This week’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-definition-what-happens-92a4da4116a62ccc165a63d1ae3c30dc">conclave</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-will-be-next-pope-a1c221a9a46edacb434341b3843393f0">elect the successor</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics is a solemn affair steeped in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-glossary-3f34cfc8bda3570b9ecf0602d20990fb">centuries-old traditions</a>.But far from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-chimney-97dd5a6cb24294c85e48a933bf4e67b4">Sistine Chapel</a>&nbsp;where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-election-conclave-history-fun-facts-6a5dbba91e064dc0c973ae26773a0723">cloistered cardinals</a>&nbsp;will cast votes, people are placing bets on who will be chosen as the next pope. From cash bets on websites to online games modeled after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fantasy-sports">fantasy football leagues</a>&nbsp;and casual wagers among friends and families, the popularity of guessing and gambling on the future of the papacy is increasing worldwide, experts and participants say.It's even topped the Europa League soccer tournament and Formula One drivers’ championship, said Sam Eaton, U.K. manager for Oddschecker, a leading online platform analyzing odds across sports, events and other betting markets.“There’s a huge level of interest globally," he said. “I don’t think we’ve had a market like this where we’ve had so many countries interested in seeing odds.”<h2>Around the world, thousands of bets on the next pope</h2>Hundreds of thousands of people from some 140 countries have visited Oddschecker to review each cardinal’s chances of becoming the next pope, Eaton said. He noted special eagerness in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States.In the U.K., about 30,000 pounds (almost $40,000) have been wagered with one leading online betting platform as of this week, Eaton said – a far cry from 1.2 million pounds on the singing contest Eurovision but still noteworthy as a trend, with the conclave days away.“Betting on the next pope is definitely a niche market in the grand scheme of things, but it generates global interest,” said Lee Phelps, a spokesman for William Hill, one of the U.K.’s biggest bookmakers.“Since April 21, we’ve taken thousands of bets, and it’s the busiest of all our non-sports betting markets,” said Phelps, who expects a surge in interest once the conclave begins Wednesday.Betting on elections, papal conclaves and all manner of global events is almost a tradition of its own in the U.K., but such betting is not legal in the United States. BetMGM, one of the world’s top sports-betting companies, said it would not have any bets up.But Eaton noted that in the unregulated, illegal space, one of the biggest sites has $10 million wagered so far in pope bets.<h2>Fantasy “teams” of cardinals</h2>In Italy, betting on the papal election — and all religious events — is forbidden.Some people in Rome are making friendly, informal wagers — the equivalent of $20 on a favorite cardinal, with the loser pledging to host a dinner or buy a pizza night out.Others are turning to an online game called Fantapapa, or Fantasy Pope, which mimics popular fantasy football and soccer leagues. More than 60,000 people are playing, each choosing 11&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conclave-pope-b4883723cbbba159b0264dd76526b55d">cardinals</a>&nbsp;– as if for a soccer team – whom they believe have the best shot at becoming the next pope.They also draft the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-will-be-next-pope-a1c221a9a46edacb434341b3843393f0">top contender</a>, or captain. As with online wagers, the No. 1 choice for fantasy players has been Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, closely followed by Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.“It’s a really fun game to play with friends and have a laugh,” Italian student Federico La Rocca, 23, said. “Initially my dad sent it to me ironically, but now that it’s going to be the conclave, I decided to have a go and try it.”La Rocca said he chose Tagle because “he looks like a nice guy and fun person.”Players’ selections determine the number of points they rake in. But what’s the jackpot?“Eternal glory,” joked Mauro Vanetti, who created the game when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-pneumonia-06324d49846f26a24acec1da5fc74ab2">Francis was hospitalized</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.Vanetti said he and his co-founder are against gambling, but they wanted to create something fun around the event.“It seems like in Italy there’s a certain inquisitiveness about the mechanisms of the Catholic hierarchy, but it’s a critical curiosity, a sarcastic and playful curiosity, so we were interested in this jesting spirit for such a solemn event,” Vanetti said. “In some ways it deflates the sacredness, in a nonaggressive way.”<h2>Some concerns about betting on a solemn event</h2>Beyond simply picking who the next pope will be, players and gamblers also can guess how many tries it will take the cardinals to choose the leader, which day of the week he’ll be elected, what new name he will decide on, or where his priorities will land on the progressive-conservative scale.While the game and some of the bets have a novel or fun nature, anti-gambling advocates have raised overall concerns about legal gaming and the growing popularity of wagering on all manner of events.A study published last fall found that 10% of young men in the U.S. show behavior that indicates a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-compulsive-gambling-addiction-d4d0b7a8465e5be0b451b115cab0fb15">gambling problem</a>, which is a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-brazil-crisis-e199e0ef30228c15fd25820b1a69a900">rising concern in other parts of the world, too.</a>And for gambling around the papacy in general, some have raised religious concerns. Catholic teaching doesn’t go so far as to call games of chance or wagers sinful, but its Catechism warns that “the passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement.”It says gambling becomes “morally unacceptable” if it gravely affects a person’s livelihood.___Hui reported from London. AP writers Giovanna Dell'Orto in Rome and Mark Anderson in Las Vegas contributed.___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Play your cardinals right: Betting on next pope gains popularity ahead of the conclave

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.

On Sunday morning, a driver in a big hurry to make it to church was caught doing 112mph in a 60mph zone on Kellogg near Greenwich, according to a social media report from the Sedgwick County Sheriff.

On Saturday night, the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped a driver in Southwestern Kansas for traveling 109mph in a posted 65mhp zone. The individual was found to have a Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) of a .169 on the Intoxilyzer 9000. That is more than twice the legal limit. 

"Driving at that speed, while impaired, puts countless lives at risk. Please slow down and drive sober. Lives depend on it."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746440256000.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.On Sunday morning, a driver in a big hurry to make it to church was caught doing 112mph in a 60mph zone on Kellogg near Greenwich, according to a social media report from the Sedgwick County Sheriff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746440372833.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Saturday night, the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped a driver in Southwestern Kansas for traveling 109mph in a posted 65mhp zone. The individual was found to have a Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) of a .169 on the Intoxilyzer 9000. That is more than twice the legal limit. "Driving at that speed, while impaired, puts countless lives at risk. Please slow down and drive sober. Lives depend on it."

 112 mph in a 60 mph zone to get to church on time

JOHNSON COUNTY — A suspect arrested in connection with the death of a Kansas woman in her home is set to face a judge Monday.

Just after 4:30p.m. Friday police booked 47-year-old Dartanan Hudgens into the Johnson County jail in connection with the death of 75-year-old Karen M. Peterson.

On Thursday, police reported they were conducting a homicide investigation in Olathe and identified the victim sa Peterson, according to Police Sergeant John Moncayo.

Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of North Persimmon Drive in Olathe to check on the welfare of Peterson according to&nbsp;Officer Sean Wilkes. At the home, first responders found her deceased inside the residence.&nbsp; Police have not released how she died.

Hudgens, who has no permanent address, according the arrest report, is being held on a $1 million dollar bond on requested charges of premeditated first-degree murder, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746403139992.png" alt="Hudgens photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hudgens photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — A suspect arrested in connection with the death of a Kansas woman in her home is set to face a judge Monday.Just after 4:30p.m. Friday police booked 47-year-old Dartanan Hudgens into the Johnson County jail in connection with the death of 75-year-old Karen M. Peterson.On Thursday, police reported they were conducting a homicide investigation in Olathe and identified the victim sa Peterson, according to Police Sergeant John Moncayo.Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of North Persimmon Drive in Olathe to check on the welfare of Peterson according to&nbsp;Officer Sean Wilkes. At the home, first responders found her deceased inside the residence.&nbsp; Police have not released how she died.Hudgens, who has no permanent address, according the arrest report, is being held on a $1 million dollar bond on requested charges of premeditated first-degree murder, according to online jail records.

Suspect accused of killing 75-year-old Kansas woman 

GASCONADE COUNTY— people were injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Saturday in Gasconade County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Freightliner M Line Shuttle bus driven by a 45-year-old Herrman, Missouri man was westbound on MO 100 just west of Eagle Nest Driver. The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the bus traveled off the left side of the road and struck a&nbsp; ditch.

The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was air-lifted to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

EMS transported 31 others on board to area hospitals. Eighteen were sent to Herrman Area District Hospital.&nbsp; The occupants were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; Herrman, Missouri is approximately 200 miles east of Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746404891051.png" alt="Photo MSHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>GASCONADE COUNTY— people were injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Saturday in Gasconade County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Freightliner M Line Shuttle bus driven by a 45-year-old Herrman, Missouri man was westbound on MO 100 just west of Eagle Nest Driver. The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the bus traveled off the left side of the road and struck a&nbsp; ditch.The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was air-lifted to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries.EMS transported 31 others on board to area hospitals. Eighteen were sent to Herrman Area District Hospital.&nbsp; The occupants were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; Herrman, Missouri is approximately 200 miles east of Kansas City.

32 hospitalized after shuttle bus crash in Missouri

BOSTON (AP) — Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;on Sunday repeatedly invoked the Constitution and said it is what “binds us all together” after receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

Pence received the award for his refusal to go along with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election. The award recognizes Pence “for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021,” the JFK Library Foundation said.

“To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,” Pence said. “I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It’s what binds us across time and generations. .... It’s what makes us one people.”

His comments came hours after an interview with Trump aired in which he was asked whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Trump was noncommittal.

“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump said when pressed in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker. It was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday.

Pence never mentioned Trump during his 10-minute speech but made several references to the Trump administration.

Referencing what he called “these divided times, in these anxious days,” he acknowledged that he probably had differences with the Democrats in the room but also with his own Republican Party “on spending, tariffs and my belief that America is the leader of the free world and must stand with Ukraine until the Russian invasion is repelled and a just and lasting peace is secured.”

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-united-states-government-and-politics-liz-cheney-b9f4cbbcb9d4b5fc1abbdf1f016d38ac">pressured Pence</a>&nbsp;to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president falsely claimed the vote was marred by fraud. Pence refused, saying he lacked such authority. When&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to “hang Mike Pence.” Pence was whisked away by Secret Service agents, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the rioters.

“Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,” Trump wrote at the time on X, formerly Twitter, as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family, aides and security detail inside the building.

Pence rejected the Secret Service’s advice that he leave the Capitol, staying to continue the ceremonial election certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential victory once rioters were cleared.

In describing his role, Pence told the audience that “by God’s grace I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America.”

“Jan. 6 was a tragic day but it became a triumph of freedom. History will record that our institutions held,” he said in his speech. “Leaders in both chambers, in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracy’s work under the Constitution.”

JFK’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who along with his grandson Jack Schlossberg presented the award, said Pence’s actions that day were a reminder that you cannot take democracy for granted.

“At the time I thought Vice President Pence was just doing his job,” she said. “Only later did I realize that his act of courage saved our government and warned us about what could happen and is happening right now.”

The Profile in Courage Award, named for a book Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honors public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences. Previous recipients of the award include former Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.

Pence has emerged as one of the few Republicans willing to take on the Trump administration.

His political action group, Advancing American Freedom, campaigned against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the nation’s health agencies. He’s delivered speeches urging the president to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-marc-fogel-prisoner-swap-98418693957b1fa0189ee8ac4e8b4f2d">stand with longtime foreign allies</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Mike_Pence/status/1890887398461948057" target="_blank">posted an article he penned more than a decade ago</a>&nbsp;on the limits of presidential power after&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114009179225169296" target="_blank">Trump claimed</a>&nbsp;that, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609956651601.png" alt="Vice President Mike Pence during the electoral college vote certification on Jan. 6, 2021-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Mike Pence during the electoral college vote certification on Jan. 6, 2021-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;on Sunday repeatedly invoked the Constitution and said it is what “binds us all together” after receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.Pence received the award for his refusal to go along with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election. The award recognizes Pence “for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021,” the JFK Library Foundation said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746408998768.png" alt="Caroline Kennedy presented the award to Mike Pence Sunday night-image from the JFK Library and Foundation video" />
 <figcaption>Caroline Kennedy presented the award to Mike Pence Sunday night-image from the JFK Library and Foundation video</figcaption>
 </figure>“To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,” Pence said. “I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It’s what binds us across time and generations. .... It’s what makes us one people.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former VP <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mike_Pence</a>: &quot;To forge a future together we have to find common ground...whatever differences we have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It&#39;s what binds is together across time and across generations...it&#39;s what make us one people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/8nvhDnr4H8">pic.twitter.com/8nvhDnr4H8</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1919413103256797332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2025 profiles in courage award — VP Mike Pence for upholding his oath and saving America on January 6 2021 <a href="https://t.co/MSYcIQVT1P">pic.twitter.com/MSYcIQVT1P</a>&mdash; Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/JBKSchlossberg/status/1919235316591845880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>His comments came hours after an interview with Trump aired in which he was asked whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Trump was noncommittal.“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump said when pressed in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker. It was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday.Pence never mentioned Trump during his 10-minute speech but made several references to the Trump administration.Referencing what he called “these divided times, in these anxious days,” he acknowledged that he probably had differences with the Democrats in the room but also with his own Republican Party “on spending, tariffs and my belief that America is the leader of the free world and must stand with Ukraine until the Russian invasion is repelled and a just and lasting peace is secured.”Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-united-states-government-and-politics-liz-cheney-b9f4cbbcb9d4b5fc1abbdf1f016d38ac">pressured Pence</a>&nbsp;to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president falsely claimed the vote was marred by fraud. Pence refused, saying he lacked such authority. When&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to “hang Mike Pence.” Pence was whisked away by Secret Service agents, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the rioters.“Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,” Trump wrote at the time on X, formerly Twitter, as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family, aides and security detail inside the building.Pence rejected the Secret Service’s advice that he leave the Capitol, staying to continue the ceremonial election certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential victory once rioters were cleared.In describing his role, Pence told the audience that “by God’s grace I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America.”“Jan. 6 was a tragic day but it became a triumph of freedom. History will record that our institutions held,” he said in his speech. “Leaders in both chambers, in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracy’s work under the Constitution.”JFK’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who along with his grandson Jack Schlossberg presented the award, said Pence’s actions that day were a reminder that you cannot take democracy for granted.“At the time I thought Vice President Pence was just doing his job,” she said. “Only later did I realize that his act of courage saved our government and warned us about what could happen and is happening right now.”The Profile in Courage Award, named for a book Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honors public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences. Previous recipients of the award include former Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.Pence has emerged as one of the few Republicans willing to take on the Trump administration.His political action group, Advancing American Freedom, campaigned against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the nation’s health agencies. He’s delivered speeches urging the president to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-marc-fogel-prisoner-swap-98418693957b1fa0189ee8ac4e8b4f2d">stand with longtime foreign allies</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Mike_Pence/status/1890887398461948057" target="_blank">posted an article he penned more than a decade ago</a>&nbsp;on the limits of presidential power after&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114009179225169296" target="_blank">Trump claimed</a>&nbsp;that, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”

🎥Former VP Pence receives JFK Courage Award for actions on Jan. 6

HONG KONG (AP) —&nbsp; Oil prices fell after the OPEC+ group of oil producing nations said it plans to boost output.

U.S. benchmark crude oil fell as much as 4% early in the day. By late Monday in Asia it had shed $1.15 or 2% to $57.14 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, lost $1.14 to $60.15 per barrel.

During the weekend, the OPEC+ group of eight nations announced it will raise its output by 411,000 barrels per day as of June 1, stepping up production increases.

The group said strong fundamentals were behind the decision, though analysts also speculated that it might reflect a desire to curry favor with U.S. President Donald Trump before he makes a visit to the Middle East later this month.

Prices have fallen nearly 20% in the past three months as traders have factored in the likely impact of Trump's trade policies on the global economy. Trump has made delivering lower gas prices one of his talking points.

“Washington wants cheap energy, and Gulf producers still lean on U.S. security guarantees; the White House bears down, they listen,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.

“In that sense the U.S. president has become an unofficial swing vote inside OPEC+,” he said.

U.S. crude oil is down about 17% for the year. According to AAA, gasoline is selling for an average of about $3.17 per gallon, down from $3.66 per gallon a year ago.

But prices are falling to a point where many producers can no longer turn a profit.

HONG KONG (AP) —&nbsp; Oil prices fell after the OPEC+ group of oil producing nations said it plans to boost output.U.S. benchmark crude oil fell as much as 4% early in the day. By late Monday in Asia it had shed $1.15 or 2% to $57.14 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, lost $1.14 to $60.15 per barrel.During the weekend, the OPEC+ group of eight nations announced it will raise its output by 411,000 barrels per day as of June 1, stepping up production increases.The group said strong fundamentals were behind the decision, though analysts also speculated that it might reflect a desire to curry favor with U.S. President Donald Trump before he makes a visit to the Middle East later this month.Prices have fallen nearly 20% in the past three months as traders have factored in the likely impact of Trump's trade policies on the global economy. Trump has made delivering lower gas prices one of his talking points.“Washington wants cheap energy, and Gulf producers still lean on U.S. security guarantees; the White House bears down, they listen,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.“In that sense the U.S. president has become an unofficial swing vote inside OPEC+,” he said.U.S. crude oil is down about 17% for the year. According to AAA, gasoline is selling for an average of about $3.17 per gallon, down from $3.66 per gallon a year ago.But prices are falling to a point where many producers can no longer turn a profit.

Oil prices down sharply as OPEC+ announces output increase 

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City&nbsp; man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint for child pornography offenses.

Jeffrey Lynn Petrie, 40,&nbsp; was charged in a two-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, on April 25, according to the United State's Attorney.

The federal criminal complaint charges Petrie with one count of distributing child pornography over the internet in May 2024, and one count of possessing child pornography from Dec. 9, 2024, to April 24, 2025.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers received a Cybertip reporting that a user, “kinkypopper69,” was uploading video files depicting child sexual abuse materials. Petrie was later identified as the user “kinkypopper69.”

On Thursday, April 24, the FBI conducted a search at Petrie’s residence and seized a cell phone. Petrie is a registered sex offender in Missouri based on prior convictions for child molestation in the 2nd degree.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745699870377.png" alt="Petrie photo Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Petrie photo Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City&nbsp; man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint for child pornography offenses.Jeffrey Lynn Petrie, 40,&nbsp; was charged in a two-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, on April 25, according to the United State's Attorney.The federal criminal complaint charges Petrie with one count of distributing child pornography over the internet in May 2024, and one count of possessing child pornography from Dec. 9, 2024, to April 24, 2025.According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers received a Cybertip reporting that a user, “kinkypopper69,” was uploading video files depicting child sexual abuse materials. Petrie was later identified as the user “kinkypopper69.”On Thursday, April 24, the FBI conducted a search at Petrie’s residence and seized a cell phone. Petrie is a registered sex offender in Missouri based on prior convictions for child molestation in the 2nd degree.The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Cyber tip led to arrest of KC sex offender 'kinkypopper69'

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas man died in a small plane crash just after 1:30p.m. Sunday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1946 Piper Fixed Wing aircraft piloted by&nbsp;Thompson, Ronnie D.&nbsp;Thompson, 77, Goddard, was flying from Lucas back to Wichita.

Witness told the patrol the plane went down for no apparent reason near 4th Road and Avenue D, two miles east of Kansas 232.&nbsp; Thompson was pronounced&nbsp; dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Parsons Funeral Home.&nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will investigate the incident.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas man died in a small plane crash just after 1:30p.m. Sunday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1946 Piper Fixed Wing aircraft piloted by&nbsp;Thompson, Ronnie D.&nbsp;Thompson, 77, Goddard, was flying from Lucas back to Wichita.Witness told the patrol the plane went down for no apparent reason near 4th Road and Avenue D, two miles east of Kansas 232.&nbsp; Thompson was pronounced&nbsp; dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Parsons Funeral Home.&nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will investigate the incident.

Kansas man dies in small plane crash

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an arrest at a Kansas home.

On May 1,&nbsp; members of the Topeka Police Department’s Investigations and Patrol Bureaus served a search warrant in the 1300 block of SW 16th Street, Topeka, according to Police&nbsp;Commander Aaron Jones.

The search revealed firearms, firearms accessories, Methamphetamine, Marijuana, drug paraphernalia and an explosive device.

As a result, Thomas Lathrom 34, of Topeka, was taken into custody and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Criminal possession of a firearm by convicted felon, Distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of school, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Criminal possession of explosives, Aggravated Endangerment of a child and Felony interference with a law enforcement officer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746222576644.png" alt="Lathrom photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Lathrom photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an arrest at a Kansas home.On May 1,&nbsp; members of the Topeka Police Department’s Investigations and Patrol Bureaus served a search warrant in the 1300 block of SW 16th Street, Topeka, according to Police&nbsp;Commander Aaron Jones.The search revealed firearms, firearms accessories, Methamphetamine, Marijuana, drug paraphernalia and an explosive device.As a result, Thomas Lathrom 34, of Topeka, was taken into custody and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Criminal possession of a firearm by convicted felon, Distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of school, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Criminal possession of explosives, Aggravated Endangerment of a child and Felony interference with a law enforcement officer.

Police found drugs, children and explosives at Kansas home

NEW YORK (AP)—It felt much longer, but the U.S. stock market needed just a few weeks to roar all the way back to where it was on President Donald Trump's “Liberation Day.” That's when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-tariffs-52dbb020a4c41122e31669c2da236d67">he shocked Wall Street</a>&nbsp;by announcing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">much steeper tariffs</a>&nbsp;than expected on nearly all U.S. trading partners.

Those tariffs unveiled on April 2 were so severe that they raised fears Trump did not worry about causing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-us-world-reaction-5b8411d056e013015a0df6227b41dd5b">a recession</a>&nbsp;in his attempt to reshape the global economy. Within just four days, the S&amp;P 500&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-china-trump-b686ef0259c2f4894f9fcd1f3649a956">fell about 12%</a>, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost nearly 4,600 points, or about 11%.

This past Friday, though, the S&amp;P 500&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-market-rates-trump-tariffs-7849168ab82e0abfb26c6b6ed18267f9">rallied 1.5% for a ninth straight gain</a>&nbsp;and pulled back to where it was on April 2.

Of course, the index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts is still more than 7% below its all-time high set earlier this year. And stocks could easily fall again as uncertainty remains high about what Trump's tariffs will ultimately do to the economy. But the run for U.S. stocks back upward has been just as wild and unexpected as its fall. Here's a look at what happened:

On April 9, Trump announced on social media a “90-day PAUSE” for most of the tariffs he’d announced a week earlier, except those against China. The S&amp;P 500 soared 9.5% for one of its best days ever. Even that good news came with a bit of controversy, however:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-truth-social-djt-tesla-musk-tariffs-pause-fccfa6b06c8f1ec0cd7844641ca52669">hours before he announced the pause</a>, Trump proclaimed on Truth Social that “this is a great time to buy."

The weeks after the pause were a roller coaster. Trump talked about negotiating tariffs with the trading partners while also using tariffs to force companies to move manufacturing to the U.S., two goals seemingly at odds with one another. The market did find relief in what the Treasury secretary referred to as de-escalation between the U.S. and China. Investors also welcomed Trump’s moves to ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-automakers-factories-relief-25a400c98e02c01c8c54502384e267e1">tariffs on autos</a>&nbsp;as well as smartphones and other electronics.

The severity of the U.S. stock market's fall after Liberation Day surprised some market watchers. They had assumed Trump would backtrack on policies that hurt the Dow Jones Industrial Average. This is a president, after all, who crowed repeatedly during his first term about how the Dow was doing.

But it was fear in other financial markets that may have forced Trump's hand. Tumbling prices for U.S. government bonds&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasurys-bond-market-yield-tariff-46b4818710f01b8cc93fd002081167b0">raised worries</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. Treasury market was losing its status as the world's safest place to keep cash. The value of the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c108fd36a3122f85872ad34ba5f5d977">dollar also sank</a>&nbsp;in another signal of diminishing faith in the United States as a safe haven for investors.

Trump himself said he had noticed how bond investors were “getting a little queasy” before he paused his tariffs.

Economists and investors had to reconcile contradictory signals about the economy. Surveys of consumers showed declining confidence, largely due to the uncertainty created by the Trump trade policy. But what investors call “hard data,” such as employment numbers, indicated the economy was still doing OK. As of Friday, when the government said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jobs-economy-tariffs-unemployment-inflation-5f06fd466b4e05da30d1d6e5ce222790">employers had added 177,000 jobs</a>&nbsp;in April, the hard numbers appeared to have a advantage over the weak sentiment.

The Federal Reserve cut rates three times at the end of 2024, but then implemented a pause of its own by keeping rates steady, in part to assess the impact of the Trump trade policy. The strong jobs report seemed to give the Fed clearance to keep rates where they are for now — despite Trump repeating his call for cuts — but the market is still looking for 3 cuts before the end of the year.

Through all the market's tumult, U.S. companies have continued to deliver profit reports for the start of the year that have topped analysts' expectations. Stock prices tend to follow profits over the long term, and that's given the market a notable boost.

Three out of every four companies in the S&amp;P 500 have beaten analysts' expectations for profits in recent weeks, including such market heavyweights as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-tariffs-trump-ed03cfc78cd7d7d988573ef72301d11a">Microsoft and Meta Platforms</a>. They're on track to deliver growth of nearly 13% from a year earlier, according to FactSet.

Even as companies have delivered fatter profits than expected,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-companies-forecasts-gm-harley-a96f45b51ca0dd0fe812541bc9c5dadb">many have also warned they're unsure</a>&nbsp;whether it can last. CEOs have been either lowering or withdrawing their financial forecasts for the year given all the uncertainty around how Trump's tariffs will end up.

United Airlines even made the unusual move of offering two separate forecasts for the year: one if there’s a recession, and one if not.

Trump’s off-again-on-again approach to tariffs had made this the most volatile period for the market since the onset of the pandemic. The pause is in its fourth week and the administration has yet to announce an agreement with any of the U.S.’s trading partners. Based on his recent comments, Trump is still all-in on tariffs, so the pause could prove to be just that.

“We’ve already seen how financial markets will react if the administration moves forward with their initial tariff plan, so unless they take a different tack in July when the 90-day pause expires, we will see market action similar to the first week of April,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer for Northlight Asset Management.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734122864215.png" alt="File photo CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP)—It felt much longer, but the U.S. stock market needed just a few weeks to roar all the way back to where it was on President Donald Trump's “Liberation Day.” That's when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-tariffs-52dbb020a4c41122e31669c2da236d67">he shocked Wall Street</a>&nbsp;by announcing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">much steeper tariffs</a>&nbsp;than expected on nearly all U.S. trading partners.Those tariffs unveiled on April 2 were so severe that they raised fears Trump did not worry about causing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-us-world-reaction-5b8411d056e013015a0df6227b41dd5b">a recession</a>&nbsp;in his attempt to reshape the global economy. Within just four days, the S&amp;P 500&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-china-trump-b686ef0259c2f4894f9fcd1f3649a956">fell about 12%</a>, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost nearly 4,600 points, or about 11%.This past Friday, though, the S&amp;P 500&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-market-rates-trump-tariffs-7849168ab82e0abfb26c6b6ed18267f9">rallied 1.5% for a ninth straight gain</a>&nbsp;and pulled back to where it was on April 2.Of course, the index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts is still more than 7% below its all-time high set earlier this year. And stocks could easily fall again as uncertainty remains high about what Trump's tariffs will ultimately do to the economy. But the run for U.S. stocks back upward has been just as wild and unexpected as its fall. Here's a look at what happened:<h2>The pause</h2>On April 9, Trump announced on social media a “90-day PAUSE” for most of the tariffs he’d announced a week earlier, except those against China. The S&amp;P 500 soared 9.5% for one of its best days ever. Even that good news came with a bit of controversy, however:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-truth-social-djt-tesla-musk-tariffs-pause-fccfa6b06c8f1ec0cd7844641ca52669">hours before he announced the pause</a>, Trump proclaimed on Truth Social that “this is a great time to buy."<h2>De-escalation</h2>The weeks after the pause were a roller coaster. Trump talked about negotiating tariffs with the trading partners while also using tariffs to force companies to move manufacturing to the U.S., two goals seemingly at odds with one another. The market did find relief in what the Treasury secretary referred to as de-escalation between the U.S. and China. Investors also welcomed Trump’s moves to ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-automakers-factories-relief-25a400c98e02c01c8c54502384e267e1">tariffs on autos</a>&nbsp;as well as smartphones and other electronics.<h2>Bonds and the buck</h2>The severity of the U.S. stock market's fall after Liberation Day surprised some market watchers. They had assumed Trump would backtrack on policies that hurt the Dow Jones Industrial Average. This is a president, after all, who crowed repeatedly during his first term about how the Dow was doing.But it was fear in other financial markets that may have forced Trump's hand. Tumbling prices for U.S. government bonds&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasurys-bond-market-yield-tariff-46b4818710f01b8cc93fd002081167b0">raised worries</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. Treasury market was losing its status as the world's safest place to keep cash. The value of the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c108fd36a3122f85872ad34ba5f5d977">dollar also sank</a>&nbsp;in another signal of diminishing faith in the United States as a safe haven for investors.Trump himself said he had noticed how bond investors were “getting a little queasy” before he paused his tariffs.<h2>The economy</h2>Economists and investors had to reconcile contradictory signals about the economy. Surveys of consumers showed declining confidence, largely due to the uncertainty created by the Trump trade policy. But what investors call “hard data,” such as employment numbers, indicated the economy was still doing OK. As of Friday, when the government said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jobs-economy-tariffs-unemployment-inflation-5f06fd466b4e05da30d1d6e5ce222790">employers had added 177,000 jobs</a>&nbsp;in April, the hard numbers appeared to have a advantage over the weak sentiment.<h2>The Fed</h2>The Federal Reserve cut rates three times at the end of 2024, but then implemented a pause of its own by keeping rates steady, in part to assess the impact of the Trump trade policy. The strong jobs report seemed to give the Fed clearance to keep rates where they are for now — despite Trump repeating his call for cuts — but the market is still looking for 3 cuts before the end of the year.<h2>Plenty of profits</h2>Through all the market's tumult, U.S. companies have continued to deliver profit reports for the start of the year that have topped analysts' expectations. Stock prices tend to follow profits over the long term, and that's given the market a notable boost.Three out of every four companies in the S&amp;P 500 have beaten analysts' expectations for profits in recent weeks, including such market heavyweights as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-tariffs-trump-ed03cfc78cd7d7d988573ef72301d11a">Microsoft and Meta Platforms</a>. They're on track to deliver growth of nearly 13% from a year earlier, according to FactSet.<h2>To be sure</h2>Even as companies have delivered fatter profits than expected,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-companies-forecasts-gm-harley-a96f45b51ca0dd0fe812541bc9c5dadb">many have also warned they're unsure</a>&nbsp;whether it can last. CEOs have been either lowering or withdrawing their financial forecasts for the year given all the uncertainty around how Trump's tariffs will end up.United Airlines even made the unusual move of offering two separate forecasts for the year: one if there’s a recession, and one if not.Trump’s off-again-on-again approach to tariffs had made this the most volatile period for the market since the onset of the pandemic. The pause is in its fourth week and the administration has yet to announce an agreement with any of the U.S.’s trading partners. Based on his recent comments, Trump is still all-in on tariffs, so the pause could prove to be just that.“We’ve already seen how financial markets will react if the administration moves forward with their initial tariff plan, so unless they take a different tack in July when the 90-day pause expires, we will see market action similar to the first week of April,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer for Northlight Asset Management.

How the stock market made back all its losses after Trump escalated the trade war

WICHITA, Kansas. –&nbsp;Royce Lee Timmons, a minimum-custody resident of the Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF), has been apprehended.

Timmons was taken into custody Sunday morning, May 4, 2025, after surrendering himself at the facility. He was arrested without incident.

Timmons was convicted in Sedgwick County for 29 months of incarceration for criminal possession of firearms while on parole. He was on parole for March 2011 aggravated robbery convictions.

Timmons &nbsp;was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Saturday, May 3, 2025.

WICHITA, Kansas. –&nbsp;Kansas Department of Corrections placed inmate Royce Lee Timmons on escape status at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, according to a statement from the KDOC.&nbsp; Timmons did not return to the Wichita Work Release Facility.

Timmons, 42, was reported missing when he could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Timmons is described as 5-feet-11, 224 pounds with an athletic build. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black shorts, a grey hoodie shirt and blue hat.

Anyone with information on Timmons should call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-779-5814, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

The walk-away is being investigated. The KDOC released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707055717302.png" alt="The Kansas Department of Corrections allegedly discriminated against Shelly Lamb, a former counselor and supervisor, for transitioning." />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Department of Corrections allegedly discriminated against Shelly Lamb, a former counselor and supervisor, for transitioning.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kansas. –&nbsp;Royce Lee Timmons, a minimum-custody resident of the Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF), has been apprehended.Timmons was taken into custody Sunday morning, May 4, 2025, after surrendering himself at the facility. He was arrested without incident.Timmons was convicted in Sedgwick County for 29 months of incarceration for criminal possession of firearms while on parole. He was on parole for March 2011 aggravated robbery convictions.Timmons &nbsp;was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Saturday, May 3, 2025.------------WICHITA, Kansas. –&nbsp;Kansas Department of Corrections placed inmate Royce Lee Timmons on escape status at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, according to a statement from the KDOC.&nbsp; Timmons did not return to the Wichita Work Release Facility.Timmons, 42, was reported missing when he could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.Timmons is described as 5-feet-11, 224 pounds with an athletic build. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black shorts, a grey hoodie shirt and blue hat.Timmons was convicted in Sedgwick County for 29 months of incarceration for criminal possession of firearms while on parole. He was on parole for March 2011 aggravated robbery convictions.Anyone with information on Timmons should call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-779-5814, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.The walk-away is being investigated. The KDOC released no additional details.

Escaped Kan. inmate turns himself in at work release facility

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts appears to hold the key vote over whether the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;will allow the nation's first publicly funded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-religious-catholic-charter-school-unconstitutional-oklahoma-e4ef414605094313331a39cc645ede8a">religious charter school</a>&nbsp;in Oklahoma.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/24-394">Click here to listen to a replay</a>&nbsp;of the oral arguments

Roberts was the only justice whose vote seemed in doubt after the court heard more than two hours of arguments Wednesday in a major culture-war clash involving the separation of church and state.

The court seemed otherwise deeply divided.

Four other conservative justices seemed firmly on the side of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School and the state charter school board that approved it.

“They’re not asking for special treatment, not asking for favoritism,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said. “They’re just saying, ’Don’t treat us worse because we’re religious.”

The three liberal justices seemed just as likely to vote to affirm an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that held that the taxpayer-funded school would entangle church and state in violation of the First Amendment.

“Charter schools are in every respect equivalent to regular public schools,” Justice Elena Kagan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts appears to hold the key vote over whether the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;will allow the nation's first publicly funded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-religious-catholic-charter-school-unconstitutional-oklahoma-e4ef414605094313331a39cc645ede8a">religious charter school</a>&nbsp;in Oklahoma.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/24-394">Click here to listen to a replay</a>&nbsp;of the oral argumentsRoberts was the only justice whose vote seemed in doubt after the court heard more than two hours of arguments Wednesday in a major culture-war clash involving the separation of church and state.The court seemed otherwise deeply divided.Four other conservative justices seemed firmly on the side of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School and the state charter school board that approved it.“They’re not asking for special treatment, not asking for favoritism,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said. “They’re just saying, ’Don’t treat us worse because we’re religious.”The three liberal justices seemed just as likely to vote to affirm an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that held that the taxpayer-funded school would entangle church and state in violation of the First Amendment.“Charter schools are in every respect equivalent to regular public schools,” Justice Elena Kagan said.Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself without explanation. Barrett previously taught law at Notre Dame and is close friends with Notre Dame law professor Nicole Garnett, a leading proponent of publicly funded religious charter schools.If Roberts sides with the liberals, the court would be tied 4-4, an outcome that would leave the state court decision in place, but would leave the issue unresolved nationally.If he joins his conservative colleagues, on the other hand, the court could find that the taxpayer-funded school is in line with a string of high court decisions that have allowed public funds to flow to religious entities. Those rulings were based on a different part of the First Amendment that protects religious freedom.Roberts wrote the last three of those decisions. He acknowledged at one point that the court had previously ruled that states “couldn't exclude religious participants,” suggesting support for St. Isidore.But he also said the state's involvement in this case is “much more comprehensive” than in the earlier ones, a point that could lead him in the other direction.St. Isidore, a K-12 online school, had planned to start classes for its first 200 enrollees last fall, with part of its mission to evangelize its students in the Catholic faith.Opponents warn a decision to allow the school to open would sap money from public schools and possibly upend the rules governing charter schools in almost every state.Greg Garre, the lawyer defending the Oklahoma decision, repeatedly urged the justices to consider the broad impact of a ruling for the school.“This is going to have a dramatic effect on charter schools across the country,” Garre said.Representing the state charter school board, lawyer James Campbell said Oklahoma's charter school law discriminates against religion by encouraging diversity, but “deeming religion to be the wrong kind of diversity.”The case comes to the court amid efforts, mainly in conservative-led states, to insert religion into public schools. Those include a challenged Louisiana requirement that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-ten-commandments-displayed-classrooms-571a2447906f7bbd5a166d53db005a62">the Ten Commandments</a>&nbsp;be posted in classrooms and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-bible-schools-religion-ryan-walters-d15be2f74df2ffbbdfdc549569d06c4e">a mandate</a>&nbsp;from Oklahoma’s state schools superintendent that the Bible be placed in public school classrooms.St. Isidore, a K-12 online school, had planned to start classes for its first 200 enrollees last fall, with part of its mission to evangelize its students in the Catholic faith.Opponents warn a decision to allow the school to open would sap money from public schools and possibly upend the rules governing charter schools in almost every state.The state board and the school are backed by an array of Republican-led states and religious and conservative groups, though the case has divided some of Oklahoma’s Republican leaders.Gov. Kevin Stitt and Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters support using public funds for religious schools, while Attorney General Gentner Drummond has opposed the idea and sued to overturn the state board’s approval of St. Isidore.A key issue in the case is whether the school is public or private. Charter schools are deemed public in Oklahoma and the other 45 states and the District of Columbia where they operate. North Dakota recently enacted legislation allowing for charter schools.They are free and open to all, receive state funding, abide by antidiscrimination laws and submit to oversight of curriculum and testing. But they also are run by independent boards that are not part of local public school systems.