SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating gunfire in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just before 6 p.m., Monday, police responded to the area of SW Huntoon and Lincoln in Topeka on the report of gunshots being fired in the area, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.

 Officers arrived to the area shortly after being dispatched. They located multiple witnesses and victims and took a subject into custody identified&nbsp; as 23-year-old Rajhgerio Guruda Smith.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault,&nbsp;Criminal Discharge of Firearm at Occupied Vehicle, felon in Possession of Firearm, Felony Criminal Damage and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745952487931.png" alt="Smith photo Shawnee XCounty" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Shawnee XCounty</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating gunfire in Topeka have made an arrest.Just before 6 p.m., Monday, police responded to the area of SW Huntoon and Lincoln in Topeka on the report of gunshots being fired in the area, according to Police Lt. John Trimble. Officers arrived to the area shortly after being dispatched. They located multiple witnesses and victims and took a subject into custody identified&nbsp; as 23-year-old Rajhgerio Guruda Smith.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault,&nbsp;Criminal Discharge of Firearm at Occupied Vehicle, felon in Possession of Firearm, Felony Criminal Damage and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage.

Kansas man accused of shooting at vehicle

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Former Kansas foster care leaders accused of defrauding their old employer of millions of dollars indicated in court that they plan to change their not guilty pleas, avoiding a trial.

William Whymark, the former IT director for the regional foster care provider Saint Francis Ministries, is expected to change his plea later this year as attorneys continue to negotiate a deal. His co-defendant and former Saint Francis CEO Robert Smith is also “actively engaged in plea negotiations,” Smith’s attorney said at a Wednesday hearing.

Smith faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering amounting to $4.7 million in damages. Whymark faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 10 counts of wire fraud.&nbsp;A federal grand jury indicted the two in November 2022.

U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse set a May 28 hearing for Smith, whose attorney expressed concern Wednesday with some of the case’s numbers and calculations for alleged fraud. Whymark is expected to change his plea at a Sept. 3 hearing.

The two defendants were not present at Wednesday’s status conference. Whymark’s attorney said Whymark was in the emergency room the night before and is scheduled to receive additional treatment. Smith, who lives in Tennessee, waived his right to appear.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/27/former-leaders-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-negotiating-plea-deal-in-federal-fraud-case/">A court filing from Feb. 25</a>&nbsp;showed Whymark and Smith are “presently involved in plea negotiations and anticipate resolving this case without a trial.” They face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution.

Court documents allege that Smith used Saint Francis Ministries’ credit cards for personal expenses and that “materially false invoices” paid Whymark’s IT company more than $10 million. Court documents say Saint Francis Ministries had to spend an estimated $3.2 million to repair Whymark’s “grossly deficient and overpriced” work.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746113559446.png" alt=" A routine court hearing for two former Saint Francis Ministries executives accused of defrauding the foster care provider took place on April 30, 2025, at the Kansas federal courthouse in Topeka. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> A routine court hearing for two former Saint Francis Ministries executives accused of defrauding the foster care provider took place on April 30, 2025, at the Kansas federal courthouse in Topeka. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Former Kansas foster care leaders accused of defrauding their old employer of millions of dollars indicated in court that they plan to change their not guilty pleas, avoiding a trial.William Whymark, the former IT director for the regional foster care provider Saint Francis Ministries, is expected to change his plea later this year as attorneys continue to negotiate a deal. His co-defendant and former Saint Francis CEO Robert Smith is also “actively engaged in plea negotiations,” Smith’s attorney said at a Wednesday hearing.Smith faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering amounting to $4.7 million in damages. Whymark faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 10 counts of wire fraud.&nbsp;A federal grand jury indicted the two in November 2022.U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse set a May 28 hearing for Smith, whose attorney expressed concern Wednesday with some of the case’s numbers and calculations for alleged fraud. Whymark is expected to change his plea at a Sept. 3 hearing.The two defendants were not present at Wednesday’s status conference. Whymark’s attorney said Whymark was in the emergency room the night before and is scheduled to receive additional treatment. Smith, who lives in Tennessee, waived his right to appear.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/27/former-leaders-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-negotiating-plea-deal-in-federal-fraud-case/">A court filing from Feb. 25</a>&nbsp;showed Whymark and Smith are “presently involved in plea negotiations and anticipate resolving this case without a trial.” They face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution.Court documents allege that Smith used Saint Francis Ministries’ credit cards for personal expenses and that “materially false invoices” paid Whymark’s IT company more than $10 million. Court documents say Saint Francis Ministries had to spend an estimated $3.2 million to repair Whymark’s “grossly deficient and overpriced” work.

Kansas foster care leaders accused of swindling millions want to change not guilty pleas 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Former Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;used a high-profile speech Wednesday to sharply criticize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for California governor.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/fmr-vice-president-kamala-harris-delivers-remarks-at-emerge-gala/659258">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;the full speech

In her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">following her defeat</a>&nbsp;to Trump, Harris said she’s inspired by Americans fighting Trump’s agenda despite threats to their freedom or livelihood.

“Instead of an administration working to advance America’s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals,” Harris said a day after Trump reached&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-push-alerts-100-days/">100 days</a>&nbsp;in office.

Before Wednesday, Harris had barely mentioned Trump by name since she conceded defeat to him in November.

In a 15-minute speech, she spoke to the anxiety and confusion that have gripped many of her supporters since Trump took office but discouraged despair.

“They are counting on the notion that if they can make some people afraid, it will have a chilling effect on others. But what they have overlooked is that fear is not the only thing that’s contagious,” Harris said. “Courage is contagious.”

Trump went after Harris in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-100-days-michigan-whitmer-2e30695aa185a785cc1037ab74c19a55">campaign-style rally</a>&nbsp;Tuesday marking his 100th day in office. He sarcastically called her a “great border czar" and a “great candidate," and repeated some of the applause lines he routinely delivered during the campaign.

Until Harris replaced Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket last summer, Trump said, “I knew nothing about her."

Harris cautioned Americans against viewing Trump’s administration as merely chaotic, casting it instead as a “high-velocity event,” the culmination of extensive work on the right to remake government.

“A vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making," Harris said. “An agenda to slash public education. An agenda to shrink government and then privatize its services. All while giving tax breaks to the wealthiest among us.”

Harris chose a friendly audience for her return to the political arena, addressing the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office. It grew in part from Harris’ run for San Francisco district attorney in the early 2000s.

The speech was delivered below luminous chandeliers in a gold-trimmed ballroom in the landmark Palace Hotel.

Harris is ramping up her public presence as Democrats nationally search for a path forward after November's election, in which Republicans also won control of Congress. While a slate of high-profile Democrats — from governors to businessmen — seek leadership roles within the party, the former vice president retains unique influence and would reshape any future race she chooses to enter.

She praised Democrats who have been especially prolific in criticizing Trump, name-dropping lawmakers diverse in their ideology and style: Sens. Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders along with Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

But she did not take a stand in one of her party's central divides, neither calling for mass mobilization like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker or questioning Democratic positioning on key issues like California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“I’m not here tonight to offer all the answers,” Harris said. “But I am here to say this: You are not alone and we are all in this together.”

But she warned that things will probably get worse before they get better.

“The one check, the one balance, the one power that must not fail is the voice of the people,” she said.

Harris, a former state attorney general and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-congress-senate-elections-united-states-government-general-news-united-states-senate-0f65a4bba07344bfb2c6650ff02a27b7">U.S. senator from California</a>, has not discouraged speculation that she might enter the race to replace the term-limited Newsom, himself a potential contender for president. And she has not ruled out another run for the White House.

She did not address her future Wednesday.

She continues to fundraise, using a joint committee that includes Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee and state Democratic parties. The committee, the Harris Victory Fund, reported having&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00744946/">about $4.5 million on hand</a>&nbsp;at the end of March, according to federal records.

In recent fundraising emails, Harris has been blunt about the need for Democrats to unify ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats need to “organize and stop Trump’s agenda while electing Democrats everywhere,” she wrote in recent emails. “There has never been a more important time for a strong Democratic Party — one that is willing to stand up to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and what they are doing to this country.”

The event marks a homecoming of sorts. Harris lives in Los Angeles but she is from the San Francisco Bay Area, where her political career is rooted. For her first major speech since the election, she chose familiar terrain and a friendly, in some ways familial, crowd.

Lisa Gotbhi, a health care executive in San Francisco, said Harris' loss last year was a “shock," but “she’s a voice we need and a leader we need. Let’s get back in the fight.”

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Former Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;used a high-profile speech Wednesday to sharply criticize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for California governor.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/fmr-vice-president-kamala-harris-delivers-remarks-at-emerge-gala/659258">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;the full speech<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Kamala Harris: &quot;Instead of an administration working to advance America&#39;s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals.&quot; She advocates for resistance to the &quot;fear&quot; spread by Trump agenda, saying &quot;Courage is contagious&quot; full: <a href="https://t.co/OSO98guAMS">https://t.co/OSO98guAMS</a> <a href="https://t.co/rBugxnkEej">pic.twitter.com/rBugxnkEej</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1917869623480881625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">following her defeat</a>&nbsp;to Trump, Harris said she’s inspired by Americans fighting Trump’s agenda despite threats to their freedom or livelihood.“Instead of an administration working to advance America’s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals,” Harris said a day after Trump reached&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-push-alerts-100-days/">100 days</a>&nbsp;in office.Before Wednesday, Harris had barely mentioned Trump by name since she conceded defeat to him in November.In a 15-minute speech, she spoke to the anxiety and confusion that have gripped many of her supporters since Trump took office but discouraged despair.“They are counting on the notion that if they can make some people afraid, it will have a chilling effect on others. But what they have overlooked is that fear is not the only thing that’s contagious,” Harris said. “Courage is contagious.”Trump went after Harris in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-100-days-michigan-whitmer-2e30695aa185a785cc1037ab74c19a55">campaign-style rally</a>&nbsp;Tuesday marking his 100th day in office. He sarcastically called her a “great border czar" and a “great candidate," and repeated some of the applause lines he routinely delivered during the campaign.Until Harris replaced Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket last summer, Trump said, “I knew nothing about her."Harris cautioned Americans against viewing Trump’s administration as merely chaotic, casting it instead as a “high-velocity event,” the culmination of extensive work on the right to remake government.“A vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making," Harris said. “An agenda to slash public education. An agenda to shrink government and then privatize its services. All while giving tax breaks to the wealthiest among us.”Harris chose a friendly audience for her return to the political arena, addressing the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office. It grew in part from Harris’ run for San Francisco district attorney in the early 2000s.The speech was delivered below luminous chandeliers in a gold-trimmed ballroom in the landmark Palace Hotel.Harris is ramping up her public presence as Democrats nationally search for a path forward after November's election, in which Republicans also won control of Congress. While a slate of high-profile Democrats — from governors to businessmen — seek leadership roles within the party, the former vice president retains unique influence and would reshape any future race she chooses to enter.She praised Democrats who have been especially prolific in criticizing Trump, name-dropping lawmakers diverse in their ideology and style: Sens. Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders along with Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.But she did not take a stand in one of her party's central divides, neither calling for mass mobilization like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker or questioning Democratic positioning on key issues like California Gov. Gavin Newsom.“I’m not here tonight to offer all the answers,” Harris said. “But I am here to say this: You are not alone and we are all in this together.”But she warned that things will probably get worse before they get better.“The one check, the one balance, the one power that must not fail is the voice of the people,” she said.Harris, a former state attorney general and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-congress-senate-elections-united-states-government-general-news-united-states-senate-0f65a4bba07344bfb2c6650ff02a27b7">U.S. senator from California</a>, has not discouraged speculation that she might enter the race to replace the term-limited Newsom, himself a potential contender for president. And she has not ruled out another run for the White House.She did not address her future Wednesday.She continues to fundraise, using a joint committee that includes Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee and state Democratic parties. The committee, the Harris Victory Fund, reported having&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00744946/">about $4.5 million on hand</a>&nbsp;at the end of March, according to federal records.In recent fundraising emails, Harris has been blunt about the need for Democrats to unify ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.Democrats need to “organize and stop Trump’s agenda while electing Democrats everywhere,” she wrote in recent emails. “There has never been a more important time for a strong Democratic Party — one that is willing to stand up to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and what they are doing to this country.”The event marks a homecoming of sorts. Harris lives in Los Angeles but she is from the San Francisco Bay Area, where her political career is rooted. For her first major speech since the election, she chose familiar terrain and a friendly, in some ways familial, crowd.Lisa Gotbhi, a health care executive in San Francisco, said Harris' loss last year was a “shock," but “she’s a voice we need and a leader we need. Let’s get back in the fight.”

🎥Harris rips President Trump in fiery comeback speech 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man jailed following an Amber Alert in September is due in court for a preliminary hearing in Judge William Wooley's court room, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Trevawn Strong, 30 of Wichita, has been charged with abuse of a child, two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of aggravated endangering a child, three counts of criminal threat, and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery, criminal restraint, and criminal damage to property, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just before 5 p.m. September 11, Strong forcibly took his 5-year-old son Trevawn Strong Jr from his mother utilizing a knife and firearm during a domestic incident at their residence in Wichita, according to police.

&nbsp;Strong&nbsp; threatened to kill his son, stabbed the boy's mother, and took the child.&nbsp; The Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported the boy was in imminent danger. The suspect left in a vehicle, but that vehicle was recovered in the 1900 block of N. Woodlawn in Wichita.&nbsp;

Just before 9p.m. police located the child and took the father into custody.

Strong remains free on a $250,000 bond with conditions including electronic monitoring with pre-trial services, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726138875380.png" alt="Strong photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Strong photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man jailed following an Amber Alert in September is due in court for a preliminary hearing in Judge William Wooley's court room, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Trevawn Strong, 30 of Wichita, has been charged with abuse of a child, two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of aggravated endangering a child, three counts of criminal threat, and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery, criminal restraint, and criminal damage to property, according to the District Attorney's office.Just before 5 p.m. September 11, Strong forcibly took his 5-year-old son Trevawn Strong Jr from his mother utilizing a knife and firearm during a domestic incident at their residence in Wichita, according to police.&nbsp;Strong&nbsp; threatened to kill his son, stabbed the boy's mother, and took the child.&nbsp; The Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported the boy was in imminent danger. The suspect left in a vehicle, but that vehicle was recovered in the 1900 block of N. Woodlawn in Wichita.&nbsp;Just before 9p.m. police located the child and took the father into custody.Strong remains free on a $250,000 bond with conditions including electronic monitoring with pre-trial services, according to the district attorney's office.

Suspect in violent Kansas Amber Alert is due back in court

JEWELL COUNTY— Law enforcement and animal rescue agencies assisted Jewell County Sheriff's Deputies seize multiple dogs at a residence in the rural community of Esbon April 25, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Authorities found the dogs in "unimaginable conditions," according to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. Dozes of other animals were already dead.&nbsp; The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City took in 40 of the dogs.&nbsp; The Hutchinson Animal Shelter also took dogs.&nbsp; Authorities have not reported possible charges in the case.

The sheriff's office encouraged the public to help.&nbsp; If you would like to make a donation to help support the shelter in getting food and proper equipment for the animals that they hold, please send to:

Hutchison Animal Shelter, 1501 S. Severance Stteet, Hutchison, KS 67501

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746065749869.png" alt="Photo Humane Society of Greater Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Photo Humane Society of Greater Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>JEWELL COUNTY— Law enforcement and animal rescue agencies assisted Jewell County Sheriff's Deputies seize multiple dogs at a residence in the rural community of Esbon April 25, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorities found the dogs in "unimaginable conditions," according to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. Dozes of other animals were already dead.&nbsp; The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City took in 40 of the dogs.&nbsp; The Hutchinson Animal Shelter also took dogs.&nbsp; Authorities have not reported possible charges in the case.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHSGKCOfficial%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02sgHgkRrWqcTnLAds33qmnwgQeQZj6H3rhXVvqiQ8414EHo6FPme68jSHDVSeNhMil&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="931" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The sheriff's office encouraged the public to help.&nbsp; If you would like to make a donation to help support the shelter in getting food and proper equipment for the animals that they hold, please send to:Hutchison Animal Shelter, 1501 S. Severance Stteet, Hutchison, KS 67501

Dogs rescued, more found dead in north-central Kansas 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans narrowly voted down a Democratic resolution Wednesday that would have blocked global tariffs announced by Donald Trump earlier this month, giving the president a modest win as lawmakers in both parties have remained skeptical of his trade agenda.

Trump announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">far-reaching tariffs</a>&nbsp;on nearly all U.S. trading partners April 2 and then reversed himself a few days later after a market meltdown, suspending the import taxes for 90 days. Amid the uncertainty for both U.S. consumers and businesses, the Commerce Department said Wednesday that the U.S. economy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-trump-gdp-tariffs-inflation-trade-28a0da24c803c4796eb32704cd0244cc">shrank 0.3% from January through March</a>, the first drop in three years.

The 49-49 vote came weeks after the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tariffs-trump-republicans-a45b4d4da013e4ce1ce434b81337e3ec">approved a resolution</a>&nbsp;that would have have thwarted Trump’s ability to impose tariffs on Canada. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against the measure.

Sen. Mitch McConnell — who has been sharply critical of the tariffs but had not said how he would vote — and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse were absent Wednesday, denying Democrats the votes for passage.

Democrats said their primary aim was to put Republicans on the record either way and to try to reassert congressional powers.

“The Senate cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness,” said Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a lead sponsor of the resolution.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the dismal economic numbers should be a “wakeup call” to Republicans.

Wary of a rebuke to Trump, GOP leaders encouraged their conference not to vote for the resolution, even as many of them remain unconvinced about the tariffs. Vice President JD Vance attended a Senate GOP luncheon Tuesday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who assured senators that the administration is making progress toward trade deals with individual countries.

Collins said the close vote “demonstrates that there is unease with the president’s plan.”

“It’s partially the president’s plan is still evolving but many of us are hearing from employers back home about the impact of the tariffs in a negative way,” she said.

Some Republicans argued that the vote was a political stunt. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he backs separate legislation by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley that would give Congress increased power over determining tariffs but would voted on the resolution, which he said is only about “making a point.”

Several Republicans defended Trump's tariffs — and said they were willing to give him time to figure it out.

“People are willing to give the president an opportunity to prove that the new system works,” said Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn said the vote shows that senators “believe that the President’s policies deserve to be tried and see if they’re successful.”

Democrats say the Republicans’ failure to stand up to Trump could have dire consequences. “The only thing Donald Trump’s tariffs have succeeded in is raising the odds of recession and sending markets into a tailspin,” said Schumer, D-N.Y. “Today, they have to choose – stick with Trump or stand with your states.”

The Democratic resolution forced a vote under a statute that allows them to try to terminate the national economic emergency Trump used to levy the tariffs.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren called it a “fake” emergency that Trump is using to impose his “on again, off again, red light, green light tariffs.”

The tariffs “are pushing our economy off a cliff,” Warren said.

Republicans held a procedural vote after the tied vote to ensure that Democrats could not bring the resolution up again, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters afterward. Vice President J.D. Vance came to the Capitol to break the tie and ensure they dismissed the resolution for good.

The Republican president has tried to reassure voters that his tariffs will not provoke a recession as his administration has focused on China, raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% even as he paused the others. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-tariffs-gdp-7494825851dcef94ec81475124f9326f">told his Cabinet Wednesday</a>&nbsp;morning that his tariffs meant China was “having tremendous difficulty because their factories are not doing business.”

Trump said the U.S. does not really need imports from the world’s dominant manufacturer. “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” he said. “So maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743626000304.png" alt="White House file photo-President Trump announcing his tariff plan April 2" />
 <figcaption>White House file photo-President Trump announcing his tariff plan April 2</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans narrowly voted down a Democratic resolution Wednesday that would have blocked global tariffs announced by Donald Trump earlier this month, giving the president a modest win as lawmakers in both parties have remained skeptical of his trade agenda.Trump announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">far-reaching tariffs</a>&nbsp;on nearly all U.S. trading partners April 2 and then reversed himself a few days later after a market meltdown, suspending the import taxes for 90 days. Amid the uncertainty for both U.S. consumers and businesses, the Commerce Department said Wednesday that the U.S. economy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-trump-gdp-tariffs-inflation-trade-28a0da24c803c4796eb32704cd0244cc">shrank 0.3% from January through March</a>, the first drop in three years.The 49-49 vote came weeks after the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tariffs-trump-republicans-a45b4d4da013e4ce1ce434b81337e3ec">approved a resolution</a>&nbsp;that would have have thwarted Trump’s ability to impose tariffs on Canada. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against the measure.Sen. Mitch McConnell — who has been sharply critical of the tariffs but had not said how he would vote — and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse were absent Wednesday, denying Democrats the votes for passage.Democrats said their primary aim was to put Republicans on the record either way and to try to reassert congressional powers.“The Senate cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness,” said Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a lead sponsor of the resolution.Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the dismal economic numbers should be a “wakeup call” to Republicans.Wary of a rebuke to Trump, GOP leaders encouraged their conference not to vote for the resolution, even as many of them remain unconvinced about the tariffs. Vice President JD Vance attended a Senate GOP luncheon Tuesday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who assured senators that the administration is making progress toward trade deals with individual countries.Collins said the close vote “demonstrates that there is unease with the president’s plan.”“It’s partially the president’s plan is still evolving but many of us are hearing from employers back home about the impact of the tariffs in a negative way,” she said.Some Republicans argued that the vote was a political stunt. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he backs separate legislation by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley that would give Congress increased power over determining tariffs but would voted on the resolution, which he said is only about “making a point.”Several Republicans defended Trump's tariffs — and said they were willing to give him time to figure it out.“People are willing to give the president an opportunity to prove that the new system works,” said Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy.Texas Sen. John Cornyn said the vote shows that senators “believe that the President’s policies deserve to be tried and see if they’re successful.”Democrats say the Republicans’ failure to stand up to Trump could have dire consequences. “The only thing Donald Trump’s tariffs have succeeded in is raising the odds of recession and sending markets into a tailspin,” said Schumer, D-N.Y. “Today, they have to choose – stick with Trump or stand with your states.”The Democratic resolution forced a vote under a statute that allows them to try to terminate the national economic emergency Trump used to levy the tariffs.Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren called it a “fake” emergency that Trump is using to impose his “on again, off again, red light, green light tariffs.”The tariffs “are pushing our economy off a cliff,” Warren said.Republicans held a procedural vote after the tied vote to ensure that Democrats could not bring the resolution up again, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters afterward. Vice President J.D. Vance came to the Capitol to break the tie and ensure they dismissed the resolution for good.The Republican president has tried to reassure voters that his tariffs will not provoke a recession as his administration has focused on China, raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% even as he paused the others. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-tariffs-gdp-7494825851dcef94ec81475124f9326f">told his Cabinet Wednesday</a>&nbsp;morning that his tariffs meant China was “having tremendous difficulty because their factories are not doing business.”Trump said the U.S. does not really need imports from the world’s dominant manufacturer. “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” he said. “So maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”

Moran, Marshall help Senate kill resolution to block global tariffs

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Fire Department is investigating the cause of a building fire at 1716 East 8th Street.

Just after 7p.m., crews from fire station 10 noticed a column of smoke one block to the north in the area of 8th&nbsp;and Woodland, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

They responded and on arrival they reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant building and requested a working fire response. 

Interior operations were initiated but crews quickly had to evacuate and assume defensive operations and continued working to get the fire completely under control.&nbsp; Determining the cause of the fire will be difficult due to the amount of damage, according to Hopkins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746009155201.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Fire Department is investigating the cause of a building fire at 1716 East 8th Street.Just after 7p.m., crews from fire station 10 noticed a column of smoke one block to the north in the area of 8th&nbsp;and Woodland, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.They responded and on arrival they reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant building and requested a working fire response. Interior operations were initiated but crews quickly had to evacuate and assume defensive operations and continued working to get the fire completely under control.&nbsp; Determining the cause of the fire will be difficult due to the amount of damage, according to Hopkins.

Crews work large building fire in downtown Kansas City

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Honda Civic driven by&nbsp;Kaiden Jimenez, 18, Lawrence, was&nbsp;eastbound on Interstate 70 near the Service Area in Leavenworth County on the Kansas Turnpike. 

The Honda traveled off the road to the left,&nbsp;bounced off two drain tubes, continued eastbound through the ditch, entered westbound Interstate 70&nbsp; crossed over both lanes and struck a 2023 Mercedes-Benz van driven by Jonathan Brown, 34, Kansas City, Missouri, head-on.

After impact the Honda rotated and rolled into the south ditch. The van continued westbound after rotating and slid backwards through the ditch.&nbsp; struck a slight embankment and overturned onto the driver's side.

A passenger in the van identified as Shane Greiner, 28, Kansas City, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Brown to Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Jimenez to Stormont Vail in Topeka. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Honda Civic driven by&nbsp;Kaiden Jimenez, 18, Lawrence, was&nbsp;eastbound on Interstate 70 near the Service Area in Leavenworth County on the Kansas Turnpike. The Honda traveled off the road to the left,&nbsp;bounced off two drain tubes, continued eastbound through the ditch, entered westbound Interstate 70&nbsp; crossed over both lanes and struck a 2023 Mercedes-Benz van driven by Jonathan Brown, 34, Kansas City, Missouri, head-on.After impact the Honda rotated and rolled into the south ditch. The van continued westbound after rotating and slid backwards through the ditch.&nbsp; struck a slight embankment and overturned onto the driver's side.A passenger in the van identified as Shane Greiner, 28, Kansas City, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Brown to Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Jimenez to Stormont Vail in Topeka. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after I-70 head-on crash

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been been sentenced to life in prison without parole for his involvement in a fatal shooting that killed two people in northeast Kansas City in 2021.&nbsp;

Earl Dunn III, 21,&nbsp; was convicted of two counts of 1st Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and three counts of Armed Criminal Action in January, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's office.

Last week, a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2608/Earl-Dunn-Judgement-21cr4744_Redacted_FINAL">sentenced</a>&nbsp;Dunn to life without parole for the two murder charges, 30 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 10 years on each count of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2606/DunnEarl---PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of Anderson and Norton avenues on March 11, 2021, and found a vehicle on fire with two victims inside. There were several spent shell casings on the street two blocks west of the accident and gunshot damage to the vehicle. &nbsp;

Detectives collected footage from area surveillance cameras, which captured another vehicle pursuing the victims in the neighborhood shortly before the victims’ vehicle crashed.

Information recovered from cell tower and mapping tools revealed the Dunn to be in contact with one of the victims and in the same area of the crime scene during the same time of the crime. The DNA profile from a cigar butt inside the suspect vehicle also matched Dunn.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634213429981.png" alt="Dunn photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Dunn photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been been sentenced to life in prison without parole for his involvement in a fatal shooting that killed two people in northeast Kansas City in 2021.&nbsp;Earl Dunn III, 21,&nbsp; was convicted of two counts of 1st Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and three counts of Armed Criminal Action in January, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's office.Last week, a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2608/Earl-Dunn-Judgement-21cr4744_Redacted_FINAL">sentenced</a>&nbsp;Dunn to life without parole for the two murder charges, 30 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 10 years on each count of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2606/DunnEarl---PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of Anderson and Norton avenues on March 11, 2021, and found a vehicle on fire with two victims inside. There were several spent shell casings on the street two blocks west of the accident and gunshot damage to the vehicle. &nbsp;Detectives collected footage from area surveillance cameras, which captured another vehicle pursuing the victims in the neighborhood shortly before the victims’ vehicle crashed.Information recovered from cell tower and mapping tools revealed the Dunn to be in contact with one of the victims and in the same area of the crime scene during the same time of the crime. The DNA profile from a cigar butt inside the suspect vehicle also matched Dunn.

Life in prison: Victims in Kansas City found shot, left in burning car

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine on Wednesday signed off on a deal that will give Washington access to Ukraine's vast critical minerals and natural resources, finalizing an agreement weeks in the making to compensate the U.S. for its help in repelling Russia’s invasion.

The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, which they called the United States-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund. But it is expected to give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;while providing Kyiv a measure of assurance about continued American support in its grinding war with Russia.

“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.”

The announcement comes at a critical moment in the three-year war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with both sides. The signing comes two months after a different but similar agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;involving President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump has long criticized Zelenskyy, saying he didn’t “have the cards” to win the war and blaming him for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing</a>&nbsp;by not giving up Crimea, but in recent days has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;as well, saying he was complicating negotiations with “very bad timing” in launching deadly strikes on Kyiv.

Trump said Wednesday night on NewsNation that the deal, “in theory,” means that the U.S. will get more from Ukraine than it contributed. “I wanted to be protected,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to be looking “foolish” by not getting money back for the investment.

Ukraine praises signing as an ‘equal and good international deal’

For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.

“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. “This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”

Ukraine’s economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal.

“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country,” she said in a post on X after the signing.

White House had raised doubts that agreement was ready

Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do.

“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes," Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. "We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.”

He didn't elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made.

The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">Ukraine's deposits of titanium</a>, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.

After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.

According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-united-nations-trump-russia-ukraine-02dadb854440861864733211e687b9b5">path toward European Union membership</a>&nbsp;— a key provision for Kyiv.

The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. The deal still needs to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it can take effect.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine announced on Wednesday an economic agreement after a weekslong press by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-meeting-stocks-detainees-rubio-musk-3fdf4f5019bf5b578c466e32aee2ae79">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Ukraine to compensate Washington for billions in military and economic assistance to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a video posted to X that “this partnership allows the United States to invest alongside Ukraine, to unlock Ukraine’s growth assets, mobilize American talent, capital and governance standards that will improve Ukraine’s investment climate and accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery.”

The announcement comes at a critical moment in the war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with leaders of Russia and Ukraine with the brutal fighting dragging on.

The American president has criticized his Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for steps that he said were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing,</a>&nbsp;and he has rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin for complicating negotiations with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">“very bad timing”</a>&nbsp;in launching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-strike-913ca4a6b4e624ed50e6c1018576a8ad">deadly strikes</a>&nbsp;on Kyiv.

Trump on Saturday met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral.

Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko in a post on X celebrated the breakthrough.

“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country," she said.

The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, but it is expected to give the U.S. access to its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare minerals</a>&nbsp;in the hopes of ensuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-europe-rare-earth-russia-war-9af06a9f17dbaa49a05dcba3a3363977">continued American support</a>&nbsp;for Kyiv in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">grinding war with Russia</a>.

Ukraine's economy minister and deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during an appearance on Ukrainian television. Although the main part of the agreement had been settled, there were still hurdles to overcome, said a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” Shmyhal said. "This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”

Trump began his push for a deal in February that he wanted access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials as a condition for continued U.S. support in the war, describing it as reimbursement for the billions of dollars in aid the U.S. has given to Kyiv.

But talks stalled after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;of U.S. and Ukrainian leaders, and reaching an agreement since then has proven difficult and strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.

Negotiations appeared to drag on till shortly before the two sides confirmed an agreement had been signed off on the deal.

The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. Once signed by both sides, the deal would need to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it could take effect.

Putin wants answers before committing to a ceasefire

The negotiations come amid rocky progress in Washington's push to stop the war.

Putin backs calls for a ceasefire before peace negotiations, “but before it’s done, it’s necessary to answer a few questions and sort out a few nuances,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin is also ready for direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions to seek a peace deal, he added.

“We realize that Washington wants to achieve quick progress, but we hope for understanding that the Ukrainian crisis settlement is far too complex to be done quickly,” Peskov said during his daily conference call with reporters.

Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-gaza-russia-100-days-ad7af3502370f1743e28690ac0ce2a17">expressed frustration</a>&nbsp;over the slow pace of progress in negotiations aimed at stopping the war. Western European leaders have accused Putin of stalling while his forces seek to grab more Ukrainian land. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory since Moscow's forces launched a full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

Trump has long dismissed the war as a waste of lives and American taxpayer money — a complaint he repeated Wednesday during his Cabinet meeting. That could spell an end to crucial military help for Ukraine and heavier economic sanctions on Russia.

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday tried again to push both sides to move more quickly and warned that the U.S. could pull out of the negotiations if there's no progress.

“We are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict," department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce quoted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as telling her.

Russia has effectively rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate and full 30-day ceasefire, making it conditional on a halt to Ukraine’s mobilization effort and Western arms supplies to Kyiv.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Wednesday that Ukraine had accepted an unconditional truce only because it was being pushed back on the battlefield, where the bigger Russian forces have the upper hand.

UN says Ukrainian civilian casualties are on the rise

Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians have been killed or wounded in attacks every day this year, according to a U.N. report presented Tuesday in New York.

The U.N. Human Rights Office said in the report that in the first three months of this year, it had verified 2,641 civilian casualties in Ukraine. That was almost 900 more than during the same period last year.

Also, between April 1-24, civilian casualties in Ukraine were up 46% from the same weeks in 2024, it said.

The daily grind of the war shows no sign of letting up. A nighttime Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kharkiv">second-largest city, Kharkiv,</a>&nbsp;wounded at least 45 civilians, Ukrainian officials said.

Also Wednesday, the Ukrainian Security Service claimed its drones struck the Murom Instrument Engineering Plant in Russia’s Vladimir region overnight, causing five explosions and a fire at the military facility. The claim could not be independently verified.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670044084.png" alt="President Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday morning.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday morning.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine on Wednesday signed off on a deal that will give Washington access to Ukraine's vast critical minerals and natural resources, finalizing an agreement weeks in the making to compensate the U.S. for its help in repelling Russia’s invasion.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help… <a href="https://t.co/N1jPa35DYh">pic.twitter.com/N1jPa35DYh</a>&mdash; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecScottBessent/status/1917697018551754802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, which they called the United States-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund. But it is expected to give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;while providing Kyiv a measure of assurance about continued American support in its grinding war with Russia.“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.”The announcement comes at a critical moment in the three-year war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with both sides. The signing comes two months after a different but similar agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;involving President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Trump has long criticized Zelenskyy, saying he didn’t “have the cards” to win the war and blaming him for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing</a>&nbsp;by not giving up Crimea, but in recent days has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;as well, saying he was complicating negotiations with “very bad timing” in launching deadly strikes on Kyiv.Trump said Wednesday night on NewsNation that the deal, “in theory,” means that the U.S. will get more from Ukraine than it contributed. “I wanted to be protected,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to be looking “foolish” by not getting money back for the investment.<h2>Ukraine praises signing as an ‘equal and good international deal’</h2>For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. “This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”Ukraine’s economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal.“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country,” she said in a post on X after the signing.<h2>White House had raised doubts that agreement was ready</h2>Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do.“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes," Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. "We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.”He didn't elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made.The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">Ukraine's deposits of titanium</a>, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-united-nations-trump-russia-ukraine-02dadb854440861864733211e687b9b5">path toward European Union membership</a>&nbsp;— a key provision for Kyiv.The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. The deal still needs to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it can take effect.WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine announced on Wednesday an economic agreement after a weekslong press by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-meeting-stocks-detainees-rubio-musk-3fdf4f5019bf5b578c466e32aee2ae79">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Ukraine to compensate Washington for billions in military and economic assistance to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a video posted to X that “this partnership allows the United States to invest alongside Ukraine, to unlock Ukraine’s growth assets, mobilize American talent, capital and governance standards that will improve Ukraine’s investment climate and accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery.”The announcement comes at a critical moment in the war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with leaders of Russia and Ukraine with the brutal fighting dragging on.The American president has criticized his Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for steps that he said were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing,</a>&nbsp;and he has rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin for complicating negotiations with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">“very bad timing”</a>&nbsp;in launching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-strike-913ca4a6b4e624ed50e6c1018576a8ad">deadly strikes</a>&nbsp;on Kyiv.Trump on Saturday met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral.Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko in a post on X celebrated the breakthrough.“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country," she said.The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, but it is expected to give the U.S. access to its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare minerals</a>&nbsp;in the hopes of ensuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-europe-rare-earth-russia-war-9af06a9f17dbaa49a05dcba3a3363977">continued American support</a>&nbsp;for Kyiv in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">grinding war with Russia</a>.Ukraine's economy minister and deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during an appearance on Ukrainian television. Although the main part of the agreement had been settled, there were still hurdles to overcome, said a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly.For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” Shmyhal said. "This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”Trump began his push for a deal in February that he wanted access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials as a condition for continued U.S. support in the war, describing it as reimbursement for the billions of dollars in aid the U.S. has given to Kyiv.But talks stalled after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;of U.S. and Ukrainian leaders, and reaching an agreement since then has proven difficult and strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.Negotiations appeared to drag on till shortly before the two sides confirmed an agreement had been signed off on the deal.Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do.“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes," Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. "We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.”He didn't elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made.The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">Ukraine's deposits of titanium</a>, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-united-nations-trump-russia-ukraine-02dadb854440861864733211e687b9b5">path toward European Union membership</a>&nbsp;— a key provision for Kyiv.The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. Once signed by both sides, the deal would need to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it could take effect.<h2>Putin wants answers before committing to a ceasefire</h2>The negotiations come amid rocky progress in Washington's push to stop the war.Putin backs calls for a ceasefire before peace negotiations, “but before it’s done, it’s necessary to answer a few questions and sort out a few nuances,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin is also ready for direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions to seek a peace deal, he added.“We realize that Washington wants to achieve quick progress, but we hope for understanding that the Ukrainian crisis settlement is far too complex to be done quickly,” Peskov said during his daily conference call with reporters.Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-gaza-russia-100-days-ad7af3502370f1743e28690ac0ce2a17">expressed frustration</a>&nbsp;over the slow pace of progress in negotiations aimed at stopping the war. Western European leaders have accused Putin of stalling while his forces seek to grab more Ukrainian land. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory since Moscow's forces launched a full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.Trump has long dismissed the war as a waste of lives and American taxpayer money — a complaint he repeated Wednesday during his Cabinet meeting. That could spell an end to crucial military help for Ukraine and heavier economic sanctions on Russia.<h2>US wants both sides to speed things up</h2>The U.S. State Department on Tuesday tried again to push both sides to move more quickly and warned that the U.S. could pull out of the negotiations if there's no progress.“We are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict," department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce quoted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as telling her.Russia has effectively rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate and full 30-day ceasefire, making it conditional on a halt to Ukraine’s mobilization effort and Western arms supplies to Kyiv.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Wednesday that Ukraine had accepted an unconditional truce only because it was being pushed back on the battlefield, where the bigger Russian forces have the upper hand.<h2>UN says Ukrainian civilian casualties are on the rise</h2>Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians have been killed or wounded in attacks every day this year, according to a U.N. report presented Tuesday in New York.The U.N. Human Rights Office said in the report that in the first three months of this year, it had verified 2,641 civilian casualties in Ukraine. That was almost 900 more than during the same period last year.Also, between April 1-24, civilian casualties in Ukraine were up 46% from the same weeks in 2024, it said.The daily grind of the war shows no sign of letting up. A nighttime Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kharkiv">second-largest city, Kharkiv,</a>&nbsp;wounded at least 45 civilians, Ukrainian officials said.Also Wednesday, the Ukrainian Security Service claimed its drones struck the Murom Instrument Engineering Plant in Russia’s Vladimir region overnight, causing five explosions and a fire at the military facility. The claim could not be independently verified.___

 🎥Ukraine signs deal to give US access to rare minerals

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have been fined $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been fined $100,000 as a result of Ulbrich’s son participating in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shedeur-sanders-prank-call-atlanta-falcons-b411537e3601f970ca8abc5b7c0b524d?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">prank call to Shedeur Sanders</a>&nbsp;during the NFL draft.

The NFL confirmed the fines on Wednesday for the roles the Falcons and Ulbrich played in failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club ahead of the draft.

The Falcons, who disclosed the role of Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son Jax in the prank call as the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was waiting for his name to be called in the draft, said they accept the discipline from the league.

At a news conference, Jeff Ulbrich apologized to Shedeur Sanders, his family, Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the rest of the organization.

“My actions — my actions — of not protecting confidential data were inexcusable," Ulbrich said. "My son's actions were absolutely inexcusable, and for that we are both deeply sorry. The NFL has taken action and I fully respect the punishment. We take full responsibility, my son and myself, and we will not be appealing the fine in any way. Going forward I promise my son and I will work hard to demonstrate we are better than this.”

The Falcons said in a statement that they appreciated the NFL's “swift and thorough review” of the matter.

“We were proactive in addressing the situation internally and cooperated fully with the league throughout the process, and accept the discipline levied to Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization," the statement said. "We are confident in our security policies and practices and will continue to emphasize adherence to them with our staff whether on or off premises.”

The Falcons also said the Ulbrich family “is working with the organization to participate in community service initiatives in relation to last week’s matter."

On Sunday, the Falcons said in a statement that Jax Ulbrich “unintentionally came across the draft contact phone number for Shedeur Sanders off an open iPad while visiting his parent’s home and wrote the number down to later conduct a prank call.”

Jax Ulbrich was sitting beside an unidentified friend who actually made the call to Sanders on Friday, the second day of the draft. Sanders, a standout quarterback from Colorado, is the son of Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, who began his NFL career with the Falcons.

Sanders, who entered the draft expecting to be a first-round pick, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-draft-sanders-ward-browns-e2b80fcf289da3a6b68ca1e45ef270ab">selected Saturday in the fifth round</a>&nbsp;by the Cleveland Browns.

The Falcons said Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the data exposure or the prank until after the fact. He said he made the Falcons aware of the situation and then got hold of the Sanders family to apologize.

“The Sanders family, Shedeur and Coach Sanders, were amazingly gracious. More gracious than they needed to be in a moment like this,” Ulbrich said.

The team also offered “sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family.” And Jax Ulbrich posted a public apology on social media.

The NFL continues to investigate prank calls made to other players during the NFL draft. The Associated Press reported Tuesday the call to Shedeur Sanders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-draft-prank-call-shedeur-sanders-027749fcb71bafa5ff44b73bd4a03d03?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">wasn’t related</a>&nbsp;to the other prank calls.

Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren, Kyle McCord, Mason Graham and Chase Lundt also have reported receiving prank calls.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746050034324.png" alt="At a news conference, Jeff Ulbrich apologized to Shedeur Sanders, his family, Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the rest of the organization.&nbsp;-image from Falcons video" />
 <figcaption>At a news conference, Jeff Ulbrich apologized to Shedeur Sanders, his family, Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the rest of the organization.&nbsp;-image from Falcons video</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have been fined $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been fined $100,000 as a result of Ulbrich’s son participating in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shedeur-sanders-prank-call-atlanta-falcons-b411537e3601f970ca8abc5b7c0b524d?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">prank call to Shedeur Sanders</a>&nbsp;during the NFL draft.The NFL confirmed the fines on Wednesday for the roles the Falcons and Ulbrich played in failing to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club ahead of the draft.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746049847458.png" alt="Shedeur Sanders image courtesy University of Colorado video" />
 <figcaption>Shedeur Sanders image courtesy University of Colorado video</figcaption>
 </figure>The Falcons, who disclosed the role of Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son Jax in the prank call as the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was waiting for his name to be called in the draft, said they accept the discipline from the league.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich said he was “shocked” and tried to get in touch with Sanders family when he learned his son was involved in prank call. Sanders family “ were amazingly gracious… More gracious than they needed to be in a moment like this” <a href="https://t.co/RYH4pzUjeD">pic.twitter.com/RYH4pzUjeD</a>&mdash; Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachKleinWSB/status/1917641898547687689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At a news conference, Jeff Ulbrich apologized to Shedeur Sanders, his family, Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the rest of the organization.“My actions — my actions — of not protecting confidential data were inexcusable," Ulbrich said. "My son's actions were absolutely inexcusable, and for that we are both deeply sorry. The NFL has taken action and I fully respect the punishment. We take full responsibility, my son and myself, and we will not be appealing the fine in any way. Going forward I promise my son and I will work hard to demonstrate we are better than this.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746050693321.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Falcons said in a statement that they appreciated the NFL's “swift and thorough review” of the matter.“We were proactive in addressing the situation internally and cooperated fully with the league throughout the process, and accept the discipline levied to Coach Jeff Ulbrich and the organization," the statement said. "We are confident in our security policies and practices and will continue to emphasize adherence to them with our staff whether on or off premises.”The Falcons also said the Ulbrich family “is working with the organization to participate in community service initiatives in relation to last week’s matter."On Sunday, the Falcons said in a statement that Jax Ulbrich “unintentionally came across the draft contact phone number for Shedeur Sanders off an open iPad while visiting his parent’s home and wrote the number down to later conduct a prank call.”Jax Ulbrich was sitting beside an unidentified friend who actually made the call to Sanders on Friday, the second day of the draft. Sanders, a standout quarterback from Colorado, is the son of Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, who began his NFL career with the Falcons.Sanders, who entered the draft expecting to be a first-round pick, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-draft-sanders-ward-browns-e2b80fcf289da3a6b68ca1e45ef270ab">selected Saturday in the fifth round</a>&nbsp;by the Cleveland Browns.The Falcons said Jeff Ulbrich was unaware of the data exposure or the prank until after the fact. He said he made the Falcons aware of the situation and then got hold of the Sanders family to apologize.“The Sanders family, Shedeur and Coach Sanders, were amazingly gracious. More gracious than they needed to be in a moment like this,” Ulbrich said.The team also offered “sincere apologies to Shedeur Sanders and his family.” And Jax Ulbrich posted a public apology on social media.The NFL continues to investigate prank calls made to other players during the NFL draft. The Associated Press reported Tuesday the call to Shedeur Sanders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-draft-prank-call-shedeur-sanders-027749fcb71bafa5ff44b73bd4a03d03?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">wasn’t related</a>&nbsp;to the other prank calls.Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren, Kyle McCord, Mason Graham and Chase Lundt also have reported receiving prank calls.___

🎥NFL: Massive fines for prank call during NFL draft

WASHINGTON (AP) —Chinese state media reported Wednesday that some Chinese toy exporters have been notified by Walmart and Target to resume partial shipments and that the U.S. businesses have agreed to shoulder the extra tariff costs.

The report came after Beijing in March summoned Walmart executives for allegedly pressuring Chinese suppliers to absorb tariff costs. One Chinese exporter named Cheng Zhengren told Beijing News he expects to make a shipment in a week or so.

“Without us, what do they have to sell?” the Chinese exporter told the newspaper. “Their shelves would be empty.”

WASHINGTON (AP) —Chinese state media reported Wednesday that some Chinese toy exporters have been notified by Walmart and Target to resume partial shipments and that the U.S. businesses have agreed to shoulder the extra tariff costs.The report came after Beijing in March summoned Walmart executives for allegedly pressuring Chinese suppliers to absorb tariff costs. One Chinese exporter named Cheng Zhengren told Beijing News he expects to make a shipment in a week or so.“Without us, what do they have to sell?” the Chinese exporter told the newspaper. “Their shelves would be empty.”

Walmart and Target agree to absorb tariffs, ask suppliers to resume shipments

WASHINGTON (AP) — The only Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe during World War II, known as the “Six Triple Eight,” was honored Tuesday with the Congressional Gold Medal, following a long-running campaign to recognize their efforts.

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was credited with solving a growing mail crisis during its stint in England and, upon their return, serving as a role model to generations of Black women who joined the military.

They cleared out a backlog of about 17 million pieces of mail in three months, twice as fast as projected. The battalion would go on to serve in France before returning home. And like many Black units during World War II, their exploits never got the attention afforded their white counterparts — until now.

House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-recess-congress-no-town-halls-de45284c77fbc54a13c7090f75994674">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;presented the medal to the family of the unit commander, Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley, during a ceremony in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center. More than 300 descendants of the women who served in the battalion were in attendance.

“This ceremony reflects one of the highest and most cherished traditions of our republic, one that's roots stretch back all the way to General George Washington,” Johnson said.

“The Six Triple Eight are great American patriots, loyal to a nation that, for far too long, failed to return the favor. And I’m glad to say that’s changing, and we’re doing that here today," he said.

Stanley Earley III, the son of the battalion’s commander, was among the speakers at the ceremony. He called the women who served “true examples of American excellence.”

“These soldiers exemplified determination in the face of adversity and demonstrated the ability to go beyond what was thought to be possible," Earley said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://history.army.mil/html/topics/afam/6888thPBn/index.html">6888th</a>&nbsp;was sent overseas in 1945, a time when there was growing pressure from African American organizations to include Black women in what was called the Women’s Army Corps, and allow them to join their white counterparts overseas.

The 6888th toiled around the clock, processing about 65,000 pieces of mail in each of the three shifts. They created a system using locator cards with service members’ names and unit numbers to ensure mail was delivered.

“I don’t know if any of the letters between my mom and dad passed through the hands of the Six Triple Eight, but I do know that the work they did made it possible for millions of young men like my dad to keep up the fight,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, who recounted meeting five of the battalion members in 2018. Moran, a Republican from Kansas, co-sponsored the medal legislation in the Senate.

“When these women returned home, there was no parade to greet them. No one lined the streets to thank them for their service. That ain’t right. And we’re trying to correct it today,” Moran said.

The unit’s story has gained wider recognition in recent years. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womenofthe6888th.org/the-6888th-monument">monument was erected in 2018 at Fort Leavenworth</a>, Kansas, to honor them, and the 6888th was given the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2019. A documentary&nbsp;<a href="http://lincolnpennyfilms.com/index.php/the-six-triple-eight/">“The Six Triple Eight”</a>&nbsp;was made about their exploits. In 2024,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tyler-perry">Tyler Perry</a>&nbsp;directed a movie for Netflix about the unit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/kerry-washington-tyler-perry-washington-movies-3e2958bcd5d5433ab1d9fcc475f5bf37">starring Kerry Washington.</a>

The Senate voted to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal, its highest honor, on the 6888th in 2021, and the House followed in early 2022. Reflecting wide bipartisan support, leaders of both parties spoke at Tuesday's ceremony.

Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore, who co-sponsored the legislation to award the medal, called the recognition long overdue.

“This ceremony is a fitting end to a long journey to make sure that we do not forget their service," said Moore, who represents one of the two living members of the battalion.

“They did it for the love of country. And the story reminds us so much that while there’s much that divides our country today, there’s even more than joins us together, like a commitment to service, a commitment to doing something bigger than yourself, to live and volunteer, to go into service in a war zone, even in the face of segregation at home,” Moore said.

The AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-congress-a801e5e329c274efac243fcdaf1984e4">spoke with</a>&nbsp;one of the women who served in the battalion, Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, after the congressional vote in 2022. McClendon joined the Air Force after the military was integrated and retired in 1971. She was the first female to command an all-male squadron with the Strategic Air Command.

“It’s overwhelming,” McClendon said of the medal. “It’s something I never even thought about it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746031462108.png" alt="FILE - In this image provided by the National Archives, members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-female, all-Black unit formed during World War II, are shown in an undated Department of Defense photo. (National Archives via AP, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - In this image provided by the National Archives, members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-female, all-Black unit formed during World War II, are shown in an undated Department of Defense photo. (National Archives via AP, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The only Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe during World War II, known as the “Six Triple Eight,” was honored Tuesday with the Congressional Gold Medal, following a long-running campaign to recognize their efforts.The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was credited with solving a growing mail crisis during its stint in England and, upon their return, serving as a role model to generations of Black women who joined the military.They cleared out a backlog of about 17 million pieces of mail in three months, twice as fast as projected. The battalion would go on to serve in France before returning home. And like many Black units during World War II, their exploits never got the attention afforded their white counterparts — until now.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/41dH-Ghf5xI?si=QYjTZCU0ojfebW0r&amp;start=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Yesterday, a Congressional Gold Medal was presented to the members of the Women’s Army Corps who were assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the “Six Triple Eight.” <a href="https://t.co/8WgFMxzDQb">pic.twitter.com/8WgFMxzDQb</a>&mdash; United States Mint (@usmint) <a href="https://twitter.com/usmint/status/1917596382891835397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-recess-congress-no-town-halls-de45284c77fbc54a13c7090f75994674">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;presented the medal to the family of the unit commander, Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley, during a ceremony in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center. More than 300 descendants of the women who served in the battalion were in attendance.“This ceremony reflects one of the highest and most cherished traditions of our republic, one that's roots stretch back all the way to General George Washington,” Johnson said.“The Six Triple Eight are great American patriots, loyal to a nation that, for far too long, failed to return the favor. And I’m glad to say that’s changing, and we’re doing that here today," he said.Stanley Earley III, the son of the battalion’s commander, was among the speakers at the ceremony. He called the women who served “true examples of American excellence.”“These soldiers exemplified determination in the face of adversity and demonstrated the ability to go beyond what was thought to be possible," Earley said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://history.army.mil/html/topics/afam/6888thPBn/index.html">6888th</a>&nbsp;was sent overseas in 1945, a time when there was growing pressure from African American organizations to include Black women in what was called the Women’s Army Corps, and allow them to join their white counterparts overseas.The 6888th toiled around the clock, processing about 65,000 pieces of mail in each of the three shifts. They created a system using locator cards with service members’ names and unit numbers to ensure mail was delivered.“I don’t know if any of the letters between my mom and dad passed through the hands of the Six Triple Eight, but I do know that the work they did made it possible for millions of young men like my dad to keep up the fight,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, who recounted meeting five of the battalion members in 2018. Moran, a Republican from Kansas, co-sponsored the medal legislation in the Senate.“When these women returned home, there was no parade to greet them. No one lined the streets to thank them for their service. That ain’t right. And we’re trying to correct it today,” Moran said.The unit’s story has gained wider recognition in recent years. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.womenofthe6888th.org/the-6888th-monument">monument was erected in 2018 at Fort Leavenworth</a>, Kansas, to honor them, and the 6888th was given the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2019. A documentary&nbsp;<a href="http://lincolnpennyfilms.com/index.php/the-six-triple-eight/">“The Six Triple Eight”</a>&nbsp;was made about their exploits. In 2024,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tyler-perry">Tyler Perry</a>&nbsp;directed a movie for Netflix about the unit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/kerry-washington-tyler-perry-washington-movies-3e2958bcd5d5433ab1d9fcc475f5bf37">starring Kerry Washington.</a>The Senate voted to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal, its highest honor, on the 6888th in 2021, and the House followed in early 2022. Reflecting wide bipartisan support, leaders of both parties spoke at Tuesday's ceremony.Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore, who co-sponsored the legislation to award the medal, called the recognition long overdue.“This ceremony is a fitting end to a long journey to make sure that we do not forget their service," said Moore, who represents one of the two living members of the battalion.“They did it for the love of country. And the story reminds us so much that while there’s much that divides our country today, there’s even more than joins us together, like a commitment to service, a commitment to doing something bigger than yourself, to live and volunteer, to go into service in a war zone, even in the face of segregation at home,” Moore said.The AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-congress-a801e5e329c274efac243fcdaf1984e4">spoke with</a>&nbsp;one of the women who served in the battalion, Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, after the congressional vote in 2022. McClendon joined the Air Force after the military was integrated and retired in 1971. She was the first female to command an all-male squadron with the Strategic Air Command.“It’s overwhelming,” McClendon said of the medal. “It’s something I never even thought about it.”

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator honors women of “Six Triple Eight” with Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has begun shedding new light on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-f1-visa-revoked-college-f12320b435b6bf9cf723f1e8eb8c67ae">crackdown on international students</a>, spelling out how it targeted thousands of people and laying out the grounds for terminating their legal status.

The new details emerged in lawsuits filed by some of the students who suddenly had their status canceled in recent weeks with little explanation.

In the past month, foreign students around the U.S. have been rattled to learn their records had been removed from a student database maintained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-visa-status-restraining-order-64a97b4fabc5264ed20b179952cdabff">went into hiding</a>&nbsp;for fear of deportation or abandoned their studies to return home.

On Friday, after mounting court challenges, federal officials said the government was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-status-restored-9e8a7cb90f4193ec52bf06edc5094cd9">restoring international students’ legal status</a>&nbsp;while it developed a framework to guide future terminations. In a court filing Monday, it shared the new policy: a document issued over the weekend with guidance on a range of reasons students’ status can be canceled, including the revocation of the visas they used to enter the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746019461996.png" alt="Student Visa image courtesy SUNY Schenectady" />
 <figcaption>Student Visa image courtesy SUNY Schenectady</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has begun shedding new light on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-f1-visa-revoked-college-f12320b435b6bf9cf723f1e8eb8c67ae">crackdown on international students</a>, spelling out how it targeted thousands of people and laying out the grounds for terminating their legal status.The new details emerged in lawsuits filed by some of the students who suddenly had their status canceled in recent weeks with little explanation.In the past month, foreign students around the U.S. have been rattled to learn their records had been removed from a student database maintained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-visa-status-restraining-order-64a97b4fabc5264ed20b179952cdabff">went into hiding</a>&nbsp;for fear of deportation or abandoned their studies to return home.On Friday, after mounting court challenges, federal officials said the government was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-student-status-restored-9e8a7cb90f4193ec52bf06edc5094cd9">restoring international students’ legal status</a>&nbsp;while it developed a framework to guide future terminations. In a court filing Monday, it shared the new policy: a document issued over the weekend with guidance on a range of reasons students’ status can be canceled, including the revocation of the visas they used to enter the U.S.Brad Banias, an immigration attorney representing a student whose status was terminated, said the new guidelines vastly expand ICE’s authority beyond previous policy, which did not count visa revocation as grounds for losing legal status. In the past, if a student had their visa revoked, they could stay in the U.S. to finish their studies — they simply would not be able to reenter if they left the country.“This just gave them carte blanche to have the State Department revoke a visa and then deport those students even if they’ve done nothing wrong,” Banias said.Many of the students who had visas revoked or lost their legal status said they had only minor infractions on their record, including traffic violations. Some did not know why they were targeted at all.Lawyers for the government provided some explanation at a hearing Tuesday in the case of Banias’ client Akshar Patel, an international student studying information systems in Texas. Patel’s status was terminated — and then reinstated — this month, and he is seeking a preliminary court ruling to keep him from being deported.In court filings and in the hearing, Department of Homeland Security officials said they ran the names of student visa holders through the National Crime Information Center, an FBI-run database that contains reams of information related to crimes. It includes the names of suspects, missing persons and people who have been arrested, even if they have never been charged with a crime or had charges dropped.In total, about 6,400 students were identified in the database search, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said in the hearing Tuesday. One of the students was Patel, who had been pulled over and charged with reckless driving in 2018. The charge was ultimately dropped — information that is also in NCIC.Patel appears in a spreadsheet with 734 students whose names had come up in NCIC. That spreadsheet was forwarded to a Homeland Security official, who, within 24 hours of receiving it, replied: “Please terminate all in SEVIS.” That’s a different database listing foreigners who have legal status as students in the U.S.Reyes said the short time frame suggested that no one had reviewed the records individually to find out why the students’ names came up in NCIC.“All of this could have been avoided if someone had taken a beat,” said Reyes, who was appointed by President Joe Biden. She said the government had demonstrated “an utter lack of concern for individuals who have come into this country.”When colleges discovered the students no longer had legal status, it prompted chaos and confusion. In the past, college officials say, legal statuses typically were updated after colleges told the government the students were no longer studying at the school.In some cases this spring, colleges told students to stop working or taking classes immediately and warned them they could be deported.Still, government attorneys said the change in the database did not mean the students actually lost legal status, even though some of the students were labeled “failure to maintain status.” Instead, lawyers said, it was intended to be an “investigative red flag.”“Mr. Patel is lawfully present in the U.S.,” Andre Watson of the Department of Homeland Security said. “He is not subject to immediate detention or removal.”Reyes declined to issue a preliminary injunction and urged lawyers from both sides to come to a settlement to ensure Patel could stay in the U.S.____