JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two Indiana men on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Shortly before 9p.m. Feb. 28, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2016 Ford F-150 pickup for a traffic infraction near 134th on U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Kameron Lee Chapman, 25, of South Bend, Indiana. &nbsp;The passenger was identified as Sean Austin Rader, 26, of Mishawaka, Indiana. Following a probable cause search of the vehicle both subjects were arrested.

&nbsp;Chapman was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia. Rader was arrested, and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741005658928.png" alt="Rader photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Rader photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two Indiana men on drug allegations.&nbsp;Shortly before 9p.m. Feb. 28, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2016 Ford F-150 pickup for a traffic infraction near 134th on U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741005617784.png" alt="Chapman photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Chapman photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver of the vehicle was identified as Kameron Lee Chapman, 25, of South Bend, Indiana. &nbsp;The passenger was identified as Sean Austin Rader, 26, of Mishawaka, Indiana. Following a probable cause search of the vehicle both subjects were arrested.&nbsp;Chapman was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug and drug paraphernalia. Rader was arrested, and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Two from Indiana caught transporting illegal drugs in Kansas

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mayasmith/">MAYA SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas students are grappling with the decision to end gender-inclusive housing assignments at a campus scholarship hall.

Grace Pearson residents and other KU students protested last week outside of Strong Hall with signs that read “We’re All Jayhawks” and “Keep Inclusivity Affordable.” The group also launched a petition against the change in policy, and decorated windows with Post-its and signs that the university&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansan.com/news/grace-pearson-residents-ordered-to-take-down-decorations-supporting-gender-inclusion/article_bcb6088c-f57f-11ef-b35d-7327303c6ace.html" target="_blank">requested they remove.</a>&nbsp;

KU notified residents of Grace Pearson Hall on Feb. 5 that floors will be segregated by gender in the next school year. That means transgender and nonbinary students who want a gender-inclusive assignment, or GIA, will need to relocate.

“There’s stuff going on on campus like this. Usually you can go home and feel better about it or distract yourself. But with this, it’s like we’re living in this space where it’s happening. There is no escape,” said five-year resident Rhoswyn Hicks. “Seeing a community that really had trans joy within student housing falling apart has been really difficult.”

On Monday, students spoke at the Higher Learning Commission accreditation during an open forum for students to voice their concerns.&nbsp;

“The university has a responsibility to respect and care for students regardless of their gender identity,” Hicks said. “We would be happy to see the other students in this room take up arms with us and help us in our cause.”

In the initial email sent to residents, KU Housing said communal bathrooms would become gender-segregated and that gender-inclusive housing assignments would no longer be available. Residents were given two options: either stay and select living on a male or female floor, or request GIA housing elsewhere. Other options include living in the Rainbow Community, which offers suites that are significantly more expensive than scholarship halls. K.K. Amani Hall would have “some” GIA rooms available, according to KU Housing.

Residents were given five days to make the decision.&nbsp;

“It feels like there’s no space for me,” said resident Simon Davis. “It feels as though they don’t care that I’m here because I am nonbinary. I don’t like being assigned or shoved into a category, which is kind of what I have to deal with. I don’t like being categorized as a woman, but I care a lot about GP’s community, so I will stay. It sucks though.”

On Feb. 13, KU Housing sent a follow-up email to residents to clarify reasons for the changes. According to the email sent by Sarah Waters, executive director of Housing and Residence Life, multi-stalled bathrooms in residential dormitory buildings are required by&nbsp;<a href="https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2018/chapter-29-plumbing-systems" target="_blank">International Building Code</a>&nbsp;to have separate facilities based on sex.

“We understand the impact this change has on the community,” Waters said in the email. “We will continue to support our residents in navigating this change to meet their housing needs.”

The email goes on to say that residents who observe other residents using the incorrect bathroom or housing assignment should report the issue. Residents were recommended to apply for GIA housing at K.K. Amani Hall, which costs $518 more per academic year.

Directors at Grace Pearson and Amani halls did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

Resident assistant Anthony Alvarez has lived in Grace Pearson for three years and been an RA for two. He became an RA to be a friend to those throughout the hall. He said he intended not to enforce the changes with his residents to the best of his ability.&nbsp;

“If you were a staff member, you would be looking to enforce that and we don’t know what that looks like,” said Alvarez. “The most they told us would be an incident report and policy. If you get a certain amount of incident reports, you could get kicked out. However, your job as an RA ties you to the building, your housing and your job. If they fire you, you don’t have a place to live.”

Residents of Grace Pearson plan to continue spreading awareness to fellow students.&nbsp;

“It looks like outreach getting more people to know about what’s going on,” Hicks said. “I guess if housing continues to not respond, likely more protests where we feel we will reach the best audience, or larger audience for this issue.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741134701079.png" alt="Residents of the Grace Pearson scholarship hall and other students protest Feb. 26, 2025, outside of Strong Hall in support of gender-inclusive housing. (Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Residents of the Grace Pearson scholarship hall and other students protest Feb. 26, 2025, outside of Strong Hall in support of gender-inclusive housing. (Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mayasmith/">MAYA SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a> LAWRENCE — University of Kansas students are grappling with the decision to end gender-inclusive housing assignments at a campus scholarship hall.Grace Pearson residents and other KU students protested last week outside of Strong Hall with signs that read “We’re All Jayhawks” and “Keep Inclusivity Affordable.” The group also launched a petition against the change in policy, and decorated windows with Post-its and signs that the university&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansan.com/news/grace-pearson-residents-ordered-to-take-down-decorations-supporting-gender-inclusion/article_bcb6088c-f57f-11ef-b35d-7327303c6ace.html" target="_blank">requested they remove.</a>&nbsp;KU notified residents of Grace Pearson Hall on Feb. 5 that floors will be segregated by gender in the next school year. That means transgender and nonbinary students who want a gender-inclusive assignment, or GIA, will need to relocate.“There’s stuff going on on campus like this. Usually you can go home and feel better about it or distract yourself. But with this, it’s like we’re living in this space where it’s happening. There is no escape,” said five-year resident Rhoswyn Hicks. “Seeing a community that really had trans joy within student housing falling apart has been really difficult.”On Monday, students spoke at the Higher Learning Commission accreditation during an open forum for students to voice their concerns.&nbsp;“The university has a responsibility to respect and care for students regardless of their gender identity,” Hicks said. “We would be happy to see the other students in this room take up arms with us and help us in our cause.”In the initial email sent to residents, KU Housing said communal bathrooms would become gender-segregated and that gender-inclusive housing assignments would no longer be available. Residents were given two options: either stay and select living on a male or female floor, or request GIA housing elsewhere. Other options include living in the Rainbow Community, which offers suites that are significantly more expensive than scholarship halls. K.K. Amani Hall would have “some” GIA rooms available, according to KU Housing.Residents were given five days to make the decision.&nbsp;“It feels like there’s no space for me,” said resident Simon Davis. “It feels as though they don’t care that I’m here because I am nonbinary. I don’t like being assigned or shoved into a category, which is kind of what I have to deal with. I don’t like being categorized as a woman, but I care a lot about GP’s community, so I will stay. It sucks though.”On Feb. 13, KU Housing sent a follow-up email to residents to clarify reasons for the changes. According to the email sent by Sarah Waters, executive director of Housing and Residence Life, multi-stalled bathrooms in residential dormitory buildings are required by&nbsp;<a href="https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2018/chapter-29-plumbing-systems" target="_blank">International Building Code</a>&nbsp;to have separate facilities based on sex.“We understand the impact this change has on the community,” Waters said in the email. “We will continue to support our residents in navigating this change to meet their housing needs.”The email goes on to say that residents who observe other residents using the incorrect bathroom or housing assignment should report the issue. Residents were recommended to apply for GIA housing at K.K. Amani Hall, which costs $518 more per academic year.Directors at Grace Pearson and Amani halls did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;Resident assistant Anthony Alvarez has lived in Grace Pearson for three years and been an RA for two. He became an RA to be a friend to those throughout the hall. He said he intended not to enforce the changes with his residents to the best of his ability.&nbsp;“If you were a staff member, you would be looking to enforce that and we don’t know what that looks like,” said Alvarez. “The most they told us would be an incident report and policy. If you get a certain amount of incident reports, you could get kicked out. However, your job as an RA ties you to the building, your housing and your job. If they fire you, you don’t have a place to live.”Residents of Grace Pearson plan to continue spreading awareness to fellow students.&nbsp;“It looks like outreach getting more people to know about what’s going on,” Hicks said. “I guess if housing continues to not respond, likely more protests where we feel we will reach the best audience, or larger audience for this issue.”

University of Kansas students protest decision to end gender-inclusive housing in scholarship hall

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;The State of Kansas ends February 2025 with total tax collections at $548.2 million. That is $121.9 million, or 28.6%, above the estimate. Total tax collections are up 5.1% from February 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2025%2F03%2F03%2Ffile_attachments%2F3181019%2F08_February_Revenue_FY2025_03-03-2025_Final.pdf/1/010101955dc3715c-bd709104-57d7-4f3e-ad05-81d3564ecc82-000000/3uTrW9PVn5mxCHvPwFLmKpMc550s_07Bh1-90FfOhxQ=394">here</a>&nbsp;to view the February 2025 revenue numbers.&nbsp;

“While our tax collections this month highlight the strength of Kansas' economy, we must continue to exercise caution and uphold fiscal responsibility to ensure long-term financial stability and prosperity for all Kansans,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;

Individual income tax collections were $239.4 million. That is $149.4 million, or 166.0% above the estimate, and up 37.9% from February 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $16.3 million. That is $3.7 million, or 18.7% below the estimate, and down 22.8% from February 2024.&nbsp;

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $247.1 million, which is $1.1 million, or 0.4% above the estimate, and down $5.5 million, or 2.2%, from February 2024.  &nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;The State of Kansas ends February 2025 with total tax collections at $548.2 million. That is $121.9 million, or 28.6%, above the estimate. Total tax collections are up 5.1% from February 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2025%2F03%2F03%2Ffile_attachments%2F3181019%2F08_February_Revenue_FY2025_03-03-2025_Final.pdf/1/010101955dc3715c-bd709104-57d7-4f3e-ad05-81d3564ecc82-000000/3uTrW9PVn5mxCHvPwFLmKpMc550s_07Bh1-90FfOhxQ=394">here</a>&nbsp;to view the February 2025 revenue numbers.&nbsp;“While our tax collections this month highlight the strength of Kansas' economy, we must continue to exercise caution and uphold fiscal responsibility to ensure long-term financial stability and prosperity for all Kansans,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;Individual income tax collections were $239.4 million. That is $149.4 million, or 166.0% above the estimate, and up 37.9% from February 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $16.3 million. That is $3.7 million, or 18.7% below the estimate, and down 22.8% from February 2024.&nbsp;Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $247.1 million, which is $1.1 million, or 0.4% above the estimate, and down $5.5 million, or 2.2%, from February 2024.  &nbsp;

 Kansas February total tax collections far surpass estimate

BUTLER COUNTY—Friends have established an online fundraiser the assist the family of two boys who died Saturday in a house explosion and fire in rural Butler County Missouri.&nbsp; The home was a total loss.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-aid-for-young-boys-lost-in-fire?attribution_id=sl%3A69ab4617-59e3-4b8e-bdbf-d4e80ca7a7cd&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=native_options&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawIyqAJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcEiuidldQtwvkh_JpRNp97VPeAJVkmgfSROrEqVGGHlaT04WqIVV76nRg_aem_M1RMug4iKV-hzOu1a1N8Kg">Click here to view</a> the online fundraiser

Authorities continue investigating the cause of the fatal home explosion and fire.

Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a 911 call of a home explosion and fire, according to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.

First responders were met with a fully engulfed home. Five people were reported to be living at the residence.&nbsp; Three of the five occupants were able to make it out of the house. Two children both age 2 were not able to be immediately rescued. 

Fire units arrived on scene and requested assistance from additional agencies. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to the heavy fire in the residence. 

 Both children were eventually pronounced deceased by the Bates County Coroner on scene.   The three people that were able to make it out of the house were transported to the hospital for treatment.   The fire is being investigated by the Bates County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740963768094.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Friends have established an online fundraiser the assist the family of two boys who died Saturday in a house explosion and fire in rural Butler County Missouri.&nbsp; The home was a total loss.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-aid-for-young-boys-lost-in-fire?attribution_id=sl%3A69ab4617-59e3-4b8e-bdbf-d4e80ca7a7cd&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=native_options&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawIyqAJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcEiuidldQtwvkh_JpRNp97VPeAJVkmgfSROrEqVGGHlaT04WqIVV76nRg_aem_M1RMug4iKV-hzOu1a1N8Kg">Click here to view</a> the online fundraiser<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741038954219.png" alt="Photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Authorities continue investigating the cause of the fatal home explosion and fire.Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a 911 call of a home explosion and fire, according to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.First responders were met with a fully engulfed home. Five people were reported to be living at the residence.&nbsp; Three of the five occupants were able to make it out of the house. Two children both age 2 were not able to be immediately rescued. Fire units arrived on scene and requested assistance from additional agencies. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to the heavy fire in the residence. Both children were eventually pronounced deceased by the Bates County Coroner on scene. The three people that were able to make it out of the house were transported to the hospital for treatment. The fire is being investigated by the Bates County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Online fundraiser after 2 boys killed in house explosion, fire

NEW YORK (AP) —Stocks racked up more losses on Wall Street Tuesday as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">trade war</a>&nbsp;between the U.S. and its key trading partners escalated, wiping out all the gains since Election Day for the S&amp;P 500.

The Trump administration imposed tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday and doubled tariffs against imports from China. All three countries announced retaliatory actions, sparking worries about a slowdown in the global economy.

The S&amp;P 500 fell 1.2%, with more than 80% of the stocks in the benchmark index closing lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.6%.

The Nasdaq composite slipped 0.4%. The tech-heavy index briefly reached a 10% decline from its most recent closing high, which is what the market considers a correction, but gains for Nvidia, Microsoft and other tech heavyweights helped pare those losses.

Financial stocks were among the heaviest weights on the S&amp;P 500 index. JPMorgan Chase fell 4% and Bank of America lost 6.3%.

Markets in Europe fell sharply, with Germany's DAX falling 3.5% as automakers saw sharp losses. Stocks in Asia saw more modest declines.

“The markets are having a tough time even setting expectations for what this trade war could look like,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird. “This is clearly a level step higher than anything we saw during (Trump's) first term.”

The recent decline in U.S. stocks has wiped out all of the markets’ gains since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;election in November. That rally had been built largely on hopes for policies that would strengthen the U.S. economy and businesses. Worries about tariffs raising consumer prices and reigniting inflation have been weighing on both the economy and Wall Street.

The tariffs are prompting warnings from retailers, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-inflation-tariffs-economy-minnesota-345efc8c9edc03994f13dd6d624c719b">Target</a>&nbsp;and Best Buy, as they report their latest financial results. Target fell 3% despite beating Wall Street’s earnings forecasts, saying there will be “meaningful pressure” on its profits to start the year because of tariffs and other costs.

Best Buy plunged 13.3% for the biggest drop among S&amp;P 500 stocks after giving investors a weaker-than-expected earnings forecast and warning about tariff impacts.

“International trade is critically important to our business and industry,” said Best Buy CEO Corie Barry.

Barry said China and Mexico are the top two sources for products that Best Buy sells, and it also expects vendors to pass along tariff costs, which would make price increases for American consumers likely.

Imports from Canada and Mexico are now to be taxed at 25%, with Canadian energy products subject to 10% import duties. The 10% tariff that Trump placed on Chinese imports in February was doubled to 20%.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-farm-soy-trump-7442b02ac829347f0d4fc6ad0955d368">China</a>&nbsp;responded to new U.S. tariffs by announcing it will impose additional tariffs of up to 15% on imports of key U.S. farm products, including chicken, pork, soy and beef, and expanded controls on doing business with key U.S. companies. Canada plans on slapping tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods over the course of 21 days.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trade-war-mexico-trump-9cefdded035a0b35e700a7ba0bfc34b4">Mexico</a>&nbsp;also plans tariffs on goods imported from the U.S.

Companies in the S&amp;P 500 are wrapping up the latest round of quarterly financial reports. They've posted broad earnings growth of 18% for the fourth quarter. But Wall Street has already trimmed expectations for the current quarter to about 7% growth from just over forecasts of 11% at the beginning of the year.

“The hit to growth is more of the commentary that we’ll be looking for from companies,” said Kevin Gordon, senior investment strategist at Charles Schwab.

Concerns about profits follow a series of economic reports with worrisome signals that include U.S. households becoming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">more pessimistic</a>&nbsp;about inflation and pulling back on spending. Consumer spending has essentially driven U.S. economic growth in the face of high interest rates.

Wall Street has been hoping that the Federal Reserve would continue lowering interest rates in 2025. The central bank has signaled more caution, though, partly because of uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of tariffs. The Fed is expected to hold rates steady at its upcoming meeting later in March.

The Fed raised interest rates to their highest level in two decades in order to tame inflation. It started cutting its benchmark rate in 2024 as the rate of inflation moved closer to its target of 2%. But inflation remains stubbornly just above that target and tariffs threaten price increases that could fuel inflation.

In the bond market, Treasury yields were mixed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.20% from 4.16% late Monday. It’s still down sharply from last month, when it was approaching 4.80%, as worries have grown about where the strength of the U.S. economy.

“Because tariffs are in effect, and there’s no guarantee that they’re likely to be temporary, that’s filtering its way to the bond market and we’re seeing the threat of higher inflation eroding the value of the 10-year note,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA.

The yield on the 2-year Treasury held steady at 3.94%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 71.57 points to 5,778.15. The Dow dropped 670 points to 42,520.99, and the Nasdaq shed 65.03 points to 18,285.16.

NEW YORK (AP) —Stocks racked up more losses on Wall Street Tuesday as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">trade war</a>&nbsp;between the U.S. and its key trading partners escalated, wiping out all the gains since Election Day for the S&amp;P 500.The Trump administration imposed tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday and doubled tariffs against imports from China. All three countries announced retaliatory actions, sparking worries about a slowdown in the global economy.The S&amp;P 500 fell 1.2%, with more than 80% of the stocks in the benchmark index closing lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.6%.The Nasdaq composite slipped 0.4%. The tech-heavy index briefly reached a 10% decline from its most recent closing high, which is what the market considers a correction, but gains for Nvidia, Microsoft and other tech heavyweights helped pare those losses.Financial stocks were among the heaviest weights on the S&amp;P 500 index. JPMorgan Chase fell 4% and Bank of America lost 6.3%.Markets in Europe fell sharply, with Germany's DAX falling 3.5% as automakers saw sharp losses. Stocks in Asia saw more modest declines.“The markets are having a tough time even setting expectations for what this trade war could look like,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird. “This is clearly a level step higher than anything we saw during (Trump's) first term.”The recent decline in U.S. stocks has wiped out all of the markets’ gains since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;election in November. That rally had been built largely on hopes for policies that would strengthen the U.S. economy and businesses. Worries about tariffs raising consumer prices and reigniting inflation have been weighing on both the economy and Wall Street.The tariffs are prompting warnings from retailers, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-inflation-tariffs-economy-minnesota-345efc8c9edc03994f13dd6d624c719b">Target</a>&nbsp;and Best Buy, as they report their latest financial results. Target fell 3% despite beating Wall Street’s earnings forecasts, saying there will be “meaningful pressure” on its profits to start the year because of tariffs and other costs.Best Buy plunged 13.3% for the biggest drop among S&amp;P 500 stocks after giving investors a weaker-than-expected earnings forecast and warning about tariff impacts.“International trade is critically important to our business and industry,” said Best Buy CEO Corie Barry.Barry said China and Mexico are the top two sources for products that Best Buy sells, and it also expects vendors to pass along tariff costs, which would make price increases for American consumers likely.Imports from Canada and Mexico are now to be taxed at 25%, with Canadian energy products subject to 10% import duties. The 10% tariff that Trump placed on Chinese imports in February was doubled to 20%.Retaliations were swift.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-farm-soy-trump-7442b02ac829347f0d4fc6ad0955d368">China</a>&nbsp;responded to new U.S. tariffs by announcing it will impose additional tariffs of up to 15% on imports of key U.S. farm products, including chicken, pork, soy and beef, and expanded controls on doing business with key U.S. companies. Canada plans on slapping tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods over the course of 21 days.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trade-war-mexico-trump-9cefdded035a0b35e700a7ba0bfc34b4">Mexico</a>&nbsp;also plans tariffs on goods imported from the U.S.Companies in the S&amp;P 500 are wrapping up the latest round of quarterly financial reports. They've posted broad earnings growth of 18% for the fourth quarter. But Wall Street has already trimmed expectations for the current quarter to about 7% growth from just over forecasts of 11% at the beginning of the year.“The hit to growth is more of the commentary that we’ll be looking for from companies,” said Kevin Gordon, senior investment strategist at Charles Schwab.Concerns about profits follow a series of economic reports with worrisome signals that include U.S. households becoming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">more pessimistic</a>&nbsp;about inflation and pulling back on spending. Consumer spending has essentially driven U.S. economic growth in the face of high interest rates.Wall Street has been hoping that the Federal Reserve would continue lowering interest rates in 2025. The central bank has signaled more caution, though, partly because of uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of tariffs. The Fed is expected to hold rates steady at its upcoming meeting later in March.The Fed raised interest rates to their highest level in two decades in order to tame inflation. It started cutting its benchmark rate in 2024 as the rate of inflation moved closer to its target of 2%. But inflation remains stubbornly just above that target and tariffs threaten price increases that could fuel inflation.In the bond market, Treasury yields were mixed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.20% from 4.16% late Monday. It’s still down sharply from last month, when it was approaching 4.80%, as worries have grown about where the strength of the U.S. economy.“Because tariffs are in effect, and there’s no guarantee that they’re likely to be temporary, that’s filtering its way to the bond market and we’re seeing the threat of higher inflation eroding the value of the 10-year note,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA.The yield on the 2-year Treasury held steady at 3.94%.All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 71.57 points to 5,778.15. The Dow dropped 670 points to 42,520.99, and the Nasdaq shed 65.03 points to 18,285.16.___

Wall Street falls again: Losses wipe out all post-election gains for S&P 500

FINNEY COUNTY —The first winter storm of the month of March is bringing winds of over over 70 and 80 mph to southwest Kansas with blowing dust. Mad Dog Metals, a business west of Garden City, lost its roof in the storm, and debris was reported in the roadway blocking the road to Holcomb.

Garden City is also reporting power outages.

On Tuesday morning crews were dispatched to Hwy 50 for a two vehicle collision, according to Kearney County Fire and Rescue. With the blowing dirt it made conditions hazardous.&nbsp;

Rescue crews have been paged out to multiple roll overs accidents. 

If you have to be out give your self extra time. Turn your headlights on and flashers while going through the blowing dirt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741118858361.png" alt="Photos Kearney County Fire Rescue" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kearney County Fire Rescue</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —The first winter storm of the month of March is bringing winds of over over 70 and 80 mph to southwest Kansas with blowing dust. Mad Dog Metals, a business west of Garden City, lost its roof in the storm, and debris was reported in the roadway blocking the road to Holcomb.Garden City is also reporting power outages.On Tuesday morning crews were dispatched to Hwy 50 for a two vehicle collision, according to Kearney County Fire and Rescue. With the blowing dirt it made conditions hazardous.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741119060079.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rescue crews have been paged out to multiple roll overs accidents. If you have to be out give your self extra time. Turn your headlights on and flashers while going through the blowing dirt.

Damaging winds and power outages reported in SW Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;is encouraging Republican lawmakers to skip town halls that have been filled with protesters decrying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-address-congress-updates">Trump administration's</a>&nbsp;slashing of federal government, echoing the president's claims that the demonstration's are fueled by professional protesters.

The speaker's advice Tuesday comes as GOP lawmakers often find themselves at a loss to explain the cuts, led by billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-emails-a3e7e9ab82f45bb15ef22bddab01f25e">Elon Musk's</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, that are leaving federal workers suddenly out of jobs in communities from coast to coast. Democrats are jumping in to shine a bright light on what is happening.

“We’ve seen this movie before,” Johnson said at a news conference.

“They’re professional protesters,” Johnson added. “So why would we give them a forum to do that right now?”

Johnson was repeating President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;claim posted on social media on Monday that “Paid ‘troublemakers’” are filling the GOP town halls to which the House Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;responded: "We don’t need paid protestors. The American people are with us."

The Republicans are finding themselves in an unusual spot — defending the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnson-trump-republicans-budget-vote-tax-cuts-4cb74ca15f6a74a7344355e4507ab9fe">deep budget cuts they have campaigned on</a>&nbsp;for years, but have rarely been able to accomplish because the reductions cut into federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-work-requirements-congress-republicans-90ec1119f1d95de067c76f79eec7fa87">programs and services</a>&nbsp;Americans in their districts rely on.

Trump and Musk's DOGE have fired tens of thousands of federal workers as they tear through the federal government in search of what they call waste, fraud and abuse. It's spiraling at a pace the Republicans in Congress could only imagine when the party swept control of the White House, House and Senate.

Republicans are feeling the heat back home.

Republican Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardons-rioters-congress-republicans-police-15f121efe72c0ecea62eceeda0ebe89b">Roger Marshall</a>&nbsp;of Kansas was confronted over the week by spirited residents questioning him about the firings of veterans from the federal workforce.

Marshall, too, echoed claims of paid protesters. “Can confirm,” Marshall posted alongside Trump's comment.

The scenes at the town halls are reminiscent of past moments — from the Obama-era health care battles, when tea party Republicans fought against the Affordable Care Act, and also the George W. Bush era, when Democrats and others protested his proposed changes to Social Security.

But more immediately the town hall outbursts resemble the Trump-era protests of 2017 and 2018 when Republicans tried and failed to repeal Obamacare, and then approved sweeping GOP tax cuts — and Democrats campaign against them, sweeping the midterm elections and reclaiming control of the U.S. House.

The speaker protecting his thin-as-ever majority advised his lawmakers to choose other forums — smaller community gatherings or telephone town halls — to discuss the issues with voters.

“They’re running away from the people because they know how badly people have been hurt by what they’re doing,” said Senate Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schumer-democrats-election-trump-7ee99496ac9f2a73493f1aa89a02a33d">Chuck Schumer</a>.

Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said, “I think many House Republicans have to make a choice about whether they want to fulfill their job title as representative, where they can have a town hall and actually speak honestly to their constituents, or whether they want to change their job title to Elon Musk employee.”

As Trump and Musk bulldoze through the federal government, Republican leaders are looking to cut even further, enshrining the reductions and other changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-budget-republicans-health-care-4a13fc3528d7bf20ea52db4a5551c8bf">Medicaid</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-cuts-candy-soda-food-stamps-b6351b86a17b281b67480fe2d24b54f4">food stamps</a>&nbsp;and other programs into law as part of the budget process. They are hoping to reach some $2 trillion in cuts to help finance some $4.5 trillion tax breaks.

Outside groups, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-musk-trump-protests-congress-ccb64f2889d31aad8c25d37686f62d7a">Indivisible</a>, which led powerful demonstrations during the first Trump turn, are organizing in communities nationwide as voters opposed to the president's agenda seeks ways to show their discontent.

It has all left rank-and-file Republicans struggling to keep pace with the onslaught.

Asked in recent days what they have to say to fired federal workers, the GOP lawmakers have not always had a ready response.

“No pain, no gain,” Marshall told the Associated Press last week.

Marshall the senator from Kansas said voters understand that the U.S. government is running a nearly $2 trillion deficit, piling onto the debt load and that changes need to be made.

“I think a lot of people understand that there’s going to be some short term pain for the opportunity for long term gain," he said. "I think people overall very happy to see the cut, in the federal spending.”

Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said she's supportive of Musk and his team, “but I still feel sorry for people who are losing their jobs.”

Her message to those fired federal workers was to think about the other Americans who are also struggling to get by. “You’ve got to think about the people who are paying for all this government," she said. “We have too much government.”

Republican Sen. Rick Scott said, “That’s what President Trump got elected to do.”

Asked about his message to those who’ve been fired and are out of work, Scott said that “I'll do everything I can to be helpful to them.”

Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas said he supports DOGE, “as a concept." But he said, "I think you got to be careful as to how you do it.”

His advice to fired federal workers? "Just be patient.”

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said while government funding remains important in particular areas, for cancer research and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-nih-medical-research-funding-cut-indirect-costs-a75b8d7d56a29f1e880859d79ef744e4">National Institutes of Health</a>, “I think Elon Musk’s leadership and Doge has been terrific."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740918399359.png" alt="Senator Marshall at a town hall in Oakley on Saturday-Image from the video by Colin McRoberts went viral" />
 <figcaption>Senator Marshall at a town hall in Oakley on Saturday-Image from the video by Colin McRoberts went viral</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;is encouraging Republican lawmakers to skip town halls that have been filled with protesters decrying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-address-congress-updates">Trump administration's</a>&nbsp;slashing of federal government, echoing the president's claims that the demonstration's are fueled by professional protesters.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Must watch video: <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogerMarshallMD</a> stands up and leaves his own town hall meeting today after being asked why Republicans think it’s acceptable for DOGE to be firing Veterans. <a href="https://t.co/ErNJbYPy1Z">pic.twitter.com/ErNJbYPy1Z</a>&mdash; Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattmfm/status/1895904839437316595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The speaker's advice Tuesday comes as GOP lawmakers often find themselves at a loss to explain the cuts, led by billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-emails-a3e7e9ab82f45bb15ef22bddab01f25e">Elon Musk's</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, that are leaving federal workers suddenly out of jobs in communities from coast to coast. Democrats are jumping in to shine a bright light on what is happening.“We’ve seen this movie before,” Johnson said at a news conference.“They’re professional protesters,” Johnson added. “So why would we give them a forum to do that right now?”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Can confirm. <a href="https://t.co/Ru9qbspeOY">pic.twitter.com/Ru9qbspeOY</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1896583775557243254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Johnson was repeating President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;claim posted on social media on Monday that “Paid ‘troublemakers’” are filling the GOP town halls to which the House Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;responded: "We don’t need paid protestors. The American people are with us."The Republicans are finding themselves in an unusual spot — defending the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/johnson-trump-republicans-budget-vote-tax-cuts-4cb74ca15f6a74a7344355e4507ab9fe">deep budget cuts they have campaigned on</a>&nbsp;for years, but have rarely been able to accomplish because the reductions cut into federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-work-requirements-congress-republicans-90ec1119f1d95de067c76f79eec7fa87">programs and services</a>&nbsp;Americans in their districts rely on.Trump and Musk's DOGE have fired tens of thousands of federal workers as they tear through the federal government in search of what they call waste, fraud and abuse. It's spiraling at a pace the Republicans in Congress could only imagine when the party swept control of the White House, House and Senate.Republicans are feeling the heat back home.Republican Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardons-rioters-congress-republicans-police-15f121efe72c0ecea62eceeda0ebe89b">Roger Marshall</a>&nbsp;of Kansas was confronted over the week by spirited residents questioning him about the firings of veterans from the federal workforce.Marshall, too, echoed claims of paid protesters. “Can confirm,” Marshall posted alongside Trump's comment.The scenes at the town halls are reminiscent of past moments — from the Obama-era health care battles, when tea party Republicans fought against the Affordable Care Act, and also the George W. Bush era, when Democrats and others protested his proposed changes to Social Security.But more immediately the town hall outbursts resemble the Trump-era protests of 2017 and 2018 when Republicans tried and failed to repeal Obamacare, and then approved sweeping GOP tax cuts — and Democrats campaign against them, sweeping the midterm elections and reclaiming control of the U.S. House.The speaker protecting his thin-as-ever majority advised his lawmakers to choose other forums — smaller community gatherings or telephone town halls — to discuss the issues with voters.“They’re running away from the people because they know how badly people have been hurt by what they’re doing,” said Senate Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/schumer-democrats-election-trump-7ee99496ac9f2a73493f1aa89a02a33d">Chuck Schumer</a>.Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said, “I think many House Republicans have to make a choice about whether they want to fulfill their job title as representative, where they can have a town hall and actually speak honestly to their constituents, or whether they want to change their job title to Elon Musk employee.”As Trump and Musk bulldoze through the federal government, Republican leaders are looking to cut even further, enshrining the reductions and other changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-budget-republicans-health-care-4a13fc3528d7bf20ea52db4a5551c8bf">Medicaid</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-cuts-candy-soda-food-stamps-b6351b86a17b281b67480fe2d24b54f4">food stamps</a>&nbsp;and other programs into law as part of the budget process. They are hoping to reach some $2 trillion in cuts to help finance some $4.5 trillion tax breaks.Outside groups, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democrats-musk-trump-protests-congress-ccb64f2889d31aad8c25d37686f62d7a">Indivisible</a>, which led powerful demonstrations during the first Trump turn, are organizing in communities nationwide as voters opposed to the president's agenda seeks ways to show their discontent.It has all left rank-and-file Republicans struggling to keep pace with the onslaught.Asked in recent days what they have to say to fired federal workers, the GOP lawmakers have not always had a ready response.“No pain, no gain,” Marshall told the Associated Press last week.Marshall the senator from Kansas said voters understand that the U.S. government is running a nearly $2 trillion deficit, piling onto the debt load and that changes need to be made.“I think a lot of people understand that there’s going to be some short term pain for the opportunity for long term gain," he said. "I think people overall very happy to see the cut, in the federal spending.”Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said she's supportive of Musk and his team, “but I still feel sorry for people who are losing their jobs.”Her message to those fired federal workers was to think about the other Americans who are also struggling to get by. “You’ve got to think about the people who are paying for all this government," she said. “We have too much government.”Republican Sen. Rick Scott said, “That’s what President Trump got elected to do.”Asked about his message to those who’ve been fired and are out of work, Scott said that “I'll do everything I can to be helpful to them.”Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas said he supports DOGE, “as a concept." But he said, "I think you got to be careful as to how you do it.”His advice to fired federal workers? "Just be patient.”Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said while government funding remains important in particular areas, for cancer research and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-nih-medical-research-funding-cut-indirect-costs-a75b8d7d56a29f1e880859d79ef744e4">National Institutes of Health</a>, “I think Elon Musk’s leadership and Doge has been terrific."

Speaker Johnson tells GOP lawmakers to skip town halls after onslaught of protests

FRANKLIN COUNTY —A police officer was forced to shoot a dog during an incident on Monday in Ottawa.

Just after 2p.m. Monday&nbsp;a citizen reported a Pitbull running loose and being aggressive in the 700 block of S. Cypress Street in Ottawa, according to a media release from police.

Responding officers arrived and located the canine and it charged at them. Officers attempted to catch the dog but could not due to the aggressive behavior of the canine, and requested a unit with a tranquilizer gun respond. 

 Prior to the officer arriving with the tranquilizer gun the dog charged another officer who discharged their duty weapon striking the canine.  The dog retreated to a fenced in pen with another dog that was aggressive, which delayed medical treatment.  Officers were able to retrieve the injured canine, and it was immediately transported to a local veterinarian for emergency treatment.

No officers or citizens were injured during the incident.

Police issued citations to 61-year-old Floyd Atchison, a 61-year-old of Ottawa on following charges:  Keeping Vicious Animal; Animal At Large; Keeping Prohibited Pit Bull; No City Animal Registration and No Current Rabies Vaccination.

FRANKLIN COUNTY —A police officer was forced to shoot a dog during an incident on Monday in Ottawa.Just after 2p.m. Monday&nbsp;a citizen reported a Pitbull running loose and being aggressive in the 700 block of S. Cypress Street in Ottawa, according to a media release from police.Responding officers arrived and located the canine and it charged at them. Officers attempted to catch the dog but could not due to the aggressive behavior of the canine, and requested a unit with a tranquilizer gun respond. Prior to the officer arriving with the tranquilizer gun the dog charged another officer who discharged their duty weapon striking the canine. The dog retreated to a fenced in pen with another dog that was aggressive, which delayed medical treatment. Officers were able to retrieve the injured canine, and it was immediately transported to a local veterinarian for emergency treatment.No officers or citizens were injured during the incident.Police issued citations to 61-year-old Floyd Atchison, a 61-year-old of Ottawa on following charges: Keeping Vicious Animal; Animal At Large; Keeping Prohibited Pit Bull; No City Animal Registration and No Current Rabies Vaccination.

Kan. man issued citations after police respond, shoot aggressive dog

EDINA, Minn. (AP) — Joey Molland, a guitarist with the Welsh pop-rock band Badfinger that was known for such 1970s hits as “No Matter What” and “Day After Day,” has died at age 77.

Molland was the last to join and had been the last survivor from the most famous lineup of the group, which recorded for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beatles-artificial-intelligence-record-paul-mccartney-2dc3d8c818e12b708d4e9409cb7dc856">Beatles</a>&nbsp;’ Apple label. His death was confirmed Tuesday by Sam Sheffield-West, the funeral director at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels in Edina, Minnesota. Molland had lived in the state for decades. Additional details about his death weren't immediately available.

Badfinger was a quartet that also included singer-guitarist Pete Ham, bassist Tom Evans and drummer Tom Gibbins. They were among the first acts signed to Apple after the Beatles launched it in 1968 and would remain closely associated with the Beatles — not always to Badfinger's liking — throughout their brief years of success. Molland even grew up near Liverpool's Penny Lane, immortalized in the Beatles song of the same name.

Badfinger's breakout hit, “Come and Get It,” was written and produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/paul-mccartney">Paul McCartney</a>, and another top 10 single, “Day After Day,” was produced by George Harrison and featured Harrison's slide guitar. “No Matter What” was produced by Apple official/Beatles assistant Mal Evans, and another Badfinger song, “Without You,” became a hit for Beatles friend Harry Nilsson. Molland and his bandmates would also appear at Harrison's 1971 benefit concert for Bangladesh and provide backing on two Beatles member's solo albums: Harrison's “All Things Must Pass” and John Lennon's “Imagine.”

Critics could not stop likening Badfinger's catchy melodies, layered harmonies and tight arrangements to their benefactors: “It’s as if John, Paul, George, and Ringo had been reincarnated as Joey, Pete, Tom, and Mike of Badfinger," Rolling Stone wrote of them in 1970. Even the band's name originated from the Beatles. Badfinger had called itself the Ivies in the years preceding their joining Apple, but, at the suggestion of Apple official/Beatles assistant Neil Aspinall, agreed to change it to Badfinger. (The working title of the Beatles' “With a Little Help from My Friends” was “Bad Finger Boogie”).

Their time on top ended after 1972. Amid cutbacks at Apple and allegations of financial mismanagement, Badfinger left for Warner Bros., faded commercially and sustained a tragic loss when Ham took his life in 1975. After initially breaking up, the remaining members periodically reunited but never approached their early success.

Evans took his own life in 1983 and Gibbins died of a brain aneurysm in 2005.

Molland remained active well after Badfinger's prime, touring until his health began to fail last year and releasing such solo albums as “This Way Up” “After the Pearl” and “Be True To Yourself.”

“I was raised to go to work — to get up in the morning and go to work,” he told The Associated Press in 2001.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741106286479.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>EDINA, Minn. (AP) — Joey Molland, a guitarist with the Welsh pop-rock band Badfinger that was known for such 1970s hits as “No Matter What” and “Day After Day,” has died at age 77.Molland was the last to join and had been the last survivor from the most famous lineup of the group, which recorded for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/beatles-artificial-intelligence-record-paul-mccartney-2dc3d8c818e12b708d4e9409cb7dc856">Beatles</a>&nbsp;’ Apple label. His death was confirmed Tuesday by Sam Sheffield-West, the funeral director at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels in Edina, Minnesota. Molland had lived in the state for decades. Additional details about his death weren't immediately available.Badfinger was a quartet that also included singer-guitarist Pete Ham, bassist Tom Evans and drummer Tom Gibbins. They were among the first acts signed to Apple after the Beatles launched it in 1968 and would remain closely associated with the Beatles — not always to Badfinger's liking — throughout their brief years of success. Molland even grew up near Liverpool's Penny Lane, immortalized in the Beatles song of the same name.Badfinger's breakout hit, “Come and Get It,” was written and produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/paul-mccartney">Paul McCartney</a>, and another top 10 single, “Day After Day,” was produced by George Harrison and featured Harrison's slide guitar. “No Matter What” was produced by Apple official/Beatles assistant Mal Evans, and another Badfinger song, “Without You,” became a hit for Beatles friend Harry Nilsson. Molland and his bandmates would also appear at Harrison's 1971 benefit concert for Bangladesh and provide backing on two Beatles member's solo albums: Harrison's “All Things Must Pass” and John Lennon's “Imagine.”Critics could not stop likening Badfinger's catchy melodies, layered harmonies and tight arrangements to their benefactors: “It’s as if John, Paul, George, and Ringo had been reincarnated as Joey, Pete, Tom, and Mike of Badfinger," Rolling Stone wrote of them in 1970. Even the band's name originated from the Beatles. Badfinger had called itself the Ivies in the years preceding their joining Apple, but, at the suggestion of Apple official/Beatles assistant Neil Aspinall, agreed to change it to Badfinger. (The working title of the Beatles' “With a Little Help from My Friends” was “Bad Finger Boogie”).Their time on top ended after 1972. Amid cutbacks at Apple and allegations of financial mismanagement, Badfinger left for Warner Bros., faded commercially and sustained a tragic loss when Ham took his life in 1975. After initially breaking up, the remaining members periodically reunited but never approached their early success.Evans took his own life in 1983 and Gibbins died of a brain aneurysm in 2005.Molland remained active well after Badfinger's prime, touring until his health began to fail last year and releasing such solo albums as “This Way Up” “After the Pearl” and “Be True To Yourself.”“I was raised to go to work — to get up in the morning and go to work,” he told The Associated Press in 2001.

Joey Molland, guitarist with 70s Welsh pop-rock band Badfinger, dies at 77

WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislation that aimed to bar transgender women and girls nationwide from participating in school athletic competitions designated for female athletes failed to advance Monday night in a divided Senate as Democrats stood united against an issue that Republicans leveraged in last year’s elections.

A test vote on the bill failed to gain the 60 votes needed to advance in the chamber as senators stuck to party lines in a 51-45 vote tally.

The bill sought to determine Title IX protections “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” The vote came as Republicans have homed in repeatedly on the social cause, casting it as an issue of ensuring athletic fairness for women and girls. President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">signed an executive order</a>&nbsp;last month giving federal agencies wide latitude to ensure entities that receive federal funding abide by Title IX in alignment with the administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth.

Still, Republicans in Congress have set their sights on enshrining that policy into law by amending the 1972&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">Title IX law</a>, which protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

“Around the country we have seen men — biological men who identify as women — take up spaces and medals in athletics meant for actual women,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., adding, “This is a matter of fairness and equality.”

The House had already passed similar legislation with only two Democrats in support, but the setback for the bill in the Senate showed the steep climb for any legislation that targets LGBTQ people. Democrats slammed the bill as both a distraction from more pressing issues and a federal overreach into local school decisions.

“What Republicans are doing today is inventing a problem to stir up a culture war and divide people against each other,” Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said in a floor speech.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said, “This is a decision for sports leagues to thoughtfully craft policy that actually takes seriously what is best for all players, not blanket mandates that will undoubtedly have unintended consequences for the safety of all students.”

Still, Republicans nationwide appear determined to press the issue. During his presidential campaign, Trump found that the topic resonated beyond the usual party lines. More than half the voters surveyed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/votecast/">AP VoteCast</a>&nbsp;said support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far.

Following Trump’s executive order, the NCAA changed its participation policy for transgender athletes to limit competition in women’s sports to athletes who were assigned female at birth.

In Minnesota Monday, the state House braced for a similar debate on a GOP-backed bill that would apply to primary and secondary schools. Ahead of the debate, several dozen supporters rallied on the steps of the state Capitol in St. Paul, framing the bill as protection for opportunities and safety for girls in sports, and ensuring that they have a level playing field.

Democrats and LGBTQ+ rights activists denounced the measure as bullying.

Following the Senate bill’s failure, Kelley Robinson, the president of Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement: “Every child should have the opportunity to experience the simple joys of being young and making memories with their friends. But bills like these send the message that transgender kids don’t deserve the same opportunities to thrive as their peers simply because of who they are.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059898703.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on the Senate floor during the vote count Monday night image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on the Senate floor during the vote count Monday night image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislation that aimed to bar transgender women and girls nationwide from participating in school athletic competitions designated for female athletes failed to advance Monday night in a divided Senate as Democrats stood united against an issue that Republicans leveraged in last year’s elections.A test vote on the bill failed to gain the 60 votes needed to advance in the chamber as senators stuck to party lines in a 51-45 vote tally.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059669540.png" alt="These Senators voted against advancing the measure" />
 <figcaption>These Senators voted against advancing the measure</figcaption>
 </figure>The bill sought to determine Title IX protections “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” The vote came as Republicans have homed in repeatedly on the social cause, casting it as an issue of ensuring athletic fairness for women and girls. President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">signed an executive order</a>&nbsp;last month giving federal agencies wide latitude to ensure entities that receive federal funding abide by Title IX in alignment with the administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth.Still, Republicans in Congress have set their sights on enshrining that policy into law by amending the 1972&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">Title IX law</a>, which protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.“Around the country we have seen men — biological men who identify as women — take up spaces and medals in athletics meant for actual women,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., adding, “This is a matter of fairness and equality.”The House had already passed similar legislation with only two Democrats in support, but the setback for the bill in the Senate showed the steep climb for any legislation that targets LGBTQ people. Democrats slammed the bill as both a distraction from more pressing issues and a federal overreach into local school decisions.“What Republicans are doing today is inventing a problem to stir up a culture war and divide people against each other,” Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said in a floor speech.Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said, “This is a decision for sports leagues to thoughtfully craft policy that actually takes seriously what is best for all players, not blanket mandates that will undoubtedly have unintended consequences for the safety of all students.”Still, Republicans nationwide appear determined to press the issue. During his presidential campaign, Trump found that the topic resonated beyond the usual party lines. More than half the voters surveyed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/votecast/">AP VoteCast</a>&nbsp;said support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far.Following Trump’s executive order, the NCAA changed its participation policy for transgender athletes to limit competition in women’s sports to athletes who were assigned female at birth.In Minnesota Monday, the state House braced for a similar debate on a GOP-backed bill that would apply to primary and secondary schools. Ahead of the debate, several dozen supporters rallied on the steps of the state Capitol in St. Paul, framing the bill as protection for opportunities and safety for girls in sports, and ensuring that they have a level playing field.Democrats and LGBTQ+ rights activists denounced the measure as bullying.Following the Senate bill’s failure, Kelley Robinson, the president of Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement: “Every child should have the opportunity to experience the simple joys of being young and making memories with their friends. But bills like these send the message that transgender kids don’t deserve the same opportunities to thrive as their peers simply because of who they are.”<h2>___</h2>

45 U.S. Senators vote to block ban on transgender athletes 

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating reported package thefts and asking the public for help to identify suspects

Security cameras show an individual involved in several package thefts from front porches in the Overland Park area..  These incidents occurred north of 75th Street near Marty, between January 31, and February 3, according to Officer John Lacy

Security footage shows the suspect walking through the neighborhood carrying a large bag. The individual is observed placing the packages into the bag and continuing down the street checking porches along the way. 

If you have any information regarding the identity of the pictured individual, you are asked to contact the Overland Park Police Department at 913-890-1374 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.Officer John Lacy #653Police Public Information Officer

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741032613259.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating reported package thefts and asking the public for help to identify suspectsSecurity cameras show an individual involved in several package thefts from front porches in the Overland Park area.. These incidents occurred north of 75th Street near Marty, between January 31, and February 3, according to Officer John LacySecurity footage shows the suspect walking through the neighborhood carrying a large bag. The individual is observed placing the packages into the bag and continuing down the street checking porches along the way. If you have any information regarding the identity of the pictured individual, you are asked to contact the Overland Park Police Department at 913-890-1374 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.Officer John Lacy #653Police Public Information Officer

Police ask for help to ID Kansas porch pirate

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;long-threatened&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">tariffs against Canada and Mexico</a>&nbsp;went into effect Tuesday, putting global markets on edge and setting up costly retaliations by the United States’ North American allies.

Starting just past midnight, imports from Canada and Mexico are now to be taxed at 25%, with Canadian energy products subject to 10% import duties.

The 10% tariff that Trump placed on Chinese imports in February was doubled to 20%, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-farm-soy-trump-7442b02ac829347f0d4fc6ad0955d368">Beijing retaliated Tuesday</a>&nbsp;with tariffs of up to 15% on a wide array of U.S. farm exports. It also expanded the number of U.S. companies subject to export controls and other restrictions by about two dozen.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would slap tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods over the course of 21 days. Mexico didn't immediately detail any retaliatory measures.

The U.S. president's moves raised fears of higher inflation and the prospect of a trade war even as he promised the American public that taxes on imports are the easiest path to national prosperity. He has shown a willingness to buck the warnings of mainstream economists and put his own public approval on the line, believing that tariffs can fix what ails the country.

“It’s a very powerful weapon that politicians haven’t used because they were either dishonest, stupid or paid off in some other form," Trump said Monday at the White House. "And now we’re using them.”

U.S. markets&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-china-rates-inflation-72339ddf1ecb65d7815f4bb5272197d7">dropped sharply Monday</a>&nbsp;after Trump said there was “no room left” for negotiations that could lower the tariffs. Shares in Europe and Asia were mostly lower Tuesday after they took effect.

The Canada and Mexico tariffs were supposed to begin in February, but Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-sheinbaum-trudeau-017efa8c3343b8d2a9444f7e65356ae9">agreed to a 30-day suspension</a>&nbsp;to negotiate further with the two largest U.S. trading partners. The stated reason for the tariffs is to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fentanyl-border-mexico-trump-tariffs-drug-canada-3b7f4b39aaa1c9e2ca9a2b1c4cb40715">address drug trafficking</a>&nbsp;and illegal immigration, and both countries say they've made progress on those issues. But Trump has also said the tariffs will only come down if the U.S. trade imbalance closes, a process unlikely to be settled on a political timeline.

The tariffs may be short-lived if the U.S. economy suffers. But Trump could also impose more tariffs on the European Union, India, computer chips, autos and pharmaceutical drugs. The American president has injected a disorienting volatility into the world economy, leaving it off balance as people wonder what he’ll do next.

“It’s chaotic, especially compared to the way we saw tariffs rolled out in the first (Trump) administration," said Michael House, co-chair of the international trade practice at the Perkins Coie law firm. "It’s unpredictable. We don’t know, in fact, what the president will do.’’

Democratic lawmakers were quick to criticize the tariffs, and even some Republican senators raised alarms.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she’s “very concerned” about the tariffs going into effect because of her state’s proximity to Canada.

“Maine and Canada’s economy are integrated,” Collins said, explaining that much of the state’s lobsters and blueberries are processed in Canada and then sent back to the U.S.

The world economy is now caught in the fog of what appears to be a trade war.

Even after Trump announced Monday that the tariffs were going forward, Canadian officials were still in touch with their U.S. counterparts.

“The dialogue will continue, but we are ready to respond,” Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said in Ottawa as he went into a special Cabinet meeting on U.S.-Canada relations. “There are still discussions taking place.”

Shortly after Blair spoke, Trudeau said Canada would impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion Canadian ($107 billion U.S.) worth of American goods, starting with tariffs on $30 billion Canadian ($21 billion U.S.) worth of goods immediately and on the remaining amount on American products in three weeks.

“Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures,” Trudeau said.

The White House would like to see a drop in seizures of fentanyl inside the United States, not just on the northern and southern borders. Administration officials say that seizures of fentanyl last month in everywhere from Louisiana to New Jersey had ties to foreign cartels.

Damon Pike, technical practice leader for customs and trade services at the tax and consulting firm BDO, suggested the responses of other countries could escalate trade tensions and possibly increase the economic pressure points.

“Canada has their list ready," Pike said. "The EU has their list ready. It’s going to be tit for tat.’’

Tim Houston, the leader of Canada’s Atlantic coast province of Nova Scotia, said he would direct the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation to remove all U.S. alcohol from store shelves. Houston also said his government will limit access to provincial procurement for American businesses and double the cost for commercial vehicles from the United States on a tolled highway.

The Trump administration has suggested inflation will not be as bad as economists claim, saying tariffs can motivate foreign companies to open factories in the United States. On Monday, Trump announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the computer chipmaker, would be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tsmc-chip-manufacturing-tariffs-42980704ffca62e823182422ee4b7b83">investing $100 billion</a>&nbsp;in domestic production.

Still, it can take time to relocate factories spread across the world and train workers with the skills they need.

Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of The Toy Association, said the 20% tariffs on Chinese goods will be “crippling” for the toy industry, as nearly 80% of toys sold in the U.S. are made in China.

“There’s a sophistication of manufacturing, of the tooling,” he said. “There’s a lot of handcrafting that is part of these toys that a lot of people don’t understand … the face painting, the face masks, the hair weaving, the hair braiding, the cut and sew for plush to get it to look just so. All of that are very high hands, skilled labor that has been passed through generations in the supply chain that exists with China."

For a president who has promised quick results, Ahearn added a note of caution about how quickly U.S. factories could match their Chinese rivals.

"That can’t be replicated overnight,” he said.

Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writers Anne D’Innocenzio in New York and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;long-threatened&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">tariffs against Canada and Mexico</a>&nbsp;went into effect Tuesday, putting global markets on edge and setting up costly retaliations by the United States’ North American allies.Starting just past midnight, imports from Canada and Mexico are now to be taxed at 25%, with Canadian energy products subject to 10% import duties.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CBS: President Trump says there&#39;s a simple solution for countries that want to avoid tariffs — MAKE THEIR PRODUCTS IN AMERICA! <a href="https://t.co/zFVx3IfgpJ">pic.twitter.com/zFVx3IfgpJ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1896735148122751134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The 10% tariff that Trump placed on Chinese imports in February was doubled to 20%, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-farm-soy-trump-7442b02ac829347f0d4fc6ad0955d368">Beijing retaliated Tuesday</a>&nbsp;with tariffs of up to 15% on a wide array of U.S. farm exports. It also expanded the number of U.S. companies subject to export controls and other restrictions by about two dozen.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would slap tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods over the course of 21 days. Mexico didn't immediately detail any retaliatory measures.The U.S. president's moves raised fears of higher inflation and the prospect of a trade war even as he promised the American public that taxes on imports are the easiest path to national prosperity. He has shown a willingness to buck the warnings of mainstream economists and put his own public approval on the line, believing that tariffs can fix what ails the country.“It’s a very powerful weapon that politicians haven’t used because they were either dishonest, stupid or paid off in some other form," Trump said Monday at the White House. "And now we’re using them.”U.S. markets&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-china-rates-inflation-72339ddf1ecb65d7815f4bb5272197d7">dropped sharply Monday</a>&nbsp;after Trump said there was “no room left” for negotiations that could lower the tariffs. Shares in Europe and Asia were mostly lower Tuesday after they took effect.The Canada and Mexico tariffs were supposed to begin in February, but Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-sheinbaum-trudeau-017efa8c3343b8d2a9444f7e65356ae9">agreed to a 30-day suspension</a>&nbsp;to negotiate further with the two largest U.S. trading partners. The stated reason for the tariffs is to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fentanyl-border-mexico-trump-tariffs-drug-canada-3b7f4b39aaa1c9e2ca9a2b1c4cb40715">address drug trafficking</a>&nbsp;and illegal immigration, and both countries say they've made progress on those issues. But Trump has also said the tariffs will only come down if the U.S. trade imbalance closes, a process unlikely to be settled on a political timeline.The tariffs may be short-lived if the U.S. economy suffers. But Trump could also impose more tariffs on the European Union, India, computer chips, autos and pharmaceutical drugs. The American president has injected a disorienting volatility into the world economy, leaving it off balance as people wonder what he’ll do next.“It’s chaotic, especially compared to the way we saw tariffs rolled out in the first (Trump) administration," said Michael House, co-chair of the international trade practice at the Perkins Coie law firm. "It’s unpredictable. We don’t know, in fact, what the president will do.’’Democratic lawmakers were quick to criticize the tariffs, and even some Republican senators raised alarms.Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she’s “very concerned” about the tariffs going into effect because of her state’s proximity to Canada.“Maine and Canada’s economy are integrated,” Collins said, explaining that much of the state’s lobsters and blueberries are processed in Canada and then sent back to the U.S.The world economy is now caught in the fog of what appears to be a trade war.Even after Trump announced Monday that the tariffs were going forward, Canadian officials were still in touch with their U.S. counterparts.“The dialogue will continue, but we are ready to respond,” Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said in Ottawa as he went into a special Cabinet meeting on U.S.-Canada relations. “There are still discussions taking place.”Shortly after Blair spoke, Trudeau said Canada would impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion Canadian ($107 billion U.S.) worth of American goods, starting with tariffs on $30 billion Canadian ($21 billion U.S.) worth of goods immediately and on the remaining amount on American products in three weeks.“Our tariffs will remain in place until the U.S. trade action is withdrawn, and should U.S. tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures,” Trudeau said.The White House would like to see a drop in seizures of fentanyl inside the United States, not just on the northern and southern borders. Administration officials say that seizures of fentanyl last month in everywhere from Louisiana to New Jersey had ties to foreign cartels.Damon Pike, technical practice leader for customs and trade services at the tax and consulting firm BDO, suggested the responses of other countries could escalate trade tensions and possibly increase the economic pressure points.“Canada has their list ready," Pike said. "The EU has their list ready. It’s going to be tit for tat.’’Tim Houston, the leader of Canada’s Atlantic coast province of Nova Scotia, said he would direct the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation to remove all U.S. alcohol from store shelves. Houston also said his government will limit access to provincial procurement for American businesses and double the cost for commercial vehicles from the United States on a tolled highway.The Trump administration has suggested inflation will not be as bad as economists claim, saying tariffs can motivate foreign companies to open factories in the United States. On Monday, Trump announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the computer chipmaker, would be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tsmc-chip-manufacturing-tariffs-42980704ffca62e823182422ee4b7b83">investing $100 billion</a>&nbsp;in domestic production.Still, it can take time to relocate factories spread across the world and train workers with the skills they need.Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of The Toy Association, said the 20% tariffs on Chinese goods will be “crippling” for the toy industry, as nearly 80% of toys sold in the U.S. are made in China.“There’s a sophistication of manufacturing, of the tooling,” he said. “There’s a lot of handcrafting that is part of these toys that a lot of people don’t understand … the face painting, the face masks, the hair weaving, the hair braiding, the cut and sew for plush to get it to look just so. All of that are very high hands, skilled labor that has been passed through generations in the supply chain that exists with China."For a president who has promised quick results, Ahearn added a note of caution about how quickly U.S. factories could match their Chinese rivals."That can’t be replicated overnight,” he said.___Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writers Anne D’Innocenzio in New York and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.

US tariffs on Canada and Mexico take effect; China takes aim at US farm exports

CAMENDEN COUNTY —A 2-year-old drowned Monday at Lake of the Ozarks.

At 4:47 p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol was asked to assist in the search for the missing girl from a residence off Tenney Road in Camden County.

At 8:13 p.m., she was found deceased next to a dock in Bollinger Creek Cove&nbsp;at the 44 mile mark.&nbsp; Investigators do not know how she entered the water. The Patrol released no additional details.&nbsp;&nbsp;

CAMENDEN COUNTY —A 2-year-old drowned Monday at Lake of the Ozarks.At 4:47 p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol was asked to assist in the search for the missing girl from a residence off Tenney Road in Camden County.At 8:13 p.m., she was found deceased next to a dock in Bollinger Creek Cove&nbsp;at the 44 mile mark.&nbsp; Investigators do not know how she entered the water. The Patrol released no additional details.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Missing two-year-old girl drowns at Lake of the Ozarks

KANSAS CITY —On Wednesday February 26, while attempting to conduct an annual inspection of the Cloverleaf Apartments, 14554 US-71 Highway, Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Fire Department learned that there was no longer a property management team in place, according to KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Multiple fire violations were found in all of the buildings along with deplorable and unsustainable living conditions. Appropriate leadership within the fire department and the city was notified along with members of Leumas, an agency operating on behalf of HUD. A decision was made to shut the complex down and tenants were given 48 hours, Friday 5:00 p.m., to be relocated.

Tenants were given Saturday and Sunday to continue to move household items. Leumas/HUD had 76 individuals on their list of legal tenants and worked to relocate them to temporary and in some cases permanent housing. Other individuals staying at the property either legally or illegally were provided with resources through the city to relocate. Many chose to relocate on their own.

On Monday, members of the Kansas City Police Department did a building by-building sweep of the property to ensure every unit, and every building was empty. At which time, a contractor provided by the city began boarding up each building. All utilities to the property have been shut off and the property is considered closed and uninhabitable.

The decision to close the property for fire code violations along with health concerns is not a decision the Kansas City Fire Department took lightly, but one that was made with compassion and life safety as the driving force. The unfortunate and tragic situation the residences found themselves living in was no fault of their own, but that of a negligent property owner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741038734676.png" alt="Image courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —On Wednesday February 26, while attempting to conduct an annual inspection of the Cloverleaf Apartments, 14554 US-71 Highway, Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Fire Department learned that there was no longer a property management team in place, according to KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.Multiple fire violations were found in all of the buildings along with deplorable and unsustainable living conditions. Appropriate leadership within the fire department and the city was notified along with members of Leumas, an agency operating on behalf of HUD. A decision was made to shut the complex down and tenants were given 48 hours, Friday 5:00 p.m., to be relocated.Tenants were given Saturday and Sunday to continue to move household items. Leumas/HUD had 76 individuals on their list of legal tenants and worked to relocate them to temporary and in some cases permanent housing. Other individuals staying at the property either legally or illegally were provided with resources through the city to relocate. Many chose to relocate on their own.On Monday, members of the Kansas City Police Department did a building by-building sweep of the property to ensure every unit, and every building was empty. At which time, a contractor provided by the city began boarding up each building. All utilities to the property have been shut off and the property is considered closed and uninhabitable.The decision to close the property for fire code violations along with health concerns is not a decision the Kansas City Fire Department took lightly, but one that was made with compassion and life safety as the driving force. The unfortunate and tragic situation the residences found themselves living in was no fault of their own, but that of a negligent property owner.

Renters ordered to move out of Kansas City apartment complex

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Monday to confirm former wrestling executive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/linda-mcmahon">Linda McMahon</a>&nbsp;as the nation’s education chief, a role that places her atop a department that President Donald Trump has vilified and vowed to dismantle.

McMahon will face&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-executive-order-8519eaa465385cc13f4ddcae90228dd3">the competing tasks</a>&nbsp;of winding down the Education Department while also escalating efforts to achieve Trump’s agenda. Already the Republican president has signed sweeping orders to rid America’s schools of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">diversity programs</a>&nbsp;and accommodations for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">transgender students</a>&nbsp;while also calling for expanded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-choice-trump-education-vouchers-c6ecc22879fe329da4acfac3aa7410e6">school choice</a>&nbsp;programs.

At the same time, Trump has promised to shut down the department and said he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.”

The Senate voted to confirm McMahon 51-45. Both Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

A billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon, 76, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-trump-education-secretary-wwe-613016d0c164b89765af761404cbb123">an unconventional pick</a>&nbsp;for the role. She spent a year on Connecticut’s state board of education and is a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University but otherwise has little traditional education leadership.

McMahon's supporters see her as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcmahon-education-department-trump-cabinet-d40c13d94ecbd1f02f9624087796ae36">a skilled executive</a>&nbsp;who will reform a department that Republicans say has failed to improve American education. Opponents say she’s unqualified and fear her budget cuts will be felt by students nationwide.

“Americans believe in public education,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said before the confirmation vote. “They don’t want to see the Department of Education abolished. If the Trump administration follows through on cuts to education, schools will lose billions in funding.”

At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">her confirmation hearing</a>, McMahon distanced herself from Trump’s blistering rhetoric. She said the goal is to make the Education Department “operate more efficiently,” not to defund programs.

She acknowledged that only Congress has the power to close the department, and she pledged to preserve Title I money for low-income schools, Pell grants for low-income college students, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-forgiveness-debt-774b0ee69f911f68f646a066031ee604">the Public Service Loan Forgiveness</a>&nbsp;program. Yet she suggested some operations could move to other departments, saying Health and Human Services might be better suited to enforce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-iep-disability-civil-rights-trump-85a6687d9ef1f5236f2637924d66a560">disability rights laws</a>.

Weeks before McMahon's confirmation hearing, the White House was considering an executive order that would direct the education secretary to cut the agency as much as legally possible while asking Congress to shut it down completely. Some of McMahon’s allies pressed the White House to hold the order until after her confirmation to avoid potential backlash.

Created by Congress in 1979, the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-linda-mcmahon-9fc4fcef00e11b842063235798119cfc">primary role</a>&nbsp;is to disburse money to the nation’s schools and colleges. It sends billions of dollars a year to K-12 schools and oversees a $1.6 trillion federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loan</a>&nbsp;portfolio.

Trump argues the department has been overtaken by liberals who press their ideology on America’s schools.

Schools and colleges have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-schools-dear-colleague-6cca8440afa62689991d373cc4903a4c">navigating a demand</a>&nbsp;to eliminate diversity programs or risk having their federal funding pulled. The Trump administration gave them a Feb. 28 deadline to comply. The Education Department addressed questions about its guidance in a document released Saturday, saying in part that changing program names that reference “diversity” or “equity” alone is not enough if they treat students differently by race.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741043570945.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with McMahon in January-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with McMahon in January-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Monday to confirm former wrestling executive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/linda-mcmahon">Linda McMahon</a>&nbsp;as the nation’s education chief, a role that places her atop a department that President Donald Trump has vilified and vowed to dismantle.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇺🇸 <a href="https://twitter.com/EDSecMcMahon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EDSecMcMahon</a>’s confirmation as Secretary of Education is a huge step at this transformational time to improve the American education system and ensure parents, students, and teachers are at the forefront of learning instead of Washington D.C. bureaucrats. <a href="https://t.co/537TKTEBRw">pic.twitter.com/537TKTEBRw</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1896899917555409287?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>McMahon will face&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-executive-order-8519eaa465385cc13f4ddcae90228dd3">the competing tasks</a>&nbsp;of winding down the Education Department while also escalating efforts to achieve Trump’s agenda. Already the Republican president has signed sweeping orders to rid America’s schools of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">diversity programs</a>&nbsp;and accommodations for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">transgender students</a>&nbsp;while also calling for expanded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-choice-trump-education-vouchers-c6ecc22879fe329da4acfac3aa7410e6">school choice</a>&nbsp;programs.At the same time, Trump has promised to shut down the department and said he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.”The Senate voted to confirm McMahon 51-45. Both Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.A billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon, 76, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-trump-education-secretary-wwe-613016d0c164b89765af761404cbb123">an unconventional pick</a>&nbsp;for the role. She spent a year on Connecticut’s state board of education and is a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University but otherwise has little traditional education leadership.McMahon's supporters see her as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcmahon-education-department-trump-cabinet-d40c13d94ecbd1f02f9624087796ae36">a skilled executive</a>&nbsp;who will reform a department that Republicans say has failed to improve American education. Opponents say she’s unqualified and fear her budget cuts will be felt by students nationwide.“Americans believe in public education,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said before the confirmation vote. “They don’t want to see the Department of Education abolished. If the Trump administration follows through on cuts to education, schools will lose billions in funding.”At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">her confirmation hearing</a>, McMahon distanced herself from Trump’s blistering rhetoric. She said the goal is to make the Education Department “operate more efficiently,” not to defund programs.She acknowledged that only Congress has the power to close the department, and she pledged to preserve Title I money for low-income schools, Pell grants for low-income college students, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-forgiveness-debt-774b0ee69f911f68f646a066031ee604">the Public Service Loan Forgiveness</a>&nbsp;program. Yet she suggested some operations could move to other departments, saying Health and Human Services might be better suited to enforce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-iep-disability-civil-rights-trump-85a6687d9ef1f5236f2637924d66a560">disability rights laws</a>.Weeks before McMahon's confirmation hearing, the White House was considering an executive order that would direct the education secretary to cut the agency as much as legally possible while asking Congress to shut it down completely. Some of McMahon’s allies pressed the White House to hold the order until after her confirmation to avoid potential backlash.Created by Congress in 1979, the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-linda-mcmahon-9fc4fcef00e11b842063235798119cfc">primary role</a>&nbsp;is to disburse money to the nation’s schools and colleges. It sends billions of dollars a year to K-12 schools and oversees a $1.6 trillion federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loan</a>&nbsp;portfolio.Trump argues the department has been overtaken by liberals who press their ideology on America’s schools.Schools and colleges have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-schools-dear-colleague-6cca8440afa62689991d373cc4903a4c">navigating a demand</a>&nbsp;to eliminate diversity programs or risk having their federal funding pulled. The Trump administration gave them a Feb. 28 deadline to comply. The Education Department addressed questions about its guidance in a document released Saturday, saying in part that changing program names that reference “diversity” or “equity” alone is not enough if they treat students differently by race.During the presidential campaign, Trump vowed to close the department and grant its authority to states. Schools and states already wield significantly greater authority over education than the federal government, which is barred from influencing curriculum. Federal money makes up roughly 14% of public school budgets.Already, the Trump administration has started overhauling much of the department’s work.Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has cut&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ies-musk-doge-education-cuts-4461d7bdbe9d55c5a411d8465999b011">dozens of contracts</a>&nbsp;it dismissed as “woke” and wasteful. It gutted the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nation’s academic progress, and the administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-paid-leave-dei-ad8ab48fabba227316e394dc5ad32770">fired or suspended</a>&nbsp;scores of employees.Some of the cuts have halted work that’s ordered under federal law. At her hearing, McMahon said the agency will spend money that’s directed by Congress, and she played down DOGE’s cuts as merely an audit.McMahon is a longtime Trump ally who left WWE in 2009 to launch a political career, running unsuccessfully twice for the U.S. Senate. She has given millions of dollars to Trump’s campaigns and served as leader of the Small Business Administration during his first term.___