By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/chris-megerian">CHRIS MEGERIAN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/katie-vogel">KATIE VOGEL</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) —For more than a week, President Donald Trump kept the world wondering whether he would join Israel’s attacks on Iran in an attempt to decapitate the country’s nuclear program. The guessing ended this weekend, when American stealth bombers, fighter jets and a submarine struck with bombs and missiles.

Trump’s decision marks one of the riskiest foreign policy decisions by a U.S. president in recent memory, potentially plunging the nation back into armed conflict in the Middle East with no clear endgame.

Like most of Trump’s presidency, the path to military action was unconventional and played out on social media, as he alternatively pledged diplomacy, demanded the evacuation of Tehran, threatened the ayatollah and ultimately announced the U.S. strike.

Here’s a look at how the 11 days unfolded, a cascade of events that could reshape a combustible corner of the globe. All dates below are in Eastern time.

The first sign that conflict could be on the horizon came when families of U.S. troops began leaving the Middle East. “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said as he arrived at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-performing-arts-487a890419ebf4de42660c5d947dc69c">Kennedy Center</a>&nbsp;for opening night of “Les Misérables,” one of his favorite musicals.

It wasn’t clear whether Israel was preparing to strike, fulfilling years of threats to attack Iran’s nuclear program, or if the movements were a feint to increase pressure for negotiations. The next round of talks between Washington and Tehran was just days away, and Trump was adamant about reaching a diplomatic solution.

Behind the scenes, the Israeli military operation was already taking shape.

Trump said an attack by Israel “could very well happen.” But Iran still seemed to be taken by surprise. Around 8 p.m. in Washington, explosions in Tehran killed top military leaders and scientists. Multiple sites connected to Iran’s nuclear program were also hit.

Israel said 200 warplanes took part in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-explosions-israel-tehran-00234a06e5128a8aceb406b140297299">the first wave of attacks.</a>&nbsp;More damage was done with drones that Israeli spies had smuggled into the country, destroying air defenses and missile launchers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.” Although Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program was for peaceful purposes, Israeli leaders claimed it was an imminent threat.

Iran retaliated against Israel with missiles and drones, many of which were shot down by air defenses. As Trump started his day in Washington, he seemed impressed by Israeli military prowess and his tone became more aggressive toward Iran.

“The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114675456780398208" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on social media.

But Trump suggested that diplomacy was his first choice, and urged Iran to make a deal.&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114675841423085927" target="_blank">“Now they have, perhaps, a second chance”</a>&nbsp;to get it done, he said.

Trump talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the morning, and they discussed the conflict between Israel and Iran. The next round of talks between the U.S. and Iran was canceled.

As Israel and Iran continued to trade strikes, Trump attended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">a military parade in Washington.</a>&nbsp;It was the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, as well as his 79th birthday.

The muscular display of American military might — tanks, troops, paratroopers and a 21-gun salute — played out in the nation’s capital as the potential for a new conflict loomed.

Trump spent the day talking up his reputation as a peacemaker, encouraging Iran and Israel to “make a deal” similar to how he had brokered an end to fighting between India and Pakistan.

“Many calls and meetings now taking place,” Trump wrote on social media. “I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”

Iran’s health ministry said 224 people had been killed by Israeli strikes at this point in the conflict. Reports also emerged that Trump had rejected an Israeli plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-israel-attack-43e3b1ce47d12477ae4533c941386b75">kill Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>. U.S. officials viewed the idea as dangerously destabilizing.

Trump flew to Canada for the annual Group of Seven summit, which gathers the world’s most powerful democracies. He would not be there long.

Israel claimed it had achieved “aerial superiority” over Tehran, allowing its warplanes to operate freely in the skies above Iran’s capital. One of the strikes hit Iran’s state-run television, abruptly stopping a live broadcast. Netanyahu said Israeli strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program a “very, very long time.”

However, the extent of the damage was unclear, and U.S. and Israeli officials believed only American planes with specially designed “bunker buster” bombs had the capability to destroy nuclear sites buried deep underground.

After a single day at the G7 summit, the White House abruptly announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-g7-carney-canada-trade-iran-75c17fffe96c9031d8ebb22af923d86c">Trump would leave early</a>&nbsp;on a red-eye flight to Washington to meet with his national security team.

Trump demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” in a post on social media and he told reporters aboard Air Force One that he wanted “a real end” to the conflict, not just a ceasefire.

He expressed frustration with Iranian leaders for failing to reach an agreement. “They should have done the deal. I told them, ‘Do the deal,’” he said. “So I don’t know. I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.”

Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gabbard-trump-intelligence-iran-nuclear-program-51c8d85d536f8628870c110ac05bb518">brushed off assessments from U.S. spy agencies</a>&nbsp;that Iran hadn’t decided to build a nuclear weapon. He insisted they were “very close.”

The sun had not yet risen when Trump arrived at the White House. He took part in a meeting in the Situation Room, but did not appear publicly.

With little clarity on next steps, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters that “I’m here to take questions, not necessarily answer them.”

By this point, there was no question that Trump was considering joining Israel’s attacks on Iran. “I may do it, I may not do it,” he said that morning. “Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”

The president spoke to reporters while overseeing the installation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-flagpoles-a0928efcdcb6d1362a0e1827e96d0344">a massive new flagpole</a>&nbsp;on the South Lawn of the White House, toggling back and forth between chatting up construction workers in hard hats and sizing up the Iranian nuclear threat.

Later, in the Oval Office, Trump again suggested that the U.S. might get directly involved to thwart Iran’s atomic ambitions. “I’m not looking to fight,” he said. “But if it’s a choice between fighting and having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do.”

On Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the Pentagon was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-trump-senate-iran-signal-8a0814d29f204addede54202d40e954d">presenting Trump with military options.</a>

It was a federal holiday — Juneteenth — and much of Washington took the hot, steamy day off, but White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt scheduled a briefing nonetheless.

She entered the briefing room to deliver a message from the president:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-attacks-nuclear-news-06-19-2025-b508817b78ed8d2f6067c1516215cf94">He would decide within two weeks</a>&nbsp;whether to become directly involved in Israel’s war on Iran.

Trump has long been known to toss out “two week” deadlines for actions that never materialize, so the statement left people guessing on his next move.

Trump convened another meeting of his national security advisers and then flew to his golf club in New Jersey, where he attended a political fundraiser in the evening. He talked to reporters briefly en route, long enough to say his director of national intelligence,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tulsi-gabbard">Tulsi Gabbard</a>, was “wrong” when she previously said that the U.S. believed Iran wasn’t building a nuclear weapon.

Around midnight, the U.S. military operation began in secret: B-2 stealth bombers taking off from a base in Missouri. They headed east, over the Atlantic Ocean, refueling from airborne tankers along the way. It would take them 18 hours to reach Iran. A decoy flight went west, toward the Pacific.

Trump returned to the White House from New Jersey around 6 p.m. Less than an hour later, American ordinance began exploding in Tehran.

More than two dozen Tomahawk missiles were fired from a U.S. submarine. Fighter jets scanned for Iranian interceptors. The stealth bombers dropped 14 bunker buster bombs, marking the first time that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bunker-buster-bomb-israel-iran-fordo-fordow-b2-nuclear-8a612cbf16aa0f99bd9992334ffc93d7">the 30,000-pound weapon</a>&nbsp;had been used in combat.

Trump announced the strikes on social media, saying it was a “very successful attack and “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!” In a brief national address from the White House, the president threatened to attack Iran again if there was any retaliation.

“There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran,” he said.

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/chris-megerian">CHRIS MEGERIAN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/katie-vogel">KATIE VOGEL</a>WASHINGTON (AP) —For more than a week, President Donald Trump kept the world wondering whether he would join Israel’s attacks on Iran in an attempt to decapitate the country’s nuclear program. The guessing ended this weekend, when American stealth bombers, fighter jets and a submarine struck with bombs and missiles.Trump’s decision marks one of the riskiest foreign policy decisions by a U.S. president in recent memory, potentially plunging the nation back into armed conflict in the Middle East with no clear endgame.Like most of Trump’s presidency, the path to military action was unconventional and played out on social media, as he alternatively pledged diplomacy, demanded the evacuation of Tehran, threatened the ayatollah and ultimately announced the U.S. strike.Here’s a look at how the 11 days unfolded, a cascade of events that could reshape a combustible corner of the globe. All dates below are in Eastern time.<h2>Wednesday, June 11</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749688538463.png" alt="The Trumps at the Kennedy Center-image White House" />
 <figcaption>The Trumps at the Kennedy Center-image White House</figcaption>
 </figure>The first sign that conflict could be on the horizon came when families of U.S. troops began leaving the Middle East. “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said as he arrived at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-performing-arts-487a890419ebf4de42660c5d947dc69c">Kennedy Center</a>&nbsp;for opening night of “Les Misérables,” one of his favorite musicals.It wasn’t clear whether Israel was preparing to strike, fulfilling years of threats to attack Iran’s nuclear program, or if the movements were a feint to increase pressure for negotiations. The next round of talks between Washington and Tehran was just days away, and Trump was adamant about reaching a diplomatic solution.Behind the scenes, the Israeli military operation was already taking shape.<h2>Thursday, June 12</h2>Trump said an attack by Israel “could very well happen.” But Iran still seemed to be taken by surprise. Around 8 p.m. in Washington, explosions in Tehran killed top military leaders and scientists. Multiple sites connected to Iran’s nuclear program were also hit.Israel said 200 warplanes took part in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-explosions-israel-tehran-00234a06e5128a8aceb406b140297299">the first wave of attacks.</a>&nbsp;More damage was done with drones that Israeli spies had smuggled into the country, destroying air defenses and missile launchers.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.” Although Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program was for peaceful purposes, Israeli leaders claimed it was an imminent threat.Iran retaliated against Israel with missiles and drones, many of which were shot down by air defenses. As Trump started his day in Washington, he seemed impressed by Israeli military prowess and his tone became more aggressive toward Iran.“The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114675456780398208" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on social media.But Trump suggested that diplomacy was his first choice, and urged Iran to make a deal.&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114675841423085927" target="_blank">“Now they have, perhaps, a second chance”</a>&nbsp;to get it done, he said.<h2>Saturday, June 14</h2>Trump talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the morning, and they discussed the conflict between Israel and Iran. The next round of talks between the U.S. and Iran was canceled.As Israel and Iran continued to trade strikes, Trump attended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">a military parade in Washington.</a>&nbsp;It was the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, as well as his 79th birthday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749942889066.png" alt="Thie Trumps at the parade celebrating the 250 anniversary of the U.S. Army -image from White House video." />
 <figcaption>Thie Trumps at the parade celebrating the 250 anniversary of the U.S. Army -image from White House video.</figcaption>
 </figure>The muscular display of American military might — tanks, troops, paratroopers and a 21-gun salute — played out in the nation’s capital as the potential for a new conflict loomed.<h2>Sunday, June 15</h2>Trump spent the day talking up his reputation as a peacemaker, encouraging Iran and Israel to “make a deal” similar to how he had brokered an end to fighting between India and Pakistan.“Many calls and meetings now taking place,” Trump wrote on social media. “I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”Iran’s health ministry said 224 people had been killed by Israeli strikes at this point in the conflict. Reports also emerged that Trump had rejected an Israeli plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-israel-attack-43e3b1ce47d12477ae4533c941386b75">kill Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>. U.S. officials viewed the idea as dangerously destabilizing.Trump flew to Canada for the annual Group of Seven summit, which gathers the world’s most powerful democracies. He would not be there long.<h2>Monday, June 16</h2>Israel claimed it had achieved “aerial superiority” over Tehran, allowing its warplanes to operate freely in the skies above Iran’s capital. One of the strikes hit Iran’s state-run television, abruptly stopping a live broadcast. Netanyahu said Israeli strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program a “very, very long time.”However, the extent of the damage was unclear, and U.S. and Israeli officials believed only American planes with specially designed “bunker buster” bombs had the capability to destroy nuclear sites buried deep underground.After a single day at the G7 summit, the White House abruptly announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-g7-carney-canada-trade-iran-75c17fffe96c9031d8ebb22af923d86c">Trump would leave early</a>&nbsp;on a red-eye flight to Washington to meet with his national security team.Trump demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” in a post on social media and he told reporters aboard Air Force One that he wanted “a real end” to the conflict, not just a ceasefire.He expressed frustration with Iranian leaders for failing to reach an agreement. “They should have done the deal. I told them, ‘Do the deal,’” he said. “So I don’t know. I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.”Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gabbard-trump-intelligence-iran-nuclear-program-51c8d85d536f8628870c110ac05bb518">brushed off assessments from U.S. spy agencies</a>&nbsp;that Iran hadn’t decided to build a nuclear weapon. He insisted they were “very close.”The sun had not yet risen when Trump arrived at the White House. He took part in a meeting in the Situation Room, but did not appear publicly.With little clarity on next steps, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters that “I’m here to take questions, not necessarily answer them.”<h2>Wednesday, June 18</h2>By this point, there was no question that Trump was considering joining Israel’s attacks on Iran. “I may do it, I may not do it,” he said that morning. “Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750269288982.png" alt="President Trump spoke with reporters while overseeing the installation of a massive new flagpole on the South Lawn of the White House -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump spoke with reporters while overseeing the installation of a massive new flagpole on the South Lawn of the White House -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>The president spoke to reporters while overseeing the installation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-flagpoles-a0928efcdcb6d1362a0e1827e96d0344">a massive new flagpole</a>&nbsp;on the South Lawn of the White House, toggling back and forth between chatting up construction workers in hard hats and sizing up the Iranian nuclear threat.Later, in the Oval Office, Trump again suggested that the U.S. might get directly involved to thwart Iran’s atomic ambitions. “I’m not looking to fight,” he said. “But if it’s a choice between fighting and having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do.”On Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the Pentagon was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-trump-senate-iran-signal-8a0814d29f204addede54202d40e954d">presenting Trump with military options.</a><h2>Thursday, June 19</h2>It was a federal holiday — Juneteenth — and much of Washington took the hot, steamy day off, but White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt scheduled a briefing nonetheless.She entered the briefing room to deliver a message from the president:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-attacks-nuclear-news-06-19-2025-b508817b78ed8d2f6067c1516215cf94">He would decide within two weeks</a>&nbsp;whether to become directly involved in Israel’s war on Iran.Trump has long been known to toss out “two week” deadlines for actions that never materialize, so the statement left people guessing on his next move.<h2>Friday, June 20</h2>Trump convened another meeting of his national security advisers and then flew to his golf club in New Jersey, where he attended a political fundraiser in the evening. He talked to reporters briefly en route, long enough to say his director of national intelligence,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tulsi-gabbard">Tulsi Gabbard</a>, was “wrong” when she previously said that the U.S. believed Iran wasn’t building a nuclear weapon.<h2>Saturday, June 21</h2>Around midnight, the U.S. military operation began in secret: B-2 stealth bombers taking off from a base in Missouri. They headed east, over the Atlantic Ocean, refueling from airborne tankers along the way. It would take them 18 hours to reach Iran. A decoy flight went west, toward the Pacific.Trump returned to the White House from New Jersey around 6 p.m. Less than an hour later, American ordinance began exploding in Tehran.More than two dozen Tomahawk missiles were fired from a U.S. submarine. Fighter jets scanned for Iranian interceptors. The stealth bombers dropped 14 bunker buster bombs, marking the first time that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bunker-buster-bomb-israel-iran-fordo-fordow-b2-nuclear-8a612cbf16aa0f99bd9992334ffc93d7">the 30,000-pound weapon</a>&nbsp;had been used in combat.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750596896391.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Trump announced the strikes on social media, saying it was a “very successful attack and “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!” In a brief national address from the White House, the president threatened to attack Iran again if there was any retaliation.“There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran,” he said.

11 days in June: Trump’s path to ‘yes’ on bombing Iran

NEW YORK (AP) — Chrysler is voluntarily recalling some of its 2022-2025 Pacifica and Voyager vehicles to replace their side curtain airbags, if needed.

The recall potentially affects 250,651 vehicles, and it’s because some side curtain airbags may not hold enough pressure during deployment to limit the risk for passengers during certain types of crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The administration said it’s due to improperly sealed seams, and dealers will inspect and replace the side curtain airbags, as necessary, free of charge.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751206466783.png" alt="courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Chrysler is voluntarily recalling some of its 2022-2025 Pacifica and Voyager vehicles to replace their side curtain airbags, if needed.The recall potentially affects 250,651 vehicles, and it’s because some side curtain airbags may not hold enough pressure during deployment to limit the risk for passengers during certain types of crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The administration said it’s due to improperly sealed seams, and dealers will inspect and replace the side curtain airbags, as necessary, free of charge.

Chrysler recalls some Pacifica and Voyager vehicles to fix airbag issue

KANSAS CITY —A man injured in a shooting earlier this month in Kansas City has died.

Just after 5a.m. June 19, policewere dispatched to a shooting call at 8th and Central in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

 On arrival officers located an adult male shooting later identified as 23-year-old David M. Smith, unresponsive on the ground next to a vehicle.

Callers advised they had heard the sound of gunfire outside on the street and looked out to see the victim had been shot. Responding officers called for EMS who transported Smith to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. 

The victim has remained in the hospital since, in critical condition. Detectives were notified Friday he died from his injuries. This case is now being investigated as a homicide.Investigation indicates the victim had an interaction in the parking lot with an unknown suspect or suspects that led to shots being fired striking him.

KANSAS CITY —A man injured in a shooting earlier this month in Kansas City has died.Just after 5a.m. June 19, policewere dispatched to a shooting call at 8th and Central in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. On arrival officers located an adult male shooting later identified as 23-year-old David M. Smith, unresponsive on the ground next to a vehicle.Callers advised they had heard the sound of gunfire outside on the street and looked out to see the victim had been shot. Responding officers called for EMS who transported Smith to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. The victim has remained in the hospital since, in critical condition. Detectives were notified Friday he died from his injuries. This case is now being investigated as a homicide.Investigation indicates the victim had an interaction in the parking lot with an unknown suspect or suspects that led to shots being fired striking him.

KCPD: Man dies days after wounded in parking lot dispute

By LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING and JOEY CAPPELLETTI&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voting in a dramatic late Saturday session narrowly cleared a key procedural step as they race to advance President Donald Trump's package of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline.

<a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/the_one_big_beautiful_bill_act.pdf">Click here to read the bill</a>

The tally, 51-49, came after a tumultuous night with Vice President JD Vance at the Capitol to break a potential tie. Tense scenes played out in the chamber as voting came to a standstill, dragging for more than three hours as holdout senators huddled for negotiations, and took private meetings off the floor. In the end, two Republicans opposed the motion to proceed, joining all Democrats. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

There's still a long weekend of work to come.

Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks.

"It's time to get this legislation across the finish line," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

Ahead of roll call, the White House released a statement of administrative policy saying it "strongly supports passage" of the bill. Trump himself was at his golf course in Virginia on Saturday with GOP senators posting about the visit on social media.

But by nightfall, Trump was lashing out against holdouts, threatening to campaign against one Republican, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had announced he could not support the bill because of grave Medicaid cuts that he worried would leave many without health care in his state. Tillis and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted against. The president was working the phones from the Oval Office late Saturday night, according to a person familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Pressure was mounting from all sides — billionaire Elon Musk criticized the package as "utterly insane and destructive."

The 940-page "One Big Beautiful Bill Act was released shortly before midnight Friday, and senators are expected to grind through all-night debate and amendments in the days ahead. If the Senate is able to pass it, the bill would go back to the House for a final round of votes before it could reach the White House.

With the narrow Republican majorities in the House and Senate, leaders need almost every lawmaker on board. A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the Senate bill would increase by 11.8 million the number of people without health insurance in 2034.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Republicans unveiled the bill "in the dead of night" and are rushing to finish the bill before the public fully knows what's in it. He immediately forced a full reading of the text late Saturday in the Senate, which would take hours.

The weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump's party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan. Trump is pushing Congress to wrap it up and has admonished the "grandstanders" among GOP holdouts to fall in line.

The legislation is an ambitious but complicated series of GOP priorities. At its core, it would make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire by year's end if Congress fails to act, resulting in a potential tax increase on Americans. The bill would add new breaks, including no taxes on tips, and commit $350 billion to national security, including for Trump's mass deportation agenda.

But the cutbacks to Medicaid, food stamps and green energy investments, which a top Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said would be a "death sentence" for America's wind and solar industries, are also causing dissent within GOP ranks.

The Republicans are relying on the reductions to offset the lost tax revenues but some lawmakers say the cuts go too far, particularly for people receiving health care through Medicaid. Meanwhile, conservatives, worried about the nation's debt, are pushing for steeper cuts.

Tillis said he spoke with Trump late Friday explaining his concerns. Paul of Kentucky had been opposed to the bill's provision to raise the nation's debt limit by $5 trillion.

And GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who initially voted no, switched hours later after private talks to agree to advance the bill.

As the roll call teetered, attention turned to Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska who was surrounded by GOP leaders in intense conversation. She voted to proceed.

A short time later, Thune drew conservative holdouts Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming to his office, with Vance and Johnson also joining. Talks dragged on.

Then swiftly, Vance led them all back in to vote.

Later, Scott said he had met with the president, adding, "We all want to get to yes."

Lee said the group "had an internal discussion about the strategy to achieve more savings and more deficit reduction, and I feel good about the direction where this is going, and more to come."

After setbacks, Republicans revise some proposals

The release of the bill's draft had been delayed as the Senate parliamentarian reviewed the measure to ensure it complied with the chamber's strict "Byrd Rule," named for the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. It largely bars policy matters from inclusion in budget bills unless a provision can get 60 votes to overcome objections. That would be a tall order in a Senate with a 53-47 GOP edge and Democrats unified against Trump's bill.

Republicans suffered a series of setbacks after several proposals, including shifting food stamp costs from the federal government to the states or gutting the funding structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, were deemed out of compliance with the rules.

But over the past days, Republicans have quickly revised those proposals and reinstated them.

The final text includes a proposal for cuts to the Medicaid provider tax that had run into parliamentary hurdles and objections from several senators worried about the fate of rural hospitals. The new version extends the start date for those cuts and establishes a $25 billion fund to aid rural hospitals and providers.

The CBO had said that under the House-passed version of the bill, some 10.9 million more people would go without health care and at least 3 million fewer would qualify for food aid. The budget office has started releasing initial assessments of the Senate draft, which proposes steeper reductions.

Top income-earners would see about a $12,000 tax cut under the House bill, while the package would cost the poorest Americans $1,600, the CBO said.

The Senate included a compromise over the so-called SALT provision, a deduction for state and local taxes that has been a top priority of lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states, but the issue remains unsettled.

The current SALT cap is $10,000 a year, and a handful of Republicans wanted to boost it to $40,000 a year. The final draft includes a $40,000 cap, but limits it for five years. Many Republican senators say that is still too generous, but House Republicans are not fully satisfied either.

House Speaker Mike Johnson sent his colleagues home for the weekend with plans to be on call to return to Washington.

Associated Press writers Ali Swenson, Fatima Hussein, Michelle L. Price and Matthew Daly contributed to this report.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747785438346.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING and JOEY CAPPELLETTI&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voting in a dramatic late Saturday session narrowly cleared a key procedural step as they race to advance President Donald Trump's package of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline.<a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/the_one_big_beautiful_bill_act.pdf">Click here to read the bill</a>The tally, 51-49, came after a tumultuous night with Vice President JD Vance at the Capitol to break a potential tie. Tense scenes played out in the chamber as voting came to a standstill, dragging for more than three hours as holdout senators huddled for negotiations, and took private meetings off the floor. In the end, two Republicans opposed the motion to proceed, joining all Democrats. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/JpX3ULcQU4">pic.twitter.com/JpX3ULcQU4</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1939179221097578869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>There's still a long weekend of work to come.Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks."It's time to get this legislation across the finish line," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.Ahead of roll call, the White House released a statement of administrative policy saying it "strongly supports passage" of the bill. Trump himself was at his golf course in Virginia on Saturday with GOP senators posting about the visit on social media.But by nightfall, Trump was lashing out against holdouts, threatening to campaign against one Republican, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had announced he could not support the bill because of grave Medicaid cuts that he worried would leave many without health care in his state. Tillis and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted against. The president was working the phones from the Oval Office late Saturday night, according to a person familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.Pressure was mounting from all sides — billionaire Elon Musk criticized the package as "utterly insane and destructive."The 940-page "One Big Beautiful Bill Act was released shortly before midnight Friday, and senators are expected to grind through all-night debate and amendments in the days ahead. If the Senate is able to pass it, the bill would go back to the House for a final round of votes before it could reach the White House.With the narrow Republican majorities in the House and Senate, leaders need almost every lawmaker on board. A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the Senate bill would increase by 11.8 million the number of people without health insurance in 2034.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Republicans unveiled the bill "in the dead of night" and are rushing to finish the bill before the public fully knows what's in it. He immediately forced a full reading of the text late Saturday in the Senate, which would take hours.Make-or-break moment for GOPThe weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump's party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan. Trump is pushing Congress to wrap it up and has admonished the "grandstanders" among GOP holdouts to fall in line.The legislation is an ambitious but complicated series of GOP priorities. At its core, it would make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire by year's end if Congress fails to act, resulting in a potential tax increase on Americans. The bill would add new breaks, including no taxes on tips, and commit $350 billion to national security, including for Trump's mass deportation agenda.But the cutbacks to Medicaid, food stamps and green energy investments, which a top Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said would be a "death sentence" for America's wind and solar industries, are also causing dissent within GOP ranks.The Republicans are relying on the reductions to offset the lost tax revenues but some lawmakers say the cuts go too far, particularly for people receiving health care through Medicaid. Meanwhile, conservatives, worried about the nation's debt, are pushing for steeper cuts.Tillis said he spoke with Trump late Friday explaining his concerns. Paul of Kentucky had been opposed to the bill's provision to raise the nation's debt limit by $5 trillion.And GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who initially voted no, switched hours later after private talks to agree to advance the bill.As the roll call teetered, attention turned to Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska who was surrounded by GOP leaders in intense conversation. She voted to proceed.A short time later, Thune drew conservative holdouts Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming to his office, with Vance and Johnson also joining. Talks dragged on.Then swiftly, Vance led them all back in to vote.Later, Scott said he had met with the president, adding, "We all want to get to yes."Lee said the group "had an internal discussion about the strategy to achieve more savings and more deficit reduction, and I feel good about the direction where this is going, and more to come."After setbacks, Republicans revise some proposalsThe release of the bill's draft had been delayed as the Senate parliamentarian reviewed the measure to ensure it complied with the chamber's strict "Byrd Rule," named for the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. It largely bars policy matters from inclusion in budget bills unless a provision can get 60 votes to overcome objections. That would be a tall order in a Senate with a 53-47 GOP edge and Democrats unified against Trump's bill.Republicans suffered a series of setbacks after several proposals, including shifting food stamp costs from the federal government to the states or gutting the funding structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, were deemed out of compliance with the rules.But over the past days, Republicans have quickly revised those proposals and reinstated them.The final text includes a proposal for cuts to the Medicaid provider tax that had run into parliamentary hurdles and objections from several senators worried about the fate of rural hospitals. The new version extends the start date for those cuts and establishes a $25 billion fund to aid rural hospitals and providers.The CBO had said that under the House-passed version of the bill, some 10.9 million more people would go without health care and at least 3 million fewer would qualify for food aid. The budget office has started releasing initial assessments of the Senate draft, which proposes steeper reductions.Top income-earners would see about a $12,000 tax cut under the House bill, while the package would cost the poorest Americans $1,600, the CBO said.SALT dispute shakes things upThe Senate included a compromise over the so-called SALT provision, a deduction for state and local taxes that has been a top priority of lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states, but the issue remains unsettled.The current SALT cap is $10,000 a year, and a handful of Republicans wanted to boost it to $40,000 a year. The final draft includes a $40,000 cap, but limits it for five years. Many Republican senators say that is still too generous, but House Republicans are not fully satisfied either.House Speaker Mike Johnson sent his colleagues home for the weekend with plans to be on call to return to Washington.___Associated Press writers Ali Swenson, Fatima Hussein, Michelle L. Price and Matthew Daly contributed to this report.

Moran, Marshall help Senate advance Trump's 'Big Bill' in dramatic late-night sesion

WEBSTER COUNTY, Mo. —A child died in a farm accident just before 11a.m. Saturday in Webster County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 73-year-old Seymour, Missouri, man was back up a 2023 John Deere Tractor at 2188 Walnut Ridge Road three and one half miles south of Seymour.&nbsp; The driver didn't see the 1-year-old boy.

EMS transported the boy to Cox South Hospital. He was pronounced deceased just before 12:30p.m., according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims. Seymour is located three hours south of Kansas City.

WEBSTER COUNTY, Mo. —A child died in a farm accident just before 11a.m. Saturday in Webster County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 73-year-old Seymour, Missouri, man was back up a 2023 John Deere Tractor at 2188 Walnut Ridge Road three and one half miles south of Seymour.&nbsp; The driver didn't see the 1-year-old boy.EMS transported the boy to Cox South Hospital. He was pronounced deceased just before 12:30p.m., according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims. Seymour is located three hours south of Kansas City.

Patrol: 1-year-old boy killed in farm accident

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused in a crash that killed a Kansas teen was in court for an arraignment hearing Thursday.

A woman has pleaded not guilty in connection to a&nbsp;crash that killed a Kansas teen.

Trisha Greer, 43, Derby, plead not guilty to a&nbsp;charge of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence before Judge Sean Hatfield, according&nbsp;&nbsp;to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;. Her jury trial is scheduled to begin September 29. 

Just after 11p.m. May 14, Greer was driving without headlights at 55th Street South and Hoover, according to Sheriff's Lt Nathan Gibbs. The vehicle struck and killed 18-year-old Bethany Aillen Callista Leggio who was standing with a group of people at the location.

Greet was booked into jail just after 1a.m. the following morning, according to online jail records. She met the requirements of bond and is no longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717510102482.png" alt="Greer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Greer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused in a crash that killed a Kansas teen was in court for an arraignment hearing Thursday.A woman has pleaded not guilty in connection to a&nbsp;crash that killed a Kansas teen.Trisha Greer, 43, Derby, plead not guilty to a&nbsp;charge of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence before Judge Sean Hatfield, according&nbsp;&nbsp;to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;. Her jury trial is scheduled to begin September 29. Just after 11p.m. May 14, Greer was driving without headlights at 55th Street South and Hoover, according to Sheriff's Lt Nathan Gibbs. The vehicle struck and killed 18-year-old Bethany Aillen Callista Leggio who was standing with a group of people at the location.Greet was booked into jail just after 1a.m. the following morning, according to online jail records. She met the requirements of bond and is no longer in custody.

Kan. woman enters plea in alleged DUI crash that killed teen

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged with two misdemeanors for allegedly discharging a firearm into the air at an intersection during a shooting .

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2659/L-Holman-Misd-Information">Leonard Holman Jr</a>., 24,&nbsp;faces Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm – 1st Offense and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, Detention Or Stop, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2660/L-Holman-CRIFS-PC_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were conducting an area presence near the intersection of East 19th Street and Paseo Boulevard on June 22 when multiple people began to run from the defendant who was holding a firearm.

Officers observed the defendant discharge multiple rounds from his firearm into the air. When officers gave Holman verbal commands to drop the firearm and get down on the ground, Holman ran. He was eventually taken into custody and told police he was shooting in the air to protect himself.&nbsp;

Detectives reviewed city traffic cameras and observed Holman retrieve his firearm from his waist band and discharge it in the air multiple times.

The investigation into the fatal shooting that occurred on East 19th and Vine Street is ongoing.&nbsp; Holman is being held on a $10,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750711438864.png" alt="Holman photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Holman photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged with two misdemeanors for allegedly discharging a firearm into the air at an intersection during a shooting .<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2659/L-Holman-Misd-Information">Leonard Holman Jr</a>., 24,&nbsp;faces Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm – 1st Offense and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, Detention Or Stop, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2660/L-Holman-CRIFS-PC_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were conducting an area presence near the intersection of East 19th Street and Paseo Boulevard on June 22 when multiple people began to run from the defendant who was holding a firearm. Officers observed the defendant discharge multiple rounds from his firearm into the air. When officers gave Holman verbal commands to drop the firearm and get down on the ground, Holman ran. He was eventually taken into custody and told police he was shooting in the air to protect himself.&nbsp;Detectives reviewed city traffic cameras and observed Holman retrieve his firearm from his waist band and discharge it in the air multiple times.The investigation into the fatal shooting that occurred on East 19th and Vine Street is ongoing.&nbsp; Holman is being held on a $10,000 bond.

KC man charged after firing gun, running from police

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri, have identified the man who died as Antonio Jackson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 2a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at 24th and Lister in Kansas City, according to Becchina.

Officers were directed to a parking lot on the corner of the intersection. They located&nbsp; shooting victim, later identified as Jackson, unresponsive there.

Officers rendered aid to Jackson and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over treatment of the victim. EMS transported Jackson to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

While at the scene officers were notified of 3 additional victims who had been shot at this location. One victim arrived by private vehicle at a hospital, one victim went to a residence in the 3900 block of Chelsea and was subsequently transported to the hospital by EMS. One victim was located at 19th and Oak. EMS took him to a local hospital.

The 3 surviving shooting victims are continuing their recovery and all continue to have what are thought to be non-life threatening injuries, according to Becchina.

Homicide detectives were at the scene canvassing for any witnesses. They will also be speaking with people who were at the scene when officers arrived to get a better idea of what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751124605547.png" alt="Homicide detectives were at the scene canvassing for any witnesses.-Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Homicide detectives were at the scene canvassing for any witnesses.-Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri, have identified the man who died as Antonio Jackson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 2a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at 24th and Lister in Kansas City, according to Becchina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751124588232.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Officers were directed to a parking lot on the corner of the intersection. They located&nbsp; shooting victim, later identified as Jackson, unresponsive there.Officers rendered aid to Jackson and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over treatment of the victim. EMS transported Jackson to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.While at the scene officers were notified of 3 additional victims who had been shot at this location. One victim arrived by private vehicle at a hospital, one victim went to a residence in the 3900 block of Chelsea and was subsequently transported to the hospital by EMS. One victim was located at 19th and Oak. EMS took him to a local hospital.The 3 surviving shooting victims are continuing their recovery and all continue to have what are thought to be non-life threatening injuries, according to Becchina.Homicide detectives were at the scene canvassing for any witnesses. They will also be speaking with people who were at the scene when officers arrived to get a better idea of what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.

KCPD: 1 dead, 3 wounded in shooting 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a> Associated Press

J.M. Smucker Co. plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-synthetic-food-dyes-natural-fda-sensient-ad9611b1235f2097469508e711e71094">remove artificial colors</a>&nbsp;from its products by the end of 2027.

Orrville, Ohio-based Smucker said Thursday it will also remove synthetic dyes from foods sold to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.

Smucker said the majority of its products – including its Uncrustables sandwiches – are already free of synthetic dyes. But some products still have them, including sugar-free jams and ice cream toppings.

Smucker said some products from Hostess, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostess-smucker-twinkie-bankruptcy-f37a3ec4028be7eca7cf5e963ce43135">it acquired in 2023</a>, also contain artificial colors. Twinkies are made with Red 40 and Yellow 5, for example, while Snoballs snack cakes are made with Red 40 Lake, a dye combined with aluminum to keep it from dissolving in water.

Smucker joins a growing number of big food companies that have announced plans to eliminate artificial dyes. Earlier this week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nestle-artificial-colors-dyes-534843becc89b62d8ac548f81338ec1b">Nestle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conagra-artificial-colors-dyes-duncan-hines-3bdf5b4c47c0afd8876b0fbca109f595">Conagra Brands</a>&nbsp;— the parent company of Duncan Hines — both said they would phase out synthetic dyes.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kraft-heinz-dye-ketchup-70a48b9af69583e24755392daf9f1a4a">Kraft Heinz and General Mills</a>&nbsp;made similar pledges last week.

The federal government has stepped up its scrutiny of artificial colors in recent months. In January, days before President Donald Trump took office, the U.S. regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-red-dye-no-3-ban-94c3e418584fb1e91ca3b0cbeb3d5a60">banned the dye</a>&nbsp;called Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risk.

In April, Trump’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-artificial-food-dyes-kennedy-6f6c1aa08aafdae1925718804f360c0b">take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes</a>&nbsp;by the end of 2026, largely by relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751118130837.png" alt="Photo courtesy JM Smuckers" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy JM Smuckers</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a> Associated PressJ.M. Smucker Co. plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-synthetic-food-dyes-natural-fda-sensient-ad9611b1235f2097469508e711e71094">remove artificial colors</a>&nbsp;from its products by the end of 2027.Orrville, Ohio-based Smucker said Thursday it will also remove synthetic dyes from foods sold to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.Smucker said the majority of its products – including its Uncrustables sandwiches – are already free of synthetic dyes. But some products still have them, including sugar-free jams and ice cream toppings.Smucker said some products from Hostess, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostess-smucker-twinkie-bankruptcy-f37a3ec4028be7eca7cf5e963ce43135">it acquired in 2023</a>, also contain artificial colors. Twinkies are made with Red 40 and Yellow 5, for example, while Snoballs snack cakes are made with Red 40 Lake, a dye combined with aluminum to keep it from dissolving in water.Smucker joins a growing number of big food companies that have announced plans to eliminate artificial dyes. Earlier this week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nestle-artificial-colors-dyes-534843becc89b62d8ac548f81338ec1b">Nestle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conagra-artificial-colors-dyes-duncan-hines-3bdf5b4c47c0afd8876b0fbca109f595">Conagra Brands</a>&nbsp;— the parent company of Duncan Hines — both said they would phase out synthetic dyes.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kraft-heinz-dye-ketchup-70a48b9af69583e24755392daf9f1a4a">Kraft Heinz and General Mills</a>&nbsp;made similar pledges last week.The federal government has stepped up its scrutiny of artificial colors in recent months. In January, days before President Donald Trump took office, the U.S. regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-red-dye-no-3-ban-94c3e418584fb1e91ca3b0cbeb3d5a60">banned the dye</a>&nbsp;called Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risk.In April, Trump’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-artificial-food-dyes-kennedy-6f6c1aa08aafdae1925718804f360c0b">take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes</a>&nbsp;by the end of 2026, largely by relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry.

J.M. Smucker to remove artificial colors from its jams and other products

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Kansas program aimed at preventing unemployment fraud has been caught in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The U.S. Department of Labor in May canceled $400 million in unemployment insurance grants across the country. Included within the grant funding was language that the Trump administration associated with DEI initiatives, such as studying the “equity of the unemployment system” and an “equitable access director.”

A spokesperson for the department said the cuts were “part of the administration’s ongoing effort to remove unlawful DEI programs across government.”

But at the Kansas Department of Labor, the rescission didn’t eliminate any DEI programs.

Instead, it defunded a program that implemented identity verification tools, fraud analytics and safeguards to prevent criminal attacks and system failures, which were crucial in the wake of record volumes of fraudulent claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amber Shultz, Kansas labor secretary, wrote a letter Thursday to U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, expressing her “deep concern and disappointment” over the federal government’s decision, which she called “both confusing and contradictory.”

“The rationale of canceling a grant specifically intended to detect and prevent fraud is, frankly, counterproductive,” Shultz said in the letter.

Kansas forfeited $1 million of the $1.7 million total without forewarning.

“Revoking this support now leaves states more vulnerable to the very threats we were all called to confront,” Shultz said.

She called the funding loss “a huge blow,” and said she anticipates that employers and claimants will feel the impacts, which could mean slower claims processes.

The termination notice the state received from the federal government reasoned that the grant “no longer effectuates the department’s priorities for its grant funding.”

Communication between the state and federal departments has been nonexistent. Shultz said in a phone call that she and department staff have been attempting to communicate with the federal department, without any response.

A statement to Kansas Reflector attributed to a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson said America’s unemployment system is in an “infrastructure crisis, riddled with waste, fraud and abuse.”

The statement said the Biden administration squandered its opportunity to fix the system by focusing “on equitable access rather than advancing access for all Americans in need.”

Shultz said none of the funding for Kansas’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/uipl-11-23" target="_blank">unemployment insurance fraud prevention grant program</a>&nbsp;was used for DEI initiatives.

The federal department is fulfilling its goal, Shultz said, “if they want fraudsters to have equitable access to our funds.”

A different grant from the U.S. Department of Labor under the Biden administration, called the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/unemployment-insurance-program-letter-no-23-21" target="_blank">equity grant</a>, gave Kansas more than $4.5 million, which the state used to ensure all Kansans could access the unemployment system. That meant focusing on rural Kansans without broadband access, Shultz said.

With the federal funding, the state fraud prevention program was able to conduct investigations and recover funds lost to fraudulent claims. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas and many other states faced extreme volumes of unemployment fraud, largely from international crime rings, which took advantage of aged and vulnerable claims systems. Kansas recently&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/16/kansas-recovers-11-million-in-pandemic-era-fraudulent-unemployment-claims/">recovered $11 million</a>&nbsp;in fraudulent claims, which totaled around 2.4% of the $460 million in state and federal funds lost during the pandemic.

The federal department’s Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have pressed states across the country to improve fraud prevention and recovery efforts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751047370676.png" alt=" Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, left, and Kansas Department of Labor secretary Amber Shultz, right, announce the launch of the state’s new online unemployment system Nov. 22, 2024, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, left, and Kansas Department of Labor secretary Amber Shultz, right, announce the launch of the state’s new online unemployment system Nov. 22, 2024, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Kansas program aimed at preventing unemployment fraud has been caught in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.The U.S. Department of Labor in May canceled $400 million in unemployment insurance grants across the country. Included within the grant funding was language that the Trump administration associated with DEI initiatives, such as studying the “equity of the unemployment system” and an “equitable access director.”A spokesperson for the department said the cuts were “part of the administration’s ongoing effort to remove unlawful DEI programs across government.”But at the Kansas Department of Labor, the rescission didn’t eliminate any DEI programs.Instead, it defunded a program that implemented identity verification tools, fraud analytics and safeguards to prevent criminal attacks and system failures, which were crucial in the wake of record volumes of fraudulent claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.Amber Shultz, Kansas labor secretary, wrote a letter Thursday to U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, expressing her “deep concern and disappointment” over the federal government’s decision, which she called “both confusing and contradictory.”“The rationale of canceling a grant specifically intended to detect and prevent fraud is, frankly, counterproductive,” Shultz said in the letter.Kansas forfeited $1 million of the $1.7 million total without forewarning.“Revoking this support now leaves states more vulnerable to the very threats we were all called to confront,” Shultz said.She called the funding loss “a huge blow,” and said she anticipates that employers and claimants will feel the impacts, which could mean slower claims processes.The termination notice the state received from the federal government reasoned that the grant “no longer effectuates the department’s priorities for its grant funding.”Communication between the state and federal departments has been nonexistent. Shultz said in a phone call that she and department staff have been attempting to communicate with the federal department, without any response.A statement to Kansas Reflector attributed to a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson said America’s unemployment system is in an “infrastructure crisis, riddled with waste, fraud and abuse.”The statement said the Biden administration squandered its opportunity to fix the system by focusing “on equitable access rather than advancing access for all Americans in need.”Shultz said none of the funding for Kansas’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/uipl-11-23" target="_blank">unemployment insurance fraud prevention grant program</a>&nbsp;was used for DEI initiatives.The federal department is fulfilling its goal, Shultz said, “if they want fraudsters to have equitable access to our funds.”A different grant from the U.S. Department of Labor under the Biden administration, called the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/unemployment-insurance-program-letter-no-23-21" target="_blank">equity grant</a>, gave Kansas more than $4.5 million, which the state used to ensure all Kansans could access the unemployment system. That meant focusing on rural Kansans without broadband access, Shultz said.With the federal funding, the state fraud prevention program was able to conduct investigations and recover funds lost to fraudulent claims. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas and many other states faced extreme volumes of unemployment fraud, largely from international crime rings, which took advantage of aged and vulnerable claims systems. Kansas recently&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/16/kansas-recovers-11-million-in-pandemic-era-fraudulent-unemployment-claims/">recovered $11 million</a>&nbsp;in fraudulent claims, which totaled around 2.4% of the $460 million in state and federal funds lost during the pandemic.The federal department’s Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have pressed states across the country to improve fraud prevention and recovery efforts.

U.S. labor department terminates Kansas unemployment fraud prevention grant because of DEI

BANGKOK (AP) — Washington and Beijing have signed a trade agreement that will make it easier for American firms to obtain magnets and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rare-earths-trump-tariffs-china-trade-war-effd6a7ec64b5830df9d3c76ab9b607a">rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;from China that are critical to manufacturing and microchip production, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday.

The agreement comes after China retaliated against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-economy-trade-court-appeal-e0a2cd2ebc049afce0ebc4959d1cb0be">steep import tariffs</a>&nbsp;imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese goods and moved to slow export of rare earth minerals and magnets much-needed by U.S. industrial interests.

Bessent said on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping “had a phone call” previously "and then our teams met in London, ironed this out, and I am confident now that we, as agreed, the magnets will flow.”

“Part of the agreement was tariffs coming down and rare earth magnets starting to flow back to the U.S.," Bessent said. "They formed the core of a lot of our industrial base. They were not flowing as fast as previously agreed.”

His comments follow President Donald Trump announcing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-xinjiang-critical-minerals-forced-labor-uyghur-eac368889c299fd304a3b7beefc7469a">two weeks earlier</a>&nbsp;an agreement with China that he said would ease exportation of magnets and rare earth minerals

That pact cleared the way for the trade talks to continue. The U.S. has previously suspended some sales to China of critical U.S. technologies like components used for jet engines and semiconductors. It has also agreed to stop trying to revoke visas of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-trump-guidance-social-media-a1f5180ce83560aff66dd65534906697">Chinese nationals on U.S. college campuses</a>.

Bessent added of critical mineral exports: “What we’re seeing here is a de-escalation.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg TV that the deal was signed earlier this week.

China’s Commerce Ministry said Friday that the two sides had “further confirmed the details of the framework,” when responding to a question about if China was to speed up exports of rare earths to the U.S. and if the U.S. was to remove some restrictions on China.

“China will, in accordance with the law, review and approve eligible export applications for controlled items. In turn, the United States will lift a series of restrictive measures it had imposed on China,” the ministry said.

Initial talks in Geneva in early May led both sides to postpone massive&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/:%20https://apnews.com/article/canada-carney-trade-us-trump-tariffs-4d22145bc3834b65f6e68805ce0cc3e6">tariff hikes</a>&nbsp;that were threatening to freeze much trade between the two countries. Later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-trade-talks-london-e9e87d76a81a5e51294368308d5af47d">talks in London</a>&nbsp;set a framework for negotiations and the deal mentioned by Trump appeared to formalize that agreement — setting the stage for Bessent's comments on Friday.

In London, export controls of the minerals eclipsed tariffs in the trade negotiations after China in April imposed permitting requirements on seven rare earth elements, per a Chinese law that applies to all exports, not just those bound for the U.S. market.

With the permitting process taking 45 days, the new requirement has caused a pause in shipments, threatening to disrupt production of cars, robots, wind turbines and other high-tech products in the U.S. and around the world. The U.S., meanwhile, took restrictive measures on exports of high tech to China.

By the latest agreement, China does not remove the permitting requirement on rare earths but retains the flexibility to dial up or down the approval process as needed.

Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center, said Beijing has only tightened its overall policy on rare earths but has the discretion on how to implement it. "That’s the Chinese style,” she said. “If all goes well, permit happens. If things go in a wrong direction, like U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, permits gone with wind.”

China also has taken steps recently on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-fentanyl-tariffs-trump-f77abc5dc8cba277a07c0f2cddb9a9e9">the fentanyl issue</a>, announcing last week that it would designate two more substances as precursor chemicals for fentanyl, making them subject to production, transport and export regulations. Trump has demanded that Beijing do more to stop the flow of such precursor ingredients to Mexican drug cartels, which use them to make fentanyl for sale in the U.S. He imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese imports over the fentanyl issue, the biggest part of current 30% across-the-board taxes on Chinese goods.

The agreement struck in May in Geneva called for both sides to scale back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-tariff-trump-xi-trade-london-talks-7db44c1697a7c4cf781e0e1796470625">punitive tariff hikes</a>&nbsp;imposed as Trump escalated his trade war and sharply raised import duties. Some higher tariffs, such as those imposed by Washington related to the trade in fentanyl and duties on aluminum and steel, remain in place.

The rapidly shifting policies are taking a toll on both of the world's two largest economies.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-tariffs-trump-gdp-shrink-86d1f15e66c646ac4ce88ffc0a956942">U.S. economy contracted at a 0.5%</a>&nbsp;annual pace from January through March, partly because imports surged as companies and households rushed to buy foreign goods before Trump could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-tariff-trump-xi-trade-london-talks-7db44c1697a7c4cf781e0e1796470625">impose tariffs on them</a>.

In China, factory profits sank more than 9% from a year earlier in May, with automakers suffering a large share of that drop. They fell more than 1% year-on-year in January-May.

Trump and other U.S. officials have indicated they expect to reach trade deals with many other countries, including India.

“We're going to have deal after deal after deal,” Lutnick said.

___ Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Didi Tang contributed from Washington.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751053998692.png" alt="Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-U.S. trade, in London, Monday, June 9. photo&nbsp; released by Xinhua News Agency" />
 <figcaption>Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-U.S. trade, in London, Monday, June 9. photo&nbsp; released by Xinhua News Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>BANGKOK (AP) — Washington and Beijing have signed a trade agreement that will make it easier for American firms to obtain magnets and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rare-earths-trump-tariffs-china-trade-war-effd6a7ec64b5830df9d3c76ab9b607a">rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;from China that are critical to manufacturing and microchip production, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday.The agreement comes after China retaliated against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-economy-trade-court-appeal-e0a2cd2ebc049afce0ebc4959d1cb0be">steep import tariffs</a>&nbsp;imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese goods and moved to slow export of rare earth minerals and magnets much-needed by U.S. industrial interests.Bessent said on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping “had a phone call” previously "and then our teams met in London, ironed this out, and I am confident now that we, as agreed, the magnets will flow.”“Part of the agreement was tariffs coming down and rare earth magnets starting to flow back to the U.S.," Bessent said. "They formed the core of a lot of our industrial base. They were not flowing as fast as previously agreed.”His comments follow President Donald Trump announcing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-xinjiang-critical-minerals-forced-labor-uyghur-eac368889c299fd304a3b7beefc7469a">two weeks earlier</a>&nbsp;an agreement with China that he said would ease exportation of magnets and rare earth mineralsThat pact cleared the way for the trade talks to continue. The U.S. has previously suspended some sales to China of critical U.S. technologies like components used for jet engines and semiconductors. It has also agreed to stop trying to revoke visas of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-trump-guidance-social-media-a1f5180ce83560aff66dd65534906697">Chinese nationals on U.S. college campuses</a>.Bessent added of critical mineral exports: “What we’re seeing here is a de-escalation.”Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg TV that the deal was signed earlier this week.China’s Commerce Ministry said Friday that the two sides had “further confirmed the details of the framework,” when responding to a question about if China was to speed up exports of rare earths to the U.S. and if the U.S. was to remove some restrictions on China.“China will, in accordance with the law, review and approve eligible export applications for controlled items. In turn, the United States will lift a series of restrictive measures it had imposed on China,” the ministry said.Initial talks in Geneva in early May led both sides to postpone massive&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/:%20https://apnews.com/article/canada-carney-trade-us-trump-tariffs-4d22145bc3834b65f6e68805ce0cc3e6">tariff hikes</a>&nbsp;that were threatening to freeze much trade between the two countries. Later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-trade-talks-london-e9e87d76a81a5e51294368308d5af47d">talks in London</a>&nbsp;set a framework for negotiations and the deal mentioned by Trump appeared to formalize that agreement — setting the stage for Bessent's comments on Friday.In London, export controls of the minerals eclipsed tariffs in the trade negotiations after China in April imposed permitting requirements on seven rare earth elements, per a Chinese law that applies to all exports, not just those bound for the U.S. market.With the permitting process taking 45 days, the new requirement has caused a pause in shipments, threatening to disrupt production of cars, robots, wind turbines and other high-tech products in the U.S. and around the world. The U.S., meanwhile, took restrictive measures on exports of high tech to China.By the latest agreement, China does not remove the permitting requirement on rare earths but retains the flexibility to dial up or down the approval process as needed.Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center, said Beijing has only tightened its overall policy on rare earths but has the discretion on how to implement it. "That’s the Chinese style,” she said. “If all goes well, permit happens. If things go in a wrong direction, like U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, permits gone with wind.”China also has taken steps recently on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-fentanyl-tariffs-trump-f77abc5dc8cba277a07c0f2cddb9a9e9">the fentanyl issue</a>, announcing last week that it would designate two more substances as precursor chemicals for fentanyl, making them subject to production, transport and export regulations. Trump has demanded that Beijing do more to stop the flow of such precursor ingredients to Mexican drug cartels, which use them to make fentanyl for sale in the U.S. He imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese imports over the fentanyl issue, the biggest part of current 30% across-the-board taxes on Chinese goods.The agreement struck in May in Geneva called for both sides to scale back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-tariff-trump-xi-trade-london-talks-7db44c1697a7c4cf781e0e1796470625">punitive tariff hikes</a>&nbsp;imposed as Trump escalated his trade war and sharply raised import duties. Some higher tariffs, such as those imposed by Washington related to the trade in fentanyl and duties on aluminum and steel, remain in place.The rapidly shifting policies are taking a toll on both of the world's two largest economies.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-tariffs-trump-gdp-shrink-86d1f15e66c646ac4ce88ffc0a956942">U.S. economy contracted at a 0.5%</a>&nbsp;annual pace from January through March, partly because imports surged as companies and households rushed to buy foreign goods before Trump could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-tariff-trump-xi-trade-london-talks-7db44c1697a7c4cf781e0e1796470625">impose tariffs on them</a>.In China, factory profits sank more than 9% from a year earlier in May, with automakers suffering a large share of that drop. They fell more than 1% year-on-year in January-May.Trump and other U.S. officials have indicated they expect to reach trade deals with many other countries, including India.“We're going to have deal after deal after deal,” Lutnick said.___ Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Didi Tang contributed from Washington.

New details revealed on historic trade deal between the U.S. and China

PHILLIPS COUNTY —A Phillips County Deputy and suspect died after an exchange of gunfire Friday in Phillipsburg.

At around 9:28 p.m. Friday, the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office received a report of illegal, non-consumer-grade fireworks being detonated at 899 1st Street in Phillipsburg, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department Spokesman Branden Stitt.

&nbsp;Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede responded to the scene and contacted 27-year-old Colton Griffith, a resident of the address and the individual believed responsible for the fireworks.

During the encounter, the undersheriff developed probable cause to arrest Griffith. As the undersheriff attempted to place Griffith in handcuffs, a struggle broke out. Griffith pulled a concealed handgun and opened fire on the deputy.

Despite being struck by gunfire, the undersheriff returned fire and hit Griffith multiple times. Griffith died at the scene.

EMS transported Undersheriff Brandon Gaede to a local hospital. Despite life-saving measures, medical personnel pronounced him dead at 10:24 p.m.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the lead agency in the investigation, is working to determine the full sequence of events that led to the shooting.

Detectives are reviewing evidence and statements from witnesses, medical staff, and others involved. The Sheriff’s Office will release additional information as it becomes available. The case findings will be submitted to the Phillips County Attorney upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Gaede is survived by his wife Karlye and 3 young children.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FuFYWCTy9/">&nbsp;Click here to view the Farmer’s State Bank in Phillipsburg</a>&nbsp;is collecting donations for the family.

PHILLIPS COUNTY —Phillips County Deputy Sheriff Brandon Gaede died Friday as the result of an officer involved shooting in Phillipsburg, according to a social media report from the Holdrege, Nebraska Police Department.

On Friday night while responding to a fireworks call on the corner of First Street and E Street in Phillipsburg gunfire was exchanged between  a sheriff's deputy Gaede and a suspect, according to a social media report from Phillips County Sheriff.

The suspect died from the injuries. Deputy Gaede was wounded and transported to a hospital where he died.

Gaede is survived by his wife Karlye and 3 young children.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-gaede-family-after-tragic-loss">&nbsp;Click here to</a> view an online fundraiser for the family.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FuFYWCTy9/">&nbsp;Click here to view the Farmer’s State Bank in Phillipsburg</a>&nbsp;is collecting donations for the family.

The KBI’s Crime Scene Response Team responded, according to KBI spokesperson Natalie Turner. However, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of the investigation, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.

PHILLIPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Phillips County.

On Friday night while responding to a fireworks call on the corner of First Street and E Street in Phillipsburg gunfire was exchanged between&nbsp; a sheriff's deputy and suspect, according to a social media report from Phillips County Sheriff. 

The suspect died from the injuries. The deputy was wounded and transported to a hospital.

The KBI’s Crime Scene Response Team responded, according to KBI spokesperson Natalie Turner. However, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751127258786.png" alt="Deputy Brandon Gaede-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Deputy Brandon Gaede-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPS COUNTY —A Phillips County Deputy and suspect died after an exchange of gunfire Friday in Phillipsburg.At around 9:28 p.m. Friday, the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office received a report of illegal, non-consumer-grade fireworks being detonated at 899 1st Street in Phillipsburg, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department Spokesman Branden Stitt.&nbsp;Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede responded to the scene and contacted 27-year-old Colton Griffith, a resident of the address and the individual believed responsible for the fireworks.During the encounter, the undersheriff developed probable cause to arrest Griffith. As the undersheriff attempted to place Griffith in handcuffs, a struggle broke out. Griffith pulled a concealed handgun and opened fire on the deputy.Despite being struck by gunfire, the undersheriff returned fire and hit Griffith multiple times. Griffith died at the scene.EMS transported Undersheriff Brandon Gaede to a local hospital. Despite life-saving measures, medical personnel pronounced him dead at 10:24 p.m.The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the lead agency in the investigation, is working to determine the full sequence of events that led to the shooting.Detectives are reviewing evidence and statements from witnesses, medical staff, and others involved. The Sheriff’s Office will release additional information as it becomes available. The case findings will be submitted to the Phillips County Attorney upon the conclusion of the investigation.Gaede is survived by his wife Karlye and 3 young children.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FuFYWCTy9/">&nbsp;Click here to view the Farmer’s State Bank in Phillipsburg</a>&nbsp;is collecting donations for the family.-----------------PHILLIPS COUNTY —Phillips County Deputy Sheriff Brandon Gaede died Friday as the result of an officer involved shooting in Phillipsburg, according to a social media report from the Holdrege, Nebraska Police Department.On Friday night while responding to a fireworks call on the corner of First Street and E Street in Phillipsburg gunfire was exchanged between a sheriff's deputy Gaede and a suspect, according to a social media report from Phillips County Sheriff.The suspect died from the injuries. Deputy Gaede was wounded and transported to a hospital where he died.Gaede is survived by his wife Karlye and 3 young children.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-gaede-family-after-tragic-loss">&nbsp;Click here to</a> view an online fundraiser for the family.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FuFYWCTy9/">&nbsp;Click here to view the Farmer’s State Bank in Phillipsburg</a>&nbsp;is collecting donations for the family.The KBI’s Crime Scene Response Team responded, according to KBI spokesperson Natalie Turner. However, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of the investigation, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.-------------PHILLIPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Phillips County.On Friday night while responding to a fireworks call on the corner of First Street and E Street in Phillipsburg gunfire was exchanged between&nbsp; a sheriff's deputy and suspect, according to a social media report from Phillips County Sheriff. The suspect died from the injuries. The deputy was wounded and transported to a hospital.The KBI’s Crime Scene Response Team responded, according to KBI spokesperson Natalie Turner. However, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp;

NW Kansas deputy wounded in gunfight has died

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor&nbsp;Laura&nbsp;Kelly joined state and local leaders and Walmart leadership Friday to celebrate the grand opening of Walmart's Case-Ready Beef Facility in Olathe.

On social media the governor wrote, "Kansas feeds the nation, and Walmart's first owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe will continue this tradition. I was proud to cut the ribbon at the facility's grand opening, which is creating 600 new jobs for Kansans and long-term growth for the region."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751048121074.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor&nbsp;Laura&nbsp;Kelly joined state and local leaders and Walmart leadership Friday to celebrate the grand opening of Walmart's Case-Ready Beef Facility in Olathe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751048142172.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>On social media the governor wrote, "Kansas feeds the nation, and Walmart's first owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe will continue this tradition. I was proud to cut the ribbon at the facility's grand opening, which is creating 600 new jobs for Kansans and long-term growth for the region."