Signature gatherers were allegedly offered thousands of dollars to abandon their work and provide ‘intelligence’ to opponents of the referendum campaign

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Opponents of a referendum on Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">gerrymandered congressional map</a>&nbsp;are offering “huge sums of money” to signature gatherers in an effort to undermine the petition drive, according to accusations in a federal lawsuit.

Advanced Micro Targeting of Dallas, Texas, was hired by a PAC called People Not Politicians to help collect the signatures needed to put Missouri’s new congressional map on the 2026 ballot. In a lawsuit filed Nov. 11 in Missouri’s Western District U.S. Court, the company alleges four consulting firms are involved in an effort to pay signatures gatherers to abandon their work, turn over signatures and badmouth their employer.

The lawsuit says the defendants have “poached” 28 employees and illegally obtained proprietary information about workers and petition strategy.&nbsp;

U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Monday denied the company’s request for a temporary restraining order, stating the company had not proved “irreparable harm” that could not be compensated later. In response, the Advanced Micro Targeting filed an amended complaint, elaborating on the issues the activities of the four defendants are causing for the signature effort.

The defendants, the lawsuit states, are engaged in “an intentional and malicious effort to interfere with AMT’s operations in Missouri…”

According to campaign finance reports, Advanced Micro Targeting had been paid $1.1 million through Sept. 30 to collect signatures for the referendum. The company previously worked in Missouri on the drives to put abortion legalization and an increased minimum wage on the November 2024 ballot.

It is the first time since the company was established in 2007 that it has taken competitors to court, said Billy Rogers, company founder and president&nbsp;

“This was so egregious,” Rogers said. “We’ve never seen anything like this.”

The Advanced Micro Targeting lawsuit bases its claims on federal law protecting trade secrets and common law protections against defamation. But some of the accusations, if true, could violate the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=417.450&amp;bid=23887&amp;hl=" target="_blank">Missouri Uniform Trade Secrets Act</a>, while others may violate the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.&nbsp;

Republican Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office did not respond to The Independent when asked for comment on the allegations. The only public mentions of Advanced Micro Targeting from Hanaway came in two posts on social media accusing the company of violating the law.

In one, she said her office was&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AGCHanaway/status/1991622663585009846?s=20" target="_blank">investigating the company</a>&nbsp;for employing undocumented immigrants “in their efforts to undermine the will of the people’s elected representatives.”

In&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AGCHanaway/status/1991630554488533122?s=20" target="_blank">the other</a>, Hanaway said she had asked Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to investigate whether the company was “creating an environment for exploitation and human trafficking to thrive.”

Hanaway’s office did not respond to questions about the source of her information or why she deemed it to be credible.

Rogers said no one from the attorney general’s office has contacted him or his company to discuss the accusations. Every person being paid by his company to collect signatures, he said, is a direct employee — and every employee is a legal worker checked through the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.e-verify.gov/" target="_blank">E-verify system</a>.

“If we hear from the attorney general’s office or any other government agency, they want to take a look at our employee records and talk to us about our process, we’d be glad to talk to them,” Rogers said. “We do it right. We follow the law.”

Hanaway’s posts are an attempt at intimidation, said Richard von Glahn, director of People Not Politicians. She should know that the company verifies that its workers are eligible for employment, he said.

“The fact that she doesn’t know that shows that she conducted zero investigation and just put out the tweet, which continues the effort by opponents of the referendum to try to confuse and mislead voters as to what’s going on,” he said.

Republicans muscled the gerrymandering plan past Democratic opposition during a September special session. Using the new map, Republicans hope to win seven of the state’s eight congressional seats by adding enough GOP votes to flip the 5th District, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City.

The lawsuit is a new layer of litigation&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/13/trial-over-referendum-on-missouris-gerrymandered-congressional-map-delayed-again/">related to the congressional map</a>.&nbsp;

There are at least eight cases currently underway, not all of which will be completed before the Dec. 11 deadline to turn in petition signatures. The next court hearing is Tuesday in St. Louis, where a federal judge will hear arguments over the constitutionality of a referendum on congressional district plans.

The Advanced Micro Targeting lawsuit names as defendants Let the Voters Decide of Celebration, Florida, and Vortex Elite LLC, of Miami, Florida; Synergy Wise Solutions, which has no website that could be found and lists an address that is a Pakmail storefront in Tucson, Arizona; and Onest Marketing, which also does not have a website that could be found and lists an address in an apartment building on the ocean in Miami, Florida.

The defendants, according to the lawsuit, obtained a confidential list of employees that included productivity rankings.

“Defendants are offering the employees on this confidential list huge sums of money (some were offered up to $30,000) to resign their employment with AMT and provide ‘intelligence gathering’ services for defendants,” the lawsuit states.

Each person hired by the company signs an agreement not to work for a competitor for a year after leaving Advanced Micro Targeting and not to try to hire employees away from the company.

In a statement issued through a communications consultant, Let the Voters Decide called the case a “bogus lawsuit” and cited Hanaway’s social media posts as evidence of bad practices.

“We will defend our company aggressively against AMT’s absurd claims,” the company said. “And anyone who reports or reads these claims really ought to consider the source.”

Vortex Elite did not respond to an email seeking comment. There were no contacts found for the other two defendants and none have lawyers listed for their defense.

The petition drive needs about 110,000 signatures spread across six of the state’s eight congressional districts to force a referendum. In its most recent update, People Not Politicians said it has gathered more than 200,000 signatures.

Von Glahn said the campaign will stop issuing updates as the deadline approaches.&nbsp;

Most of the signature gatherers passing petitions are volunteers, von Glahn said. The efforts to divert signature gatherers from the task has been felt among volunteers as well, he said.

One volunteer in Columbia reported being offered $1,000 for a backpack of signed petition sheets, he said. Others have been approached by people seeking to sign for a relative or when they are not registered, both violations of state campaign law, he said.

“We’re going to continue together, even in the face of these clearly desperate attempts to keep this from reaching the ballot,” von Glahn said. “The interesting thing about all of the opposition tactics is they are not preparing to defend the map at the ballot. They are desperately seeking to keep it from going to a vote.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760697422004.png" alt="Protesters gather in the Missouri Capitol rotunda Sept. 10 in opposition to a gerrymandered congressional district map (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Protesters gather in the Missouri Capitol rotunda Sept. 10 in opposition to a gerrymandered congressional district map (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Signature gatherers were allegedly offered thousands of dollars to abandon their work and provide ‘intelligence’ to opponents of the referendum campaign</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Opponents of a referendum on Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">gerrymandered congressional map</a>&nbsp;are offering “huge sums of money” to signature gatherers in an effort to undermine the petition drive, according to accusations in a federal lawsuit.Advanced Micro Targeting of Dallas, Texas, was hired by a PAC called People Not Politicians to help collect the signatures needed to put Missouri’s new congressional map on the 2026 ballot. In a lawsuit filed Nov. 11 in Missouri’s Western District U.S. Court, the company alleges four consulting firms are involved in an effort to pay signatures gatherers to abandon their work, turn over signatures and badmouth their employer.The lawsuit says the defendants have “poached” 28 employees and illegally obtained proprietary information about workers and petition strategy.&nbsp;U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Monday denied the company’s request for a temporary restraining order, stating the company had not proved “irreparable harm” that could not be compensated later. In response, the Advanced Micro Targeting filed an amended complaint, elaborating on the issues the activities of the four defendants are causing for the signature effort.The defendants, the lawsuit states, are engaged in “an intentional and malicious effort to interfere with AMT’s operations in Missouri…”According to campaign finance reports, Advanced Micro Targeting had been paid $1.1 million through Sept. 30 to collect signatures for the referendum. The company previously worked in Missouri on the drives to put abortion legalization and an increased minimum wage on the November 2024 ballot.It is the first time since the company was established in 2007 that it has taken competitors to court, said Billy Rogers, company founder and president&nbsp;“This was so egregious,” Rogers said. “We’ve never seen anything like this.”The Advanced Micro Targeting lawsuit bases its claims on federal law protecting trade secrets and common law protections against defamation. But some of the accusations, if true, could violate the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=417.450&amp;bid=23887&amp;hl=" target="_blank">Missouri Uniform Trade Secrets Act</a>, while others may violate the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.&nbsp;Republican Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office did not respond to The Independent when asked for comment on the allegations. The only public mentions of Advanced Micro Targeting from Hanaway came in two posts on social media accusing the company of violating the law.In one, she said her office was&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AGCHanaway/status/1991622663585009846?s=20" target="_blank">investigating the company</a>&nbsp;for employing undocumented immigrants “in their efforts to undermine the will of the people’s elected representatives.”In&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AGCHanaway/status/1991630554488533122?s=20" target="_blank">the other</a>, Hanaway said she had asked Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to investigate whether the company was “creating an environment for exploitation and human trafficking to thrive.”Hanaway’s office did not respond to questions about the source of her information or why she deemed it to be credible.Rogers said no one from the attorney general’s office has contacted him or his company to discuss the accusations. Every person being paid by his company to collect signatures, he said, is a direct employee — and every employee is a legal worker checked through the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.e-verify.gov/" target="_blank">E-verify system</a>.“If we hear from the attorney general’s office or any other government agency, they want to take a look at our employee records and talk to us about our process, we’d be glad to talk to them,” Rogers said. “We do it right. We follow the law.”Hanaway’s posts are an attempt at intimidation, said Richard von Glahn, director of People Not Politicians. She should know that the company verifies that its workers are eligible for employment, he said.“The fact that she doesn’t know that shows that she conducted zero investigation and just put out the tweet, which continues the effort by opponents of the referendum to try to confuse and mislead voters as to what’s going on,” he said.Republicans muscled the gerrymandering plan past Democratic opposition during a September special session. Using the new map, Republicans hope to win seven of the state’s eight congressional seats by adding enough GOP votes to flip the 5th District, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City.The lawsuit is a new layer of litigation&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/13/trial-over-referendum-on-missouris-gerrymandered-congressional-map-delayed-again/">related to the congressional map</a>.&nbsp;There are at least eight cases currently underway, not all of which will be completed before the Dec. 11 deadline to turn in petition signatures. The next court hearing is Tuesday in St. Louis, where a federal judge will hear arguments over the constitutionality of a referendum on congressional district plans.The Advanced Micro Targeting lawsuit names as defendants Let the Voters Decide of Celebration, Florida, and Vortex Elite LLC, of Miami, Florida; Synergy Wise Solutions, which has no website that could be found and lists an address that is a Pakmail storefront in Tucson, Arizona; and Onest Marketing, which also does not have a website that could be found and lists an address in an apartment building on the ocean in Miami, Florida.The defendants, according to the lawsuit, obtained a confidential list of employees that included productivity rankings.“Defendants are offering the employees on this confidential list huge sums of money (some were offered up to $30,000) to resign their employment with AMT and provide ‘intelligence gathering’ services for defendants,” the lawsuit states.Each person hired by the company signs an agreement not to work for a competitor for a year after leaving Advanced Micro Targeting and not to try to hire employees away from the company.In a statement issued through a communications consultant, Let the Voters Decide called the case a “bogus lawsuit” and cited Hanaway’s social media posts as evidence of bad practices.“We will defend our company aggressively against AMT’s absurd claims,” the company said. “And anyone who reports or reads these claims really ought to consider the source.”Vortex Elite did not respond to an email seeking comment. There were no contacts found for the other two defendants and none have lawyers listed for their defense.The petition drive needs about 110,000 signatures spread across six of the state’s eight congressional districts to force a referendum. In its most recent update, People Not Politicians said it has gathered more than 200,000 signatures.Von Glahn said the campaign will stop issuing updates as the deadline approaches.&nbsp;Most of the signature gatherers passing petitions are volunteers, von Glahn said. The efforts to divert signature gatherers from the task has been felt among volunteers as well, he said.One volunteer in Columbia reported being offered $1,000 for a backpack of signed petition sheets, he said. Others have been approached by people seeking to sign for a relative or when they are not registered, both violations of state campaign law, he said.“We’re going to continue together, even in the face of these clearly desperate attempts to keep this from reaching the ballot,” von Glahn said. “The interesting thing about all of the opposition tactics is they are not preparing to defend the map at the ballot. They are desperately seeking to keep it from going to a vote.”

Lawsuit details alleged scheme to sabotage referendum on gerrymandered Missouri congressional map

SHAWNEE COUNTY —The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward for information leading to the identification of subject or subjects involved in a robbery at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Topeka.

FBI said they are offering a $3,000 reward for subject identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual or individuals involved in the robbery.

Just before 9:30p.m. August 19, the KFC,&nbsp; 3920 SW 21st Street in Topeka was robbed at gunpoint. The investigation indicates that an unknown subject entered the business armed with a handgun and demanded money from the employees. The subject fled the scene on foot and to the north.

The subject is described as an adult male, approximately 6-foot-0 to 6-foot 2, 150 pounds with&nbsp; bright blue/green eyes. During the robbery, the subject was wearing khakis, black dress shoes, light grey gloves, a grey hoodie, a ball cap, and a full ski-mask. He was carrying a black/chrome handgun.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is encouraged to call the Kansas City Division of the FBI at 816-512-8200 or Topeka Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. Tips can also be provided via the website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shawneecountycrimestoppers.com/">www.shawneecountycrimestoppers.com</a>&nbsp;or through the P3tips app.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763738744492.png" alt="Photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward for information leading to the identification of subject or subjects involved in a robbery at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Topeka.FBI said they are offering a $3,000 reward for subject identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual or individuals involved in the robbery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763738713309.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 9:30p.m. August 19, the KFC,&nbsp; 3920 SW 21st Street in Topeka was robbed at gunpoint. The investigation indicates that an unknown subject entered the business armed with a handgun and demanded money from the employees. The subject fled the scene on foot and to the north.The subject is described as an adult male, approximately 6-foot-0 to 6-foot 2, 150 pounds with&nbsp; bright blue/green eyes. During the robbery, the subject was wearing khakis, black dress shoes, light grey gloves, a grey hoodie, a ball cap, and a full ski-mask. He was carrying a black/chrome handgun.Anyone with information regarding this robbery is encouraged to call the Kansas City Division of the FBI at 816-512-8200 or Topeka Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. Tips can also be provided via the website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shawneecountycrimestoppers.com/">www.shawneecountycrimestoppers.com</a>&nbsp;or through the P3tips app.

Reward offered for info on Kansas armed robbery suspect

WASHINGTON–&nbsp;On Thursday,&nbsp; Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall released the following statement after the Senate passed his legislation to restore whole milk in schools.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act&nbsp;expands healthy milk options in schools by reversing the Obama-era law that took whole milk out of school cafeterias.

“Whole milk is the most nutritious drink known to mankind, and for whatever reason, the federal government took it out of our schools over a decade ago – robbing an entire generation of essential dairy intake. As an obstetrician, I cannot stress the extensive list of benefits that comes from drinking whole – and most of all, it just tastes better,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“I’m proud to see another win on the MAHA agenda cross the finish line in the Senate and am looking forward to seeing it signed into law.”

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>&nbsp;(DGA) reports that nearly 90% of Americans do not meet their daily dairy intake recommendations. Specifically, Americans are lacking enough Calcium and Vitamin D, and whole milk is an excellent source of both vitamins. Leading nutritionists&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522012898?via%3Dihub">have found</a>&nbsp;that whole dairy fats have no negative effect on a diet, and may even reduce the risk of heart disease.

The legislation was first&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;by Senator Marshall in June of 2023. It was reintroduced in April of 2025 with numerous bipartisan sponsors and co-sponsors and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-legislation-to-restore-whole-milk-in-schools-passes-senate-agriculture-committee/">passed</a>&nbsp;the Senate Agriculture Committee in June of 2025.

WASHINGTON–&nbsp;On Thursday,&nbsp; Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall released the following statement after the Senate passed his legislation to restore whole milk in schools.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act&nbsp;expands healthy milk options in schools by reversing the Obama-era law that took whole milk out of school cafeterias.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/UTi7tRhtMD">https://t.co/UTi7tRhtMD</a> <a href="https://t.co/W7QVf5dxvQ">pic.twitter.com/W7QVf5dxvQ</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1991605244988461489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Whole milk is the most nutritious drink known to mankind, and for whatever reason, the federal government took it out of our schools over a decade ago – robbing an entire generation of essential dairy intake. As an obstetrician, I cannot stress the extensive list of benefits that comes from drinking whole – and most of all, it just tastes better,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“I’m proud to see another win on the MAHA agenda cross the finish line in the Senate and am looking forward to seeing it signed into law.”The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>&nbsp;(DGA) reports that nearly 90% of Americans do not meet their daily dairy intake recommendations. Specifically, Americans are lacking enough Calcium and Vitamin D, and whole milk is an excellent source of both vitamins. Leading nutritionists&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522012898?via%3Dihub">have found</a>&nbsp;that whole dairy fats have no negative effect on a diet, and may even reduce the risk of heart disease.The legislation was first&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;by Senator Marshall in June of 2023. It was reintroduced in April of 2025 with numerous bipartisan sponsors and co-sponsors and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-legislation-to-restore-whole-milk-in-schools-passes-senate-agriculture-committee/">passed</a>&nbsp;the Senate Agriculture Committee in June of 2025.

Kan. U.S. Senator's bill to restore whole milk in schools passes the Senate

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash have identified the victim as&nbsp;36-year-old Amber Kirk, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis.

The Topeka Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating anyone who was in the area of the NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Paramore Street intersection in Topeka at the time of the incident.

Just before 6p.m. November 15, police&nbsp;responded to a hit-and-run injury accident call at the intersection of NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Paramore Streets in Topeka. The accident involved a vehicle and pedestrian. 

The pedestrian, later identified as Kirk, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries where she died.

During investigation of this incident, police identified Sultan Y. Andemichael, 18, Topeka, as a suspect. Andemichael was located and transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on November 17. He remains jailed on requested charges of&nbsp; Involuntary manslaughter;&nbsp;Interference with LEO;  Conceal/alter/destroy evidence in felony case and Failure to stop accident resulting in death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763425624800.png" alt="Andemichael photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Andemichael photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash have identified the victim as&nbsp;36-year-old Amber Kirk, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis.The Topeka Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating anyone who was in the area of the NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Paramore Street intersection in Topeka at the time of the incident.Just before 6p.m. November 15, police&nbsp;responded to a hit-and-run injury accident call at the intersection of NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Paramore Streets in Topeka. The accident involved a vehicle and pedestrian. The pedestrian, later identified as Kirk, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries where she died.During investigation of this incident, police identified Sultan Y. Andemichael, 18, Topeka, as a suspect. Andemichael was located and transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on November 17. He remains jailed on requested charges of&nbsp; Involuntary manslaughter;&nbsp;Interference with LEO; Conceal/alter/destroy evidence in felony case and Failure to stop accident resulting in death.

Police look for witnesses to hit-and-run that killed Kansas woman

President Trump is accusing six Democratic lawmakers of sedition “punishable by DEATH” after the lawmakers, all veterans, called on U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy “illegal orders” in a video posted to X.

This is the original video that prompted President Trump to respond.

President Trump is accusing six Democratic lawmakers of sedition “punishable by DEATH” after the lawmakers, all veterans, called on U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy “illegal orders” in a video posted to X.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763674382514.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>This is the original video that prompted President Trump to respond.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community. The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution. Don’t give up the ship. <a href="https://t.co/N8lW0EpQ7r">pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r</a>&mdash; Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763731398462.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) goes on a ridiculous rant where she doubles down on her treason where she told US Military to disobey orders. She’s telling servicemembers to commit sedition. Her doing that is clear treason. Try her. Sentence her to life.<a href="https://t.co/YyXpGhfgdf">pic.twitter.com/YyXpGhfgdf</a>&mdash; Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bubblebathgirl/status/1991643812389638283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Earlier this morning, President Trump threatened me and a group of service and veteran Members of Congress with arrest, trial, and death by hanging. Here’s my response: <a href="https://t.co/jIZYrQTlP7">pic.twitter.com/jIZYrQTlP7</a>&mdash; Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1991571957494448420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/rGyeeyOEXf">pic.twitter.com/rGyeeyOEXf</a>&mdash; Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepHoulahan/status/1991636065774628945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The President of the United States just called for my arrest and execution. In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage: <a href="https://t.co/QMkRRoUxEn">pic.twitter.com/QMkRRoUxEn</a>&mdash; Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJasonCrow/status/1991584226907681097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Don&#39;t give up the ship. <a href="https://t.co/T4EiN521iY">pic.twitter.com/T4EiN521iY</a>&mdash; Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepHoulahan/status/1991572053825093961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sec_Noem</a> should agree to testify on domestic deployments. It is a fundamental issue to who we are as Americans. No matter where you land on the issue, transparency shouldn’t be seen as a threat. <a href="https://t.co/H3SrQ31RlX">pic.twitter.com/H3SrQ31RlX</a>&mdash; Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1991325305101832674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Donald Trump is calling for my death and others, and every political leader should condemn the President&#39;s violent threats. <a href="https://t.co/Cgtmoujsba">pic.twitter.com/Cgtmoujsba</a>&mdash; Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDeluzio/status/1991611011942724004?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Just to be clear, does the president want to execute members of Congress?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> Karoline Leavitt: &quot;No. Let&#39;s be clear about what the president is responding to...you have sitting members of the United States Congress who conspired together to orchestrate a video message… <a href="https://t.co/pPCLJ4LqCD">pic.twitter.com/pPCLJ4LqCD</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1991596354767057136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Dem lawmakers respond to President Trump's accusation of sedition

Republicans have been trying since 2006 to enact the photo ID requirement in Missouri. Prior to the 2022 law, every attempt had been rebuffed by the courts

The Missouri Supreme Court must decide if voters need government-issued ID cards and whether people trying to register new voters can be paid.

The judges on Wednesday heard a pair of cases arising from a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1878&amp;Year=2022&amp;code=R" target="_blank">2022 law</a>&nbsp;that also established two weeks of early voting before each election. If the high court throws out the voter ID portion of the law, it would trigger a provision that also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/09/voter-id-requirement-absentee-ballot-changes-clear-missouri-senate/">scuttles the early voting period</a>.

The Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters filed both lawsuits and got a split result at the trial court level in Cole County. Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/27/challenge-to-voter-id-law-heading-for-appeal-to-missouri-supreme-court/">photo ID requirements</a>&nbsp;were “everyday burdens” that did not violate voter rights but that the limitations on individuals and organizations running&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/FINAL%20ORDER%20AND%20JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3368715" target="_blank">voter registration campaigns</a>&nbsp;“chill speech and advocacy related to voting and decrease participation in elections.”

Together, the outcome of the two cases will determine whether Republicans have finally succeeded in goals they have sought for years — stricter limits on acceptable voting identification and higher obstacles for organizations engaged in voter registration campaigns.

Opponents of the voter ID requirements aren’t arguing that there should be no requirement for identification, Jason Orr of the ACLU of Missouri told the court Wednesday. It is the limited list of acceptable identification that violates voter rights, he said.

To vote under the 2022 law, a person must present a Missouri drivers license, non-driver identification or another identification card issued by Missouri or the federal government with a photo, birthdate and expiration date.

“This type of state photo ID requirement does not pass muster under the Missouri Constitution,” Orr said.

Beetem’s ruling misses the mark, Orr said, because people with mobility issues who cannot obtain documents such as a birth certificate or who have misspellings on their documents have far more trouble than others getting identification issued.

The burdens “certainly are not shared by majority citizens, but they are real, and they frustrate the ability of some Missourians to exercise this right,” Orr said.

Missouri Republicans have been trying since 2006 to enact the photo ID requirement. Prior to the 2022 law, every attempt had been rebuffed by the courts. Before the law took effect, acceptable identification included a school ID, a voter card issued by their county clerk or a utility bill in their name at their voting address.

The photo ID requirement protects the integrity of elections and there is little evidence it has prevented Missourians from voting, said Lou Capozzi, state solicitor general.

People without ID can cast provisional ballots that will be counted if their signature matches the one on file, he said. In 2022, he said, only 116 ballots were not counted.

In his ruling, Beetem decided that the individual plaintiffs named in the lawsuit had not shown sufficient injury to sue and neither had the NAACP or the league as organizations. Capozzi noted that in his arguments.

“They could present the court with a single person unable to vote under the law,” he said.

At a news conference after the hearing, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said 116 “is not a lot of votes” and it shows the law is working as intended.

“The goal is that anybody who is trying to vote&nbsp; who shouldn’t be voting because they’re an illegal immigrant, because they don’t live in Missouri, because they’re trying to vote more than once, doesn’t get that opportunity,” Hanaway said.

Denise Lieberman of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition said she sees 116 votes not being counted as a violation of all Missourians’ rights. The inclusion of both the voter ID requirements and limitations on signing up new voters in the same bill shows the intent to make it harder, not easier, to vote, she said at a news conference.

“The burdens to voters of a strict photo ID requirement to vote, the burdens on political speech of the voter registration and absentee ballot solicitations, are not academic,” Lieberman said. “They are not simply a matter of constitutional debate. These affect real voters here in the state of Missouri.”

The voter registration provisions bar paid voter registration solicitors, require anyone working to register voters to be a registered Missouri voter at least 18 years old and to file paperwork with the secretary of state’s office. The law also banned the practice of paying people to collect absentee ballots on behalf of homebound voters.

Arguing to overturn Beetem’s ruling, Deputy Solicitor General Michael Patton said the lower court ruling accepted too broad a definition of soliciting. Organizations can engage in voter registration drives that direct people to sign up through official government websites, he said, but cannot have individuals fill out cards that are turned in by the group.

Judge Paul Wilson was skeptical. He asked where else the limited definition would be acceptable.

“Should we apply that in a soliciting sex case, saying that if it does not result in a completed transaction, it isn’t soliciting?” Wilson asked.

Patton said the intent to receive sexual activity is what qualifies the act as soliciting.&nbsp;

And if a person working for a voter registration drive does not intend to personally collect registration forms, he said, it would not violate the law.

“Unless there is an exchange of a completed application, we do not believe that is soliciting,” Patton said.

The law includes criminal penalties for people who violate the restrictions on registering new voters. That has a chilling impact on free speech because it is open to interpretation, Kristen Mulvey of the Missouri ACLU told the judges.

The state has been unable to provide a consistent definition, Mulvey said. That will lead local law enforcement to make its own interpretations, she added.

“It is not the secretary of state,” Mulvey said, “but each of the 115 prosecutors who are also defendants in this case, who are tasked with enforcing the criminal provisions.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763727941222.png" alt=" Denise Lieberman of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, center, speaks Wednesday about the Supreme Court hearings on laws requiring a government-issued voter ID and barring paid voter registration solicitors (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Denise Lieberman of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, center, speaks Wednesday about the Supreme Court hearings on laws requiring a government-issued voter ID and barring paid voter registration solicitors (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>Republicans have been trying since 2006 to enact the photo ID requirement in Missouri. Prior to the 2022 law, every attempt had been rebuffed by the courts</h2>The Missouri Supreme Court must decide if voters need government-issued ID cards and whether people trying to register new voters can be paid.The judges on Wednesday heard a pair of cases arising from a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1878&amp;Year=2022&amp;code=R" target="_blank">2022 law</a>&nbsp;that also established two weeks of early voting before each election. If the high court throws out the voter ID portion of the law, it would trigger a provision that also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/09/voter-id-requirement-absentee-ballot-changes-clear-missouri-senate/">scuttles the early voting period</a>.The Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters filed both lawsuits and got a split result at the trial court level in Cole County. Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/27/challenge-to-voter-id-law-heading-for-appeal-to-missouri-supreme-court/">photo ID requirements</a>&nbsp;were “everyday burdens” that did not violate voter rights but that the limitations on individuals and organizations running&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/FINAL%20ORDER%20AND%20JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3368715" target="_blank">voter registration campaigns</a>&nbsp;“chill speech and advocacy related to voting and decrease participation in elections.”Together, the outcome of the two cases will determine whether Republicans have finally succeeded in goals they have sought for years — stricter limits on acceptable voting identification and higher obstacles for organizations engaged in voter registration campaigns.Opponents of the voter ID requirements aren’t arguing that there should be no requirement for identification, Jason Orr of the ACLU of Missouri told the court Wednesday. It is the limited list of acceptable identification that violates voter rights, he said.To vote under the 2022 law, a person must present a Missouri drivers license, non-driver identification or another identification card issued by Missouri or the federal government with a photo, birthdate and expiration date.“This type of state photo ID requirement does not pass muster under the Missouri Constitution,” Orr said.Beetem’s ruling misses the mark, Orr said, because people with mobility issues who cannot obtain documents such as a birth certificate or who have misspellings on their documents have far more trouble than others getting identification issued.The burdens “certainly are not shared by majority citizens, but they are real, and they frustrate the ability of some Missourians to exercise this right,” Orr said.Missouri Republicans have been trying since 2006 to enact the photo ID requirement. Prior to the 2022 law, every attempt had been rebuffed by the courts. Before the law took effect, acceptable identification included a school ID, a voter card issued by their county clerk or a utility bill in their name at their voting address.The photo ID requirement protects the integrity of elections and there is little evidence it has prevented Missourians from voting, said Lou Capozzi, state solicitor general.People without ID can cast provisional ballots that will be counted if their signature matches the one on file, he said. In 2022, he said, only 116 ballots were not counted.In his ruling, Beetem decided that the individual plaintiffs named in the lawsuit had not shown sufficient injury to sue and neither had the NAACP or the league as organizations. Capozzi noted that in his arguments.“They could present the court with a single person unable to vote under the law,” he said.At a news conference after the hearing, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said 116 “is not a lot of votes” and it shows the law is working as intended.“The goal is that anybody who is trying to vote&nbsp; who shouldn’t be voting because they’re an illegal immigrant, because they don’t live in Missouri, because they’re trying to vote more than once, doesn’t get that opportunity,” Hanaway said.Denise Lieberman of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition said she sees 116 votes not being counted as a violation of all Missourians’ rights. The inclusion of both the voter ID requirements and limitations on signing up new voters in the same bill shows the intent to make it harder, not easier, to vote, she said at a news conference.“The burdens to voters of a strict photo ID requirement to vote, the burdens on political speech of the voter registration and absentee ballot solicitations, are not academic,” Lieberman said. “They are not simply a matter of constitutional debate. These affect real voters here in the state of Missouri.”The voter registration provisions bar paid voter registration solicitors, require anyone working to register voters to be a registered Missouri voter at least 18 years old and to file paperwork with the secretary of state’s office. The law also banned the practice of paying people to collect absentee ballots on behalf of homebound voters.Arguing to overturn Beetem’s ruling, Deputy Solicitor General Michael Patton said the lower court ruling accepted too broad a definition of soliciting. Organizations can engage in voter registration drives that direct people to sign up through official government websites, he said, but cannot have individuals fill out cards that are turned in by the group.Judge Paul Wilson was skeptical. He asked where else the limited definition would be acceptable.“Should we apply that in a soliciting sex case, saying that if it does not result in a completed transaction, it isn’t soliciting?” Wilson asked.Patton said the intent to receive sexual activity is what qualifies the act as soliciting.&nbsp;And if a person working for a voter registration drive does not intend to personally collect registration forms, he said, it would not violate the law.“Unless there is an exchange of a completed application, we do not believe that is soliciting,” Patton said.The law includes criminal penalties for people who violate the restrictions on registering new voters. That has a chilling impact on free speech because it is open to interpretation, Kristen Mulvey of the Missouri ACLU told the judges.The state has been unable to provide a consistent definition, Mulvey said. That will lead local law enforcement to make its own interpretations, she added.“It is not the secretary of state,” Mulvey said, “but each of the 115 prosecutors who are also defendants in this case, who are tasked with enforcing the criminal provisions.”

Missouri Supreme Court reviews voter ID mandate, ban on paid registration efforts

KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating another fatal shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;

Just after 7:30p.m. Thursday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the area of 55th and Wabash on the sound of gunshots, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Officers checked the area and located a vehicle mid block to the south in the east side alley. Inside the vehicle officers located an a woman shooting victim unresponsive. Officers called for EMS who responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene canvassing for any witnesses.&nbsp; The shooting appears to have happened in the alley of the location, according to Becchina. Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763724181674.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating another fatal shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;Just after 7:30p.m. Thursday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the area of 55th and Wabash on the sound of gunshots, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Officers checked the area and located a vehicle mid block to the south in the east side alley. Inside the vehicle officers located an a woman shooting victim unresponsive. Officers called for EMS who responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.Homicide detectives responded to the scene canvassing for any witnesses.&nbsp; The shooting appears to have happened in the alley of the location, according to Becchina. Police have not released the name of the victim.

Homicide: KC woman found with gunshot wounds in a vehicle

COWLEY COUNTY—The Arkansas City Police Department recognized the outstanding work and bravery of Master Police Officer Shannese McIntosh Thursday.

According to a social media report from the police department, on November 12, officers were dispatched to a call involving an unresponsive 6-week-old baby who wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. Upon arriving, MPO McIntosh immediately took action, performing CPR and giving the infant every possible chance. 

The baby was transported to South Central Kansas Medical Center and later flown to Wichita for additional care. On Thursday, the police department shared that baby Nova Raie is doing great.

Nova Raie and her mother even stopped by the department to visit MPO McIntosh after she was released from the hospital — a moment that meant a great deal to all at the Arkansas City Police Department.

"Please join us in commending Master Police Officer McIntosh for her quick response, skill, and compassion. Her actions made a profound difference, and we are incredibly proud to have her on our team."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763690269078.png" alt="Photo Arkansas City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Arkansas City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—The Arkansas City Police Department recognized the outstanding work and bravery of Master Police Officer Shannese McIntosh Thursday.According to a social media report from the police department, on November 12, officers were dispatched to a call involving an unresponsive 6-week-old baby who wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. Upon arriving, MPO McIntosh immediately took action, performing CPR and giving the infant every possible chance. The baby was transported to South Central Kansas Medical Center and later flown to Wichita for additional care. On Thursday, the police department shared that baby Nova Raie is doing great.Nova Raie and her mother even stopped by the department to visit MPO McIntosh after she was released from the hospital — a moment that meant a great deal to all at the Arkansas City Police Department."Please join us in commending Master Police Officer McIntosh for her quick response, skill, and compassion. Her actions made a profound difference, and we are incredibly proud to have her on our team."

Kansas officer's quick action helped save life of baby

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal&nbsp;accident that occurred just after midnight November 14 in Wyandotte County have released the name of the victim as 32-year-old Antonio Rutiaga-Leyva, according to Kansas City, Kansas Police.

A vehicle was northbound in the 300 Block of North James Street at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control at a curve and continued over the bridge.

EMS transported one occupant to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The second occupant, identified as&nbsp;Rutiaga-Leyva, was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Police did not release information on who was driving or other details as they continue to investigate.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal&nbsp;accident that occurred just after midnight November 14 in Wyandotte County have released the name of the victim as 32-year-old Antonio Rutiaga-Leyva, according to Kansas City, Kansas Police.A vehicle was northbound in the 300 Block of North James Street at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control at a curve and continued over the bridge.EMS transported one occupant to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The second occupant, identified as&nbsp;Rutiaga-Leyva, was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Police did not release information on who was driving or other details as they continue to investigate.

Police ID victim who died after vehicle traveled off Kan. bridge

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Two suspects are in custody and facing multiple allegations following a stolen vehicle pursuit, initiated by the Real Time Crime Center in Shawnee County.

Just after 10a.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) received notification of a stolen vehicle near SE 21st Street and SE California Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Deputies responded to the area and received updates from the RTCC, leading them to the stolen vehicle. The white Nissan Rogue was recently reported stolen out of Lawrence and the license plate on the Nissan was reported stolen out of Topeka.

A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 2000 block of SE California Avenue. However, the driver, later identified s 38-year-old Destine S. Back of Topeka refused to stop, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit ended near SW 27th Street and SW Fillmore Street and both occupants ran from the vehicle. 

A K-9 Unit found Back hiding near a residence’s trashcans and a male passenger identified as 28-year-old Daizhon D. W. Amos of Topeka was located walking in the area.

Destinee S. Back is being held in the the Shawnee County Department

of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Fail to stop for a red traffic control device, Vehicles; display plate not assigned, Possession of a hallucinogenic drug,&nbsp;Possession of stolen property and Flee or attempt to elude

Daizhon D. W. Amos, booked into jail on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement and Possession of marijuana. Amos also had a parole violation hold.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763500661071.png" alt="Amos photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Amos photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Two suspects are in custody and facing multiple allegations following a stolen vehicle pursuit, initiated by the Real Time Crime Center in Shawnee County.Just after 10a.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) received notification of a stolen vehicle near SE 21st Street and SE California Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763500591440.png" alt="Back photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Back photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies responded to the area and received updates from the RTCC, leading them to the stolen vehicle. The white Nissan Rogue was recently reported stolen out of Lawrence and the license plate on the Nissan was reported stolen out of Topeka.A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 2000 block of SE California Avenue. However, the driver, later identified s 38-year-old Destine S. Back of Topeka refused to stop, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit ended near SW 27th Street and SW Fillmore Street and both occupants ran from the vehicle. A K-9 Unit found Back hiding near a residence’s trashcans and a male passenger identified as 28-year-old Daizhon D. W. Amos of Topeka was located walking in the area.Destinee S. Back is being held in the the Shawnee County Departmentof Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Fail to stop for a red traffic control device, Vehicles; display plate not assigned, Possession of a hallucinogenic drug,&nbsp;Possession of stolen property and Flee or attempt to eludeDaizhon D. W. Amos, booked into jail on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement and Possession of marijuana. Amos also had a parole violation hold.

Kansas woman, wanted for car theft, was hiding behind trash cans

MCDONALD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before noon Thursday in McConald County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Buick Park Avenue driven by a 39-year-old Anderson man was eastbound on Highway F one half mile west of Anderson. The car was traveling too fast for conditions. It crossed the center line and struck a 2026 Ram 2500 driven by a 54-year-old Anderson man.

 The Buick driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup driver was not injured. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of a ccident victims.&nbsp;

MCDONALD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before noon Thursday in McConald County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Buick Park Avenue driven by a 39-year-old Anderson man was eastbound on Highway F one half mile west of Anderson. The car was traveling too fast for conditions. It crossed the center line and struck a 2026 Ram 2500 driven by a 54-year-old Anderson man. The Buick driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup driver was not injured. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of a ccident victims.&nbsp;

Mo. driver traveling too fast for conditions killed in car, pickup crash

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of sedition on social media Thursday and threatened them with punishment as severe as death, after they appeared in a video message encouraging U.S. armed forces to refuse “illegal orders.”

Trump also shared another social media post that said the Democrats should be hanged.

The video’s distribution online by Democrats comes as the Trump administration is mired in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/19/nx-s1-5612793/national-guard-tennessee-trump-court-lawsuit" target="_blank">multiple legal cases</a>&nbsp;objecting to the president’s deployment of National Guard troops to cities across the country, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/trump-v-illinois/" target="_blank">challenge</a>&nbsp;to Guard troops in Chicago which is now before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In several morning posts on his own social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT”&nbsp;

“SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!,” he added a couple of hours later.

Prior to writing and publishing his own, the president reposted several messages from users on Truth Social, including one by a user with the handle @P78 who wrote, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!”&nbsp;

Trump and his social media supporters were referring to&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948" target="_blank">the video</a>, which featured Democratic U.S. lawmakers who served in the military telling current members of the military and the intelligence community to “refuse illegal orders.”

Each line in the video is alternately delivered by Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Jason Crow of Colorado.

“We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders,” the lawmakers said.

The video was titled “Don’t give up the ship.”

Does Trump want to ‘execute’ Democrats?

When asked by a CBS News reporter during the daily press briefing Thursday whether the president wants to “execute” members of Congress, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt answered, “No.”

Leavitt said Trump was reacting to sitting members of Congress who “conspired” on the video message to encourage active duty service members and national security officials to “defy the president’s lawful orders.”

Leavitt singled out the participation of Slotkin and Kelly, who respectively served as a CIA intelligence officer and a Navy captain. Leavitt also highlighted&nbsp; Goodlander’s marriage to former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who served under President Joe Biden.

“They were leaning into their credentials as former members of our military, as veterans, as former members of the national security apparatus, to signal to people serving under this commander-in-chief, Donald Trump, that you can defy him, and you can betray your oath of office. That is a very, very dangerous message, and it perhaps is punishable by law,” Leavitt said.

During the ongoing exchange, CBS’s Nancy Cordes pressed back, saying the lawmakers specifically say “illegal order” in the video.

“They’re suggesting, Nancy, that the president has given illegal orders, which he has not. Every single order that is given to this United States military by this commander in chief and through this chain of command, through the secretary of War, is lawful,” Leavitt responded.

Democratic lawmakers sounded the alarm Thursday over Trump’s social media posts, accusing him of encouraging political violence.

“Let’s be crystal clear: the president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious. We have already seen what happens when Donald Trump tells his followers that his political opponents are enemies of the state,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Thursday.

“Every time Donald Trump posts things like this, he makes political violence more likely. None of us should tolerate this kind of behavior,” Schumer said, highlighting political violence in recent years, including the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and political assassinations just this past year.

House Committee on the Judiciary Chair Jamie Raskin, D-Md., called on Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to “immediately denounce these reckless statements.”

The six Democratic lawmakers featured in the video issued a joint statement, saying they “love this country and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation. What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law,” the lawmakers said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763664714769.png" alt="Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan image from the controversial video" />
 <figcaption>Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan image from the controversial video</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of sedition on social media Thursday and threatened them with punishment as severe as death, after they appeared in a video message encouraging U.S. armed forces to refuse “illegal orders.”Trump also shared another social media post that said the Democrats should be hanged.The video’s distribution online by Democrats comes as the Trump administration is mired in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/19/nx-s1-5612793/national-guard-tennessee-trump-court-lawsuit" target="_blank">multiple legal cases</a>&nbsp;objecting to the president’s deployment of National Guard troops to cities across the country, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/trump-v-illinois/" target="_blank">challenge</a>&nbsp;to Guard troops in Chicago which is now before the U.S. Supreme Court.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763674382514.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>In several morning posts on his own social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT”&nbsp;“SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!,” he added a couple of hours later.Prior to writing and publishing his own, the president reposted several messages from users on Truth Social, including one by a user with the handle @P78 who wrote, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!”&nbsp;Trump and his social media supporters were referring to&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948" target="_blank">the video</a>, which featured Democratic U.S. lawmakers who served in the military telling current members of the military and the intelligence community to “refuse illegal orders.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community. The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution. Don’t give up the ship. <a href="https://t.co/N8lW0EpQ7r">pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r</a>&mdash; Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Each line in the video is alternately delivered by Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Jason Crow of Colorado.“We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders,” the lawmakers said.The video was titled “Don’t give up the ship.”<h2>Does Trump want to ‘execute’ Democrats?</h2><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Just to be clear, does the president want to execute members of Congress?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> Karoline Leavitt: &quot;No. Let&#39;s be clear about what the president is responding to...you have sitting members of the United States Congress who conspired together to orchestrate a video message… <a href="https://t.co/pPCLJ4LqCD">pic.twitter.com/pPCLJ4LqCD</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1991596354767057136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>When asked by a CBS News reporter during the daily press briefing Thursday whether the president wants to “execute” members of Congress, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt answered, “No.”Leavitt said Trump was reacting to sitting members of Congress who “conspired” on the video message to encourage active duty service members and national security officials to “defy the president’s lawful orders.”Leavitt singled out the participation of Slotkin and Kelly, who respectively served as a CIA intelligence officer and a Navy captain. Leavitt also highlighted&nbsp; Goodlander’s marriage to former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who served under President Joe Biden.“They were leaning into their credentials as former members of our military, as veterans, as former members of the national security apparatus, to signal to people serving under this commander-in-chief, Donald Trump, that you can defy him, and you can betray your oath of office. That is a very, very dangerous message, and it perhaps is punishable by law,” Leavitt said.During the ongoing exchange, CBS’s Nancy Cordes pressed back, saying the lawmakers specifically say “illegal order” in the video.“They’re suggesting, Nancy, that the president has given illegal orders, which he has not. Every single order that is given to this United States military by this commander in chief and through this chain of command, through the secretary of War, is lawful,” Leavitt responded.<h2>Democrats decry political violence&nbsp;</h2>Democratic lawmakers sounded the alarm Thursday over Trump’s social media posts, accusing him of encouraging political violence.“Let’s be crystal clear: the president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious. We have already seen what happens when Donald Trump tells his followers that his political opponents are enemies of the state,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Thursday.“Every time Donald Trump posts things like this, he makes political violence more likely. None of us should tolerate this kind of behavior,” Schumer said, highlighting political violence in recent years, including the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and political assassinations just this past year.House Committee on the Judiciary Chair Jamie Raskin, D-Md., called on Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to “immediately denounce these reckless statements.”The six Democratic lawmakers featured in the video issued a joint statement, saying they “love this country and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”“That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation. What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law,” the lawmakers said.

Trump accuses Democratic lawmakers of ‘seditious behavior, punishable by death’

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement in Kansas City, Missouri are investigating a deadly Tuesday night shooting have identified the victim as 18-year-old&nbsp;Ke’Ron D. Brown, according to&nbsp;KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting the 8200 block of President Court, according to Becchina.

Several 911 callers heard the sound of gunfire and believed someone had been shot at the apartment complex.

First responders located Brown unresponsive in the parking lot there. Officers called for EMS, who responded and transported him to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. 

Preliminary investigation indicates Brown had an interaction with one or more suspects in the parking lot at the apartment complex there that led to gunfire that struck him. The unknown suspects then left the scene. 

In the early hours of Wednesday, detectives were notified that Brown died at the hospital from his injuries. The KCPD Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763582979955.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryle Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryle Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement in Kansas City, Missouri are investigating a deadly Tuesday night shooting have identified the victim as 18-year-old&nbsp;Ke’Ron D. Brown, according to&nbsp;KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting the 8200 block of President Court, according to Becchina.Several 911 callers heard the sound of gunfire and believed someone had been shot at the apartment complex.First responders located Brown unresponsive in the parking lot there. Officers called for EMS, who responded and transported him to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Preliminary investigation indicates Brown had an interaction with one or more suspects in the parking lot at the apartment complex there that led to gunfire that struck him. The unknown suspects then left the scene. In the early hours of Wednesday, detectives were notified that Brown died at the hospital from his injuries. The KCPD Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation.

Teen identified as KC apartment parking lot homicide victim

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

Idea is to initially forbid guidance from venturing into realm of legal advice

TOPEKA — The secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue offered to create within the state agency the job of ombudsman to provide information and guidance — not legal counsel — to Kansans interested in representing themselves in property tax appeal cases.

Secretary Mark Burghart said Tuesday during an interim tax committee meeting of the Kansas Legislature that the objective of the extra employee would be to better prepare individuals interested in contesting county property tax valuations that were heard by the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals.

The idea of an ombudsman was raised in September by Kristen Wheeler, chair of the state tax appeal board, in response to dramatic growth in the board’s caseload.

The concept received a positive response from several legislators, including Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who chairs the interim House and Senate tax committee. She urged Burghart to begin preliminary planning for the hiring of an ombudsman. She suggested the task might be done without the 2026 Legislature adopting a bill specifically granting the revenue department permission.

“It sounds to me like you could actually implement this without statute,” Tyson said. “I think that would be the ideal solution.”

Kansas has more than 2 million individual taxpayers, Burghart said. The Board of Tax Appeals, or BOTA, during the 2024 fiscal year reported an increase of 700 cases on its general appeal docket. There were 300 additional property tax appeals and 300 more appeals related to tax exemptions.

“This position is important. It think it’s needed. It does make sense to me that it live in the Department of Revenue,” said Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton. “Why do we have a large number of tax appeals right now? It’s because our taxpayers are surprised with very large, unexpected tax bills. So, they appeal.”

Burghart said the Department of Revenue currently had an individual responsible for general taxpayer advocacy. A person dedicated to property tax affairs should initially be limited to an educational role that involved assisting taxpayers with their understanding property valuation procedures and BOTA’s appellate process. The ombudsman could explain deadlines, required forms, evidentiary expectations and appeal options.

“The creation of this position, initially framed as an educational and navigational resource rather than a legal representative, would be one way to help expedite appeals before BOTA by improving the quality and completeness of taxpayer filings,” Burghart said. “That, in turn, supports the Legislature’s objective of addressing BOTA workforce and caseload concerns.”

“We would make it abundantly clear that we are not giving legal advice,” the revenue secretary said. “The ombudsman would not serve as the legal representative of any taxpayer … and would not advocate for specific valuation outcomes in individual cases.”

Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, questioned whether the Department of Revenue could unilaterally initiate an ombudsman program. Burghart said adding a new staff position to the agency could be worked into the budget, which already included personnel assigned duties associated with assisting taxpayers.

“It’s helpful for that to be part of the discussion so that people understand, when we’re talking about new employees, how that happens,” she said.

Burghart said the Legislature had options in terms of shaping the work of an ombudsman or advocate dedicated to property taxation. The person could be informally added to payroll in the Department of Revenue or the individual could be located in a newly created state office founded, which would require passage of a state law.

The ombudsman also could be established as a law school clinic led by students or as a nonprofit affiliated with the Kansas Bar Association, he said.

He said an ombudsman should be appointed by the state revenue secretary after consultation with the chair of the Board of Tax Appeals and the revenue department’s director of property evaluation. It’s not necessary to include the post among jobs requiring Kansas Senate confirmation, he said.

If the program proved beneficial in terms of BOTA’s case docket or processing times, Burghart said, the Legislature could consider broadening the ombudsman’s role into direct representation or formal advocacy of taxpayers in BOTA proceedings in which counties were involved in the cases.

If the Legislature chose to deepen the ombudsman’s role regarding property tax cases the personnel should no longer be based within the revenue department, he said.

Wheeler, the BOTA chair, said the taxpayer assistance position must be filled by a person with specialized expertise in taxation appeals.

She said BOTA was neutral on whether the position needed to be located at BOTA, but “parameters of the position and its location deserve further consideration and debate.”

She said it was unlikely the state could quickly implement a student-staffed taxation legal clinic at law schools at University of Kansas in Lawrence or Washburn University in Topeka.

“Even if there was interest in this type of clinic, it’s likely that creation of a clinic would take substantially more time than creating a staff position,” Wheeler said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763569534093.png" alt=" Mark Burghart, secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue, urges state legislators to consider establishing the position of state property tax ombudsman to help Kansans navigate the state’s property tax appeal process. His testimony came Nov. 18, 2025, at the Capitol. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature video)" />
 <figcaption> Mark Burghart, secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue, urges state legislators to consider establishing the position of state property tax ombudsman to help Kansans navigate the state’s property tax appeal process. His testimony came Nov. 18, 2025, at the Capitol. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature video)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Idea is to initially forbid guidance from venturing into realm of legal advice</h2>TOPEKA — The secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue offered to create within the state agency the job of ombudsman to provide information and guidance — not legal counsel — to Kansans interested in representing themselves in property tax appeal cases.Secretary Mark Burghart said Tuesday during an interim tax committee meeting of the Kansas Legislature that the objective of the extra employee would be to better prepare individuals interested in contesting county property tax valuations that were heard by the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals.The idea of an ombudsman was raised in September by Kristen Wheeler, chair of the state tax appeal board, in response to dramatic growth in the board’s caseload.The concept received a positive response from several legislators, including Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who chairs the interim House and Senate tax committee. She urged Burghart to begin preliminary planning for the hiring of an ombudsman. She suggested the task might be done without the 2026 Legislature adopting a bill specifically granting the revenue department permission.“It sounds to me like you could actually implement this without statute,” Tyson said. “I think that would be the ideal solution.”Kansas has more than 2 million individual taxpayers, Burghart said. The Board of Tax Appeals, or BOTA, during the 2024 fiscal year reported an increase of 700 cases on its general appeal docket. There were 300 additional property tax appeals and 300 more appeals related to tax exemptions.“This position is important. It think it’s needed. It does make sense to me that it live in the Department of Revenue,” said Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton. “Why do we have a large number of tax appeals right now? It’s because our taxpayers are surprised with very large, unexpected tax bills. So, they appeal.”Burghart said the Department of Revenue currently had an individual responsible for general taxpayer advocacy. A person dedicated to property tax affairs should initially be limited to an educational role that involved assisting taxpayers with their understanding property valuation procedures and BOTA’s appellate process. The ombudsman could explain deadlines, required forms, evidentiary expectations and appeal options.“The creation of this position, initially framed as an educational and navigational resource rather than a legal representative, would be one way to help expedite appeals before BOTA by improving the quality and completeness of taxpayer filings,” Burghart said. “That, in turn, supports the Legislature’s objective of addressing BOTA workforce and caseload concerns.”“We would make it abundantly clear that we are not giving legal advice,” the revenue secretary said. “The ombudsman would not serve as the legal representative of any taxpayer … and would not advocate for specific valuation outcomes in individual cases.”Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, questioned whether the Department of Revenue could unilaterally initiate an ombudsman program. Burghart said adding a new staff position to the agency could be worked into the budget, which already included personnel assigned duties associated with assisting taxpayers.“It’s helpful for that to be part of the discussion so that people understand, when we’re talking about new employees, how that happens,” she said.Burghart said the Legislature had options in terms of shaping the work of an ombudsman or advocate dedicated to property taxation. The person could be informally added to payroll in the Department of Revenue or the individual could be located in a newly created state office founded, which would require passage of a state law.The ombudsman also could be established as a law school clinic led by students or as a nonprofit affiliated with the Kansas Bar Association, he said.He said an ombudsman should be appointed by the state revenue secretary after consultation with the chair of the Board of Tax Appeals and the revenue department’s director of property evaluation. It’s not necessary to include the post among jobs requiring Kansas Senate confirmation, he said.If the program proved beneficial in terms of BOTA’s case docket or processing times, Burghart said, the Legislature could consider broadening the ombudsman’s role into direct representation or formal advocacy of taxpayers in BOTA proceedings in which counties were involved in the cases.If the Legislature chose to deepen the ombudsman’s role regarding property tax cases the personnel should no longer be based within the revenue department, he said.Wheeler, the BOTA chair, said the taxpayer assistance position must be filled by a person with specialized expertise in taxation appeals.She said BOTA was neutral on whether the position needed to be located at BOTA, but “parameters of the position and its location deserve further consideration and debate.”She said it was unlikely the state could quickly implement a student-staffed taxation legal clinic at law schools at University of Kansas in Lawrence or Washburn University in Topeka.“Even if there was interest in this type of clinic, it’s likely that creation of a clinic would take substantially more time than creating a staff position,” Wheeler said.

Kansas Legislature tinkers with hiring taxpayer ombudsman to smooth property tax appeals

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide at a Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as&nbsp;41-year-old Craig Washington, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 8:30p.m. Tuesday, police officers were dispatched to a shooting at a convenience store in the 7000 Block of Prospect, according to Becchina.

Officers were led inside the store where they located Washington unresponsive on the ground. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS to come to the scene. EMS pronounced Washington deceased at the scene.

&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates that there were numerous people inside the store when Washington and a suspect or suspects had an interaction that escalated, eventually to gunfire, which struck Washington.

Police are making progress in the  identifying a suspect, according to Becchina.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763552289360.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday evening -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday evening -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide at a Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as&nbsp;41-year-old Craig Washington, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 8:30p.m. Tuesday, police officers were dispatched to a shooting at a convenience store in the 7000 Block of Prospect, according to Becchina.Officers were led inside the store where they located Washington unresponsive on the ground. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS to come to the scene. EMS pronounced Washington deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates that there were numerous people inside the store when Washington and a suspect or suspects had an interaction that escalated, eventually to gunfire, which struck Washington.Police are making progress in the identifying a suspect, according to Becchina.

Police ID victim in Kansas City convenience store shooting

DENT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Wednesday in Dent County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Polaris UTV driven by a 28-year-old Rolla woman was traveling on Dent County Road 2050 one mile west of County Road 2055. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The UTV returned to the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; 

She was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county morgue. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

DENT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Wednesday in Dent County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Polaris UTV driven by a 28-year-old Rolla woman was traveling on Dent County Road 2050 one mile west of County Road 2055. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The UTV returned to the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; She was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county morgue. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman killed after ejected in UTV rollover accident

NEW HAVEN, CT —&nbsp; Brian Baker, 48, of Scott City, Kansas, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking firearms into Connecticut, according to the United State's Attorney's office.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2023, members of the FBI Waterbury Safe Streets Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of a total of nine firearms, and one controlled purchase of cocaine, from Luis Perez in Waterbury.&nbsp; An expanded investigation revealed that Perez was acquiring numerous firearms, most of which were purchased, at Baker’s direction, by individuals from licensed gun dealers in Kansas and then shipped through the U.S. Mail to a stash location maintained by Perez’s associate, Algelly Diaz, in Hartford.&nbsp; Perez then sold the firearms, which included assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to others throughout Connecticut.

Perez coordinated the purchase of the firearms through Baker in Kansas and Fernando Soto, Jr. in California.&nbsp; Baker, a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, used straw purchasers to purchase the firearms and then shipped them to Connecticut, or to Soto, who then shipped them to Connecticut and elsewhere.

Between August 2020 and May 2023, one of Baker’s straw purchasers, Ramon Pichardo, purchased at least 73 firearms from a licensed gun dealer in Deerfield, Kansas.

Baker and others involved in the conspiracy were arrested on May 19, 2023.&nbsp; On that date, investigators executed search warrants at locations in Connecticut, Kansas, and California.&nbsp; A search of Perez’s residence and vehicle revealed nine firearms; more than 200 rounds of ammunition; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl/heroin; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale; and more than $7,000 in cash.&nbsp; In addition, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 90 rounds of ammunition, and a search of a package that was shipped to Diaz and seized from the mail stream revealed an additional three firearms.

To date, approximately 34 of the trafficked firearms have been recovered by law enforcement in Connecticut and elsewhere, including one that recovered on August 27, 2022, in San Bernardino, California, at the scene of the homicide of a juvenile.

NEW HAVEN, CT —&nbsp; Brian Baker, 48, of Scott City, Kansas, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking firearms into Connecticut, according to the United State's Attorney's office.According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2023, members of the FBI Waterbury Safe Streets Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of a total of nine firearms, and one controlled purchase of cocaine, from Luis Perez in Waterbury.&nbsp; An expanded investigation revealed that Perez was acquiring numerous firearms, most of which were purchased, at Baker’s direction, by individuals from licensed gun dealers in Kansas and then shipped through the U.S. Mail to a stash location maintained by Perez’s associate, Algelly Diaz, in Hartford.&nbsp; Perez then sold the firearms, which included assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to others throughout Connecticut.Perez coordinated the purchase of the firearms through Baker in Kansas and Fernando Soto, Jr. in California.&nbsp; Baker, a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, used straw purchasers to purchase the firearms and then shipped them to Connecticut, or to Soto, who then shipped them to Connecticut and elsewhere.Between August 2020 and May 2023, one of Baker’s straw purchasers, Ramon Pichardo, purchased at least 73 firearms from a licensed gun dealer in Deerfield, Kansas.Baker and others involved in the conspiracy were arrested on May 19, 2023.&nbsp; On that date, investigators executed search warrants at locations in Connecticut, Kansas, and California.&nbsp; A search of Perez’s residence and vehicle revealed nine firearms; more than 200 rounds of ammunition; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl/heroin; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale; and more than $7,000 in cash.&nbsp; In addition, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 90 rounds of ammunition, and a search of a package that was shipped to Diaz and seized from the mail stream revealed an additional three firearms.To date, approximately 34 of the trafficked firearms have been recovered by law enforcement in Connecticut and elsewhere, including one that recovered on August 27, 2022, in San Bernardino, California, at the scene of the homicide of a juvenile.Baker has been detained since his arrest.&nbsp; On March 26, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, two counts of firearms trafficking, and two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms.On March 19, 2025, Perez pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, three counts of firearms trafficking, two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.&nbsp; On April 4, 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/waterbury-man-guilty-firearm-offense-related-gun-trafficking-operation">a jury found him guilty</a>&nbsp;of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.&nbsp; He awaits sentencing.Diaz pleaded guilty and, on February 4, 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/hartford-man-sentenced-4-years-federal-prison-role-gun-trafficking-ring">was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to 48 months of imprisonment.Soto and Pichardo have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Connecticut State Police; and the Waterbury, Meriden, Hartford, Manchester, East Hartford, West Hartford, and Chino (Calif.) Police Departments.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Christopher J. Lembo through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.