Lawrence sees early flu peak as some health care providers require masking

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mayasmith/">Maya Smith</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — Six viral diseases — including COVID-19, the flu and norovirus — have been found at high concentrations in Lawrence wastewater as Kansas communities face peak flu season.

COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus have all been detected at high concentrations in Lawrence&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/4niF8mr" target="_blank">wastewater</a>&nbsp;within the last three weeks.&nbsp;

Wastewater data indicates trends of illnesses spreading within a community but does not correlate to exact case numbers, with doctors saying it’s normal to see high concentrations of respiratory illness during flu season.&nbsp;

“Wastewater data does not measure individual cases, but it provides a reliable picture of how much virus is circulating in a community,” said Veronica White, preparedness and epidemiology coordinator for Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health. “This data captures viral genetic material shed by everyone using the sewer system. One factor that may be contributing to the higher concentrations of respiratory viruses seen in Lawrence’s wastewater is its larger population.”

Lawrence is also seeing an early peak in influenza B compared to the rest of the country. Positive flu tests spiked the last week of 2025, with 32% of total flu tests coming back positive, according to data from the University of Kansas Health System.

Some health care providers such as Watkins Health Center at the University of Kansas are requiring masks for all visitors, patients and staff due to a “record surge in respiratory illnesses,” according to a sign at the front door.

White said early rise in the flu doesn’t indicate a more dangerous flu season, but rather earlier circulation of the virus than usual.&nbsp;

“Identifying this trend early through wastewater data allows people to take preventive steps, such as getting vaccinated, monitoring symptoms, and staying home when sick,” White said.

Wastewater data also indicated that a newer strain of COVID, known as the XFG or the Stratus variant, has accounted for 82.5% of positive COVID samples, with concentrations increasing by 25% in the last month. The variant has also been increasing nationally, White said.

Dana Hawkinson, medical director for Infection Control and Prevention program at University of Kansas Health System, said there are still large populations of people across the state who have not received a flu shot.

“There have been a large number of people ill and circulators too in our communities. But (the flu) still remains at a high level at this point in time,” Hawkinson said. “There have been extremely low numbers of people not getting the vaccine. We know that we can help prevent this and people’s chances of severe illness and death with it.”

Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, said that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/p7chEnUW0EI?si=2KN1bC2byLQI_f0H&amp;t=678" target="_blank">vaccines</a>&nbsp;are incredibly safe and effective.

Hawkinson said flu symptoms include fever, cough, congestion, body aches and a sore throat rather than stomach bug symptoms, with the definitions often getting mixed up during flu season.

Wastewater data has also indicated that Salina is seeing medium concentrations of the same illnesses, except for influenza A, which is considered to be at a high concentration.

“Based on the data, we expect viral activity to continue in both Lawrence and Salina over the next few weeks,” White said. “As we move through flu season, we anticipate seeing elevated influenza activity reflected in the wastewater, especially as the season approaches its typical peak.”

Medical experts continue to advise washing hands, covering coughs and not going into large public spaces when sick to prevent illnesses from spreading.

“You can still go get the flu vaccine,” Hawkinson said. “It’s still recommended, and you can do it now to protect yourself from infection.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671049425198.jpg" alt="Image Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Lawrence sees early flu peak as some health care providers require masking</h2>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mayasmith/">Maya Smith</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>LAWRENCE — Six viral diseases — including COVID-19, the flu and norovirus — have been found at high concentrations in Lawrence wastewater as Kansas communities face peak flu season.COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus have all been detected at high concentrations in Lawrence&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/4niF8mr" target="_blank">wastewater</a>&nbsp;within the last three weeks.&nbsp;Wastewater data indicates trends of illnesses spreading within a community but does not correlate to exact case numbers, with doctors saying it’s normal to see high concentrations of respiratory illness during flu season.&nbsp;“Wastewater data does not measure individual cases, but it provides a reliable picture of how much virus is circulating in a community,” said Veronica White, preparedness and epidemiology coordinator for Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health. “This data captures viral genetic material shed by everyone using the sewer system. One factor that may be contributing to the higher concentrations of respiratory viruses seen in Lawrence’s wastewater is its larger population.”Lawrence is also seeing an early peak in influenza B compared to the rest of the country. Positive flu tests spiked the last week of 2025, with 32% of total flu tests coming back positive, according to data from the University of Kansas Health System.Some health care providers such as Watkins Health Center at the University of Kansas are requiring masks for all visitors, patients and staff due to a “record surge in respiratory illnesses,” according to a sign at the front door.White said early rise in the flu doesn’t indicate a more dangerous flu season, but rather earlier circulation of the virus than usual.&nbsp;“Identifying this trend early through wastewater data allows people to take preventive steps, such as getting vaccinated, monitoring symptoms, and staying home when sick,” White said.Wastewater data also indicated that a newer strain of COVID, known as the XFG or the Stratus variant, has accounted for 82.5% of positive COVID samples, with concentrations increasing by 25% in the last month. The variant has also been increasing nationally, White said.Dana Hawkinson, medical director for Infection Control and Prevention program at University of Kansas Health System, said there are still large populations of people across the state who have not received a flu shot.“There have been a large number of people ill and circulators too in our communities. But (the flu) still remains at a high level at this point in time,” Hawkinson said. “There have been extremely low numbers of people not getting the vaccine. We know that we can help prevent this and people’s chances of severe illness and death with it.”Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, said that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/p7chEnUW0EI?si=2KN1bC2byLQI_f0H&amp;t=678" target="_blank">vaccines</a>&nbsp;are incredibly safe and effective.Hawkinson said flu symptoms include fever, cough, congestion, body aches and a sore throat rather than stomach bug symptoms, with the definitions often getting mixed up during flu season.Wastewater data has also indicated that Salina is seeing medium concentrations of the same illnesses, except for influenza A, which is considered to be at a high concentration.“Based on the data, we expect viral activity to continue in both Lawrence and Salina over the next few weeks,” White said. “As we move through flu season, we anticipate seeing elevated influenza activity reflected in the wastewater, especially as the season approaches its typical peak.”Medical experts continue to advise washing hands, covering coughs and not going into large public spaces when sick to prevent illnesses from spreading.“You can still go get the flu vaccine,” Hawkinson said. “It’s still recommended, and you can do it now to protect yourself from infection.”

Six viruses detected at high levels in Kansas community’s wastewater

MINNEAPOLIS —At <a href="https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2015115351797780500?t=545">9:05</a>a.m. CST on Saturday, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.


The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. More details on the armed struggle are forthcoming. 

Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. 

Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;



The suspect also had 2 magazines and no ID—this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement on the scene, crowd control measures were deployed for the safety of the public and law enforcement.&nbsp;

This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming.

MINNEAPOLIS —At <a href="https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2015115351797780500?t=545">9:05</a>a.m. CST on Saturday, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovTimWalz</a>: &quot;Quit referring to these folks as law enforcement, they are not law enforcement. We have law enforcement.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vomrqwxILh">pic.twitter.com/vomrqwxILh</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2015166653449765272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/CMDROpAtLargeCA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMDROpAtLargeCA</a> on the shooting death in Minneapolis: &quot;The agents attempted to disarm the individual, but he violently resisted. Fearing for his life, and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a border patrol agent fired defensive shots.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/2wCjqyPMFe">pic.twitter.com/2wCjqyPMFe</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2015166010668490834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovTimWalz</a>: &quot;This federal occupation of Minnesota long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. It&#39;s a campaign of organized brutality against the people of our state and today that campaign claimed another life...Donald Trump...remove this force from Minnesota!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/hoMTy060Sr">pic.twitter.com/hoMTy060Sr</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2015166113361834463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/CMDROpAtLargeCA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMDROpAtLargeCA</a> in Minneapolis: &quot;An individual approached U.S. Border Patrol agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. The agents attempted to disarm the individual, but he violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a Border Patrol… <a href="https://t.co/drOu5FQMSZ">pic.twitter.com/drOu5FQMSZ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2015142522016735281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2026</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">At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, seen here. The officers attempted to… <a href="https://t.co/5Y50mYONGH">pic.twitter.com/5Y50mYONGH</a>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2015115351797780500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. More details on the armed struggle are forthcoming. 

Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

The suspect also had 2 magazines and no ID—this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement on the scene, crowd control measures were deployed for the safety of the public and law enforcement.&nbsp;

This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Minneapolis <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorFrey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MayorFrey</a>: &quot;I just saw a video of more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents and shooting him to death. How many more residents, how many more Americans need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?&quot; <a href="https://t.co/DgEo5mpm2N">pic.twitter.com/DgEo5mpm2N</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2015132705248215174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥DHS: Man shot by federal agents in Minneapolis has died

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> at the March For Life: &quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/SLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SLOTUS</a> and I announced this week that we&#39;re expecting our 4th, and it will be our 3rd baby boy, so we&#39;ll take whatever prayers you can give — we certainly need them.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0NWAsCsQLb">pic.twitter.com/0NWAsCsQLb</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2014751902957715919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> at the March For Life: &quot;All of us in the Trump administration from the President on down, we thank you for your prayers, we thank you for your perseverance, and we thank you that for today, we are ALL marching for life.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/X8ID6xiPaY">pic.twitter.com/X8ID6xiPaY</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2014752695836356709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> delivered, and his Supreme Court Justices delivered, the most important Supreme Court decision of my lifetime — because what the Dobbs decision did was put a definitive end to the tyranny of judicial rule on the question of human life. <a href="https://t.co/F8pcViTZlh">pic.twitter.com/F8pcViTZlh</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2014753301854617692?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Under this administration... you have an ally in the White House!&quot; At the March For Life, <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> touts some of the many pro-life victories achieved in the first year of the Trump Administration: <a href="https://t.co/XPSU9JZKsB">pic.twitter.com/XPSU9JZKsB</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2014756011182100937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>: &quot;Today, the Far-Left in this country tells our young people that marriage and children are obstacles—that it&#39;s irresponsible, even immoral...to encourage our young people to raise a family... But we here at this march, we know that it&#39;s a lie. We know that life is a gift.… <a href="https://t.co/JT90ktvV9S">pic.twitter.com/JT90ktvV9S</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2014756657281032500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥March for Life: Vance touts Trump admin. record against abortion

LAWRENCE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Friday in Lawrence County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Honda Civic driven by a 19-year-old Aurora man was southbound on MO K three miles north of Aurora. The car crossed the center of the road and struck a 2012 Dodge Ram driven by a 36-year-old Springfield man head-on.

The Honda driver was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the pickup driver and two passengers in the pickup including a 36-year-old woman and a 9-year-old boy to Mercy Hospital. The drivers and female passenger in the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victim.

LAWRENCE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Friday in Lawrence County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Honda Civic driven by a 19-year-old Aurora man was southbound on MO K three miles north of Aurora. The car crossed the center of the road and struck a 2012 Dodge Ram driven by a 36-year-old Springfield man head-on.The Honda driver was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the pickup driver and two passengers in the pickup including a 36-year-old woman and a 9-year-old boy to Mercy Hospital. The drivers and female passenger in the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victim.

Mo. man dead, 9-year-old and 2 adults injured after head-on crash

DOUGLAS COUNTY – After a nearly 4-hour city-wide search, Lawrence Kansas Police officers arrested a man they suspect went to an apartment, knocked on the door, then shot another man at the entrance, according to a media release from Lawrence Police.

Just before noon Friday, police were called to the Hawks Point apartments on Lynch Court. Responding officers found the victim and others at the scene. They identified a suspect and gained a description of the vehicle he took off in. The victim was reported in critical condition.

The search led them to a home at 4th and Minnesota, where police believe the suspect left the car he was traveling in and took off again.

Officers with the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Douglas County Sheriff’s office assisted in following dozens of leads throughout the city, including a city bus and several other public locations where people may have noticed a police presence. None resulted in finding the suspect.

An officer eventually identified another car associated with the suspect traveling near 6th and Iowa and followed the car while additional officers moved in.

The team conducted a traffic stop as the car turned into a neighborhood near Kasold and Peterson. Three individuals were in the car, including the suspect. All surrendered without incident.

Everyone involved is being questioned. The suspect will ultimately be transported to the Douglas County Correctional Facility as the shooting investigation continues.

DOUGLAS COUNTY – After a nearly 4-hour city-wide search, Lawrence Kansas Police officers arrested a man they suspect went to an apartment, knocked on the door, then shot another man at the entrance, according to a media release from Lawrence Police.Just before noon Friday, police were called to the Hawks Point apartments on Lynch Court. Responding officers found the victim and others at the scene. They identified a suspect and gained a description of the vehicle he took off in. The victim was reported in critical condition.The search led them to a home at 4th and Minnesota, where police believe the suspect left the car he was traveling in and took off again.Officers with the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Douglas County Sheriff’s office assisted in following dozens of leads throughout the city, including a city bus and several other public locations where people may have noticed a police presence. None resulted in finding the suspect.An officer eventually identified another car associated with the suspect traveling near 6th and Iowa and followed the car while additional officers moved in.The team conducted a traffic stop as the car turned into a neighborhood near Kasold and Peterson. Three individuals were in the car, including the suspect. All surrendered without incident.Everyone involved is being questioned. The suspect will ultimately be transported to the Douglas County Correctional Facility as the shooting investigation continues.

Kansas shooting suspect captured after 4-hour, city-wide search 

On Jan. 23, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.

 Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two narco-terrorists were killed and one survived the strike. Following the engagement, U.S. Southern Command immediately notified the Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivor.&nbsp;

On Jan. 23, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">On Jan. 23, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern… <a href="https://t.co/BzeBBapfMQ">pic.twitter.com/BzeBBapfMQ</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2014825085425877224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two narco-terrorists were killed and one survived the strike. Following the engagement, U.S. Southern Command immediately notified the Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivor.&nbsp;

🎥US carries out first deadly strike on drug boat since Maduro’s capture

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City continue working to determine how the victim identified as 41-year-old Adam Copeland died.

Just after&nbsp;9pm Tuesday, police responded to an apartment in the 2500 block of Benton in Kansas City, Missouri, on an EMS call.

The caller saw a person in a neighboring apartment who appeared to be injured and needed medical attention. On arrival officers were led to an apartment inside the building where they located Copeland unresponsive with unknown injuries. Officers called for EMS who responded and rendered aid before ultimately declaring him deceased at the scene.

Based on the preliminary circumstances Detectives are investigating this case as a homicide. They will be working with crime scene investigators to gather evidence and canvass for any witnesses

Detectives will also work with medical examiners to determine cause and manner of death. Copeland has been listed as a sex offender after two convictions in Illinois for unlawful restraint, attempted criminal sexual assault by force, according to the Missouri Sex Offender Registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769002460203.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City continue working to determine how the victim identified as 41-year-old Adam Copeland died.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769168335935.png" alt="Copeland-photo Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Copeland-photo Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after&nbsp;9pm Tuesday, police responded to an apartment in the 2500 block of Benton in Kansas City, Missouri, on an EMS call.The caller saw a person in a neighboring apartment who appeared to be injured and needed medical attention. On arrival officers were led to an apartment inside the building where they located Copeland unresponsive with unknown injuries. Officers called for EMS who responded and rendered aid before ultimately declaring him deceased at the scene.Based on the preliminary circumstances Detectives are investigating this case as a homicide. They will be working with crime scene investigators to gather evidence and canvass for any witnessesDetectives will also work with medical examiners to determine cause and manner of death. Copeland has been listed as a sex offender after two convictions in Illinois for unlawful restraint, attempted criminal sexual assault by force, according to the Missouri Sex Offender Registry.

Sex offender identified as Kansas City homicide victim

KANSAS CITY —One person died in a fire Friday at a home in Kansas City.

Just after 5a.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 4400 block of N. Indiana in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. It was reported there were residents in the home.

 On arrival crews reported fire showing from the single story home. One occupant had managed to escape but suffered severe smoke inhalation and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

 A second occupant, who was physically challenged, was unable to escape and is a fatality at this incident.

 Both the patient and the victim are women and appear to be mid to late 40's. KCFD was able to get the fire under control at 5:25 am. 

KCPD Bomb and Arson will conduct the investigation as part of protocol due to the fatality, KCFD will assist.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in a fire Friday at a home in Kansas City.Just after 5a.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 4400 block of N. Indiana in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. It was reported there were residents in the home. On arrival crews reported fire showing from the single story home. One occupant had managed to escape but suffered severe smoke inhalation and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. A second occupant, who was physically challenged, was unable to escape and is a fatality at this incident. Both the patient and the victim are women and appear to be mid to late 40's. KCFD was able to get the fire under control at 5:25 am. KCPD Bomb and Arson will conduct the investigation as part of protocol due to the fatality, KCFD will assist.

Women dies in fire at home in Kansas City

RILEY COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;Police in Manhattan seized significant quantities of illegal drugs during proactive investigations conducted throughout the last 30 days as part of ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime in the community, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department

RCPD officers and detectives seized a variety of illegal substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia and other evidence related to drug distribution in Riley County.

In all, nearly 2 pounds of fentanyl powder was seized and more than 200 grams of methamphetamine, 96 grams of heroin, 8 grams of cocaine, and more than 100 pills of various controlled prescription drugs. In addition to the controlled substances, five handguns were seized during the investigations.

“Thanks to the hard work of our officers and detectives, RCPD has identified and arrested individuals who have sold a significant amount of deadly illegal narcotics throughout our community,” RCPD Director Brian Peete said.

“Illegal drugs destroy lives and families, and it is one of our biggest priority focuses. I would also like to thank the people of Riley County for their diligence in reporting illegal activities and their zero tolerance for illegal drugs.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608245358476.png" alt="Image DEA" />
 <figcaption>Image DEA</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;Police in Manhattan seized significant quantities of illegal drugs during proactive investigations conducted throughout the last 30 days as part of ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime in the community, according to a media release from the Riley County Police DepartmentRCPD officers and detectives seized a variety of illegal substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia and other evidence related to drug distribution in Riley County.In all, nearly 2 pounds of fentanyl powder was seized and more than 200 grams of methamphetamine, 96 grams of heroin, 8 grams of cocaine, and more than 100 pills of various controlled prescription drugs. In addition to the controlled substances, five handguns were seized during the investigations.“Thanks to the hard work of our officers and detectives, RCPD has identified and arrested individuals who have sold a significant amount of deadly illegal narcotics throughout our community,” RCPD Director Brian Peete said.“Illegal drugs destroy lives and families, and it is one of our biggest priority focuses. I would also like to thank the people of Riley County for their diligence in reporting illegal activities and their zero tolerance for illegal drugs.”

Police in Manhattan seized fentanyl, heroin and more over the past month

Most of the complaints against abortion facilities were unsubstantiated, a state health official testified, and were often made by the same groups of protesters who frequently stood outside of the clinics and tried to talk to anyone going inside

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kelcie-moseley-morris/">Kelcie Moseley-Morris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">Anna Spoerre</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

KANSAS CITY — A longtime Missouri health regulator testified Thursday that abortion clinics were subjected to heightened scrutiny that had little to do with health or safety concerns, acknowledging under questioning that the extra attention was not tied to a greater risk of noncompliance.

John Langston has worked for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for more than 30 years and appeared as a witness for the state Thursday in a trial over abortion regulations. His responsibilities have included managing regulatory compliance for health care clinics such as ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories and rural health clinics.

When Langston was asked by attorneys for Planned Parenthood if the increased focus on abortion facilities was unrelated to their likelihood of noncompliance with health and safety standards, he paused for several moments, then replied: “I would say that’s true, yes.”&nbsp;

Abortion facilities used to fall under the category of ambulatory surgery centers until the Missouri Legislature voted to designate them as a separate entity for regulation in 2017. Langston was then responsible for inspecting the three Planned Parenthood clinics providing abortions under those new standards.&nbsp;

While approximately 120 ambulatory surgery centers in Missouri are scheduled for unannounced inspection every three to four years, the three abortion facilities were required to be inspected annually.

He testified on day 8 of a 10-day bench trial over Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/12/missouri-abortion-rights-trial-focuses-on-two-decades-of-state-restrictions/">Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers, or TRAP, laws,</a>&nbsp;one of which is the law that created those separate rules for abortion facilities. The state’s Planned Parenthood affiliates and the ACLU of Missouri sued to strike down the laws, claiming they are now unconstitutional under the state’s reproductive rights amendment approved by voters in 2024.&nbsp;

The licensing requirements law was temporarily blocked by a court order issued by Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang, who is also presiding over the bench trial.

Langston said in a deposition that he asked the department to assign someone else to the abortion facilities regulation because it was taking up an “inordinate” amount of his time.

“It was a no-win situation from both sides,” Langston said.

Most of the complaints against the facilities were unsubstantiated, Langston said, and were often made by the same groups of protesters who frequently stood outside of the clinics and tried to talk to anyone going inside.

That included the inspectors. When the health department staff arrived at the facilities, he said, protesters would take pictures of the car and follow them, and tried to talk to the women especially, thinking they were patients at the clinic.

Dr. Randall Williams was the state health department director at the time, and had<a href="https://amp.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article236773058.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;previously testified publicly</a>&nbsp;that he was a “pro-life” OBGYN who had never performed an abortion. Langston and William Koebel, who took over the abortion facilities inspection responsibilities after Langston, both testified that Williams was heavily involved in any investigation of complaints and any deficiencies found at the clinics.

In 2019, the state threatened to shut down abortions at the St. Louis Planned Parenthood, the last to perform them before the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022. The<a href="https://health.mo.gov/information/news/pdf/2019-06-21-RHS-License-Denial-Letter.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;letter</a>&nbsp;denying the clinic’s license renewal was signed by Koebel, who said several “deficiencies” forced the state’s hands.

Several of those deficiencies were related to the statutes requiring providers to inform a patient of their fetus’ gestational age before performing an abortion, and requiring fetal tissue to be submitted to a pathologist within 72 hours. Other deficiencies were related to dust and peeling laminate.

Since the law is blocked by court order, Koebel said they have not performed any abortion facility inspections since the ban was overturned. If the judge decides to permanently block it, he said the department will have no authority to investigate complaints of abortion facilities.

The clinic in St. Louis, as well as Columbia and Kansas City, resumed procedural abortions in 2025. Medication abortion remains unavailable.

Of 25 states with TRAP laws on the books, 14 have facility licensing requirements akin to surgical centers, and eight of those, including Missouri, have rules governing the size of hallways and rooms inside the clinic, according to the<a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/targeted-regulation-abortion-providers" target="_blank">&nbsp;Guttmacher Institute.</a>&nbsp;This means that the majority of states with abortion clinics do not have such requirements.&nbsp;

During the first week of the trial, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Emily Wales was asked if she believes any of the current regulations should stand. She replied: “What we want is for things abortion-specific to be regulated in the same way any non-abortion business would be.”

Many private OBGYN practices take patients who are insured by Medicaid and Medicare. In doing so, they are subject to oversight from the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services. In 2024, Missouri banned Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving any Medicaid reimbursements for low-income patients.

Any practicing OBGYNs in Missouri, including those who perform abortions, must be registered through the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

Koebel said abortion facilities would still be subject to regulations under the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, as well as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, the quality standards for lab testing on humans.

The trial is scheduled to conclude on Monday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768828924754.png" alt=" The Planned Parenthood Great Plains office in Overland Park, Kansas, is pictured in June 2024 (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> The Planned Parenthood Great Plains office in Overland Park, Kansas, is pictured in June 2024 (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Most of the complaints against abortion facilities were unsubstantiated, a state health official testified, and were often made by the same groups of protesters who frequently stood outside of the clinics and tried to talk to anyone going inside</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kelcie-moseley-morris/">Kelcie Moseley-Morris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">Anna Spoerre</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>KANSAS CITY — A longtime Missouri health regulator testified Thursday that abortion clinics were subjected to heightened scrutiny that had little to do with health or safety concerns, acknowledging under questioning that the extra attention was not tied to a greater risk of noncompliance.John Langston has worked for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for more than 30 years and appeared as a witness for the state Thursday in a trial over abortion regulations. His responsibilities have included managing regulatory compliance for health care clinics such as ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories and rural health clinics.When Langston was asked by attorneys for Planned Parenthood if the increased focus on abortion facilities was unrelated to their likelihood of noncompliance with health and safety standards, he paused for several moments, then replied: “I would say that’s true, yes.”&nbsp;Abortion facilities used to fall under the category of ambulatory surgery centers until the Missouri Legislature voted to designate them as a separate entity for regulation in 2017. Langston was then responsible for inspecting the three Planned Parenthood clinics providing abortions under those new standards.&nbsp;While approximately 120 ambulatory surgery centers in Missouri are scheduled for unannounced inspection every three to four years, the three abortion facilities were required to be inspected annually.He testified on day 8 of a 10-day bench trial over Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/12/missouri-abortion-rights-trial-focuses-on-two-decades-of-state-restrictions/">Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers, or TRAP, laws,</a>&nbsp;one of which is the law that created those separate rules for abortion facilities. The state’s Planned Parenthood affiliates and the ACLU of Missouri sued to strike down the laws, claiming they are now unconstitutional under the state’s reproductive rights amendment approved by voters in 2024.&nbsp;The licensing requirements law was temporarily blocked by a court order issued by Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang, who is also presiding over the bench trial.Langston said in a deposition that he asked the department to assign someone else to the abortion facilities regulation because it was taking up an “inordinate” amount of his time.“It was a no-win situation from both sides,” Langston said.Most of the complaints against the facilities were unsubstantiated, Langston said, and were often made by the same groups of protesters who frequently stood outside of the clinics and tried to talk to anyone going inside.That included the inspectors. When the health department staff arrived at the facilities, he said, protesters would take pictures of the car and follow them, and tried to talk to the women especially, thinking they were patients at the clinic.Dr. Randall Williams was the state health department director at the time, and had<a href="https://amp.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article236773058.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;previously testified publicly</a>&nbsp;that he was a “pro-life” OBGYN who had never performed an abortion. Langston and William Koebel, who took over the abortion facilities inspection responsibilities after Langston, both testified that Williams was heavily involved in any investigation of complaints and any deficiencies found at the clinics.In 2019, the state threatened to shut down abortions at the St. Louis Planned Parenthood, the last to perform them before the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022. The<a href="https://health.mo.gov/information/news/pdf/2019-06-21-RHS-License-Denial-Letter.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;letter</a>&nbsp;denying the clinic’s license renewal was signed by Koebel, who said several “deficiencies” forced the state’s hands.Several of those deficiencies were related to the statutes requiring providers to inform a patient of their fetus’ gestational age before performing an abortion, and requiring fetal tissue to be submitted to a pathologist within 72 hours. Other deficiencies were related to dust and peeling laminate.Since the law is blocked by court order, Koebel said they have not performed any abortion facility inspections since the ban was overturned. If the judge decides to permanently block it, he said the department will have no authority to investigate complaints of abortion facilities.The clinic in St. Louis, as well as Columbia and Kansas City, resumed procedural abortions in 2025. Medication abortion remains unavailable.Of 25 states with TRAP laws on the books, 14 have facility licensing requirements akin to surgical centers, and eight of those, including Missouri, have rules governing the size of hallways and rooms inside the clinic, according to the<a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/targeted-regulation-abortion-providers" target="_blank">&nbsp;Guttmacher Institute.</a>&nbsp;This means that the majority of states with abortion clinics do not have such requirements.&nbsp;During the first week of the trial, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Emily Wales was asked if she believes any of the current regulations should stand. She replied: “What we want is for things abortion-specific to be regulated in the same way any non-abortion business would be.”Many private OBGYN practices take patients who are insured by Medicaid and Medicare. In doing so, they are subject to oversight from the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services. In 2024, Missouri banned Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving any Medicaid reimbursements for low-income patients.Any practicing OBGYNs in Missouri, including those who perform abortions, must be registered through the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.Koebel said abortion facilities would still be subject to regulations under the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, as well as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, the quality standards for lab testing on humans.The trial is scheduled to conclude on Monday.&nbsp;

Abortion trial: Mo. regulator says clinics faced heightened scrutiny unrelated to safety

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

TOPEKA — A Senate committee endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap annual increases to appraised property values at 3%, and roll back the clock to 2022 assessments.

Republicans on the Senate tax committee said during debate Wednesday that the cap was just part of the solution for easing the property tax burden on homeowners.

“We all know that this constitutional amendment will not lower property tax, right? said&nbsp; Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston. “And I want to be clear, we put that out there, will not lower it. May slow the growth, but it will not lower it.”

Owens said he hopes the committee also will look at ways to limit mill levies that local governments can assess.

The committee is considering a variety of measures to address property taxes, including legislation that would provide a tax refund when a house sells for below the appraised value.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1616/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616</a>&nbsp;would require county appraisals in 2027 to be no more than 3% higher than the values as assessed in 2022, and it would limit year-to-year increases after that to 3%. If two-thirds of the full Senate and House were to approve the resolution, voters in the August primary would have the opportunity to rewrite the state constitution with the 3% cap.

Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, noted that by going back to 2022 appraisals, the amendment would provide some immediate relief in lowering property tax bills.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/14/kansas-republicans-home-assessed-value-cap-may-or-may-not-reduce-property-taxes/">During an earlier hearing</a>&nbsp;on the proposed constitutional amendment, opponents complained that it would have the effect of shifting the burden of funding local government services to other taxes.

“I did spend several hours yesterday evening on the phone with several county commissioners across the state taking a look,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, who chairs the tax committee. “They all understand that we have to move on property taxes. So, may not be an agreement on the movement, but they understand this is part of the puzzle.”

After advancing SCR 1616 on Wednesday, the committee heard testimony on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb319/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 319</a>, which would allow residential, commercial and industrial property owners to apply for a tax rebate if property sells for less than the appraised value.

Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, introduced the bill. He told the committee he was upset that the Johnson County appraiser compared his 24-year-old home to newly built homes and one directly on a golf course to determine its value. He blamed the unfair comparisons for a 6.5% increase in his appraisal last year.

“We’ve been, basically, in my personal experience, overpaying tax, what I believe to be overpaying tax, for quite some time on the property based on the assigned value, based on the comparables,” Thompson said.

He said he understands the job of appraisers is difficult but that he thinks the bill will force them “to get as close as they can.”

Under the bill, property owners could seek a refund for property taxes paid in excess of the actual sale price for the year of the sale, as well as the past four years.

The committee received written testimony from eight proponents, including the Kansas Chamber and individual taxpayers. The Kansas Association of Counties and League of Kansas Municipalities opposed the bill.

Jay Hall, with the Kansas Association of Counties, told the committee that residential appraisals actually average about 93% of the sale price.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769180211793.png" alt=" Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, says a proposed constitutional amendment would lower property taxes by rolling back the appraised values to 2022 and capping annual increases at 3%. He is pictured here during a March 26, 2025, session of the Senate. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, says a proposed constitutional amendment would lower property taxes by rolling back the appraised values to 2022 and capping annual increases at 3%. He is pictured here during a March 26, 2025, session of the Senate. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflecto</a>rTOPEKA — A Senate committee endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap annual increases to appraised property values at 3%, and roll back the clock to 2022 assessments.Republicans on the Senate tax committee said during debate Wednesday that the cap was just part of the solution for easing the property tax burden on homeowners.“We all know that this constitutional amendment will not lower property tax, right? said&nbsp; Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston. “And I want to be clear, we put that out there, will not lower it. May slow the growth, but it will not lower it.”Owens said he hopes the committee also will look at ways to limit mill levies that local governments can assess.The committee is considering a variety of measures to address property taxes, including legislation that would provide a tax refund when a house sells for below the appraised value.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1616/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616</a>&nbsp;would require county appraisals in 2027 to be no more than 3% higher than the values as assessed in 2022, and it would limit year-to-year increases after that to 3%. If two-thirds of the full Senate and House were to approve the resolution, voters in the August primary would have the opportunity to rewrite the state constitution with the 3% cap.Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, noted that by going back to 2022 appraisals, the amendment would provide some immediate relief in lowering property tax bills.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/14/kansas-republicans-home-assessed-value-cap-may-or-may-not-reduce-property-taxes/">During an earlier hearing</a>&nbsp;on the proposed constitutional amendment, opponents complained that it would have the effect of shifting the burden of funding local government services to other taxes.“I did spend several hours yesterday evening on the phone with several county commissioners across the state taking a look,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, who chairs the tax committee. “They all understand that we have to move on property taxes. So, may not be an agreement on the movement, but they understand this is part of the puzzle.”After advancing SCR 1616 on Wednesday, the committee heard testimony on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb319/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 319</a>, which would allow residential, commercial and industrial property owners to apply for a tax rebate if property sells for less than the appraised value.Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, introduced the bill. He told the committee he was upset that the Johnson County appraiser compared his 24-year-old home to newly built homes and one directly on a golf course to determine its value. He blamed the unfair comparisons for a 6.5% increase in his appraisal last year.“We’ve been, basically, in my personal experience, overpaying tax, what I believe to be overpaying tax, for quite some time on the property based on the assigned value, based on the comparables,” Thompson said.He said he understands the job of appraisers is difficult but that he thinks the bill will force them “to get as close as they can.”Under the bill, property owners could seek a refund for property taxes paid in excess of the actual sale price for the year of the sale, as well as the past four years.The committee received written testimony from eight proponents, including the Kansas Chamber and individual taxpayers. The Kansas Association of Counties and League of Kansas Municipalities opposed the bill.Jay Hall, with the Kansas Association of Counties, told the committee that residential appraisals actually average about 93% of the sale price.

Kansas Senate panel advances constitutional amendment to cap property value increases

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement in Kansas City continue investigating the circumstances that prompted an Amber Alert Thursday in Kansas City.

Just after 9:30p.m. Thursday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the Amber Alert for a 10-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister who were missing.&nbsp; The children, who were found safe, had last been seen about 6:30p.m. on Thursday near Barry and Maple Woods Road in Kansas City, according to Kansas City Police.

The siblings were with 27-year-old Lyrick Bryson who was driving a&nbsp;silver 2-door Infiniti with Missouri temporary tags, 008DMLF, according to the Alert.

Just after 10:15p.m., police reported they located the car and the children in south Kansas City, and took Bryson into custody.. Police released no additional details including the relationship between Bryon and the children.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769176596606.png" alt="Bryson photo MSHP" />
 <figcaption>Bryson photo MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement in Kansas City continue investigating the circumstances that prompted an Amber Alert Thursday in Kansas City.Just after 9:30p.m. Thursday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued the Amber Alert for a 10-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister who were missing.&nbsp; The children, who were found safe, had last been seen about 6:30p.m. on Thursday near Barry and Maple Woods Road in Kansas City, according to Kansas City Police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769176741654.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The siblings were with 27-year-old Lyrick Bryson who was driving a&nbsp;silver 2-door Infiniti with Missouri temporary tags, 008DMLF, according to the Alert.Just after 10:15p.m., police reported they located the car and the children in south Kansas City, and took Bryson into custody.. Police released no additional details including the relationship between Bryon and the children.

Amber Alert suspect in custody, children found and are safe

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide in Kansas City continue asking the public for help with information to locate a suspect in the death of 33-year-old Charles Lewis.

At 4:30p.m. Wednesday, police were called to Linwood and Broadway in Kansas City, Missouri on a sound of shots call, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

While en route officers were advised there was a person possibly shot inside a vehicle there.&nbsp;On arrival officers were directed to a vehicle near the intersection where they located a shooting victim, later identified as Lewis, unresponsive alone inside the vehicle. 

Officers called for EMS who responded for treatment of the victim. EMS subsequently transported Lewis to the hospital where he was ultimately declared deceased by medical personnel. This case is being investigated as a homicide, according to Becchina. 

Preliminary information from callers and people at the scene when officers arrived indicates the victim was inside the vehicle when another vehicle pulled along side his vehicle and shots appear to have been fired from that vehicle into the victim vehicle striking the victim.

Detectives worked through the night and have made significant progress identifying a subject of interest, according to Becchina.

This is a heavily traveled area with vehicle and foot traffic at this time of day, detectives are optimistic that there could be multiple very valuable witnesses.

 If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768268894770.png" alt="File photo by Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>File photo by Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide in Kansas City continue asking the public for help with information to locate a suspect in the death of 33-year-old Charles Lewis.At 4:30p.m. Wednesday, police were called to Linwood and Broadway in Kansas City, Missouri on a sound of shots call, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.While en route officers were advised there was a person possibly shot inside a vehicle there.&nbsp;On arrival officers were directed to a vehicle near the intersection where they located a shooting victim, later identified as Lewis, unresponsive alone inside the vehicle. Officers called for EMS who responded for treatment of the victim. EMS subsequently transported Lewis to the hospital where he was ultimately declared deceased by medical personnel. This case is being investigated as a homicide, according to Becchina. Preliminary information from callers and people at the scene when officers arrived indicates the victim was inside the vehicle when another vehicle pulled along side his vehicle and shots appear to have been fired from that vehicle into the victim vehicle striking the victim.Detectives worked through the night and have made significant progress identifying a subject of interest, according to Becchina.This is a heavily traveled area with vehicle and foot traffic at this time of day, detectives are optimistic that there could be multiple very valuable witnesses. If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline

KCPD making progress investigating drive-by killing 

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>

WASHINGTON — The House Thursday passed four appropriations bills to fund the government and avert a partial shutdown, but Democrats largely objected to spending on the Department of Homeland Security amid aggressive immigration enforcement in communities across the country.&nbsp;

Democrats have pushed for tougher oversight of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. In addition,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/progressives-congress-vow-oppose-immigration-enforcement-funding" target="_blank">members of the progressive wing</a>&nbsp;of the caucus vowed to not approve any funding for DHS after federal immigration agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis earlier this month.&nbsp;

The 37-year-old mother’s death led to massive community protests and&nbsp; thousands of ICE agents have aggressively descended into Minnesota.

“(Homeland Security Secretary) Kristi Noem and ICE are out of control,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement. “Taxpayer dollars are being misused to brutalize U.S. citizens, including the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good. This extremism must end.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20260119/DEF%20LHHS%20HS%20THUD%20-%20Bill%20Text%20-%201-19-2026.PDF" target="_blank">The four bills</a>&nbsp;— Defense; Homeland Security; Labor, Health and Human Services and Education; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development — are the last remaining appropriations bills needed to avoid a partial government shutdown by Jan. 30.&nbsp;

The Homeland Security funding bill passed&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202642?Page=2" target="_blank">220-207</a>. The remaining bills passed&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202645?Page=2" target="_blank">341-88.</a>

Democrats who joined Republicans in voting for the Homeland Security bill included Reps. Jared Gold of Maine,&nbsp;Henry&nbsp;Cuellar of Texas, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state, Tom Suozzi of New York, Don Davis of North Carolina, Laura Gillen of New York and&nbsp;Vicente Gonzalez of Texas.

Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted against the DHS funding bill.

Separately, GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx, chairwoman of the Rules Committee, added a provision to repeal a law that allows members of the U.S. Senate to sue for up to half a million dollars if their phone records were obtained by special counsel Jack Smith during his investigation into President Donald Trump’s efforts to subvert the 2020 presidential election. In a rare move, the&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202640" target="_blank">provision passed unanimously.&nbsp;</a>

Smith was also on Capitol Hill Thursday to testify about his investigation before lawmakers on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.&nbsp;

The Senate will take up the appropriations bills when senators return from recess next week.

What does the Homeland Security bill include?

The Homeland Security bill provides $64.4 billion in funding for fiscal year 2026. It cuts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $1.3 billion, and maintains flat funding for ICE at $10 billion.

The bill attempts to put guardrails around immigration enforcement by allocating $20 million for body cameras for ICE and CBP officers.&nbsp;

It also requires DHS to provide monthly updates on how the agency is spending the $190 billion it received from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the president’s signature tax and spending cuts package signed into law last summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The bill also restricts ICE to spending only $3.8 billion of its fiscal budget on detention. However, the agency will still be able to pull $75 billion from OBBBA, including for detention.

Most Dems say they can’t back any ICE funding

During Thursday’s debate of the bill, Republicans supported the Homeland Security bill, and argued that it contains other agencies beside immigration enforcement.&nbsp;

But a majority of Democrats said they could not vote to approve the agency’s funding because of ICE’s actions.

“I think we should look at the bill in its totality,” GOP Appropriations Chair Tom Cole of Oklahoma said. “Encouraging people to believe we have massive bad actors in a particular agency… comparing law enforcement officers to the Gestapo or Nazis, that’s not true. The right thing to do is to fund the people who protect America.”

Foxx criticized Democrats for their concerns over ICE enforcement tactics. On the House floor, she defended the agency, arguing that “ICE agents are arresting some of the worst criminals imaginable.”

“The issue is that ICE is terrorizing communities and attacking people, including U.S. citizens,” countered the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts. “This is an out-of-control agency at war with communities across the country and they don’t give a damn that you are a U.S. citizen.”

The top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, said he could not support voting for the bill because the Trump administration has weaponized the agency and “DHS has strayed from its core mission.”

“Republicans in control of Congress, however, are conducting zero oversight and do nothing but send blank check after blank check to DHS,” he said in a statement. “I have consistently supported the DHS workforce over the past two decades and continue to do so, but I cannot – in good conscience – vote to send another dime to CBP and ICE as they terrorize our communities and sully the constitution.”

Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said she will vote against the bill, even though she is proud of several provisions, such as the increase to Federal Emergency Management Agency funding and a pay raise for air traffic controllers.&nbsp;

But, she said, “It is impossible to ignore the impact ICE has had.”

“ICE is an agency that has shown itself to be lawless,” she said.

GOP Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada, the chair of the panel that deals with funding for Homeland Security, defended the funding bill, and noted that it provides immigration officers with body cameras. He said funds are also provided in the measure for the Coast Guard and agencies dealing with cybersecurity.&nbsp;

Cuellar of Texas, the top Democrat on that same panel, acknowledged that “this bill is not perfect.”&nbsp;

“It’s better than the alternative, leaving the department with a blank check,” he said. “This bill flat funds ICE but at the same time, we strengthen oversight of ICE.”

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum said the ICE enforcement in Minnesota and across the country is one of the “worst cases of civil rights violations by the federal government in recent history.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Minnesotans are being racially profiled on a mass scale, assaulted on our streets, kidnapped from our communities,” she said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768672710821.png" alt="Photo U.S. Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>WASHINGTON — The House Thursday passed four appropriations bills to fund the government and avert a partial shutdown, but Democrats largely objected to spending on the Department of Homeland Security amid aggressive immigration enforcement in communities across the country.&nbsp;Democrats have pushed for tougher oversight of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. In addition,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/progressives-congress-vow-oppose-immigration-enforcement-funding" target="_blank">members of the progressive wing</a>&nbsp;of the caucus vowed to not approve any funding for DHS after federal immigration agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis earlier this month.&nbsp;The 37-year-old mother’s death led to massive community protests and&nbsp; thousands of ICE agents have aggressively descended into Minnesota.“(Homeland Security Secretary) Kristi Noem and ICE are out of control,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement. “Taxpayer dollars are being misused to brutalize U.S. citizens, including the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good. This extremism must end.”&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20260119/DEF%20LHHS%20HS%20THUD%20-%20Bill%20Text%20-%201-19-2026.PDF" target="_blank">The four bills</a>&nbsp;— Defense; Homeland Security; Labor, Health and Human Services and Education; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development — are the last remaining appropriations bills needed to avoid a partial government shutdown by Jan. 30.&nbsp;The Homeland Security funding bill passed&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202642?Page=2" target="_blank">220-207</a>. The remaining bills passed&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202645?Page=2" target="_blank">341-88.</a>Democrats who joined Republicans in voting for the Homeland Security bill included Reps. Jared Gold of Maine,&nbsp;Henry&nbsp;Cuellar of Texas, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state, Tom Suozzi of New York, Don Davis of North Carolina, Laura Gillen of New York and&nbsp;Vicente Gonzalez of Texas.Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted against the DHS funding bill.Separately, GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx, chairwoman of the Rules Committee, added a provision to repeal a law that allows members of the U.S. Senate to sue for up to half a million dollars if their phone records were obtained by special counsel Jack Smith during his investigation into President Donald Trump’s efforts to subvert the 2020 presidential election. In a rare move, the&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202640" target="_blank">provision passed unanimously.&nbsp;</a>Smith was also on Capitol Hill Thursday to testify about his investigation before lawmakers on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.&nbsp;The Senate will take up the appropriations bills when senators return from recess next week.<h2>What does the Homeland Security bill include?</h2>The Homeland Security bill provides $64.4 billion in funding for fiscal year 2026. It cuts funding for Customs and Border Protection by $1.3 billion, and maintains flat funding for ICE at $10 billion.The bill attempts to put guardrails around immigration enforcement by allocating $20 million for body cameras for ICE and CBP officers.&nbsp;It also requires DHS to provide monthly updates on how the agency is spending the $190 billion it received from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the president’s signature tax and spending cuts package signed into law last summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill also restricts ICE to spending only $3.8 billion of its fiscal budget on detention. However, the agency will still be able to pull $75 billion from OBBBA, including for detention.<h2>Most Dems say they can’t back any ICE funding</h2>During Thursday’s debate of the bill, Republicans supported the Homeland Security bill, and argued that it contains other agencies beside immigration enforcement.&nbsp;But a majority of Democrats said they could not vote to approve the agency’s funding because of ICE’s actions.“I think we should look at the bill in its totality,” GOP Appropriations Chair Tom Cole of Oklahoma said. “Encouraging people to believe we have massive bad actors in a particular agency… comparing law enforcement officers to the Gestapo or Nazis, that’s not true. The right thing to do is to fund the people who protect America.”Foxx criticized Democrats for their concerns over ICE enforcement tactics. On the House floor, she defended the agency, arguing that “ICE agents are arresting some of the worst criminals imaginable.”“The issue is that ICE is terrorizing communities and attacking people, including U.S. citizens,” countered the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts. “This is an out-of-control agency at war with communities across the country and they don’t give a damn that you are a U.S. citizen.”The top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, said he could not support voting for the bill because the Trump administration has weaponized the agency and “DHS has strayed from its core mission.”“Republicans in control of Congress, however, are conducting zero oversight and do nothing but send blank check after blank check to DHS,” he said in a statement. “I have consistently supported the DHS workforce over the past two decades and continue to do so, but I cannot – in good conscience – vote to send another dime to CBP and ICE as they terrorize our communities and sully the constitution.”Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said she will vote against the bill, even though she is proud of several provisions, such as the increase to Federal Emergency Management Agency funding and a pay raise for air traffic controllers.&nbsp;But, she said, “It is impossible to ignore the impact ICE has had.”“ICE is an agency that has shown itself to be lawless,” she said.<h2>Republicans tout body camera provision</h2>GOP Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada, the chair of the panel that deals with funding for Homeland Security, defended the funding bill, and noted that it provides immigration officers with body cameras. He said funds are also provided in the measure for the Coast Guard and agencies dealing with cybersecurity.&nbsp;Cuellar of Texas, the top Democrat on that same panel, acknowledged that “this bill is not perfect.”&nbsp;“It’s better than the alternative, leaving the department with a blank check,” he said. “This bill flat funds ICE but at the same time, we strengthen oversight of ICE.”Minnesota Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum said the ICE enforcement in Minnesota and across the country is one of the “worst cases of civil rights violations by the federal government in recent history.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Minnesotans are being racially profiled on a mass scale, assaulted on our streets, kidnapped from our communities,” she said.&nbsp;

Many Dems refuse to vote to fund ICE as US House passes 4 spending bills

KANSAS CITY—One person died from injuries in an accident that occurred just after 12:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

A man had off-loaded a grey Dodge Caravan from a transport truck&nbsp; at the Manheim Auto Auction, 8750 NE Parvin Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Bechina.

 The Dodge Caravan was not fully in park and began to roll backwards. The man attempted to enter the driver’s side of the vehicle as it rolled backwards. The van struck a parked Freightliner tow truck which pinned and crushed the man in between the Dodge and the Freightliner. 

The man was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff. 

This is fatality #5 in 2026 compared to #4 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY—One person died from injuries in an accident that occurred just after 12:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.A man had off-loaded a grey Dodge Caravan from a transport truck&nbsp; at the Manheim Auto Auction, 8750 NE Parvin Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Bechina. The Dodge Caravan was not fully in park and began to roll backwards. The man attempted to enter the driver’s side of the vehicle as it rolled backwards. The van struck a parked Freightliner tow truck which pinned and crushed the man in between the Dodge and the Freightliner. The man was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff. This is fatality #5 in 2026 compared to #4 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

Man killed while unloading van at KC auto auction 

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ahead of the forecasted winter weather this weekend, I signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency. This allows the state to respond quickly and support local communities as needed, but each of us must do our part during this potentially dangerous winter weather.… <a href="https://t.co/e4DYUYcg08">pic.twitter.com/e4DYUYcg08</a>&mdash; Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMikeKehoe/status/2014496188532162808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Mo. governor declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm

State Rep. Cecelie Williams said the messages resurfaced trauma from past abuse as lawmakers voted 138–10 to punish Dean

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The text messages were brief, but state Rep. Cecelie Williams told the Missouri House on Thursday that they carried her backward in time.

She thought she had worked through the feelings of fear, self-doubt and the instinct to shrink and stay quiet. Last year, she publicly shared her history of domestic abuse for the first time, hoping it would give purpose to her pain.

But those feelings came rushing back, she said, when she looked at her phone during a September special legislative session and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-democrat-faces-ethics-inquiry-loses-committee-seats-over-obscene-text/">found messages</a>&nbsp;from Democratic state Rep. Jeremy Dean.

“I live with PTSD from abuse I endured,” Williams said. “And this situation has intensified those triggers for me for more than four months.”

Williams’ speech preceded a 138-10 House vote to sanction Dean for sending her obscene and unwanted text messages, a decision that followed a bipartisan ethics investigation but stopped short of expulsion.

All 10 “no” votes came from Democratic lawmakers.

Williams voted in support of the punishment — which includes removal from committees, mandatory sexual harassment training and a requirement that Dean remain at least 50 feet away from her — but made clear she believed expulsion was warranted.

“We are held to a higher standard, one that should exceed any corporate or private workplace,” Williams said. “Because, let us be honest, at any other job, a message like that would be grounds for immediate termination, no questions asked. We cannot excuse behavior in the Capitol that would never be tolerated anywhere else.”

As Williams spoke, Dean sat silently at his desk. He voted “present” on the ethics report and left the chamber shortly after the vote. Dean has publicly apologized for the messages but told The Independent earlier this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/08/bipartisan-missouri-house-ethics-panel-seeks-sanctions-for-obscene-text-sent-by-democrat/">the ethics complaint was politically motivated</a>.

On Sept. 4, while engaged in a sit-in protest on the House floor, Dean sent a text message to Williams, a Republican from Dittmer, while she was participating in a House Elections Committee hearing.

At the time, the committee was taking testimony on a proposal to change how majorities are counted for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition.

The message included a graphic reference to an oral sex act involving the president and questioned how Republicans could speak while engaged in it. According to the ethics report, Dean was watching a livestream of the hearing and sent a second message after seeing Williams’ reaction.

Williams said a second message arrived roughly 20 minutes after the first, following a colleague’s photo of her phone displaying the original text. That message, she said, read: “Make sure it isn’t blurry.”

Dean told investigators that he recognized the messages were “inappropriate and unprofessional” and said he regretted sending them. He denied any intent to disrupt the legislative process, intimidate Williams or improperly influence her participation in the hearing.

The House Ethics Committee — the only House committee with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats and a minority-party vice chair — unanimously approved the sanctions.

After the messages became public, Williams said the scrutiny shifted quickly toward her rather than the sender. She was asked what she sent first, whether she provoked the exchange and why she told anyone at all.

“I have heard those questions before,” she told the chamber. “Just in another chapter of my life.”

Earlier in the year, during a freshman orientation, Williams said she spoke openly in a small group about surviving abuse and how it shaped her life. Dean was present, she said, and already knew her story — a fact that made the messages feel more calculated.

Williams rejected the notion that Dean apologized to her, describing an unsigned email she said amounted to little more than: “I’m sorry you were offended.”

“That is not an apology,” she said. “It is deflection.”

The most painful moment, she said, came when her 13-year-old daughter learned about the messages after seeing a newspaper while checking the mail.

“She cried,” Williams said. “Only knowing that something had hurt her mom.”

Williams said she felt embarrassed and ashamed, despite knowing she had done nothing wrong — a reaction she recognized as a coping mechanism shaped by earlier trauma. She began moving through the Capitol differently, she said, more guarded and more cautious.

“I wish this had never happened,” Williams told the House. “But I cannot undo the text that was sent.”

What she could do, she said, was refuse to remain silent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769113918663.png" alt="State Rep. Cecelie Williams, R-Dittmer, speaks in 2025 during Missouri House debate (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)" />
 <figcaption>State Rep. Cecelie Williams, R-Dittmer, speaks in 2025 during Missouri House debate (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State Rep. Cecelie Williams said the messages resurfaced trauma from past abuse as lawmakers voted 138–10 to punish Dean</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The text messages were brief, but state Rep. Cecelie Williams told the Missouri House on Thursday that they carried her backward in time.She thought she had worked through the feelings of fear, self-doubt and the instinct to shrink and stay quiet. Last year, she publicly shared her history of domestic abuse for the first time, hoping it would give purpose to her pain.But those feelings came rushing back, she said, when she looked at her phone during a September special legislative session and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-democrat-faces-ethics-inquiry-loses-committee-seats-over-obscene-text/">found messages</a>&nbsp;from Democratic state Rep. Jeremy Dean.“I live with PTSD from abuse I endured,” Williams said. “And this situation has intensified those triggers for me for more than four months.”Williams’ speech preceded a 138-10 House vote to sanction Dean for sending her obscene and unwanted text messages, a decision that followed a bipartisan ethics investigation but stopped short of expulsion.All 10 “no” votes came from Democratic lawmakers.Williams voted in support of the punishment — which includes removal from committees, mandatory sexual harassment training and a requirement that Dean remain at least 50 feet away from her — but made clear she believed expulsion was warranted.“We are held to a higher standard, one that should exceed any corporate or private workplace,” Williams said. “Because, let us be honest, at any other job, a message like that would be grounds for immediate termination, no questions asked. We cannot excuse behavior in the Capitol that would never be tolerated anywhere else.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769113880895.png" alt="Democratic state Rep. Jeremy Dean, left, listens on Thursday as GOP Rep. Cecelie Williams discusses the obscene text message he sent her, which became the focus of an ethics complaint (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Democratic state Rep. Jeremy Dean, left, listens on Thursday as GOP Rep. Cecelie Williams discusses the obscene text message he sent her, which became the focus of an ethics complaint (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>As Williams spoke, Dean sat silently at his desk. He voted “present” on the ethics report and left the chamber shortly after the vote. Dean has publicly apologized for the messages but told The Independent earlier this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/08/bipartisan-missouri-house-ethics-panel-seeks-sanctions-for-obscene-text-sent-by-democrat/">the ethics complaint was politically motivated</a>.On Sept. 4, while engaged in a sit-in protest on the House floor, Dean sent a text message to Williams, a Republican from Dittmer, while she was participating in a House Elections Committee hearing.At the time, the committee was taking testimony on a proposal to change how majorities are counted for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition.The message included a graphic reference to an oral sex act involving the president and questioned how Republicans could speak while engaged in it. According to the ethics report, Dean was watching a livestream of the hearing and sent a second message after seeing Williams’ reaction.Williams said a second message arrived roughly 20 minutes after the first, following a colleague’s photo of her phone displaying the original text. That message, she said, read: “Make sure it isn’t blurry.”Dean told investigators that he recognized the messages were “inappropriate and unprofessional” and said he regretted sending them. He denied any intent to disrupt the legislative process, intimidate Williams or improperly influence her participation in the hearing.The House Ethics Committee — the only House committee with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats and a minority-party vice chair — unanimously approved the sanctions.After the messages became public, Williams said the scrutiny shifted quickly toward her rather than the sender. She was asked what she sent first, whether she provoked the exchange and why she told anyone at all.“I have heard those questions before,” she told the chamber. “Just in another chapter of my life.”Earlier in the year, during a freshman orientation, Williams said she spoke openly in a small group about surviving abuse and how it shaped her life. Dean was present, she said, and already knew her story — a fact that made the messages feel more calculated.Williams rejected the notion that Dean apologized to her, describing an unsigned email she said amounted to little more than: “I’m sorry you were offended.”“That is not an apology,” she said. “It is deflection.”The most painful moment, she said, came when her 13-year-old daughter learned about the messages after seeing a newspaper while checking the mail.“She cried,” Williams said. “Only knowing that something had hurt her mom.”Williams said she felt embarrassed and ashamed, despite knowing she had done nothing wrong — a reaction she recognized as a coping mechanism shaped by earlier trauma. She began moving through the Capitol differently, she said, more guarded and more cautious.“I wish this had never happened,” Williams told the House. “But I cannot undo the text that was sent.”What she could do, she said, was refuse to remain silent.“Silence may have been my survival once,” Williams said. “But today, my voice is my defense.”