RAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Tuesday in Ray County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Toyota passenger vehicle driven by a 34-year-old Liberty man was eastbound on MO 210 just west of MO T. The vehicle crossed the center of the road. It struck a 2008 Pontiac driven by a 34-year-old Richmond woman head-on and overturned.

The Pontiac driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Ray County ambulance transported the Toyota driver to North Kansas City hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

RAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Tuesday in Ray County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Toyota passenger vehicle driven by a 34-year-old Liberty man was eastbound on MO 210 just west of MO T. The vehicle crossed the center of the road. It struck a 2008 Pontiac driven by a 34-year-old Richmond woman head-on and overturned.The Pontiac driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Ray County ambulance transported the Toyota driver to North Kansas City hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman killed in head-on crash

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—One person died in an accident on Tuesday morning in Montgomery County.

According to Sheriff Ron Wade, a 2024 Kia passenger vehicle driven by Heath Ellis, 21, Caney, was traveling on U.S. 75 near County Road 3600 southwest of Independence, Kansas.&nbsp; The vehicle left the road, overturned, struck a culvert and caught fire.&nbsp; Ellis was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

The accident remains under investigation, according to Wade.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—One person died in an accident on Tuesday morning in Montgomery County.According to Sheriff Ron Wade, a 2024 Kia passenger vehicle driven by Heath Ellis, 21, Caney, was traveling on U.S. 75 near County Road 3600 southwest of Independence, Kansas.&nbsp; The vehicle left the road, overturned, struck a culvert and caught fire.&nbsp; Ellis was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;The accident remains under investigation, according to Wade.

Kansas man killed in rollover crash and fire

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a drug bust in Manhattan.

Just before 5:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;executed a search warrant in the 700 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

As a result, officers arrested 60-year-old Joseph Fabre of Manhattan on requested charges of distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stim/heroin within 1000 feet of a school; possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia; possession of a depressant and possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance. Fabre remains jailed on a $40,000 bond.

He has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761665407790.png" alt="Fabre has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Fabre has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a drug bust in Manhattan.Just before 5:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;executed a search warrant in the 700 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.As a result, officers arrested 60-year-old Joseph Fabre of Manhattan on requested charges of distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stim/heroin within 1000 feet of a school; possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia; possession of a depressant and possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance. Fabre remains jailed on a $40,000 bond.He has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon accused of selling heroin

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday, joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.&nbsp;

“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”

On October 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million Americans that rely on them. &nbsp;

Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP, leaving millions of Americans without the assistance they need to buy food. It is clear the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial SNAP program.&nbsp;

The lapse in benefits will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the country, who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families. This lapse will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems, including college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating students. Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases across the country. The USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.&nbsp;

In Kansas, nearly 188,000 children, families, and seniors rely on SNAP each month to meet their needs. Ordinarily, more than 93,000 Kansas households would receive a total distribution of more than $34.4 million in SNAP benefits. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers the SNAP program, will continue to closely monitor the situation and its impacts on services the agency provides.

While the federal government funds and sets the monthly amount of SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering programs in their state. Suspending SNAP benefits in this manner is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Where Congress has clearly spoken, providing that SNAP benefits should continue even during a government shutdown, USDA does not have the authority to say otherwise. The coalition will also be filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.&nbsp;

Joining&nbsp;Governor Kelly in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,&nbsp;Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined.

Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a2c925b18-1a97ee00-5c46-46fa-81bf-8fdbbe95f1b6-000000/5VIAYM9XO3ktK7g_ze-kJeW4ZRwH1bkUQnl31aoZJFY=428">dcf.ks.gov.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689674819900.png" alt="Photo USDA" />
 <figcaption>Photo USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday, joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.&nbsp;“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”On October 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million Americans that rely on them. &nbsp;Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP, leaving millions of Americans without the assistance they need to buy food. It is clear the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial SNAP program.&nbsp;The lapse in benefits will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the country, who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families. This lapse will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems, including college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating students. Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases across the country. The USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.&nbsp;In Kansas, nearly 188,000 children, families, and seniors rely on SNAP each month to meet their needs. Ordinarily, more than 93,000 Kansas households would receive a total distribution of more than $34.4 million in SNAP benefits. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers the SNAP program, will continue to closely monitor the situation and its impacts on services the agency provides.While the federal government funds and sets the monthly amount of SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering programs in their state. Suspending SNAP benefits in this manner is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Where Congress has clearly spoken, providing that SNAP benefits should continue even during a government shutdown, USDA does not have the authority to say otherwise. The coalition will also be filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.&nbsp;Joining&nbsp;Governor Kelly in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,&nbsp;Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined.Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a2c925b18-1a97ee00-5c46-46fa-81bf-8fdbbe95f1b6-000000/5VIAYM9XO3ktK7g_ze-kJeW4ZRwH1bkUQnl31aoZJFY=428">dcf.ks.gov.</a>

Kansas sues Trump Admin. for 'illegally suspending SNAP benefits'

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas farm leaders are pushing Congress to get back to work and solve problems facing the agriculture industry, pointing out that a closed government doesn’t mean U.S. lawmakers can’t be in session.

“I’m up here in Republic County and there’s a lot of activity going around harvest,” said Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union. “And then, of course, wheat drilling and all that, too, and getting ready to move cattle off of pastures. The work doesn’t stop for farmers. We don’t pause, we don’t shut down. We have to keep going.”

Levendofsky, speaking earlier this month in a virtual press conference arranged by Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, echoed comments from Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam to get Congress back to work.

“It’s time to get back to work on and really address some things, particularly some things that really don’t cost money — it’s just public policy that we need to address,” Beam said on the same call.

Levendofsky said the farm bill was allowed to expire, and even though some agricultural issues were addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, much is left to do.

“I’ve talked with farmers in our organization, farmers in my area, and farmers all across the state, and they’re very frustrated with what’s going on right now,” he said.

As farmers are grappling with increased input expenses, tariffs and weather, Davids said she was “p***ed” about President Donald Trump’s expressed intentions to import more Argentinian beef.

“I think we need to be doing everything we can to support American ranchers and producers and farmers and not importing in stuff that we’re growing here,” she said.

Matthew Steele, CEO and executive director of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, listens to news every day with a strong dose of caution and “trying to read through the lines.” As an engineer with a compliance background, he’s always looking deeper, he said.

“You’ve got to always be thinking about this is the black and white, what does all the gray around it mean?” he said in a call with the Kansas Reflector.

For instance, outcry about the potential of Mexico reopening its U.S. border to import feeder cattle doesn’t have as big of an impact as people might expect, Steele said.

About 1 million head a year come in from Mexico, out of 83 million head produced in the U.S., he said.

“It’s not that big of a number,” Steele said. “They’re still anywhere from three to eight or nine months from being ready for harvest anyway. Where the impact comes is those aren’t prime animals that are coming up. It’s not like they’re bringing in certified Angus roasts and steaks. It’s lower quality we grind up and serve as hamburgers.”

Still, the market took that news and went “crazy,” he said. Live cattle contracts fell Monday, dropping about $7 on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/future/lc00?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqe5Xw6SQAaUNwGs9A2aB5ASjPdCoXZgWQjhkC7P1xNSJF4pjUBVwcdsSUxoQ54%3D&amp;gaa_ts=6900dd4b&amp;gaa_sig=Lbzoo0bAhVTAV00lcfxF6snutG3jmoxhqzu_x9PHRP9kDvieAxABx0qDmPz3uZmoJfgkA4qY-GOI_WMvS5ytDA%3D%3D" target="_blank">according to Marketwatch</a>.

Steele said his organization is telling farmers to call their representatives to share stories and help them understand how the system works. Although organizations like Kansas Cattlemen’s are advocating, it means more coming from the people who are doing the work, he said.

Adam Phelon, a Kansas Soybean Association board member who farms with his family near Garnett, joined Davids’ call to share his frustration with the shutdown and what a challenge it can be throughout rural communities with a “snowball effect” that hits many areas.

Phelon said farmers need consistency and certainty to make plans, and they don’t have that right now. He also pointed to families that need support from programs like Women, Infants and Children payments and a friend in the Navy who is stationed in Germany and wasn’t able to make their house payment that was due in October.

“The difficult thing is that even when the government does get back up and running, we’re going to be so far behind,” Phelon said. “We applaud the Congress for getting the renewable fuel standards up to where they should be, but those should be implemented at the beginning of November, and because of this government shutdown, it may be pushed back into the following year.”

Although Davids said the Farm Service Agency announced last week it would resume partial operations, that wasn’t enough to help Kansas farmers.

“This is just a Band-Aid on a larger problem of a government shutdown, and our farmers, ranchers, producers are hurting,” Davids said. “They haven’t received some of their farm subsidies or loans. Conservation projects are stalled, like one that’s near Baldwin City, Kansas, they can’t move forward because no one is in the office to simply process the paperwork. Without crop or market reports, producers are being forced to make major financial decisions in the dark. These programs are truly a lifeline for rural America.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761674362747.png" alt=" Kansas ranchers are concerned about statements out of Washington, D.C., about importing more beef from Mexico and Argentina and how that affects market prices. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas ranchers are concerned about statements out of Washington, D.C., about importing more beef from Mexico and Argentina and how that affects market prices. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas farm leaders are pushing Congress to get back to work and solve problems facing the agriculture industry, pointing out that a closed government doesn’t mean U.S. lawmakers can’t be in session.“I’m up here in Republic County and there’s a lot of activity going around harvest,” said Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union. “And then, of course, wheat drilling and all that, too, and getting ready to move cattle off of pastures. The work doesn’t stop for farmers. We don’t pause, we don’t shut down. We have to keep going.”Levendofsky, speaking earlier this month in a virtual press conference arranged by Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, echoed comments from Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam to get Congress back to work.“It’s time to get back to work on and really address some things, particularly some things that really don’t cost money — it’s just public policy that we need to address,” Beam said on the same call.Levendofsky said the farm bill was allowed to expire, and even though some agricultural issues were addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, much is left to do.“I’ve talked with farmers in our organization, farmers in my area, and farmers all across the state, and they’re very frustrated with what’s going on right now,” he said.As farmers are grappling with increased input expenses, tariffs and weather, Davids said she was “p***ed” about President Donald Trump’s expressed intentions to import more Argentinian beef.“I think we need to be doing everything we can to support American ranchers and producers and farmers and not importing in stuff that we’re growing here,” she said.Matthew Steele, CEO and executive director of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, listens to news every day with a strong dose of caution and “trying to read through the lines.” As an engineer with a compliance background, he’s always looking deeper, he said.“You’ve got to always be thinking about this is the black and white, what does all the gray around it mean?” he said in a call with the Kansas Reflector.For instance, outcry about the potential of Mexico reopening its U.S. border to import feeder cattle doesn’t have as big of an impact as people might expect, Steele said.About 1 million head a year come in from Mexico, out of 83 million head produced in the U.S., he said.“It’s not that big of a number,” Steele said. “They’re still anywhere from three to eight or nine months from being ready for harvest anyway. Where the impact comes is those aren’t prime animals that are coming up. It’s not like they’re bringing in certified Angus roasts and steaks. It’s lower quality we grind up and serve as hamburgers.”Still, the market took that news and went “crazy,” he said. Live cattle contracts fell Monday, dropping about $7 on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/future/lc00?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqe5Xw6SQAaUNwGs9A2aB5ASjPdCoXZgWQjhkC7P1xNSJF4pjUBVwcdsSUxoQ54%3D&amp;gaa_ts=6900dd4b&amp;gaa_sig=Lbzoo0bAhVTAV00lcfxF6snutG3jmoxhqzu_x9PHRP9kDvieAxABx0qDmPz3uZmoJfgkA4qY-GOI_WMvS5ytDA%3D%3D" target="_blank">according to Marketwatch</a>.Steele said his organization is telling farmers to call their representatives to share stories and help them understand how the system works. Although organizations like Kansas Cattlemen’s are advocating, it means more coming from the people who are doing the work, he said.Adam Phelon, a Kansas Soybean Association board member who farms with his family near Garnett, joined Davids’ call to share his frustration with the shutdown and what a challenge it can be throughout rural communities with a “snowball effect” that hits many areas.Phelon said farmers need consistency and certainty to make plans, and they don’t have that right now. He also pointed to families that need support from programs like Women, Infants and Children payments and a friend in the Navy who is stationed in Germany and wasn’t able to make their house payment that was due in October.“The difficult thing is that even when the government does get back up and running, we’re going to be so far behind,” Phelon said. “We applaud the Congress for getting the renewable fuel standards up to where they should be, but those should be implemented at the beginning of November, and because of this government shutdown, it may be pushed back into the following year.”Although Davids said the Farm Service Agency announced last week it would resume partial operations, that wasn’t enough to help Kansas farmers.“This is just a Band-Aid on a larger problem of a government shutdown, and our farmers, ranchers, producers are hurting,” Davids said. “They haven’t received some of their farm subsidies or loans. Conservation projects are stalled, like one that’s near Baldwin City, Kansas, they can’t move forward because no one is in the office to simply process the paperwork. Without crop or market reports, producers are being forced to make major financial decisions in the dark. These programs are truly a lifeline for rural America.”

We don’t shut down’: Kansas ag leaders tell Congress to get back to work

&nbsp;SALINE COUNTY—Police continue their investigation into the death of a baby in Salina.

On Tuesday, Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler&nbsp; reported an autopsy indicated the need for additional investigation into the death of the 7-week-old boy who died July 28. Police initially indicated they were waiting for the results of the autopsy and forensic report on the death.

Salina Police are working with other law enforcement agencies on the case and will utilize an expert from Wichita to help determine how the child died.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest in the case but have identified all parties involved as part of the investigation.

&nbsp;SALINE COUNTY—Police continue their investigation into the death of a baby in Salina.On Tuesday, Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler&nbsp; reported an autopsy indicated the need for additional investigation into the death of the 7-week-old boy who died July 28. Police initially indicated they were waiting for the results of the autopsy and forensic report on the death.Salina Police are working with other law enforcement agencies on the case and will utilize an expert from Wichita to help determine how the child died.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest in the case but have identified all parties involved as part of the investigation.

Police update investigation in death of baby in central Kansas

On Monday at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out three lethal kinetic strikes on four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, according to a statement from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

"The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics."

Eight male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessels during the first strike. Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the second strike. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike. A total of 14 narco-terrorists were killed during the three strikes, with one survivor. All strikes were in international waters with no U.S. forces harmed.

Regarding the survivor, USSOUTHCOM immediately initiated Search and Rescue (SAR) standard protocols; Mexican SAR authorities accepted the case and assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue.

The Department has spent over two decades defending other homelands. Now, we’re defending our own. These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same. We will track them, we will network them, and then, we will hunt and kill them.

On Monday at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out three lethal kinetic strikes on four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, according to a statement from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out three lethal kinetic strikes on four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific. The four vessels were known by our intelligence… <a href="https://t.co/UhoFlZ3jPG">pic.twitter.com/UhoFlZ3jPG</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1983164355999883548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics." Eight male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessels during the first strike. Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the second strike. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike. A total of 14 narco-terrorists were killed during the three strikes, with one survivor. All strikes were in international waters with no U.S. forces harmed.Regarding the survivor, USSOUTHCOM immediately initiated Search and Rescue (SAR) standard protocols; Mexican SAR authorities accepted the case and assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue.The Department has spent over two decades defending other homelands. Now, we’re defending our own. These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same. We will track them, we will network them, and then, we will hunt and kill them.

🎥US military kills 14 in 3 more strikes on drug-running boats 

Rep. Sharice Davids joins five GOP Kansas peers to suspend compensation

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>

TOPEKA — All six members of the Kansas congressional delegation voluntarily put a halt to payment of their federal salaries during the ongoing government shutdown.

The latest to join the group, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of the 3rd District, said Monday that she sent a letter to the chief administrative officer of the U.S. House requesting her paycheck be withheld until adoption of a bipartisan resolution to the impasse.

“Washington’s dysfunction is unacceptable, and Kansans have had enough,” Davids said. “I continue to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come to the table to end this shutdown, and I will refuse to accept a paycheck until this shutdown is resolved.”

Other Kansans, all Republicans, also declined paychecks during the standoff: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann of the 1st District, U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt of the 2nd District and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of the 4th District.

Members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate earn $174,000 in annual salary, which amounts to $14,500 per month.

The U.S. House passed a bill that would keep the federal government open into November, but the Senate hasn’t been able to reach agreement on a funding measure.

Schmidt, who represents much of rural eastern Kansas, said “the whole situation is so unnecessary and very frustrating.”

He said the Senate had two options: One, pass the “clean, bipartisan” bill endorsed more than a month ago by the House. Or, the Senate could approve a different bill that could be voted on by the House.

Estes said failure of Congress to pass a temporary funding bill didn’t stop paychecks from going to lawmakers during a shutdown. He sent a letter weeks ago to U.S. House administrators with instructions to withhold his net pay until an appropriations agreement took effect.

Payton Fuller, a spokesperson for Marshall, said the GOP senator likewise “feels strongly that if federal workers and the military are required to work without pay, then it’s not right for him to be accepting a paycheck.”

In a recent interview, Marshall said a breakthrough could occur Nov. 1 because air traffic controllers and members of the military were due a paycheck. He said political pressure could be “the seminal moment that pushes us forward.”

The federal budget dispute also poses a threat to recipients of SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which delivers food aid to approximately 187,000 people in Kansas. It risks suspension of funding for WIC, the program for Women, Infants and Children that provides healthy food, breastfeeding support and nutrition education to about 50,000 Kansans.

Thousands of Kansans have been placed on furlough in October, but federal employees viewed as essential have been required to stay on the job without pay. Kansas is home to more than 25,000 federal employees and more than 21,000 active-duty members of the military

“My mom, an Army veteran, raised my brothers and me on her own,” Davids said. “If she had missed even one paycheck, it could’ve meant choosing between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table.”

She said an agreement by Congress to reopen the federal government should include a provision protecting families from rising health care costs when insurance tax credits expired later this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761649665877.png" alt=" U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, said Oct. 27, 2025, that she voluntarily had her congressional paycheck withheld until resolution of the current federal government shutdown. All five Republican members of the Kansas delegation have done likewise. In this image, Davids speaks during an April 30, 2025, budget hearing in the U.S. House. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from U.S. House YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, said Oct. 27, 2025, that she voluntarily had her congressional paycheck withheld until resolution of the current federal government shutdown. All five Republican members of the Kansas delegation have done likewise. In this image, Davids speaks during an April 30, 2025, budget hearing in the U.S. House. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from U.S. House YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Rep. Sharice Davids joins five GOP Kansas peers to suspend compensation</h2>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>TOPEKA — All six members of the Kansas congressional delegation voluntarily put a halt to payment of their federal salaries during the ongoing government shutdown.The latest to join the group, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of the 3rd District, said Monday that she sent a letter to the chief administrative officer of the U.S. House requesting her paycheck be withheld until adoption of a bipartisan resolution to the impasse.“Washington’s dysfunction is unacceptable, and Kansans have had enough,” Davids said. “I continue to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come to the table to end this shutdown, and I will refuse to accept a paycheck until this shutdown is resolved.”Other Kansans, all Republicans, also declined paychecks during the standoff: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann of the 1st District, U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt of the 2nd District and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of the 4th District.Members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate earn $174,000 in annual salary, which amounts to $14,500 per month.The U.S. House passed a bill that would keep the federal government open into November, but the Senate hasn’t been able to reach agreement on a funding measure.Schmidt, who represents much of rural eastern Kansas, said “the whole situation is so unnecessary and very frustrating.”He said the Senate had two options: One, pass the “clean, bipartisan” bill endorsed more than a month ago by the House. Or, the Senate could approve a different bill that could be voted on by the House.Estes said failure of Congress to pass a temporary funding bill didn’t stop paychecks from going to lawmakers during a shutdown. He sent a letter weeks ago to U.S. House administrators with instructions to withhold his net pay until an appropriations agreement took effect.Payton Fuller, a spokesperson for Marshall, said the GOP senator likewise “feels strongly that if federal workers and the military are required to work without pay, then it’s not right for him to be accepting a paycheck.”In a recent interview, Marshall said a breakthrough could occur Nov. 1 because air traffic controllers and members of the military were due a paycheck. He said political pressure could be “the seminal moment that pushes us forward.”The federal budget dispute also poses a threat to recipients of SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which delivers food aid to approximately 187,000 people in Kansas. It risks suspension of funding for WIC, the program for Women, Infants and Children that provides healthy food, breastfeeding support and nutrition education to about 50,000 Kansans.Thousands of Kansans have been placed on furlough in October, but federal employees viewed as essential have been required to stay on the job without pay. Kansas is home to more than 25,000 federal employees and more than 21,000 active-duty members of the military“My mom, an Army veteran, raised my brothers and me on her own,” Davids said. “If she had missed even one paycheck, it could’ve meant choosing between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table.”She said an agreement by Congress to reopen the federal government should include a provision protecting families from rising health care costs when insurance tax credits expired later this year.

Entire Kansas congressional delegation voluntarily halts their paychecks amid shutdown

VERNON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Monday in Vernon County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Nissan Altima driven by an 18-year-old Schell City man was southbound on Highway C five miles north of Walker.

The car crossed the center line and struck a 2017 Mazda 6 driven by a 30-year-old Schell City man. The teen driver was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported the other driver to Nevada Regional Medical Center. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

VERNON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Monday in Vernon County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Nissan Altima driven by an 18-year-old Schell City man was southbound on Highway C five miles north of Walker.The car crossed the center line and struck a 2017 Mazda 6 driven by a 30-year-old Schell City man. The teen driver was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported the other driver to Nevada Regional Medical Center. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri teen killed, man injured after head-on crash

FORT WORTH, Texas —On October 23, two police officers responded to a vehicular collision on Interstate 30 between Eastchase Parkway and Cooks Lane that resulted in the female driver and an infant child being ejected from the vehicle, according to a media release from Fort Worth&nbsp; Police.

The infant was pinned beneath the overturned vehicle and was unresponsive. Sergeant Nichols and Office Bounds with help from witnesses to the accident, were able to free the trapped infant.

Sergeant Nichols immediately began to perform CPR on the unconscious infant, eventually waking the child and keeping her alive until <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FortWorthFireDepartment?__cft__[0]=AZUvQtqMvBwYlX8BHgQ4ms3HUCYAdSY5DzQxM-EOAU1Fww6IVLGYtyy3VblQHVhpcSlmVMw37Kho9PLD-bQdFrecJA3ZSkBAZ1s7btwPgvzj-Zb4Ex12Uf_wdPJ0p9z3Co5I4m7MgXpoDiYx6mtZqSvnkXnr-VJvVYEI-kPm6uzigU7b1aMkpBODHcoNb8-gyFXpTqWrJvU_FnjBr2TBGhfi&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Fort Worth Fire Department</a> arrived on scene.

The woman and infant are in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.

"We are beyond proud of the life saving actions performed by Sergeant Nichols and Officer Bounds for their bravery and quick response to this terrible scene. We are also grateful to the Fort Worth citizens who saw someone in danger and, without hesitation, assisted our officers."

FORT WORTH, Texas —On October 23, two police officers responded to a vehicular collision on Interstate 30 between Eastchase Parkway and Cooks Lane that resulted in the female driver and an infant child being ejected from the vehicle, according to a media release from Fort Worth&nbsp; Police.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2567348986965281%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The infant was pinned beneath the overturned vehicle and was unresponsive. Sergeant Nichols and Office Bounds with help from witnesses to the accident, were able to free the trapped infant. Sergeant Nichols immediately began to perform CPR on the unconscious infant, eventually waking the child and keeping her alive until <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FortWorthFireDepartment?__cft__[0]=AZUvQtqMvBwYlX8BHgQ4ms3HUCYAdSY5DzQxM-EOAU1Fww6IVLGYtyy3VblQHVhpcSlmVMw37Kho9PLD-bQdFrecJA3ZSkBAZ1s7btwPgvzj-Zb4Ex12Uf_wdPJ0p9z3Co5I4m7MgXpoDiYx6mtZqSvnkXnr-VJvVYEI-kPm6uzigU7b1aMkpBODHcoNb8-gyFXpTqWrJvU_FnjBr2TBGhfi&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Fort Worth Fire Department</a> arrived on scene. The woman and infant are in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery."We are beyond proud of the life saving actions performed by Sergeant Nichols and Officer Bounds for their bravery and quick response to this terrible scene. We are also grateful to the Fort Worth citizens who saw someone in danger and, without hesitation, assisted our officers."

🎥Police, bystanders rescue baby pinned under car after rollover crash

No progress has been made to end the government shutdown as it enters&nbsp; another week. 

On Monday Senate chaplain, Retired Rear-Admiral Barry Black prayed,&nbsp;"When our children and grandchildren want to know what we were doing&nbsp; in the 119th Congress during the famous shutdown may we not have to give these answers: I helped set new record for keeping government closed. No gold medals are given for breaking shutdown records"

No progress has been made to end the government shutdown as it enters&nbsp; another week. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">&quot;When our children &amp; grandchildren want to know what we were doing 119th Congress during famous shutdown may we not have to give these answers: I helped set new record for keeping government closed ...No gold medals are given for breaking shutdown records&quot; - Senate chaplain Black <a href="https://t.co/5KHY8hfo8p">pic.twitter.com/5KHY8hfo8p</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1982887966813905311?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On Monday Senate chaplain, Retired Rear-Admiral Barry Black prayed,&nbsp;"When our children and grandchildren want to know what we were doing&nbsp; in the 119th Congress during the famous shutdown may we not have to give these answers: I helped set new record for keeping government closed. No gold medals are given for breaking shutdown records"

🎥Senate chaplain prayer: No medals for breaking gov't shutdown records

TOKYO — President Donald Trump received a warm greeting from&nbsp;the new Japanese prime minister. He took her with him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761615314155.png" alt="Photo courtesy White. House video" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy White. House video</figcaption>
 </figure>TOKYO — President Donald Trump received a warm greeting from&nbsp;the new Japanese prime minister. He took her with him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> arrives at Akasaka Palace and is greeted by the Prime Minister of Japan 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/PTdTzvErbZ">pic.twitter.com/PTdTzvErbZ</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1982973115346120878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Welcome ceremony at Akasaka Palace for President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>! 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/CLez54dOTt">pic.twitter.com/CLez54dOTt</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1982975243523334578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 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://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> to PM Takaichi: &quot;Shinzo Abe was a great friend of mine... He spoke so well of you, long before we met, and I&#39;m not surprised to see that you are now the Prime Minister — and he would be very happy to know that, and I congratulate you on behalf of the United States.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/2Gi4YZjuX9">pic.twitter.com/2Gi4YZjuX9</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1982977645550956780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PM Takaichi gifts President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> a golf bag signed by Hideki Matsuyama and Prime Minister Abe’s putter ❤️⛳️ <a href="https://t.co/YlaYnfr846">pic.twitter.com/YlaYnfr846</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1982993837921579232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump delivers a toast before lunch 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/qkdeXav9oY">pic.twitter.com/qkdeXav9oY</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1982996429087093173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> arrives to deliver remarks to U.S. troops aboard USS George Washington at Yokosuka Naval Base 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/R4etKv4d7H">pic.twitter.com/R4etKv4d7H</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983075951228436931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">GOD BLESS OUR NAVY! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/5kxIVsc7nj">pic.twitter.com/5kxIVsc7nj</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983078481484238967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Commander-in-Chief on the USS George Washington at Yokosuka Naval Base 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/JmG5ABWaVX">pic.twitter.com/JmG5ABWaVX</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983080910250528954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump dance with our U.S. Navy in Japan! 😂🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Gsm3XJT1ot">pic.twitter.com/Gsm3XJT1ot</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983093838152335585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump meets with Mrs. Abe and is gifted a beautiful piece of art that she created with a message of PEACE for the Peacemaker ❤️🕊️ <a href="https://t.co/LWH3BMSoue">pic.twitter.com/LWH3BMSoue</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983111640741752914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Golf gift among highlights of Trump's visit with Japan's new prime minister

KANSAS CITY—The cause of a fire at a hotel in Kansas City is under investigation.

Just afater 11:30p.m. Sunday, crews responded to a reported fire at 401 Ward PKWY at the Intercontinental Hotel, 401 Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported smoke showing from the multi-story hotel on arrival. They were alerted to a fire in the loading dock area where a faulty air handler had ignited a pile of trash and debris. Companies were able to quickly get the fire under control that was being held in check by the sprinkler system. 

The majority of the occupants were able to shelter in place, while a few on the lower floors were evacuated until the smoke could be eliminated. No injuries were reported.

KANSAS CITY—The cause of a fire at a hotel in Kansas City is under investigation.Just afater 11:30p.m. Sunday, crews responded to a reported fire at 401 Ward PKWY at the Intercontinental Hotel, 401 Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported smoke showing from the multi-story hotel on arrival. They were alerted to a fire in the loading dock area where a faulty air handler had ignited a pile of trash and debris. Companies were able to quickly get the fire under control that was being held in check by the sprinkler system. The majority of the occupants were able to shelter in place, while a few on the lower floors were evacuated until the smoke could be eliminated. No injuries were reported.

Lower floors evacuated after fire in multi-story Kansas City hotel

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for a fatal shooting that occurred in June.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2746/Sipple-REDACT-COMP">William E. Sipple</a>, 40,&nbsp; is charged with one count of 2nd Degree Murder, one count of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to Jckson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2745/Sipple-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to Truman Road and Prospect Avenue on June 15 regarding a shooting and located the victim suffering from apparent trauma. After additional investigation, it was determined the actual shooting occurred in a parking lot near 19th and Vine Street. On June 30, the victim was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

Based on surveillance footage and witness reports, a disturbance broke out in a parking lot near 19th and Vine. A black Chevrolet truck drove up to the parking lot and stopped near the disturbance. Shots were fired and the victim was struck. The shooter was later identified as the Sipple.

He is being held on a $300,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761337850847.png" alt="Sipple photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Sipple photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for a fatal shooting that occurred in June.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2746/Sipple-REDACT-COMP">William E. Sipple</a>, 40,&nbsp; is charged with one count of 2nd Degree Murder, one count of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to Jckson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2745/Sipple-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to Truman Road and Prospect Avenue on June 15 regarding a shooting and located the victim suffering from apparent trauma. After additional investigation, it was determined the actual shooting occurred in a parking lot near 19th and Vine Street. On June 30, the victim was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;Based on surveillance footage and witness reports, a disturbance broke out in a parking lot near 19th and Vine. A black Chevrolet truck drove up to the parking lot and stopped near the disturbance. Shots were fired and the victim was struck. The shooter was later identified as the Sipple.He is being held on a $300,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

Man accused in deadly Kansas City parking lot killing 

TOPEKA — The president of the Kansas Senate said Monday a sufficient number of Senate Republicans signed a petition to call a special session of the Legislature to consider new congressional district boundaries to improve odds of defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.

Senate President Ty Masterson, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, said the minimum 27 signatures, or a two-thirds majority of the Senate, had been achieved. Republicans hold a 31-9 advantage over Democrats in the chamber.

“The Kansas Senate Republican caucus has secured the signatures needed to exceed the constitutional threshold, demonstrating strong support for this call for a special session,” Masterson said. “This threshold having been met marks a critical step toward convening the session, pending the necessary two-thirds approval from the House of Representatives.”

To complete requirements in the Kansas Constitution for calling a special session, GOP leaders in the House need to obtain 84 signatures on its petition. In the House, the GOP possesses an 88-37 edge over Democrats.

Despite sending a letter to House Republicans lobbying for support of a special session, House Speaker Dan Hawkins has not announced he landed commitments from enough GOP peers. A spokesperson for Hawkins didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Masterson’s statement.

President Donald Trump, seeking to maintain GOP control of the U.S. House, urged Republican-led states to engage in mid-decade gerrymandering of U.S. House seats to prevent Democrats from winning a majority in November 2026.

Typically, redistricting in Kansas has been done every decade based on population shifts documented in the Census. In Kansas, that timeline meant mapping wouldn’t ordinarily be done again until 2032.

The objective of redistricting in Kansas in 2025 would be to distribute moderate voters of Johnson County into two or three congressional districts that would more likely be represented by Republicans.

Currently, Davids serves all of Johnson County, the southern half of Wyandotte County and all of Anderson, Franklin and Miami counties.

Davids won reelection to her 3rd District seat in 2022 and 2024 despite previous modification to her district to favor Republican nominees.

In response to debate about a special session, Davids raised the possibility of running for U.S. Senate next year against U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican.

One redistricting prize available to Republicans would be a Trump endorsement in the governor’s race. Former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Masterson and others competing for the nomination and would covet an alliance with the president.

“We’re sending a clear message: We’re ready to get it done. We look forward to working our agenda to make Kansas and America great again,” Masterson said in his statement about the GOP Senate petition.

In addition to redistricting, Republican legislative leaders said a November special session could include consideration of bills on transgender rights and property taxes.

On Oct. 13, the GOP-controlled Legislative Coordinating Council approved spending up to $460,000 on a special session.

“It is clear that Republicans are not focused on the kitchen table issues that Kansans care about,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes.

Gov. Laura Kelly said she was opposed to mid-decade redistricting because that work would rely on outdated population counts from 2020. She urged the Legislature to conduct public hearings before voting on a new congressional map. In addition, she said the Kansas Supreme Court could find new maps unconstitutional.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </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>TOPEKA — The president of the Kansas Senate said Monday a sufficient number of Senate Republicans signed a petition to call a special session of the Legislature to consider new congressional district boundaries to improve odds of defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.Senate President Ty Masterson, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, said the minimum 27 signatures, or a two-thirds majority of the Senate, had been achieved. Republicans hold a 31-9 advantage over Democrats in the chamber.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761597779503.png" alt=" Senate President Ty Masterson said Oct. 27, 2025, there are enough Senate Republicans signers of a petition to call a special session of the Legislature to consider new congressional district maps. The Kansas House is still working to secure a two-thirds majority on its petition. In this image from March 26, 2025, Masterson presides in the Kansas Senate. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Senate President Ty Masterson said Oct. 27, 2025, there are enough Senate Republicans signers of a petition to call a special session of the Legislature to consider new congressional district maps. The Kansas House is still working to secure a two-thirds majority on its petition. In this image from March 26, 2025, Masterson presides in the Kansas Senate. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“The Kansas Senate Republican caucus has secured the signatures needed to exceed the constitutional threshold, demonstrating strong support for this call for a special session,” Masterson said. “This threshold having been met marks a critical step toward convening the session, pending the necessary two-thirds approval from the House of Representatives.”To complete requirements in the Kansas Constitution for calling a special session, GOP leaders in the House need to obtain 84 signatures on its petition. In the House, the GOP possesses an 88-37 edge over Democrats.Despite sending a letter to House Republicans lobbying for support of a special session, House Speaker Dan Hawkins has not announced he landed commitments from enough GOP peers. A spokesperson for Hawkins didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Masterson’s statement.President Donald Trump, seeking to maintain GOP control of the U.S. House, urged Republican-led states to engage in mid-decade gerrymandering of U.S. House seats to prevent Democrats from winning a majority in November 2026.Typically, redistricting in Kansas has been done every decade based on population shifts documented in the Census. In Kansas, that timeline meant mapping wouldn’t ordinarily be done again until 2032.The objective of redistricting in Kansas in 2025 would be to distribute moderate voters of Johnson County into two or three congressional districts that would more likely be represented by Republicans.Currently, Davids serves all of Johnson County, the southern half of Wyandotte County and all of Anderson, Franklin and Miami counties.Davids won reelection to her 3rd District seat in 2022 and 2024 despite previous modification to her district to favor Republican nominees.In response to debate about a special session, Davids raised the possibility of running for U.S. Senate next year against U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican.One redistricting prize available to Republicans would be a Trump endorsement in the governor’s race. Former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Masterson and others competing for the nomination and would covet an alliance with the president.“We’re sending a clear message: We’re ready to get it done. We look forward to working our agenda to make Kansas and America great again,” Masterson said in his statement about the GOP Senate petition.In addition to redistricting, Republican legislative leaders said a November special session could include consideration of bills on transgender rights and property taxes.On Oct. 13, the GOP-controlled Legislative Coordinating Council approved spending up to $460,000 on a special session.“It is clear that Republicans are not focused on the kitchen table issues that Kansans care about,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes.Gov. Laura Kelly said she was opposed to mid-decade redistricting because that work would rely on outdated population counts from 2020. She urged the Legislature to conduct public hearings before voting on a new congressional map. In addition, she said the Kansas Supreme Court could find new maps unconstitutional.

Kansas Senate secures GOP petition signatures to call special legislative session

The Mega Millions® jackpot surges past $700 million for only the ninth time in the game’s history for the next drawing on Tuesday, October 28, according to the game's web site.

 The estimated prize is now an impressive $714 million ($334.1 million cash) after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night – the white balls 11, 18, 31, 51 and 56, plus the gold Mega Ball 24. 

The jackpot has been growing since it was last won at $348 million in Virginia on June 27.If won next Tuesday, it would be the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the month of October. 

Almost exactly seven years ago, the game’s first-ever billion-dollar jackpot was won in South Carolina, on October 23, 2018; that prize of $1.537 billion remains the second-largest Mega Millions prize ever awarded. 

In the October 24 drawing, there were 482,430 winning tickets across all prize tiers, for total nationide winnings of more than $11.7 million. One ticket, sold in Connecticut, matched the five white balls to win the second-tier prize; with the 2X multiplier, it is worth $2 million. 

Twelve tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball to win the game’s third-tier prize: seven at 2X for $20,000 (two in Arizona and one each in California, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas), two at 3X for $30,000 (Michigan and Virginia), one at 4X for $40,000 (Missouri) and two at 5X for $50,000 (Massachusetts and Michigan).&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx">&nbsp;Click here for complete drawing result</a>s.

<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx"></a>&nbsp;In the 34 drawings in this jackpot run to date, there have been more than 10 million winning tickets at all levels, with prizes worth more than $240.9 million. They include 17 second-tier prizes: Eight with the 2X multiplier (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia), seven with the 3X multiplier (two in California and one each in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and New York), and one each at 4X and 5X (both in California).&nbsp;

There have also been 230 third-tier winning tickets so far in this run, ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. These third-tier prizes were won in 38 different jurisdictions across the country: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

&nbsp;Before the June 27 Virginia jackpot win at $348 million, other jackpots awarded this year were in Ohio ($112 million on April 18), Illinois ($349 million on March 25), and Arizona ($112 million on January 17).About Mega MillionsMega Millions is the only lottery game that has produced seven jackpot wins exceeding $1 billion each – all in different states. South Carolina was the first in 2018, followed by Michigan in 2021, Illinois in 2022, Maine and Florida in 2023, and New Jersey and California in 2024. The Florida prize on August 8, 2023, is the game’s current record jackpot at $1.602 billion.<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/About/Jackpot-History.aspx">See the complete Mega Millions jackpot history.</a>Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tickets are $5 each and include a randomly assigned multiplier, multiplying the base prize levels by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X. Half of the proceeds from the sale of each Mega Millions ticket remains in the state where the ticket was sold, where the money supports designated good causes and retailer commissions.Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 23; the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336.The Top Mega Millions Jackpots:AmountDateWinning Tickets$1.602 billion8/8/20231-FL$1.537 billion10/23/20181-SC$1.348 billion1/13/20231-ME$1.337 billion7/29/20221-IL$1.269 billion12/27/20241-CA$1.128 billion3/26/20241-NJ$1.050 billion1/22/20211-MI$810 million9/10/20241-TX$714 million (est)10/28/2025?$656 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3/30/2012&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-IL, KS, MD

The Mega Millions® jackpot surges past $700 million for only the ninth time in the game’s history for the next drawing on Tuesday, October 28, according to the game's web site. The estimated prize is now an impressive $714 million ($334.1 million cash) after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night – the white balls 11, 18, 31, 51 and 56, plus the gold Mega Ball 24. The jackpot has been growing since it was last won at $348 million in Virginia on June 27.If won next Tuesday, it would be the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the month of October. Almost exactly seven years ago, the game’s first-ever billion-dollar jackpot was won in South Carolina, on October 23, 2018; that prize of $1.537 billion remains the second-largest Mega Millions prize ever awarded. In the October 24 drawing, there were 482,430 winning tickets across all prize tiers, for total nationide winnings of more than $11.7 million. One ticket, sold in Connecticut, matched the five white balls to win the second-tier prize; with the 2X multiplier, it is worth $2 million. Twelve tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball to win the game’s third-tier prize: seven at 2X for $20,000 (two in Arizona and one each in California, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas), two at 3X for $30,000 (Michigan and Virginia), one at 4X for $40,000 (Missouri) and two at 5X for $50,000 (Massachusetts and Michigan).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx">&nbsp;Click here for complete drawing result</a>s.<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx"></a>&nbsp;In the 34 drawings in this jackpot run to date, there have been more than 10 million winning tickets at all levels, with prizes worth more than $240.9 million. They include 17 second-tier prizes: Eight with the 2X multiplier (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia), seven with the 3X multiplier (two in California and one each in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and New York), and one each at 4X and 5X (both in California).&nbsp;There have also been 230 third-tier winning tickets so far in this run, ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. These third-tier prizes were won in 38 different jurisdictions across the country: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.&nbsp;Before the June 27 Virginia jackpot win at $348 million, other jackpots awarded this year were in Ohio ($112 million on April 18), Illinois ($349 million on March 25), and Arizona ($112 million on January 17).About Mega MillionsMega Millions is the only lottery game that has produced seven jackpot wins exceeding $1 billion each – all in different states. South Carolina was the first in 2018, followed by Michigan in 2021, Illinois in 2022, Maine and Florida in 2023, and New Jersey and California in 2024. The Florida prize on August 8, 2023, is the game’s current record jackpot at $1.602 billion.<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/About/Jackpot-History.aspx">See the complete Mega Millions jackpot history.</a>Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets are $5 each and include a randomly assigned multiplier, multiplying the base prize levels by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X. Half of the proceeds from the sale of each Mega Millions ticket remains in the state where the ticket was sold, where the money supports designated good causes and retailer commissions.Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 23; the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336.The Top Mega Millions Jackpots:AmountDateWinning Tickets$1.602 billion8/8/20231-FL$1.537 billion10/23/20181-SC$1.348 billion1/13/20231-ME$1.337 billion7/29/20221-IL$1.269 billion12/27/20241-CA$1.128 billion3/26/20241-NJ$1.050 billion1/22/20211-MI$810 million9/10/20241-TX$714 million (est)10/28/2025?$656 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3/30/2012&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-IL, KS, MD

Mega Millions jackpot surges past $700 million for only 9th time

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

TOPEKA — While Kansas remains one of the last states in the nation without legalized medical or recreational marijuana, THC-infused drinks have evaded scrutiny from officials.

The question of the legality of the drinks came up Thursday at a meeting of a joint legislative committee on security.

Robert Stuart, executive officer for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, explained to lawmakers that while marijuana is illegal in Kansas, THC-infused beverages are considered hemp products and allowed under the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized cannabis plants containing no more than 0.3% of a plant’s weight in tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Products created using hemp are commonly advertised as Delta 9 items, and they can have a weaker effect than marijuana because of their lower THC content.

Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican from Leavenworth, asked Stuart: “Should we be outlawing it?”

Yes, Stuart said, and he wagered the KBI’s position would be the same.

“If it’s intoxicating, it’s damaging,” he said.

THC drinks are restricted to adults over the age of 21, same as alcoholic beverages.

“You hear all sorts of social arguments and all sorts of different ways of thinking about it,” Stuart said, “but it would be much clearer for any of those distributors, any of those dealers, for any member of the public, to say, OK, this is what’s clearly illegal and clearly what’s not.”

Blurred lines make it difficult for retailers to comply with state laws, for consumers to know the products they purchase are safe and for law enforcement to conduct criminal investigations, Stuart said.

Kansas City, Missouri-based brewer Boulevard Brewing Company announced this month a THC-infused version of its signature Quirk seltzer, which will be called “Berry Jane.” It will be available in two dosages. One containing 5 mg THC and another containing 10 mg, differentiated by a darker can. They are expected to be sold in Kansas and Missouri next month.

The KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/10/01/kansas-officials-crack-down-on-brazen-sales-of-marijuana-and-thc-products-with-statewide-raids/">celebrated a major crackdown</a>&nbsp;on THC products earlier this month, raiding 10 storefronts in six cities across the state. KBI director Tony Mattivi said the products were harming Kansas children.

The Kansas House passed a bill legalizing marijuana in 2021, and a special committee crafted recommendations for the Legislature last year, but Republicans have blocked the legislation from progressing. It could come up during the next session, ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761319700813.png" alt=" Drinks advertised as THC- and cannabis-infused on the shelves of a Rapid City, South Dakota store in July 2024. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)" />
 <figcaption> Drinks advertised as THC- and cannabis-infused on the shelves of a Rapid City, South Dakota store in July 2024. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — While Kansas remains one of the last states in the nation without legalized medical or recreational marijuana, THC-infused drinks have evaded scrutiny from officials.The question of the legality of the drinks came up Thursday at a meeting of a joint legislative committee on security.Robert Stuart, executive officer for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, explained to lawmakers that while marijuana is illegal in Kansas, THC-infused beverages are considered hemp products and allowed under the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized cannabis plants containing no more than 0.3% of a plant’s weight in tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Products created using hemp are commonly advertised as Delta 9 items, and they can have a weaker effect than marijuana because of their lower THC content.Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican from Leavenworth, asked Stuart: “Should we be outlawing it?”Yes, Stuart said, and he wagered the KBI’s position would be the same.“If it’s intoxicating, it’s damaging,” he said.THC drinks are restricted to adults over the age of 21, same as alcoholic beverages.“You hear all sorts of social arguments and all sorts of different ways of thinking about it,” Stuart said, “but it would be much clearer for any of those distributors, any of those dealers, for any member of the public, to say, OK, this is what’s clearly illegal and clearly what’s not.”Blurred lines make it difficult for retailers to comply with state laws, for consumers to know the products they purchase are safe and for law enforcement to conduct criminal investigations, Stuart said.Kansas City, Missouri-based brewer Boulevard Brewing Company announced this month a THC-infused version of its signature Quirk seltzer, which will be called “Berry Jane.” It will be available in two dosages. One containing 5 mg THC and another containing 10 mg, differentiated by a darker can. They are expected to be sold in Kansas and Missouri next month.The KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/10/01/kansas-officials-crack-down-on-brazen-sales-of-marijuana-and-thc-products-with-statewide-raids/">celebrated a major crackdown</a>&nbsp;on THC products earlier this month, raiding 10 storefronts in six cities across the state. KBI director Tony Mattivi said the products were harming Kansas children.The Kansas House passed a bill legalizing marijuana in 2021, and a special committee crafted recommendations for the Legislature last year, but Republicans have blocked the legislation from progressing. It could come up during the next session, ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.

THC-infused drinks have flown under Kansas lawmakers’ radar — until now

By: Everett Kelley,&nbsp;AFGE National President

This week, Congress pushed our nation into the fourth week of a full government shutdown – an avoidable crisis that is harming families, communities, and the very institutions that hold our country together. Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight.&nbsp;

Today I’m making mine: it’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As president of the American Federation of Government Employees, I represent over 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers who serve with pride and professionalism.&nbsp;

They ensure our skies are safe, our veterans receive care, our borders are protected, and our food is inspected. They come from every political background and every corner of this nation. What unites them is a simple belief: that service to country is honorable work.&nbsp;

Today, that belief is being tested. The Army nurse in San Antonio, the TSA officer in Atlanta, the USDA food safety inspector in Iowa, and hundreds of thousands more like them are being asked to keep our country running without the paychecks that keep their own households afloat.&nbsp;

These are patriotic Americans – parents, caregivers, and veterans – forced to work without pay while struggling to cover rent, groceries, gas and medicine because of political disagreements in Washington. That is unacceptable.&nbsp;

Unfortunately, shutdowns have become a recurring tactic in Washington. But there is no “winning” a government shutdown. They cost taxpayers billions, hurt small businesses, and erode confidence in government itself. And the American people know this. That’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/most-see-the-federal-shutdown-as-a-problem-and-think-there-is-plenty-of-blame-to-go-around/" target="_blank">why 9 out of 10 Americans think this government shutdown is a problem</a>.&nbsp;

It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American people, rather than on who is going to get the blame for a shutdown that Americans dislike.&nbsp;

Because when the folks who serve this country are standing in line for food banks after missing a second paycheck because of this shutdown, they aren’t looking for partisan spin. They’re looking for the wages they earned. The fact that they’re being cheated out of it is a national disgrace.&nbsp;

It’s long past time for our leaders to put aside partisan politics and embrace responsible government. A strong America requires a functioning government — one that pays its bills, honors its commitments, and treats its workforce with respect by paying them on time.&nbsp;

The path forward for Congress is clear:&nbsp;

Reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.&nbsp;

Ensure back pay for every single employee who has served or been forced to stay home through no fault of their own.&nbsp;

Work together on a bipartisan basis to address important policy matters like addressing rising costs and fixing the broken appropriations process.&nbsp;

None of these steps favor one political side over another. They favor the American people – who expect stability from their government and responsibility from their leaders.&nbsp;

The national interest requires Congress to act immediately to bring every federal employee back to work, pay them for the work they’ve already done (or been locked out from doing), and continue having the debates and disagreements that are the hallmark of a strong democracy – without punishing the people who keep our nation running.&nbsp;

The government belongs to all of us. Let’s open it back up and keep America moving forward.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759315687610.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By: Everett Kelley,&nbsp;AFGE National PresidentThis week, Congress pushed our nation into the fourth week of a full government shutdown – an avoidable crisis that is harming families, communities, and the very institutions that hold our country together. Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight.&nbsp;Today I’m making mine: it’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.&nbsp;&nbsp;As president of the American Federation of Government Employees, I represent over 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers who serve with pride and professionalism.&nbsp;They ensure our skies are safe, our veterans receive care, our borders are protected, and our food is inspected. They come from every political background and every corner of this nation. What unites them is a simple belief: that service to country is honorable work.&nbsp;Today, that belief is being tested. The Army nurse in San Antonio, the TSA officer in Atlanta, the USDA food safety inspector in Iowa, and hundreds of thousands more like them are being asked to keep our country running without the paychecks that keep their own households afloat.&nbsp;These are patriotic Americans – parents, caregivers, and veterans – forced to work without pay while struggling to cover rent, groceries, gas and medicine because of political disagreements in Washington. That is unacceptable.&nbsp;Unfortunately, shutdowns have become a recurring tactic in Washington. But there is no “winning” a government shutdown. They cost taxpayers billions, hurt small businesses, and erode confidence in government itself. And the American people know this. That’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/most-see-the-federal-shutdown-as-a-problem-and-think-there-is-plenty-of-blame-to-go-around/" target="_blank">why 9 out of 10 Americans think this government shutdown is a problem</a>.&nbsp;It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American people, rather than on who is going to get the blame for a shutdown that Americans dislike.&nbsp;Because when the folks who serve this country are standing in line for food banks after missing a second paycheck because of this shutdown, they aren’t looking for partisan spin. They’re looking for the wages they earned. The fact that they’re being cheated out of it is a national disgrace.&nbsp;It’s long past time for our leaders to put aside partisan politics and embrace responsible government. A strong America requires a functioning government — one that pays its bills, honors its commitments, and treats its workforce with respect by paying them on time.&nbsp;The path forward for Congress is clear:&nbsp;Reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.&nbsp;Ensure back pay for every single employee who has served or been forced to stay home through no fault of their own.&nbsp;Work together on a bipartisan basis to address important policy matters like addressing rising costs and fixing the broken appropriations process.&nbsp;None of these steps favor one political side over another. They favor the American people – who expect stability from their government and responsibility from their leaders.&nbsp;The national interest requires Congress to act immediately to bring every federal employee back to work, pay them for the work they’ve already done (or been locked out from doing), and continue having the debates and disagreements that are the hallmark of a strong democracy – without punishing the people who keep our nation running.&nbsp;The government belongs to all of us. Let’s open it back up and keep America moving forward.

Largest federal worker union calls on Congress to end shutdown

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a series of bank robberies have a suspect on custody. On October 24,&nbsp; police arrested 24-year-old Weston R. Womack, of Kansas City, according to a statement from the FBI.&nbsp;

He has been charged&nbsp; with multiple counts of bank robbery in the Western District of Missouri. The charges are for alleged bank robberies that occurred on October 22nd and October 23rd in Kansas City and Gladstone, Missouri.

 This investigation was conducted by the KCPD Career Criminal Task Force and the FBI’s Metro Kansas City Violent Crime Task Force. Significant assistance was provided by Gladstone Police.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761179822531.png" alt="Photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a series of bank robberies have a suspect on custody. On October 24,&nbsp; police arrested 24-year-old Weston R. Womack, of Kansas City, according to a statement from the FBI.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761528334285.png" alt="Photo Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Photo Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>He has been charged&nbsp; with multiple counts of bank robbery in the Western District of Missouri. The charges are for alleged bank robberies that occurred on October 22nd and October 23rd in Kansas City and Gladstone, Missouri. This investigation was conducted by the KCPD Career Criminal Task Force and the FBI’s Metro Kansas City Violent Crime Task Force. Significant assistance was provided by Gladstone Police.&nbsp;

Suspect jailed for series of Kansas City bank robberies 

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. —Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting involving a member of the Buckner, Missouri police department, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, an officer with the Buckner police department reported they were in pursuit of a vehicle westbound on U.S. 24 near Hoover Road. As the suspect vehicle approached Blue Mills Road, it crossed over to the eastbound lanes and briefly&nbsp; traveled in the wrong direction.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle traveled in reverse and then accelerated forward striking the officer's patrol vehicle. The officer fired his duty weapon at the suspect vehicle. The driver, whose has not been released, was taken into custody and was found to have a gunshot wound. EMS transported the driver to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury. The officer was not injured.

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. —Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting involving a member of the Buckner, Missouri police department, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control.Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, an officer with the Buckner police department reported they were in pursuit of a vehicle westbound on U.S. 24 near Hoover Road. As the suspect vehicle approached Blue Mills Road, it crossed over to the eastbound lanes and briefly&nbsp; traveled in the wrong direction.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle traveled in reverse and then accelerated forward striking the officer's patrol vehicle. The officer fired his duty weapon at the suspect vehicle. The driver, whose has not been released, was taken into custody and was found to have a gunshot wound. EMS transported the driver to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury. The officer was not injured.

Suspect wounded in Missouri officer-involved shooting

KANSAS CITY —Matthew Johnson, a former Kansas City area credit union employee, received a two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft for orchestrating a financial scheme involving Kansas City Chiefs tickets., according to the FBI office in Kansas City.

&nbsp;In his plea deal, Johnson admitted to using his position to misappropriate game tickets and submit fraudulent expense reports. 

After the credit union bought tickets, Johnson transferred them into his own ticketing accounts for resell or personal use without his employer’s knowledge or consent, defrauding the credit union of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

KANSAS CITY —Matthew Johnson, a former Kansas City area credit union employee, received a two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft for orchestrating a financial scheme involving Kansas City Chiefs tickets., according to the FBI office in Kansas City.&nbsp;In his plea deal, Johnson admitted to using his position to misappropriate game tickets and submit fraudulent expense reports. After the credit union bought tickets, Johnson transferred them into his own ticketing accounts for resell or personal use without his employer’s knowledge or consent, defrauding the credit union of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Prison for man in financial scheme involving Chiefs tickets

TOPEKA — A California judge said states suing the federal government over demands for food program data are likely to win their claims and ruled program funding must continue while the case progresses.&nbsp;

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/19/sad-political-stunt-lawsuit-between-kobach-kansas-governor-heats-up/">have been criticized and sued</a>&nbsp;by state Republican leaders for refusing to turn over Supplemental and Nutrition Assistance Program data, potentially causing the USDA to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/22/kansas-governors-office-disputes-accuracy-of-kobachs-claims-about-snap-funding/">withhold $10 million</a>&nbsp;in administrative costs. The state has appealed that decision.

Although Kansas didn’t join the national lawsuit, state leaders are watching the outcome, as it may support their reasons for refusing to yield to USDA demands.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;spokeswoman for the governor’s office said it wouldn’t comment about ongoing litigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a 25-page order filed last week, U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney considered the arguments of 21 states and the District of Columbia that have signed onto the lawsuit.&nbsp;

The national case was filed in the Northern District of California in July, outlining why states believe the federal request for personal data of SNAP recipients and applicants violates privacy rules.&nbsp;

Plaintiff states are likely to establish that they are not required by SNAP Act provisions to provide data and “consequently, have shown a likelihood of success on their claim that USDA, in demanding such data, acted in a manner contrary to law,” Chesney wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761348061715.png" alt=" Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard is closely watching a California lawsuit that's looking at whether the federal government has the right to access personal data of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applicants and recipients. Kansas officials have refused to turn over the data because of concerns it would be a privacy violation. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard is closely watching a California lawsuit that's looking at whether the federal government has the right to access personal data of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applicants and recipients. Kansas officials have refused to turn over the data because of concerns it would be a privacy violation. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A California judge said states suing the federal government over demands for food program data are likely to win their claims and ruled program funding must continue while the case progresses.&nbsp;Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/19/sad-political-stunt-lawsuit-between-kobach-kansas-governor-heats-up/">have been criticized and sued</a>&nbsp;by state Republican leaders for refusing to turn over Supplemental and Nutrition Assistance Program data, potentially causing the USDA to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/22/kansas-governors-office-disputes-accuracy-of-kobachs-claims-about-snap-funding/">withhold $10 million</a>&nbsp;in administrative costs. The state has appealed that decision.Although Kansas didn’t join the national lawsuit, state leaders are watching the outcome, as it may support their reasons for refusing to yield to USDA demands.&nbsp;A&nbsp;spokeswoman for the governor’s office said it wouldn’t comment about ongoing litigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a 25-page order filed last week, U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney considered the arguments of 21 states and the District of Columbia that have signed onto the lawsuit.&nbsp;The national case was filed in the Northern District of California in July, outlining why states believe the federal request for personal data of SNAP recipients and applicants violates privacy rules.&nbsp;Plaintiff states are likely to establish that they are not required by SNAP Act provisions to provide data and “consequently, have shown a likelihood of success on their claim that USDA, in demanding such data, acted in a manner contrary to law,” Chesney wrote.To determine her ruling on the injunction, Chesney considered multiple factors, including whether the plaintiffs are likely to succeed based on case merits and whether they are likely to suffer irreparable harm.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/08/26/kansas-official-defends-refusal-to-turn-over-private-food-program-data-in-face-of-political-attacks/">Howard told Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;the state is concerned that turning over private data before the California lawsuit is settled could put the state at risk.&nbsp;“I honestly believe that if I were to release that data, then the courts find in favor of the states, then I’m putting the state at liability for releasing the personal information of more than 700,000 Kansans,” she said.&nbsp;At least 27 Republican-led states have turned over the data requested,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16/nx-s1-5533045/snap-privacy-usda-lawsuit" target="_blank">according to NPR</a>, while most the states resisting the USDA demands are led by Democrats.&nbsp;