KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Saturday in Kansas City.

Narrative:&nbsp;AIS responded to the area of Martha Truman Road and Blue River Road to meet SPD Officers on a reported injury collision with life threatening injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed that 

According to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina, a white Dodge Ram Pickup&nbsp; southbound on Blue River Road at a high rate of speed. The Dodge failed to negotiate the curve in the roadway at Martha Truman Road. The pickup traveled off the roadway to the right, through the dirt shoulder of the roadway, up a dirt mound and was launched into the tree line. 

The Dodge rotated 180 degrees, striking a large tree before coming to rest. The driver and sole occupant of the Dodge was ejected from the vehicle during the collision events.&nbsp; EMS transported the driver to o a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, and he was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff shortly after arrival, according to Becchina.

This is fatality #8 compared to #5 at this time last year.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Saturday in Kansas City.Narrative:&nbsp;AIS responded to the area of Martha Truman Road and Blue River Road to meet SPD Officers on a reported injury collision with life threatening injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed that According to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina, a white Dodge Ram Pickup&nbsp; southbound on Blue River Road at a high rate of speed. The Dodge failed to negotiate the curve in the roadway at Martha Truman Road. The pickup traveled off the roadway to the right, through the dirt shoulder of the roadway, up a dirt mound and was launched into the tree line. The Dodge rotated 180 degrees, striking a large tree before coming to rest. The driver and sole occupant of the Dodge was ejected from the vehicle during the collision events.&nbsp; EMS transported the driver to o a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, and he was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff shortly after arrival, according to Becchina.This is fatality #8 compared to #5 at this time last year.

KCPD: Driver dies after violent pickup crash into trees

Topeka, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt on Friday announced a Reno County man has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for insurance fraud, making false information, and forgery.

Larry Wilson, aged 54, pleaded guilty on December 11, 2025, in Reno County District Court to one felony count of insurance fraud, two felony counts for making false information, and two felony counts for forgery. Wilson fraudulently filed an insurance claim to collect lost wages for workdays he stated were missed due to injuries sustained in a prior auto accident. Wilson forged his supervisor’s signature on falsified documents to validate his claim for missed work. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 21 months in prison with 12 months of probation following his release.

“Insurance fraud costs all Kansans in the form of increased premiums every year,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said. “The Department will continue pursuing penalties against anyone committing insurance fraud in Kansas.”

The Kansas Department of Insurance investigated this case which was prosecuted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

Topeka, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt on Friday announced a Reno County man has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for insurance fraud, making false information, and forgery.Larry Wilson, aged 54, pleaded guilty on December 11, 2025, in Reno County District Court to one felony count of insurance fraud, two felony counts for making false information, and two felony counts for forgery. Wilson fraudulently filed an insurance claim to collect lost wages for workdays he stated were missed due to injuries sustained in a prior auto accident. Wilson forged his supervisor’s signature on falsified documents to validate his claim for missed work. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 21 months in prison with 12 months of probation following his release.“Insurance fraud costs all Kansans in the form of increased premiums every year,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said. “The Department will continue pursuing penalties against anyone committing insurance fraud in Kansas.”The Kansas Department of Insurance investigated this case which was prosecuted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

Prison: Kan. man filed bogus insurance claim for lost wages

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">Anna Kaminski</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly plans to attend a business meeting at the White House this week, which comes after President Donald Trump flip-flopped on invitations and Democrats promised to boycott.

Kelly’s office said she will attend a bipartisan working meeting on Feb. 20, but she will not partake in the White House’s black-tie dinner that is expected to follow. She has not attended the White House dinner since 2019 and does not plan to this year, said spokesperson Grace Hoge.

“She recognizes the utility of meeting with the president, Cabinet secretaries and other federal officials, alongside her colleagues, to discuss ways states and the federal government can partner on behalf of all Americans,” Hoge said. “She decided to attend the meeting once the White House invitation included all governors, regardless of party.”

The plans leading up to next week’s events in Washington, D.C., have fluctuated. Trump at first refused to invite Democrats to the White House. Then he backtracked after Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the National Governors Association, of which he is the chair, would no longer facilitate the meeting.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/09/repub/trump-shuts-out-democratic-governors-from-traditional-white-house-gatherings/">White House confirmed Trump’s decision</a>&nbsp;to exclude some Democratic governors from the dinner.

“Many Democrats were invited to dinner at the White House, and others were not. These are White House events and the President reserves the right to invite whomever he wants,” a White House official told States Newsroom, Kansas Reflector’s parent organization.

Members of the Democratic Governors Association, including Kelly, said Tuesday they wouldn’t attend the White House dinner, and accused Trump of creating chaos and division.

“If the reports are true that not all governors are invited to these events, which have historically been productive and bipartisan opportunities for collaboration, we will not be attending the White House dinner this year,” the Democratic governors’ statement said.

Trump wrote in a Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116054089500353661" target="_blank">post to Truth Social</a>&nbsp;that he only declined to invite two Democratic governors to the dinner — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the vice chair of the national association and the country’s only Black governor.

Kelly, who is in her last term, is a former chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Kansas is not a member of the National Governors Association, so she also does not plan to attend the three-day national conference, her office said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590011287498.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly met with Trump during his first term-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly met with Trump during his first term-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">Anna Kaminski</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly plans to attend a business meeting at the White House this week, which comes after President Donald Trump flip-flopped on invitations and Democrats promised to boycott.Kelly’s office said she will attend a bipartisan working meeting on Feb. 20, but she will not partake in the White House’s black-tie dinner that is expected to follow. She has not attended the White House dinner since 2019 and does not plan to this year, said spokesperson Grace Hoge.“She recognizes the utility of meeting with the president, Cabinet secretaries and other federal officials, alongside her colleagues, to discuss ways states and the federal government can partner on behalf of all Americans,” Hoge said. “She decided to attend the meeting once the White House invitation included all governors, regardless of party.”The plans leading up to next week’s events in Washington, D.C., have fluctuated. Trump at first refused to invite Democrats to the White House. Then he backtracked after Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the National Governors Association, of which he is the chair, would no longer facilitate the meeting.The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/09/repub/trump-shuts-out-democratic-governors-from-traditional-white-house-gatherings/">White House confirmed Trump’s decision</a>&nbsp;to exclude some Democratic governors from the dinner.“Many Democrats were invited to dinner at the White House, and others were not. These are White House events and the President reserves the right to invite whomever he wants,” a White House official told States Newsroom, Kansas Reflector’s parent organization.Members of the Democratic Governors Association, including Kelly, said Tuesday they wouldn’t attend the White House dinner, and accused Trump of creating chaos and division.“If the reports are true that not all governors are invited to these events, which have historically been productive and bipartisan opportunities for collaboration, we will not be attending the White House dinner this year,” the Democratic governors’ statement said.Trump wrote in a Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116054089500353661" target="_blank">post to Truth Social</a>&nbsp;that he only declined to invite two Democratic governors to the dinner — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the vice chair of the national association and the country’s only Black governor.Kelly, who is in her last term, is a former chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Kansas is not a member of the National Governors Association, so she also does not plan to attend the three-day national conference, her office said.

Kansas governor plans to attend White House meeting

&nbsp;DAMASCUS —U.S. forces conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria, Feb. 3 – 12, to sustain relentless military pressure on remnants from the terrorist network, according to a statement from the U.S&gt; Central Command.

U.S. forces struck ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage targets with precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.

U.S. forces previously conducted five strikes against an ISIS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities, Jan. 27 – Feb. 2.

Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched in response to a Dec. 13 attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra. The ISIS ambush resulted in the death of two U.S. service members and an American interpreter.

More than 50 ISIS terrorists have been killed or captured and over 100 ISIS infrastructure targets have been struck with hundreds of precision munitions during two months of targeted operations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771123773381.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;DAMASCUS —U.S. forces conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria, Feb. 3 – 12, to sustain relentless military pressure on remnants from the terrorist network, according to a statement from the U.S&gt; Central Command.U.S. forces struck ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage targets with precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.U.S. forces previously conducted five strikes against an ISIS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities, Jan. 27 – Feb. 2.Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched in response to a Dec. 13 attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra. The ISIS ambush resulted in the death of two U.S. service members and an American interpreter.More than 50 ISIS terrorists have been killed or captured and over 100 ISIS infrastructure targets have been struck with hundreds of precision munitions during two months of targeted operations.

U.S. forces continue strikes on ISIS targets in Syria

KANSAS CITY —A Missouri inmate has been charged &nbsp;in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred at an apartment complex in 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2807/HillDemetrius-Warrant-Packet-1">Demetrius S. Hill</a>&nbsp;, 27, faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

According to court records, Kansas City police responded to a shooting at an apartment complex parking lot on August 9, 2019, and located the victim in the driver’s seat of a gray Dodge Durango suffering from apparent trauma. He was declared deceased at the scene.

Surveillance video captured a suspect wearing a red shirt over his head arriving at the parking lot in a gray Ford Escape. The victim then arrived in a Dodge Durango with the defendant in the front passenger seat. The suspect with the red shirt approached the victim’s vehicle and engaged in a brief conversation. As he walked away, he turned back and fired shots at the vehicle. The defendant then exited the Durango and fled with the suspect in the red shirt in the Ford Escape.

Detectives identified both suspects based on witness reports and anonymous tips to the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline.

Investigators believe the defendant fired at the victim while inside the Durango. The defendant’s DNA matched a cigarillo collected from inside the victim’s vehicle.

The suspect with the red shirt was killed in a homicide in 2023.

Hill is currently in custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections for convictions that include unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, tampering with a witness and tampering with a vehicle, according to online records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771090031216.png" alt="Hill photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Hill photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Missouri inmate has been charged &nbsp;in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred at an apartment complex in 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2807/HillDemetrius-Warrant-Packet-1">Demetrius S. Hill</a>&nbsp;, 27, faces one count of 2nd Degree Murder, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.According to court records, Kansas City police responded to a shooting at an apartment complex parking lot on August 9, 2019, and located the victim in the driver’s seat of a gray Dodge Durango suffering from apparent trauma. He was declared deceased at the scene.Surveillance video captured a suspect wearing a red shirt over his head arriving at the parking lot in a gray Ford Escape. The victim then arrived in a Dodge Durango with the defendant in the front passenger seat. The suspect with the red shirt approached the victim’s vehicle and engaged in a brief conversation. As he walked away, he turned back and fired shots at the vehicle. The defendant then exited the Durango and fled with the suspect in the red shirt in the Ford Escape.Detectives identified both suspects based on witness reports and anonymous tips to the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline.Investigators believe the defendant fired at the victim while inside the Durango. The defendant’s DNA matched a cigarillo collected from inside the victim’s vehicle.The suspect with the red shirt was killed in a homicide in 2023.Hill is currently in custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections for convictions that include unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, tampering with a witness and tampering with a vehicle, according to online records.

Inmate's DNA found on cigarillo at scene of Kansas City killing

HOUSTON – A 51-year-old resident of Sedgwick County, Kansas, has been ordered to federal prison for making false, fictitious and fraudulent statements and representations to law enforcement, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Heather Worden pleaded guilty Nov. 14, 2025.U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now sentenced Worden to three months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. The court also ordered Worden to pay $210,000 in restitution.&nbsp;

At the hearing, the court heard evidence that Worden falsely accused her former spouse of illegally accessing her bank account from the International Space Station while the couple was going through a divorce. Even after an internal investigation exonerated the former spouse, Worden continued promoting the false claim to news outlets and hired a media consultant to amplify the claim. The evidence further showed Worden publicly released her former spouse’s personal information.

In July 2019, Worden alleged her estranged spouse had guessed her password and illegally accessed her bank account while deployed to the International Space Station. &nbsp;However, the investigation revealed Worden opened her bank account in April 2018, and both parties accessed it until January 2019, when Worden changed the account credentials. Investigators also determined Worden had granted her spouse access to her bank records, including login credentials, as early as 2015.&nbsp;Worden was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard D. Hanes and Brandon Fyffe prosecuted the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763380295480.png" alt="Anne McClain is the astronaut who was wrongly accused of trying to access her estranged spouse's bank account while on the International Space Station. Photo courtesy NASA" />
 <figcaption>Anne McClain is the astronaut who was wrongly accused of trying to access her estranged spouse's bank account while on the International Space Station. Photo courtesy NASA</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON – A 51-year-old resident of Sedgwick County, Kansas, has been ordered to federal prison for making false, fictitious and fraudulent statements and representations to law enforcement, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Heather Worden pleaded guilty Nov. 14, 2025.U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now sentenced Worden to three months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. The court also ordered Worden to pay $210,000 in restitution.&nbsp;At the hearing, the court heard evidence that Worden falsely accused her former spouse of illegally accessing her bank account from the International Space Station while the couple was going through a divorce. Even after an internal investigation exonerated the former spouse, Worden continued promoting the false claim to news outlets and hired a media consultant to amplify the claim. The evidence further showed Worden publicly released her former spouse’s personal information.In July 2019, Worden alleged her estranged spouse had guessed her password and illegally accessed her bank account while deployed to the International Space Station. &nbsp;However, the investigation revealed Worden opened her bank account in April 2018, and both parties accessed it until January 2019, when Worden changed the account credentials. Investigators also determined Worden had granted her spouse access to her bank records, including login credentials, as early as 2015.&nbsp;Worden was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard D. Hanes and Brandon Fyffe prosecuted the case.

Prison for Kan. woman over false crime in space claim against NASA astronaut

ALLEN COUNTY —The Allen County Attorney has filed a charge of Battery against a former Allen County Sheriff’s Office civilian employee Stephanie Vest, according to a media release from the Allen County Sheriff.

On December 17, the Allen County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) for assistance regarding allegations of misconduct toward an inmate made against a Sheriff’s Office employee. 

 The KBI conducted an investigation and presented its findings to Allen County Attorney Brandon Cameron, who then filed the charge in Allen County District Court.

The alleged incident(s) occurred in 2024 and 2025 at the Allen County Jail, where Vest was a civilian employee.  She was placed on administrative leave while the investigation was conducted and was later terminated.

ALLEN COUNTY —The Allen County Attorney has filed a charge of Battery against a former Allen County Sheriff’s Office civilian employee Stephanie Vest, according to a media release from the Allen County Sheriff.On December 17, the Allen County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) for assistance regarding allegations of misconduct toward an inmate made against a Sheriff’s Office employee. The KBI conducted an investigation and presented its findings to Allen County Attorney Brandon Cameron, who then filed the charge in Allen County District Court.The alleged incident(s) occurred in 2024 and 2025 at the Allen County Jail, where Vest was a civilian employee. She was placed on administrative leave while the investigation was conducted and was later terminated.

Kan. sheriff's office employee charged with misconduct toward inmate

Five individuals were federally indicted this week for their roles in an alleged $220 million nationwide fraud scheme involving purported cattle purchase contracts, according to United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Those indicted by a Fort Worth federal grand jury on February 11, 2026, were:

“Thousands of unwitting investors, ranchers, and others in the cattle industry nationwide were drawn in and victimized by the defendants’ multi-million dollar scheme alleged in this indictment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould.&nbsp; “My office, in concert with our law enforcement partners, will hold these defendants accountable and pursue justice on behalf of the victims.”

“The defendants allegedly used false promises to lure prospective clients into their scheme and then misappropriated client funds to enrich themselves. One individual, Joshua Robert Link, remains a fugitive. We are asking the public to contact the FBI if they have any information regarding Link’s location,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.

As alleged in the indictment, each of the defendants were associated with Agridime LLC, a business headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that offered cattle sales and meat processing and retail services to the public.&nbsp; Jed Wood served as the Operations Director.&nbsp; Joshua Link served as the Executive Director.&nbsp; Tia Link served as the Marketing Director.&nbsp; Taylor Bang served as a cattle broker, and Royana Thomas served as the financial controller.

The indictment alleges that, from January 2021 through December 2023, the five defendants, acting through Agridime, perpetrated a fraud scheme in which they falsely represented to individual cattle purchasers, cattle ranchers, and feedlots that Agridime would use their funds to purchase specific individual cattle for each victim, raise the cattle, and eventually sell the meat from the same specific individual cattle for a profit.&nbsp; In reality, as the indictment charges, the defendants did not use victim funds as promised and instead used newer cattle purchaser funds to pay Agridime operating expenses, pay funds owed by Agridime to earlier cattle purchasers, pay personal expenses, and purchase real property.&nbsp;

As alleged, the defendants fraudulently collected more than $220 million from over 2,200 individual victims located throughout the United States due to fraudulent misrepresentations the defendants made in public and private advertising statements.

If convicted, the defendants face up to twenty years in federal prison on each wire fraud count for which they were indicted as well as twenty years’ imprisonment for the charged wire fraud conspiracy.&nbsp; Additionally, the defendants face up to ten years’ imprisonment for each money laundering count in which they are charged.

Tia Link and Taylor Bang appeared for arraignment before a United States Magistrate Judge in Fort Worth today.&nbsp; Both were released under pretrial supervision.&nbsp; Jed Wood and Royana Thomas are set to appear for arraignment in Fort Worth before a United States Magistrate Judge on February 25, 2026.

Joshua Robert Link remains a fugitive. The FBI requests that the public contact the FBI with any information regarding Link’s location.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771030201690.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Five individuals were federally indicted this week for their roles in an alleged $220 million nationwide fraud scheme involving purported cattle purchase contracts, according to United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.Those indicted by a Fort Worth federal grand jury on February 11, 2026, were:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771030177390.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><ul>
 <li>Joshua Link&nbsp;of Strafford, Missouri, charged with ten counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of money laundering, including wiring more than $527,000 to purchase real property</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Jed Wood&nbsp;of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering involving wiring more than $63,000 to a lender for “Home Payoff”</li><li>Tia Link&nbsp;of Smithton, Missouri, charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering, including wiring more than $527,000 to purchase real property</li><li>Taylor Bang&nbsp;of Kildeer, North Dakota, charged with eight counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering</li><li>Royana Thomas&nbsp;of Arlington, Texas, charged with six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering</li>
 </ul>“Thousands of unwitting investors, ranchers, and others in the cattle industry nationwide were drawn in and victimized by the defendants’ multi-million dollar scheme alleged in this indictment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould.&nbsp; “My office, in concert with our law enforcement partners, will hold these defendants accountable and pursue justice on behalf of the victims.”“The defendants allegedly used false promises to lure prospective clients into their scheme and then misappropriated client funds to enrich themselves. One individual, Joshua Robert Link, remains a fugitive. We are asking the public to contact the FBI if they have any information regarding Link’s location,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.As alleged in the indictment, each of the defendants were associated with Agridime LLC, a business headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that offered cattle sales and meat processing and retail services to the public.&nbsp; Jed Wood served as the Operations Director.&nbsp; Joshua Link served as the Executive Director.&nbsp; Tia Link served as the Marketing Director.&nbsp; Taylor Bang served as a cattle broker, and Royana Thomas served as the financial controller.The indictment alleges that, from January 2021 through December 2023, the five defendants, acting through Agridime, perpetrated a fraud scheme in which they falsely represented to individual cattle purchasers, cattle ranchers, and feedlots that Agridime would use their funds to purchase specific individual cattle for each victim, raise the cattle, and eventually sell the meat from the same specific individual cattle for a profit.&nbsp; In reality, as the indictment charges, the defendants did not use victim funds as promised and instead used newer cattle purchaser funds to pay Agridime operating expenses, pay funds owed by Agridime to earlier cattle purchasers, pay personal expenses, and purchase real property.&nbsp;As alleged, the defendants fraudulently collected more than $220 million from over 2,200 individual victims located throughout the United States due to fraudulent misrepresentations the defendants made in public and private advertising statements.If convicted, the defendants face up to twenty years in federal prison on each wire fraud count for which they were indicted as well as twenty years’ imprisonment for the charged wire fraud conspiracy.&nbsp; Additionally, the defendants face up to ten years’ imprisonment for each money laundering count in which they are charged.Tia Link and Taylor Bang appeared for arraignment before a United States Magistrate Judge in Fort Worth today.&nbsp; Both were released under pretrial supervision.&nbsp; Jed Wood and Royana Thomas are set to appear for arraignment in Fort Worth before a United States Magistrate Judge on February 25, 2026.Joshua Robert Link remains a fugitive. The FBI requests that the public contact the FBI with any information regarding Link’s location.

FBI: Missouri man wanted for $220 million fraud scheme

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

WASHINGTON — The second partial government shutdown in 2026 began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, after lawmakers left the nation’s capital without reaching a deal on changes to immigration enforcement tactics at the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;

The department’s shutdown is also likely to go on for some time. With Congress out next week for the Presidents Day recess, lawmakers are not expected back on Capitol Hill for votes until Feb. 23.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/judge-weighs-trump-administration-limits-congressional-visits-immigration-facilities" target="_blank">A procedural vote</a>&nbsp;to approve funding for the Homeland Security bill for fiscal year 2026 failed Thursday to gain support from Senate Democrats because constraints to immigration enforcement were not included, such as an end to agents wearing face coverings.&nbsp;

Even with the president’s border czar Tom Homan&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/12/border-czar-tom-homan-announces-end-to-operation-metro-surge-claiming-success/" target="_blank">announcing Thursday</a>&nbsp; the withdrawal of the thousands of federal immigration officers from Minneapolis, Democrats argued it’s not enough.&nbsp;

“Without legislation, what Tom Homan says today could be reversed tomorrow on a whim from (President) Donald Trump,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Thursday.

Asked by the press pool Friday about cutting a deal on the shutdown, &nbsp;Trump said,&nbsp;“We’ll see what happens. We always have to protect our law enforcement.”

After the Senate vote failed 52-47, members of Congress emptied out of Washington for the recess. Some were off to Munich, Germany for a major security conference.&nbsp;

While the agency Trump tasked with carrying out his mass deportation campaign of immigrants will shut down, enforcement will continue because Congress allocated a separate stream of money, about $75 billion for U.S. Immigration and Enforcement Services.&nbsp;

During last fall’s government shutdown, which lasted a record-breaking 43 days, immigration enforcement continued.

The other agencies within DHS that will be shut down but continue to operate because they include essential workers include the&nbsp;Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Secret Service, the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration, and&nbsp;Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency,&nbsp;among others.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-looms-fema-coast-guard-tsa-stalemate-over-homeland-security-funds" target="_blank">In general</a>, any employees who focus on national security issues or the protection of life and property would continue to work through a shutdown, while federal workers who don’t are supposed to be furloughed.&nbsp;

Neither category of employees will receive their paychecks during the funding lapse, though federal law requires they receive back pay once Congress approves some sort of spending bill.&nbsp;

Democratic mayors call for GOP to accept proposals

Democrats have pushed for policy changes after federal immigration officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, where a deportation drive is set to wind down after the city faced more than two months of aggressive immigration enforcment.&nbsp;

Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration officer on Jan. 7, which prompted a bipartisan agreement to enact some guardrails, such as $20 million in funding for immigration agents to wear body cameras.&nbsp;

But a second killing by federal immigration officers, that of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, prompted the Senate to decouple the Homeland Security measure from a package of spending bills, as Democrats floated proposals meant to rein in enforcement tactics, and prompted a four-day partial shutdown. A two-week funding patch was set for negotiations and it expires at midnight Friday.

Democratic mayors hailing from the major cities of Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans and Portland, Oregon, Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.portland.gov/mayor/keith-wilson/news/2026/2/13/mayors-issue-joint-statement-regarding-department-homeland" target="_blank">issued a letter</a>&nbsp;that called on the top Republicans in Congress, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, to accept the proposals before DHS entered a shutdown.&nbsp;

“When federal agents operate in our streets without identification, without warrants, and without accountability, that trust is shattered,” they wrote. “All of us agree that for so long as the agency exists, new funding for the Department of Homeland Security must be conditioned on the comprehensive 10-point framework released last week.”

Those policy suggestions include requiring immigration officers to not wear masks and identify themselves, which has drawn strong opposition from Republicans and the leaders of ICE and Customs and Border Protection who argue the face coverings prevent their agents from being doxxed.&nbsp;

Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent the proposals over to the White House, but said the Trump administration’s response was “incomplete and insufficient in terms of addressing the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/2025_0930_dhs_procedures_related_to_a_lapse_in_appropriations.pdf" target="_blank">According to the contingency plan</a>&nbsp;for DHS, the agency expects about 20,000 employees out of 271,000 to be furloughed in the event of a government shutdown.

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The second partial government shutdown in 2026 began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, after lawmakers left the nation’s capital without reaching a deal on changes to immigration enforcement tactics at the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">DHS Secretary Kristi Noem (<a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sec_Noem</a>): &quot;We&#39;re concerned about the Department of Homeland Security not being funded...That&#39;s telling the rest of the world the Democrat party doesn&#39;t think that protecting America is safe.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4WR1iDPRgl">pic.twitter.com/4WR1iDPRgl</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2022079508413603948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The department’s shutdown is also likely to go on for some time. With Congress out next week for the Presidents Day recess, lawmakers are not expected back on Capitol Hill for votes until Feb. 23.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/judge-weighs-trump-administration-limits-congressional-visits-immigration-facilities" target="_blank">A procedural vote</a>&nbsp;to approve funding for the Homeland Security bill for fiscal year 2026 failed Thursday to gain support from Senate Democrats because constraints to immigration enforcement were not included, such as an end to agents wearing face coverings.&nbsp;Even with the president’s border czar Tom Homan&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/12/border-czar-tom-homan-announces-end-to-operation-metro-surge-claiming-success/" target="_blank">announcing Thursday</a>&nbsp; the withdrawal of the thousands of federal immigration officers from Minneapolis, Democrats argued it’s not enough.&nbsp;“Without legislation, what Tom Homan says today could be reversed tomorrow on a whim from (President) Donald Trump,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Thursday.Asked by the press pool Friday about cutting a deal on the shutdown, &nbsp;Trump said,&nbsp;“We’ll see what happens. We always have to protect our law enforcement.”After the Senate vote failed 52-47, members of Congress emptied out of Washington for the recess. Some were off to Munich, Germany for a major security conference.&nbsp;<h2>ICE still has cash at hand</h2>While the agency Trump tasked with carrying out his mass deportation campaign of immigrants will shut down, enforcement will continue because Congress allocated a separate stream of money, about $75 billion for U.S. Immigration and Enforcement Services.&nbsp;During last fall’s government shutdown, which lasted a record-breaking 43 days, immigration enforcement continued.The other agencies within DHS that will be shut down but continue to operate because they include essential workers include the&nbsp;Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Secret Service, the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration, and&nbsp;Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency,&nbsp;among others.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-looms-fema-coast-guard-tsa-stalemate-over-homeland-security-funds" target="_blank">In general</a>, any employees who focus on national security issues or the protection of life and property would continue to work through a shutdown, while federal workers who don’t are supposed to be furloughed.&nbsp;Neither category of employees will receive their paychecks during the funding lapse, though federal law requires they receive back pay once Congress approves some sort of spending bill.&nbsp;<h2>Democratic mayors call for GOP to accept proposals</h2>Democrats have pushed for policy changes after federal immigration officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, where a deportation drive is set to wind down after the city faced more than two months of aggressive immigration enforcment.&nbsp;Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration officer on Jan. 7, which prompted a bipartisan agreement to enact some guardrails, such as $20 million in funding for immigration agents to wear body cameras.&nbsp;But a second killing by federal immigration officers, that of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, prompted the Senate to decouple the Homeland Security measure from a package of spending bills, as Democrats floated proposals meant to rein in enforcement tactics, and prompted a four-day partial shutdown. A two-week funding patch was set for negotiations and it expires at midnight Friday.Democratic mayors hailing from the major cities of Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans and Portland, Oregon, Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.portland.gov/mayor/keith-wilson/news/2026/2/13/mayors-issue-joint-statement-regarding-department-homeland" target="_blank">issued a letter</a>&nbsp;that called on the top Republicans in Congress, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, to accept the proposals before DHS entered a shutdown.&nbsp;“When federal agents operate in our streets without identification, without warrants, and without accountability, that trust is shattered,” they wrote. “All of us agree that for so long as the agency exists, new funding for the Department of Homeland Security must be conditioned on the comprehensive 10-point framework released last week.”Those policy suggestions include requiring immigration officers to not wear masks and identify themselves, which has drawn strong opposition from Republicans and the leaders of ICE and Customs and Border Protection who argue the face coverings prevent their agents from being doxxed.&nbsp;Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent the proposals over to the White House, but said the Trump administration’s response was “incomplete and insufficient in terms of addressing the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/2025_0930_dhs_procedures_related_to_a_lapse_in_appropriations.pdf" target="_blank">According to the contingency plan</a>&nbsp;for DHS, the agency expects about 20,000 employees out of 271,000 to be furloughed in the event of a government shutdown.

Department of Homeland Security enters shutdown, amid dispute over funding

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City, Missouri.

A white Nissan Murano was southbound on Virginia in Kansas City at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The Nissan failed to stop for the posted stop sign at Rockhurst and Virginia. 

The Nissan continued southbound and struck a gold Jeep wrangler that was unoccupied and parked on Rockhurst. After striking the Jeep, the Nissan continued over the curb and up the grassy hill where it began to roll. The struck the Rockhurst College’s “Corcoran Building” before coming to rest. 

The driver and sole occupant of the Nissan was transported to a local hospital with Life-threatening injuries. The driver was pronounced deceased by hospital staff. This is fatality #7 compared to #5 at this time last year in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City, Missouri.A white Nissan Murano was southbound on Virginia in Kansas City at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The Nissan failed to stop for the posted stop sign at Rockhurst and Virginia. The Nissan continued southbound and struck a gold Jeep wrangler that was unoccupied and parked on Rockhurst. After striking the Jeep, the Nissan continued over the curb and up the grassy hill where it began to roll. The struck the Rockhurst College’s “Corcoran Building” before coming to rest. The driver and sole occupant of the Nissan was transported to a local hospital with Life-threatening injuries. The driver was pronounced deceased by hospital staff. This is fatality #7 compared to #5 at this time last year in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.

Driver dead after crash into building on college campus in Kansas City

On Friday at the direction of U.S. Southern commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to a social media report.

 Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed

The attack raises the death toll from the U.S. strikes on drug boats to 133 people in at least 38 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

On Friday at the direction of U.S. Southern commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to a social media report.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">On Feb. 13, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOUTHCOM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOUTHCOM</a> commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… <a href="https://t.co/y50Pbtexfi">pic.twitter.com/y50Pbtexfi</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2022469576332574908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmedThe attack raises the death toll from the U.S. strikes on drug boats to 133 people in at least 38 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

🎥3 killed in another U.S. strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean

JOHNSON COUNTY —A man who admitted his role in a fentanyl overdose death is going to prison.

Last month, Judge Thomas Sutherland sentenced 34-year-old Gerrell M. McKoy to 184 months in prison for drug distribution causing death and 12 months for theft of between $12,000 and $100,000.

In October McKoy pleaded guilty to the charges in the death of 25-year-old Michael Danilov in March of 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770414963550.png" alt="McKoy-photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>McKoy-photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A man who admitted his role in a fentanyl overdose death is going to prison.Last month, Judge Thomas Sutherland sentenced 34-year-old Gerrell M. McKoy to 184 months in prison for drug distribution causing death and 12 months for theft of between $12,000 and $100,000.In October McKoy pleaded guilty to the charges in the death of 25-year-old Michael Danilov in March of 2020.

Kan. man going to prison for deadly fentanyl overdose death

SALINE COUNTY —Two Kansas teens are facing multiple allegations after a burglary in Salina.

Just before 2a.m. Friday, an officer on routine patrol in Salina observed the front door glass of Rod’s 5 convenience story, 680 S. Phillips Avenue in Salina, shattered, according to&nbsp;Police Captain James Feldman.

Officers searched the business and determined a burglary had occurred and numerous vapes had been stolen from the building. 

Officers also located blood near the broken glass. Police alerted the hospital and asked them to contact law enforcement if any came to the hospital with lacerations. 

At about 2:00 AM, the hospital reported a 17-year-old boy arrived with a laceration to his arm. Officers spoke with the boy who confirmed he had broken into the business along with a 16-year-old boy. Officers went to the residence of both suspects located in the 600 block of Gypsum where they took the second boy into custody and recovered the stolen vapes. 

Both boys face charges of Burglary, Felony Theft and Damage to property. The estimated theft is valued at over $1,000, and the damage is valued at about $1,000.

SALINE COUNTY —Two Kansas teens are facing multiple allegations after a burglary in Salina.Just before 2a.m. Friday, an officer on routine patrol in Salina observed the front door glass of Rod’s 5 convenience story, 680 S. Phillips Avenue in Salina, shattered, according to&nbsp;Police Captain James Feldman.Officers searched the business and determined a burglary had occurred and numerous vapes had been stolen from the building. Officers also located blood near the broken glass. Police alerted the hospital and asked them to contact law enforcement if any came to the hospital with lacerations. At about 2:00 AM, the hospital reported a 17-year-old boy arrived with a laceration to his arm. Officers spoke with the boy who confirmed he had broken into the business along with a 16-year-old boy. Officers went to the residence of both suspects located in the 600 block of Gypsum where they took the second boy into custody and recovered the stolen vapes. Both boys face charges of Burglary, Felony Theft and Damage to property. The estimated theft is valued at over $1,000, and the damage is valued at about $1,000.

Hospital helps police catch Kansas teen injured in burglary

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans and a Palantir-backed think tank want to require students to learn about communist and socialist regimes and pass a civics exam to graduate, all in response to political skepticism by Gen Z.

Sen. Brad Starnes, a Republican from Riley and a former district superintendent,&nbsp; introduced the bill Tuesday before the Senate Education Committee. He brought forward statistics: 19% of Americans under age 45 can pass the citizenship test, 34% of Americans ages 18-29 say they have a “favorable view” of communism, and a rising number of Gen Z and millennials who believe the “Communist Manifesto” guarantees freedom and equality better than the Declaration of Independence.&nbsp;

The statistics were provided by the Cicero Institute, a Texas-based conservative think tank founded by the billionaire co-founder of Palantir —&nbsp;the technology software company that combines&nbsp;<a href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/01/30/nj-pension-fund-ice/" target="_blank">government data</a>&nbsp;into platforms for immigration agents. Cicero also lobbies for bills that&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/03/kansas-lawmakers-entertain-texas-groups-plan-to-penalize-homeless/">criminalize being homeless</a>.&nbsp;

More moderate to left-leaning think tanks have found the statistics to be more convoluted. While Gen Z women are the most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/aug/07/gen-z-voters-political-ideology-gender-gap#:~:text=Percentage%20of%20men%20aged%2018,somewhat%20agree%20with%20the%20following&amp;text=33-,Guardian%20graphic.,conservative%20than%20their%20millennial%20counterparts." target="_blank">progressive group</a>&nbsp;in American history, Gen Z men are becoming increasingly conservative — much more so than millennials when measured at the same age. In large metropolises like New York City, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/energized-dems-trumpet-wins-state-elections-buckle-midterms" target="_blank">residents just elected</a>&nbsp;the city’s first Democratic Socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, support for socialism is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.org/article/2025/11/24/the-wave-of-evolutionary-socialism-in-american-cities/" target="_blank">on the rise</a>.&nbsp;

Starnes’ bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb381/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 381</a>, would direct the Kansas State Board of Education to develop curriculum to give K-12 public school students an understanding of “communist and socialist regimes and ideologies.”

The bill also would require all public and private school students to pass a civics exam in order to graduate high school. Students could retake it as many times as needed, and the bill would respect a student’s individualized education plan.&nbsp;

The questions of the civics exam would be modeled after the U.S. citizenship test.

Opponents — all of whom work in the education space — repeated a phrase commonly heard in Statehouse education hearings: “local control.” Timothy Graham, director of government relations and legislative affairs for the Kansas National Education Association, said he is tired of saying it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“What we’re saying is when you guys decide to get into these decisions that are traditionally left to the locals, because that is the ideal place for them to take place, if you’re going to get into that, then give a compelling reason why you should do that,” Graham said. “I don’t think Senate Bill 381 is a compelling reason. I don’t think it addresses anything that we need to be worried about in schools.”&nbsp;

Leah Fliter, assistant executive director of advocacy for the Kansas Association of School Boards, said: “It’s covered. And the teachers have the ability and the competency to cover that as is already described in graduation standards.”

Sen. Doug Shane, a Republican from Louisburg whose kids are home-schooled, questioned Fliter.&nbsp;

“To say that yeah we have courses in American history, yeah that’s true, but the content that’s being taught is un-American,” Shane said. “And this rise of anti-Americanism is fomented and breeding in our K-12 institutions. So to the point about local control, local control went out the door when unfortunately — not every single Kansas public school — but public schools have been used to foment anti-Americanism. And it’s really, really tragic.”&nbsp;

“Is this a question?” Fliter asked.&nbsp;

“It’s more of a statement,” Shane responded.

Fliter looked at the camera used to livestream hearings and raised her hands in apparent exasperation.

Shane, 37, said he was taught in school that Ronald Reagan was America’s worst president and that Nazism rose from a far-right government, when Shane said it actually emerged from socialism.&nbsp;

Adolf Hitler tied much of his far-right fascist ideas to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.britannica.com/story/were-the-nazis-socialists" target="_blank">socialist rhetoric</a>&nbsp;— like&nbsp;<a href="https://famous-trials.com/hitler/2529-1923-interview-with-adolf-hitler" target="_blank">“our socialism is national</a>” — and both were geared toward appealing to the lower middle class.&nbsp;

“I would imagine that a textbook from 20 years ago is quite different from a textbook being used today,” Fliter said.&nbsp;

Kathy Brown, who identified herself as a Topeka attorney, although she&nbsp;<a href="https://directory-kard.kscourts.gov/" target="_blank">doesn’t appear to be licensed</a>&nbsp;in Kansas, was among seven proponents who testified in support of the bill. There were seven opponents.&nbsp;

“As we see in this Legislature, our public schools are dominated by the left, they describe marxism as ‘Nirvana’, they teach our Judeo-Christian heritage as evil, Satan worshipers and Islam as diverse,” Brown said, without providing evidence to support her claims. “They frame the founders as white supremacists. They’re teaching racism though now, but against a new color — whiteness.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771019134286.png" alt="Sen. Brad Starnes proposes a bill that would require a civics test before graduating high school. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Brad Starnes proposes a bill that would require a civics test before graduating high school. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans and a Palantir-backed think tank want to require students to learn about communist and socialist regimes and pass a civics exam to graduate, all in response to political skepticism by Gen Z.Sen. Brad Starnes, a Republican from Riley and a former district superintendent,&nbsp; introduced the bill Tuesday before the Senate Education Committee. He brought forward statistics: 19% of Americans under age 45 can pass the citizenship test, 34% of Americans ages 18-29 say they have a “favorable view” of communism, and a rising number of Gen Z and millennials who believe the “Communist Manifesto” guarantees freedom and equality better than the Declaration of Independence.&nbsp;The statistics were provided by the Cicero Institute, a Texas-based conservative think tank founded by the billionaire co-founder of Palantir —&nbsp;the technology software company that combines&nbsp;<a href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/01/30/nj-pension-fund-ice/" target="_blank">government data</a>&nbsp;into platforms for immigration agents. Cicero also lobbies for bills that&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/03/kansas-lawmakers-entertain-texas-groups-plan-to-penalize-homeless/">criminalize being homeless</a>.&nbsp;More moderate to left-leaning think tanks have found the statistics to be more convoluted. While Gen Z women are the most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2024/aug/07/gen-z-voters-political-ideology-gender-gap#:~:text=Percentage%20of%20men%20aged%2018,somewhat%20agree%20with%20the%20following&amp;text=33-,Guardian%20graphic.,conservative%20than%20their%20millennial%20counterparts." target="_blank">progressive group</a>&nbsp;in American history, Gen Z men are becoming increasingly conservative — much more so than millennials when measured at the same age. In large metropolises like New York City, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/energized-dems-trumpet-wins-state-elections-buckle-midterms" target="_blank">residents just elected</a>&nbsp;the city’s first Democratic Socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, support for socialism is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.org/article/2025/11/24/the-wave-of-evolutionary-socialism-in-american-cities/" target="_blank">on the rise</a>.&nbsp;Starnes’ bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb381/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 381</a>, would direct the Kansas State Board of Education to develop curriculum to give K-12 public school students an understanding of “communist and socialist regimes and ideologies.”The bill also would require all public and private school students to pass a civics exam in order to graduate high school. Students could retake it as many times as needed, and the bill would respect a student’s individualized education plan.&nbsp;The questions of the civics exam would be modeled after the U.S. citizenship test.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771019088853.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Opponents — all of whom work in the education space — repeated a phrase commonly heard in Statehouse education hearings: “local control.” Timothy Graham, director of government relations and legislative affairs for the Kansas National Education Association, said he is tired of saying it.&nbsp;&nbsp;“What we’re saying is when you guys decide to get into these decisions that are traditionally left to the locals, because that is the ideal place for them to take place, if you’re going to get into that, then give a compelling reason why you should do that,” Graham said. “I don’t think Senate Bill 381 is a compelling reason. I don’t think it addresses anything that we need to be worried about in schools.”&nbsp;Leah Fliter, assistant executive director of advocacy for the Kansas Association of School Boards, said: “It’s covered. And the teachers have the ability and the competency to cover that as is already described in graduation standards.”Sen. Doug Shane, a Republican from Louisburg whose kids are home-schooled, questioned Fliter.&nbsp;“To say that yeah we have courses in American history, yeah that’s true, but the content that’s being taught is un-American,” Shane said. “And this rise of anti-Americanism is fomented and breeding in our K-12 institutions. So to the point about local control, local control went out the door when unfortunately — not every single Kansas public school — but public schools have been used to foment anti-Americanism. And it’s really, really tragic.”&nbsp;“Is this a question?” Fliter asked.&nbsp;“It’s more of a statement,” Shane responded.Fliter looked at the camera used to livestream hearings and raised her hands in apparent exasperation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771019031388.png" alt="Leah Fliter, assistant executive director of advocacy for the Kansas Association of School Boards, testifies Feb. 10, 2026, before the Senate Education Committee. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature video)" />
 <figcaption>Leah Fliter, assistant executive director of advocacy for the Kansas Association of School Boards, testifies Feb. 10, 2026, before the Senate Education Committee. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature video)</figcaption>
 </figure>Shane, 37, said he was taught in school that Ronald Reagan was America’s worst president and that Nazism rose from a far-right government, when Shane said it actually emerged from socialism.&nbsp;Adolf Hitler tied much of his far-right fascist ideas to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.britannica.com/story/were-the-nazis-socialists" target="_blank">socialist rhetoric</a>&nbsp;— like&nbsp;<a href="https://famous-trials.com/hitler/2529-1923-interview-with-adolf-hitler" target="_blank">“our socialism is national</a>” — and both were geared toward appealing to the lower middle class.&nbsp;“I would imagine that a textbook from 20 years ago is quite different from a textbook being used today,” Fliter said.&nbsp;Kathy Brown, who identified herself as a Topeka attorney, although she&nbsp;<a href="https://directory-kard.kscourts.gov/" target="_blank">doesn’t appear to be licensed</a>&nbsp;in Kansas, was among seven proponents who testified in support of the bill. There were seven opponents.&nbsp;“As we see in this Legislature, our public schools are dominated by the left, they describe marxism as ‘Nirvana’, they teach our Judeo-Christian heritage as evil, Satan worshipers and Islam as diverse,” Brown said, without providing evidence to support her claims. “They frame the founders as white supremacists. They’re teaching racism though now, but against a new color — whiteness.”

Kansas bill calls for communism class, civics test amid claims of ‘anti-Americanism’ in schools

CARIBBEAN SEA --The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) announced on Thursday, the death of a Marine who was lost at sea, while conducting operations in the Caribbean, according to a media release.

Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, was declared deceased on Feb. 10, 2026. He was reported falling overboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) on the evening of Feb. 7 and was the subject of an extensive, around‑the‑clock 72‑hour search and rescue operation.

"We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family," said Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd MEU (SOC). "The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will be profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten."

The declaration followed the conclusion of the 72‑hour search and rescue operation on Feb. 10. The multi‑branch effort covered a wide search area and involved a range of assets, including five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid‑hull inflatable boat, and ten aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force—all supported by National Technical Means.

The nonstop search and rescue operation included hundreds of flight hours, extensive aviation support, and search efforts from USS Iwo Jima’s 7‑meter small‑boat and surface rescue swimmer teams. Aircraft involved in the search included six helicopters (two U.S. Navy MH‑60 Sierras, two MH‑60 Romeos, one U.S. Marine Corps AH‑1Z Viper, and one UH‑1Y Venom); one U.S. Navy P‑8 Poseidon; two U.S. Air Force HC‑130J Combat King IIs; and one U.S. Air Force MQ‑9 Reaper.Lance Cpl. Oforah was an infantry rifleman. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in Oct. 2023 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, in Feb. 2024. He completed the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. At the time of his death, he was deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd MEU (SOC), aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.&nbsp;

CARIBBEAN SEA --The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) announced on Thursday, the death of a Marine who was lost at sea, while conducting operations in the Caribbean, according to a media release.Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, was declared deceased on Feb. 10, 2026. He was reported falling overboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) on the evening of Feb. 7 and was the subject of an extensive, around‑the‑clock 72‑hour search and rescue operation."We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family," said Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd MEU (SOC). "The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will be profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten."The declaration followed the conclusion of the 72‑hour search and rescue operation on Feb. 10. The multi‑branch effort covered a wide search area and involved a range of assets, including five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid‑hull inflatable boat, and ten aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force—all supported by National Technical Means.The nonstop search and rescue operation included hundreds of flight hours, extensive aviation support, and search efforts from USS Iwo Jima’s 7‑meter small‑boat and surface rescue swimmer teams. Aircraft involved in the search included six helicopters (two U.S. Navy MH‑60 Sierras, two MH‑60 Romeos, one U.S. Marine Corps AH‑1Z Viper, and one UH‑1Y Venom); one U.S. Navy P‑8 Poseidon; two U.S. Air Force HC‑130J Combat King IIs; and one U.S. Air Force MQ‑9 Reaper.Lance Cpl. Oforah was an infantry rifleman. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in Oct. 2023 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, in Feb. 2024. He completed the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. At the time of his death, he was deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd MEU (SOC), aboard the USS Iwo Jima.The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.&nbsp;

Marine becomes first American to die in drug boat targeting operation

The measure would remove the sunset from Missouri’s 2023 restrictions, permanently barring doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The Missouri House passed legislation Thursday that would permanently bar doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to transgender minors, sending the bill to the Senate for approval.

Lawmakers voted along party lines with 102 Republicans in favor and 40 Democrats voting against the bill. Democratic state Reps. Chanel Mosley from Black Jack and Stephanie Boykin of Florissant voted “present.”

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge, said during debate on Monday that she supports a “watchful waiting” approach to gender dysphoria in adolescents, advocating for counseling over medical intervention.

“Children become confused in many areas of their lives,” she said. “They have many questions throughout their years of development, and we have a responsibility to speak the truth.”

Since passing the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/10/missouri-house-sends-bill-banning-transgender-health-care-for-minors-to-governor/">restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors in 2023</a>, Missouri lawmakers have filed bills every year seeking to remove the law’s expiration date. Last year, the proposal was approved at the committee level and rolled into a 108-page Senate bill that sought to modify the sunsets of a variety of laws. The legislation ultimately stalled in the House.

House Republicans echoed a desire to “protect children,” citing recent statements by medical groups&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/plastic-surgeons-group-delay-gender-affirming-surgery-age-19-rcna257607" target="_blank">recommending against gender-affirming surgeries</a>&nbsp;for youth.

The bill wouldn’t change the state’s ban on gender affirming surgeries for those under 18, which was enacted without a sunset in 2023. It would only impact access to cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers, which Democrats argued should not be regulated by the state’s legislature.

“Why are we so focused on inserting ourselves in the living rooms of Missourians all across the state,” said state Rep. Marty Joe Murrary, a St. Louis Democrat. “When a child and a parent, they have a right to make a decision about the health care decisions for people in their household. Why are we better able to dictate that than themselves and their medical professional?”

State Rep. Jeff Hales, a Democrat from University City, called the legislation an “overreach” Thursday.

“By passing this, we are telling parents that the state knows better than they do on how to care for their own flesh and blood,” he said. “We are telling doctors that their years of medical expertise are secondary to our desires to scapegoat and target a vulnerable minority.”

When the law passed in 2023, three Republicans voted against the restrictions, including House Speaker Jon Patterson, a doctor from Lee’s Summit.

He was not in the chamber for the bill’s debate Monday, pointed out Democratic state Rep. Keri Ingle who is also from Lee’s Summit and is expected to run against Patterson for an open seat in the Missouri Senate, should both win their party’s nomination

“He voted no on this bill, because he at that time believed that it wasn’t in the state’s best interest to stop medical care,” she said.

Thursday, as the bill got its final stamp of approval in the House, Patterson voted in favor of removing the sunset.

The country’s largest medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association, continue to support the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for those under 18 to medically transition.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770989954638.png" alt=" Republican state Rep. Melissa Schmidt of Eldridge, pictured speaking on the House floor in Feb. 17, 2025, is sponsoring a bill to make gender-affirming care restrictions for minors permanent. In a House debate on the legislation, Schmidt said she supports a "watchful waiting" approach to gender dysphoria, only advocating for counseling as treatment (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Republican state Rep. Melissa Schmidt of Eldridge, pictured speaking on the House floor in Feb. 17, 2025, is sponsoring a bill to make gender-affirming care restrictions for minors permanent. In a House debate on the legislation, Schmidt said she supports a "watchful waiting" approach to gender dysphoria, only advocating for counseling as treatment (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The measure would remove the sunset from Missouri’s 2023 restrictions, permanently barring doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri House passed legislation Thursday that would permanently bar doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to transgender minors, sending the bill to the Senate for approval.Lawmakers voted along party lines with 102 Republicans in favor and 40 Democrats voting against the bill. Democratic state Reps. Chanel Mosley from Black Jack and Stephanie Boykin of Florissant voted “present.”The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge, said during debate on Monday that she supports a “watchful waiting” approach to gender dysphoria in adolescents, advocating for counseling over medical intervention.“Children become confused in many areas of their lives,” she said. “They have many questions throughout their years of development, and we have a responsibility to speak the truth.”Since passing the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/10/missouri-house-sends-bill-banning-transgender-health-care-for-minors-to-governor/">restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors in 2023</a>, Missouri lawmakers have filed bills every year seeking to remove the law’s expiration date. Last year, the proposal was approved at the committee level and rolled into a 108-page Senate bill that sought to modify the sunsets of a variety of laws. The legislation ultimately stalled in the House.House Republicans echoed a desire to “protect children,” citing recent statements by medical groups&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/plastic-surgeons-group-delay-gender-affirming-surgery-age-19-rcna257607" target="_blank">recommending against gender-affirming surgeries</a>&nbsp;for youth.The bill wouldn’t change the state’s ban on gender affirming surgeries for those under 18, which was enacted without a sunset in 2023. It would only impact access to cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers, which Democrats argued should not be regulated by the state’s legislature.“Why are we so focused on inserting ourselves in the living rooms of Missourians all across the state,” said state Rep. Marty Joe Murrary, a St. Louis Democrat. “When a child and a parent, they have a right to make a decision about the health care decisions for people in their household. Why are we better able to dictate that than themselves and their medical professional?”State Rep. Jeff Hales, a Democrat from University City, called the legislation an “overreach” Thursday.“By passing this, we are telling parents that the state knows better than they do on how to care for their own flesh and blood,” he said. “We are telling doctors that their years of medical expertise are secondary to our desires to scapegoat and target a vulnerable minority.”When the law passed in 2023, three Republicans voted against the restrictions, including House Speaker Jon Patterson, a doctor from Lee’s Summit.He was not in the chamber for the bill’s debate Monday, pointed out Democratic state Rep. Keri Ingle who is also from Lee’s Summit and is expected to run against Patterson for an open seat in the Missouri Senate, should both win their party’s nomination“He voted no on this bill, because he at that time believed that it wasn’t in the state’s best interest to stop medical care,” she said.Thursday, as the bill got its final stamp of approval in the House, Patterson voted in favor of removing the sunset.The country’s largest medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association, continue to support the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for those under 18 to medically transition.The bill now heads to the Senate.

Permanent ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors clears Missouri House

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Out of an abundance of caution School Resource Officers initiated a lockout – allowing no one to exit or enter – four Lawrence Public Schools Thursday afternoon, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.

Officers were investigating a potential threat. Police were called to 19th and Massachusetts because someone said a man was acting strangely and might have a gun. Another person heard the same man say there was going to be a mass-shooting at Lawrence High School.

Patrol officers immediately began searching for the man.  The School Resource Officers quickly worked to secure LHS and three nearby schools – Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Cordley Elementary School, and Schwegler Elementary School.

The lockout began shortly after 1pm.  Patrol officers continued their search for the man and found him in the 900 block of Vermont.  He was extremely combative.  Officers were forced to restrain the man to get him into a van, then transported him to the Douglas County Correctional Facility.

He faces several potential charges including possession of drug paraphernalia. He was not in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest.  

The schools were able to open back up for a regular dismissal.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Out of an abundance of caution School Resource Officers initiated a lockout – allowing no one to exit or enter – four Lawrence Public Schools Thursday afternoon, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.Officers were investigating a potential threat. Police were called to 19th and Massachusetts because someone said a man was acting strangely and might have a gun. Another person heard the same man say there was going to be a mass-shooting at Lawrence High School.Patrol officers immediately began searching for the man. The School Resource Officers quickly worked to secure LHS and three nearby schools – Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Cordley Elementary School, and Schwegler Elementary School.The lockout began shortly after 1pm. Patrol officers continued their search for the man and found him in the 900 block of Vermont. He was extremely combative. Officers were forced to restrain the man to get him into a van, then transported him to the Douglas County Correctional Facility.He faces several potential charges including possession of drug paraphernalia. He was not in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest. The schools were able to open back up for a regular dismissal.

4 Kan. schools locked out while police investigate potential threat

Four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched at 5:15 a.m. EST Friday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled a Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/people/jessica-u-meir/">Jessica Meir</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-astronaut-jack-hathaway/">Jack Hathaway</a>, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.

“With Crew-12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation, and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth. I’m grateful to the NASA and SpaceX teams whose discipline, rigor, and resilience made today’s launch possible. We undertake these missions with a clear understanding of risk, managing it responsibly so we can continue expanding human presence in low Earth orbit while preparing for our next great leap to the Moon and onward to Mars.”

During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA’s live coverage resumes at 1:15 p.m. Saturday on&nbsp;<a href="https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/nasas-spacex-crew-12-arrival-welcome-remarks/">NASA+</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/livetv/ref=atv_hm_liv_LRad2e3b_slct?serviceToken=v0_Cl0KJGUwMTYwNTQwLWU2NjMtNGE1OC05MDczLTZiMmRmYjI5NWMyNRDwyY266jIaLExpNitvL2dzaDBoR0NjVGdhVGdLTHptYkF6dHpuZ29zb2VJMDZ6YWhmZEk9IAESBmZpbHRlchgBIgRob21lKgRsaXZlWj8KDGxpbmVhckZpbHRlchIvCi1hbXpuMS1wdi1saW5lYXItbGl2ZV90YWItZmlsdGVyLWxlYXJuX2V4cGxvcmV6AIIBBjAAUABwAA%3D%3D">Amazon Prime</a>, and the agency’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/nasa">YouTube</a>&nbsp;channel with rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening. After docking, the crew will change out of their spacesuits and prepare cargo for offload before opening the hatch between Dragon and the space station’s Harmony module around 5 p.m. NASA also will provide coverage of the welcome ceremony aboard the space station shortly following hatch opening.

Learn how to watch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/general/watch-nasa-programming/">NASA content</a>&nbsp;through a variety of platforms, including social media.

Meir, Hathaway, Adenot, and Fedyaev will join the Expedition 74 crew, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev already aboard the orbiting laboratory, returning the space station to its standard seven crew members complement following the Jan. 14&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-spacex-crew-11-mission-returns-splashes-down-off-california/">departure</a>&nbsp;of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission.

During its mission, Crew-12 will conduct scientific research to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasas-spacex-crew-12-to-study-adaptation-to-altered-gravity/">prepare for human exploration</a>&nbsp;beyond low Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth. Participating crew members will study&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9160">pneumonia-causing bacteria</a>&nbsp;to improve cardiovascular treatments, on-demand&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8593">intravenous fluid generation</a>&nbsp;for future space missions, and research on how physical characteristics may&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9473">affect blood flow</a>&nbsp;during spaceflight. Other experiments include automated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9518">plant health monitoring</a>&nbsp;and investigations of plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8301">interactions</a>&nbsp;to enhance food production in space.

Crew-12 is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which provides reliable access to space, maximizing the use of the station for research and development, and supporting future missions beyond low Earth orbit by partnering with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

NASAFour crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched at 5:15 a.m. EST Friday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Liftoff of Crew-12! <a href="https://t.co/jQ804lyjkm">pic.twitter.com/jQ804lyjkm</a>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2022253660168953979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled a Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/people/jessica-u-meir/">Jessica Meir</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-astronaut-jack-hathaway/">Jack Hathaway</a>, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.“With Crew-12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation, and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth. I’m grateful to the NASA and SpaceX teams whose discipline, rigor, and resilience made today’s launch possible. We undertake these missions with a clear understanding of risk, managing it responsibly so we can continue expanding human presence in low Earth orbit while preparing for our next great leap to the Moon and onward to Mars.”During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.NASA’s live coverage resumes at 1:15 p.m. Saturday on&nbsp;<a href="https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/nasas-spacex-crew-12-arrival-welcome-remarks/">NASA+</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/livetv/ref=atv_hm_liv_LRad2e3b_slct?serviceToken=v0_Cl0KJGUwMTYwNTQwLWU2NjMtNGE1OC05MDczLTZiMmRmYjI5NWMyNRDwyY266jIaLExpNitvL2dzaDBoR0NjVGdhVGdLTHptYkF6dHpuZ29zb2VJMDZ6YWhmZEk9IAESBmZpbHRlchgBIgRob21lKgRsaXZlWj8KDGxpbmVhckZpbHRlchIvCi1hbXpuMS1wdi1saW5lYXItbGl2ZV90YWItZmlsdGVyLWxlYXJuX2V4cGxvcmV6AIIBBjAAUABwAA%3D%3D">Amazon Prime</a>, and the agency’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/nasa">YouTube</a>&nbsp;channel with rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening. After docking, the crew will change out of their spacesuits and prepare cargo for offload before opening the hatch between Dragon and the space station’s Harmony module around 5 p.m. NASA also will provide coverage of the welcome ceremony aboard the space station shortly following hatch opening.Learn how to watch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/general/watch-nasa-programming/">NASA content</a>&nbsp;through a variety of platforms, including social media.Meir, Hathaway, Adenot, and Fedyaev will join the Expedition 74 crew, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev already aboard the orbiting laboratory, returning the space station to its standard seven crew members complement following the Jan. 14&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-spacex-crew-11-mission-returns-splashes-down-off-california/">departure</a>&nbsp;of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission.During its mission, Crew-12 will conduct scientific research to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasas-spacex-crew-12-to-study-adaptation-to-altered-gravity/">prepare for human exploration</a>&nbsp;beyond low Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth. Participating crew members will study&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9160">pneumonia-causing bacteria</a>&nbsp;to improve cardiovascular treatments, on-demand&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8593">intravenous fluid generation</a>&nbsp;for future space missions, and research on how physical characteristics may&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9473">affect blood flow</a>&nbsp;during spaceflight. Other experiments include automated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9518">plant health monitoring</a>&nbsp;and investigations of plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8301">interactions</a>&nbsp;to enhance food production in space.Crew-12 is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which provides reliable access to space, maximizing the use of the station for research and development, and supporting future missions beyond low Earth orbit by partnering with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

🎥New astronauts launch to Space Station after medical evacuation

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 5:30p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to 20th and Monroe on a sound of shots call in the area. 911 received multiple additional calls of sound of shots and eventually one call reporting a shooting victim down in a wooded area of a series of vacant lots in the 2000 block of Monroe.

On arrival officers made their way into the vacant lots and located a male shooting victim unresponsive there. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over aid. They eventually declared the victim deceased here at the scene.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Preliminary indication indicates the shooting occurred on 20th street between Askew and Monroe and the victim then ran to the south where he was located.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or possible suspect details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770981912260.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 5:30p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to 20th and Monroe on a sound of shots call in the area. 911 received multiple additional calls of sound of shots and eventually one call reporting a shooting victim down in a wooded area of a series of vacant lots in the 2000 block of Monroe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770981892242.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>On arrival officers made their way into the vacant lots and located a male shooting victim unresponsive there. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over aid. They eventually declared the victim deceased here at the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;Preliminary indication indicates the shooting occurred on 20th street between Askew and Monroe and the victim then ran to the south where he was located.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or possible suspect details.

KCPD: Victim ran from shooting and died in a vacant lot

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement investigating a school threat in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call regarding an online social media threat involving Eisenhower Middle School, 3305 SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.. No other schools are involved in this incident.

On Wednesday, Topeka Police working jointly with the FBI to determine the credibility of the online threat arrested a 16-year-old boy on requested charges of criminal threat and criminal use of weapons.

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement investigating a school threat in Topeka have made an arrest.Just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call regarding an online social media threat involving Eisenhower Middle School, 3305 SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.. No other schools are involved in this incident.On Wednesday, Topeka Police working jointly with the FBI to determine the credibility of the online threat arrested a 16-year-old boy on requested charges of criminal threat and criminal use of weapons.

16-year-old accused of online threat against Kan. middle school

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a townhome in Kansas City.

Just before 1:30p.m. Thursday, Kansas City Fire Department companies&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported fire in the 7600 block of E 79th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, crews reported a 1-story townhome with heavy fire showing. An offensive fire attack was initiated with 2 hose lines advanced into the structure. Searches throughout were performed and reported all clear. 

The fire was brought under controlat 1:41 p.m. Red Cross has been requested to assist with 1 adult. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770929031651.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a townhome in Kansas City.Just before 1:30p.m. Thursday, Kansas City Fire Department companies&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported fire in the 7600 block of E 79th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.On arrival, crews reported a 1-story townhome with heavy fire showing. An offensive fire attack was initiated with 2 hose lines advanced into the structure. Searches throughout were performed and reported all clear. The fire was brought under controlat 1:41 p.m. Red Cross has been requested to assist with 1 adult. There were no injuries reported.