<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump Participates in a Medal of Freedom Ceremony for Charlie Kirk <a href="https://t.co/KGAv0O6oTz">https://t.co/KGAv0O6oTz</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1978198302932742489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump and Erika Kirk arrive to the Medal of Freedom Ceremony for Charlie Kirk ❤️🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/6aRc4TOTRt">pic.twitter.com/6aRc4TOTRt</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1978200500035047809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Every single day of this administration, we will continue to carry out the mission for which he lived... In <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a>&#39;s honor, we will continue, like we have been, to Fight, Fight, Fight—and to WIN, WIN, WIN. We&#39;re gonna win SO MUCH.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/tLUvMHgtVQ">pic.twitter.com/tLUvMHgtVQ</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1978207602958864822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;In the days since Charlie&#39;s killing, we&#39;ve seen exactly why our country so dearly needed his example. We&#39;ve watched legions of far-left radicals resort to desperate acts of violence and terror because they know that their ideas and arguments are persuading no one.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/A1IsbDrmpT">pic.twitter.com/A1IsbDrmpT</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1978205826754973917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Charlie Kirk was a martyr for truth and for freedom, and from Socrates... to Saint Peter... those who change history the most, and he really did, have always risked their lives for causes they were put on earth to defend.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/SFK1OeuxPc">pic.twitter.com/SFK1OeuxPc</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1978205271185850551?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded posthumously to the late Charlie Kirk, to his wife, Mrs. Erika Kirk 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/T28dH9Gk4S">pic.twitter.com/T28dH9Gk4S</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1978209628627370054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/MrsErikaKirk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MrsErikaKirk</a>: &quot;If the moment had come, he probably would have run for president, but not out of ambition, He would only have done if it that was something that he believed his country needed.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/9DkGIaN4Wp">pic.twitter.com/9DkGIaN4Wp</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1978213900253376643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/MrsErikaKirk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MrsErikaKirk</a> reveals daughter&#39;s message on Charlie Kirk&#39;s birthday. <a href="https://t.co/UYPzY4ntDR">pic.twitter.com/UYPzY4ntDR</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1978216759560741237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After the Medal of Freedom ceremony honoring <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a>, President Trump and Vice President Vance stood with Erika as Amazing Grace played ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/dWv9d4Z3WV">pic.twitter.com/dWv9d4Z3WV</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1978224055300804723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump signs a Proclamation declaring October 14 as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk ❤️ <br><br>President Trump recalls nights on the Mar-a-Lago patio listening to music with Charlie…<br><br>“Remember Charlie on the patio…he could sit there all night long!” <a href="https://t.co/pDrEBWEdmV">pic.twitter.com/pDrEBWEdmV</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1978229151346597983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump posthumously awards Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/8DMrDfoSjF">pic.twitter.com/8DMrDfoSjF</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1978155685150945357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥6 killed after US strikes another drug boat of Venezuela 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement have located the woman from the doorbell video.

Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview.

Investigators are conducting interviews and have identified the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. At this stage of the investigation, police believe this incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman does not have any significant injuries.

Police thanked the public for sharing the video and still images that generated additional attention about this incident, we do believe it led the woman to call and saying she was the person police were looking for.

Police stressed they do not have any reason to believe there is ongoing danger to the general public.

Police are continuing their investigation into the video and the case will be presented to the appropriate attorney’s office for formal charging consideration.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A $2,000 reward from Crimestoppers is now being offered for helping police identify a man and woman seen in a video of an alleged abduction that occurred in Wichita.

The Wichita Police Department continues asking for the community’s help in identifying and locating the woman in the video. She was last seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.

Police worked throughout Monday on this investigation, following up on numerous leads. They also received 15 additional tips overnight Monday, according to a statement from Wichita Police during a Tuesday morning news conference.

At this time, police have not been able to identify the woman and man seen in the video. Exploring all options, police reached out to regional and federal law enforcement partners for additional assistance.

The Wichita Police team has processed the audio, reducing background noise, hoping that someone will recognize her voice. Please take a moment to review the video.

&nbsp;If you recognize her or have any information about her identity or whereabouts, please contact 911 immediately.

You may also reach out to WPD Investigations at 316-268-4407, or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement have located the woman from the doorbell video.</p><p>Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview.</p><p>Investigators are conducting interviews and have identified the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. At this stage of the investigation, police believe this incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman does not have any significant injuries.</p><p>Police thanked the public for sharing the video and still images that generated additional attention about this incident, we do believe it led the woman to call and saying she was the person police were looking for.</p><p>Police stressed they do not have any reason to believe there is ongoing danger to the general public.</p><p>Police are continuing their investigation into the video and the case will be presented to the appropriate attorney’s office for formal charging consideration.</p><p>-------------</p><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A $2,000 reward from Crimestoppers is now being offered for helping police identify a man and woman seen in a video of an alleged abduction that occurred in Wichita.</p><p>The Wichita Police Department continues asking for the community’s help in identifying and locating the woman in the video. She was last seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’ve worked throughout the day on this investigation, following up on numerous leads, and we appreciate the public&#39;s help. <br><br>At this time, we have not been able to identify the female and male seen in the video. Exploring all options, we&#39;ve reached out to our regional and… <a href="https://t.co/APj14eTdRI">pic.twitter.com/APj14eTdRI</a></p>&mdash; Wichita Police (@WichitaPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/WichitaPolice/status/1977848955233869931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Police worked throughout Monday on this investigation, following up on numerous leads. They also received 15 additional tips overnight Monday, according to a statement from Wichita Police during a Tuesday morning news conference.</p><p>At this time, police have not been able to identify the woman and man seen in the video. Exploring all options, police reached out to regional and federal law enforcement partners for additional assistance.</p><p>The Wichita Police team has processed the audio, reducing background noise, hoping that someone will recognize her voice. Please take a moment to review the video.</p><p>&nbsp;If you recognize her or have any information about her identity or whereabouts, please contact 911 immediately.

You may also reach out to WPD Investigations at 316-268-4407, or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.</p>

Police locate Kansas woman in abduction video

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fire in Topeka took one person into custody.

Just after 9p.m. Monday, crews responded to a fire in a small business building at 2102 NW Topeka Boulevard, according to fire department spokesperson Daniel Garrett. Fire crews found smoke coming from the outside of a small business. 

Firefighters began an offensive fire attack and they were able to keep the fire confined to the building. There were no injuries.

Investigators determined the cause of the fire to be an accidental electrical fire.&nbsp; One individual was taken into custody. Authorities did not release the name of the individual or possible charges.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760438648441.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fire in Topeka took one person into custody.</p><p>Just after 9p.m. Monday, crews responded to a fire in a small business building at 2102 NW Topeka Boulevard, according to fire department spokesperson Daniel Garrett. Fire crews found smoke coming from the outside of a small business. </p><p>Firefighters began an offensive fire attack and they were able to keep the fire confined to the building. There were no injuries.</p><p>Investigators determined the cause of the fire to be an accidental electrical fire.&nbsp; One individual was taken into custody. Authorities did not release the name of the individual or possible charges.</p>

One in custody after fire at small business building in Kansas

Special Assistant to the President and Assistant&nbsp; White House Communications Director Dylan Johnson shared a new photo of a portrait of President Harry Truman the 33rd President of the United State on display in the West Wing of the White House.

Truman was born in&nbsp;Lamar, Missouri and&nbsp;was raised in&nbsp;Independence, Missouri.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the 34th&nbsp;vice president&nbsp;in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of&nbsp;Franklin D. Roosevelt.

<p>Special Assistant to the President and Assistant&nbsp; White House Communications Director Dylan Johnson shared a new photo of a portrait of President Harry Truman the 33rd President of the United State on display in the West Wing of the White House.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NEW: President Truman — a son of Missouri — now hangs in the West Wing <a href="https://t.co/LvsbLq5qba">pic.twitter.com/LvsbLq5qba</a></p>&mdash; Dylan Johnson (@RealDylanMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealDylanMO/status/1978107246253920690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Truman was born in&nbsp;Lamar, Missouri and&nbsp;was raised in&nbsp;Independence, Missouri.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the 34th&nbsp;vice president&nbsp;in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of&nbsp;Franklin D. Roosevelt.</p>

New President Truman portrait on display in the White House

WASHINGTON—On Tuesday afternoon, President Trump will posthumously award the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

On social media, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote, "we honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk on his heavenly birthday. With unanimous support, the U.S. Senate has declared October 14 the National Day of Remembrance — a tribute to his bold faith and love for our country. His impact continues to shape the next generation of leaders."

The Presidential Medial of Freedom presentation is scheduled for 3p.m., according to the White House.

In September, Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while holding an event at Utah Valley University’s campus.

The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed resolutions to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk.

The resolution supports the designation of a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk” on Oct. 14 and recognizes Charlie Kirk for his contributions to civic education and public service.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760450116249.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON—On Tuesday afternoon, President Trump will posthumously award the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.</p><p>On social media, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote, "we honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk on his heavenly birthday. With unanimous support, the U.S. Senate has declared October 14 the National Day of Remembrance — a tribute to his bold faith and love for our country. His impact continues to shape the next generation of leaders."</p><p>The Presidential Medial of Freedom presentation is scheduled for 3p.m., according to the White House.</p><p>In September, Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while holding an event at Utah Valley University’s campus.</p><p>The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed resolutions to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk.</p><p>The resolution supports the designation of a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk” on Oct. 14 and recognizes Charlie Kirk for his contributions to civic education and public service.</p>

Kan. U.S. Senator honors Charlie Kirk on his birthday

TOPEKA—On Monday, the GOP Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council approved $460,000 to fund a four-day special legislative session focused on redistricting the state of Kansas, without holding any public forum, according to a media release from Kansas House Democrats.

Missouri and Texas have already approved new maps.

Republicans already hold three of the state’s four congressional districts. A revised map would target the suburban Kansas City district held by Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids.

"Without any public input, the GOP-led Legislature Coordinating Council just approved spending Kansas taxpayers' money to call a special session to redistrict Kansas at the whim of Donald Trump," according to a statement from House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard.&nbsp;

"This is a slap in the face to Kansans who are struggling with rising costs of living and out-of-control property taxes, issues the Legislature should be addressing instead," according to Woodard.

The cost of the special session would cost less than the approved $460,000 if the session lasts less than four days. The session could begin as early as November 7.&nbsp;Republican lawmakers who hold a supermajority in the Kansas Legislature have been gathering petition signatures from colleagues in an attempt to call a special session on congressional redistricting.&nbsp; They are taking that route because Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is unlikely to call a special session.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>TOPEKA—On Monday, the GOP Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council approved $460,000 to fund a four-day special legislative session focused on redistricting the state of Kansas, without holding any public forum, according to a media release from Kansas House Democrats.</p><p>Missouri and Texas have already approved new maps.</p><p>Republicans already hold three of the state’s four congressional districts. A revised map would target the suburban Kansas City district held by Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids.</p><p>"Without any public input, the GOP-led Legislature Coordinating Council just approved spending Kansas taxpayers' money to call a special session to redistrict Kansas at the whim of Donald Trump," according to a statement from House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard.&nbsp;</p><p>"This is a slap in the face to Kansans who are struggling with rising costs of living and out-of-control property taxes, issues the Legislature should be addressing instead," according to Woodard.</p><p>The cost of the special session would cost less than the approved $460,000 if the session lasts less than four days. The session could begin as early as November 7.&nbsp;Republican lawmakers who hold a supermajority in the Kansas Legislature have been gathering petition signatures from colleagues in an attempt to call a special session on congressional redistricting.&nbsp; They are taking that route because Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is unlikely to call a special session.</p><p>-The AP contributed to this report.</p>

Kansas lawmakers approve funding for redistricting session

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a 2-vehicle crash that injured a juvenile.

At approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, emergency crews responded to an injury crash on Lee Boulevard just north of W 103rd Street, according to a media release from Leawood Police.

 The crash involved a vehicle and a juvenile on an electric scooter. EMS transported the juvenile to an area hospital in critical condition. The Leawood Police Department Major Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the crash. Lee Boulevard was closed north of W 103rd St while the investigation was underway.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

 Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is requested to contact the Leawood Police Department at 913-642-7700.

<p>JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a 2-vehicle crash that injured a juvenile.</p><p>At approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, emergency crews responded to an injury crash on Lee Boulevard just north of W 103rd Street, according to a media release from Leawood Police.</p><p> The crash involved a vehicle and a juvenile on an electric scooter. EMS transported the juvenile to an area hospital in critical condition. The Leawood Police Department Major Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the crash. Lee Boulevard was closed north of W 103rd St while the investigation was underway.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.</p><p> Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is requested to contact the Leawood Police Department at 913-642-7700.</p>

Police: Juvenile hospitalized after car, electric scooter crash

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760374235793.jpeg" alt="Photo from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>Photo from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> stands at the center alongside dozens of his fellow world leaders — all coming together for today&#39;s unprecedented international Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt 🕊️ <a href="https://t.co/w2J4esyYcI">pic.twitter.com/w2J4esyYcI</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977768075954176492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump is the Peace President. <a href="https://t.co/QMJbh0L1oE">https://t.co/QMJbh0L1oE</a></p>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1977783829122232455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> stands at the center alongside dozens of his fellow world leaders — all coming together for today&#39;s unprecedented international Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt 🕊️ <a href="https://t.co/w2J4esyYcI">pic.twitter.com/w2J4esyYcI</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977768075954176492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome billboards all around Sharm El-Sheikh 🇺🇸🇪🇬 <a href="https://t.co/39ISvVLuA7">pic.twitter.com/39ISvVLuA7</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1977794848288575989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST <a href="https://t.co/hf7tBaoMNY">pic.twitter.com/hf7tBaoMNY</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977760167530803685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE PEACE PRESIDENT! <a href="https://t.co/w48BJVq9x9">pic.twitter.com/w48BJVq9x9</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977763074640662572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> joins the leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey in an official signing ceremony for the historic Gaza Peace Deal <a href="https://t.co/mqonzJNyP1">pic.twitter.com/mqonzJNyP1</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977775145314861393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Everyone wants a photo with the Leader of the Free World — THE PRESIDENT OF PEACE! <a href="https://t.co/1SHKLvdL6u">pic.twitter.com/1SHKLvdL6u</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977777422465716723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> joins the leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey in an official signing ceremony for the historic Gaza Peace Deal <a href="https://t.co/mqonzJNyP1">pic.twitter.com/mqonzJNyP1</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977775145314861393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump calls for a new era of harmony in the Middle East

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">Steph Quinn</a>

Gov. Mike Kehoe denied clemency Monday to Lance Shockley, a man&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/10/advocates-for-a-man-sentenced-to-death-by-a-missouri-judge-ask-governor-for-clemency/">sentenced</a>&nbsp;to be executed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, citing Shockley’s unanimous conviction by jury for the 2005 murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl DeWayne Graham Jr.

But according to Shockley’s attorneys, the execution may be delayed by a motion filed last week in the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca8.112938/gov.uscourts.ca8.112938.00805368071.0.pdf" target="_blank">challenging</a>&nbsp;the Missouri Department of Corrections’ refusal to allow his daughter, who is an ordained minister, to accompany him as his spiritual advisor in the execution chamber.

While Kehoe in a&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-denies-clemency-request-mr-lance-shockley" target="_blank">press release</a>&nbsp;Monday described his denial of clemency as evidence of Missouri’s “commitment to the pursuit of justice,” Shockley’s advocates have argued he should not be executed because he was sentenced to death by a judge after the jury could not reach agreement on the death penalty.&nbsp;

Missouri is one of only two states, along with Indiana, that allow judges to unilaterally choose the death penalty when a jury is split on how to sentence a defendant for a capital offense. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/death_penalty_representation/publications/project_blog/missouri-judge-imposes-life-sentence/" target="_blank">most other states</a>, a deadlocked jury results in a life sentence.&nbsp;

“[Kehoe] didn’t talk at all about the fact that the same jury that convicted him didn’t say he should die,” said Jeremy Weis, Shockley’s lead attorney and an assistant federal public defender. “I find that troubling and disappointing.”

Graham was found shot dead in the driveway of his home in Carter County in March 2005. He had been investigating Shockley’s role in a fatal 2004 drunk driving accident, which the prosecution said gave Shockley a motive for murder.

Kehoe noted in the press release that the Missouri Supreme Court, a federal district court, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court all reviewed Shockley’s case and let the trial court’s decision stand.

“Mr. Shockley has received every legal protection afforded to him under the Missouri and United States Constitutions,” Kehoe said, “and his sentence will remain for his brutal and deliberate crime.”&nbsp;

Weis said Thursday that Shockley’s legal team had found after the trial that at least two of the 12 jurors who convicted Shockley voted for him to serve life in prison.

The motion to delay Shockley’s execution centers on a policy of the Department of Corrections allowing defendants the presence of a chosen spiritual advisor as they are put to death. The department denied Shockley’s request that his daughter fill this role, citing a policy prohibiting contact visits with family members once an execution has been scheduled.

“They just don’t want to follow their policy,” Weis said.

Weis said he expects a ruling Monday on the motion to delay Shockley’s execution.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750874127475.png" alt="Shockley photo MODOC" />
                        <figcaption>Shockley photo MODOC</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">Steph Quinn</a></p><p>Gov. Mike Kehoe denied clemency Monday to Lance Shockley, a man&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/10/advocates-for-a-man-sentenced-to-death-by-a-missouri-judge-ask-governor-for-clemency/">sentenced</a>&nbsp;to be executed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, citing Shockley’s unanimous conviction by jury for the 2005 murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl DeWayne Graham Jr.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760388513956.png" alt="Opponents of the death penalty protest in 2023 outside the Missouri Supreme Court building against the execution of Amber McLaughlin, the last person in Missouri to have been executed after being sentenced to death by a judge (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
                        <figcaption>Opponents of the death penalty protest in 2023 outside the Missouri Supreme Court building against the execution of Amber McLaughlin, the last person in Missouri to have been executed after being sentenced to death by a judge (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>But according to Shockley’s attorneys, the execution may be delayed by a motion filed last week in the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca8.112938/gov.uscourts.ca8.112938.00805368071.0.pdf" target="_blank">challenging</a>&nbsp;the Missouri Department of Corrections’ refusal to allow his daughter, who is an ordained minister, to accompany him as his spiritual advisor in the execution chamber.</p><p>While Kehoe in a&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-denies-clemency-request-mr-lance-shockley" target="_blank">press release</a>&nbsp;Monday described his denial of clemency as evidence of Missouri’s “commitment to the pursuit of justice,” Shockley’s advocates have argued he should not be executed because he was sentenced to death by a judge after the jury could not reach agreement on the death penalty.&nbsp;</p><p>Missouri is one of only two states, along with Indiana, that allow judges to unilaterally choose the death penalty when a jury is split on how to sentence a defendant for a capital offense. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/death_penalty_representation/publications/project_blog/missouri-judge-imposes-life-sentence/" target="_blank">most other states</a>, a deadlocked jury results in a life sentence.&nbsp;</p><p>“[Kehoe] didn’t talk at all about the fact that the same jury that convicted him didn’t say he should die,” said Jeremy Weis, Shockley’s lead attorney and an assistant federal public defender. “I find that troubling and disappointing.”</p><p>Graham was found shot dead in the driveway of his home in Carter County in March 2005. He had been investigating Shockley’s role in a fatal 2004 drunk driving accident, which the prosecution said gave Shockley a motive for murder.</p><p>Kehoe noted in the press release that the Missouri Supreme Court, a federal district court, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court all reviewed Shockley’s case and let the trial court’s decision stand.</p><p>“Mr. Shockley has received every legal protection afforded to him under the Missouri and United States Constitutions,” Kehoe said, “and his sentence will remain for his brutal and deliberate crime.”&nbsp;</p><p>Weis said Thursday that Shockley’s legal team had found after the trial that at least two of the 12 jurors who convicted Shockley voted for him to serve life in prison.</p><p>The motion to delay Shockley’s execution centers on a policy of the Department of Corrections allowing defendants the presence of a chosen spiritual advisor as they are put to death. The department denied Shockley’s request that his daughter fill this role, citing a policy prohibiting contact visits with family members once an execution has been scheduled.</p><p>“They just don’t want to follow their policy,” Weis said.</p><p>Weis said he expects a ruling Monday on the motion to delay Shockley’s execution.</p>

Gov. denies clemency to a man sentenced to death for killing State Trooper 

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) today announced the successful closure of a wildlife poaching case involving the illegal harvest of a trophy deer in Kansas, according to the KDWP. The investigation, led by KDWP Game Wardens, concluded with a guilty plea from a Tennessee man who admitted to unlawfully taking the deer.

While investigating&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-ks%2Fpr%2Fhunting-show-host-receives-lifetime-hunting-ban-kansas/1/01010199dec03fdf-e9455897-83a5-461b-a66d-17bf4c81807a-000000/Bwdvb9fZzYEQA2sH8GGlrlQ2Zvi-G3H1mBWKQS_cqog=426">an unrelated poaching case</a>&nbsp;in early 2024, Kansas Game Wardens learned&nbsp;that a trophy deer had been killed in Miami County, Kansas before being later tagged in Missouri.

Following this discovery, Game Wardens obtained a warrant for the suspect’s phone records, which confirmed his presence in Kansas during the timeframe of the photo. In late summer 2024, Kansas Game Wardens traveled to the Nashville area, where they seized the deer and later received a phone confession from the individual, who admitted to killing the deer in Kansas with a rifle and without a valid permit.

The suspect was prosecuted in Miami County, Kansas, and recently pled guilty to charges related to the illegal take. He was fined $5,000 and must also pay $3,960.50 in restitution and $108 in court costs.

KDWP’s Special Investigations Unit led the case, with support from the Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The successful resolution underscores the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting wildlife crimes, including complex cases that may span multiple jurisdictions and take years to conclude.

“Kansas Game Wardens are dedicated to protecting our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Greg Kyser. “Most hunters respect the law and play a vital role in conservation. Unfortunately, bad actors undermine that trust and make it harder for everyone. This case demonstrates the persistence and professionalism of our officers, who work tirelessly to hold violators accountable and uphold the integrity of our hunting laws.”

KDWP enforces state and federal fish and wildlife regulations, boating laws, and public land rules across both private and public lands. Game Wardens also support emergency response efforts and collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Through education and outreach, KDWP promotes safe, ethical outdoor recreation and works to preserve Kansas’s natural heritage for future generations.

<p>TOPEKA&nbsp;– The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) today announced the successful closure of a wildlife poaching case involving the illegal harvest of a trophy deer in Kansas, according to the KDWP. The investigation, led by KDWP Game Wardens, concluded with a guilty plea from a Tennessee man who admitted to unlawfully taking the deer.</p><p>While investigating&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-ks%2Fpr%2Fhunting-show-host-receives-lifetime-hunting-ban-kansas/1/01010199dec03fdf-e9455897-83a5-461b-a66d-17bf4c81807a-000000/Bwdvb9fZzYEQA2sH8GGlrlQ2Zvi-G3H1mBWKQS_cqog=426">an unrelated poaching case</a>&nbsp;in early 2024, Kansas Game Wardens learned&nbsp;that a trophy deer had been killed in Miami County, Kansas before being later tagged in Missouri.</p><p>Following this discovery, Game Wardens obtained a warrant for the suspect’s phone records, which confirmed his presence in Kansas during the timeframe of the photo. In late summer 2024, Kansas Game Wardens traveled to the Nashville area, where they seized the deer and later received a phone confession from the individual, who admitted to killing the deer in Kansas with a rifle and without a valid permit.</p><p>The suspect was prosecuted in Miami County, Kansas, and recently pled guilty to charges related to the illegal take. He was fined $5,000 and must also pay $3,960.50 in restitution and $108 in court costs.</p><p>KDWP’s Special Investigations Unit led the case, with support from the Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The successful resolution underscores the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting wildlife crimes, including complex cases that may span multiple jurisdictions and take years to conclude.</p><p>“Kansas Game Wardens are dedicated to protecting our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Greg Kyser. “Most hunters respect the law and play a vital role in conservation. Unfortunately, bad actors undermine that trust and make it harder for everyone. This case demonstrates the persistence and professionalism of our officers, who work tirelessly to hold violators accountable and uphold the integrity of our hunting laws.”</p><p>KDWP enforces state and federal fish and wildlife regulations, boating laws, and public land rules across both private and public lands. Game Wardens also support emergency response efforts and collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Through education and outreach, KDWP promotes safe, ethical outdoor recreation and works to preserve Kansas’s natural heritage for future generations.</p>

Kan. game wardens close investigation into trophy deer poaching case

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a burglary at a home in Manhattan.

Just after 1p.m. Sunday, officers filed a report of burglary in the 400 block of Walters Drive, according to the Riley County Poice Department activity report.

 A 51-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect broke into her home and stole a safe with cash. The total estimated loss associated with this case is $10,150. 

Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.

<p>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a burglary at a home in Manhattan.</p><p>Just after 1p.m. Sunday, officers filed a report of burglary in the 400 block of Walters Drive, according to the Riley County Poice Department activity report.</p><p> A 51-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect broke into her home and stole a safe with cash. The total estimated loss associated with this case is $10,150. </p><p>Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.</p>

Police: Suspect took safe containing $10,000 in cash from Kan. home

RALLS COUNTY, Mo. —Law enforcement are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred in Monroe County, Missouri on Sunday, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Just before 2p.m. Sunday, the Ralls County sheriff requested&nbsp; Randolph County Sheriff's deputies, investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Operation Relentless Pursuit Officers assist with locating a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation.

Law enforcement arrived in Paris, Missouri, in rural Monroe County in an effort to contact the suspect. When law enforcement entered the home, they encountered a man inside who fired a weapon at them. The gunfire struck a Randolph County deputy. Officers returned fire before exiting the residence. The suspect remained inside. EMS transported the wounded deputy to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening wound.&nbsp;

At approximately 2p.m., the Moberly Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics Team responded to make contact with the suspect. Just before 5p.m. the SWAT team entered the residence and found the suspect, later identified as Charles W. Armour, 57,&nbsp; Paris, Missouri,&nbsp; deceased.

The deputy remained hospitalized late Sunday. The patrol released no additional details.

<p>RALLS COUNTY, Mo. —Law enforcement are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred in Monroe County, Missouri on Sunday, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control.</p><p>Just before 2p.m. Sunday, the Ralls County sheriff requested&nbsp; Randolph County Sheriff's deputies, investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Operation Relentless Pursuit Officers assist with locating a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation.</p><p>Law enforcement arrived in Paris, Missouri, in rural Monroe County in an effort to contact the suspect. When law enforcement entered the home, they encountered a man inside who fired a weapon at them. The gunfire struck a Randolph County deputy. Officers returned fire before exiting the residence. The suspect remained inside. EMS transported the wounded deputy to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening wound.&nbsp;</p><p>At approximately 2p.m., the Moberly Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics Team responded to make contact with the suspect. Just before 5p.m. the SWAT team entered the residence and found the suspect, later identified as Charles W. Armour, 57,&nbsp; Paris, Missouri,&nbsp; deceased.</p><p>The deputy remained hospitalized late Sunday. The patrol released no additional details.</p>

Mo. deputy wounded in exchange of gunfire with homicide suspect

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760359689454.png" alt="President Trump addressed Israeli lawmakers on Monday-image from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>President Trump addressed Israeli lawmakers on Monday-image from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The God who once dwelled among His people in this city still calls us, in the words of Scripture, to turn from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/eje68UKUDM">pic.twitter.com/eje68UKUDM</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977709528847098045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> enters the Knesset chamber 🇺🇸🇮🇱 <a href="https://t.co/4YUnh0QND7">pic.twitter.com/4YUnh0QND7</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1977684923046924454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This is not only the End of a war—it is the END of an age of terror and death, and the BEGINNING of the age of faith, hope, and of God... This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/TKIO6tBSTw">pic.twitter.com/TKIO6tBSTw</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977695027796074975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two members of the Israeli Knesset were expelled after holding up signs that said “Recognize Palestine” during President Trump&#39;s speech. <a href="https://t.co/mH76QRC72Z">pic.twitter.com/mH76QRC72Z</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1977746003424866740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Two years ago... thousands of innocent Israeli civilians were attacked by terrorists in one of the most evil and heinous desecrations of innocent life the world has ever seen... please know that America joins you in those two everlasting vows—NEVER FORGET, and NEVER… <a href="https://t.co/PwzVakflqC">pic.twitter.com/PwzVakflqC</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977699108501491739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Across the Middle East, the forces of chaos, terror, and ruin that have plagued the region for decades now stand weakened... defeated. A new coalition of proud and responsible nations is emerging—and because of us, the enemies of all civilization are in retreat.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/unJ2OwMt5u">pic.twitter.com/unJ2OwMt5u</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977701204927840276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Israel has won all that they can by force of arms. Now, it&#39;s time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of PEACE and PROSPERITY for the entire Middle East.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/dzf2cBIiyG">pic.twitter.com/dzf2cBIiyG</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977702879839257056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change... Like the USA right now, it will be the GOLDEN AGE of Israel and the Golden Age of the Middle East.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/kENG7rR2kZ">pic.twitter.com/kENG7rR2kZ</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977695578336243823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;It should now be clear to everyone throughout the region that decades of fomenting terrorism and extremism, jihadism and anti-Semitism, have not worked... From Gaza to Iran, those bitter hatreds have delivered nothing but misery, suffering, failure, and death.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/HKtypitPn1">pic.twitter.com/HKtypitPn1</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977704241121710511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The choice for Palestinians could not be more clear. This is their chance to turn forever from the path of terror and violence... The total focus of Gazans must be on restoring the fundamentals... so they can finally have the better life their children deserve.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cxpfhYmVZb">pic.twitter.com/cxpfhYmVZb</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977704795679977965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;It&#39;s more obvious than ever that the productive and responsible nations of this region should not be enemies or adversaries, you should be partners — and eventually even friends.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0W7sAddq3Q">pic.twitter.com/0W7sAddq3Q</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977705304805527634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Instead of making weapons and missiles, the wealth of this region should flow to schools and medicine, industry... it could have happened a long time ago, but it was strangled and set back... by the administrations of Barack Obama and then Joe Biden.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mnNYQYoJO3">pic.twitter.com/mnNYQYoJO3</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977706853539647703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> to the Knesset: &quot;The story of fierce Israeli resolve and triumph since October 7th should be proof to the entire world that those who seek to destroy this nation are doomed to bitter failure. The State of Israel is strong — and it will live and thrive forever.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/WESzRo5Zg0">pic.twitter.com/WESzRo5Zg0</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977706960590963074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Over the past two years, I&#39;ve met many of the families of Israelis taken hostage... I have looked into their eyes, and seen the worst nightmares of their suffering. But I have also seen something else—the beautiful LOVE of the people... the love that gives you the… <a href="https://t.co/zhYAVslLwW">pic.twitter.com/zhYAVslLwW</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977708950892982550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;We have built industries together, we have made discoveries together, we have confronted evil together... and perhaps most beautifully of all, we have made PEACE together. And this week, against all odds, we have done the IMPOSSIBLE, and brought our hostages home.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mPMXQP3oJr">pic.twitter.com/mPMXQP3oJr</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977709898247852440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump references the Bible in speech to Israeli lawmakers

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of an ammonia leak Saturday at CVR Energy, 400 North Linden Street in Coffeyille.

At approximately 4 p.m. an ammonia release occurred at the fertilizer facility,&nbsp; according to a statement from Brandee Stephens,&nbsp;Senior Director, Corporate &amp; Governmental Affairs for CVR Partners based in Sugar Land Texas.

Several individuals were transported offsite for evaluation. The Company responded to the incident and and is investigating what occurred.&nbsp; The company on Sunday did not release the number of those transported for evaluation or additional details.

On Saturday night, the city of Coffeyville issue a statement, "The city is aware of the refinery situation. At this time, there are no threats to the public."

Check the Post for additional details expected on Monday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760351340029.png" alt="Google map" />
                        <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of an ammonia leak Saturday at CVR Energy, 400 North Linden Street in Coffeyille.</p><p>At approximately 4 p.m. an ammonia release occurred at the fertilizer facility,&nbsp; according to a statement from Brandee Stephens,&nbsp;Senior Director, Corporate &amp; Governmental Affairs for CVR Partners based in Sugar Land Texas.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid0TobdfrXFjL6qM1SFUGkTvruVF1LYeMr4skpCvyMBCk7dvP2jA3ERmEN32yoWiaTel%26id%3D100064393825253&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="258" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><p>Several individuals were transported offsite for evaluation. The Company responded to the incident and and is investigating what occurred.&nbsp; The company on Sunday did not release the number of those transported for evaluation or additional details.</p><p>On Saturday night, the city of Coffeyville issue a statement, "The city is aware of the refinery situation. At this time, there are no threats to the public."</p><p>Check the Post for additional details expected on Monday.</p>

Several hospitalized after ammonia leak at Kansas nitrogen plant

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s official: There are no more living Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity. <a href="https://t.co/qa1Lh4vhhv">pic.twitter.com/qa1Lh4vhhv</a></p>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1977659327088599298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’ve been waiting for this moment for so, so long. PURE JOY.<br><br>But it won’t be complete until the last hostage is home.<br><br>Credit: Danor Aharon <a href="https://t.co/P9I2Ebni0S">pic.twitter.com/P9I2Ebni0S</a></p>&mdash; Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) <a href="https://twitter.com/bringhomenow/status/1977614940270936376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I want to sincerely thank you” ❤️ <br><br>President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> meets with hostage families and listens to their stories <a href="https://t.co/SNQCpTVUU4">pic.twitter.com/SNQCpTVUU4</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1977668287258595604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Hamas releases remaining living hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 12:30 a.m. Oct. 8, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a tan 1997 Chevrolet 1500 near NW Jay Street and North Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest through Shawnee County and illegal narcotics were located.

Frederick D. Anguish, 54, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and&nbsp;&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759849979752.png" alt="Anguish photo Shawnee County" />
                        <figcaption>Anguish photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.</p><p>Just before 12:30 a.m. Oct. 8, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a tan 1997 Chevrolet 1500 near NW Jay Street and North Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.</p><p> During the investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest through Shawnee County and illegal narcotics were located.</p><p>Frederick D. Anguish, 54, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and&nbsp;&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body.</p>

Passenger in Kansas traffic stop had a warrant for arrest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City woman was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for her leadership role in two cases that resulted in more than $500,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and more than $3,000,000 in stolen Treasury checks, according to the United State's Attorney.

Briauna Adams, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 11 years imprisonment based upon her guilty pleas to wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of government funds relating to a counterfeit check scheme and stolen United States Treasury checks.&nbsp; The defendant also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

According to court documents, Adams rented a townhome in Raymore, Mo., using the name and personal identification information of another person.&nbsp;On July 27, 2024, Adams opened an individual investment account from the Raymore residence.&nbsp; On Aug. 15, 2024, Adams deposited a Treasury check worth $1,445,443.69 in her name to the investment account. Fraud investigators with the investment account company determined the $1,445,443.69 Treasury check was fraudulent and&nbsp;reversed the deposit before suffering a financial&nbsp;loss.

On Nov. 14, 2024, a search warrant was executed on Adam’s rental townhome in Raymore.&nbsp; Approximately 253 stolen Treasury checks were found in the residence.&nbsp; The total value of the checks was approximately $700,000.

Finally, Adams conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf.&nbsp; Adams filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $540,302, which she was ordered to pay back in a restitution judgment.

<p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City woman was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for her leadership role in two cases that resulted in more than $500,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and more than $3,000,000 in stolen Treasury checks, according to the United State's Attorney.</p><p>Briauna Adams, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 11 years imprisonment based upon her guilty pleas to wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of government funds relating to a counterfeit check scheme and stolen United States Treasury checks.&nbsp; The defendant also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).</p><p>According to court documents, Adams rented a townhome in Raymore, Mo., using the name and personal identification information of another person.&nbsp;On July 27, 2024, Adams opened an individual investment account from the Raymore residence.&nbsp; On Aug. 15, 2024, Adams deposited a Treasury check worth $1,445,443.69 in her name to the investment account. Fraud investigators with the investment account company determined the $1,445,443.69 Treasury check was fraudulent and&nbsp;reversed the deposit before suffering a financial&nbsp;loss.</p><p>On Nov. 14, 2024, a search warrant was executed on Adam’s rental townhome in Raymore.&nbsp; Approximately 253 stolen Treasury checks were found in the residence.&nbsp; The total value of the checks was approximately $700,000.</p><p>Finally, Adams conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf.&nbsp; Adams filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $540,302, which she was ordered to pay back in a restitution judgment.</p>

Prison: Kansas City woman for Covid-19 fraud, ID theft

Residents deal with mile-long walks, corner store diets and poorer health as grocers are forced to close unprofitable locations on both sides of the state line

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/thomaswhite/">Thomas White</a>

Phillip Ramsey is a master gardener who’s planting fall produce in one of the community gardens he manages. It’s just two blocks from the Sun Fresh grocery store that operated at 31st Street and Prospect Avenue until it shut down in August.

The retired Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient has lived in the neighborhood for 35 years. He’s seen the area when it was a&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/09/26/kansas-grocery-stores-closure-rural-healthy-foods-initiative/" target="_blank">food desert</a>&nbsp;before and is troubled by the desert’s return.

Ramsey is trying to do his part by growing and giving away more than 1,000 pounds of produce. But he knows that’s only a bandage for a bigger wound. He is worried for his neighbors — often elderly or low-income — who will now have a harder time finding nutritious food.

“I’ve seen an uptick in neighbors needing the service of the community garden,” Ramsey said. “The impact of the store closing is being felt throughout the neighborhood, and we’ll get by because we always get by. But I’m beginning to see resentment set in, and that scares me.”

The Sun Fresh closure is just part of a growing urban food desert and food insecurity problem in the area. Six miles away in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, the Merc Co+op will close at the end of the year, returning that area to food desert status after just five years of operation.

“I live in a food desert if I am not able to get to a full service grocery store easily,” said&nbsp; Kristina Bridges, a research assistant professor in University of Kansas Medical Center’s department of family medicine and community health. Food insecurity is defined as whether “in the past 12 months, have you run out of food before you could get more? If the answer is yes, you have food insecurity.”

Together, the two grocery store closures will hamper thousands of residents in low-income and low-food-access areas that Dina Newman from the Center for Neighborhoods calls “communities of concern.”

Tight profit margins at grocery stores mean that grocers often avoid the risk of investing in these communities of concern. As a result, food desert maps follow disinvestment patterns that resemble historic redlining.

Those living in a food desert or experiencing food insecurity have measurably worse health outcomes including a life expectancy shortened by 2.29 years, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pressroom.cancer.org/releases?item=1237" target="_blank">American Cancer Society researchers</a>. While some like Ramsey work to provide short-term community-level solutions, Bridges says broader long-term approaches are also needed.

With the two local grocery stores closing, new food deserts will emerge.

In the late 1980s, Newman was a single mother without a car. She knows the struggle of navigating a food desert firsthand.

“So if I’m working … I have to plan it out to get to the bus to get over to a store. Then l’m waiting at the bus stop, which is sometimes just a patch of dirt,” Newman said. “Then I have to transfer buses with a full load of groceries. What about my child, are they with me? Am I safe alone after dark? You are juggling all this just trying to get to the grocery store, that’s the challenge.”

She recalled one incident during the winter when an ice storm came while she was shopping. Out of necessity, she put her socks over her shoes in an attempt to get some traction and not fall and spill her groceries.

“This is all your hard-earned money in these groceries, you’ve got to get them home,” she said.

Ramsey says that many people in his neighborhood now have to walk up to a mile or take the bus to get fresh food at places like Aldi or Happy Foods. He says the effort required to get nutritious food means that many with limited means will just turn to more convenient options like corner stores and gas stations.

“I can’t throw a rock without hitting a fried chicken spot,” Ramsey said. “So we’re eating processed food, cheap food that we can get our hands on, because access to fresh healthy food is not an option for us.”

Historic patterns with current consequences

While food deserts and food insecurity touch both urban and&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/09/26/kansas-grocery-stores-closure-rural-healthy-foods-initiative/" target="_blank">rural populations</a>, there is a racial disparity. According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/publications/108905/EIB-269.pdf?v=75617" target="_blank">2024 USDA report,</a>&nbsp;8% of white households face food insecurity while the number is 21% for Black households and 16.9% for Hispanic households nationwide.

Notably, that report is the last USDA survey on food security for the foreseeable future. The Trump administration has labeled the report “<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/09/20/usda-terminates-redundant-food-insecurity-survey" target="_blank">redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous</a>.”If a census tract was redlined as “declining” or “hazardous” in the 1930s Home Owners’ Loan Corp. maps, that translated into a 107% and 149% increase in the likelihood that the same census tract would be a food desert today, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9303837/" target="_blank">2022 study covering 102 U.S. cities</a>.

“It just feels like this is all intentional,” Ramsey said.

Bridges says KU Medical system has been mapping food insecurity among patients since 2017 and sees a strong correlation between rates of Type 2 diabetes, modern food insecurity and historic redlining.

“It’s really no surprise that the bubbles (on the map) overlapped,” said Bridges. “We have big food insecurity bubbles, big Type 2 diabetes bubbles. … They were north, where downtown KCK and the Merc is, and the east side where the Sun Fresh was. …If we pull out our old redlining maps, it’s exactly the same pattern.”

The seemingly structural nature of the problem has led many advocates to use the term “food apartheid” instead of “food desert,” since a desert occurs naturally while food insecurity appears to occur as the result of man-made systems.

“I knew what food apartheid was before food apartheid was a phrase,” Ramsey said. “You go to certain places and the quality of the food is vastly different. … We’re forced to take the scraps and it’s an affront to our personhood.”

The lack of access to nutritious food has hurtful consequences. Chronic diseases like obesity, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes become more common, but so do complications from deficiencies in fiber and good gut bacteria that are primarily found in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bridges says understanding these connections between food deserts, food insecurity and chronic disease is something that even some doctors need education on. She recalls speaking to a practitioner who said they didn’t believe there was a problem with food insecurity because “his patients were all fat.”

“That completely misses the mark,” Bridges said. “Just the long-term chronic stress of being food insecure or living in a food desert releases cortisol in your body that can cause a host of things … including obesity.”

Economic reality of grocery stores closing

Both the Prospect Sun Fresh and the KCK Merc Co+op faced the economic headwinds of operating a grocery store in a historically disinvested neighborhood. While each faced unique issues with their locations, they shared similar challenges.

The Prospect Sun Fresh’s former operator — nonprofit developer Community Builders, which also runs Sun Fresh at 4209 E. 50th Terrace&nbsp; — said they faced a litany of operating challenges at the Prospect location and lost approximately $5 million trying to keep the store open from February 2022 to August 2025.

“We stepped up to fill a void that no one else was going to fill,” said Community Builders CEO Emmet Pearson at an Urban Summit meeting after the Prospect Sun Fresh closed. “The previous operator reached out to us because he tried to get other operators to come forward and no one else would.”

The city had previously invested $17 million to $18 million into shopping center infrastructure at Linwood Boulevard and Prospect Avenue and was the landlord of the Sun Fresh location. Pearson says that meant Community Builders couldn’t fully control the environment around the store due to limitations in their lease. Board of directors member Kiki Curls says that directly hurt business.

“It’s the element that’s outside the store that impacted us doing business,” said Curls at the Urban Summit meeting. “When you have open prostitution, open drug use and drug sales, when you have folks that pull down their pants and defecate in front of the door when people are coming in store, people do not come back.”

Community Builders themselves received $750,000 in direct cash subsidy from the city to help at the Prospect Sun Fresh in May 2025 along with $161,500 in rent relief. Pearson and the board of directors say that was a drop in the bucket compared to their operational challenges.

Security was $5,000 to $6,000 a week with the cost of a single off-duty police officer paid between $60 and $90 an hour. The store had a “persistent sewer smell” for months that they say stemmed from infrastructure issues. Community Builders said these issues combined to drive sales down and customers away, which ultimately led to taking a loss and closing the store.

Across the state line, the Merc Co+op is in its waning days. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, had invested approximately $7 million to bring in the Lawrence-based fresh grocer.

After three years of planning and five years of operation the Merc announced in June that it would close at the end of this year. Merc cited poor financial performance at the downtown KCK location and that operating it further could hurt the long-term viability of the cooperative, which has operated in Lawrence for 50 years.

Contributing to the closure was the failure of promised nearby redevelopment, which was intended to increase population density, median wages and foot traffic in the area, needed to help support the grocer. A $25 million redevelopment of the Reardon Convention Center across the street from the Merc never came to fruition after several extensions. And a nearby $145 million Minnesota Avenue Triangle mixed-use project fell through, with developers citing funding gaps.

Patrick Shabram, a location research consultant with G2G analytics who helps grocers identify viable locations by projecting future sales, says there are many considerations to determining whether a grocery store will succeed. He said the top three indicators that most grocery stores look for are population density per area competitor, income level and the education level of a neighborhood.

As a general rule, Shabram said a grocery store targets $100,000 in sales per square foot in the first year of operation. Notably, the net profit margin for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/food-industry-facts" target="_blank">grocery stores nationwide is just 1.7%</a>&nbsp;according to FMI, a food industry association, which means that even a slight dip in sales could doom a store.

Shabram said the challenge grocers face in opening in an underserved area is balancing the social good of opening a store in an area that needs it while also maintaining profitability.

“I provide the most accurate sales forecast I can so that there can be the proper expectations,” Shabram said. “Then I’m basically saying do what you can to make it work.”

He says that often means looking into grants and incentives to make it through the first couple of lean years while the store establishes itself. He says other ways grocery stores look to improve profitability are pulling in shoppers from neighboring areas or selling higher-margin items like prepared meals or retail. But he says visibility, access, parking lot size, the store’s fit in the neighborhood and size of the store are all major determinants of grocery store success.

“There’s no one answer for every scenario. But a lot of times I’m encouraging people to open smaller stores,” Shabram said. “That might mean it won’t have all the items needed for weekly shopping at the store, but you can provide access to fresh foods that weren’t available at the dollar store.”

Community solutions and addressing root causes

The local governments on both sides of the state line say that they are working to attract grocery stores to replace the recently shuttered locations.

In the meantime, stopgap solutions are being pursued.

Newman — in her capacity as founder of the Kansas City Black Urban Growers — partnered with area urban farmers and the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascitydefender.com/mutual-aid-community-programs/kcs-black-farms-unite-hamer-free-food-program/" target="_blank">Kansas City Defender</a>&nbsp;to create the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article311797218.html" target="_blank">Hamer Free Food Program</a>. They will give out monthly food boxes to residents within one mile of the closed Sun Fresh. The program is in the pilot phase, and 50 household slots were filled in a matter of hours.

Ramsey works with the nonprofit Urban Green Dreams and will continue to manage community gardens as he hopes to give away 2,000 pounds of food this year. He also works to help educate students in nearby classrooms about growing food.

“I’m running into kids who don’t know that potatoes come from the ground or that peaches come from trees,” he said. “They know every flavor of Takis, though.”

Throughout the metro area, nonprofit Kanbe’s Markets place coolers and tiered baskets of fresh produce in independent corner stores on a consignment basis. The idea is to bring fresh produce to where people shop in low-food-access census tracts. Kanbe’s has joined with 50 community partners to place fresh fruits and vegetables in 100 corner stores, including one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kanbesmarkets.org/healthy-corner-stores" target="_blank">five blocks from</a>&nbsp;the soon to close Merc Co+op.

“All these downstream things, just to feed people today, are essential,” Bridges said. “But we also need to be thinking of upstream and long-term solutions.”

Bridges said that the root causes of food deserts and food insecurity are a tangled web of health care, agriculture, education and economic factors. She believes a shift to viewing nutritious food as medicine could bring about a drop in chronic disease. That drop in preventable disease could also save the public and insurers money in the form of reduced insurance premiums, fewer claims and fewer overwhelmed emergency rooms.

“It wouldn’t obviously be a quick fix,” Bridges said. “But if you are going to do things like subsidize a building, but then not also address all the other things creating this poor economic situation like jobs, mental health, transportation access and quality of schools, then of course we’re not going to have an environment where a grocery store would survive.”

She points to some smaller programs that offer medically tailored groceries, ready-to-eat meals or fruit and vegetable vouchers. Bridges does say that getting multiple sectors to cooperate presents a sizable challenge in upscaling programs like those. But it’s a challenge that she says must be taken on to truly address the issue.

“Even though they (local governments) tried to be intentional in supporting the two grocery stores in these areas,” said Bridges, “it takes a bigger commitment from multiple sectors to really reinvest in the neighborhoods that have been divested from to address the root cause.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/10/03/grocery-stores-near-me-food-deserts-redlining-kansas-city/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759841813161.png" alt=" Phillip Ramsey, a master gardener, stands in the Ruby Jeans Community Garden at 29th Street and Wabash Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, where he grows and distributes fresh produce to neighbors (Thomas White/The Beacon)." />
                        <figcaption> Phillip Ramsey, a master gardener, stands in the Ruby Jeans Community Garden at 29th Street and Wabash Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, where he grows and distributes fresh produce to neighbors (Thomas White/The Beacon).</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Residents deal with mile-long walks, corner store diets and poorer health as grocers are forced to close unprofitable locations on both sides of the state line</h2><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/thomaswhite/">Thomas White</a></p><p>Phillip Ramsey is a master gardener who’s planting fall produce in one of the community gardens he manages. It’s just two blocks from the Sun Fresh grocery store that operated at 31st Street and Prospect Avenue until it shut down in August.</p><p>The retired Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient has lived in the neighborhood for 35 years. He’s seen the area when it was a&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/09/26/kansas-grocery-stores-closure-rural-healthy-foods-initiative/" target="_blank">food desert</a>&nbsp;before and is troubled by the desert’s return.</p><p>Ramsey is trying to do his part by growing and giving away more than 1,000 pounds of produce. But he knows that’s only a bandage for a bigger wound. He is worried for his neighbors — often elderly or low-income — who will now have a harder time finding nutritious food.</p><p>“I’ve seen an uptick in neighbors needing the service of the community garden,” Ramsey said. “The impact of the store closing is being felt throughout the neighborhood, and we’ll get by because we always get by. But I’m beginning to see resentment set in, and that scares me.”</p><p>The Sun Fresh closure is just part of a growing urban food desert and food insecurity problem in the area. Six miles away in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, the Merc Co+op will close at the end of the year, returning that area to food desert status after just five years of operation.</p><p>“I live in a food desert if I am not able to get to a full service grocery store easily,” said&nbsp; Kristina Bridges, a research assistant professor in University of Kansas Medical Center’s department of family medicine and community health. Food insecurity is defined as whether “in the past 12 months, have you run out of food before you could get more? If the answer is yes, you have food insecurity.”</p><p>Together, the two grocery store closures will hamper thousands of residents in low-income and low-food-access areas that Dina Newman from the Center for Neighborhoods calls “communities of concern.”</p><p>Tight profit margins at grocery stores mean that grocers often avoid the risk of investing in these communities of concern. As a result, food desert maps follow disinvestment patterns that resemble historic redlining.</p><p>Those living in a food desert or experiencing food insecurity have measurably worse health outcomes including a life expectancy shortened by 2.29 years, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pressroom.cancer.org/releases?item=1237" target="_blank">American Cancer Society researchers</a>. While some like Ramsey work to provide short-term community-level solutions, Bridges says broader long-term approaches are also needed.</p><h2>Logistics of a food desert</h2><p>With the two local grocery stores closing, new food deserts will emerge.</p><p>In the late 1980s, Newman was a single mother without a car. She knows the struggle of navigating a food desert firsthand.</p><p>“So if I’m working … I have to plan it out to get to the bus to get over to a store. Then l’m waiting at the bus stop, which is sometimes just a patch of dirt,” Newman said. “Then I have to transfer buses with a full load of groceries. What about my child, are they with me? Am I safe alone after dark? You are juggling all this just trying to get to the grocery store, that’s the challenge.”</p><p>She recalled one incident during the winter when an ice storm came while she was shopping. Out of necessity, she put her socks over her shoes in an attempt to get some traction and not fall and spill her groceries.</p><p>“This is all your hard-earned money in these groceries, you’ve got to get them home,” she said.</p><p>Ramsey says that many people in his neighborhood now have to walk up to a mile or take the bus to get fresh food at places like Aldi or Happy Foods. He says the effort required to get nutritious food means that many with limited means will just turn to more convenient options like corner stores and gas stations.</p><p>“I can’t throw a rock without hitting a fried chicken spot,” Ramsey said. “So we’re eating processed food, cheap food that we can get our hands on, because access to fresh healthy food is not an option for us.”</p><h2>Historic patterns with current consequences</h2><p>While food deserts and food insecurity touch both urban and&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/09/26/kansas-grocery-stores-closure-rural-healthy-foods-initiative/" target="_blank">rural populations</a>, there is a racial disparity. According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/publications/108905/EIB-269.pdf?v=75617" target="_blank">2024 USDA report,</a>&nbsp;8% of white households face food insecurity while the number is 21% for Black households and 16.9% for Hispanic households nationwide.</p><p>Notably, that report is the last USDA survey on food security for the foreseeable future. The Trump administration has labeled the report “<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/09/20/usda-terminates-redundant-food-insecurity-survey" target="_blank">redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous</a>.”If a census tract was redlined as “declining” or “hazardous” in the 1930s Home Owners’ Loan Corp. maps, that translated into a 107% and 149% increase in the likelihood that the same census tract would be a food desert today, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9303837/" target="_blank">2022 study covering 102 U.S. cities</a>.</p><p>“It just feels like this is all intentional,” Ramsey said.</p><p>Bridges says KU Medical system has been mapping food insecurity among patients since 2017 and sees a strong correlation between rates of Type 2 diabetes, modern food insecurity and historic redlining.</p><p>“It’s really no surprise that the bubbles (on the map) overlapped,” said Bridges. “We have big food insecurity bubbles, big Type 2 diabetes bubbles. … They were north, where downtown KCK and the Merc is, and the east side where the Sun Fresh was. …If we pull out our old redlining maps, it’s exactly the same pattern.”</p><p>The seemingly structural nature of the problem has led many advocates to use the term “food apartheid” instead of “food desert,” since a desert occurs naturally while food insecurity appears to occur as the result of man-made systems.</p><p>“I knew what food apartheid was before food apartheid was a phrase,” Ramsey said. “You go to certain places and the quality of the food is vastly different. … We’re forced to take the scraps and it’s an affront to our personhood.”</p><p>The lack of access to nutritious food has hurtful consequences. Chronic diseases like obesity, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes become more common, but so do complications from deficiencies in fiber and good gut bacteria that are primarily found in fresh fruits and vegetables.</p><p>Bridges says understanding these connections between food deserts, food insecurity and chronic disease is something that even some doctors need education on. She recalls speaking to a practitioner who said they didn’t believe there was a problem with food insecurity because “his patients were all fat.”</p><p>“That completely misses the mark,” Bridges said. “Just the long-term chronic stress of being food insecure or living in a food desert releases cortisol in your body that can cause a host of things … including obesity.”</p><h2>Economic reality of grocery stores closing</h2><p>Both the Prospect Sun Fresh and the KCK Merc Co+op faced the economic headwinds of operating a grocery store in a historically disinvested neighborhood. While each faced unique issues with their locations, they shared similar challenges.</p><p>The Prospect Sun Fresh’s former operator — nonprofit developer Community Builders, which also runs Sun Fresh at 4209 E. 50th Terrace&nbsp; — said they faced a litany of operating challenges at the Prospect location and lost approximately $5 million trying to keep the store open from February 2022 to August 2025.</p><p>“We stepped up to fill a void that no one else was going to fill,” said Community Builders CEO Emmet Pearson at an Urban Summit meeting after the Prospect Sun Fresh closed. “The previous operator reached out to us because he tried to get other operators to come forward and no one else would.”</p><p>The city had previously invested $17 million to $18 million into shopping center infrastructure at Linwood Boulevard and Prospect Avenue and was the landlord of the Sun Fresh location. Pearson says that meant Community Builders couldn’t fully control the environment around the store due to limitations in their lease. Board of directors member Kiki Curls says that directly hurt business.</p><p>“It’s the element that’s outside the store that impacted us doing business,” said Curls at the Urban Summit meeting. “When you have open prostitution, open drug use and drug sales, when you have folks that pull down their pants and defecate in front of the door when people are coming in store, people do not come back.”</p><p>Community Builders themselves received $750,000 in direct cash subsidy from the city to help at the Prospect Sun Fresh in May 2025 along with $161,500 in rent relief. Pearson and the board of directors say that was a drop in the bucket compared to their operational challenges.</p><p>Security was $5,000 to $6,000 a week with the cost of a single off-duty police officer paid between $60 and $90 an hour. The store had a “persistent sewer smell” for months that they say stemmed from infrastructure issues. Community Builders said these issues combined to drive sales down and customers away, which ultimately led to taking a loss and closing the store.</p><p>Across the state line, the Merc Co+op is in its waning days. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, had invested approximately $7 million to bring in the Lawrence-based fresh grocer.</p><p>After three years of planning and five years of operation the Merc announced in June that it would close at the end of this year. Merc cited poor financial performance at the downtown KCK location and that operating it further could hurt the long-term viability of the cooperative, which has operated in Lawrence for 50 years.</p><p>Contributing to the closure was the failure of promised nearby redevelopment, which was intended to increase population density, median wages and foot traffic in the area, needed to help support the grocer. A $25 million redevelopment of the Reardon Convention Center across the street from the Merc never came to fruition after several extensions. And a nearby $145 million Minnesota Avenue Triangle mixed-use project fell through, with developers citing funding gaps.</p><p>Patrick Shabram, a location research consultant with G2G analytics who helps grocers identify viable locations by projecting future sales, says there are many considerations to determining whether a grocery store will succeed. He said the top three indicators that most grocery stores look for are population density per area competitor, income level and the education level of a neighborhood.</p><p>As a general rule, Shabram said a grocery store targets $100,000 in sales per square foot in the first year of operation. Notably, the net profit margin for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fmi.org/our-research/food-industry-facts" target="_blank">grocery stores nationwide is just 1.7%</a>&nbsp;according to FMI, a food industry association, which means that even a slight dip in sales could doom a store.</p><p>Shabram said the challenge grocers face in opening in an underserved area is balancing the social good of opening a store in an area that needs it while also maintaining profitability.</p><p>“I provide the most accurate sales forecast I can so that there can be the proper expectations,” Shabram said. “Then I’m basically saying do what you can to make it work.”</p><p>He says that often means looking into grants and incentives to make it through the first couple of lean years while the store establishes itself. He says other ways grocery stores look to improve profitability are pulling in shoppers from neighboring areas or selling higher-margin items like prepared meals or retail. But he says visibility, access, parking lot size, the store’s fit in the neighborhood and size of the store are all major determinants of grocery store success.</p><p>“There’s no one answer for every scenario. But a lot of times I’m encouraging people to open smaller stores,” Shabram said. “That might mean it won’t have all the items needed for weekly shopping at the store, but you can provide access to fresh foods that weren’t available at the dollar store.”</p><h2>Community solutions and addressing root causes</h2><p>The local governments on both sides of the state line say that they are working to attract grocery stores to replace the recently shuttered locations.</p><p>In the meantime, stopgap solutions are being pursued.</p><p>Newman — in her capacity as founder of the Kansas City Black Urban Growers — partnered with area urban farmers and the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascitydefender.com/mutual-aid-community-programs/kcs-black-farms-unite-hamer-free-food-program/" target="_blank">Kansas City Defender</a>&nbsp;to create the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article311797218.html" target="_blank">Hamer Free Food Program</a>. They will give out monthly food boxes to residents within one mile of the closed Sun Fresh. The program is in the pilot phase, and 50 household slots were filled in a matter of hours.</p><p>Ramsey works with the nonprofit Urban Green Dreams and will continue to manage community gardens as he hopes to give away 2,000 pounds of food this year. He also works to help educate students in nearby classrooms about growing food.</p><p>“I’m running into kids who don’t know that potatoes come from the ground or that peaches come from trees,” he said. “They know every flavor of Takis, though.”</p><p>Throughout the metro area, nonprofit Kanbe’s Markets place coolers and tiered baskets of fresh produce in independent corner stores on a consignment basis. The idea is to bring fresh produce to where people shop in low-food-access census tracts. Kanbe’s has joined with 50 community partners to place fresh fruits and vegetables in 100 corner stores, including one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kanbesmarkets.org/healthy-corner-stores" target="_blank">five blocks from</a>&nbsp;the soon to close Merc Co+op.</p><p>“All these downstream things, just to feed people today, are essential,” Bridges said. “But we also need to be thinking of upstream and long-term solutions.”</p><p>Bridges said that the root causes of food deserts and food insecurity are a tangled web of health care, agriculture, education and economic factors. She believes a shift to viewing nutritious food as medicine could bring about a drop in chronic disease. That drop in preventable disease could also save the public and insurers money in the form of reduced insurance premiums, fewer claims and fewer overwhelmed emergency rooms.</p><p>“It wouldn’t obviously be a quick fix,” Bridges said. “But if you are going to do things like subsidize a building, but then not also address all the other things creating this poor economic situation like jobs, mental health, transportation access and quality of schools, then of course we’re not going to have an environment where a grocery store would survive.”</p><p>She points to some smaller programs that offer medically tailored groceries, ready-to-eat meals or fruit and vegetable vouchers. Bridges does say that getting multiple sectors to cooperate presents a sizable challenge in upscaling programs like those. But it’s a challenge that she says must be taken on to truly address the issue.</p><p>“Even though they (local governments) tried to be intentional in supporting the two grocery stores in these areas,” said Bridges, “it takes a bigger commitment from multiple sectors to really reinvest in the neighborhoods that have been divested from to address the root cause.”</p><p>This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/10/03/grocery-stores-near-me-food-deserts-redlining-kansas-city/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p><figure>
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Kansas City food deserts expand across state line as grocery stores close

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

TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran sounded an alarm that the ongoing federal government shutdown threatened to break the nation’s “fragile” aviation system.

Moran, a Kansas Republican who chairs the Senate’s subcommittee on aviation, space and innovation, made reference to the Jan. 29 crash of a commercial jet from Wichita that collided with a military helicopter in crowded airspace above Washington, D.C.

“Our system is too fragile, and the stakes are too high, for us to continue operating the national aviation system in the manner we are doing so,” Moran said. “We will reach a breaking point, and this could result in the closing of our airspace or portions of it.”

He said he never found value in government shutdowns and urged Senate Democrats to collaborate with Republicans to pass a short-term budget resolution so people could return to their jobs and government work could resume.

The budget impasse prompting closure of nonessential elements of the government reached its 10th day on Friday.

There has been concern that continuation of the political dispute could undermine operation of U.S. airports. Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are considered essential employees and required to work during this period without timely paychecks. The existing national shortage of air traffic controllers, exacerbated by illness of personnel during the shutdown, has been responsible for an increase in flight delays.

“Every day we remain in a shutdown, the air traffic controller shortage gets worse and the strain on the aviation system intensifies,” the senator said in a Senate floor speech. “I hope that this dysfunction we are undergoing … stops before we see dramatic and damaging consequences.”

The U.S. House passed a resolution to keep the government open, but the U.S. Senate hasn’t found the votes to mirror that step.

Moran said failure to “pass a continuing resolution is slowly crushing our aviation system.”

In January, American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air over the Potomac River. The incident near the Reagan National Airport killed 67 people aboard both aircraft, including 64 passengers and crew on the airliner. The jet had departed from Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita.

“We should be doing everything we can to make certain that our air traffic system and the necessary components are in place to make sure that the traveling public has a safe and secure flight when they board a plane in the United States,” he said. “That work is significantly hindered without an open and functioning government.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760271671002.png" alt=" U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Moran, urged Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown that exacerbates the shortage of air traffic controllers. He argued reopening government would reduce the risk that personnel or equipment failures could lead to an aviation disaster. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. Senate’s YouTube channel)" />
                        <figcaption> U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Moran, urged Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown that exacerbates the shortage of air traffic controllers. He argued reopening government would reduce the risk that personnel or equipment failures could lead to an aviation disaster. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. Senate’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran sounded an alarm that the ongoing federal government shutdown threatened to break the nation’s “fragile” aviation system.</p><p>Moran, a Kansas Republican who chairs the Senate’s subcommittee on aviation, space and innovation, made reference to the Jan. 29 crash of a commercial jet from Wichita that collided with a military helicopter in crowded airspace above Washington, D.C.</p><p>“Our system is too fragile, and the stakes are too high, for us to continue operating the national aviation system in the manner we are doing so,” Moran said. “We will reach a breaking point, and this could result in the closing of our airspace or portions of it.”</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759315687610.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>He said he never found value in government shutdowns and urged Senate Democrats to collaborate with Republicans to pass a short-term budget resolution so people could return to their jobs and government work could resume.</p><p>The budget impasse prompting closure of nonessential elements of the government reached its 10th day on Friday.</p><p>There has been concern that continuation of the political dispute could undermine operation of U.S. airports. Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are considered essential employees and required to work during this period without timely paychecks. The existing national shortage of air traffic controllers, exacerbated by illness of personnel during the shutdown, has been responsible for an increase in flight delays.</p><p>“Every day we remain in a shutdown, the air traffic controller shortage gets worse and the strain on the aviation system intensifies,” the senator said in a Senate floor speech. “I hope that this dysfunction we are undergoing … stops before we see dramatic and damaging consequences.”</p><p>The U.S. House passed a resolution to keep the government open, but the U.S. Senate hasn’t found the votes to mirror that step.</p><p>Moran said failure to “pass a continuing resolution is slowly crushing our aviation system.”</p><p>In January, American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air over the Potomac River. The incident near the Reagan National Airport killed 67 people aboard both aircraft, including 64 passengers and crew on the airliner. The jet had departed from Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita.</p><p>“We should be doing everything we can to make certain that our air traffic system and the necessary components are in place to make sure that the traveling public has a safe and secure flight when they board a plane in the United States,” he said. “That work is significantly hindered without an open and functioning government.”</p>

Senator Moran contends government closure ‘slowly crushing our aviation system’

TOPEKA —Law enforcement across the state continue to find drivers traveling far above the posted speed limit.&nbsp;

On Saturday, KHP Trooper Tod shared a photo of a traffic stop with a reminder from a fellow State Trooper, " Trooper Presley would like to remind everybody that for every 10 mph a vehicle travels over 50 mph, the risk of death in a crash doubles."

Speeding is reckless and it puts lives at risk.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760272203671.png" alt="" />
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                    </figure><p>TOPEKA —Law enforcement across the state continue to find drivers traveling far above the posted speed limit.&nbsp;</p><p>On Saturday, KHP Trooper Tod shared a photo of a traffic stop with a reminder from a fellow State Trooper, " Trooper Presley would like to remind everybody that for every 10 mph a vehicle travels over 50 mph, the risk of death in a crash doubles."</p><p>Speeding is reckless and it puts lives at risk.&nbsp;</p>

KHP Trooper with an important reminder about driving too fast

The decision has far-reaching implications affecting the treatment of immigrants suspected of civil immigration violations in six midwestern states, including Missouri

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>

The warrantless arrests of 11 immigrant restaurant workers in Liberty earlier this year violated a 2022 consent decree, a federal judge ruled.

The arrests of the workers at El Potro Mexican Café in February were among the first in the Kansas City area to draw widespread media attention.

The Liberty cases became part of a broader filing, challenging government tactics under the second Trump administration on behalf of 26 immigrant plaintiffs.

The case did not question the government’s right to make arrests on immigration violations. But it questioned whether it had violated the prior consent agreement by making warrantless arrests.

On Oct. 7, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division,&nbsp;<a href="https://immigrantjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/214-Nava-v-DHS-Mem-Opinion_10-07-25.pdf" target="_blank">ruled in favor of the immigrant workers</a>.

Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to lift any conditions on the release of 22 immigrants, including 11 people who had been detained after the Liberty raid.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760192968407.png" alt="Protesters outside of Kansas City’s immigration court (Mary Sanchez/The Beacon)." />
                        <figcaption>Protesters outside of Kansas City’s immigration court (Mary Sanchez/The Beacon).</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>The decision has far-reaching implications affecting the treatment of immigrants suspected of civil immigration violations in six midwestern states, including Missouri</h2><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a></p><p>The warrantless arrests of 11 immigrant restaurant workers in Liberty earlier this year violated a 2022 consent decree, a federal judge ruled.</p><p>The arrests of the workers at El Potro Mexican Café in February were among the first in the Kansas City area to draw widespread media attention.</p><p>The Liberty cases became part of a broader filing, challenging government tactics under the second Trump administration on behalf of 26 immigrant plaintiffs.</p><p>The case did not question the government’s right to make arrests on immigration violations. But it questioned whether it had violated the prior consent agreement by making warrantless arrests.</p><p>On Oct. 7, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division,&nbsp;<a href="https://immigrantjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/214-Nava-v-DHS-Mem-Opinion_10-07-25.pdf" target="_blank">ruled in favor of the immigrant workers</a>.</p><p>Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to lift any conditions on the release of 22 immigrants, including 11 people who had been detained after the Liberty raid.</p><p>The other 11 people were detained in Chicago through warrantless arrests in their neighborhood or vehicles, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://immigrantjustice.org/press-release/federal-judge-extends-consent-decree-prohibiting-ice-from-arresting-people-without-warrants-or-probable-cause/" target="_blank">National Immigrant Justice Center</a>, which helped bring the case.</p><p>The decision has far-reaching implications and is a huge win for due process, said&nbsp;<a href="https://sharma-crawford.com/" target="_blank">Rekha</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://sharma-crawford.com/" target="_blank">Sharma-Crawford</a>, a Kansas City-based immigration attorney representing the Liberty workers.</p><p>The Liberty restaurant workers now are out on bond, an option that has become nearly impossible in recent months for detainees taken into ICE custody.</p><p>“Their deportation cases, at least for the time being, would have to be dismissed because they were all arrested unlawfully,” Sharma-Crawford said.</p><p>In addition to Missouri and Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Kentucky are also under the consent decree, known for the name of one of the original plaintiffs, Margarito Castañon Nava.</p><p><a href="https://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/judge_display.php?LastName=Cummings" target="_blank">Cummings</a>&nbsp;also ordered the Department of Homeland Security to reissue its warrantless arrest policy nationwide and certify that any officers who violated the consent decree were retrained.</p><p>Also, ICE will need to report to the court the names and arrest documents for anyone else who had been arrested without a warrant on immigration violations since June in the Northern District of Illinois, and to continue making similar reports monthly.</p><p>In some of the cases, federal officials were accused of creating warrants after they had already arrested the individuals on the civil violations of being without lawful immigration or citizenship status.</p><p>Cummings also extended the consent decree to Feb. 2, 2026.</p><p>It had been set to expire May 12, 2025, had further violations not been found.</p><p>The date change “corresponds to the number of days between the date that ICE unequivocally ceased its compliance with the Agreement (June 11, 2025) and the date of this Memorandum Opinion and Order to provide plaintiffs with the full three-year term of the Agreement for which they bargained,” according to the judge’s ruling.</p><p>The Department of Homeland Security also was ordered to pay the plaintiffs’ attorney fees.</p><p>The case was brought by the National Immigrant Justice Center and the Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU of Illinois.</p><p>“Today’s decision makes clear that DHS and ICE — like everyone else — must follow the Constitution and the law,” said ACLU of Illinois Deputy Legal Director Michelle Garcia, co-counsel, in a statement.</p><p>“The federal government’s reckless practice of stopping, harassing and detaining people — and then finding a justification for the action must end,” Garcia said. “The Trump administration’s destructive mass deportation scheme is not a reason to toss aside bedrock constitutional principles, disregard federal law or court orders.”</p><p>The ruling comes as the federal government ramps up the presence of immigration agents in Chicago, and President Donald Trump is threatening to send in the National Guard to maintain order in the face of protests in Portland.</p><p>The Department of Homeland Security has not issued a statement yet on the court’s decision.</p><p>The Liberty workers were detained after more than a dozen agents with Homeland Security Investigations entered the restaurant looking for a worker suspected of a child sex crime.</p><p>But communication problems, possibly exacerbated by language barriers, led to the federal agents entering a private office space, despite the lack of a warrant, and collecting employment documents.</p><p>Twelve workers were handcuffed and detained. One of the immigrants was later removed from the U.S.</p><p>The judgment is being noted by local immigrant rights advocates as an example of&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/07/03/immigration-court-kansas-city-deportation-legal-counsel/" target="_blank">strategic legal filings</a>&nbsp;designed to force the government to stay within the law.</p><p>More than 3,000 people in the Kansas City area have been trained in know-your-rights sessions by&nbsp;<a href="https://airrkc.org/" target="_blank">Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation</a>, or AIRR.</p><p>During the training, an emphasis is placed on witnesses filming federal agents during a raid to document that policies and the law are being followed, rather than focusing on the immigrants.</p><p>AIRR also stresses that witnesses refrain from name-calling of federal agents, as such video might be necessary to submit in cases like the one just decided in the Illinois court.</p><p>This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/10/09/ice-arrests-immigrant-workers-liberty/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p>