SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop in Shawnee County.

Just before 3p.m. August 18, a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 white Ford Econoline E150 with a license plate that did not belong on that vehicle and a defective windshield in the 700 block of NE Poplar Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, it was determined that multiple occupants had numerous warrants for their arrest. Illegal narcotics and two firearms, one reported stolen out of Missouri, were also located.

Breanna M. Meade, 30, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included&nbsp;Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Possession of stolen property, Drivers windshield materially obstructed/obscured, Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Driving while license suspended, Vehicles; display plate not assigned

Meade also had four warrants for her arrest, including a felony warrant of Pratt County and a misdemeanor warrant out of the City of Goddard. She is now in custody in Pratt County, accordin gto online jail records.

Patrick J. Arrow, 31, of Topeka, was also arrested and booked into jail on requested charges&nbsp;Distribution of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Distribute/possess with intent drug paraphernalia

Arrow also had a warrant for his arrest out of Geary County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756154030902.png" alt="Arrow photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Arrow photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop in Shawnee County.Just before 3p.m. August 18, a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 white Ford Econoline E150 with a license plate that did not belong on that vehicle and a defective windshield in the 700 block of NE Poplar Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756153951552.png" alt="Meade photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Meade photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the investigation, it was determined that multiple occupants had numerous warrants for their arrest. Illegal narcotics and two firearms, one reported stolen out of Missouri, were also located.Breanna M. Meade, 30, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included&nbsp;Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Possession of stolen property, Drivers windshield materially obstructed/obscured, Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Driving while license suspended, Vehicles; display plate not assignedMeade also had four warrants for her arrest, including a felony warrant of Pratt County and a misdemeanor warrant out of the City of Goddard. She is now in custody in Pratt County, accordin gto online jail records.Patrick J. Arrow, 31, of Topeka, was also arrested and booked into jail on requested charges&nbsp;Distribution of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Distribute/possess with intent drug paraphernaliaArrow also had a warrant for his arrest out of Geary County.

Kan. woman caught with stolen property, illegal drugs

MANHATTAN —Kansas State University is the latest target in a series of swatting incidents nationwide.

Late Monday afternoon Kansas State University was a target of a swatting attack intended to be disruptive to our Manhattan campus, according to a&nbsp; social media report from the university.

Riley County Dispatch received a call on their administrative line of a message stating active violence at Hale Library.

Officers immediately responded and determined the call was a hoax and there was no threat or danger. The building is safe, and the Manhattan campus is under normal operations.

This appears to be similar to other swatting reports happening at universities across the country.

MANHATTAN —Kansas State University is the latest target in a series of swatting incidents nationwide.Late Monday afternoon Kansas State University was a target of a swatting attack intended to be disruptive to our Manhattan campus, according to a&nbsp; social media report from the university.Riley County Dispatch received a call on their administrative line of a message stating active violence at Hale Library.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">UPDATE: All clear&mdash; K-State (@KState) <a href="https://twitter.com/KState/status/1960108087991537790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Officers immediately responded and determined the call was a hoax and there was no threat or danger. The building is safe, and the Manhattan campus is under normal operations.This appears to be similar to other swatting reports happening at universities across the country.

K-State a target of swatting incident

GEARY COUNTY— Law enforcement across the state continue to ticket drivers for traveling far above the posted speed limit.

According to a social media report from Junction City Police, an officer recently issued a ticket to a driver on Grant Avenue who was caught traveling 93 mph in a 35 mph zone - that’s nearly three times the posted limit, resulting in a  $650 ticket. 

"Excessive speeding isn’t just reckless - it’s deadly."

According to the National Safety Council, speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2023, resulting in 11,775 lives lost - that’s over 32 deaths every single day. 

"Here’s why speeding - especially at extreme levels - magnifies danger:• Less reaction time. At higher speeds, drivers have significantly less time to respond to changing road conditions or unexpected hazards.• More severe crashes."

"Crash energy increases exponentially with speed, meaning even a small increase in velocity can result in much more devastating outcomes.The risk doesn’t just rise, it escalates dramatically. Take this as a reminder to slow down and drive safely. Every mile per hour matters."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756157625373.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY— Law enforcement across the state continue to ticket drivers for traveling far above the posted speed limit.According to a social media report from Junction City Police, an officer recently issued a ticket to a driver on Grant Avenue who was caught traveling 93 mph in a 35 mph zone - that’s nearly three times the posted limit, resulting in a $650 ticket. "Excessive speeding isn’t just reckless - it’s deadly."According to the National Safety Council, speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2023, resulting in 11,775 lives lost - that’s over 32 deaths every single day. "Here’s why speeding - especially at extreme levels - magnifies danger:• Less reaction time. At higher speeds, drivers have significantly less time to respond to changing road conditions or unexpected hazards.• More severe crashes." "Crash energy increases exponentially with speed, meaning even a small increase in velocity can result in much more devastating outcomes.The risk doesn’t just rise, it escalates dramatically. Take this as a reminder to slow down and drive safely. Every mile per hour matters."

Police: Expensive ticket for 93mph in a 35 mhp zone in Kansas

GASCONADE COUNTY—A second person has died and a driver is accused of DWI for an accident just after 9p.m. Sunday in Gasconade County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Jeep Liberty driven by&nbsp; 37-year-old Tyler C. Schmidt of Bland, Mo. was southbound on County Road 4th Street just north of County Road Pat.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck three mail boxes, a utility pole and a driveway embankment. The Jeep became airborne, struck the ground and rolled. All the occupants were ejected.

A 17-year-old boy from Bland was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home.

An air ambulance transported a 22-year-old Belle, Mo. man to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis where he later died.

 EMS transported a 26-year-old passenger to Mercy Hospital Washington.&nbsp; The driver was arrested on requested charges of Driving While Intoxicated; death of another and carless and imprudent driving.&nbsp; He was released for treatment at Mercy Hospital Washington.

The driver and passengers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

GASCONADE COUNTY—A second person has died and a driver is accused of DWI for an accident just after 9p.m. Sunday in Gasconade County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Jeep Liberty driven by&nbsp; 37-year-old Tyler C. Schmidt of Bland, Mo. was southbound on County Road 4th Street just north of County Road Pat.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck three mail boxes, a utility pole and a driveway embankment. The Jeep became airborne, struck the ground and rolled. All the occupants were ejected.A 17-year-old boy from Bland was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home.An air ambulance transported a 22-year-old Belle, Mo. man to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis where he later died. EMS transported a 26-year-old passenger to Mercy Hospital Washington.&nbsp; The driver was arrested on requested charges of Driving While Intoxicated; death of another and carless and imprudent driving.&nbsp; He was released for treatment at Mercy Hospital Washington.The driver and passengers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Mo. driver accused of DWI in crash that killed 2 including teen

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man wounded in a Sunday shooting has died.&nbsp; He is the fourth victim in a deadly weekend of violence in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 7p.m. Sunday patrol officers were dispatched to 6th and Park in Kansas City on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Kansas City Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital in critical condition.

Assault Squad detectives and crime scene personnel responded to begin the investigation. Preliminary information indicated there was an interaction between the victim and another individual in the street just prior to the shots being fired.

Just before 10p.m., detectives were notified by hospital staff that the victim died of his injuries. This is now being investigated as a homicide, and homicide detectives have taken over the case.&nbsp;

In addition to the Sunday evening death,&nbsp; One man died in a shooting in 1700 block of East 12th Terrace. Two others died from a shooting that injured three others in the area of 13th and Grand, near the KC Power and Light District.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756140241312.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man wounded in a Sunday shooting has died.&nbsp; He is the fourth victim in a deadly weekend of violence in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 7p.m. Sunday patrol officers were dispatched to 6th and Park in Kansas City on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Kansas City Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital in critical condition.Assault Squad detectives and crime scene personnel responded to begin the investigation. Preliminary information indicated there was an interaction between the victim and another individual in the street just prior to the shots being fired.Just before 10p.m., detectives were notified by hospital staff that the victim died of his injuries. This is now being investigated as a homicide, and homicide detectives have taken over the case.&nbsp;In addition to the Sunday evening death,&nbsp; One man died in a shooting in 1700 block of East 12th Terrace. Two others died from a shooting that injured three others in the area of 13th and Grand, near the KC Power and Light District.

Deadly weekend: Fourth victim dies hours after another KC shooting

Read Cracker Barrel's apology to fans angered at changes

SHAWNEE COUNTY —The Topeka Zoo announced the passing of giraffe, Liz on Sunday. The Giraffe &amp; Friends building was temporarily closed to the public n Sunday. The giraffes still had access to their outdoor yards.

Liz (full name Elizabeth) was born August 21, 2018 at the Topeka Zoo &amp; Conservation Center to parents Hope and Sgt. Peppers. Her namesake was a very generous late supporter, Elizabeth Stratton. 

More than 1300 viewers tuned in to the live YouTube video of the birth, welcoming her into the world.&nbsp; The Zoo is currently gathering more information the cause of her death.

 Liz died Sunday night at approximately 10 pm. The zoo share more information once pending results are in from Liz’s recent exam. We are very appreciative of any mindful comments or letters of support and would love to read any special memories of Liz that supporters want to highlight. Cards for staff can be dropped off in the Zoo's gift shop. Giraffe feedings will resume Sunday, August 31.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756125173918.png" alt="Photo courtesy Topeka Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Topeka Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —The Topeka Zoo announced the passing of giraffe, Liz on Sunday. The Giraffe &amp; Friends building was temporarily closed to the public n Sunday. The giraffes still had access to their outdoor yards.Liz (full name Elizabeth) was born August 21, 2018 at the Topeka Zoo &amp; Conservation Center to parents Hope and Sgt. Peppers. Her namesake was a very generous late supporter, Elizabeth Stratton. More than 1300 viewers tuned in to the live YouTube video of the birth, welcoming her into the world.&nbsp; The Zoo is currently gathering more information the cause of her death. Liz died Sunday night at approximately 10 pm. The zoo share more information once pending results are in from Liz’s recent exam. We are very appreciative of any mindful comments or letters of support and would love to read any special memories of Liz that supporters want to highlight. Cards for staff can be dropped off in the Zoo's gift shop. Giraffe feedings will resume Sunday, August 31.

7-year-old giraffe dies at Kansas zoo

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a Saturday afaternoon homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 39-year-old Victor Austin, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

&nbsp;Just after 4p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of East 12th Terrace in Kansas City on a shots fired call for service.

 While in route the call was upgraded to a shooting. Additional call notes indicated someone had possibly been stabbed, as well. When officers arrived they were directed to an apartment building within the complex. As they entered an apartment they located Austin suffering from unknown bodily trauma.

KCFD EMS responded and pronounced Austin deceased at the scene. Two additional victims were located on scene. A man suffering from a gun shot wound. A boy was suffering from head trauma by unknown means.&nbsp; 

Both transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries. While on scene officers learned a fourth victim was at a local hospital. A private vehicle transported a woman to the hospital for treatment of a stab wound. She was listed in serious condition, according to DiMartino.

This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; Preliminary information revealed a possible altercation between several individuals. Police have not reported an arrest or suspect details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755994669825.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a Saturday afaternoon homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 39-year-old Victor Austin, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.&nbsp;Just after 4p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of East 12th Terrace in Kansas City on a shots fired call for service. While in route the call was upgraded to a shooting. Additional call notes indicated someone had possibly been stabbed, as well. When officers arrived they were directed to an apartment building within the complex. As they entered an apartment they located Austin suffering from unknown bodily trauma.KCFD EMS responded and pronounced Austin deceased at the scene. Two additional victims were located on scene. A man suffering from a gun shot wound. A boy was suffering from head trauma by unknown means.&nbsp; Both transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries. While on scene officers learned a fourth victim was at a local hospital. A private vehicle transported a woman to the hospital for treatment of a stab wound. She was listed in serious condition, according to DiMartino.This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; Preliminary information revealed a possible altercation between several individuals. Police have not reported an arrest or suspect details.

Homicide: Police ID victim in fight at KC apartment

STONE COUNTY, Mo. — A Kansas girl was injured in an accident just before 4p.m Saturday at Table Rock Lake.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an 11-year-old from Olathe jumped off a 2022 Crest Pontoon boat driven by a 28-year-old Overland&nbsp; Park woman near PT 5, South of Branson West. The girl was attempting&nbsp; to help another swimmer. The boat propeller struck the girl.&nbsp;

Air Care transported the girl to Mercy Springfield for treatment of serious injuries. She was wearing a life jacket, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The Patrol released no additional information.

STONE COUNTY, Mo. — A Kansas girl was injured in an accident just before 4p.m Saturday at Table Rock Lake.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an 11-year-old from Olathe jumped off a 2022 Crest Pontoon boat driven by a 28-year-old Overland&nbsp; Park woman near PT 5, South of Branson West. The girl was attempting&nbsp; to help another swimmer. The boat propeller struck the girl.&nbsp;Air Care transported the girl to Mercy Springfield for treatment of serious injuries. She was wearing a life jacket, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The Patrol released no additional information.

11-year-old Kan. girl struck by boat propeller at Lake of the Ozarks

CLOUD COUNTY—One person died in a small plane crash just before 7:30p.m. Sunday in Cloud County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;Rans S-21 Airaile Fixed Wing Single-Engine Aircraft piloted by David A.&nbsp;Kadel, 76, Concordia,&nbsp;took off from Concordia, Kansas airport when a possible mechanical issue occurred. The plane lost altitude and nose dived into the ground.

Kadel was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756116361952.png" alt="Google Map" />
 <figcaption>Google Map</figcaption>
 </figure>CLOUD COUNTY—One person died in a small plane crash just before 7:30p.m. Sunday in Cloud County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;Rans S-21 Airaile Fixed Wing Single-Engine Aircraft piloted by David A.&nbsp;Kadel, 76, Concordia,&nbsp;took off from Concordia, Kansas airport when a possible mechanical issue occurred. The plane lost altitude and nose dived into the ground.Kadel was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.

Kansas man dies after small plane crash

The FBI has established a Seeking Information page regarding Dennis Hernandez, who has been charged in the with multiple child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.

<a href="https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/dennishernandezvictims/">Click here to view the FBI information page</a>

 

Hernandez is a school teacher in the metropolitan Kansas City area and is charged via federal complaint with transportation of child pornography, production and attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/media/1411761/dl?inline">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the charging documents

Hernandez was arrested at his home during the execution of a federal search warrant.  He remains in custody and is scheduled for his initial appearance today before a federal magistrate.

The complaint affidavit alleges that on Aug. 19, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigations received 19 CyberTipline Reports (“Cybertips”) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”).&nbsp; NCMEC made the referral after it received disclosures from Google on August 18th&nbsp;indicating that multiple files of apparent child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to google photos by a particular account that had identifying information consistent with/to Hernandez.&nbsp;The affidavit further alleges that based upon the Cybertips, agents with the FBI sought and obtained a federal search warrant which was executed on the morning of August 20th.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Under federal statutes, transportation of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, production and attempted production of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment, and possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.&nbsp; The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

The FBI is seeking to identify potential victims of Hernandez.&nbsp; If you or your child believes they were a victim of Hernandez, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI. If you are under the age of 18, please have your parent/guardian call on your behalf. Your responses are voluntary. Based on your responses, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information.

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes it investigates. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution, and rights under federal and/or state law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755908167779.png" alt="Hernandez photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Hernandez photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>The FBI has established a Seeking Information page regarding Dennis Hernandez, who has been charged in the with multiple child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.<a href="https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/dennishernandezvictims/">Click here to view the FBI information page</a> 

Hernandez is a school teacher in the metropolitan Kansas City area and is charged via federal complaint with transportation of child pornography, production and attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/media/1411761/dl?inline">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the charging documentsHernandez was arrested at his home during the execution of a federal search warrant. He remains in custody and is scheduled for his initial appearance today before a federal magistrate.The complaint affidavit alleges that on Aug. 19, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigations received 19 CyberTipline Reports (“Cybertips”) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”).&nbsp; NCMEC made the referral after it received disclosures from Google on August 18th&nbsp;indicating that multiple files of apparent child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to google photos by a particular account that had identifying information consistent with/to Hernandez.&nbsp;The affidavit further alleges that based upon the Cybertips, agents with the FBI sought and obtained a federal search warrant which was executed on the morning of August 20th.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under federal statutes, transportation of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, production and attempted production of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment, and possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.&nbsp; The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.The FBI is seeking to identify potential victims of Hernandez.&nbsp; If you or your child believes they were a victim of Hernandez, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI. If you are under the age of 18, please have your parent/guardian call on your behalf. Your responses are voluntary. Based on your responses, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information.The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes it investigates. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution, and rights under federal and/or state law.-----------

FBI seeks victims: Teacher filmed child porn in KC area school

Following the Saturday football game in Ireland, Kansas State QB Avery Johnson's father and brother got into a fight after Wildcats lost to Iowa State.&nbsp; 

On Sunday morning they issued an online apology via On3’s Pete Nakos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756085707531.png" alt="Avery Johnson-image from K-State video" />
 <figcaption>Avery Johnson-image from K-State video</figcaption>
 </figure>Following the Saturday football game in Ireland, Kansas State QB Avery Johnson's father and brother got into a fight after Wildcats lost to Iowa State.&nbsp; <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">O pai (Mark) e irmão (Anthony) do QB Avery Johnson de Kansas State entraram numa briga após a derrota de KSU para Iowa State ontem, em Dublin. Em nota divulgada nas redes sociais, os dois pediram desculpas ao programa e afirmaram que já fizeram as pazes. <a href="https://t.co/idztJnAbjz">pic.twitter.com/idztJnAbjz</a>&mdash; collegefootball.com.br (@collegefootbr) <a href="https://twitter.com/collegefootbr/status/1959648110915072477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On Sunday morning they issued an online apology via On3’s Pete Nakos.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756085381988.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>

Father, brother of K-State QB Avery Johnson apologize for fight 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a mass shooting in Kansas City.

Just after 4a.m. Sunday, emergency crews responded to a report of multiple shootings in the area of 13th and Grand, according to KC Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival crews encountered 5 gunshot victims. One victim was pronounced dead on the scene. First responders located four additional victims all suffering from gunshot wounds. One adult male had critical injuries, a second adult male had serious injuries, a juvenile male had critical injuries, and an adult female had non life threatening injuries, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 KCFD crews transported four to area hospital, according to Battalion Chief Hopkins.

Just after 6:40a.m. Sunday morning, hospital personnel pronounced an additional adult male victim deceased, according to DiMartino.

This is being investigated as a homicide, according to DiMartino.

Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation between multiple individuals that led to shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756039167492.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a mass shooting in Kansas City. Just after 4a.m. Sunday, emergency crews responded to a report of multiple shootings in the area of 13th and Grand, according to KC Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.On arrival crews encountered 5 gunshot victims. One victim was pronounced dead on the scene. First responders located four additional victims all suffering from gunshot wounds. One adult male had critical injuries, a second adult male had serious injuries, a juvenile male had critical injuries, and an adult female had non life threatening injuries, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. KCFD crews transported four to area hospital, according to Battalion Chief Hopkins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756039118276.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 6:40a.m. Sunday morning, hospital personnel pronounced an additional adult male victim deceased, according to DiMartino.This is being investigated as a homicide, according to DiMartino.Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation between multiple individuals that led to shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Law enforcement investigating mass shooting in downtown Kansas City

Nearly 40% of election officials administering the 2024 election weren’t around in 2020.

By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/jshorman/">Jonathan Shorman</a>

Election officials turned over at the highest rate in at least a quarter century during the last presidential election, according to new research from the Bipartisan Policy Center.

An analysis of shifts in election officials published Tuesday found nearly 41% of election officials administering the 2024 election were different than those in 2020. Turnover has accelerated over the past two decades, rising from about 28% in 2004 to 40.9% last year.

The growing percentage of departing election officials comes after years of challenges. They navigated the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as well as harassment and false conspiracy theories surrounding stolen elections that persist today.

The analysis&nbsp;<a href="https://bipartisanpolicy.org/issue-brief/election-official-turnover-rates-through-the-2024-election/" target="_blank">released by the Bipartisan Policy Center</a>, a Washington, D.C.-based group that seeks to foster policy cooperation across party lines, represents an updated version of a report that previously examined turnover from 2004 to 2022. The new research, which extends the data through 2024, shows the turnover rate continued to climb.

The change means that, over time, election officials have less experience. The research found that the share of chief local election officials with six or more years in their role has dropped from 60% in 2006 to 47% in 2024.

But last year, 60% of election officials had previously overseen the administration of a presidential election in their jurisdiction.

“Despite increasing turnover and loss of experience, the majority of chief election officials still have experience running at least one presidential election cycle,” the analysis said. “This is important because presidential elections typically see the highest turnout and are the most visible elections administered.”

The analysis found that over the long term, election official turnover rates have been rising gradually in small jurisdictions, defined as areas with fewer than 100,000 voting-age residents. But large jurisdictions have experienced a more sudden jump in turnover.

Small jurisdictions had a 27% turnover rate in 2004 that had risen to 40% in 2024. But large jurisdictions enjoyed a turnover rate as low as 31% in 2018 before climbing rapidly to nearly 46% last year.

Stateline reporter&nbsp;Jonathan Shorman can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jshorman@stateline.org">jshorman@stateline.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756041439060.png" alt=" Election workers process ballots at the Davis County Administrative Building in Farmington, Utah, during November’s election. Research from the Bipartisan Policy Center shows turnover among election workers reached a new high in 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps/Utah News Dispatch)" />
 <figcaption> Election workers process ballots at the Davis County Administrative Building in Farmington, Utah, during November’s election. Research from the Bipartisan Policy Center shows turnover among election workers reached a new high in 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps/Utah News Dispatch)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Nearly 40% of election officials administering the 2024 election weren’t around in 2020.</h2>By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/jshorman/">Jonathan Shorman</a>Election officials turned over at the highest rate in at least a quarter century during the last presidential election, according to new research from the Bipartisan Policy Center.An analysis of shifts in election officials published Tuesday found nearly 41% of election officials administering the 2024 election were different than those in 2020. Turnover has accelerated over the past two decades, rising from about 28% in 2004 to 40.9% last year.The growing percentage of departing election officials comes after years of challenges. They navigated the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as well as harassment and false conspiracy theories surrounding stolen elections that persist today.The analysis&nbsp;<a href="https://bipartisanpolicy.org/issue-brief/election-official-turnover-rates-through-the-2024-election/" target="_blank">released by the Bipartisan Policy Center</a>, a Washington, D.C.-based group that seeks to foster policy cooperation across party lines, represents an updated version of a report that previously examined turnover from 2004 to 2022. The new research, which extends the data through 2024, shows the turnover rate continued to climb.The change means that, over time, election officials have less experience. The research found that the share of chief local election officials with six or more years in their role has dropped from 60% in 2006 to 47% in 2024.But last year, 60% of election officials had previously overseen the administration of a presidential election in their jurisdiction.“Despite increasing turnover and loss of experience, the majority of chief election officials still have experience running at least one presidential election cycle,” the analysis said. “This is important because presidential elections typically see the highest turnout and are the most visible elections administered.”The analysis found that over the long term, election official turnover rates have been rising gradually in small jurisdictions, defined as areas with fewer than 100,000 voting-age residents. But large jurisdictions have experienced a more sudden jump in turnover.Small jurisdictions had a 27% turnover rate in 2004 that had risen to 40% in 2024. But large jurisdictions enjoyed a turnover rate as low as 31% in 2018 before climbing rapidly to nearly 46% last year.Stateline reporter&nbsp;Jonathan Shorman can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jshorman@stateline.org">jshorman@stateline.org</a>.

Turnover among election officials reaches new high, report finds

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

TOPEKA — An&nbsp;<a href="https://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/bishopletters/a-pastoral-letter-on-immigration/" target="_blank">open letter</a>&nbsp;from Kansas Catholic bishops urges people to approach immigration with compassion, and condemns portrayals of all immigrants as criminals — rhetoric President Donald Trump frequently uses.

“Treating all migrants and refugees as if they were violent criminals is simply unjust. They are human beings made in God’s image,” wrote Archbishop Shawn McKnight, Bishop Carl Kemme, and Bishop Gerald Vincke in the letter.

Both&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-criticizes-trumps-immigration-crackdown-letter-us-bishops-2025-02-11/" target="_blank">Pope Francis</a>, who died in April, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/09/pope-leo-shares-predecessors-concerns-over-us-immigration-policy-brother-says" target="_blank">Pope Leo XIV</a>, the first American pope, have been critical of Trump’s mass deportations and descriptions of immigrants as criminals.

The Kansas Legislature passed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1602/" target="_blank">a resolution</a>&nbsp;in April to encourage Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly — who has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/2025/06/12/kansas-governor-joins-states-opposing-trumps-military-deployment-california/" target="_blank">condemned</a>&nbsp;Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, like his deployment of the&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/newsletter/los-angeles-military-newsom-trump/" target="_blank">National Guard on U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement protests</a>&nbsp;in Los Angeles —&nbsp; to “fully cooperate with the policies of the Trump administration in enforcing federal immigration laws.”

The resolution encourages compassion for immigrants — who are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/03/08/1237103158/immigrants-are-less-likely-to-commit-crimes-than-us-born-americans-studies-find" target="_blank">less likely to commit crimes</a>&nbsp;than U.S.-born Americans — but includes a paragraph that asserts “illegal immigration leads to severe repercussions for our entire state, including threats to public safety and public health via human trafficking, the deadly fentanyl crisis and strains on public resources.”

Some of the legislators who voted yes on the resolution are Catholic, including Republican Rep. David Buehler from Lansing.

Buehler said he found the bishops’ letter, which acknowledges criminals are taking advantage of the country’s broken immigration system, to be incomplete.

“We don’t have anything in the way of policy in the state of Kansas that I think is not kind. I think we all stand for law and order and humane treatment of all people,” Buehler said. “But I think we have to consider all aspects of this issue, and we can’t turn a blind eye to the impact on our schools, to the impact on our health care. There are so many pieces and parts.”

Buehler said he is worried about what he sees as the unintended consequences of immigration, which he believes were exacerbated when President Joe Biden was in office.

“We should have humane treatment for immigration and those who may be here illegally, but we also at the same time should enforce the laws of this country,” Buehler said. “We can do both.”

Throughout their letter, the bishops encouraged Kansans to see immigrants as humans rather than criminals.&nbsp;

“Amid political division and fear, we remind our communities that at the center of every immigration debate are real people: families in our pews, children in our schools, workers in our neighborhoods, and volunteers in our parishes,” the bishops wrote.

Shabina Kavimandan immigrated to Kansas from India in 1998. She said she started volunteering with Overland Park Democratic Sen. Cindy Holscher’s campaign for governor in part because of Holscher’s kindness toward immigrants.

“There are certain members of a party that always say they align with so many religious views, especially when it comes to ‘pro-life’ issues,” Kavimandan said. “I see that they believe in life, and the value of life. And then on the other hand there is such a dismissal of the reasons why people choose to come to this country.”

Kavimandan said she stayed in the United States in part because of her determination and also because of Kansans’ interest in knowing and helping her as a person.

“There were people who sat across from me and asked about Shabina the individual. I see that missing now,” Kavimandan said. “That’s another piece that lawmakers tend to overlook sometimes. Behind all the policies there really are just people and their stories. There’s a Shabina who came to this land with $200 in her pocket, but then there were people who were like ‘We have to make sure that she becomes something in this country.’ ”

All Kansas bishops signed the letter but one — Bishop John Brungardt in Dodge City. Brungardt did not respond to a request for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755984626510.png" alt=" Kansas Interfaith Action members prepare signs for a May 20, 2025, demonstration outside the federal courthouse in Topeka, where they protested CoreCivic and the for-profit detention of immigrants. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Interfaith Action members prepare signs for a May 20, 2025, demonstration outside the federal courthouse in Topeka, where they protested CoreCivic and the for-profit detention of immigrants. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — An&nbsp;<a href="https://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/bishopletters/a-pastoral-letter-on-immigration/" target="_blank">open letter</a>&nbsp;from Kansas Catholic bishops urges people to approach immigration with compassion, and condemns portrayals of all immigrants as criminals — rhetoric President Donald Trump frequently uses.“Treating all migrants and refugees as if they were violent criminals is simply unjust. They are human beings made in God’s image,” wrote Archbishop Shawn McKnight, Bishop Carl Kemme, and Bishop Gerald Vincke in the letter.Both&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-francis-criticizes-trumps-immigration-crackdown-letter-us-bishops-2025-02-11/" target="_blank">Pope Francis</a>, who died in April, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/09/pope-leo-shares-predecessors-concerns-over-us-immigration-policy-brother-says" target="_blank">Pope Leo XIV</a>, the first American pope, have been critical of Trump’s mass deportations and descriptions of immigrants as criminals.The Kansas Legislature passed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1602/" target="_blank">a resolution</a>&nbsp;in April to encourage Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly — who has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/2025/06/12/kansas-governor-joins-states-opposing-trumps-military-deployment-california/" target="_blank">condemned</a>&nbsp;Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, like his deployment of the&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/newsletter/los-angeles-military-newsom-trump/" target="_blank">National Guard on U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement protests</a>&nbsp;in Los Angeles —&nbsp; to “fully cooperate with the policies of the Trump administration in enforcing federal immigration laws.”The resolution encourages compassion for immigrants — who are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/03/08/1237103158/immigrants-are-less-likely-to-commit-crimes-than-us-born-americans-studies-find" target="_blank">less likely to commit crimes</a>&nbsp;than U.S.-born Americans — but includes a paragraph that asserts “illegal immigration leads to severe repercussions for our entire state, including threats to public safety and public health via human trafficking, the deadly fentanyl crisis and strains on public resources.”Some of the legislators who voted yes on the resolution are Catholic, including Republican Rep. David Buehler from Lansing.Buehler said he found the bishops’ letter, which acknowledges criminals are taking advantage of the country’s broken immigration system, to be incomplete.“We don’t have anything in the way of policy in the state of Kansas that I think is not kind. I think we all stand for law and order and humane treatment of all people,” Buehler said. “But I think we have to consider all aspects of this issue, and we can’t turn a blind eye to the impact on our schools, to the impact on our health care. There are so many pieces and parts.”Buehler said he is worried about what he sees as the unintended consequences of immigration, which he believes were exacerbated when President Joe Biden was in office.“We should have humane treatment for immigration and those who may be here illegally, but we also at the same time should enforce the laws of this country,” Buehler said. “We can do both.”Throughout their letter, the bishops encouraged Kansans to see immigrants as humans rather than criminals.&nbsp;“Amid political division and fear, we remind our communities that at the center of every immigration debate are real people: families in our pews, children in our schools, workers in our neighborhoods, and volunteers in our parishes,” the bishops wrote.Shabina Kavimandan immigrated to Kansas from India in 1998. She said she started volunteering with Overland Park Democratic Sen. Cindy Holscher’s campaign for governor in part because of Holscher’s kindness toward immigrants.“There are certain members of a party that always say they align with so many religious views, especially when it comes to ‘pro-life’ issues,” Kavimandan said. “I see that they believe in life, and the value of life. And then on the other hand there is such a dismissal of the reasons why people choose to come to this country.”Kavimandan said she stayed in the United States in part because of her determination and also because of Kansans’ interest in knowing and helping her as a person.“There were people who sat across from me and asked about Shabina the individual. I see that missing now,” Kavimandan said. “That’s another piece that lawmakers tend to overlook sometimes. Behind all the policies there really are just people and their stories. There’s a Shabina who came to this land with $200 in her pocket, but then there were people who were like ‘We have to make sure that she becomes something in this country.’ ”All Kansas bishops signed the letter but one — Bishop John Brungardt in Dodge City. Brungardt did not respond to a request for comment.

Kansas bishops urge compassion for immigrants after legislators urge support for Trump policies

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

&nbsp;Just after 4p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of East 12th Terrace in Kansas City on a shots fired call for service, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 While in route the call was upgraded to a shooting. Additional call notes indicated someone had possibly been stabbed, as well. When officers arrived they were directed to an apartment building within the complex. As they entered an apartment they located a man suffering from unknown bodily trauma.

KCFD EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. Two additional victims were located on scene. A man suffering from a gun shot wound. A boy was suffering from head trauma by unknown means.&nbsp; 

This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody.&nbsp; &nbsp;Preliminary information revealed a possible altercation between several individuals. Detectives and crime scene personnel were on scene canvassing for witnesses, evidence, and surveillance footage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755994697624.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;Just after 4p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of East 12th Terrace in Kansas City on a shots fired call for service, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. While in route the call was upgraded to a shooting. Additional call notes indicated someone had possibly been stabbed, as well. When officers arrived they were directed to an apartment building within the complex. As they entered an apartment they located a man suffering from unknown bodily trauma.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755994669825.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>KCFD EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. Two additional victims were located on scene. A man suffering from a gun shot wound. A boy was suffering from head trauma by unknown means.&nbsp; Both transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries. While on scene officers learned a fourth victim was at a local hospital. A private vehicle transported a woman to the hospital for treatment of a stab wound. She was listed in serious condition, according to DiMartino.This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody.&nbsp; &nbsp;Preliminary information revealed a possible altercation between several individuals. Detectives and crime scene personnel were on scene canvassing for witnesses, evidence, and surveillance footage.

1 dead, 3 injured including a juvenile in fight at KC apartment 

KANSAS CITY—Two Kansas City men face charges for tampering with a witness on social media, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2710/Hernandez-REDACT-COMP">Eduardo V. Hernandez</a>, 22, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2712/Cerritos-FloresAdan---Complaint">Adan G. Cerritos-Flores</a>&nbsp;each face two counts of Tampering with a Witness in a Felony Prosecution.&nbsp; If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2709/Hernandez-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, a series of separate shootings occurred between July 12-13 and on July 16. Shots were fired into multiple occupied residences, some with juveniles inside. No injuries were reported. Last week, Antonio Lopez-Hernandez, Julian Chavarria, and Alexis Vega-Martinez were charged and taken into custody for their roles in the shootings.

Following their arrests, detectives discovered publicly visible posts on social media that were intimidating and threatening in nature toward the victims and witnesses of the shootings. The posts were made from Hernandez and Cerritos-Flores’s social media accounts.&nbsp;

Hernandez is being held on a $50,000 cash bond. Cerritos-Flores is being held on a $10,000 cash bond with CHA.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755869911733.png" alt="Hernandez photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Hernandez photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Two Kansas City men face charges for tampering with a witness on social media, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2710/Hernandez-REDACT-COMP">Eduardo V. Hernandez</a>, 22, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2712/Cerritos-FloresAdan---Complaint">Adan G. Cerritos-Flores</a>&nbsp;each face two counts of Tampering with a Witness in a Felony Prosecution.&nbsp; If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2709/Hernandez-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, a series of separate shootings occurred between July 12-13 and on July 16. Shots were fired into multiple occupied residences, some with juveniles inside. No injuries were reported. Last week, Antonio Lopez-Hernandez, Julian Chavarria, and Alexis Vega-Martinez were charged and taken into custody for their roles in the shootings.Following their arrests, detectives discovered publicly visible posts on social media that were intimidating and threatening in nature toward the victims and witnesses of the shootings. The posts were made from Hernandez and Cerritos-Flores’s social media accounts.&nbsp;Hernandez is being held on a $50,000 cash bond. Cerritos-Flores is being held on a $10,000 cash bond with CHA.&nbsp;

Two accused of witness tampering on social media following KC shootings 

CAMDEN COUNTY —A Kansas City man drowned just after 12:15a.m. Saturday at Lake of the Ozarks.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the 52-year-old was observed falling into the water off a dock at Fan Hollow Cove.&nbsp; He did not resurface. He was pulled from the water at 4:16a.m.&nbsp; and pronounced deceased and transported to Alee Holman-Howe Funeral Home.

He was not wearing a life jacket, according to the Patrol. The Patrol no longer releases names of drowning victims.

CAMDEN COUNTY —A Kansas City man drowned just after 12:15a.m. Saturday at Lake of the Ozarks.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the 52-year-old was observed falling into the water off a dock at Fan Hollow Cove.&nbsp; He did not resurface. He was pulled from the water at 4:16a.m.&nbsp; and pronounced deceased and transported to Alee Holman-Howe Funeral Home.He was not wearing a life jacket, according to the Patrol. The Patrol no longer releases names of drowning victims.

Kansas City man fell off dock, drowns at Lake of the Ozarks

The Trump administration is considering placing marijuana in the same federal classification as codeine, instead of where it currently is alongside heroin

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri has won&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/11/missouris-1-4-billion-cannabis-market-outpaces-states-with-older-programs/">praise</a>&nbsp;for having one of the nation’s most robust cannabis markets.&nbsp;But buzz about the president’s interest in relaxing federal marijuana restrictions is raising questions about the potential impact on that economic success.

Last year in Missouri, a pound of wholesale marijuana sold for about $2,000 on average, according to the nation’s leading wholesale cannabis platform LeafLink. That put Missouri in the company’s top five highest prices.

It’s still profitable to sell a marijuana facility license in Missouri, said Ben Burstein, corporate development manager at LeafLink —&nbsp; a dynamic that is not true in many other states.&nbsp;

“You have tons of licensed operators that put millions of dollars into their businesses over time,” Burstein said of the experience in many other states. “And not only are they not making money, they have to pay to get rid of those licenses and all the closing costs associated with it.”&nbsp;

Experts agree the success is due, at least in part, to Missouri’s limited number of facility licenses.&nbsp;

Capping the number of businesses that can partake in the cannabis industry has drawn pointed criticism that it has encouraged a monopoly in the program and created the appearance of corruption. But the cap also keeps supply and demand in balance, experts say, protecting Missouri from the pitfalls others states are facing.&nbsp;

Oregon-based cannabis economist Beau Whitney says in other states there’s a “massive amount of oversupply” that has made it difficult for marijuana businesses to stay afloat.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/business-issues-benchmarks/cannabis-business-profit-trends/news/15686501/only-27-of-us-cannabis-operators-profitable-in-2024-whitney-economics-reports" target="_blank">survey</a>&nbsp;Whitney Economics released last year found that only 27% of cannabis companies nationwide on average were profitable in the cannabis space. And 73% were either breaking even or losing money.

Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/when-will-president-donald-trump-reclassify-marijuana/" target="_blank">President Donald Trump told reporters</a>&nbsp;he plans to revisit a proposal to reschedule marijuana that started under President Joe Biden, which has been on pause since January. The plan would place marijuana in the same federal classification as codeine, instead of where it currently is alongside heroin.

“We’re looking at it,” said Trump last Monday, noting that he expects to determine whether cannabis will be reclassified in the next few weeks.

So would a push by the president to restart the plan disrupt Missouri’s ecosystem?

The short answer is yes, Whitney said, but it wouldn’t be immediate.&nbsp;

The process to reschedule a drug requires going through multiple drafts of administrative rules, hearings and public comment periods that could take years to accomplish.&nbsp;

“It’s a long process,” Whitney said. “It’s not a snap of the finger.”

It’s currently a federal crime for marijuana to cross over state lines. Would rescheduling open up the borders and allow states to sell to each other, also allowing the oversupply to bottom out Missouri’s prices?

That depends on the details in the federal rules, said St. Louis attorney Eric Walter, who represents a number of cannabis operators and the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association.

But a provision in the Missouri constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2022 legalizing marijuana was designed to control that scenario, Walter said. It states that if federal law is amended to allow interstate commerce, then only licensed cultivators could import marijuana from other states.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“They couldn’t just sell directly to dispensaries or sell directly to consumers,” Walter said. “It would still need to run through the regulated licensees, and the product would be subject to all of our specific requirements, including our testing panel.”

While it could upset Missouri’s economic impact, Walter said the financial impact nationwide would be “massive.”&nbsp;

Rescheduling marijuana means that the substance would be moved from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substance Act to Schedule 3.&nbsp;

“Marijuana has been on 1 since the [act] was created in the early 70s,” he said, “and it never belonged.”

Medical benefits and susceptibility of addiction are taken into account when scheduling, Walter said, and Schedule 1 is for the most addictive substances with no known medical benefits, such as heroin. Cocaine is Schedule 2 because it has some medical benefits, such as numbing properties.&nbsp;

“It would further erode some of the anti-marijuana bias and perceptions, and open the door to banks and financial institutions interacting with industry operators more sensibly,” Walter said.

Rescheduling would also provide tax relief to businesses, he said.

Whitney calculated that this year cannabis businesses will pay about $2.7 billion more in taxes than a normal business would have paid because they can’t write off deductions on their federal taxes.&nbsp;

“They’re paying huge taxes to the federal government, even though it’s federally illegal,” Whitney said.&nbsp;

In Missouri, Burstein estimates the annual impact of rescheduling in terms of taxes to be more than $150 million in additional cash flows to operators, based on current market sales.

While rescheduling would give tax breaks, it may also increase the burden on operators to get certain certifications and occur other expenses in compliance, Whitney said. With so few operators profitable as it is, “not everybody is going to be able to survive,” he said.

The rules will have different impacts in each state. In Oregon, Whitney said all Schedule 3 drugs must be sold at pharmacies, meaning dispensaries could be out of business.&nbsp;

“That tax break doesn’t really help if you’re out of business,” Whitney said. “Rescheduling is maybe not the greatest thing from an economic perspective and for the industry. Even though reform is always welcome, the question then becomes, well, is the reform going to do more harm than good? I just don’t know because the reform is still in concept. It’s not even on paper.”

While President Trump said he’d take a look at it, the timing is unclear. Many Republicans, including the DEA chief Terrance Cole, are opposed to marijuana, he said.

“Operators need to remain disciplined and realize that there’s not going to be change overnight,” he said, “but be flexible enough in their processes to be able to pivot quickly once those changes happen.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692273868300.png" alt="&nbsp;Last week, President Donald Trump told reporters he plans to revisit a proposal to reschedule marijuana that started under President Joe Biden, which has been on pause since January (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Last week, President Donald Trump told reporters he plans to revisit a proposal to reschedule marijuana that started under President Joe Biden, which has been on pause since January (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Trump administration is considering placing marijuana in the same federal classification as codeine, instead of where it currently is alongside heroin</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri has won&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/11/missouris-1-4-billion-cannabis-market-outpaces-states-with-older-programs/">praise</a>&nbsp;for having one of the nation’s most robust cannabis markets.&nbsp;But buzz about the president’s interest in relaxing federal marijuana restrictions is raising questions about the potential impact on that economic success.Last year in Missouri, a pound of wholesale marijuana sold for about $2,000 on average, according to the nation’s leading wholesale cannabis platform LeafLink. That put Missouri in the company’s top five highest prices.It’s still profitable to sell a marijuana facility license in Missouri, said Ben Burstein, corporate development manager at LeafLink —&nbsp; a dynamic that is not true in many other states.&nbsp;“You have tons of licensed operators that put millions of dollars into their businesses over time,” Burstein said of the experience in many other states. “And not only are they not making money, they have to pay to get rid of those licenses and all the closing costs associated with it.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755949969533.png" alt="This guide used data from orders placed on the LeafLink marketplace between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024." />
 <figcaption>This guide used data from orders placed on the LeafLink marketplace between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure>Experts agree the success is due, at least in part, to Missouri’s limited number of facility licenses.&nbsp;Capping the number of businesses that can partake in the cannabis industry has drawn pointed criticism that it has encouraged a monopoly in the program and created the appearance of corruption. But the cap also keeps supply and demand in balance, experts say, protecting Missouri from the pitfalls others states are facing.&nbsp;Oregon-based cannabis economist Beau Whitney says in other states there’s a “massive amount of oversupply” that has made it difficult for marijuana businesses to stay afloat.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/business-issues-benchmarks/cannabis-business-profit-trends/news/15686501/only-27-of-us-cannabis-operators-profitable-in-2024-whitney-economics-reports" target="_blank">survey</a>&nbsp;Whitney Economics released last year found that only 27% of cannabis companies nationwide on average were profitable in the cannabis space. And 73% were either breaking even or losing money.Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/when-will-president-donald-trump-reclassify-marijuana/" target="_blank">President Donald Trump told reporters</a>&nbsp;he plans to revisit a proposal to reschedule marijuana that started under President Joe Biden, which has been on pause since January. The plan would place marijuana in the same federal classification as codeine, instead of where it currently is alongside heroin.“We’re looking at it,” said Trump last Monday, noting that he expects to determine whether cannabis will be reclassified in the next few weeks.So would a push by the president to restart the plan disrupt Missouri’s ecosystem?The short answer is yes, Whitney said, but it wouldn’t be immediate.&nbsp;The process to reschedule a drug requires going through multiple drafts of administrative rules, hearings and public comment periods that could take years to accomplish.&nbsp;“It’s a long process,” Whitney said. “It’s not a snap of the finger.”It’s currently a federal crime for marijuana to cross over state lines. Would rescheduling open up the borders and allow states to sell to each other, also allowing the oversupply to bottom out Missouri’s prices?That depends on the details in the federal rules, said St. Louis attorney Eric Walter, who represents a number of cannabis operators and the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association.But a provision in the Missouri constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2022 legalizing marijuana was designed to control that scenario, Walter said. It states that if federal law is amended to allow interstate commerce, then only licensed cultivators could import marijuana from other states.&nbsp;&nbsp;“They couldn’t just sell directly to dispensaries or sell directly to consumers,” Walter said. “It would still need to run through the regulated licensees, and the product would be subject to all of our specific requirements, including our testing panel.”While it could upset Missouri’s economic impact, Walter said the financial impact nationwide would be “massive.”&nbsp;Rescheduling marijuana means that the substance would be moved from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substance Act to Schedule 3.&nbsp;“Marijuana has been on 1 since the [act] was created in the early 70s,” he said, “and it never belonged.”Medical benefits and susceptibility of addiction are taken into account when scheduling, Walter said, and Schedule 1 is for the most addictive substances with no known medical benefits, such as heroin. Cocaine is Schedule 2 because it has some medical benefits, such as numbing properties.&nbsp;“It would further erode some of the anti-marijuana bias and perceptions, and open the door to banks and financial institutions interacting with industry operators more sensibly,” Walter said.Rescheduling would also provide tax relief to businesses, he said.Whitney calculated that this year cannabis businesses will pay about $2.7 billion more in taxes than a normal business would have paid because they can’t write off deductions on their federal taxes.&nbsp;“They’re paying huge taxes to the federal government, even though it’s federally illegal,” Whitney said.&nbsp;In Missouri, Burstein estimates the annual impact of rescheduling in terms of taxes to be more than $150 million in additional cash flows to operators, based on current market sales.While rescheduling would give tax breaks, it may also increase the burden on operators to get certain certifications and occur other expenses in compliance, Whitney said. With so few operators profitable as it is, “not everybody is going to be able to survive,” he said.The rules will have different impacts in each state. In Oregon, Whitney said all Schedule 3 drugs must be sold at pharmacies, meaning dispensaries could be out of business.&nbsp;“That tax break doesn’t really help if you’re out of business,” Whitney said. “Rescheduling is maybe not the greatest thing from an economic perspective and for the industry. Even though reform is always welcome, the question then becomes, well, is the reform going to do more harm than good? I just don’t know because the reform is still in concept. It’s not even on paper.”While President Trump said he’d take a look at it, the timing is unclear. Many Republicans, including the DEA chief Terrance Cole, are opposed to marijuana, he said.“Operators need to remain disciplined and realize that there’s not going to be change overnight,” he said, “but be flexible enough in their processes to be able to pivot quickly once those changes happen.”

How will Missouri’s cannabis market change if the feds reschedule marijuana? 

WASHINGTON —During a presentation and press conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office on Friday, President Trump held up a photo sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin: "I'm going to sign this for him . That's a man named Vladimir Putin who I believe will be coming to 2026 FIFA World Cup depending on what happens."

WASHINGTON —During a presentation and press conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office on Friday, President Trump held up a photo sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin: "I'm going to sign this for him . That's a man named Vladimir Putin who I believe will be coming to 2026 FIFA World Cup depending on what happens."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump holds up photo sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin: &quot;I&#39;m going to sign this for him ... That&#39;s a man named Vladimir Putin who I believe will be coming (to 2026 FIFA World Cup) depending on what happens.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/K3nGniRbPN">pic.twitter.com/K3nGniRbPN</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1958948441586839821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥President Trump shows off photo sent from Putin

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

TOPEKA — Black Hills Energy Corp. announced it will merge with NorthWestern Energy Group, pending regulatory approval.

Black Hills offers natural gas services in Kansas, primarily in the southwest and south-central part of the state. It is regulated by the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Company leaders said in a joint investor call this week that merger approval is needed in the three states in which both companies currently operate, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota, and possibly in Arkansas.

The all-stock transaction is expected to close in 12 to 15 months.

In the agreement, NorthWestern shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.98 shares of Black Hills for each share of NorthWestern they own at the close of the transaction, a press release said.

Black Hills shareholders will continue to hold the same number of shares of the combined company that they hold of Black Hills immediately before the closing of the transaction, the press release said. Once the merger is completed, Black Hills shareholders will own approximately 56% and NorthWestern shareholders will own approximately 44% of the combined company.

In an investor call, Black Hills CEO Linn Evans said the merger strengthens both companies, which have been operating in the same areas for the past 20 years.

“We’ve talked about potentially combining these two companies, and given the organic growth opportunities we have before us and the impact on customer affordability, the benefits of scale,&nbsp;we would argue, have never been more relevant, and merging our businesses now has never made more sense,” Evans said.

Upon closing, the company will have a new name and trade under a new stock ticker, Evans said. NorthWestern president and CEO Brian Bird will lead the merged company, and Evans said he will retire after the merger concludes.

The company will be headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, where Black Hills headquarters are currently located.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755887917194.png" alt=" In its investors report on a planned merger with NorthWestern Energy, Black Corp. explained the territories the two companies cover. (Black Hills Corp. – NorthWestern Energy merger report)" />
 <figcaption> In its investors report on a planned merger with NorthWestern Energy, Black Corp. explained the territories the two companies cover. (Black Hills Corp. – NorthWestern Energy merger report)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Black Hills Energy Corp. announced it will merge with NorthWestern Energy Group, pending regulatory approval.Black Hills offers natural gas services in Kansas, primarily in the southwest and south-central part of the state. It is regulated by the Kansas Corporation Commission.Company leaders said in a joint investor call this week that merger approval is needed in the three states in which both companies currently operate, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota, and possibly in Arkansas.The all-stock transaction is expected to close in 12 to 15 months.In the agreement, NorthWestern shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.98 shares of Black Hills for each share of NorthWestern they own at the close of the transaction, a press release said.Black Hills shareholders will continue to hold the same number of shares of the combined company that they hold of Black Hills immediately before the closing of the transaction, the press release said. Once the merger is completed, Black Hills shareholders will own approximately 56% and NorthWestern shareholders will own approximately 44% of the combined company.In an investor call, Black Hills CEO Linn Evans said the merger strengthens both companies, which have been operating in the same areas for the past 20 years.“We’ve talked about potentially combining these two companies, and given the organic growth opportunities we have before us and the impact on customer affordability, the benefits of scale,&nbsp;we would argue, have never been more relevant, and merging our businesses now has never made more sense,” Evans said.Upon closing, the company will have a new name and trade under a new stock ticker, Evans said. NorthWestern president and CEO Brian Bird will lead the merged company, and Evans said he will retire after the merger concludes.The company will be headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, where Black Hills headquarters are currently located.

Natural gas, electric companies Black Hills, NorthWestern Energy plan merger

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of an apartment fire in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 10a.m. Friday crews responded to a reported apartment fire located at Truman Road.and Woodland, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. Crews reported heavy fire and smoke from two story vacant structure. Interior operations were initiated using multiple handlines.

Searches of the structure came back all clear. There were no injuries reported at this incident. The KCFD has run multiple fires in this vacant complex over the past several months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755875984440.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of an apartment fire in Kansas City, Missouri.Just before 10a.m. Friday crews responded to a reported apartment fire located at Truman Road.and Woodland, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. Crews reported heavy fire and smoke from two story vacant structure. Interior operations were initiated using multiple handlines.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755875962708.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Searches of the structure came back all clear. There were no injuries reported at this incident. The KCFD has run multiple fires in this vacant complex over the past several months.

Another fire at the same apartment building in Kansas City

In the interest of transparency, the United State's Department of Justice on Friday released the complete transcript and audio of&nbsp; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's interview of&nbsp; Ghislaine  Maxwell.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755895048179.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>In the interest of transparency, the United State's Department of Justice on Friday released the complete transcript and audio of&nbsp; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's interview of&nbsp; Ghislaine Maxwell.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/maxwell-interview">Click here</a>&nbsp;to listen to and or read the transcripts<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704330351229.png" alt="Jeffrey Epstein photo - New York Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Epstein photo - New York Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>