KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City area elementary school teacher has been charged in federal court for child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.

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

Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was charged in a three-count federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. today.&nbsp; Hernandez is charged with transportation of child pornography, production and attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Hernandez was arrested at his home during the execution of a federal search warrant.&nbsp; 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.

The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

A redacted copy of the publicly filed complaint and affidavit is attached.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755865713784.png" alt="The suspect taught at Fairmount Elementary and at North Kansas City Schools Google image" />
 <figcaption>The suspect taught at Fairmount Elementary and at North Kansas City Schools Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City area elementary school teacher has been charged in federal court for child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/media/1411761/dl?inline">Click here to read </a>the charging documentsDennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was charged in a three-count federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. today.&nbsp; Hernandez is charged with transportation of child pornography, production and attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The FBI is seeking to identify potential victims of Hernandez. 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…&mdash; FBI Kansas City (@FBIKansasCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIKansasCity/status/1958638722347319689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hernandez was arrested at his home during the execution of a federal search warrant.&nbsp; He remains in custody and is scheduled for his initial appearance today before a federal magistrate.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755908167779.png" alt="Hernandez photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Hernandez photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>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.The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Dunning. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.A redacted copy of the publicly filed complaint and affidavit is attached.

FBI seeks victims: 1st grade teacher filmed child porn in KC area school  

BARRY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 5p.m. Thursday in Barry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an 81-year-old Monett man exited a 2005 Ford F250 on MO Z three miles east of Monett.&nbsp; The man was behind the pickup when it rolled backward over him.&nbsp; 

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Buchanan Funeral Home.&nbsp; The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

BARRY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 5p.m. Thursday in Barry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an 81-year-old Monett man exited a 2005 Ford F250 on MO Z three miles east of Monett.&nbsp; The man was behind the pickup when it rolled backward over him.&nbsp; The man was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Buchanan Funeral Home.&nbsp; The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man killed when pickup backs over him

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces conducted a successful raid in northern Syria on August 19, killing a senior ISIS member and key financier who planned attacks in Syria and Iraq, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

He had relationships throughout the ISIS network in the region, posing a direct threat to U.S. and Coalition forces and the new Syrian Government.

“We will continue to pursue ISIS terrorists with unwavering determination, throughout the region” said ADM Brad Cooper, Commander, Centcom. “Together with our partners and allies, Centcom remains steadfast in our commitment of ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS and the protection of the U.S. homeland.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755822794859.png" alt="A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducts a combat air patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. John C.B. Ennis)" />
 <figcaption>A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducts a combat air patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. John C.B. Ennis)</figcaption>
 </figure>DAMASCUS —U.S. forces conducted a successful raid in northern Syria on August 19, killing a senior ISIS member and key financier who planned attacks in Syria and Iraq, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.He had relationships throughout the ISIS network in the region, posing a direct threat to U.S. and Coalition forces and the new Syrian Government.“We will continue to pursue ISIS terrorists with unwavering determination, throughout the region” said ADM Brad Cooper, Commander, Centcom. “Together with our partners and allies, Centcom remains steadfast in our commitment of ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS and the protection of the U.S. homeland.”

U.S. forces kill senior ISIS official in Syria

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement arrested four men earlier this month who were seeking to have sex with 14-year-old girls as part of a broader law enforcement operation to combat human trafficking occurring in communities north and east of Kansas City, according to a statement from the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff.

The following suspects have been charged with felony attempted enticement of a child.

- Nicholas M. Meisenhelter, 32, of Shawnee, Kan.

- Simon Gomez-Cruz, 22, of Kansas City, Kan. He also is under investigation by federal authorities for possible immigration law violations.

- Jorge Arguello-Benitez, 48, of Kansas City, Mo.

- Elpidio Lopez-Alonzo, 23, of Kansas City, Mo.

The suspects believed they were corresponding with a 14-year-old girl online, who turned out to be under-cover Clay County Sheriff’s Office detectives. When they attempted to meet the girl in person, deputies arrested them instead.

In the operation on Aug. 7 and 8, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was part of a coalition of Northland law enforcement agencies who combined efforts to fight this crime. The Clay, Clinton, Platte, and Ray County sheriffs and the Kearney Police Department each hosted a proactive counter-trafficking operation in their jurisdiction. They were assisted substantially by the Cameron Police, Richmond Police, Kansas City International Airport Police, Kansas City, Kan., Police, and Riverside Police Departments, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Social Services - State Technical Assistance Team, and Homeland Security Investigations. Technical assistance was provided by the Bourbon County (KS) Sheriff, Butler County (KS) Sheriff, Goodyear (AZ) Police, Greenwood County (KS) Sheriff, Mesa (AZ) Police and Peoria (AZ) Police.

This operation was designed from the beginning to reduce the demand for victimization of victim-survivors of sex trafficking in these communities, connect to and provide critical services and support to these potential victims, and especially deter any suspect attempting to prey upon children who have been enslaved by the commercial sex industry. The total results for this operation were:

- Seven suspects arrested and booked for attempting to buy sex with a child

- Three suspects arrested and booked for attempting to buy sex

- Two suspects arrested for promoting prostitution for recruiting a person to engage in prostitution. One suspect in this case was ultimately booked for kidnapping and sexual assault after excellent work by the investigators revealed additional crimes that were occurring in another jurisdiction. A victim-survivor was recovered and placed into aftercare.

- Eight potential sex trafficking survivors met with local advocates from Value Unconditional and Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery, with technical assistance provided by ICTSOS, a Wichita-based anti-human-trafficking organization. Many of them are now receiving advocacy and aftercare support.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755783980126.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement arrested four men earlier this month who were seeking to have sex with 14-year-old girls as part of a broader law enforcement operation to combat human trafficking occurring in communities north and east of Kansas City, according to a statement from the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff.The following suspects have been charged with felony attempted enticement of a child.- Nicholas M. Meisenhelter, 32, of Shawnee, Kan.- Simon Gomez-Cruz, 22, of Kansas City, Kan. He also is under investigation by federal authorities for possible immigration law violations.- Jorge Arguello-Benitez, 48, of Kansas City, Mo.- Elpidio Lopez-Alonzo, 23, of Kansas City, Mo.The suspects believed they were corresponding with a 14-year-old girl online, who turned out to be under-cover Clay County Sheriff’s Office detectives. When they attempted to meet the girl in person, deputies arrested them instead.In the operation on Aug. 7 and 8, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was part of a coalition of Northland law enforcement agencies who combined efforts to fight this crime. The Clay, Clinton, Platte, and Ray County sheriffs and the Kearney Police Department each hosted a proactive counter-trafficking operation in their jurisdiction. They were assisted substantially by the Cameron Police, Richmond Police, Kansas City International Airport Police, Kansas City, Kan., Police, and Riverside Police Departments, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Social Services - State Technical Assistance Team, and Homeland Security Investigations. Technical assistance was provided by the Bourbon County (KS) Sheriff, Butler County (KS) Sheriff, Goodyear (AZ) Police, Greenwood County (KS) Sheriff, Mesa (AZ) Police and Peoria (AZ) Police.This operation was designed from the beginning to reduce the demand for victimization of victim-survivors of sex trafficking in these communities, connect to and provide critical services and support to these potential victims, and especially deter any suspect attempting to prey upon children who have been enslaved by the commercial sex industry. The total results for this operation were:- Seven suspects arrested and booked for attempting to buy sex with a child- Three suspects arrested and booked for attempting to buy sex- Two suspects arrested for promoting prostitution for recruiting a person to engage in prostitution. One suspect in this case was ultimately booked for kidnapping and sexual assault after excellent work by the investigators revealed additional crimes that were occurring in another jurisdiction. A victim-survivor was recovered and placed into aftercare.- Eight potential sex trafficking survivors met with local advocates from Value Unconditional and Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery, with technical assistance provided by ICTSOS, a Wichita-based anti-human-trafficking organization. Many of them are now receiving advocacy and aftercare support.

Sex sting arrest: Mo. men thought they were meeting 14-year-old

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“You don’t want to slip and fall like somebody else I know” 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/nfEoIsg4Ko">pic.twitter.com/nfEoIsg4Ko</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1958647055464714527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“This is a healthy, attractive looking group” 🤣 President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> thanks federal and local law enforcement helping to Make DC Safe Again 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/GmVdMyNTwR">pic.twitter.com/GmVdMyNTwR</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1958646088971559370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 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">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> personally thanks and shakes hands with federal and local law enforcement helping to Make DC Safe Again! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/c4FRxy4E7f">pic.twitter.com/c4FRxy4E7f</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1958651205309112704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on revitalizing Washington, D.C.: &quot;One of the things that we&#39;re going to be redoing is your parks... we&#39;re going to be regrassing all of your parks... It will look like Augusta. It will look like, more importantly, Trump National Golf Club — that&#39;s even better.&quot; 😂 <a href="https://t.co/4x0mbVrRjM">pic.twitter.com/4x0mbVrRjM</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1958647420557873324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> speaks to the National Guard and law enforcement in D.C.: &quot;I just want to thank everybody very much for being here... We&#39;ve had some incredible results... It&#39;s like a different place. It&#39;s like a different city. It&#39;s the capital — it&#39;s going to be the best in the world.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vXuQ6CK86B">pic.twitter.com/vXuQ6CK86B</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1958646085192122765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥President Trump's field trip to thank police and troops in DC

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

Black SUVs whizzing by were the first hint an immigration raid might be imminent.

A Kansas City man riding his bike along the Trolley Track Trail felt his initial fear confirmed when a Waldo area construction site came into view.

He saw handcuffed laborers, men he assumed to be Latino, being questioned by other men in tactical gear.

“My full intent was to stop and let them know that someone was watching,” said the man, who didn’t want to be&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/editorial-standards/#unnamedsources" target="_blank">publicly identified</a>.

He wasn’t the only one who saw what many assumed was an immigration raid in the heart of Waldo in mid-July.

Others shared their outrage on social media. And the man riding his bike took photos and a video that showed some of the men wore tactical gear marked U.S. Marshals Service.

The construction workers were released when a small crowd of bystanders gathered, some drawn from businesses along Wornall Road. Tensions quickly escalated as bystanders began yelling and cursing. At least one agent who identified himself as a U.S. marshal cursed back, said the man who took photos.

The incident is now part of a growing list being documented by local advocates for immigrant rights. They’re tracking dozens of possible immigration actions, watching for patterns and trying to tamp down unsubstantiated rumors before they spread.

The Waldo incident has not been confirmed as an immigration raid.

So far, only about a dozen incidents in the Kansas City area have been verified as immigration enforcement actions since President Donald Trump took office in late January, according to Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, or&nbsp;<a href="https://airrkc.org/" target="_blank">AIRR</a>.

Many more reported incidents could not be verified, or simply turned out to be someone receiving a ticket for a traffic violation, with no issues involving immigration.

Amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, civil rights advocates nationally and locally are&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/blog/2025/02/06/how-know-your-rights-workshops-are-empowering-immigrants/" target="_blank">emphasizing training</a>&nbsp;for bystanders and a heightened attention to nonviolent protests.

Janet Murguía understands that Latinos and other allies are angry about reports of federal officials arresting people at workplaces, in their homes and even when they go, as directed, to immigration court.

“But that outrage needs to be targeted in the right ways,” said Murguía, the president and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">UnidosUS</a>. “It cannot give more fuel to this administration to … bring in more law enforcement.”

UnidosUS is the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. The group held its&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/08/04/mass-deportation-latino-civil-rights-kansas-city-unidosus/" target="_blank">annual convention</a>&nbsp;in Kansas City Aug. 4-7.

Training in nonviolence while advocating for immigrant rights was a recurring theme during the conference.

The actions of even one rambunctious protester can quickly escalate and incite others. Often unsubstantiated rumors spread quickly via social media.

The Department of Homeland Security reports escalating numbers of attacks on federal immigration agents and other federal partners, which can include the U.S. Marshals Service.

A June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/06/07/dhs-releases-statement-violent-rioters-assaulting-ice-officers-los-angeles-ca-and" target="_blank">DHS release</a>&nbsp;following the outbreak of protests in Los Angeles said there had been a 413% increase in assaults against federal agents from the same time last year. It also said that agents and their families had been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/07/11/anarchists-and-rioters-portland-illegally-dox-ice-officers-and-federal-law" target="_blank">doxed</a>, which has been a reason that the government has given to defend the use of face masks.

The fact that a bystander had a child present during the July arrests of 11 workers at two area El Toro Loco restaurants was also called out in a Homeland Security statement.

“ICE was carrying out a criminal federal search warrant to rescue victims of human trafficking. Extremists and activists, one with their child in tow, tried to interfere with law enforcement by storming the restaurant, calling law enforcement Nazis, and attempting to keep officers from leaving the scene,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin.

“Unfortunately, these types of smears and obstruction to law enforcement operations are becoming more and more common. Our brave ICE law enforcement are facing an 830% increase in assaults against them as they carry out operations.”

Statements by Homeland Security consistently highlight the administration’s goal of targeting violent criminals.

But the government’s own data shows that&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/07/24/fewer-than-half-of-ice-arrests-under-trump-are-convicted-criminals/" target="_blank">less than half of people</a>&nbsp;arrested from late January through late June had been convicted of a crime, according to information gathered by the&nbsp;<a href="https://deportationdata.org/" target="_blank">Deportation Data Project</a>&nbsp;through Freedom of Information Act requests and analysis by news organizations like Stateline.

And among those who do have criminal convictions, for many it was for a less serious issue, like a traffic conviction.

Only 7% had been convicted of a violent crime, according to Stateline.

A person’s immigration status is a civil matter.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://airrkc.org/know-your-rights" target="_blank">training sessions</a>, Kansas City area organizers seek to redirect those who might become agitated when interacting with federal immigration agents or other law enforcement.

If a volunteer demonstrates a fervent desire to fight fascism, or to accuse people of being Nazis, they probably need to reassess before becoming involved.

There’s more at stake with local organizing than what some people who want to lend support as an ally might realize, said immigrant rights advocates and immigration attorneys.

For example, videos taken by bystanders could be useful in legal cases challenging the constitutionality of the tactics being used by federal agents during arrests.

But videos with people screaming slurs at federal agents can be less useful.

Such actions can also undercut the philosophy of nonviolence.

Civil rights struggles require a consistent, long-term strategy to succeed, said Trinidad Raj Molina, an organizer with Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation.

Dramatic actions might feel good in the moment, Molina said, but aren’t a part of strategies designed to bring significant social change.

“Being a silent observer is important,” said Molina.

Murguía is leaning into her friendship with the late&nbsp;<a href="https://civilrightstrail.com/experience/rep-john-lewis/" target="_blank">civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis</a>&nbsp;for guidance.

Through the years, she heard the Georgia congressman speak about nonviolence to groups large and small, often emphasizing lessons he learned over a lifetime fighting for voting rights, desegregation and so much more.

“I remember repeatedly hearing him say that civil disobedience requires courage,” she said. “And that the part of courage that people don’t understand is being brave enough not to respond with violence, and how critically important it is to understand the role of nonviolent civil disobedience and peaceful protests.”

UnidosUS is partnering with other national organizations like the&nbsp;<a href="https://nul.org/" target="_blank">National Urban League</a>&nbsp;to call for more immigrant rights training sessions around such disciplines and to learn from the civil rights legacy of the African American community.

<a href="https://thekingcenter.org/nonviolence365-training/" target="_blank">Martin Luther King Jr.</a>&nbsp;taught that nonviolence is not passive. It focuses on injustice, rather than individuals. It’s a way of life, not a tactic.

People today might not realize how much training was involved in some of the most famous civil rights actions of the 1950s, Murguía said.

Murguía is especially aware that protesters today might be goaded to react, which can then be used as a pretext for a more militarized response by government officials.

Congress recently authorized more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/big-beautiful-bill-immigration-border-security/" target="_blank">$170 billion for increased immigration enforcement</a>, which is more than the combined budgets of all other federal law enforcement agencies, Murguía said.

That point was also underscored by labor rights leader David Huerta, who said it is imperative that people who protest are disciplined and committed to nonviolence and understand how to deescalate situations.

Huerta spoke on a panel during the UnidosUS conference in Kansas City.

“When you do see violence, you have to deescalate it,” he said. “Because it can escalate so quickly.”

Huerta is president of the Service Employees International Union of California and first came to prominence through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justiceforjanitors.org/" target="_blank">Justice for Janitors</a>&nbsp;campaign.

Huerta was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seiu.org/2025/06/statement-seiu-president-april-verrett-on-david-huertas-release-from-federal-custody" target="_blank">recently arrested</a>&nbsp;during immigrant rights protests in Los Angeles, spending three days in jail before being released on bond and charged with conspiracy to impede an officer.

He said it is too easy for government officials to “flip the narrative” on people who protest immigration arrests.

“We can’t let this sense of intimidation keep us from doing what we have to do,” Huerta said. “But we definitely have to be intelligent and smart about it, and we have to be really disciplined and always engaged in nonviolence.”

AIRR doesn’t want to dissuade people from getting&nbsp;<a href="https://airrkc.org/volunteer" target="_blank">involved as allies</a>. It strives to empower immigrants, in particular.

All reported information is helpful, advocates said. For instance, AIRR has noted that more foreign cars are now being used in enforcement actions.

There are also instances of federal agents being seen driving around apartment complexes in Olathe in the early morning hours, and in neighborhoods in the Northeast section of Kansas City.

The assumption is that they might be searching for people to arrest on their way to work.

More than 2,400 people have been trained regionally in know-your-rights sessions. There are also guidelines on what to do if you believe you are witnessing a raid, including how to document it, while staying safe.

Local training sessions are similar to those made available by UnidosUS and other national organizations.

In the case of the Waldo worksite, a wrought iron fence separated the half-dozen people who tried to confront the U.S. Marshals Service.

One woman, who had come from a nearby gym, was very angry, said the man who photographed the incident.

He doesn’t regret his role. But he did worry that he might end up getting arrested as the tensions escalated.

Still, he felt an obligation to speak up as an African American, knowing that his community also had to fight for basic civil rights.

“I just felt like it’s happening right in front of my face now,” he said. “We might have kept those people from getting kidnapped.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/08/20/immigrant-rights-nonviolence-resistance-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/2025/8/1755803884978.png" alt=" Immigrant rights advocates are advising allies to adopt nonviolent resistance in the face of the Trump administration’s escalating mass deportation campaign (Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption> Immigrant rights advocates are advising allies to adopt nonviolent resistance in the face of the Trump administration’s escalating mass deportation campaign (Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>Black SUVs whizzing by were the first hint an immigration raid might be imminent.A Kansas City man riding his bike along the Trolley Track Trail felt his initial fear confirmed when a Waldo area construction site came into view.He saw handcuffed laborers, men he assumed to be Latino, being questioned by other men in tactical gear.“My full intent was to stop and let them know that someone was watching,” said the man, who didn’t want to be&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/editorial-standards/#unnamedsources" target="_blank">publicly identified</a>.He wasn’t the only one who saw what many assumed was an immigration raid in the heart of Waldo in mid-July.Others shared their outrage on social media. And the man riding his bike took photos and a video that showed some of the men wore tactical gear marked U.S. Marshals Service.But was it an immigration raid?The construction workers were released when a small crowd of bystanders gathered, some drawn from businesses along Wornall Road. Tensions quickly escalated as bystanders began yelling and cursing. At least one agent who identified himself as a U.S. marshal cursed back, said the man who took photos.The incident is now part of a growing list being documented by local advocates for immigrant rights. They’re tracking dozens of possible immigration actions, watching for patterns and trying to tamp down unsubstantiated rumors before they spread.The Waldo incident has not been confirmed as an immigration raid.So far, only about a dozen incidents in the Kansas City area have been verified as immigration enforcement actions since President Donald Trump took office in late January, according to Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, or&nbsp;<a href="https://airrkc.org/" target="_blank">AIRR</a>.Many more reported incidents could not be verified, or simply turned out to be someone receiving a ticket for a traffic violation, with no issues involving immigration.<h2>The value of the ‘silent observer’</h2>Amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, civil rights advocates nationally and locally are&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/blog/2025/02/06/how-know-your-rights-workshops-are-empowering-immigrants/" target="_blank">emphasizing training</a>&nbsp;for bystanders and a heightened attention to nonviolent protests.Janet Murguía understands that Latinos and other allies are angry about reports of federal officials arresting people at workplaces, in their homes and even when they go, as directed, to immigration court.“But that outrage needs to be targeted in the right ways,” said Murguía, the president and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">UnidosUS</a>. “It cannot give more fuel to this administration to … bring in more law enforcement.”UnidosUS is the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. The group held its&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/08/04/mass-deportation-latino-civil-rights-kansas-city-unidosus/" target="_blank">annual convention</a>&nbsp;in Kansas City Aug. 4-7.Training in nonviolence while advocating for immigrant rights was a recurring theme during the conference.The actions of even one rambunctious protester can quickly escalate and incite others. Often unsubstantiated rumors spread quickly via social media.The Department of Homeland Security reports escalating numbers of attacks on federal immigration agents and other federal partners, which can include the U.S. Marshals Service.A June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/06/07/dhs-releases-statement-violent-rioters-assaulting-ice-officers-los-angeles-ca-and" target="_blank">DHS release</a>&nbsp;following the outbreak of protests in Los Angeles said there had been a 413% increase in assaults against federal agents from the same time last year. It also said that agents and their families had been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/07/11/anarchists-and-rioters-portland-illegally-dox-ice-officers-and-federal-law" target="_blank">doxed</a>, which has been a reason that the government has given to defend the use of face masks.The fact that a bystander had a child present during the July arrests of 11 workers at two area El Toro Loco restaurants was also called out in a Homeland Security statement.“ICE was carrying out a criminal federal search warrant to rescue victims of human trafficking. Extremists and activists, one with their child in tow, tried to interfere with law enforcement by storming the restaurant, calling law enforcement Nazis, and attempting to keep officers from leaving the scene,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin.“Unfortunately, these types of smears and obstruction to law enforcement operations are becoming more and more common. Our brave ICE law enforcement are facing an 830% increase in assaults against them as they carry out operations.”Statements by Homeland Security consistently highlight the administration’s goal of targeting violent criminals.But the government’s own data shows that&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/07/24/fewer-than-half-of-ice-arrests-under-trump-are-convicted-criminals/" target="_blank">less than half of people</a>&nbsp;arrested from late January through late June had been convicted of a crime, according to information gathered by the&nbsp;<a href="https://deportationdata.org/" target="_blank">Deportation Data Project</a>&nbsp;through Freedom of Information Act requests and analysis by news organizations like Stateline.And among those who do have criminal convictions, for many it was for a less serious issue, like a traffic conviction.Only 7% had been convicted of a violent crime, according to Stateline.A person’s immigration status is a civil matter.In&nbsp;<a href="https://airrkc.org/know-your-rights" target="_blank">training sessions</a>, Kansas City area organizers seek to redirect those who might become agitated when interacting with federal immigration agents or other law enforcement.If a volunteer demonstrates a fervent desire to fight fascism, or to accuse people of being Nazis, they probably need to reassess before becoming involved.There’s more at stake with local organizing than what some people who want to lend support as an ally might realize, said immigrant rights advocates and immigration attorneys.For example, videos taken by bystanders could be useful in legal cases challenging the constitutionality of the tactics being used by federal agents during arrests.But videos with people screaming slurs at federal agents can be less useful.Such actions can also undercut the philosophy of nonviolence.Civil rights struggles require a consistent, long-term strategy to succeed, said Trinidad Raj Molina, an organizer with Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation.Dramatic actions might feel good in the moment, Molina said, but aren’t a part of strategies designed to bring significant social change.“Being a silent observer is important,” said Molina.<h2>Lessons on nonviolence</h2>Murguía is leaning into her friendship with the late&nbsp;<a href="https://civilrightstrail.com/experience/rep-john-lewis/" target="_blank">civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis</a>&nbsp;for guidance.Through the years, she heard the Georgia congressman speak about nonviolence to groups large and small, often emphasizing lessons he learned over a lifetime fighting for voting rights, desegregation and so much more.“I remember repeatedly hearing him say that civil disobedience requires courage,” she said. “And that the part of courage that people don’t understand is being brave enough not to respond with violence, and how critically important it is to understand the role of nonviolent civil disobedience and peaceful protests.”UnidosUS is partnering with other national organizations like the&nbsp;<a href="https://nul.org/" target="_blank">National Urban League</a>&nbsp;to call for more immigrant rights training sessions around such disciplines and to learn from the civil rights legacy of the African American community.<a href="https://thekingcenter.org/nonviolence365-training/" target="_blank">Martin Luther King Jr.</a>&nbsp;taught that nonviolence is not passive. It focuses on injustice, rather than individuals. It’s a way of life, not a tactic.People today might not realize how much training was involved in some of the most famous civil rights actions of the 1950s, Murguía said.Murguía is especially aware that protesters today might be goaded to react, which can then be used as a pretext for a more militarized response by government officials.Congress recently authorized more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/big-beautiful-bill-immigration-border-security/" target="_blank">$170 billion for increased immigration enforcement</a>, which is more than the combined budgets of all other federal law enforcement agencies, Murguía said.That point was also underscored by labor rights leader David Huerta, who said it is imperative that people who protest are disciplined and committed to nonviolence and understand how to deescalate situations.Huerta spoke on a panel during the UnidosUS conference in Kansas City.“When you do see violence, you have to deescalate it,” he said. “Because it can escalate so quickly.”Huerta is president of the Service Employees International Union of California and first came to prominence through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justiceforjanitors.org/" target="_blank">Justice for Janitors</a>&nbsp;campaign.Huerta was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seiu.org/2025/06/statement-seiu-president-april-verrett-on-david-huertas-release-from-federal-custody" target="_blank">recently arrested</a>&nbsp;during immigrant rights protests in Los Angeles, spending three days in jail before being released on bond and charged with conspiracy to impede an officer.He said it is too easy for government officials to “flip the narrative” on people who protest immigration arrests.“We can’t let this sense of intimidation keep us from doing what we have to do,” Huerta said. “But we definitely have to be intelligent and smart about it, and we have to be really disciplined and always engaged in nonviolence.”AIRR doesn’t want to dissuade people from getting&nbsp;<a href="https://airrkc.org/volunteer" target="_blank">involved as allies</a>. It strives to empower immigrants, in particular.All reported information is helpful, advocates said. For instance, AIRR has noted that more foreign cars are now being used in enforcement actions.There are also instances of federal agents being seen driving around apartment complexes in Olathe in the early morning hours, and in neighborhoods in the Northeast section of Kansas City.The assumption is that they might be searching for people to arrest on their way to work.More than 2,400 people have been trained regionally in know-your-rights sessions. There are also guidelines on what to do if you believe you are witnessing a raid, including how to document it, while staying safe.Local training sessions are similar to those made available by UnidosUS and other national organizations.In the case of the Waldo worksite, a wrought iron fence separated the half-dozen people who tried to confront the U.S. Marshals Service.One woman, who had come from a nearby gym, was very angry, said the man who photographed the incident.He doesn’t regret his role. But he did worry that he might end up getting arrested as the tensions escalated.Still, he felt an obligation to speak up as an African American, knowing that his community also had to fight for basic civil rights.“I just felt like it’s happening right in front of my face now,” he said. “We might have kept those people from getting kidnapped.”This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/08/20/immigrant-rights-nonviolence-resistance-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>.

Kansas City’s immigrant rights advocates echo national call for nonviolent resistance

Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/94982d52cefc48babc242fb0e3853a43">James Dobson</a>, founder of Focus on the Family, died on Thursday. He was 89.

His death was confirmed by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.

Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/94982d52cefc48babc242fb0e3853a43">James Dobson</a>, founder of Focus on the Family, died on Thursday. He was 89.His death was confirmed by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">For nearly five decades, his voice championed life, marriage, and the truth of God’s Word. As we grieve, we also give thanks — for his life, his legacy, and the mission that lives on through the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. <a href="https://t.co/TEBn59Fesy">pic.twitter.com/TEBn59Fesy</a>&mdash; Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (@DrJamesDobsonFT) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJamesDobsonFT/status/1958497811453886630?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today we remember a hero of the faith. Our Founder, Dr. James C. Dobson, passed away this morning. Although we&#39;re sorrowful over this loss, we are thankful for his legacy of family ministry that will live on for future generations, and rejoice that he is now in the presence of… <a href="https://t.co/H8sSsXssos">pic.twitter.com/H8sSsXssos</a>&mdash; Focus on the Family (@FocusFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/FocusFamily/status/1958532943464268014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Legendary evangelical  leader Dr. James Dobson dead at 89

State party vice chair Jennifer Bukowsky said map proposals are already circulating and she expects a special session when district lines are decided by national Republicans&nbsp;

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

There’s a new congressional district map for Missouri circulating that was produced in Washington, D.C. But a top Republican said Wednesday that she’s been unable to get a look at it.

Jennifer Bukowsky of Columbia, vice chair of the Republican State Committee, said she expects a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/02/missouri-senate-leader-says-special-session-is-likely-to-redraw-congressional-map/">special session of the Legislature</a>&nbsp;to be called after there is agreement between the Trump White House and the Republican National Committee on how to revise current boundaries.

President Donald Trump and his political advisers are pushing Missouri to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/" target="_blank">join Texas</a>&nbsp;in redrawing districts to favor the GOP. Any proposal is likely to split the 5th District, which is mainly in Kansas City, by adding Republican voters in sufficient numbers to take it away from incumbent U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.

That would give Republicans seven of the state’s eight seats in the U.S. House instead of the current six.

“I’ve tried to get a hold of the map that I’ve heard about,” Bukowsky said. “I guess I’m not important enough to be consulted.”

The push for redistricting in Republican-led states is an effort to shore up the thin Republican majority in Congress. With a 219-212 majority — four seats are vacant, including three previously held by Democrats — Republicans are worried that a small shift in voter sentiment could put them again in the minority.

Redistricting is usually done in the first legislative session after census data is released and the districts remain in place for 10 years.&nbsp;

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gov. Mike Kehoe said the biggest consideration for him is maintaining the Republican majority in Congress.

“Our goal, if we move forward — and there’s no decision to move forward — is to make sure Missouri’s values are reflected in Washington, D.C.,” Kehoe said. “And I’ve said many times that I think our current speaker does a very good job of matching the values of Missourians.”

Republican members of the Missouri House have been told there will be two caucus meetings scheduled to coincide with the annual veto session, which starts Sept. 10, state Rep. Barry Hovis, a Republican from Cape Girardeau said Wednesday in an interview with The Independent.

One meeting, he said, is presumably to discuss whether there are any vetoes the House wants to override. In the other, Hovis expects an in-depth discussion of redistricting.

For Hovis, one consideration on whether to redraw Missouri’s map will be if Democratic states&nbsp; California, Illinois or New York revise their maps in response to the action in Texas. Gerrymandered districts that give one party far more representation than their share of the overall vote can be seen in every state dominated by a single party, he said. Illinois has a district that looks like a snake, he said, while Massachusetts — where Republicans get about the same share of the vote as Democrats in Missouri — has no GOP congressional seats.

Democrats will complain they are being denied representation, Hovis said.

“If they’re going to bring (Texas) up, I’m going to say, well, ‘we’re just doing what you guys taught us to do’,” Hovis said.

Until Kehoe makes the call, Hovis said, the whole discussion is speculation.

“For me to tell you that I know exactly what we’re going to do here, I truly don’t,” he said.

Missouri’s current congressional map was approved by lawmakers in 2022 after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/14/battle-lines-remain-fixed-in-missouri-senate-republican-factional-fights-as-session-ends/">bitter GOP factional dispute</a>&nbsp;that centered on efforts to draw seven Republican-controlled districts. And with Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/07/black-missouri-lawmakers-vow-to-block-missouri-gop-push-for-new-congressional-districts/">promising to filibuster</a>&nbsp;any redistricting bill in the Senate, getting a new map approved will also be difficult.

The biggest challenge for Republicans, Hovis said, will be to draw a map that doesn’t put districts the party currently holds at risk with large numbers of new Democratic votes.&nbsp;

“If we go to the Kansas City model, the one that I saw when we did this several years ago, we’re going to have some districts that could be more purple than red, and we could end up being 5-3, real easy, or worst case scenario, 4-4.”

The people most interested in redistricting, Bukowsky said, are incumbents. They want a map that retains the voters who have come to know their name, while potential opponents want a map that includes voters who share their ideology.

“Whenever they’re doing redistricting,” Bukowsky said, “it’s like the two parties are incumbents and challengers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753559628377.png" alt="Missouri Congressional districts -Missouri Secretary of State’s Office." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Congressional districts -Missouri Secretary of State’s Office.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State party vice chair Jennifer Bukowsky said map proposals are already circulating and she expects a special session when district lines are decided by national Republicans&nbsp;</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>There’s a new congressional district map for Missouri circulating that was produced in Washington, D.C. But a top Republican said Wednesday that she’s been unable to get a look at it.Jennifer Bukowsky of Columbia, vice chair of the Republican State Committee, said she expects a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/02/missouri-senate-leader-says-special-session-is-likely-to-redraw-congressional-map/">special session of the Legislature</a>&nbsp;to be called after there is agreement between the Trump White House and the Republican National Committee on how to revise current boundaries.President Donald Trump and his political advisers are pushing Missouri to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/" target="_blank">join Texas</a>&nbsp;in redrawing districts to favor the GOP. Any proposal is likely to split the 5th District, which is mainly in Kansas City, by adding Republican voters in sufficient numbers to take it away from incumbent U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.That would give Republicans seven of the state’s eight seats in the U.S. House instead of the current six.“I’ve tried to get a hold of the map that I’ve heard about,” Bukowsky said. “I guess I’m not important enough to be consulted.”The push for redistricting in Republican-led states is an effort to shore up the thin Republican majority in Congress. With a 219-212 majority — four seats are vacant, including three previously held by Democrats — Republicans are worried that a small shift in voter sentiment could put them again in the minority.Redistricting is usually done in the first legislative session after census data is released and the districts remain in place for 10 years.&nbsp;Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gov. Mike Kehoe said the biggest consideration for him is maintaining the Republican majority in Congress.“Our goal, if we move forward — and there’s no decision to move forward — is to make sure Missouri’s values are reflected in Washington, D.C.,” Kehoe said. “And I’ve said many times that I think our current speaker does a very good job of matching the values of Missourians.”Republican members of the Missouri House have been told there will be two caucus meetings scheduled to coincide with the annual veto session, which starts Sept. 10, state Rep. Barry Hovis, a Republican from Cape Girardeau said Wednesday in an interview with The Independent.One meeting, he said, is presumably to discuss whether there are any vetoes the House wants to override. In the other, Hovis expects an in-depth discussion of redistricting.For Hovis, one consideration on whether to redraw Missouri’s map will be if Democratic states&nbsp; California, Illinois or New York revise their maps in response to the action in Texas. Gerrymandered districts that give one party far more representation than their share of the overall vote can be seen in every state dominated by a single party, he said. Illinois has a district that looks like a snake, he said, while Massachusetts — where Republicans get about the same share of the vote as Democrats in Missouri — has no GOP congressional seats.Democrats will complain they are being denied representation, Hovis said.“If they’re going to bring (Texas) up, I’m going to say, well, ‘we’re just doing what you guys taught us to do’,” Hovis said.Until Kehoe makes the call, Hovis said, the whole discussion is speculation.“For me to tell you that I know exactly what we’re going to do here, I truly don’t,” he said.Missouri’s current congressional map was approved by lawmakers in 2022 after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/14/battle-lines-remain-fixed-in-missouri-senate-republican-factional-fights-as-session-ends/">bitter GOP factional dispute</a>&nbsp;that centered on efforts to draw seven Republican-controlled districts. And with Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/07/black-missouri-lawmakers-vow-to-block-missouri-gop-push-for-new-congressional-districts/">promising to filibuster</a>&nbsp;any redistricting bill in the Senate, getting a new map approved will also be difficult.The biggest challenge for Republicans, Hovis said, will be to draw a map that doesn’t put districts the party currently holds at risk with large numbers of new Democratic votes.&nbsp;“If we go to the Kansas City model, the one that I saw when we did this several years ago, we’re going to have some districts that could be more purple than red, and we could end up being 5-3, real easy, or worst case scenario, 4-4.”The people most interested in redistricting, Bukowsky said, are incumbents. They want a map that retains the voters who have come to know their name, while potential opponents want a map that includes voters who share their ideology.“Whenever they’re doing redistricting,” Bukowsky said, “it’s like the two parties are incumbents and challengers.”

 Missouri GOP leader says lawmakers will start with a congressional map drawn in D.C.

KANSAS CITY —An adult with a laboratory-confirmed infection of Naegleria fowleri has died, according to a statement from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The patient died on Tuesday in a St. Louis area hospital.

&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/index.html">Naegleria fowleri</a>&nbsp;is a microscopic single-celled free-living ameba that can cause a rare deadly infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as “brain-eating” infection. Typically, fewer than 10 people a year in the United States get PAM.

The ameba is common and naturally present in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers and ponds; however, PAM is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2024, there were 167 reported cases of PAM in the United States.

The source of the patient’s exposure is still under investigation by public health officials. While not confirmed, preliminary information implies the patient may have been water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks days prior to becoming ill. Recreational water users should assume that&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;is present in warm freshwater across the United States; however, infection remains very rare.

&nbsp;No additional suspected cases of PAM are being investigated in Missouri.

Although a rare occurrence, people become infected by&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose from freshwater sources. The&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;ameba then travels up the nose to the brain where it damages the brain tissue. This infection cannot be spread from one person to another, and it cannot be contracted by swallowing contaminated water.

People can take actions to reduce the risk of infection by limiting the amount of water going up the nose. These actions could include:

Those who experience the following symptoms after swimming in any warm body of water should contact their health care provider immediately as the disease progresses rapidly:

Information about recreational water safety in Missouri is available&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/recreationalwater/index.php" target="_blank">on the DHSS website.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755118398929.png" alt="Naegleria fowleri  infects people by traveling up the nose and to the brain (shown here) where it consumes brain tissue. Photo: Dr. James Roberts, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta" />
 <figcaption>Naegleria fowleri  infects people by traveling up the nose and to the brain (shown here) where it consumes brain tissue. Photo: Dr. James Roberts, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —An adult with a laboratory-confirmed infection of Naegleria fowleri has died, according to a statement from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The patient died on Tuesday in a St. Louis area hospital.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/index.html">Naegleria fowleri</a>&nbsp;is a microscopic single-celled free-living ameba that can cause a rare deadly infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as “brain-eating” infection. Typically, fewer than 10 people a year in the United States get PAM.The ameba is common and naturally present in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers and ponds; however, PAM is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2024, there were 167 reported cases of PAM in the United States.The source of the patient’s exposure is still under investigation by public health officials. While not confirmed, preliminary information implies the patient may have been water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks days prior to becoming ill. Recreational water users should assume that&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;is present in warm freshwater across the United States; however, infection remains very rare.&nbsp;No additional suspected cases of PAM are being investigated in Missouri.Although a rare occurrence, people become infected by&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose from freshwater sources. The&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;ameba then travels up the nose to the brain where it damages the brain tissue. This infection cannot be spread from one person to another, and it cannot be contracted by swallowing contaminated water.People can take actions to reduce the risk of infection by limiting the amount of water going up the nose. These actions could include:<ol>
 <li>Hold your nose shut, use nose clips, or keep your head above water when taking part in activities in bodies of warm freshwater, especially if you jump or dive into the water.</li><li>Avoid putting your head under the water in hot springs and other untreated thermal waters.</li><li>Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high-water temperature.</li><li>Avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.&nbsp;Naegleria fowleri&nbsp;amebas are more likely to live in sediment at the bottom of lakes, ponds and rivers.</li>
 </ol>Those who experience the following symptoms after swimming in any warm body of water should contact their health care provider immediately as the disease progresses rapidly:<ol>
 <li>Severe headache.</li><li>Fever.</li><li>Nausea.</li><li>Vomiting.</li><li>Stiff neck.</li><li>Seizures.</li><li>Altered mental status.</li><li>Hallucinations.</li>
 </ol>Information about recreational water safety in Missouri is available&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/recreationalwater/index.php" target="_blank">on the DHSS website.</a>

Victim with ‘brain-eating’ infection linked to Lake of the Ozarks died

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a two accidents involving a carjacking that led to a crash with a KCPD vehicle just after 2:30p.m. Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri.

Police were in pursuit of a Silver BMW 640I that was taken in conjunction with an Armed Robbery/Carjacking, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 The BMW was traveling the wrong way southbound on Askew. Askew is a one way for northbound motorists only. 

The BMW struck an unoccupied gold Buick Enclave which was parked in the 200 block of Askew and the driver continued traveling southbound on Askew without stopping. 

In the area of Anderson and Askew, the BMW entered the controlled intersection, a posted stop sign for northbound motorist,&nbsp; and was struck by a marked police Dodge Durango that was traveling Code-1 (red lights and sirens) westbound on Anderson.

After impact, the BMW continued southbound on Askew, traveling off the roadway to the right and striking a wooden light pole before coming to rest. The driver and sole occupant of the BMW was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit and was uninjured in the collision. 

The restrained officer and sole occupant of the police vehicle received non-life-threatening injuries from the collision and declined medical treatment/transport at the scene.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755770726295.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Fox4Kansas City WDAF" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Fox4Kansas City WDAF</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a two accidents involving a carjacking that led to a crash with a KCPD vehicle just after 2:30p.m. Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri.Police were in pursuit of a Silver BMW 640I that was taken in conjunction with an Armed Robbery/Carjacking, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. The BMW was traveling the wrong way southbound on Askew. Askew is a one way for northbound motorists only. The BMW struck an unoccupied gold Buick Enclave which was parked in the 200 block of Askew and the driver continued traveling southbound on Askew without stopping. In the area of Anderson and Askew, the BMW entered the controlled intersection, a posted stop sign for northbound motorist,&nbsp; and was struck by a marked police Dodge Durango that was traveling Code-1 (red lights and sirens) westbound on Anderson.After impact, the BMW continued southbound on Askew, traveling off the roadway to the right and striking a wooden light pole before coming to rest. The driver and sole occupant of the BMW was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit and was uninjured in the collision. The restrained officer and sole occupant of the police vehicle received non-life-threatening injuries from the collision and declined medical treatment/transport at the scene.&nbsp;

Carjacking suspect arrested after crash into KCPD SUV 

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City area man was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for producing child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

Cecil Pulluaim, 54, Raytown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 35 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Pulluaim to serve supervised release for Life following his incarceration.

Pulluaim pleaded guilty to video recording and possessing images of his sexual abuse of a minor victim.&nbsp; 

According to the plea agreement, Pulluaim admitted to recording himself sexually abusing the minor victim on at least 10 separate dates between April 27, 2023, and June 15, 2023.&nbsp; In connection with their investigation of a report that the defendant had produced child pornography of the minor victim, officers with the Raytown Missouri Police Department located and seized the defendant’s cell phone.&nbsp;

 Pursuant to a search warrant, a forensic analysis of the phone by the United States Secret Service located the videos the defendant had produced of the minor victim, along with several photos the defendant made by taking screen shots of those videos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755727014859.png" alt="Pulluaim photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Pulluaim photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City area man was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for producing child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.Cecil Pulluaim, 54, Raytown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 35 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Pulluaim to serve supervised release for Life following his incarceration.Pulluaim pleaded guilty to video recording and possessing images of his sexual abuse of a minor victim.&nbsp; According to the plea agreement, Pulluaim admitted to recording himself sexually abusing the minor victim on at least 10 separate dates between April 27, 2023, and June 15, 2023.&nbsp; In connection with their investigation of a report that the defendant had produced child pornography of the minor victim, officers with the Raytown Missouri Police Department located and seized the defendant’s cell phone.&nbsp; Pursuant to a search warrant, a forensic analysis of the phone by the United States Secret Service located the videos the defendant had produced of the minor victim, along with several photos the defendant made by taking screen shots of those videos.

KC area man admits producing videos of child pornography

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—One person died and a dozen others were injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Ford Transit van driven by Blake L&nbsp;Franklin, 43, Columbus, Ohio, was eastbound in the right lane of Interstate 70 just west of McFarland Road. The the driver lost control of the vehicle when the rear right tire blew. The van traveled into the center grass median and rolled. Two people were ejected.&nbsp;

Isaiah&nbsp; Adkins, 23, West Jefferson, Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Forensic Medical.

EMS transported Franklin and passenger Eric S. Brown, 23, Columbus, Ohio and Taylor D. Jackson, 30, Groveport, Ohio, to St. Francis in Topeka.&nbsp; 

EMS&nbsp; transported passengers Dominic J.&nbsp;Chavira, 28, Groveport, Ohio; Steven I&nbsp;Galloway, 26, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Tyrence&nbsp;Gibson, 20, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Maleik C. Gore, 28, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Julius M. Hurst, 35, Columbus, Ohio; Roger J.&nbsp;Messer, 38, West Jefferson, Ohio;&nbsp; Temauni D.&nbsp;Moore, 29,&nbsp;Pataskala, Ohio and Victor Parks, 32, Columbus, Ohio to Stormont Vail. EMS transported Jonathan R.&nbsp; Price, 41, Columbus, Ohio, to KU Medical Center. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755718065706.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the crash- photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the crash- photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>WABAUNSEE COUNTY—One person died and a dozen others were injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Wabaunsee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Ford Transit van driven by Blake L&nbsp;Franklin, 43, Columbus, Ohio, was eastbound in the right lane of Interstate 70 just west of McFarland Road. The the driver lost control of the vehicle when the rear right tire blew. The van traveled into the center grass median and rolled. Two people were ejected.&nbsp;Isaiah&nbsp; Adkins, 23, West Jefferson, Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Forensic Medical.EMS transported Franklin and passenger Eric S. Brown, 23, Columbus, Ohio and Taylor D. Jackson, 30, Groveport, Ohio, to St. Francis in Topeka.&nbsp; EMS&nbsp; transported passengers Dominic J.&nbsp;Chavira, 28, Groveport, Ohio; Steven I&nbsp;Galloway, 26, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Tyrence&nbsp;Gibson, 20, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Maleik C. Gore, 28, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Julius M. Hurst, 35, Columbus, Ohio; Roger J.&nbsp;Messer, 38, West Jefferson, Ohio;&nbsp; Temauni D.&nbsp;Moore, 29,&nbsp;Pataskala, Ohio and Victor Parks, 32, Columbus, Ohio to Stormont Vail. EMS transported Jonathan R.&nbsp; Price, 41, Columbus, Ohio, to KU Medical Center. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

One dead, 12 hospitalized after I-70 van rollover crash

ICE facility is part of a multi-pronged state effort to help Trump enforcement expansion

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s version of the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” federal immigration detention center is being created in the roughly 7,500-resident city of McCook, Gov. Jim Pillen confirmed.

His announcement Tuesday was part of a multi-pronged push to support the Trump administration and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s ramped-up approach to deportation.

“We want President Trump to know that Nebraska is supportive and grateful for his ongoing, critical work with Secretary Noem to arrest and deport” migrants who commit crimes, Pillen said in a statement.&nbsp;

He said the assistance Nebraska offered to the Trump administration from the state and its law enforcement agencies was about “keeping Nebraskans and Americans across our country safe.”

Others, including some Nebraska lawmakers, criticized the state’s participation.

State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, whose district includes the food plant where a high-profile immigration raid on June 10 arrested 76 undocumented workers, said she was furious at the prospect of Nebraska becoming a home to a facility modeled after Alligator Alcatraz, the name given by Florida Republicans to an Everglades detention center.&nbsp;

She pledged protests all over the state, adding: “I don’t feel that’s an appropriate way for the immigrants to be treated. I’m pissed.”

State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha said the Governor’s Office had not shared details with him, including the type of funds or labor force numbers involved.&nbsp;Guereca said he saw better uses for the funds, wherever they might originate.

“We need to focus on building a stronger Nebraska for all,” he said. “Instead we’re ripping families apart and wreaking terror and havoc on a hard-working community that just wants to provide a better life for the next generation of Nebraskans.”

State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, said he was privy to a quick briefing on the state’s immigration enforcement efforts. He said he learned the federal government will fully reimburse Nebraska for costs, with reimbursement rates anticipated to exceed the daily costs.

Costs wouldn’t be passed on to Nebraskans, he said, adding that it’s still too early to quantify any potential savings through reduced state spending.

“I’m supportive of the president enforcing the law,” Clements said.&nbsp;

He said he was told the facility was to be used for low- to medium-security risk detainees.&nbsp;

“I was pleased that the McCook people wouldn’t be exposed to a higher level of security than what they currently have,” Clements added.

State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, who represents the McCook area, told the Examiner he was informed about the ICE plans “as soon as the governor knew.”

Murman said the people in his district are “generally in support of what the president is doing,” but said he figures some people “have some concerns.”

“President Trump does move quickly on everything he does. … He’s moving quickly to get his policies in place,” Murman said. “and that includes what he’s doing out here with the facility in McCook.”

A Homeland Security news release labeled the facility the “Cornhusker Clink” and said it would house criminal ICE detainees — “the worst of the worst.”&nbsp;

“This agreement was made possible by the One Big Beautiful Bill,” the statement said. “This law fully funded the 287(g) program and provided funding to secure 80,000 new beds for ICE to utilize when detaining and deporting the worst of the worst.”

It went on to say: “Thanks to Governor Pillen for his partnership …. If you are in America illegally … Avoid arrest and self deport now using the CBP Home App.”

Nebraska’s Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys, in a news conference at the Capitol, said the facility won’t house the “worst of the worst” but would be used for detainees at the “low level and medium.”

Jeffreys said the facility would be the Midwestern hub for ICE. He added that the nearby McCook Ben Nelson Airport could be used for deportations, but the logistics are still being worked out.

A handful of protesters gathered outside of the press conference that included Jeffreys, Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Bryan Waugh and Nebraska National Guard Maj. Gen. Craig Strong.

“It’s incredibly frustrating that no matter how much it looks like people are saying, ‘Stop’ — no one actually in power is doing what needs to be done and stopping it,” said Jaci Vetro, a Lincoln resident.

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., said he views the move as a way to support the local community and keep jobs in McCook. “I support President Trump’s actions to protect our communities and Gov. Pillen’s work to bring DHS investment to Nebraska,” Ricketts said in a statement.

The Homeland Security statement said that the Nebraska facility marks the third state partnership to expand ICE detention space “following Alligator Alcatraz and Speedway Slammer.”

Speedway Slammer is their nickname for ICE’s new facility in Bunker Hill, Indiana, referencing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is about 75 miles away.&nbsp;

In addition to the McCook center, Pillen announced two other state-federal partnerships with Homeland Security.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For one, the Nebraska National Guard will provide about 20 soldiers to help Nebraska-based ICE agents carry out enforcement duties. Training is to begin within the next week.

Also at Pillen’s direction, the Nebraska State Patrol announced it would sign a 287(g) agreement that empowers state troopers to help ICE arrest migrants in the country without authorization who break the law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755655048611.png" alt=" The McCook Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services)" />
 <figcaption> The McCook Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>ICE facility is part of a multi-pronged state effort to help Trump enforcement expansion</h2>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s version of the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” federal immigration detention center is being created in the roughly 7,500-resident city of McCook, Gov. Jim Pillen confirmed.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">COMING SOON: THE CORNHUSKER CLINK 🌽 <a href="https://t.co/jGrZS8opsW">https://t.co/jGrZS8opsW</a> <a href="https://t.co/W75pCHipHm">pic.twitter.com/W75pCHipHm</a>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1957931320044138759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>His announcement Tuesday was part of a multi-pronged push to support the Trump administration and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s ramped-up approach to deportation.“We want President Trump to know that Nebraska is supportive and grateful for his ongoing, critical work with Secretary Noem to arrest and deport” migrants who commit crimes, Pillen said in a statement.&nbsp;<h2>Sparks criticism</h2>He said the assistance Nebraska offered to the Trump administration from the state and its law enforcement agencies was about “keeping Nebraskans and Americans across our country safe.”Others, including some Nebraska lawmakers, criticized the state’s participation.State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, whose district includes the food plant where a high-profile immigration raid on June 10 arrested 76 undocumented workers, said she was furious at the prospect of Nebraska becoming a home to a facility modeled after Alligator Alcatraz, the name given by Florida Republicans to an Everglades detention center.&nbsp;She pledged protests all over the state, adding: “I don’t feel that’s an appropriate way for the immigrants to be treated. I’m pissed.”State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha said the Governor’s Office had not shared details with him, including the type of funds or labor force numbers involved.&nbsp;Guereca said he saw better uses for the funds, wherever they might originate.“We need to focus on building a stronger Nebraska for all,” he said. “Instead we’re ripping families apart and wreaking terror and havoc on a hard-working community that just wants to provide a better life for the next generation of Nebraskans.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755655006412.png" alt="Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations announced a pair of arrests in Omaha they say involved MS-13 gang members. (Courtesy of ICE)" />
 <figcaption>Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations announced a pair of arrests in Omaha they say involved MS-13 gang members. (Courtesy of ICE)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>No state expense&nbsp;</h2>State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, said he was privy to a quick briefing on the state’s immigration enforcement efforts. He said he learned the federal government will fully reimburse Nebraska for costs, with reimbursement rates anticipated to exceed the daily costs.Costs wouldn’t be passed on to Nebraskans, he said, adding that it’s still too early to quantify any potential savings through reduced state spending.“I’m supportive of the president enforcing the law,” Clements said.&nbsp;He said he was told the facility was to be used for low- to medium-security risk detainees.&nbsp;“I was pleased that the McCook people wouldn’t be exposed to a higher level of security than what they currently have,” Clements added.State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, who represents the McCook area, told the Examiner he was informed about the ICE plans “as soon as the governor knew.”Murman said the people in his district are “generally in support of what the president is doing,” but said he figures some people “have some concerns.”“President Trump does move quickly on everything he does. … He’s moving quickly to get his policies in place,” Murman said. “and that includes what he’s doing out here with the facility in McCook.”A Homeland Security news release labeled the facility the “Cornhusker Clink” and said it would house criminal ICE detainees — “the worst of the worst.”&nbsp;“This agreement was made possible by the One Big Beautiful Bill,” the statement said. “This law fully funded the 287(g) program and provided funding to secure 80,000 new beds for ICE to utilize when detaining and deporting the worst of the worst.”It went on to say: “Thanks to Governor Pillen for his partnership …. If you are in America illegally … Avoid arrest and self deport now using the CBP Home App.”<h2>Midwestern hub for ICE</h2>Nebraska’s Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys, in a news conference at the Capitol, said the facility won’t house the “worst of the worst” but would be used for detainees at the “low level and medium.”Jeffreys said the facility would be the Midwestern hub for ICE. He added that the nearby McCook Ben Nelson Airport could be used for deportations, but the logistics are still being worked out.A handful of protesters gathered outside of the press conference that included Jeffreys, Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Bryan Waugh and Nebraska National Guard Maj. Gen. Craig Strong.“It’s incredibly frustrating that no matter how much it looks like people are saying, ‘Stop’ — no one actually in power is doing what needs to be done and stopping it,” said Jaci Vetro, a Lincoln resident.Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., said he views the move as a way to support the local community and keep jobs in McCook. “I support President Trump’s actions to protect our communities and Gov. Pillen’s work to bring DHS investment to Nebraska,” Ricketts said in a statement.The Homeland Security statement said that the Nebraska facility marks the third state partnership to expand ICE detention space “following Alligator Alcatraz and Speedway Slammer.”Speedway Slammer is their nickname for ICE’s new facility in Bunker Hill, Indiana, referencing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is about 75 miles away.&nbsp;<h2>More partnerships</h2>In addition to the McCook center, Pillen announced two other state-federal partnerships with Homeland Security.&nbsp;&nbsp;For one, the Nebraska National Guard will provide about 20 soldiers to help Nebraska-based ICE agents carry out enforcement duties. Training is to begin within the next week.Also at Pillen’s direction, the Nebraska State Patrol announced it would sign a 287(g) agreement that empowers state troopers to help ICE arrest migrants in the country without authorization who break the law.So named for its section of immigration law, the often-controversial program delegates state and local law enforcement officers authority to perform immigration officer functions under the federal agency’s direction and oversight.Pillen turned to an arrest earlier this summer in Omaha when Nebraska law enforcement agents worked with ICE to arrest a person ICE described as a “drug-trafficking kingpin and murderer.”“This stuff hits close to home — and hits every corner of this state and country,” he said. “Government’s most important job is to keep us safe, and that’s why the State of Nebraska, under my leadership, is partnering with President Trump.”Three Nebraska county sheriff’s offices currently are authorized for the 287(g) program —&nbsp;Brown, Dakota and Wheeler.&nbsp;<h2>280 beds</h2>The Homeland Security and Pillen confirmations of the McCook ICE facility revealed that it would provide up to 280 beds at the site of the existing Work Ethic Camp, which was built to house up to 200 people in a medium-security facility operated by the Nebraska state prison system.&nbsp;Gene Weedin, a McCook City Council member, said he was still learning details and forming an opinion about the center coming to his city. Nebraska owns nearly 45 acres at the McCook site.&nbsp;Weedin said Pillen was in McCook with Corrections Director Jeffreys over the weekend talking to various local officials. Weedin’s understanding is that the state prison facility would stop operating in its current form, start functioning as the federal immigration detention facility, and that those currently in the facility would be transferred to other places.He said the people currently housed at the center have contributed to the community by picking up trash, putting up annual Christmas decorations and doing other public service.“There are just a lot of questions,” said Weedin.<h2>Staffing shortage</h2>Nebraska has historically struggled to hire enough staff to use the McCook center as it was originally intended, to reform younger men who’ve committed crimes by assigning them jobs and tasks. The camp focuses its counseling and other efforts on encouraging behavior changes to reduce recidivism.It is the least crowded of Nebraska’s adult prison facilities, running a daily census of about 184 in Fiscal Year 2025. But it is also one of the prison facilities with the greatest need for additional staffing. The department’s census says it was staffed to house an average of about 125 people in FY 2025.Cristine Schwartz, the public information officer at the McCook Work Ethic Camp, referred calls to a state Correctional Services spokeswoman, who did not immediately return calls.&nbsp;State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, who represents part of west-central Nebraska outside of McCook, said she only just learned about the ICE effort and was “still gathering more information.”The state has been working around the Douglas County Jail in Omaha no longer actively participating in ICE detentions. Detainees from eastern Nebraska have been sent to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and as far away as the Lincoln County Jail in North Platte — where the 76 workers arrested in the high-profile immigration raid at Omaha’s Glenn Valley plant were transported. Many are still there.<h2>Other ICE contracts</h2>ICE also plans to contract with jails in eastern Nebraska’s Sarpy and Cass Counties for 30 beds each and the Washington County Jail for 15, according to ICE documents the Washington Post obtained.Pillen’s announcement is apparently Nebraska’s contribution to a plan that the federal documents showed would open or expand 125 immigration detention facilities this year.In its detention expansion strategy, the Trump administration has revived other dormant prisons, repurposed military bases and secured partnerships with private prison contractors, local sheriffs and Republican governors to house its record number of detainees, the Post reported.By January, the documents indicate, ICE would have capacity to hold more than 107,000 people, up from close to 50,000 currently. The documents, last updated July 30, reflected ICE intentions to rely increasingly on makeshift “soft-sided” structures that could be built in a few weeks and taken down as easily. The government is also planning to make more room for detaining parents and children.The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska is among critics of the Pillen plan, calling it “a new low point and way out of step with where most Nebraskans are on this issue.”“Imagine hearing about the cruel rights violations happening in other states’ ICE detention sites and thinking that we need our own heartland horror,” said Mindy Rush Chipman, executive director of ACLU Nebraska.Nebraska Democratic Party officials described creation of the detention facility in McCook as a “bend the knee” moment by top Republicans in Nebraska, and the governor’s participation as disgusting.“They promised to go after criminals and instead have locked up hardworking moms and dads who contribute their skills to our agricultural economy,” said Jane Kleeb, state party chair. “Creating fear and division … does not have to be the Cornhusker way.”Nebraska Appleseed called the governor’s cooperation part of a “harmful, dangerous and rapid expansion” of detainment camps that “repeat a deeply ugly pattern of history.”Darcy Tromanhauser, the advocacy agency’s immigrants and communities program director, urged officials instead to update immigration laws.&nbsp;“Nebraskans want policy change, not punishment,” she said.Earlier this month, Noem revealed in an interview with CBS News that Nebraska was being considered as a home to one of the state-run, federally funded migrant detention centers that the Trump administration hoped to launch across the country in the likeness of the one dubbed Alligator Alcatraz.Noem said she had already appealed to governors and state leaders. Strimple acknowledged the possibility at the time, saying the governor would “make details public at the appropriate time.”Nebraska Examiner’s Aaron Sanderford, Zach Wendling and Juan Salinas II contributed to this report.