WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Monday applauded the decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve Kansas’ 2025 provider tax preprint, increasing the provider tax to 6% from 3%, according to a media release from Moran's office.

This will generate revenue from prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals in Kansas, which in turn is matched by federal Medicaid dollars. This change will increase Medicaid rates to Kansas hospitals and physicians and is expected to generate approximately $1 billion annually for Kansas hospitals.

“Last year, the Kansas legislature passed a bill to increase the state’s hospital provider tax, enabling Kansas hospitals and physicians to receive additional federal dollars from Medicaid,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Considering Kansas’ pending application before CMS, I worked to make certain the Medicaid reforms in the Reconciliation Bill would permit Kansas’ pending application to still be considered and approved. I worked with Kansas hospitals, the Kelly administration and Administrator Oz to make certain Kansas’ application was submitted and considered in a timely manner. This change will allow Kansas hospitals to receive additional resources to provide quality, affordable care to Kansans.”

“Kansas hospitals were pleased to learn that the 2025 provider tax preprint, which allows the state to draw down federal matching funds to match the provider assessment at 6%, was approved,”&nbsp;said Chad Austin, President &amp; CEO, Kansas Hospital Association.&nbsp;“As with any significant achievement, it took many to reach this goal including our congressional delegation, led by Senator Moran, as well as the Governor, KDHE leadership and the Medicaid finance team.”

“Senator Moran and his team are long-time champions of healthcare in Kansas,”&nbsp;said Bob Page, President &amp; CEO, The University of Kansas Health System.&nbsp;“We greatly appreciate his efforts to ensure qualifying hospitals across the state, particularly those in rural areas, can now receive much needed additional reimbursement for care provided to Medicaid patients. Access to quality healthcare close to home is critical for rural vitality across Kansas. With current anticipated changes and uncertainty in health care, this is an important step forward for hospitals in our state.”

“We were excited and grateful to learn of the CMS approval of the 2025 Provider Tax preprint,”&nbsp;said Brian Williams, President &amp; CEO, Labette Health.&nbsp;“These resources will help us ensure uninterrupted access to safe, high quality hospital services in the rural Kansas communities that we serve. Senator Moran’s leadership on this issue during the approval process of the One Big Beautiful Bill was exceptionally important to its approval, and our words fall short on the difference this will make in so many Kansans lives.”

“We are grateful to Sen. Moran for his work to ensure Kansas’ pending CMS application remained eligible for consideration amid changes to the Medicaid program,”&nbsp;said Benjamin Anderson, President &amp; CEO, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.&nbsp;“CMS’s decision to approve Kansas’ 2025 Provider Tax increase means more federal support will be available for rural hospitals to continue our work of providing critical services and care to communities across our state.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758016720694.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Monday applauded the decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve Kansas’ 2025 provider tax preprint, increasing the provider tax to 6% from 3%, according to a media release from Moran's office.This will generate revenue from prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals in Kansas, which in turn is matched by federal Medicaid dollars. This change will increase Medicaid rates to Kansas hospitals and physicians and is expected to generate approximately $1 billion annually for Kansas hospitals.“Last year, the Kansas legislature passed a bill to increase the state’s hospital provider tax, enabling Kansas hospitals and physicians to receive additional federal dollars from Medicaid,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Considering Kansas’ pending application before CMS, I worked to make certain the Medicaid reforms in the Reconciliation Bill would permit Kansas’ pending application to still be considered and approved. I worked with Kansas hospitals, the Kelly administration and Administrator Oz to make certain Kansas’ application was submitted and considered in a timely manner. This change will allow Kansas hospitals to receive additional resources to provide quality, affordable care to Kansans.”“Kansas hospitals were pleased to learn that the 2025 provider tax preprint, which allows the state to draw down federal matching funds to match the provider assessment at 6%, was approved,”&nbsp;said Chad Austin, President &amp; CEO, Kansas Hospital Association.&nbsp;“As with any significant achievement, it took many to reach this goal including our congressional delegation, led by Senator Moran, as well as the Governor, KDHE leadership and the Medicaid finance team.”“Senator Moran and his team are long-time champions of healthcare in Kansas,”&nbsp;said Bob Page, President &amp; CEO, The University of Kansas Health System.&nbsp;“We greatly appreciate his efforts to ensure qualifying hospitals across the state, particularly those in rural areas, can now receive much needed additional reimbursement for care provided to Medicaid patients. Access to quality healthcare close to home is critical for rural vitality across Kansas. With current anticipated changes and uncertainty in health care, this is an important step forward for hospitals in our state.”“We were excited and grateful to learn of the CMS approval of the 2025 Provider Tax preprint,”&nbsp;said Brian Williams, President &amp; CEO, Labette Health.&nbsp;“These resources will help us ensure uninterrupted access to safe, high quality hospital services in the rural Kansas communities that we serve. Senator Moran’s leadership on this issue during the approval process of the One Big Beautiful Bill was exceptionally important to its approval, and our words fall short on the difference this will make in so many Kansans lives.”“We are grateful to Sen. Moran for his work to ensure Kansas’ pending CMS application remained eligible for consideration amid changes to the Medicaid program,”&nbsp;said Benjamin Anderson, President &amp; CEO, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.&nbsp;“CMS’s decision to approve Kansas’ 2025 Provider Tax increase means more federal support will be available for rural hospitals to continue our work of providing critical services and care to communities across our state.”Background information:<ol>
 <li>In the 2024 legislative session, the Kansas State Legislature passed legislation to increase the state provider tax for prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals, raising the cap from 3% to 6%. The increase passed by the Kansas State Legislature had to be approved by CMS.</li><li>This change means PPS hospitals will have a higher assessment rate, which in turn will allow them and all hospitals to access increased federal Medicaid reimbursements.</li><li>The&nbsp;One Big Beautiful Bill Act&nbsp;capped state provider taxes at 3.5% for Medicaid expansion states, but non-expansion states, like Kansas, are not subject to the federal state provider tax cap.</li><li>With the increased state provider tax cap, Kansas providers will receive increased Medicaid reimbursements for the next decade.</li>
 </ol>

Kan. U.S. Senator applauds good financial news for Kan. hospitals

A well known Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper used social media to announce his retirement Monday evening.

KHP Trooper Ben Gardner wrote he was deeply fatigued after 26-years with the Patrol.&nbsp; The news comes after the Patrol earlier this month was forced to issue a statement involving&nbsp;confusion over a personal social media post by Gardner. The KHP wrote, "The KHP is aware of a social media post by an employee who appears to be either soliciting or accepting donations in furtherance of personal travel."

On his private social media page September 1, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/55d07e51-697f-4176-9206-a43710f4937a">Gardner wrote that he was</a> driving his Jeep back and forth to Michigan and using a lot of gas. He wrote, "folks had already reached out, so he shared ways that others could help."

Not everyone believed the post was actually from beloved Trooper Ben.

The Kansas Highway Patrol responded, "Because the employee's private posts are often difficult to distinguish from their professional posts, the messages can be confusing and are neither approved by nor associated with KHP business."

On Monday night, Gardner wrote about his retirement.

"Of all the posts I’ve ever made, this one may be the most important. A significant shift from what life has been…"

"This evening, I sat at my laptop and typed the words that made it real. I sent the email. My official notice of retirement.For years, I’ve struggled with this decision. Do I hold on longer, or do I take the step forward?

"So many of us wait.Wait until 5 PM.Wait for Friday.Wait for summer.Wait for adulthood. Wait for happiness.Always waiting for the right moment. But in the waiting, we miss living in the now."

"After over 26 years of service, I am fatigued. Deeply fatigued…That fatigue does not come from the people of Kansas or the countless lives I’ve had the honor of serving."

"Being a servant has been one of the greatest joys of my life.The strain has come from within. From the inner spaces I’ve devoted myself to. Spaces I have deeply loved, but also where I have faced some of my greatest challenges.Through my entire career, I’ve always tried to make decisions that were about purpose, not paycheck. I never sought promotion. I rarely looked for overtime."

"The choices I made were always about moments where I could make a meaningful impact with the people around me. To break the mold a little.To blaze a trail.To show what I believe the service of this position was always meant to be.￼To leave the space I held better than when I received it.I have full faith that I have done just that.It seems that so many individuals in this profession exit long before they ever make it to retirement."

And standing here now, I can understand why. It has been such an honor to serve as I have over these last 26 years. Pride, laughter, fear, embarrassment, and deep sadness have all been part of my journey."

"After traveling to Michigan for my dad’s graveside ceremony, I found some clarity."

"Being there reminded me that the time we have is so, so valuable.This will work out. It might be bumpy for a little bit, but eventually we grow past the tightness, the worry, and the fatigue of trying to fit in."

"It’s my belief, two weeks is what I have left of this career. It’s hard. It’s emotional. But it’s time." 

"The past will always be part of me, but the future is calling. And I’m choosing to live it now.When the time is right, I want to be more transparent. To share more openly about what I have experienced throughout my career, and especially over these last five years leading up to retirement.  In that moment, you will see my heart more clearly than ever before."

"What I haven’t shared over the last five years… I will.To those who have openly supported me, cheered for me, and defended me when I wasn’t around, thank you. You have carried me further than you know."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757986303750.png" alt="Image from Gardner's social media page Monday night" />
 <figcaption>Image from Gardner's social media page Monday night</figcaption>
 </figure>A well known Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper used social media to announce his retirement Monday evening.KHP Trooper Ben Gardner wrote he was deeply fatigued after 26-years with the Patrol.&nbsp; The news comes after the Patrol earlier this month was forced to issue a statement involving&nbsp;confusion over a personal social media post by Gardner. The KHP wrote, "The KHP is aware of a social media post by an employee who appears to be either soliciting or accepting donations in furtherance of personal travel."On his private social media page September 1, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/55d07e51-697f-4176-9206-a43710f4937a">Gardner wrote that he was</a> driving his Jeep back and forth to Michigan and using a lot of gas. He wrote, "folks had already reached out, so he shared ways that others could help."Not everyone believed the post was actually from beloved Trooper Ben.The Kansas Highway Patrol responded, "Because the employee's private posts are often difficult to distinguish from their professional posts, the messages can be confusing and are neither approved by nor associated with KHP business."On Monday night, Gardner wrote about his retirement."Of all the posts I’ve ever made, this one may be the most important. A significant shift from what life has been…""This evening, I sat at my laptop and typed the words that made it real. I sent the email. My official notice of retirement.For years, I’ve struggled with this decision. Do I hold on longer, or do I take the step forward?"So many of us wait.Wait until 5 PM.Wait for Friday.Wait for summer.Wait for adulthood. Wait for happiness.Always waiting for the right moment. But in the waiting, we miss living in the now.""After over 26 years of service, I am fatigued. Deeply fatigued…That fatigue does not come from the people of Kansas or the countless lives I’ve had the honor of serving.""Being a servant has been one of the greatest joys of my life.The strain has come from within. From the inner spaces I’ve devoted myself to. Spaces I have deeply loved, but also where I have faced some of my greatest challenges.Through my entire career, I’ve always tried to make decisions that were about purpose, not paycheck. I never sought promotion. I rarely looked for overtime.""The choices I made were always about moments where I could make a meaningful impact with the people around me. To break the mold a little.To blaze a trail.To show what I believe the service of this position was always meant to be.￼To leave the space I held better than when I received it.I have full faith that I have done just that.It seems that so many individuals in this profession exit long before they ever make it to retirement."And standing here now, I can understand why. It has been such an honor to serve as I have over these last 26 years. Pride, laughter, fear, embarrassment, and deep sadness have all been part of my journey.""After traveling to Michigan for my dad’s graveside ceremony, I found some clarity.""Being there reminded me that the time we have is so, so valuable.This will work out. It might be bumpy for a little bit, but eventually we grow past the tightness, the worry, and the fatigue of trying to fit in.""It’s my belief, two weeks is what I have left of this career. It’s hard. It’s emotional. But it’s time." "The past will always be part of me, but the future is calling. And I’m choosing to live it now.When the time is right, I want to be more transparent. To share more openly about what I have experienced throughout my career, and especially over these last five years leading up to retirement. In that moment, you will see my heart more clearly than ever before.""What I haven’t shared over the last five years… I will.To those who have openly supported me, cheered for me, and defended me when I wasn’t around, thank you. You have carried me further than you know."

Well known State Trooper makes emotional announcement

HOLT COUNTY, Mo. —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Holt County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by a 59-year-old Atchison, Kansas man was northbound on Interstate 29 ten miles north of Oregon, Missouri.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the west side of the road, struck an embankment, went airborne, rolled onto its roof&nbsp; and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

HOLT COUNTY, Mo. —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Holt County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by a 59-year-old Atchison, Kansas man was northbound on Interstate 29 ten miles north of Oregon, Missouri.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the west side of the road, struck an embankment, went airborne, rolled onto its roof&nbsp; and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; &nbsp;The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Kansas man dies after ejected in SUV rollover accident

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kanas sex offender on new allegations.

Just before 3p.m. Friday, the El Dorado Police Department booked 44-year-old Peter Ferley of El Dorado into the Butler County jail on 23 counts of alleged sexual exploitation of a child, according to a media releas.

The Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children task force and police executed a search warrant after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip that alleged sexual exploitation of children through the use of electronic devices. The investigation led to police arrested Ferley.&nbsp; He has been a registered offender since November of 2012 following a conviction for attempted sexual exploit of child; Poss of visual depiction of a child under the age of 18, according to the KBI sex offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757855211896.png" alt="Ferley photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Ferley photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kanas sex offender on new allegations.Just before 3p.m. Friday, the El Dorado Police Department booked 44-year-old Peter Ferley of El Dorado into the Butler County jail on 23 counts of alleged sexual exploitation of a child, according to a media releas.The Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children task force and police executed a search warrant after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip that alleged sexual exploitation of children through the use of electronic devices. The investigation led to police arrested Ferley.&nbsp; He has been a registered offender since November of 2012 following a conviction for attempted sexual exploit of child; Poss of visual depiction of a child under the age of 18, according to the KBI sex offender registry.

Kansas sex offender back in jail on new sex crime allegations

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an illegal immigrant on multiple allegations after an arrest in Kansas.

Just after 5p.m. September 9, a sheriff's deputy on routine patrol stopped a vehicle on US 75 Highway near the US 36 Highway interchange for speed violation, according to Sheriff John Merchant. The deputy contacted the driver identified as 40-year-old Giesic Centeno ofBeatrice, Nebraska. The deputy detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and the driver did not possess a valid drivers license.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 The deputy performed field sobriety testing which Centeno failed.&nbsp;&nbsp; Based on 3 prior DUI convictions, Centeno was arrested on charges of Felony DUI and Operate a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid License.&nbsp; It was discovered&nbsp; that Centeno was subject to be deported. Department of Homeland Security agents now have custody of Centeno.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757953852049.png" alt="Centeno photo Brown County" />
 <figcaption>Centeno photo Brown County</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an illegal immigrant on multiple allegations after an arrest in Kansas.Just after 5p.m. September 9, a sheriff's deputy on routine patrol stopped a vehicle on US 75 Highway near the US 36 Highway interchange for speed violation, according to Sheriff John Merchant. The deputy contacted the driver identified as 40-year-old Giesic Centeno ofBeatrice, Nebraska. The deputy detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and the driver did not possess a valid drivers license.&nbsp;&nbsp; The deputy performed field sobriety testing which Centeno failed.&nbsp;&nbsp; Based on 3 prior DUI convictions, Centeno was arrested on charges of Felony DUI and Operate a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid License.&nbsp; It was discovered&nbsp; that Centeno was subject to be deported. Department of Homeland Security agents now have custody of Centeno.

Homeland Security jails man after 4 DUI arrests in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said the U.S. military again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel.

“The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S.,” Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing the strike. “These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests.”

Trump said the strike was carried out Monday, nearly two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-drug-cartels-05c5b0de282178419d46a3e93fbd2521">another military strike</a>&nbsp;on what the Trump administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-destroyers-maduro-drug-cartels-9649e8282c061d9dad41a5dfb54431d4">Venezuela</a>&nbsp;that killed 11.

The Trump administration justified the earlier strike as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

But several senators, Democrats and some Republicans, have indicated their dissatisfaction with the administration’s rationale and questioned the legality of the action. They view it as a potential overreach of executive authority in part because the military was used for law enforcement purposes.

The Trump administration has claimed self-defense as a legal justification for the first strike, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio arguing the drug cartels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-maduro-drug-cartels-b33769bb581454eb8cf5cdf365d5f0c8">“pose an immediate threat”</a>&nbsp;to the nation.

U.S. officials said the strike early this month targeted Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. And they indicated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-military-strike-drug-cartels-maduro-eae4f38deb40cb8ce70521c22282e469">more military strikes on drug targets</a>&nbsp;would be coming as the U.S. looks to “wage war” on cartels.

Trump did not specify whether Tren de Aragua was also the target of Monday's strike.

The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported strike.

The Trump administration has railed specifically against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for the scourge of illegal drugs in U.S. communities.

Maduro during a press conference earlier on Monday lashed out at the U.S. government, accusing the Trump administration of using drug trafficking accusations as an excuse for a military operation whose intentions are “to intimidate and seek regime change” in the South American country.

Maduro also repudiated what he described as a weekend operation in which 18 Marines raided a Venezuelan fishing boat in the Caribbean.

“What were they looking for? Tuna? What were they looking for? A kilo of snapper? Who gave the order in Washington for a missile destroyer to send 18 armed Marines to raid a tuna fishing vessel?” he said. “They were looking for a military incident. If the tuna fishing boys had any kind of weapons and used weapons while in Venezuelan jurisdiction, it would have been the military incident that the warmongers, extremists who want a war in the Caribbean, are seeking.”

Speaking to Fox News earlier Monday, Rubio reiterated that the U.S. doesn’t see Maduro as the rightful leader of Venezuela but as head of a drug cartel. Rubio has consistently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-maduro-drug-cartels-b33769bb581454eb8cf5cdf365d5f0c8">depicted Venezuela as a vestige</a>&nbsp;of communist ideology in the Western Hemisphere.

“We’re not going to have a cartel, operating or masquerading as a government, operating in our own hemisphere,” Rubio said.

Following the first military strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, America's chief diplomat said Trump was "going to use the U.S. military and all the elements of American power to target cartels who are targeting America.”

AP and others have reported that the boat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-drugs-boat-venezuela-5d28da68e3ea1b5b1b14829af8aadd7b">had turned around</a>&nbsp;and was heading back to shore when it was struck. But Rubio on Monday said he didn’t know if that’s accurate.

“What needs to start happening is some of these boats need to get blown up,” Rubio said. “We can’t live in a world where all of a sudden they do a U-turn and so we can’t touch them anymore.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said the U.S. military again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/gqH4MHjbg2">pic.twitter.com/gqH4MHjbg2</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967680808128483764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S.,” Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing the strike. “These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests.”Trump said the strike was carried out Monday, nearly two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-drug-cartels-05c5b0de282178419d46a3e93fbd2521">another military strike</a>&nbsp;on what the Trump administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-destroyers-maduro-drug-cartels-9649e8282c061d9dad41a5dfb54431d4">Venezuela</a>&nbsp;that killed 11.The Trump administration justified the earlier strike as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.But several senators, Democrats and some Republicans, have indicated their dissatisfaction with the administration’s rationale and questioned the legality of the action. They view it as a potential overreach of executive authority in part because the military was used for law enforcement purposes.The Trump administration has claimed self-defense as a legal justification for the first strike, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio arguing the drug cartels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-maduro-drug-cartels-b33769bb581454eb8cf5cdf365d5f0c8">“pose an immediate threat”</a>&nbsp;to the nation.U.S. officials said the strike early this month targeted Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. And they indicated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-military-strike-drug-cartels-maduro-eae4f38deb40cb8ce70521c22282e469">more military strikes on drug targets</a>&nbsp;would be coming as the U.S. looks to “wage war” on cartels.Trump did not specify whether Tren de Aragua was also the target of Monday's strike.The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported strike.The Trump administration has railed specifically against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for the scourge of illegal drugs in U.S. communities.Maduro during a press conference earlier on Monday lashed out at the U.S. government, accusing the Trump administration of using drug trafficking accusations as an excuse for a military operation whose intentions are “to intimidate and seek regime change” in the South American country.Maduro also repudiated what he described as a weekend operation in which 18 Marines raided a Venezuelan fishing boat in the Caribbean.“What were they looking for? Tuna? What were they looking for? A kilo of snapper? Who gave the order in Washington for a missile destroyer to send 18 armed Marines to raid a tuna fishing vessel?” he said. “They were looking for a military incident. If the tuna fishing boys had any kind of weapons and used weapons while in Venezuelan jurisdiction, it would have been the military incident that the warmongers, extremists who want a war in the Caribbean, are seeking.”Speaking to Fox News earlier Monday, Rubio reiterated that the U.S. doesn’t see Maduro as the rightful leader of Venezuela but as head of a drug cartel. Rubio has consistently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-maduro-drug-cartels-b33769bb581454eb8cf5cdf365d5f0c8">depicted Venezuela as a vestige</a>&nbsp;of communist ideology in the Western Hemisphere.“We’re not going to have a cartel, operating or masquerading as a government, operating in our own hemisphere,” Rubio said.Following the first military strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, America's chief diplomat said Trump was "going to use the U.S. military and all the elements of American power to target cartels who are targeting America.”AP and others have reported that the boat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-drugs-boat-venezuela-5d28da68e3ea1b5b1b14829af8aadd7b">had turned around</a>&nbsp;and was heading back to shore when it was struck. But Rubio on Monday said he didn’t know if that’s accurate.“What needs to start happening is some of these boats need to get blown up,” Rubio said. “We can’t live in a world where all of a sudden they do a U-turn and so we can’t touch them anymore.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/o5xOQ6HRFg">https://t.co/o5xOQ6HRFg</a> <a href="https://t.co/s9ktAlDQUi">pic.twitter.com/s9ktAlDQUi</a>&mdash; Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) <a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1962992360822104110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 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">🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: We just, over the last few minutes, shot out a drug-carrying boat... and there&#39;s more where that came from... These came out of Venezuela. <a href="https://t.co/JlurCZWBpG">pic.twitter.com/JlurCZWBpG</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1962955342523879613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 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 Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. has carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying vessel that departed from Venezuela. <a href="https://t.co/g82nOBEftt">pic.twitter.com/g82nOBEftt</a>&mdash; The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AP/status/1962972437865283848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥U.S. conducted 2nd strike on alleged drug cartel boat from Venezuela

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance said Monday while hosting Charlie Kirk’s radio show that he is “desperate” for national unity after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">conservative political activist’s killing</a>&nbsp;but that finding common ground with people who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">celebrated the assassination</a>&nbsp;of his friend is impossible.

The Republican vice president filled in as host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” from his ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House. The livestream of the two-hour program was broadcast in the White House press briefing room and featured a series of appearances by White House and administration officials who knew the 31-year-old Kirk.

Vance, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-jd-vance-turning-point-assassination-49501e2fdcb268c74c7dd929049abcd6">transported Kirk’s body</a>&nbsp;home from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two last week, opened by saying he was “filling in for somebody who cannot be filled in for, but I’ll do my best.” He recounted his conversations with Kirk’s widow, Erika, and her remembrances of him as a kind, loving husband.

In his closing remarks, Vance criticized what he said were lies about Kirk that he blamed for the killing. He also promised that the Trump administration will act to stop anyone who would kill another person because of their words.

“I’m desperate for our country to be united in condemnation of the actions and the ideas that killed my friend,” Vance said on the program. “I want it so badly that I will tell you a difficult truth. We can only have it with people who acknowledge that political violence is unacceptable.”

Vance’s self-described “moonlighting” as substitute radio host, as well as the broadcasting of the program from the White House complex, served as a powerful reminder of Kirk’s close relationship with the Trump-Vance team and the valuable role Kirk’s operation boosting youth voter turnout played on the campaign.

The Republican vice president, 41, was especially close to Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, one of the nation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">largest political organizations</a>&nbsp;with chapters on high school and college campuses. The two began a friendship nearly a decade ago, and Kirk advocated for Vance to be Republican Donald Trump’s choice for vice president last year. Kirk also was someone who had Trump's ear.

Vance spoke in the show's opening segment Monday about being at a loss for words as he sat with Erika Kirk last week. But he said she told him something he'll never forget, which was that her husband had never raised his voice to her and was never “cross or mean-spirited to her.”

Vance allowed that he could not say the same about himself.

“I took from that moment that I needed to be a better husband and I needed to be a better father,” the vice president said on the program, which was streamed on Rumble. “That is the way I'm going to honor my friend.”

Others who joined Vance on Kirk's program were chief of staff Susie Wiles, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

The conversation turned toward fighting what Vance described as “festering violence on the far left” with Miller, the first guest.

“With God as my witness, we’re going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks,” Miller said.

Miller added that “it will happen, and we will do it in Charlie’s name.”

Law enforcement officials have said they believe the suspect accused of killing Kirk acted alone.

After Kirk was fatally shot last Wednesday at Utah Valley University, Vance tore up his schedule for the next day — he was scheduled Thursday to attend the 24th annual observance in New York of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks — to fly instead to Orem, Utah, with his wife, second lady Usha Vance.

The couple accompanied Erika Kirk and Charlie Kirk's casket to Arizona aboard Air Force Two.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance said Monday while hosting Charlie Kirk’s radio show that he is “desperate” for national unity after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">conservative political activist’s killing</a>&nbsp;but that finding common ground with people who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">celebrated the assassination</a>&nbsp;of his friend is impossible.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH IN FULL: <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>&#39;s opening comments on The Charlie Kirk Show <a href="https://t.co/J2i3uAI4x2">pic.twitter.com/J2i3uAI4x2</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967626357568942346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Republican vice president filled in as host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” from his ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House. The livestream of the two-hour program was broadcast in the White House press briefing room and featured a series of appearances by White House and administration officials who knew the 31-year-old Kirk.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Kaelan47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kaelan47</a> describes his last interaction with <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a>, in which Charlie prayed for him and his wife as they dealt with the struggles of being first-time parents. That&#39;s who Charlie was. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/DhW5rppryY">pic.twitter.com/DhW5rppryY</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967632525016314212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 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/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a>: &quot;He inspired me as a young voice... before every briefing, I always pray to Jesus Christ, and Charlie was so outspoken with his faith — and I will continue to be in honor of him.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3CocAfdkbR">pic.twitter.com/3CocAfdkbR</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967634277434282105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 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/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> recites Psalm 133 in a powerful message to the American people: &quot;Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head...&quot; &quot;Oh, how badly have I craved that precious ointment in recent days, and I… <a href="https://t.co/UQ5RHd1yue">pic.twitter.com/UQ5RHd1yue</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967651075256717434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MUST WATCH: <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> powerfully delivers some hard truths on political violence in America. &quot;While our side of the aisle certainly has its crazies, it is a statistical FACT that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the Far Left.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mYnkCZhuXU">pic.twitter.com/mYnkCZhuXU</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967652535679721576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">White House Chief of Staff <a href="https://twitter.com/SusieWiles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SusieWiles</a> says <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TPUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TPUSA</a> &quot;delivered 110%&quot; in re-electing President Trump: &quot;I don&#39;t know that Charlie gets enough credit for that... it was an immeasurable help.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vrcQGbaDkn">pic.twitter.com/vrcQGbaDkn</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967645301717733687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Vance, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-jd-vance-turning-point-assassination-49501e2fdcb268c74c7dd929049abcd6">transported Kirk’s body</a>&nbsp;home from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two last week, opened by saying he was “filling in for somebody who cannot be filled in for, but I’ll do my best.” He recounted his conversations with Kirk’s widow, Erika, and her remembrances of him as a kind, loving husband.In his closing remarks, Vance criticized what he said were lies about Kirk that he blamed for the killing. He also promised that the Trump administration will act to stop anyone who would kill another person because of their words.“I’m desperate for our country to be united in condemnation of the actions and the ideas that killed my friend,” Vance said on the program. “I want it so badly that I will tell you a difficult truth. We can only have it with people who acknowledge that political violence is unacceptable.”Vance’s self-described “moonlighting” as substitute radio host, as well as the broadcasting of the program from the White House complex, served as a powerful reminder of Kirk’s close relationship with the Trump-Vance team and the valuable role Kirk’s operation boosting youth voter turnout played on the campaign.The Republican vice president, 41, was especially close to Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, one of the nation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">largest political organizations</a>&nbsp;with chapters on high school and college campuses. The two began a friendship nearly a decade ago, and Kirk advocated for Vance to be Republican Donald Trump’s choice for vice president last year. Kirk also was someone who had Trump's ear.Vance spoke in the show's opening segment Monday about being at a loss for words as he sat with Erika Kirk last week. But he said she told him something he'll never forget, which was that her husband had never raised his voice to her and was never “cross or mean-spirited to her.”Vance allowed that he could not say the same about himself.“I took from that moment that I needed to be a better husband and I needed to be a better father,” the vice president said on the program, which was streamed on Rumble. “That is the way I'm going to honor my friend.”Others who joined Vance on Kirk's program were chief of staff Susie Wiles, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.The conversation turned toward fighting what Vance described as “festering violence on the far left” with Miller, the first guest.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/StephenM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StephenM</a> on organized Radical Left violence: &quot;With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the DOJ, Homeland Security, and throughout this government, to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and destroy these networks... We will do it in Charlie&#39;s name.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xGXYXR5bi5">pic.twitter.com/xGXYXR5bi5</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967627684886061110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“With God as my witness, we’re going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks,” Miller said.Miller added that “it will happen, and we will do it in Charlie’s name.”Law enforcement officials have said they believe the suspect accused of killing Kirk acted alone.After Kirk was fatally shot last Wednesday at Utah Valley University, Vance tore up his schedule for the next day — he was scheduled Thursday to attend the 24th annual observance in New York of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks — to fly instead to Orem, Utah, with his wife, second lady Usha Vance.The couple accompanied Erika Kirk and Charlie Kirk's casket to Arizona aboard Air Force Two.

🎥Vance hosts Kirk's radio show, shares how he'll honor his friend 

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a violent incident in Salina.

Just after 3a.m. on Sunday, police in Salina received a a report about an 18-year old suspect, later idenfied as&nbsp;Moses Breadon, who attempted to break into a home in the 1400 block of Teakwood in Salina, according to a media release.

A 17-year old woman who lives at the residence heard banging on the front door. When she walked to the door to see who it was, she recognized the suspect.&nbsp;

Breadon wanted the 17-year-old to leave the house with him, but she refused.&nbsp; The woman told police she 'slightly cracked the door open' and Breadon&nbsp; pushed his way inside the house. He then grabbed a dog at the residence and put the dog in his truck, along with dragging the woman out of the house and throwing her onto the front porch. Breadon allegedly hit the woman as well, according to p olice.

Breadon forcibly put the woman inside his truck, but she was able to get away and ran back inside the house. The victim's family members then awoke from their sleep and realized what had happened. When the&nbsp;victim's family members called 9-1-1, Breadon left the area.

Later Sunday, police found and arrested Breadon in the 900 block of Maple. He was booked into jail on requested charges of Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Burglary, Criminal Threat, Domestic Battery and Robbery.

The victim suffered injuries with marks on her arms, along with a bloody nose. She was medically treated.&nbsp; Police did not have an update on the dog.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757894834871.jpeg" alt="Breadon photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Breadon photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a violent incident in Salina.Just after 3a.m. on Sunday, police in Salina received a a report about an 18-year old suspect, later idenfied as&nbsp;Moses Breadon, who attempted to break into a home in the 1400 block of Teakwood in Salina, according to a media release.A 17-year old woman who lives at the residence heard banging on the front door. When she walked to the door to see who it was, she recognized the suspect.&nbsp;Breadon wanted the 17-year-old to leave the house with him, but she refused.&nbsp; The woman told police she 'slightly cracked the door open' and Breadon&nbsp; pushed his way inside the house. He then grabbed a dog at the residence and put the dog in his truck, along with dragging the woman out of the house and throwing her onto the front porch. Breadon allegedly hit the woman as well, according to p olice.Breadon forcibly put the woman inside his truck, but she was able to get away and ran back inside the house. The victim's family members then awoke from their sleep and realized what had happened. When the&nbsp;victim's family members called 9-1-1, Breadon left the area.Later Sunday, police found and arrested Breadon in the 900 block of Maple. He was booked into jail on requested charges of Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Burglary, Criminal Threat, Domestic Battery and Robbery.The victim suffered injuries with marks on her arms, along with a bloody nose. She was medically treated.&nbsp; Police did not have an update on the dog.

Police: Suspect tried to kidnap Kansas teen from her home

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rose to more records on Monday at the start of a week that could show whether the U.S. stock market’s big recent rally has been overdone or prescient.

The S&amp;P 500 climbed 0.5% and topped its prior all-time high, which was set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 49 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.9% to its own record.

Tesla helped lead the way and rose 3.6% after Elon Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-tesla-trump-92df133b91c412a94ebbf2dcb9bbefb6">bought stock worth roughly $1 billion</a>&nbsp;through a trust. The electric vehicle company’s stock price came into the day with a slight loss for the year so far, and the purchase could be a signal of Musk’s faith in it.

Alphabet was the single strongest force lifting the S&amp;P 500 after gaining 4.5%, which brought the total value for Google’s parent company above $3 trillion. Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple are the only other companies on Wall Street worth that much.

The market’s main event for the week will arrive on Wednesday. That’s when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-jobs-rates-trump-powell-164fdc130275c0df17562273e1042bfe">Federal Reserve will announce its latest decision</a>&nbsp;on interest rates, and the unanimous expectation is for the first cut of the year. Such a move could give a kickstart to the job market, which has been slowing.

Stocks have already run to records on the assumption that a cut is coming on Wednesday, though. Expectations are also high that the Fed will keep lowering rates through the end of this year and into 2026. That creates the possibility for disappointment in the market, which would mean drops for stock prices, if the Fed doesn’t end up slashing rates as aggressively as traders expect.

That’s why more attention will be on what Fed Chair Jerome Powell says in his press conference following the decision than on the decision itself. Fed officials will also release their latest projections for where they see interest rates and the economy heading in upcoming years, which could provide another potential flashpoint.

What’s keeping the Fed on guard is a possible jump in inflation because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. That’s because lower interest rates can give inflation more fuel and send it even higher. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-trump-federal-reserve-fabecefa501709184895bf73b3dc698a">inflation has already proven difficult</a>&nbsp;to get under the Fed’s 2% target.

Another threat for Wall Street is if the job market slows too much. In that case, a recession could create a downturn in corporate profits that’s steep enough to swamp the benefits that lower interest rates bring in the near term.

Trump, meanwhile, has pushed angrily for cuts to interest rates. He’s often attacked Powell personally, nicknaming him “Too Late,” and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cook-federal-reserve-93c8ca370be995324cd4c535ef486b02">trying to remove one of the Fed’s governors</a>&nbsp;from its board.

“‘Too Late’ must cut interest rates now, and bigger than he had in mind,” Trump wrote on his social media network Monday, using his trademark all-caps style.

On Wall Street, Intel rose 2.9% after trimming its forecast for expenses this year. The move came after it completed the sale of a 51% stake in its Altera business to the Silver Lake investment firm.

That helped offset a 24.7% drop for Hain Celestial, which reported a larger loss for its latest quarter than it did a year earlier. Interim CEO Alison Lewis said the owner of “better-for-you” brands like Terra chips is making moves to stabilize sales “as we recognize our performance has not met expectations.”

Alaska Air Group lost 6.7% after the airline said high fuel costs will likely cause its third-quarter results to come in at the low end of its forecasted range. It also cited higher expenses for overtime pay and passengers’ compensation after bad weather and air-traffic control issues led to difficult operations in the summer, though it saw strong airfare trends thanks to demand for premium seats.

Nvidia edged down by less than 0.1% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-china-technology-trade-us-be817903c4b92a2569f2bfa57597956e">China accused the chip company</a>&nbsp;of violating its antimonopoly laws. Chinese regulators did not mention a punishment for Nvidia in a one-sentence statement on the matter but did say they would carry out “further investigation.”

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 30.99 points to 6,615.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 49.23 to 45,883.45, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 207.65 to 22,348.75.

In the bond market Treasury yields eased, continuing their downward run on expectations for cuts to rates by the Fed.

The latest discouraging data on the economy came Monday from a report showing manufacturing activity in New York state is shrinking, contrary to economists’ expectations for continued growth. It’s the first month of contraction since June.

The next economic update will arrive Tuesday, when the U.S. government will say how much shoppers spent at U.S. retailers last month.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.03% from 4.06% late Friday.

In stock markets abroad, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.9%, while indexes moved more modestly across the rest of Europe and Asia.

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rose to more records on Monday at the start of a week that could show whether the U.S. stock market’s big recent rally has been overdone or prescient.The S&amp;P 500 climbed 0.5% and topped its prior all-time high, which was set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 49 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.9% to its own record.Tesla helped lead the way and rose 3.6% after Elon Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-tesla-trump-92df133b91c412a94ebbf2dcb9bbefb6">bought stock worth roughly $1 billion</a>&nbsp;through a trust. The electric vehicle company’s stock price came into the day with a slight loss for the year so far, and the purchase could be a signal of Musk’s faith in it.Alphabet was the single strongest force lifting the S&amp;P 500 after gaining 4.5%, which brought the total value for Google’s parent company above $3 trillion. Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple are the only other companies on Wall Street worth that much.The market’s main event for the week will arrive on Wednesday. That’s when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-jobs-rates-trump-powell-164fdc130275c0df17562273e1042bfe">Federal Reserve will announce its latest decision</a>&nbsp;on interest rates, and the unanimous expectation is for the first cut of the year. Such a move could give a kickstart to the job market, which has been slowing.Stocks have already run to records on the assumption that a cut is coming on Wednesday, though. Expectations are also high that the Fed will keep lowering rates through the end of this year and into 2026. That creates the possibility for disappointment in the market, which would mean drops for stock prices, if the Fed doesn’t end up slashing rates as aggressively as traders expect.That’s why more attention will be on what Fed Chair Jerome Powell says in his press conference following the decision than on the decision itself. Fed officials will also release their latest projections for where they see interest rates and the economy heading in upcoming years, which could provide another potential flashpoint.What’s keeping the Fed on guard is a possible jump in inflation because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. That’s because lower interest rates can give inflation more fuel and send it even higher. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-trump-federal-reserve-fabecefa501709184895bf73b3dc698a">inflation has already proven difficult</a>&nbsp;to get under the Fed’s 2% target.Another threat for Wall Street is if the job market slows too much. In that case, a recession could create a downturn in corporate profits that’s steep enough to swamp the benefits that lower interest rates bring in the near term.Trump, meanwhile, has pushed angrily for cuts to interest rates. He’s often attacked Powell personally, nicknaming him “Too Late,” and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cook-federal-reserve-93c8ca370be995324cd4c535ef486b02">trying to remove one of the Fed’s governors</a>&nbsp;from its board.“‘Too Late’ must cut interest rates now, and bigger than he had in mind,” Trump wrote on his social media network Monday, using his trademark all-caps style.On Wall Street, Intel rose 2.9% after trimming its forecast for expenses this year. The move came after it completed the sale of a 51% stake in its Altera business to the Silver Lake investment firm.That helped offset a 24.7% drop for Hain Celestial, which reported a larger loss for its latest quarter than it did a year earlier. Interim CEO Alison Lewis said the owner of “better-for-you” brands like Terra chips is making moves to stabilize sales “as we recognize our performance has not met expectations.”Alaska Air Group lost 6.7% after the airline said high fuel costs will likely cause its third-quarter results to come in at the low end of its forecasted range. It also cited higher expenses for overtime pay and passengers’ compensation after bad weather and air-traffic control issues led to difficult operations in the summer, though it saw strong airfare trends thanks to demand for premium seats.Nvidia edged down by less than 0.1% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-china-technology-trade-us-be817903c4b92a2569f2bfa57597956e">China accused the chip company</a>&nbsp;of violating its antimonopoly laws. Chinese regulators did not mention a punishment for Nvidia in a one-sentence statement on the matter but did say they would carry out “further investigation.”All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 30.99 points to 6,615.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 49.23 to 45,883.45, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 207.65 to 22,348.75.In the bond market Treasury yields eased, continuing their downward run on expectations for cuts to rates by the Fed.The latest discouraging data on the economy came Monday from a report showing manufacturing activity in New York state is shrinking, contrary to economists’ expectations for continued growth. It’s the first month of contraction since June.The next economic update will arrive Tuesday, when the U.S. government will say how much shoppers spent at U.S. retailers last month.The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.03% from 4.06% late Friday.In stock markets abroad, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.9%, while indexes moved more modestly across the rest of Europe and Asia.___

Wall Street rises to more records as Tesla vrooms higher

MADRID (AP) — A framework deal has been reached between China and the U.S. for the ownership of popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-supreme-court-36c3c3b42f743a35c69e1c74341f1f30">social video platform TikTok</a>, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-bessent-spain-china-trump-e70c554b5d34cd8f8de30093e9126d4f">weekend trade talks in Spain</a>.

Bessent said in a press conference after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-trade-stockholm-tariffs-bessent-lifeng-2cffb7de31169afc8de0c02bedb4683a">the latest round of trade talks</a>&nbsp;between the world's top two economies concluded in Madrid that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping would speak Friday to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-trump-deal-deadline-ban-38af2dbe2a8307524a85665cf6f96c09">possibly finalize the deal</a>. He said the objective of the deal would be to switch to U.S. ownership.

“We are not going to talk about the commercial terms of the deal,” Bessent said. “It’s between two private parties. But the commercial terms have been agreed upon.”

Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative, said the two sides have reached “basic framework consensus” to properly solve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-user-reactions-139955932b06753b29d1388f213e3717">TikTok-related issues</a>&nbsp;in a cooperative way, reduce investment barriers and promote related economic and trade cooperation, according to China's official news agency Xinhua.

Li said the two sides had “candid, in-depth" discussions over TikTok and matters of concern to China.

The meeting in Madrid is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stockholm-trade-china-us-bessent-he-lifeng-5a0a9e723eb521dc72df00f2ae549a9e">fourth round of trade talks</a>&nbsp;between U.S. and Chinese officials since Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-trump-dce0557297c1a367cac9353d270a3c2e">launched a tariff war</a>&nbsp;on Chinese goods in April. A fifth round of negotiations is likely to happen “in the coming weeks,” Bessent said, with both governments planning for a possible summit between Trump and Xi later this year or early next year to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-trade-tariffs-rare-earth-minerals-cbd2482bd2b3a7ce8d47030c4ff1c3d4">solidify a trade agreement</a>.

However, nothing has been confirmed, and analysts say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-semiconductors-trade-investigations-madrid-fae364b02c32da4e37b645046a3c17db">possible trade bumps</a>&nbsp;could delay the visit.

Chinese officials didn't immediately speak to the media following the Madrid talks, but Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who led the Chinese delegation, was seen smiling when he left the venue.

During Joe Biden’s Democratic presidency, Congress and the White House used national security grounds to approve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">a U.S. ban on TikTok</a>&nbsp;unless its parent company, ByteDance, sold its controlling stake.

Trump, a Republican, has repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-delay-executive-order-3211a98113615be44cf92b32dca69a8e">extended the deadline</a>&nbsp;for shutting down TikTok, even though the law allows for just one 90-day reprieve, and only if there’s a deal on the table and a formal notification to Congress.

The current extension expires Wednesday, two days before Trump and Xi are scheduled to discuss the final details of the framework deal. Although Trump hasn't addressed the forthcoming deadline directly, he has claimed that he can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-china-extension-deadline-4a66fbd0e485db5b3da83c176f22ad11">delay the ban indefinitely</a>.

TikTok is one of more than 100 apps developed in the past decade by ByteDance, a technology firm&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">founded in 2012</a>&nbsp;by Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Yiming and headquartered in Beijing’s northwestern Haidian district.

In 2016, ByteDance launched a short-form video platform called Douyin in China and followed up with an international version called TikTok. It then bought Musical.ly, a lip-syncing platform popular with teens in the U.S. and Europe, and combined it with TikTok while keeping the app separate from Douyin.

Soon after, the app boomed in popularity in the U.S. and many other countries, becoming the first Chinese platform to make serious inroads in the West. Unlike other social media platforms that focused on cultivating connections among users, TikTok tailored content to people’s interests.

The often silly videos and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-universal-music-taylor-swift-drake-adele-aecaebd833f19bb9c0a26537187c7216">music clips</a>&nbsp;content creators posted gave TikTok an image as a sunny corner of the internet where users could find fun and a sense of authenticity. Finding an audience on the platform helped launch the careers of music artists like Lil Nas X.

TikTok gained more traction during the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, when short dances that went viral became a mainstay of the app. To better compete,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-alternatives-youtube-instagram-snapchat-discord-c6474615c1d838f89c7b4273ab6e6a80">Instagram and YouTube</a>&nbsp;eventually came out with their own tools for making short-form videos, respectively known as Reels and Shorts. By that point, TikTok was a bona fide hit.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-tiktok-viral-video-childrens-deaths-c2e9a4d6f7387c72d0c53b881c54786d">Challenges came</a>&nbsp;in tandem with TikTok’s success. U.S. officials expressed concerns about the company’s roots and ownership, pointing to laws in China that require Chinese companies to hand over data requested by the government. Another concern became the proprietary algorithm that populates what users see on the app.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755885123824.png" alt="Image of President Trump from the White House TikTok account" />
 <figcaption>Image of President Trump from the White House TikTok account</figcaption>
 </figure>MADRID (AP) — A framework deal has been reached between China and the U.S. for the ownership of popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-supreme-court-36c3c3b42f743a35c69e1c74341f1f30">social video platform TikTok</a>, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-bessent-spain-china-trump-e70c554b5d34cd8f8de30093e9126d4f">weekend trade talks in Spain</a>.Bessent said in a press conference after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-trade-stockholm-tariffs-bessent-lifeng-2cffb7de31169afc8de0c02bedb4683a">the latest round of trade talks</a>&nbsp;between the world's top two economies concluded in Madrid that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping would speak Friday to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-trump-deal-deadline-ban-38af2dbe2a8307524a85665cf6f96c09">possibly finalize the deal</a>. He said the objective of the deal would be to switch to U.S. ownership.“We are not going to talk about the commercial terms of the deal,” Bessent said. “It’s between two private parties. But the commercial terms have been agreed upon.”Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative, said the two sides have reached “basic framework consensus” to properly solve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-user-reactions-139955932b06753b29d1388f213e3717">TikTok-related issues</a>&nbsp;in a cooperative way, reduce investment barriers and promote related economic and trade cooperation, according to China's official news agency Xinhua.Li said the two sides had “candid, in-depth" discussions over TikTok and matters of concern to China.The meeting in Madrid is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stockholm-trade-china-us-bessent-he-lifeng-5a0a9e723eb521dc72df00f2ae549a9e">fourth round of trade talks</a>&nbsp;between U.S. and Chinese officials since Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-trump-dce0557297c1a367cac9353d270a3c2e">launched a tariff war</a>&nbsp;on Chinese goods in April. A fifth round of negotiations is likely to happen “in the coming weeks,” Bessent said, with both governments planning for a possible summit between Trump and Xi later this year or early next year to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-trade-tariffs-rare-earth-minerals-cbd2482bd2b3a7ce8d47030c4ff1c3d4">solidify a trade agreement</a>.However, nothing has been confirmed, and analysts say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-semiconductors-trade-investigations-madrid-fae364b02c32da4e37b645046a3c17db">possible trade bumps</a>&nbsp;could delay the visit.Chinese officials didn't immediately speak to the media following the Madrid talks, but Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who led the Chinese delegation, was seen smiling when he left the venue.During Joe Biden’s Democratic presidency, Congress and the White House used national security grounds to approve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">a U.S. ban on TikTok</a>&nbsp;unless its parent company, ByteDance, sold its controlling stake.Trump, a Republican, has repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-delay-executive-order-3211a98113615be44cf92b32dca69a8e">extended the deadline</a>&nbsp;for shutting down TikTok, even though the law allows for just one 90-day reprieve, and only if there’s a deal on the table and a formal notification to Congress.The current extension expires Wednesday, two days before Trump and Xi are scheduled to discuss the final details of the framework deal. Although Trump hasn't addressed the forthcoming deadline directly, he has claimed that he can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-china-extension-deadline-4a66fbd0e485db5b3da83c176f22ad11">delay the ban indefinitely</a>.TikTok is one of more than 100 apps developed in the past decade by ByteDance, a technology firm&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">founded in 2012</a>&nbsp;by Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Yiming and headquartered in Beijing’s northwestern Haidian district.In 2016, ByteDance launched a short-form video platform called Douyin in China and followed up with an international version called TikTok. It then bought Musical.ly, a lip-syncing platform popular with teens in the U.S. and Europe, and combined it with TikTok while keeping the app separate from Douyin.Soon after, the app boomed in popularity in the U.S. and many other countries, becoming the first Chinese platform to make serious inroads in the West. Unlike other social media platforms that focused on cultivating connections among users, TikTok tailored content to people’s interests.The often silly videos and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-universal-music-taylor-swift-drake-adele-aecaebd833f19bb9c0a26537187c7216">music clips</a>&nbsp;content creators posted gave TikTok an image as a sunny corner of the internet where users could find fun and a sense of authenticity. Finding an audience on the platform helped launch the careers of music artists like Lil Nas X.TikTok gained more traction during the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, when short dances that went viral became a mainstay of the app. To better compete,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-alternatives-youtube-instagram-snapchat-discord-c6474615c1d838f89c7b4273ab6e6a80">Instagram and YouTube</a>&nbsp;eventually came out with their own tools for making short-form videos, respectively known as Reels and Shorts. By that point, TikTok was a bona fide hit.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-tiktok-viral-video-childrens-deaths-c2e9a4d6f7387c72d0c53b881c54786d">Challenges came</a>&nbsp;in tandem with TikTok’s success. U.S. officials expressed concerns about the company’s roots and ownership, pointing to laws in China that require Chinese companies to hand over data requested by the government. Another concern became the proprietary algorithm that populates what users see on the app.___

US says it agreed with China on framework for TikTok deal

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Even before the killing of Charlie Kirk,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/josh-shapiro">Gov. Josh Shapiro</a>&nbsp;of Pennsylvania was struggling with the emotional toll of political violence.

In the middle of the night just five months ago, someone broke into his home and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arson-pennsylvania-governor-political-violence-388da01e84661fb12ac79c626b0004eb">set it on fire</a>. Shapiro, who is also a likely 2028 Democratic presidential contender, was asleep with his wife and children.

And in the weeks since his family fled the blaze, Shapiro has been forced to confront the vexing questions now consuming elected officials in both parties as they face the impact of Kirk's assassination on their own public lives.

“The emotional challenge for me that’s been the hardest to work through is that, as a father, the career I chose, that I find great purpose and meaning in, ended up putting my children’s lives at risk,” Shapiro, a father of four, told The Associated Press. “Make no mistake, the emotional burden of being a father through this has been something that continues to be a challenge for me to this day.”

Across the nation, it is much the same for Republican and Democratic officials after another stunning act of political violence. Politicians in both parties and at virtually every level of public service are suddenly being forced to deal with acute security concerns — and feelings of grief, anger and fear — as they move deeper into a fraught election season.

Some political leaders are canceling public appearances. Others are relying on a large police presence to keep them safe. And still others insist that the fallout from Kirk’s death won’t have any impact on their duties.

Indeed, even as Shapiro offered prayers for Kirk's widow and children, the Democratic governor said he is undeterred in his duties as a leading figure in his national party and his state.

On that, he and President Donald Trump appear to agree.

The Republican president was asked during a Friday appearance on Fox News if he would cancel any public appearances of his own.

Bellicose rhetoric and even death threats have surged in the days since Kirk was killed.

"The left is the party of murder," Elon Musk, the tech titan and CEO of the social media platform X, wrote. “If they won't leave us in peace, then our choice is to fight or die."

To that, Fox News host Jesse Waters said during a broadcast, “They are at war with us. Whether we want to accept it or not, they are at war with us. What are we going to do about it?”

On Friday, a right-wing activist posted online a video outside Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's home, calling on followers to “take action.”

The charged environment prompted a number of public officials, largely Democrats, to postpone public appearances.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ruben-gallego">Sen. Ruben Gallego</a>, D-Ariz., canceled a Saturday town hall in Las Vegas “out of an abundance of caution for town hall participants, attendees, and members of the media.” Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alexandria-ocasio-cortez">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a>, D-N.Y., also postponed a weekend event in North Carolina due to security concerns.

Former Republican Wisconsin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/scott-walker">Gov. Scott Walker</a>, president of Young America’s Foundation, which works to attract young people to the GOP, said his group canceled a Thursday night event in California featuring conservative commentator Ben Shapiro out of respect for Kirk and his family.

And while officials in both parties acknowledged that new security precautions would be in place — for the short term, at least — cancelations have been rare.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wes-moore">Maryland Gov. Wes Moore</a>, another potential Democratic presidential prospect who recently announced his 2026 reelection campaign, said he would not change his public schedule because of the increased threat even as political violence will be on his mind.

“It’s never something that completely leaves you, but I don’t think it can be something that debilitates you," Moore told The Associated Press.

When asked if he expects a retaliatory attack against Democrats, the former Army captain insisted, "We are not at war with one another.”

“As someone who has seen war, as someone who knows what war looks like, as someone who will live with the realities of war for the rest of my life, I refuse to ever believe that we in the country are at war with one another," he said. "And I refuse to believe that that we as a country are devolving into some just kind of type of retaliatory tit for tat.”

“Resorting to violence is a remarkable sign of weakness," Moore added. “It means you can’t win a political argument.”

And yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shot-political-violence-history-5ce36193ede90a59a883662df16c6d6c">political violence is becoming more frequent</a>&nbsp;in the United States.

Former Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gabrielle-giffords">Rep. Gabby Giffords</a>&nbsp;was shot in the head as she met with constituents in 2011. Republican Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3e84732a7d594eedba6fae5dd10808b7">Steve Scalise was shot</a>&nbsp;at a congressional team baseball practice in 2017. Trump was grazed by a bullet last summer on the stump in Pennsylvania. And barely three months ago, the top Democrat in the Minnesota state house and her husband were gunned down at home.

Several uniformed police officers stood side by side along the entrance of a public park where the Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-jersey-governor-primary-election-trump-f257499bda21810eff087446f6105c91">candidate for New Jersey governor, Mikie Sherrill</a>, met voters Friday to discuss measures designed to bring transparency to the state budget process.

The significant security presence was a sharp shift from Sherrill's recent events.

In Illinois, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, Aaron Del Mar, said he and other GOP candidates are discussing new security precautions, such as bringing events indoors, enhanced use of metal detectors and background checks on those who attend their events.

“There’s a lot of concern right now,” he said.

Back in New Jersey, 35-year-old Democrat Maira Barbosa attended Sherrill's event with her 16-month-old son. She said she's never been more resolved to show up to a political event in person, even as she admitted she had second thoughts.

“We’re seeing so much hate speech and we’re seeing people advocate for violence, so of course it makes me concerned, especially to the point of bringing my son,” she said. “If we don’t participate, if we don’t get involved, who is going to represent us?"

In interviews, governors Shapiro and Moore largely avoided casting blame for the current era of political violence, although they were critical of Trump's immediate response to Kirk's shooting.

The Republican president highlighted only attacks against Republicans during his Oval Office address on Thursday and blamed “the radical left” for Kirk's shooting, even before the suspect was arrested.

Shapiro said Trump “misused the power of an Oval Office address."

“To be clear, the political violence has impacted Democrats and Republicans, and the rhetoric of vengeance and the language that has created division has come from both sides of the political divide,” Shapiro said. “No one party has clean hands, and no one party is immune from the threat of political violence.”

Moore called for everyone to tone down the rhetoric.

“I just think it’s important for the president and anyone else to understand that your words matter, and leadership is how you lift us up in darkness, not how you use it as a moment for opportunism and to introduce more darkness and finger pointing into into an already horrific situation,” he said.

“I’m praying for our country," Moore continued. "I’m praying that the legacy of this moment is we got better — not that we got worse.”

Associated Press writers Sejal Govindarao in Phoenix; Laura Bargfeld in Chicago; Chris Megerian in Washington; and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744635576081.jpeg" alt="Image from the fire damage in April from video courtesy Commonwealth Media Services" />
 <figcaption>Image from the fire damage in April from video courtesy Commonwealth Media Services</figcaption>
 </figure>MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Even before the killing of Charlie Kirk,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/josh-shapiro">Gov. Josh Shapiro</a>&nbsp;of Pennsylvania was struggling with the emotional toll of political violence.In the middle of the night just five months ago, someone broke into his home and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arson-pennsylvania-governor-political-violence-388da01e84661fb12ac79c626b0004eb">set it on fire</a>. Shapiro, who is also a likely 2028 Democratic presidential contender, was asleep with his wife and children.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744635153169.png" alt="Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during a media briefing in April on the arson attack-image courtesy Commonwealth Media Services" />
 <figcaption>Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during a media briefing in April on the arson attack-image courtesy Commonwealth Media Services</figcaption>
 </figure>And in the weeks since his family fled the blaze, Shapiro has been forced to confront the vexing questions now consuming elected officials in both parties as they face the impact of Kirk's assassination on their own public lives.“The emotional challenge for me that’s been the hardest to work through is that, as a father, the career I chose, that I find great purpose and meaning in, ended up putting my children’s lives at risk,” Shapiro, a father of four, told The Associated Press. “Make no mistake, the emotional burden of being a father through this has been something that continues to be a challenge for me to this day.”Across the nation, it is much the same for Republican and Democratic officials after another stunning act of political violence. Politicians in both parties and at virtually every level of public service are suddenly being forced to deal with acute security concerns — and feelings of grief, anger and fear — as they move deeper into a fraught election season.Some political leaders are canceling public appearances. Others are relying on a large police presence to keep them safe. And still others insist that the fallout from Kirk’s death won’t have any impact on their duties.Indeed, even as Shapiro offered prayers for Kirk's widow and children, the Democratic governor said he is undeterred in his duties as a leading figure in his national party and his state.“I’m not slowing down," he said.On that, he and President Donald Trump appear to agree.The Republican president was asked during a Friday appearance on Fox News if he would cancel any public appearances of his own.“You have to go forward,” he said.<h2>Violent rhetoric surges</h2>Bellicose rhetoric and even death threats have surged in the days since Kirk was killed."The left is the party of murder," Elon Musk, the tech titan and CEO of the social media platform X, wrote. “If they won't leave us in peace, then our choice is to fight or die."To that, Fox News host Jesse Waters said during a broadcast, “They are at war with us. Whether we want to accept it or not, they are at war with us. What are we going to do about it?”On Friday, a right-wing activist posted online a video outside Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's home, calling on followers to “take action.”The charged environment prompted a number of public officials, largely Democrats, to postpone public appearances.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ruben-gallego">Sen. Ruben Gallego</a>, D-Ariz., canceled a Saturday town hall in Las Vegas “out of an abundance of caution for town hall participants, attendees, and members of the media.” Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alexandria-ocasio-cortez">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a>, D-N.Y., also postponed a weekend event in North Carolina due to security concerns.Former Republican Wisconsin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/scott-walker">Gov. Scott Walker</a>, president of Young America’s Foundation, which works to attract young people to the GOP, said his group canceled a Thursday night event in California featuring conservative commentator Ben Shapiro out of respect for Kirk and his family.And while officials in both parties acknowledged that new security precautions would be in place — for the short term, at least — cancelations have been rare.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wes-moore">Maryland Gov. Wes Moore</a>, another potential Democratic presidential prospect who recently announced his 2026 reelection campaign, said he would not change his public schedule because of the increased threat even as political violence will be on his mind.“It’s never something that completely leaves you, but I don’t think it can be something that debilitates you," Moore told The Associated Press.When asked if he expects a retaliatory attack against Democrats, the former Army captain insisted, "We are not at war with one another.”“As someone who has seen war, as someone who knows what war looks like, as someone who will live with the realities of war for the rest of my life, I refuse to ever believe that we in the country are at war with one another," he said. "And I refuse to believe that that we as a country are devolving into some just kind of type of retaliatory tit for tat.”“Resorting to violence is a remarkable sign of weakness," Moore added. “It means you can’t win a political argument.”And yet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shot-political-violence-history-5ce36193ede90a59a883662df16c6d6c">political violence is becoming more frequent</a>&nbsp;in the United States.Former Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gabrielle-giffords">Rep. Gabby Giffords</a>&nbsp;was shot in the head as she met with constituents in 2011. Republican Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3e84732a7d594eedba6fae5dd10808b7">Steve Scalise was shot</a>&nbsp;at a congressional team baseball practice in 2017. Trump was grazed by a bullet last summer on the stump in Pennsylvania. And barely three months ago, the top Democrat in the Minnesota state house and her husband were gunned down at home.<h2>What it looks like on the campaign trail</h2>Several uniformed police officers stood side by side along the entrance of a public park where the Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-jersey-governor-primary-election-trump-f257499bda21810eff087446f6105c91">candidate for New Jersey governor, Mikie Sherrill</a>, met voters Friday to discuss measures designed to bring transparency to the state budget process.The significant security presence was a sharp shift from Sherrill's recent events.In Illinois, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, Aaron Del Mar, said he and other GOP candidates are discussing new security precautions, such as bringing events indoors, enhanced use of metal detectors and background checks on those who attend their events.“There’s a lot of concern right now,” he said.Back in New Jersey, 35-year-old Democrat Maira Barbosa attended Sherrill's event with her 16-month-old son. She said she's never been more resolved to show up to a political event in person, even as she admitted she had second thoughts.“We’re seeing so much hate speech and we’re seeing people advocate for violence, so of course it makes me concerned, especially to the point of bringing my son,” she said. “If we don’t participate, if we don’t get involved, who is going to represent us?"<h2>Top Democratic governors speak out</h2>In interviews, governors Shapiro and Moore largely avoided casting blame for the current era of political violence, although they were critical of Trump's immediate response to Kirk's shooting.The Republican president highlighted only attacks against Republicans during his Oval Office address on Thursday and blamed “the radical left” for Kirk's shooting, even before the suspect was arrested.Shapiro said Trump “misused the power of an Oval Office address."“To be clear, the political violence has impacted Democrats and Republicans, and the rhetoric of vengeance and the language that has created division has come from both sides of the political divide,” Shapiro said. “No one party has clean hands, and no one party is immune from the threat of political violence.”Moore called for everyone to tone down the rhetoric.“I just think it’s important for the president and anyone else to understand that your words matter, and leadership is how you lift us up in darkness, not how you use it as a moment for opportunism and to introduce more darkness and finger pointing into into an already horrific situation,” he said.“I’m praying for our country," Moore continued. "I’m praying that the legacy of this moment is we got better — not that we got worse.”___Associated Press writers Sejal Govindarao in Phoenix; Laura Bargfeld in Chicago; Chris Megerian in Washington; and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed.

Political leaders confront security concerns and fear after Kirk's assassination

OSAGE COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegaions.

Just before 5 pm Sept. 12, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotic search warrant at 12544 South Topeka Avenue, near Carbondale, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

 As a result, two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility.

Kristina D. Smith, 47, Carbondale, is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of drug paraphernalia, Distribution of marijuana, Possession of hallucinogenic, No drug tax stamp and Use of a communication facility in commission of a felony.

Troy S. Smith, 46, Carbondale is being held on requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of drug paraphernalia, Distribution of marijuana, Possession of hallucinogenic, No drug tax stamp, Battery on a law enforcement officer and Felony obstruction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757801172507.png" alt="Smith-photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegaions.Just before 5 pm Sept. 12, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotic search warrant at 12544 South Topeka Avenue, near Carbondale, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. As a result, two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757801124708.png" alt="Smith phot Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Smith phot Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>Kristina D. Smith, 47, Carbondale, is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of drug paraphernalia, Distribution of marijuana, Possession of hallucinogenic, No drug tax stamp and Use of a communication facility in commission of a felony.Troy S. Smith, 46, Carbondale is being held on requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of drug paraphernalia, Distribution of marijuana, Possession of hallucinogenic, No drug tax stamp, Battery on a law enforcement officer and Felony obstruction.

Kansas couple accused of selling illegal drugs from their home

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>

Nebraska Corrections officials update McCook leaders on plans

McCOOK, Neb. — Business has slumped at the Carniceria CB mini market and Mexican restaurant, its owners said, since Gov. Jim Pillen’s announcement last month that Nebraska is bringing a federal immigration detention facility to town.

Miguel and Mayra Camacho said they’ve heard other area&nbsp;merchants describe similar commercial declines. Some Latinos they know have uprooted from southwest Nebraska, spurred by what the couple believes is fear and uneasiness over an increased ICE presence.

“And it’s not even open yet,” said Miguel Camacho, of the facility branded the “Cornhusker Clink” by federal officials. “Of all the 50 states, why here?”

Comments the Camachos made this week from their Carniceria — a few miles from where a state prison that holds up to 200 beds is being converted into a 300-bed ICE jail — reflected the sentiment of dozens who spoke against the project during a Friday hearing at the Capitol so full it required an overflow area.

The meeting was hosted by the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee. Chairman Terrell McKinney of Omaha offered the space after the chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee declined to hold a public hearing, calling the request premature.

McKinney, a member of both committees, said that while he had been offered a private briefing by the Pillen administration, he opted for a broader discussion open to the public.

He and other committee members said they were concerned about scant information shared about the state-federal plan to repurpose the McCook-based Work Ethic Camp into an ICE detention center for migrants. The state is still trying to relocate the camp’s remaining 155 inmates to different state prisons. Officials said they expect to start housing federal detainees in October.

“Our people want to know, and they’re asking,” said State Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, who also sits on both committees.&nbsp;

“What happens is that when there’s no information provided, negativity and misinformation run rampant,” said State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, the lone Republican committee member who attended the hearing.

On Friday afternoon, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services issued a statement saying that Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys had spoken Thursday with McCook Mayor Linda Taylor and City Manager Nate Schneider about public safety and community impact.

Among the answers Corrections said it provided:

A formal contract between Nebraska and the federal government is still being hammered out, Correctional Services officials said.&nbsp;

At the four-hour Urban Affairs hearing, about 40 people testified, none in support of the prison conversion that many worry could exacerbate state prison crowding elsewhere to accommodate the feds’ deportation push.&nbsp;

Many said they were embarrassed. Some choked back tears. Others said they were angry to learn in news reports that the state had invited the Trump administration to consider Nebraska for such a facility.

Not present were members of the Pillen administration, which told the committee in a Thursday letter it would not participate, arguing that the the Judiciary Committee and not the Urban Affairs Committee had the legal jurisdiction and oversight authority to examine the issues at hand.&nbsp;Pillen’s staff did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

McKinney said he plans to ask the Judiciary Committee chair once again to hold a public hearing that he hopes Pillen’s staff would attend.&nbsp;

Kenny Zoeller, Pillen’s policy research director, wrote in the Thursday’s letter that McKinney had wrongly suggested that the future migrant population at the center would trigger an overcrowding of the correctional system. Zoeller wrote that an emergency declaration is required when the prison population systemwide is over 140% of operational capacity. He said the average now is about 115%.

“We have flexibility within our current corrections facilities to accommodate this new mission,” Zoeller wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757876399224.png" alt=" Miguel and Mayra Camacho, owners of Carniceria mini market and restaurant in McCook, Nebraska, say business has declined sharply in the past month since Gov. Jim Pillen announced that the Work Ethic Camp in town will be converted to an ICE facility under a contract with the Department of Homeland Security. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Miguel and Mayra Camacho, owners of Carniceria mini market and restaurant in McCook, Nebraska, say business has declined sharply in the past month since Gov. Jim Pillen announced that the Work Ethic Camp in town will be converted to an ICE facility under a contract with the Department of Homeland Security. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>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><h2>Nebraska Corrections officials update McCook leaders on plans</h2>McCOOK, Neb. — Business has slumped at the Carniceria CB mini market and Mexican restaurant, its owners said, since Gov. Jim Pillen’s announcement last month that Nebraska is bringing a federal immigration detention facility to town.Miguel and Mayra Camacho said they’ve heard other area&nbsp;merchants describe similar commercial declines. Some Latinos they know have uprooted from southwest Nebraska, spurred by what the couple believes is fear and uneasiness over an increased ICE presence.“And it’s not even open yet,” said Miguel Camacho, of the facility branded the “Cornhusker Clink” by federal officials. “Of all the 50 states, why here?”<h2>‘People want to know’</h2>Comments the Camachos made this week from their Carniceria — a few miles from where a state prison that holds up to 200 beds is being converted into a 300-bed ICE jail — reflected the sentiment of dozens who spoke against the project during a Friday hearing at the Capitol so full it required an overflow area.The meeting was hosted by the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee. Chairman Terrell McKinney of Omaha offered the space after the chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee declined to hold a public hearing, calling the request premature.McKinney, a member of both committees, said that while he had been offered a private briefing by the Pillen administration, he opted for a broader discussion open to the public.He and other committee members said they were concerned about scant information shared about the state-federal plan to repurpose the McCook-based Work Ethic Camp into an ICE detention center for migrants. The state is still trying to relocate the camp’s remaining 155 inmates to different state prisons. Officials said they expect to start housing federal detainees in October.“Our people want to know, and they’re asking,” said State Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, who also sits on both committees.&nbsp;“What happens is that when there’s no information provided, negativity and misinformation run rampant,” said State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, the lone Republican committee member who attended the hearing.On Friday afternoon, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services issued a statement saying that Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys had spoken Thursday with McCook Mayor Linda Taylor and City Manager Nate Schneider about public safety and community impact.Among the answers Corrections said it provided:<ul>
 <li>The converted ICE detention center will house an adult population with minor criminal records and nonviolent felonies.&nbsp;</li><li>Up to 65 staff positions will be added, all state positions, including additional medical personnel.</li><li>The state is exploring options for electronic translation services to assist non-English speaking detainees.</li><li>A perimeter fence and intruder petition system will be added, as well as armed patrols around the perimeter.</li>
 </ul>A formal contract between Nebraska and the federal government is still being hammered out, Correctional Services officials said.&nbsp;<h2>Four hours of testimony</h2>At the four-hour Urban Affairs hearing, about 40 people testified, none in support of the prison conversion that many worry could exacerbate state prison crowding elsewhere to accommodate the feds’ deportation push.&nbsp;Many said they were embarrassed. Some choked back tears. Others said they were angry to learn in news reports that the state had invited the Trump administration to consider Nebraska for such a facility.Not present were members of the Pillen administration, which told the committee in a Thursday letter it would not participate, arguing that the the Judiciary Committee and not the Urban Affairs Committee had the legal jurisdiction and oversight authority to examine the issues at hand.&nbsp;Pillen’s staff did not respond to a request for comment Friday.McKinney said he plans to ask the Judiciary Committee chair once again to hold a public hearing that he hopes Pillen’s staff would attend.&nbsp;Kenny Zoeller, Pillen’s policy research director, wrote in the Thursday’s letter that McKinney had wrongly suggested that the future migrant population at the center would trigger an overcrowding of the correctional system. Zoeller wrote that an emergency declaration is required when the prison population systemwide is over 140% of operational capacity. He said the average now is about 115%.“We have flexibility within our current corrections facilities to accommodate this new mission,” Zoeller wrote.Spike Eickholt, representing ACLU Nebraska, said Nebraska leaders for a decade have debated what to do about state prison crowding. Currently, Nebraska is building a new $310 million-plus prison in Lincoln.“Why are we committing to an investment of a new prison while giving up a current one?” he asked.Other speakers lamented the loss of the Work Ethic Camp’s rehabilitative focus and programming aimed at transitioning criminal offenders for successful re-entry into society.<h2>Nebraska’s role in deportation</h2>But most of Friday’s testimony centered on Nebraska’s role in Trump’s push for mass deportations. Pillen has said he is proud to be part of the president’s effort to “make sure we keep our community safe.”“This stuff hits close to home and hits every corner of this state and country,” the governor has said.Holly Burns said her grandparents, Jose Flores Arsiaga and Margarita Martinez Arsiaga, farmed in Mitchell, Neb., and raised an extended family that’s part of the state’s rich history and multicultural landscape.“Are we willing to risk that and be made a joke nationally as the ‘Cornhusker Clink’ — for money that we may or may not get — and that breaks all values of Nebraska?” she asked.Guillermo Enrique Peña Valladares of Grand Island said he comes from a family of immigrants and that federal enforcement tactics have created anxiety and intimidation even among those legally in the country for generations.“Should I fear saying my name?” he asked, voice cracking. He said his family works in meatpacking plants and his mom speaks broken English. “Every day we have to ask ourselves, ‘Are we going to be alright?’”As his family’s first college graduate, Peña said, he felt a responsibility to speak out.“You are trying to imprison the agricultural hands of Nebraska. They are already battered and bruised,” he said.Anne Wurth, associate legal director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, said a worry is the “lack of planning” and demeaning behavior by ICE toward migrants.She said her nonprofit saw it first hand, representing several of the 78 workers detained in the June 10 immigration raid at Omaha’s Glenn Valley Foods. Wurth described, for example, the early 48 hours when some families did not know where relatives were being held and said some wounds went untreated.“Their goal is to terrorize immigrants,” she said of the federal government. “They continue to demean and dehumanize a population that is integral to the state of Nebraska … We must not do this for them.”<h2>‘Pissed off grandmas’</h2>Don Hooper, a retired educator, was among several who decried the politics. He said he does not want “Cornhusker Clink” to join Nebraska’s “good life” and “home of Arbor Day” signs on the highway.If the facility comes, he said: “It should be named … ‘Pillen’s prison’ in honor of the individual who wants this in Nebraska.”McKinney said he appreciated a petition opposing the immigration detention center coordinated by Nebraska Appleseed, as it reflected statewide opinions. Appleseed’s Ruby Mendez said the effort collected more than 18,000 signatures from people in nearly 400 Nebraska communities.Faith Colburn said she drove in from North Platte with concerns about legal and other services that migrants would have available in McCook.&nbsp;“I’m here representing 50 people,” she said. “Many of them are furious, pissed off grandmas.”About 650 people also submitted written testimony to the Urban Affairs committee. Because it was for an interim hearing, McKinney said, the correspondence had not been categorized into opponents, proponents or neutral.<h2>Carniceria survival plan&nbsp;</h2>In McCook, Miguel and Mayra Camacho said they would not close shop, and hope that business picks up.The family’s move six years ago from Kansas to the Nebraska community of about 7,200 people was calculated, they said. The area has a Walmart and other key stores that draw residents of surrounding towns.Their two kids attend local schools, and have felt a sting from the proposed ICE facility. A classmate asked their daughter if she had seen her “new house,” said Camacho.The small business owners said they are trying to form a group to provide information and support to Latinos in the community. They said they’ve enjoyed the McCook area and their patrons.&nbsp;The couple rode out the COVID-19 slump, opening the Carniceria’s doors every day. Gesturing toward the empty store and restaurant, Camacho said the plan now is to do the same: “Stay here, protect it, survive.”He added, ‘If the community tells me I’m not welcome, we’ll move.”