JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in a pedestrian accident just before 3:30a.m. Tuesday in Overland Park.

A vehicle was eastbound on Goddard Street just west of Switzer Road, according to Officer John Lacy. The vehicle initially struck a parked vehicle on the westbound side of the street.&nbsp; it continued eastbound and struck a pedestrian later identified as 68-year-old Janet Dam of Overland Park. She was walking westbound on the edge of the roadway.&nbsp; The vehicle eventually came to a stop after striking a tree. 

Dam was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

&nbsp;Investigators say Dam is known to walk daily in the area around 4a.m. She was not carrying any identification at the time of the incident.&nbsp;

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in a pedestrian accident just before 3:30a.m. Tuesday in Overland Park.A vehicle was eastbound on Goddard Street just west of Switzer Road, according to Officer John Lacy. The vehicle initially struck a parked vehicle on the westbound side of the street.&nbsp; it continued eastbound and struck a pedestrian later identified as 68-year-old Janet Dam of Overland Park. She was walking westbound on the edge of the roadway.&nbsp; The vehicle eventually came to a stop after striking a tree. Dam was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.&nbsp;Investigators say Dam is known to walk daily in the area around 4a.m. She was not carrying any identification at the time of the incident.&nbsp;

Kan. woman struck and killed by vehicle near her home

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana">REBECCA SANTANA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/elliot-spagat">ELLIOT SPAGAT</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is reassigning at least half the top leadership at Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices around the country in a major shake-up of the agency responsible for carrying out the president’s vision for mass deportations, according to one current and one former U.S. government official.

The current official, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, said 12 ICE field office directors — the officers who run the network of field offices around the country responsible for immigration enforcement — were being reassigned.

Half are to be replaced by existing or retired Customs and Border Protection staff, while the other half would be replaced by ICE officers, both the current and former officials said. The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.

The former official, who has direct knowledge of the changes and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information that was not intended for public release, said on top of the 12 reassignments, leaders in another four cities were being swapped out through retirements or other circumstances. He said the cities include major immigration enforcement targets such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington.

He added that ICE leadership has been discussing the changes with other Trump administration officials for some time as part of a broad review of the agency.

The reason for the personnel changes wasn’t immediately clear. But they indicate a greater integration of Border Patrol agents in ICE at a time when Customs and Border Protection has been accused of using heavy-handed tactics in its immigration enforcement.

A major shakeup in Trump’s immigration enforcement leadership

With a total of 25 field offices around the country, the reassignments amount to turnover of about half or more of the top staffers carrying out the president’s hardline immigration enforcement plans, which has seen a major deployment of law enforcement in major American cities, thousands of arrests and surging fear among residents, especially in immigrant communities.

Homeland Security and the White House did not comment on the reassignments and each instead highlighted that all elements of immigration enforcement were working as one team.

Putting Customs and Border Protection officers into top positions within Immigration and Customs Enforcement would create an expanded role for an agency that is already at the forefront of many of the aggressive tactics seen in both Los Angeles and now in Chicago.

CBP officers — specifically Border Patrol agents — have carried out some of the most controversial operations as part of immigration crackdowns in both of those cities,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-immigration-raid-trump-crackdown-1472ec9dd297054a36925b06297aca2f" rel="nofollow">including a recent raid</a>&nbsp;in Chicago where officers rappelled down onto a building in an apartment complex from a helicopter. Border Patrol agents have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-raids-los-angeles-trojan-horse-penske-1b86bc5f2ff716b89f4aba3320a96979" rel="nofollow">also popped out of a moving truck</a>&nbsp;and chased after people and conducted patrols through downtown Chicago.

Border Patrol agents protect the land and water between the official border crossings to prevent human trafficking, drug smuggling or other types of contraband from entering the U.S. ICE, since its creation in 2003, is the main agency responsible for immigration enforcement inside the country.

But during the Trump administration, Border Patrol agents have been taking part in immigration enforcement operations around the country, far from their more traditional duties.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gregory-bovino-immigration-takeaways-282bcb88d370a77e5188ef97931aff6e" rel="nofollow">Gregory Bovino</a>, the Border Patrol sector chief from California who has been heading the Border Patrol’s operations in both cities, is himself accused of throwing tear gas canisters at protesters and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-illinois-ice-border-patrol-immigration-bovino-d1cf9ce5309f0175a24fdd276f52f06c" rel="nofollow">took the stand</a>&nbsp;Tuesday as a defendant in a federal lawsuit about whether federal officials are using excessive force in Chicago.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement says its agents carry out “targeted enforcement operations,” which often&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-deportation-ice-chicago-arrest-fd6d049fcd293b62f85ffcd5b1a547ee" rel="nofollow">involve hours of time staking out</a>&nbsp;people they’re trying to remove from the country.

It’s the latest in a series of personnel changes

This is the third shake-up at ICE since Trump took office, reflecting the importance of the agency’s role in executing the president’s vision.

In February,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-ice-trump-deportation-4efd094b7b353e4350493986cd6975c2" rel="nofollow">Homeland Security reassigned Caleb Vitello</a>, the acting director of ICE, to another position. Todd Lyons, a veteran ICE agent, was later announced as the new acting head of the agency, a position he still holds.

Then in May, ICE announced the reassignment of the two top officials heading the agency’s main branches.

A spokesperson for Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, did not comment Tuesday on the personnel changes but said in a statement that the department remained “laser focused on RESULTS and we will deliver.”

“This is one team, one fight,” she said. “President (Donald) Trump has a brilliant, tenacious team led by Secretary (Kristi) Noem to deliver on the American people’s mandate to remove criminal illegal aliens from this country.”

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in an e-mailed statement: “The President’s entire team is working in lockstep to implement the President’s policy agenda, and the tremendous results from securing the border to deporting criminal illegal aliens speak for themselves.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761700848702.png" alt="Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference in Florida earlier this month" />
 <figcaption>Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference in Florida earlier this month</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana">REBECCA SANTANA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/elliot-spagat">ELLIOT SPAGAT</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is reassigning at least half the top leadership at Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices around the country in a major shake-up of the agency responsible for carrying out the president’s vision for mass deportations, according to one current and one former U.S. government official.The current official, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, said 12 ICE field office directors — the officers who run the network of field offices around the country responsible for immigration enforcement — were being reassigned.Half are to be replaced by existing or retired Customs and Border Protection staff, while the other half would be replaced by ICE officers, both the current and former officials said. The changes were initiated by the Homeland Security Department, the current official said, without specifying which cities were impacted.The former official, who has direct knowledge of the changes and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information that was not intended for public release, said on top of the 12 reassignments, leaders in another four cities were being swapped out through retirements or other circumstances. He said the cities include major immigration enforcement targets such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington.He added that ICE leadership has been discussing the changes with other Trump administration officials for some time as part of a broad review of the agency.The reason for the personnel changes wasn’t immediately clear. But they indicate a greater integration of Border Patrol agents in ICE at a time when Customs and Border Protection has been accused of using heavy-handed tactics in its immigration enforcement.<h2>A major shakeup in Trump’s immigration enforcement leadership</h2>With a total of 25 field offices around the country, the reassignments amount to turnover of about half or more of the top staffers carrying out the president’s hardline immigration enforcement plans, which has seen a major deployment of law enforcement in major American cities, thousands of arrests and surging fear among residents, especially in immigrant communities.Homeland Security and the White House did not comment on the reassignments and each instead highlighted that all elements of immigration enforcement were working as one team.Putting Customs and Border Protection officers into top positions within Immigration and Customs Enforcement would create an expanded role for an agency that is already at the forefront of many of the aggressive tactics seen in both Los Angeles and now in Chicago.CBP officers — specifically Border Patrol agents — have carried out some of the most controversial operations as part of immigration crackdowns in both of those cities,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-immigration-raid-trump-crackdown-1472ec9dd297054a36925b06297aca2f" rel="nofollow">including a recent raid</a>&nbsp;in Chicago where officers rappelled down onto a building in an apartment complex from a helicopter. Border Patrol agents have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-raids-los-angeles-trojan-horse-penske-1b86bc5f2ff716b89f4aba3320a96979" rel="nofollow">also popped out of a moving truck</a>&nbsp;and chased after people and conducted patrols through downtown Chicago.Border Patrol agents protect the land and water between the official border crossings to prevent human trafficking, drug smuggling or other types of contraband from entering the U.S. ICE, since its creation in 2003, is the main agency responsible for immigration enforcement inside the country.But during the Trump administration, Border Patrol agents have been taking part in immigration enforcement operations around the country, far from their more traditional duties.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gregory-bovino-immigration-takeaways-282bcb88d370a77e5188ef97931aff6e" rel="nofollow">Gregory Bovino</a>, the Border Patrol sector chief from California who has been heading the Border Patrol’s operations in both cities, is himself accused of throwing tear gas canisters at protesters and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-illinois-ice-border-patrol-immigration-bovino-d1cf9ce5309f0175a24fdd276f52f06c" rel="nofollow">took the stand</a>&nbsp;Tuesday as a defendant in a federal lawsuit about whether federal officials are using excessive force in Chicago.Immigration and Customs Enforcement says its agents carry out “targeted enforcement operations,” which often&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-deportation-ice-chicago-arrest-fd6d049fcd293b62f85ffcd5b1a547ee" rel="nofollow">involve hours of time staking out</a>&nbsp;people they’re trying to remove from the country.<h2>It’s the latest in a series of personnel changes</h2>This is the third shake-up at ICE since Trump took office, reflecting the importance of the agency’s role in executing the president’s vision.In February,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-ice-trump-deportation-4efd094b7b353e4350493986cd6975c2" rel="nofollow">Homeland Security reassigned Caleb Vitello</a>, the acting director of ICE, to another position. Todd Lyons, a veteran ICE agent, was later announced as the new acting head of the agency, a position he still holds.Then in May, ICE announced the reassignment of the two top officials heading the agency’s main branches.A spokesperson for Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, did not comment Tuesday on the personnel changes but said in a statement that the department remained “laser focused on RESULTS and we will deliver.”“This is one team, one fight,” she said. “President (Donald) Trump has a brilliant, tenacious team led by Secretary (Kristi) Noem to deliver on the American people’s mandate to remove criminal illegal aliens from this country.”White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in an e-mailed statement: “The President’s entire team is working in lockstep to implement the President’s policy agenda, and the tremendous results from securing the border to deporting criminal illegal aliens speak for themselves.”___Spagat reported from Chicago.

Trump administration shakes up ICE leadership across the country

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

Just before 3:30p.m. Tuesday, crews responded a house fire in the 2500 Block of Montgall Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. First responders reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant home. Crews made an initial attempt for an interior attack but were unsuccessful due to the amount of fire and hoarder type condition in the home.

Defensive operations were established. The intense flames and radiant heat ignited a second structure north of the original fire. Searches of the second structure came back all clear. Both fires were brought under control and crews worked to contain hot spots. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761695102097.png" alt="Photos Kansas City Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kansas City Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of house fire in Kansas City, Missouri.Just before 3:30p.m. Tuesday, crews responded a house fire in the 2500 Block of Montgall Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. First responders reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant home. Crews made an initial attempt for an interior attack but were unsuccessful due to the amount of fire and hoarder type condition in the home.Defensive operations were established. The intense flames and radiant heat ignited a second structure north of the original fire. Searches of the second structure came back all clear. Both fires were brought under control and crews worked to contain hot spots. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;

Hoarding conditions hamper crews fighting KC house fire

PHELPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect for alleged sex crimes involving a juvenile.

This week, 36-year-old Elizabeth Jamie Love and her boyfriend, 43-year-old Jarid “Jack” Krause both of Holdrege, were arrested pursuant to a warrant and criminal complaint filed by the Phelps County Attorney’s Office that charges each with one count of Sex Trafficking of a Minor, according to a statment from Holdredge Police.

 The criminal complaint filed against Love also alleges an additional count of Sexual Grooming by a School Employee.. 

The investigation into Love and Krause began after a current high school student, whom Ms. Love was instructing through her employment as a transition coordinator and teacher in ESU-11, reported inappropriate interactions with the couple over the past few weeks.  

While the investigation into this matter is still ongoing and law enforcement is not aware of any inappropriate interactions with other current or former students. The Holdrege Police Department is interested in speaking with anyone who has any additional information about this current allegation or who may have had prior interactions with Love or Krause, which they now believe is suspicious. 

It is law enforcement’s understanding that Love has been an educator/transition coordinator within ESU-11 for a number of years and in that role, she travels to as many as 15 schools or public-school districts throughout South Central Nebraska.&nbsp; &nbsp;ESU-11 provides educational services to&nbsp; public school districts in south-central Nebraska.

&nbsp;Love and Krause are currently being held in the Phelps County Jail on separate bonds of $250,000 each.

If convicted of the crimes alleged, Love and&nbsp; Krause face up to life imprisonment and lifetime placement on the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry. They made an initial court appearance on Monday in the Phelps County Court.

Anyone with any additional information about Ms. Love and/or Mr. Krause, that may be pertinent to this case or prior contacts with either of them that they now find to be unusual or suspicious, are urged to contact the Holdrege Police Department at (308) 995-4407.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761655940205.png" alt="Love and Krause -photo Phelps Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Love and Krause -photo Phelps Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PHELPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect for alleged sex crimes involving a juvenile.This week, 36-year-old Elizabeth Jamie Love and her boyfriend, 43-year-old Jarid “Jack” Krause both of Holdrege, were arrested pursuant to a warrant and criminal complaint filed by the Phelps County Attorney’s Office that charges each with one count of Sex Trafficking of a Minor, according to a statment from Holdredge Police. The criminal complaint filed against Love also alleges an additional count of Sexual Grooming by a School Employee.. The investigation into Love and Krause began after a current high school student, whom Ms. Love was instructing through her employment as a transition coordinator and teacher in ESU-11, reported inappropriate interactions with the couple over the past few weeks. While the investigation into this matter is still ongoing and law enforcement is not aware of any inappropriate interactions with other current or former students. The Holdrege Police Department is interested in speaking with anyone who has any additional information about this current allegation or who may have had prior interactions with Love or Krause, which they now believe is suspicious. It is law enforcement’s understanding that Love has been an educator/transition coordinator within ESU-11 for a number of years and in that role, she travels to as many as 15 schools or public-school districts throughout South Central Nebraska.&nbsp; &nbsp;ESU-11 provides educational services to&nbsp; public school districts in south-central Nebraska.&nbsp;Love and Krause are currently being held in the Phelps County Jail on separate bonds of $250,000 each.If convicted of the crimes alleged, Love and&nbsp; Krause face up to life imprisonment and lifetime placement on the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry. They made an initial court appearance on Monday in the Phelps County Court.Anyone with any additional information about Ms. Love and/or Mr. Krause, that may be pertinent to this case or prior contacts with either of them that they now find to be unusual or suspicious, are urged to contact the Holdrege Police Department at (308) 995-4407.

Teacher, boyfriend accused of grooming, sex trafficking student

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—One person died in an accident on Tuesday morning in Montgomery County.

According to Sheriff Ron Wade, a 2024 Kia passenger vehicle driven by Heath Ellis, 21, Caney, was traveling on U.S. 75 near County Road 3600 southwest of Independence, Kansas.&nbsp; The vehicle left the road, overturned, struck a culvert and caught fire.&nbsp; Ellis was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

The accident remains under investigation, according to Wade.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—One person died in an accident on Tuesday morning in Montgomery County.According to Sheriff Ron Wade, a 2024 Kia passenger vehicle driven by Heath Ellis, 21, Caney, was traveling on U.S. 75 near County Road 3600 southwest of Independence, Kansas.&nbsp; The vehicle left the road, overturned, struck a culvert and caught fire.&nbsp; Ellis was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;The accident remains under investigation, according to Wade.

Kansas man killed in rollover crash and fire

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a drug bust in Manhattan.

Just before 5:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;executed a search warrant in the 700 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

As a result, officers arrested 60-year-old Joseph Fabre of Manhattan on requested charges of distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stim/heroin within 1000 feet of a school; possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia; possession of a depressant and possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance. Fabre remains jailed on a $40,000 bond.

He has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761665407790.png" alt="Fabre has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Fabre has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a drug bust in Manhattan.Just before 5:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;executed a search warrant in the 700 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.As a result, officers arrested 60-year-old Joseph Fabre of Manhattan on requested charges of distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stim/heroin within 1000 feet of a school; possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia; possession of a depressant and possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance. Fabre remains jailed on a $40,000 bond.He has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon accused of selling heroin

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Tuesday unveiled their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-autopen-investigation-house-republicans-34d14c02bd905b0021a546c24337106f" rel="nofollow">long-promised report</a>&nbsp;on former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden" rel="nofollow">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;use of the autopen, delivering a blistering critique of his time in office and inner circle that largely rehashes public information while making sweeping accusations about the workings of his White House.

<a href="https://oversight.house.gov/landing/the-biden-autopen-presidency/">Click here to read </a>the Oversight Committee report

The GOP report does not include any concrete evidence that aides conspired to enact policies without Biden’s knowledge or that the president was unaware of laws, pardons or executive orders signed in his name. But Republicans said their findings cast doubt on all of Biden’s actions in office. They sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging a full investigation. President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-investigation-autopen-pardons-explainer-e033f6a9d8ecc65a68990f73dd0e718a" rel="nofollow">ordered a similar inquiry</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.

At its core, the report&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-age-probe-steve-richetti-664295c69e71d13a5231c221469170f1" rel="nofollow">advances contested claims</a>&nbsp;that Biden’s mental state declined to a degree that allowed White House officials to enact policies without his knowledge. It focuses heavily on the pardons he granted in office, including to his son, Hunter Biden, based on depositions with close Biden aides.

“The cost of the scheme to hide the fallout of President Biden’s diminished physical and mental acuity was great but will likely never be fully calculated,” the report reads. “The cover-up put American national security at risk and the nation’s trust in its leaders in jeopardy.”

Biden has strenuously denied he was unaware of his administration’s actions, calling such claims “ridiculous and false.” Democrats on the House Oversight committee denounced the probe as a distraction and waste of time.

Republicans are shifting attention&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-biden-election-democrat-midterm-78b6e3998772b987625abbbc9bebf3d0" rel="nofollow">back to Biden</a>&nbsp;at a tumultuous time, 10 months into Trump’s presidency, with the government shut down and Congress at a standstill over legislation to fund it. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has kept the House out of session for nearly a month, with most public-facing committee work grinding to a halt.

The report on Biden was largely compiled over several months before the shutdown began. Based on interviews with more than a dozen members of Biden’s inner circle, the report offers few new revelations, instead drawing broad conclusions from unanswered questions.

It includes repeated references to polls of Biden’s approval rating and perceptions of his public gaffes and apparent aging, much of it publicly known.

It alleges a “cover-up of the president’s cognitive decline” orchestrated by Biden’s inner circle and takes particular aim at Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, who invoked his Fifth Amendment right against testifying. Republicans also singled out senior aides Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini, who similarly pleaded the Fifth. All three “should face further scrutiny” from the Justice Department, Republicans said.

Republicans also sent a letter to the D.C. Board of Medicine urging that O’Connor face “discipline, sanction or revocation of his medical license” and “be barred from the practice of medicine in the District of Columbia.”

The report does not include full transcripts of the at-times multiple hours of recorded testimony that witnesses delivered before the committee. It repeatedly scolds Biden officials and Democratic allies for defending Biden’s mental state.

“The inner-most circle, or cocoon, of the White House senior staff organized one of the largest scandals in American history — hiding a cognitively failing president and refusing any means of confirmation of such demise,” the report says.

While the report claims that record-keeping policies in the Biden White House “were so lax that the chain of custody for a given decision is difficult or impossible to establish,” Republicans do not offer any concrete instances of the chain of command being violated or a policy being enacted without Biden’s knowledge.

Still, Republicans argue that Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-pardons-autopen-capitol-riot-1956c5dcb44ecba10cd9b01171ca9efa" rel="nofollow">use of the autopen</a>&nbsp;should be considered invalid unless there is documented proof of him approving a decision.

“Barring evidence of executive actions taken during the Biden presidency showing that President Biden indeed took a particular executive action, the committee deems those actions taken through use of the autopen as void,” the report says.

Democrats and legal experts have warned that broad scrutiny of executive actions could pose future legal headaches for the Trump administration and congressional Republicans, who also often enact policies directed by lawmakers through devices like the presidential autopen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761664264327.png" alt="Image Oversight Committee" />
 <figcaption>Image Oversight Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Tuesday unveiled their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-autopen-investigation-house-republicans-34d14c02bd905b0021a546c24337106f" rel="nofollow">long-promised report</a>&nbsp;on former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden" rel="nofollow">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;use of the autopen, delivering a blistering critique of his time in office and inner circle that largely rehashes public information while making sweeping accusations about the workings of his White House.<a href="https://oversight.house.gov/landing/the-biden-autopen-presidency/">Click here to read </a>the Oversight Committee reportThe GOP report does not include any concrete evidence that aides conspired to enact policies without Biden’s knowledge or that the president was unaware of laws, pardons or executive orders signed in his name. But Republicans said their findings cast doubt on all of Biden’s actions in office. They sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging a full investigation. President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-investigation-autopen-pardons-explainer-e033f6a9d8ecc65a68990f73dd0e718a" rel="nofollow">ordered a similar inquiry</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749205481205.png" alt="Image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>At its core, the report&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-age-probe-steve-richetti-664295c69e71d13a5231c221469170f1" rel="nofollow">advances contested claims</a>&nbsp;that Biden’s mental state declined to a degree that allowed White House officials to enact policies without his knowledge. It focuses heavily on the pardons he granted in office, including to his son, Hunter Biden, based on depositions with close Biden aides.“The cost of the scheme to hide the fallout of President Biden’s diminished physical and mental acuity was great but will likely never be fully calculated,” the report reads. “The cover-up put American national security at risk and the nation’s trust in its leaders in jeopardy.”Biden has strenuously denied he was unaware of his administration’s actions, calling such claims “ridiculous and false.” Democrats on the House Oversight committee denounced the probe as a distraction and waste of time.Republicans are shifting attention&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-biden-election-democrat-midterm-78b6e3998772b987625abbbc9bebf3d0" rel="nofollow">back to Biden</a>&nbsp;at a tumultuous time, 10 months into Trump’s presidency, with the government shut down and Congress at a standstill over legislation to fund it. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has kept the House out of session for nearly a month, with most public-facing committee work grinding to a halt.The report on Biden was largely compiled over several months before the shutdown began. Based on interviews with more than a dozen members of Biden’s inner circle, the report offers few new revelations, instead drawing broad conclusions from unanswered questions.It includes repeated references to polls of Biden’s approval rating and perceptions of his public gaffes and apparent aging, much of it publicly known.It alleges a “cover-up of the president’s cognitive decline” orchestrated by Biden’s inner circle and takes particular aim at Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, who invoked his Fifth Amendment right against testifying. Republicans also singled out senior aides Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini, who similarly pleaded the Fifth. All three “should face further scrutiny” from the Justice Department, Republicans said.Republicans also sent a letter to the D.C. Board of Medicine urging that O’Connor face “discipline, sanction or revocation of his medical license” and “be barred from the practice of medicine in the District of Columbia.”The report does not include full transcripts of the at-times multiple hours of recorded testimony that witnesses delivered before the committee. It repeatedly scolds Biden officials and Democratic allies for defending Biden’s mental state.“The inner-most circle, or cocoon, of the White House senior staff organized one of the largest scandals in American history — hiding a cognitively failing president and refusing any means of confirmation of such demise,” the report says.While the report claims that record-keeping policies in the Biden White House “were so lax that the chain of custody for a given decision is difficult or impossible to establish,” Republicans do not offer any concrete instances of the chain of command being violated or a policy being enacted without Biden’s knowledge.Still, Republicans argue that Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-pardons-autopen-capitol-riot-1956c5dcb44ecba10cd9b01171ca9efa" rel="nofollow">use of the autopen</a>&nbsp;should be considered invalid unless there is documented proof of him approving a decision.“Barring evidence of executive actions taken during the Biden presidency showing that President Biden indeed took a particular executive action, the committee deems those actions taken through use of the autopen as void,” the report says.Democrats and legal experts have warned that broad scrutiny of executive actions could pose future legal headaches for the Trump administration and congressional Republicans, who also often enact policies directed by lawmakers through devices like the presidential autopen.

Read the report: Biden use of autopen sent to the Justice Department

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday, joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.&nbsp;

“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”

On October 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million Americans that rely on them. &nbsp;

Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP, leaving millions of Americans without the assistance they need to buy food. It is clear the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial SNAP program.&nbsp;

The lapse in benefits will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the country, who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families. This lapse will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems, including college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating students. Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases across the country. The USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.&nbsp;

In Kansas, nearly 188,000 children, families, and seniors rely on SNAP each month to meet their needs. Ordinarily, more than 93,000 Kansas households would receive a total distribution of more than $34.4 million in SNAP benefits. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers the SNAP program, will continue to closely monitor the situation and its impacts on services the agency provides.

While the federal government funds and sets the monthly amount of SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering programs in their state. Suspending SNAP benefits in this manner is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Where Congress has clearly spoken, providing that SNAP benefits should continue even during a government shutdown, USDA does not have the authority to say otherwise. The coalition will also be filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.&nbsp;

Joining&nbsp;Governor Kelly in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,&nbsp;Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined.

Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a2c925b18-1a97ee00-5c46-46fa-81bf-8fdbbe95f1b6-000000/5VIAYM9XO3ktK7g_ze-kJeW4ZRwH1bkUQnl31aoZJFY=428">dcf.ks.gov.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689674819900.png" alt="Photo USDA" />
 <figcaption>Photo USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday, joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.&nbsp;“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”On October 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million Americans that rely on them. &nbsp;Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP, leaving millions of Americans without the assistance they need to buy food. It is clear the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial SNAP program.&nbsp;The lapse in benefits will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the country, who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families. This lapse will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems, including college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating students. Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases across the country. The USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.&nbsp;In Kansas, nearly 188,000 children, families, and seniors rely on SNAP each month to meet their needs. Ordinarily, more than 93,000 Kansas households would receive a total distribution of more than $34.4 million in SNAP benefits. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers the SNAP program, will continue to closely monitor the situation and its impacts on services the agency provides.While the federal government funds and sets the monthly amount of SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering programs in their state. Suspending SNAP benefits in this manner is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Where Congress has clearly spoken, providing that SNAP benefits should continue even during a government shutdown, USDA does not have the authority to say otherwise. The coalition will also be filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.&nbsp;Joining&nbsp;Governor Kelly in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,&nbsp;Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined.Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a2c925b18-1a97ee00-5c46-46fa-81bf-8fdbbe95f1b6-000000/5VIAYM9XO3ktK7g_ze-kJeW4ZRwH1bkUQnl31aoZJFY=428">dcf.ks.gov.</a>

Kansas sues Trump Admin. for 'illegally suspending SNAP benefits'

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating and searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred October 23 eat Dr. Glen Dey Park, located at 2801 N. Grove in Wichita. During a press conference on Tuesday, police announced&nbsp; Crime Stoppers is now offering a $5,000 reward in the case.&nbsp; Police also indicated they have only received three tips on the investigation since the crime occurred.

(Click below to watch the Tuesday police briefing on the shooting)

At approximately 7:03 p.m. an off-duty WPD detective working secondary employment at&nbsp; the park heard multiple gunshots from another area of the park. The detective immediately ran toward the scene and found 32-year-old Travon Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds.

The detective called for backup and emergency medical services, then began life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Stewart was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and later died from his injuries.

Preliminary findings indicate that around 200 to 300 people were in attendance at the football games. Stewart was at the park selling concessions as a fundraiser for a football team not affiliated with the Wichita Junior Football League.

Homicide investigators responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses who remained in the area. Detectives believe this was a targeted shooting and not connected to the youth football games.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,00 reward for information leading to an arrest in the shooting.

Anyone who attended the games or may have information is urged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at 316-268-4407.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761331970728.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating and searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred October 23 eat Dr. Glen Dey Park, located at 2801 N. Grove in Wichita. During a press conference on Tuesday, police announced&nbsp; Crime Stoppers is now offering a $5,000 reward in the case.&nbsp; Police also indicated they have only received three tips on the investigation since the crime occurred.(Click below to watch the Tuesday police briefing on the shooting)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=280&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2252850385227575%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="395" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>At approximately 7:03 p.m. an off-duty WPD detective working secondary employment at&nbsp; the park heard multiple gunshots from another area of the park. The detective immediately ran toward the scene and found 32-year-old Travon Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds.The detective called for backup and emergency medical services, then began life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Stewart was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and later died from his injuries.Preliminary findings indicate that around 200 to 300 people were in attendance at the football games. Stewart was at the park selling concessions as a fundraiser for a football team not affiliated with the Wichita Junior Football League.Homicide investigators responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses who remained in the area. Detectives believe this was a targeted shooting and not connected to the youth football games.Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,00 reward for information leading to an arrest in the shooting.Anyone who attended the games or may have information is urged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at 316-268-4407.&nbsp;

Police: Few tips so far on fatal shooting at Kan. youth football game

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market pushed further into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-nikkei-trump-china-7d7150df20283db5a295abc64d225a63">record heights</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday.

The S&amp;P 500 added 0.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 161 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8%. All three indexes set all-time highs for a third straight day.

Moves were also relatively modest in the bond market as Wall Street waits for a few&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/investors-401k-what-to-do-bb0663da4643e8c3dbe08a4092482aa5">events that could shake things up</a>. On Wednesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-jobs-federal-reserve-aefac7cc9eb26d5cbf57c386a8f65839">Federal Reserve will announce</a>&nbsp;its latest move on interest rates, while some of the stock market’s most influential companies will report how much profit they made during the summer. On Thursday, President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-tariffs-rare-earths-soybeans-exports-efa3b57ce5cd94ee5bfcad1988d9fccd">Trump will meet China’s leader</a>, Xi Jinping, in hopes of smoothing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Until then, profit reports from overnight and the morning were the main drivers of Tuesday’s action.

United Parcel Service rallied 8% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-amazon-layoffs-turnaround-85afc1c459883f41a2283c8394ce1eaf">delivering stronger profit</a>&nbsp;and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. UPS also gave a forecast for revenue in the all-important holiday shipping season that was slightly above analysts’ expectations.

PayPal climbed 3.9% after saying it made a bigger profit during the summer than analysts expected. It also said it plans to pay its shareholders a dividend every three months, while announcing a deal where internet users will be able to pay for purchases through OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Skyworks Solutions climbed 5.8% after saying it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skyworks-qorvo-merger-semiconductors-df463ada8345a3b18c5339a307191b15">merge with Qorvo</a>&nbsp;in a cash-and-stock deal where Skyworks shareholders will own roughly 63% of the combined company, valued at $22 billion. Qorvo’s stock rose nearly as much, 5.7%.

Microsoft was one of the strongest forces lifting the market after rising 2%. That sent the company's total value on Wall Street above $4 trillion.

On the losing end of Wall Street was Royal Caribbean, which lost 8.5% despite reporting a stronger profit than analysts expected. Its revenue for the latest quarter fell short of expectations. The cruise operator also said it’s seen a “minimal” hit to its business this quarter because of bad weather, along with the temporary closure of one of its exclusive destinations in Haiti.

Homebuilder D.R. Horton sank 3.2% after reporting a weaker profit for the summer than analysts expected. Executive Chairman David Auld said his company is still dealing with homebuyers finding it challenging to afford a house, along with cautious consumer sentiment. He said D.R. Horton will likely have to keep offering incentives in the upcoming fiscal year to attract buyers.

Amazon, meanwhile, rose 1% after saying it will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-layoff-ai-14000-artificial-intelligence-cb64af47ebb794541fbdfa8fd264932c">cut about 14,000 corporate jobs</a>, or about 4% of its corporate workforce, as it ramps up spending on artificial intelligence while cutting costs elsewhere.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/layoffs-2025-amazon-ups-job-cuts-8413af9ac5b434b092ed76d6fa6cd196">slowing job market</a>&nbsp;is one of the main reasons Wall Street expects the Fed to announce another cut to interest rates on Wednesday. It would be the second time this year that it’s lowered the federal funds rate in hopes of helping the job market.

The widespread expectation is that the Fed will also cut rates for a third time at its final meeting of the year. A lot is riding on that, in part because U.S. stock prices have already rallied to records on expectations for it. That means the most important part of Wednesday’s announcement for Wall Street will be whether Fed Chair Jerome Powell gives any hints about upcoming moves.

Fed officials have indicated that they’re likely to keep cutting interest rates next year, but they may have to change course if inflation accelerates beyond its still-high level. That’s because low interest rates can make inflation worse.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 3.97% from 4.01% late Monday. A report showing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-d406ec7cdf046a4c365a72672fdfbb8d">confidence among U.S. consumers</a>&nbsp;is a smidgen better than economists expected had little effect on the market.

On Wall Street, the S&amp;P 500 rose 15.73 points to 6,890.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 161.78 to 47,706.37, and the Nasdaq composite gained 190.04 to 23,827.49.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in Europe following modest losses in Asia.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.6% from its record high. South Korea’s Kospi sank 0.8% for another one of the world’s larger moves.

Some of the strongest action in financial markets was again for the price of gold. It’s been struggling after an astonishing run this year, setting records and nearly reaching $4,400 per ounce last week. It’s since dropped back below $4,000 per ounce, and its gain for the year so far has trimmed to roughly 50%.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market pushed further into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-nikkei-trump-china-7d7150df20283db5a295abc64d225a63">record heights</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday.The S&amp;P 500 added 0.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 161 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8%. All three indexes set all-time highs for a third straight day.Moves were also relatively modest in the bond market as Wall Street waits for a few&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/investors-401k-what-to-do-bb0663da4643e8c3dbe08a4092482aa5">events that could shake things up</a>. On Wednesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-jobs-federal-reserve-aefac7cc9eb26d5cbf57c386a8f65839">Federal Reserve will announce</a>&nbsp;its latest move on interest rates, while some of the stock market’s most influential companies will report how much profit they made during the summer. On Thursday, President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-tariffs-rare-earths-soybeans-exports-efa3b57ce5cd94ee5bfcad1988d9fccd">Trump will meet China’s leader</a>, Xi Jinping, in hopes of smoothing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.Until then, profit reports from overnight and the morning were the main drivers of Tuesday’s action.United Parcel Service rallied 8% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-amazon-layoffs-turnaround-85afc1c459883f41a2283c8394ce1eaf">delivering stronger profit</a>&nbsp;and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. UPS also gave a forecast for revenue in the all-important holiday shipping season that was slightly above analysts’ expectations.PayPal climbed 3.9% after saying it made a bigger profit during the summer than analysts expected. It also said it plans to pay its shareholders a dividend every three months, while announcing a deal where internet users will be able to pay for purchases through OpenAI’s ChatGPT.Skyworks Solutions climbed 5.8% after saying it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skyworks-qorvo-merger-semiconductors-df463ada8345a3b18c5339a307191b15">merge with Qorvo</a>&nbsp;in a cash-and-stock deal where Skyworks shareholders will own roughly 63% of the combined company, valued at $22 billion. Qorvo’s stock rose nearly as much, 5.7%.Microsoft was one of the strongest forces lifting the market after rising 2%. That sent the company's total value on Wall Street above $4 trillion.On the losing end of Wall Street was Royal Caribbean, which lost 8.5% despite reporting a stronger profit than analysts expected. Its revenue for the latest quarter fell short of expectations. The cruise operator also said it’s seen a “minimal” hit to its business this quarter because of bad weather, along with the temporary closure of one of its exclusive destinations in Haiti.Homebuilder D.R. Horton sank 3.2% after reporting a weaker profit for the summer than analysts expected. Executive Chairman David Auld said his company is still dealing with homebuyers finding it challenging to afford a house, along with cautious consumer sentiment. He said D.R. Horton will likely have to keep offering incentives in the upcoming fiscal year to attract buyers.Amazon, meanwhile, rose 1% after saying it will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-layoff-ai-14000-artificial-intelligence-cb64af47ebb794541fbdfa8fd264932c">cut about 14,000 corporate jobs</a>, or about 4% of its corporate workforce, as it ramps up spending on artificial intelligence while cutting costs elsewhere.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/layoffs-2025-amazon-ups-job-cuts-8413af9ac5b434b092ed76d6fa6cd196">slowing job market</a>&nbsp;is one of the main reasons Wall Street expects the Fed to announce another cut to interest rates on Wednesday. It would be the second time this year that it’s lowered the federal funds rate in hopes of helping the job market.The widespread expectation is that the Fed will also cut rates for a third time at its final meeting of the year. A lot is riding on that, in part because U.S. stock prices have already rallied to records on expectations for it. That means the most important part of Wednesday’s announcement for Wall Street will be whether Fed Chair Jerome Powell gives any hints about upcoming moves.Fed officials have indicated that they’re likely to keep cutting interest rates next year, but they may have to change course if inflation accelerates beyond its still-high level. That’s because low interest rates can make inflation worse.In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 3.97% from 4.01% late Monday. A report showing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-d406ec7cdf046a4c365a72672fdfbb8d">confidence among U.S. consumers</a>&nbsp;is a smidgen better than economists expected had little effect on the market.On Wall Street, the S&amp;P 500 rose 15.73 points to 6,890.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 161.78 to 47,706.37, and the Nasdaq composite gained 190.04 to 23,827.49.In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in Europe following modest losses in Asia.Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.6% from its record high. South Korea’s Kospi sank 0.8% for another one of the world’s larger moves.Some of the strongest action in financial markets was again for the price of gold. It’s been struggling after an astonishing run this year, setting records and nearly reaching $4,400 per ounce last week. It’s since dropped back below $4,000 per ounce, and its gain for the year so far has trimmed to roughly 50%.___

Stocks close at record highs for second day led by PayPal and UPS

WASHINGTON (AP) —The administration says it will appeal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-mental-health-dei-ruling-8cb195602cffff3ee20724a9fbcd1bb1">a ruling</a>&nbsp;that it must release millions of dollars in grants meant to address a shortage of mental health workers in schools.

The Education Department said in a statement Tuesday that it is working with the Justice Department to appeal the Monday ruling by a federal judge in Seattle.

U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson ruled the administration’s move in April to cancel school mental health grants starting in December 2025 was arbitrary and capricious. The ruling applies only to some grantees in the 16 Democratic-led states that challenged the decision. Congress funded the mental health program after the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

The administration opposed aspects of the grant programs that touched on race, saying they were harmful to students. The department said in its statement Tuesday the grants, which were first awarded under the Biden administration, were used “to promote divisive ideologies based on race and sex.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753487786830.png" alt=" The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., in a file photo from November 2024. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption> The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., in a file photo from November 2024. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The administration says it will appeal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-mental-health-dei-ruling-8cb195602cffff3ee20724a9fbcd1bb1">a ruling</a>&nbsp;that it must release millions of dollars in grants meant to address a shortage of mental health workers in schools.The Education Department said in a statement Tuesday that it is working with the Justice Department to appeal the Monday ruling by a federal judge in Seattle.U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson ruled the administration’s move in April to cancel school mental health grants starting in December 2025 was arbitrary and capricious. The ruling applies only to some grantees in the 16 Democratic-led states that challenged the decision. Congress funded the mental health program after the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.The administration opposed aspects of the grant programs that touched on race, saying they were harmful to students. The department said in its statement Tuesday the grants, which were first awarded under the Biden administration, were used “to promote divisive ideologies based on race and sex.”

Trump admin. to appeal court order to restore grants for school counselors

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

TOPEKA — Kansas farm leaders are pushing Congress to get back to work and solve problems facing the agriculture industry, pointing out that a closed government doesn’t mean U.S. lawmakers can’t be in session.

“I’m up here in Republic County and there’s a lot of activity going around harvest,” said Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union. “And then, of course, wheat drilling and all that, too, and getting ready to move cattle off of pastures. The work doesn’t stop for farmers. We don’t pause, we don’t shut down. We have to keep going.”

Levendofsky, speaking earlier this month in a virtual press conference arranged by Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, echoed comments from Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam to get Congress back to work.

“It’s time to get back to work on and really address some things, particularly some things that really don’t cost money — it’s just public policy that we need to address,” Beam said on the same call.

Levendofsky said the farm bill was allowed to expire, and even though some agricultural issues were addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, much is left to do.

“I’ve talked with farmers in our organization, farmers in my area, and farmers all across the state, and they’re very frustrated with what’s going on right now,” he said.

As farmers are grappling with increased input expenses, tariffs and weather, Davids said she was “p***ed” about President Donald Trump’s expressed intentions to import more Argentinian beef.

“I think we need to be doing everything we can to support American ranchers and producers and farmers and not importing in stuff that we’re growing here,” she said.

Matthew Steele, CEO and executive director of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, listens to news every day with a strong dose of caution and “trying to read through the lines.” As an engineer with a compliance background, he’s always looking deeper, he said.

“You’ve got to always be thinking about this is the black and white, what does all the gray around it mean?” he said in a call with the Kansas Reflector.

For instance, outcry about the potential of Mexico reopening its U.S. border to import feeder cattle doesn’t have as big of an impact as people might expect, Steele said.

About 1 million head a year come in from Mexico, out of 83 million head produced in the U.S., he said.

“It’s not that big of a number,” Steele said. “They’re still anywhere from three to eight or nine months from being ready for harvest anyway. Where the impact comes is those aren’t prime animals that are coming up. It’s not like they’re bringing in certified Angus roasts and steaks. It’s lower quality we grind up and serve as hamburgers.”

Still, the market took that news and went “crazy,” he said. Live cattle contracts fell Monday, dropping about $7 on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/future/lc00?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqe5Xw6SQAaUNwGs9A2aB5ASjPdCoXZgWQjhkC7P1xNSJF4pjUBVwcdsSUxoQ54%3D&amp;gaa_ts=6900dd4b&amp;gaa_sig=Lbzoo0bAhVTAV00lcfxF6snutG3jmoxhqzu_x9PHRP9kDvieAxABx0qDmPz3uZmoJfgkA4qY-GOI_WMvS5ytDA%3D%3D" target="_blank">according to Marketwatch</a>.

Steele said his organization is telling farmers to call their representatives to share stories and help them understand how the system works. Although organizations like Kansas Cattlemen’s are advocating, it means more coming from the people who are doing the work, he said.

Adam Phelon, a Kansas Soybean Association board member who farms with his family near Garnett, joined Davids’ call to share his frustration with the shutdown and what a challenge it can be throughout rural communities with a “snowball effect” that hits many areas.

Phelon said farmers need consistency and certainty to make plans, and they don’t have that right now. He also pointed to families that need support from programs like Women, Infants and Children payments and a friend in the Navy who is stationed in Germany and wasn’t able to make their house payment that was due in October.

“The difficult thing is that even when the government does get back up and running, we’re going to be so far behind,” Phelon said. “We applaud the Congress for getting the renewable fuel standards up to where they should be, but those should be implemented at the beginning of November, and because of this government shutdown, it may be pushed back into the following year.”

Although Davids said the Farm Service Agency announced last week it would resume partial operations, that wasn’t enough to help Kansas farmers.

“This is just a Band-Aid on a larger problem of a government shutdown, and our farmers, ranchers, producers are hurting,” Davids said. “They haven’t received some of their farm subsidies or loans. Conservation projects are stalled, like one that’s near Baldwin City, Kansas, they can’t move forward because no one is in the office to simply process the paperwork. Without crop or market reports, producers are being forced to make major financial decisions in the dark. These programs are truly a lifeline for rural America.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761674362747.png" alt=" Kansas ranchers are concerned about statements out of Washington, D.C., about importing more beef from Mexico and Argentina and how that affects market prices. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas ranchers are concerned about statements out of Washington, D.C., about importing more beef from Mexico and Argentina and how that affects market prices. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas farm leaders are pushing Congress to get back to work and solve problems facing the agriculture industry, pointing out that a closed government doesn’t mean U.S. lawmakers can’t be in session.“I’m up here in Republic County and there’s a lot of activity going around harvest,” said Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union. “And then, of course, wheat drilling and all that, too, and getting ready to move cattle off of pastures. The work doesn’t stop for farmers. We don’t pause, we don’t shut down. We have to keep going.”Levendofsky, speaking earlier this month in a virtual press conference arranged by Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, echoed comments from Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam to get Congress back to work.“It’s time to get back to work on and really address some things, particularly some things that really don’t cost money — it’s just public policy that we need to address,” Beam said on the same call.Levendofsky said the farm bill was allowed to expire, and even though some agricultural issues were addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, much is left to do.“I’ve talked with farmers in our organization, farmers in my area, and farmers all across the state, and they’re very frustrated with what’s going on right now,” he said.As farmers are grappling with increased input expenses, tariffs and weather, Davids said she was “p***ed” about President Donald Trump’s expressed intentions to import more Argentinian beef.“I think we need to be doing everything we can to support American ranchers and producers and farmers and not importing in stuff that we’re growing here,” she said.Matthew Steele, CEO and executive director of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, listens to news every day with a strong dose of caution and “trying to read through the lines.” As an engineer with a compliance background, he’s always looking deeper, he said.“You’ve got to always be thinking about this is the black and white, what does all the gray around it mean?” he said in a call with the Kansas Reflector.For instance, outcry about the potential of Mexico reopening its U.S. border to import feeder cattle doesn’t have as big of an impact as people might expect, Steele said.About 1 million head a year come in from Mexico, out of 83 million head produced in the U.S., he said.“It’s not that big of a number,” Steele said. “They’re still anywhere from three to eight or nine months from being ready for harvest anyway. Where the impact comes is those aren’t prime animals that are coming up. It’s not like they’re bringing in certified Angus roasts and steaks. It’s lower quality we grind up and serve as hamburgers.”Still, the market took that news and went “crazy,” he said. Live cattle contracts fell Monday, dropping about $7 on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/future/lc00?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqe5Xw6SQAaUNwGs9A2aB5ASjPdCoXZgWQjhkC7P1xNSJF4pjUBVwcdsSUxoQ54%3D&amp;gaa_ts=6900dd4b&amp;gaa_sig=Lbzoo0bAhVTAV00lcfxF6snutG3jmoxhqzu_x9PHRP9kDvieAxABx0qDmPz3uZmoJfgkA4qY-GOI_WMvS5ytDA%3D%3D" target="_blank">according to Marketwatch</a>.Steele said his organization is telling farmers to call their representatives to share stories and help them understand how the system works. Although organizations like Kansas Cattlemen’s are advocating, it means more coming from the people who are doing the work, he said.Adam Phelon, a Kansas Soybean Association board member who farms with his family near Garnett, joined Davids’ call to share his frustration with the shutdown and what a challenge it can be throughout rural communities with a “snowball effect” that hits many areas.Phelon said farmers need consistency and certainty to make plans, and they don’t have that right now. He also pointed to families that need support from programs like Women, Infants and Children payments and a friend in the Navy who is stationed in Germany and wasn’t able to make their house payment that was due in October.“The difficult thing is that even when the government does get back up and running, we’re going to be so far behind,” Phelon said. “We applaud the Congress for getting the renewable fuel standards up to where they should be, but those should be implemented at the beginning of November, and because of this government shutdown, it may be pushed back into the following year.”Although Davids said the Farm Service Agency announced last week it would resume partial operations, that wasn’t enough to help Kansas farmers.“This is just a Band-Aid on a larger problem of a government shutdown, and our farmers, ranchers, producers are hurting,” Davids said. “They haven’t received some of their farm subsidies or loans. Conservation projects are stalled, like one that’s near Baldwin City, Kansas, they can’t move forward because no one is in the office to simply process the paperwork. Without crop or market reports, producers are being forced to make major financial decisions in the dark. These programs are truly a lifeline for rural America.”

We don’t shut down’: Kansas ag leaders tell Congress to get back to work

&nbsp;SALINE COUNTY—Police continue their investigation into the death of a baby in Salina.

On Tuesday, Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler&nbsp; reported an autopsy indicated the need for additional investigation into the death of the 7-week-old boy who died July 28. Police initially indicated they were waiting for the results of the autopsy and forensic report on the death.

Salina Police are working with other law enforcement agencies on the case and will utilize an expert from Wichita to help determine how the child died.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest in the case but have identified all parties involved as part of the investigation.

&nbsp;SALINE COUNTY—Police continue their investigation into the death of a baby in Salina.On Tuesday, Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler&nbsp; reported an autopsy indicated the need for additional investigation into the death of the 7-week-old boy who died July 28. Police initially indicated they were waiting for the results of the autopsy and forensic report on the death.Salina Police are working with other law enforcement agencies on the case and will utilize an expert from Wichita to help determine how the child died.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest in the case but have identified all parties involved as part of the investigation.

Police update investigation in death of baby in central Kansas

WASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;Congressman Derek Schmidt announced he will cosponsor legislation to maintain food assistance for Kansans in need if the federal government shutdown continues, according to a media release from the office of the 2nd District Representative.

“This shutdown has been unnecessary from the beginning and hurts many Kansans,” Schmidt said. “It should not have happened, it has made reaching bipartisan agreement on many important funding priorities for the coming year harder not easier, and it needs to end. In my view, the right thing to do is to reopen the entire government and resume negotiations on full-year funding bills, but if a minority of U.S. Senators keeps refusing that approach then reopening critical parts of the government like food assistance is better than nothing at all.”

Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance program is expected to run out after November 1 if the government remains shut. The bill Schmidt will cosponsor, H.R. 5822, would continue SNAP funding for Kansans in need.

More than a month ago, the House of Representatives voted to temporarily continue funding all government operations while bipartisan negotiations for full-year funding priorities continue. A bipartisan majority of U.S. Senators agrees with keeping the government open during negotiations, but a minority of senators has repeatedly refused and under Senate rules that minority is able to block funding bills.

Schmidt has voted in favor of every government-funding bill that has come to the House floor this year. On September 19, he voted for the clean, short-term continuing resolution to maintain government operations for seven more weeks while bipartisan negotiations on annual funding bills continue. He also voted for full-year funding for the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers when those funding bills came before the House of Representatives.

Since the shutdown began, Schmidt has cosponsored several targeted bills intended to resume funding for specific federal services. In addition to the SNAP funding bill he cosponsored today, Schmidt has cosponsored standalone legislation to pay U.S. troops (H.R. 5401) and air traffic controllers (H.R. 5455).

In the absence of congressional action, Schmidt has favored actions by the Trump Administration to reallocate funding within the limits of the law to meet urgent priorities. Actions by the administration so far include paying U.S. troops and law enforcement officers, temporarily extending funding for the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, and reopening Farm Service Agency offices.

Schmidt also has cosponsored legislation to prevent future government shutdowns by continuing current funding levels whenever Congress allows annual appropriations to lapse (H.R. 5130 and H.R. 5552).

“This chaotic shutdown approach is no way to run the government of a great country,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt has also cosponsored a Constitutional Amendment that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving pay during a government shutdown (H.J.Res. 128).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760987168428.png" alt="Rep. Derek Schmidt from a video on his social media page last week" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Derek Schmidt from a video on his social media page last week</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;Congressman Derek Schmidt announced he will cosponsor legislation to maintain food assistance for Kansans in need if the federal government shutdown continues, according to a media release from the office of the 2nd District Representative.“This shutdown has been unnecessary from the beginning and hurts many Kansans,” Schmidt said. “It should not have happened, it has made reaching bipartisan agreement on many important funding priorities for the coming year harder not easier, and it needs to end. In my view, the right thing to do is to reopen the entire government and resume negotiations on full-year funding bills, but if a minority of U.S. Senators keeps refusing that approach then reopening critical parts of the government like food assistance is better than nothing at all.”Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance program is expected to run out after November 1 if the government remains shut. The bill Schmidt will cosponsor, H.R. 5822, would continue SNAP funding for Kansans in need.More than a month ago, the House of Representatives voted to temporarily continue funding all government operations while bipartisan negotiations for full-year funding priorities continue. A bipartisan majority of U.S. Senators agrees with keeping the government open during negotiations, but a minority of senators has repeatedly refused and under Senate rules that minority is able to block funding bills.Schmidt has voted in favor of every government-funding bill that has come to the House floor this year. On September 19, he voted for the clean, short-term continuing resolution to maintain government operations for seven more weeks while bipartisan negotiations on annual funding bills continue. He also voted for full-year funding for the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers when those funding bills came before the House of Representatives.Since the shutdown began, Schmidt has cosponsored several targeted bills intended to resume funding for specific federal services. In addition to the SNAP funding bill he cosponsored today, Schmidt has cosponsored standalone legislation to pay U.S. troops (H.R. 5401) and air traffic controllers (H.R. 5455).In the absence of congressional action, Schmidt has favored actions by the Trump Administration to reallocate funding within the limits of the law to meet urgent priorities. Actions by the administration so far include paying U.S. troops and law enforcement officers, temporarily extending funding for the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, and reopening Farm Service Agency offices.Schmidt also has cosponsored legislation to prevent future government shutdowns by continuing current funding levels whenever Congress allows annual appropriations to lapse (H.R. 5130 and H.R. 5552).“This chaotic shutdown approach is no way to run the government of a great country,” Schmidt said.Schmidt has also cosponsored a Constitutional Amendment that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving pay during a government shutdown (H.J.Res. 128).

Kan. Rep. calls for continuing food assistance during shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the U.S. military has carried out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-drug-boat-strike-ffb1b720fa018336316238463924b78a">strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean</a>&nbsp;on four boats accused of carrying drugs, killing 14 people and leaving one survivor in the deadliest single day since the Trump administration began its divisive campaign against drug trafficking in the waters off South America.

It was the first time multiple strikes were announced in a single day as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">the pace of the attacks</a>&nbsp;has escalated. The nearly two-month campaign and U.S. military buildup have strained ties with allies in the region and opened speculation that the moves are aimed at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dhs-plan-capture-maduro-pilot-planes-7915d5a0819ceb518a8ca2b47da8b2e5">ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro</a>, whom the U.S. has accused of narcoterrorism.

A statement provided by a Pentagon official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss the operation, said the strikes were conducted Monday off the coast of Colombia.

Following one attack on a boat, the military spotted a person in the water clinging to some wreckage. The military passed the survivor’s precise location to the U.S. Coast Guard and a Mexican military aircraft that was operating in the area, the official said.

However, the Mexican navy says it is searching about 400 miles southwest of the Pacific city of Acapulco, suggesting the possibility that the strike may have taken place far away from Colombia and closer to Mexico’s coast. It wasn’t immediately clear exactly where the strike took place, and the Pentagon did not give more details.

Mexico is still conducting a search for the survivor and criticizes the strikes

Hegseth said Mexican search and rescue authorities “assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue” of the sole survivor but didn’t say if that person was successfully rescued or would stay in Mexico’s custody or be handed over to the U.S.

Mexico's navy still was attempting a search and rescue operation, the military said in a statement Tuesday, a day after the strikes occurred. The American attacks drew renewed criticism from the regional ally.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference that she asked the foreign affairs secretary and the navy to meet with the U.S. ambassador in Mexico to discuss the issue because “we do not agree with these attacks.”

“We want all international treaties to be respected,” she said.

The strikes also have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-colombia-petro-sanctions-drug-trafficking-1b6ead338ec266b3df40859db6ee2d8d">strained ties with other historic allies</a>&nbsp;like Colombia, a country whose intelligence is crucial to American anti-narcotics operations in the region. In an escalating clash between the Republican U.S. president and Colombia’s first leftist leader, the Trump administration imposed sanctions Friday on Colombian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gustavo-petro">Gustavo Petro</a>, his family and a member of his government over accusations of involvement in the global drug trade. Petro vehemently denies the allegations.

In a strike earlier this month with two survivors, the U.S. military rescued the pair and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd">repatriated them to Colombia and Ecuador</a>. Authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-strike-caribbean-trump-fentanyl-colombia-venezuela-0f8f1c004064857046398b388ddb8df5">released the Ecuadorian man</a>&nbsp;after prosecutors said they had no evidence he committed a crime in Ecuador.

Hegseth posted footage of the latest strikes to social media in which two boats can be seen moving through the water in separate clips. One is visibly laden with a large amount of parcels or bundles. Both then suddenly explode and are seen in flames.

The third strike appears to have been conducted on a pair of boats that were stationary in the water alongside each other. They appear to be largely empty, with at least two people seen moving before an explosion engulfs both boats.

Hegseth said “the four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics.”

The Trump administration has shown no evidence to support its claims about the boats, their connection to drug cartels, or even the identity of the people killed in the strikes that began in early September and had been spaced weeks apart.

Fatalities rise as speculation swirls about the US campaign

The death toll from the 13 disclosed strikes has increased to at least 57 people. The Trump administration said several of the strikes have been off the coast of Venezuela or blamed them on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-strike-caribbean-rubio-trump-tren-de-aragua-9e0dac7dee5a3fb14a16370508fc460d">Tren de Aragua gang</a>, which originated in a Venezuelan prison and has been declared a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.

After the Pentagon announced Friday that it was dispatching an aircraft carrier to join&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-buildup-caribbean-venezuela-ships-troops-810f6181371f53536c723ea562c5277c">the eight warships and thousands of troops</a>&nbsp;already in the region, Maduro said the U.S. government was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-warship-maduro-uss-gerald-ford-21cc3ac03f755a657c0541667246c007">“fabricating” a war against him</a>.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-gaza-ceasefire-colombia-venezuela-82eb1929a74955f2c9be1339602176dd">U.S. is taking part in a counterdrug operation</a>, while also accusing Maduro’s government of allowing and participating in the shipment of narcotics.

The U.S. military also flew a pair of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-maduro-supersonic-bombers-03b246ca6cf7ed9fa6d39e1f716b1754">supersonic heavy bombers up to the coast</a>&nbsp;of Venezuela.

President Donald Trump has said he has the “legal authority” to carry out the attacks on the alleged drug-carrying boats and suggested similar strikes could be done on land.

In his announcement of the latest strikes, Hegseth continued to draw parallels between the military’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">actions against drug trafficking and the war on terrorism</a>&nbsp;following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

He claimed that cartels “have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same."

Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">an “armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>&nbsp;and proclaiming the criminal organizations to be unlawful combatants, relying on the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush’s administration for the war on terrorism.

Associated Press writers María Verza and Megan Janetsky in Mexico City contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. military carried out three strikes Monday in the waters of the Eastern Pacific against boats suspected of carrying drugs, killing 14 and leaving one survivor.

The announcement made on social media Tuesday, marks a continued escalation in the pace of the strikes, which began in early September spaced weeks apart. This was the first time multiple strikes were announced in a single day.

Hegseth said Mexican search and rescue authorities “assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue” of the sole survivor but didn’t say if that person would stay in their custody or be handed over to the U.S.

In a strike earlier in October which had two survivors, the U.S. military rescued the pair and later repatriated them to Colombia and Ecuador.

Hegseth posted footage of the strikes to social media in which two boats can be seen moving at speed through the water. One is visibly laden with a large amount of parcels or bundles. Both then suddenly explode and are seen aflame.

The third strike appears to have been conducted on a pair of boats that were stationary in the water alongside each other. They appear to be largely empty with at least two people seen moving before an explosion engulfs both boats.

The death toll from the 13 disclosed strikes since early September is now at least 57 people.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the U.S. military has carried out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-drug-boat-strike-ffb1b720fa018336316238463924b78a">strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean</a>&nbsp;on four boats accused of carrying drugs, killing 14 people and leaving one survivor in the deadliest single day since the Trump administration began its divisive campaign against drug trafficking in the waters off South America.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out three lethal kinetic strikes on four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific. The four vessels were known by our intelligence… <a href="https://t.co/UhoFlZ3jPG">pic.twitter.com/UhoFlZ3jPG</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1983164355999883548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It was the first time multiple strikes were announced in a single day as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">the pace of the attacks</a>&nbsp;has escalated. The nearly two-month campaign and U.S. military buildup have strained ties with allies in the region and opened speculation that the moves are aimed at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dhs-plan-capture-maduro-pilot-planes-7915d5a0819ceb518a8ca2b47da8b2e5">ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro</a>, whom the U.S. has accused of narcoterrorism.A statement provided by a Pentagon official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss the operation, said the strikes were conducted Monday off the coast of Colombia.Following one attack on a boat, the military spotted a person in the water clinging to some wreckage. The military passed the survivor’s precise location to the U.S. Coast Guard and a Mexican military aircraft that was operating in the area, the official said.However, the Mexican navy says it is searching about 400 miles southwest of the Pacific city of Acapulco, suggesting the possibility that the strike may have taken place far away from Colombia and closer to Mexico’s coast. It wasn’t immediately clear exactly where the strike took place, and the Pentagon did not give more details.<h2>Mexico is still conducting a search for the survivor and criticizes the strikes</h2>Hegseth said Mexican search and rescue authorities “assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue” of the sole survivor but didn’t say if that person was successfully rescued or would stay in Mexico’s custody or be handed over to the U.S.Mexico's navy still was attempting a search and rescue operation, the military said in a statement Tuesday, a day after the strikes occurred. The American attacks drew renewed criticism from the regional ally.Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference that she asked the foreign affairs secretary and the navy to meet with the U.S. ambassador in Mexico to discuss the issue because “we do not agree with these attacks.”“We want all international treaties to be respected,” she said.The strikes also have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-colombia-petro-sanctions-drug-trafficking-1b6ead338ec266b3df40859db6ee2d8d">strained ties with other historic allies</a>&nbsp;like Colombia, a country whose intelligence is crucial to American anti-narcotics operations in the region. In an escalating clash between the Republican U.S. president and Colombia’s first leftist leader, the Trump administration imposed sanctions Friday on Colombian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gustavo-petro">Gustavo Petro</a>, his family and a member of his government over accusations of involvement in the global drug trade. Petro vehemently denies the allegations.In a strike earlier this month with two survivors, the U.S. military rescued the pair and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-military-strikes-drugs-caribbean-ecuador-colombia-c1d4c025e1dfe21cc7ee67d7aa4e05bd">repatriated them to Colombia and Ecuador</a>. Authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ecuador-strike-caribbean-trump-fentanyl-colombia-venezuela-0f8f1c004064857046398b388ddb8df5">released the Ecuadorian man</a>&nbsp;after prosecutors said they had no evidence he committed a crime in Ecuador.Hegseth posted footage of the latest strikes to social media in which two boats can be seen moving through the water in separate clips. One is visibly laden with a large amount of parcels or bundles. Both then suddenly explode and are seen in flames.The third strike appears to have been conducted on a pair of boats that were stationary in the water alongside each other. They appear to be largely empty, with at least two people seen moving before an explosion engulfs both boats.Hegseth said “the four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics.”The Trump administration has shown no evidence to support its claims about the boats, their connection to drug cartels, or even the identity of the people killed in the strikes that began in early September and had been spaced weeks apart.<h2>Fatalities rise as speculation swirls about the US campaign</h2>The death toll from the 13 disclosed strikes has increased to at least 57 people. The Trump administration said several of the strikes have been off the coast of Venezuela or blamed them on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-strike-caribbean-rubio-trump-tren-de-aragua-9e0dac7dee5a3fb14a16370508fc460d">Tren de Aragua gang</a>, which originated in a Venezuelan prison and has been declared a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.After the Pentagon announced Friday that it was dispatching an aircraft carrier to join&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-buildup-caribbean-venezuela-ships-troops-810f6181371f53536c723ea562c5277c">the eight warships and thousands of troops</a>&nbsp;already in the region, Maduro said the U.S. government was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-warship-maduro-uss-gerald-ford-21cc3ac03f755a657c0541667246c007">“fabricating” a war against him</a>.Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-gaza-ceasefire-colombia-venezuela-82eb1929a74955f2c9be1339602176dd">U.S. is taking part in a counterdrug operation</a>, while also accusing Maduro’s government of allowing and participating in the shipment of narcotics.The U.S. military also flew a pair of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-maduro-supersonic-bombers-03b246ca6cf7ed9fa6d39e1f716b1754">supersonic heavy bombers up to the coast</a>&nbsp;of Venezuela.President Donald Trump has said he has the “legal authority” to carry out the attacks on the alleged drug-carrying boats and suggested similar strikes could be done on land.In his announcement of the latest strikes, Hegseth continued to draw parallels between the military’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">actions against drug trafficking and the war on terrorism</a>&nbsp;following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.He claimed that cartels “have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same."Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">an “armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>&nbsp;and proclaiming the criminal organizations to be unlawful combatants, relying on the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush’s administration for the war on terrorism.___Associated Press writers María Verza and Megan Janetsky in Mexico City contributed to this report.-----------------------------WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. military carried out three strikes Monday in the waters of the Eastern Pacific against boats suspected of carrying drugs, killing 14 and leaving one survivor.The announcement made on social media Tuesday, marks a continued escalation in the pace of the strikes, which began in early September spaced weeks apart. This was the first time multiple strikes were announced in a single day.Hegseth said Mexican search and rescue authorities “assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue” of the sole survivor but didn’t say if that person would stay in their custody or be handed over to the U.S.In a strike earlier in October which had two survivors, the U.S. military rescued the pair and later repatriated them to Colombia and Ecuador.Hegseth posted footage of the strikes to social media in which two boats can be seen moving at speed through the water. One is visibly laden with a large amount of parcels or bundles. Both then suddenly explode and are seen aflame.The third strike appears to have been conducted on a pair of boats that were stationary in the water alongside each other. They appear to be largely empty with at least two people seen moving before an explosion engulfs both boats.The death toll from the 13 disclosed strikes since early September is now at least 57 people.

🎥US military kills 14 in 4 more strikes on drug-running boats 

Rep. Sharice Davids joins five GOP Kansas peers to suspend compensation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761649665877.png" alt=" U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, said Oct. 27, 2025, that she voluntarily had her congressional paycheck withheld until resolution of the current federal government shutdown. All five Republican members of the Kansas delegation have done likewise. In this image, Davids speaks during an April 30, 2025, budget hearing in the U.S. House. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from U.S. House YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, said Oct. 27, 2025, that she voluntarily had her congressional paycheck withheld until resolution of the current federal government shutdown. All five Republican members of the Kansas delegation have done likewise. In this image, Davids speaks during an April 30, 2025, budget hearing in the U.S. House. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from U.S. House YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Rep. Sharice Davids joins five GOP Kansas peers to suspend compensation</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — All six members of the Kansas congressional delegation voluntarily put a halt to payment of their federal salaries during the ongoing government shutdown.The latest to join the group, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of the 3rd District, said Monday that she sent a letter to the chief administrative officer of the U.S. House requesting her paycheck be withheld until adoption of a bipartisan resolution to the impasse.“Washington’s dysfunction is unacceptable, and Kansans have had enough,” Davids said. “I continue to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come to the table to end this shutdown, and I will refuse to accept a paycheck until this shutdown is resolved.”Other Kansans, all Republicans, also declined paychecks during the standoff: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann of the 1st District, U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt of the 2nd District and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of the 4th District.Members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate earn $174,000 in annual salary, which amounts to $14,500 per month.The U.S. House passed a bill that would keep the federal government open into November, but the Senate hasn’t been able to reach agreement on a funding measure.Schmidt, who represents much of rural eastern Kansas, said “the whole situation is so unnecessary and very frustrating.”He said the Senate had two options: One, pass the “clean, bipartisan” bill endorsed more than a month ago by the House. Or, the Senate could approve a different bill that could be voted on by the House.Estes said failure of Congress to pass a temporary funding bill didn’t stop paychecks from going to lawmakers during a shutdown. He sent a letter weeks ago to U.S. House administrators with instructions to withhold his net pay until an appropriations agreement took effect.Payton Fuller, a spokesperson for Marshall, said the GOP senator likewise “feels strongly that if federal workers and the military are required to work without pay, then it’s not right for him to be accepting a paycheck.”In a recent interview, Marshall said a breakthrough could occur Nov. 1 because air traffic controllers and members of the military were due a paycheck. He said political pressure could be “the seminal moment that pushes us forward.”The federal budget dispute also poses a threat to recipients of SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which delivers food aid to approximately 187,000 people in Kansas. It risks suspension of funding for WIC, the program for Women, Infants and Children that provides healthy food, breastfeeding support and nutrition education to about 50,000 Kansans.Thousands of Kansans have been placed on furlough in October, but federal employees viewed as essential have been required to stay on the job without pay. Kansas is home to more than 25,000 federal employees and more than 21,000 active-duty members of the military“My mom, an Army veteran, raised my brothers and me on her own,” Davids said. “If she had missed even one paycheck, it could’ve meant choosing between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table.”She said an agreement by Congress to reopen the federal government should include a provision protecting families from rising health care costs when insurance tax credits expired later this year.