Crime
No active threat identified at Newman Regional Health in Emporia
UPDATE: Police confirm the active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health was a false alarm.
EMPORIA, Kan. — Emporia State University (ESU) issued an emergency alert Thursday afternoon after reports of an active shooter at Newman Regional Health, prompting a lockdown and urgent safety warnings for students, staff, and the surrounding community.
The alert was first sent out at 4:40 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, through the university’s official Twitter/X account and emergency notification system.
The incident reportedly occurred near Cora Miller Hall and Newman Regional Health, both located close to campus.
The initial message from ESU read:
“ESU Alert: An active shooter has been reported at Newman Regional Health. If you are near the area: Run. Hide. Fight. If you are off campus, remain away.”
Within minutes, ESU posted a more detailed statement on its website, urging students and faculty to take immediate action. The message outlined standard “Run, Hide, Fight” protocols for active shooter situations:
- RUN: Evacuate quickly and cautiously if possible, moving away from the shooter’s location. Leave belongings behind, assist others if safe to do so, and do not stop until reaching a secure location. Call 911 once safe.
- HIDE: If escape is not possible, shelter in place out of the attacker’s view, preferably in a room with solid walls. Lock and barricade doors, silence cell phones, and remain quiet. Prepare a defense plan and await law enforcement instructions.
- FIGHT: As a last resort, defend yourself if your life is in immediate danger. Use available objects as improvised weapons, act with aggression, and coordinate with others if possible to overpower the assailant.
The advisory also provided instructions for when law enforcement arrives, urging individuals to remain calm, keep hands visible, and follow all commands without sudden movements.
Police and emergency responders were dispatched immediately to the scene. ESU stressed that individuals should not approach the area and instead report any suspicious activity directly to 911.
At this time, no additional details about the suspect, possible victims, or the circumstances surrounding the report have been released.
Authorities are continuing to investigate, and updates are expected through official ESU channels, including the university website and the RAVE alert system.
Crime
Watch: Jeffrey Epstein survivors release video calling on Congress to release the Epstein files
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse have released a powerful public message calling on Congress to declassify and release all documents connected to Epstein, his crimes, and those who may have enabled or participated in his trafficking network.
In the video statement, survivors emphasize that across five presidential administrations, they have waited without answers, transparency, or meaningful accountability.
More than three decades after Epstein’s crimes first came to light, they say critical information remains sealed, redacted, or otherwise inaccessible to the public — including to those who suffered directly as a result of his actions.
“For thirty years, we have waited in silence and uncertainty,” the message states. “We deserve the truth. The world deserves the truth. The time has come to bring the secrets out of the shadows.”
The group is urging lawmakers to support the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a proposed measure that would require the federal government to release investigative records, court materials, and relevant agency files associated with Epstein, his associates, and public institutions connected to the case.
Advocates argue that releasing the full record will not only expose systemic failures but also help prevent future exploitation by revealing networks, complicity, and loopholes that enabled Epstein to operate with impunity for decades.
In their call to action, survivors are asking the public to contact their elected officials and demand full transparency.
The video concludes with a unified plea:
“We are demanding the release of all Epstein files. The time is now. Call your member of Congress and tell them to vote YES on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”
The movement continues to gain momentum nationally, with growing public support and increasing pressure on lawmakers to act.
Further updates will be provided as legislative developments unfold.