PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Authorities knocked on doors in search of video and sifted through snow and dumpsters for other evidence that might lead them to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-mass-shooting-cc3e5d5505cf0e3d9e49fdc56c2a1459">Brown University</a>&nbsp;gunman, whose face was covered or not visible in footage captured before and after the weekend attack that killed two students and wounded nine others.

Officials on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-investigation-b08f1fdf5e71542f6e93bbba05fa043c">released three new videos</a>&nbsp;of the man they believe carried out Saturday's attack that show him wearing a mask and a dark two-tone jacket. Although his face wasn't visible, the footage from about two hours before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-active-shooter-c7c9d1c7da19a76c2a27685c7e63d6da">the shooting</a>&nbsp;provided the clearest images yet of the suspect.

<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/brown-university-shooting/@@download.pdf">The FBI said the man</a>&nbsp;is about 5 feet, 8 inches (173 centimeters) tall, with a stocky build. The agency offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

“We’re asking for the public’s assistance,” Providence's police chief, Col. Oscar Perez, said at a news conference, urging people who might recognize the suspect to call a tip line.

Police renewed their search after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-suspect-search-1da03b12b2eac2b530172667d3df30c4">releasing a person of interest</a>&nbsp;Sunday once they determined the evidence pointed elsewhere. Meanwhile, details began to emerge about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-victims-e5b40e867f1a349c5c9b7c4f0e866af8">the students who were shot</a>.

The lockdown order for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/Qz3Ac/?v=5">the Ivy League school</a>&nbsp;was lifted Sunday after authorities said they had detained the person of interest. But hopes for a quick resolution were dashed when they announced hours later that they had released him.

The abrupt change of direction marked a setback in the investigation as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-security-64e1e19e7a4ce2039912107071035247">questions swirl about campus security</a>, the apparent lack of school video evidence and whether the focus on the person of interest gave the attacker more time to escape.

Gov. Dan McKee requested additional local police at schools to provide reassurance for students, families and educators.

A church on the university campus planned to host a “Community Service of Lament, Healing and Hope” on Tuesday night.

Before Monday's news conference, police released a second video showing someone dressed in black walking along a city street minutes after the shooting. The video — like one released the day of the shooting — didn't show the suspect's face.

In a neighborhood near the university, a line of officers scraped their feet through a snow-covered yard looking for evidence. Meanwhile, agents identifying themselves as U.S. marshals asked locals if they had security cameras.

The shooting occurred as final exams were underway at Brown, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious schools. Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom and the attack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/brown-university-shooting-photos-9b517a673845e52fd9a91eea40ece6e4">set off hours of chaos</a>.

Attorney General Peter Neronha, who said Sunday that there weren't many cameras where the attack happened, said Monday that investigators were “making steady progress.”

One of the dead was active in church. The other overcame health concerns

The shooting happened in an auditorium-style classroom where students in a study group were preparing for an upcoming exam.

Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore who was vice president of the Brown College Republicans and beloved in her church in Birmingham, Alabama, was one of the students killed, according to her pastor at home.

In announcing her death Sunday, the Rev. R. Craig Smalley described Cook as “an incredible grounded, faithful, bright light” who encouraged and “lifted up those around her.”

“Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates,” Martin Bertao, the president of the club, said in a message posted on X.

The other student who was killed was MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience. He was helping a friend at a review session for an economics final when he was shot, his sister said.

As a child, Umurzokov suffered a neurological condition that required surgery, and he later wore a back brace because of scoliosis, said Samira Umurzokova, noting that the family immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan when she, her brother and sister were young. He knew from an early age he wanted to be a neurosurgeon to help others like himself.

“He had so many hardships in his life, and he got into this amazing school and tried so hard to follow through with the promise he made when was 7 years old,” she told the AP by phone Monday.

Only one of the nine people wounded had been released as of Sunday, Brown President Christina Paxson said. One was in critical condition and the other seven were in critical but stable condition. Mayor Brett Smiley said Monday evening that none of their conditions had worsened, but that he didn't have further information.

Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in Durham, North Carolina, confirmed that a recent graduate, Kendall Turner, was critically wounded and that her parents were with her. “Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones,” the school said in a statement.

Another wounded student, 18-year-old freshman Spencer Yang of New York City, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/us/brown-shooting-witness-spencer-yang.html">the New York Times</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025/12/live-updates-active-shooter-at-brown-university">Brown Daily Herald</a>&nbsp;from a hospital bed that there was a mad scramble after the gunman entered the room where he and the other students were studying for finals. Many students ran toward the front of the room, but Yang said he wound up on the ground between some seats and was shot in the leg.

Yang, who expects to be discharged in the coming days, said he tried to keep some of the more seriously wounded students conscious until police arrived.

Contributing were Associated Press journalists Jennifer McDermott and Matt O'Brien in Providence; Brian Slodysko in Washington; Michael Casey in Boston; Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; and Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Authorities knocked on doors in search of video and sifted through snow and dumpsters for other evidence that might lead them to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-mass-shooting-cc3e5d5505cf0e3d9e49fdc56c2a1459">Brown University</a>&nbsp;gunman, whose face was covered or not visible in footage captured before and after the weekend attack that killed two students and wounded nine others.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Video 3: We are requesting the public&#39;s assistance in identifying a person of interest in Saturday&#39;s incident at Brown University. Please share these video clips and direct all tips to 401-272-3121 or <a href="https://t.co/8a1yEMYJya">https://t.co/8a1yEMYJya</a> <a href="https://t.co/65EhywRyh1">pic.twitter.com/65EhywRyh1</a>&mdash; Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD/status/2000705687408542037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: The FBI and <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvidenceRIPD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProvidenceRIPD</a> are releasing new images of a person of interest in the mass shooting at Brown University on 12/13/25. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FBI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FBI</a> is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual.… <a href="https://t.co/OhpnsN9fds">pic.twitter.com/OhpnsN9fds</a>&mdash; FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIBoston/status/2000690371072794682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Officials on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-investigation-b08f1fdf5e71542f6e93bbba05fa043c">released three new videos</a>&nbsp;of the man they believe carried out Saturday's attack that show him wearing a mask and a dark two-tone jacket. Although his face wasn't visible, the footage from about two hours before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-active-shooter-c7c9d1c7da19a76c2a27685c7e63d6da">the shooting</a>&nbsp;provided the clearest images yet of the suspect.<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/brown-university-shooting/@@download.pdf">The FBI said the man</a>&nbsp;is about 5 feet, 8 inches (173 centimeters) tall, with a stocky build. The agency offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible.“We’re asking for the public’s assistance,” Providence's police chief, Col. Oscar Perez, said at a news conference, urging people who might recognize the suspect to call a tip line.Police renewed their search after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-suspect-search-1da03b12b2eac2b530172667d3df30c4">releasing a person of interest</a>&nbsp;Sunday once they determined the evidence pointed elsewhere. Meanwhile, details began to emerge about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-victims-e5b40e867f1a349c5c9b7c4f0e866af8">the students who were shot</a>.The lockdown order for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/Qz3Ac/?v=5">the Ivy League school</a>&nbsp;was lifted Sunday after authorities said they had detained the person of interest. But hopes for a quick resolution were dashed when they announced hours later that they had released him.The abrupt change of direction marked a setback in the investigation as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-security-64e1e19e7a4ce2039912107071035247">questions swirl about campus security</a>, the apparent lack of school video evidence and whether the focus on the person of interest gave the attacker more time to escape.Gov. Dan McKee requested additional local police at schools to provide reassurance for students, families and educators.A church on the university campus planned to host a “Community Service of Lament, Healing and Hope” on Tuesday night.<h2>New video emerges</h2>Before Monday's news conference, police released a second video showing someone dressed in black walking along a city street minutes after the shooting. The video — like one released the day of the shooting — didn't show the suspect's face.In a neighborhood near the university, a line of officers scraped their feet through a snow-covered yard looking for evidence. Meanwhile, agents identifying themselves as U.S. marshals asked locals if they had security cameras.The shooting occurred as final exams were underway at Brown, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious schools. Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom and the attack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/brown-university-shooting-photos-9b517a673845e52fd9a91eea40ece6e4">set off hours of chaos</a>.Attorney General Peter Neronha, who said Sunday that there weren't many cameras where the attack happened, said Monday that investigators were “making steady progress.”<h2>One of the dead was active in church. The other overcame health concerns</h2>The shooting happened in an auditorium-style classroom where students in a study group were preparing for an upcoming exam.Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore who was vice president of the Brown College Republicans and beloved in her church in Birmingham, Alabama, was one of the students killed, according to her pastor at home.In announcing her death Sunday, the Rev. R. Craig Smalley described Cook as “an incredible grounded, faithful, bright light” who encouraged and “lifted up those around her.”“Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates,” Martin Bertao, the president of the club, said in a message posted on X.The other student who was killed was MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience. He was helping a friend at a review session for an economics final when he was shot, his sister said.As a child, Umurzokov suffered a neurological condition that required surgery, and he later wore a back brace because of scoliosis, said Samira Umurzokova, noting that the family immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan when she, her brother and sister were young. He knew from an early age he wanted to be a neurosurgeon to help others like himself.“He had so many hardships in his life, and he got into this amazing school and tried so hard to follow through with the promise he made when was 7 years old,” she told the AP by phone Monday.Only one of the nine people wounded had been released as of Sunday, Brown President Christina Paxson said. One was in critical condition and the other seven were in critical but stable condition. Mayor Brett Smiley said Monday evening that none of their conditions had worsened, but that he didn't have further information.Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in Durham, North Carolina, confirmed that a recent graduate, Kendall Turner, was critically wounded and that her parents were with her. “Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones,” the school said in a statement.Another wounded student, 18-year-old freshman Spencer Yang of New York City, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/us/brown-shooting-witness-spencer-yang.html">the New York Times</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025/12/live-updates-active-shooter-at-brown-university">Brown Daily Herald</a>&nbsp;from a hospital bed that there was a mad scramble after the gunman entered the room where he and the other students were studying for finals. Many students ran toward the front of the room, but Yang said he wound up on the ground between some seats and was shot in the leg.Yang, who expects to be discharged in the coming days, said he tried to keep some of the more seriously wounded students conscious until police arrived.___Contributing were Associated Press journalists Jennifer McDermott and Matt O'Brien in Providence; Brian Slodysko in Washington; Michael Casey in Boston; Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; and Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas.

New video released in manhunt for Brown University shooter

In addition to visiting other aerospace facilities in Wichita, Duffy was in Kansas to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and cut the ribbon on the NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research building, according to Wichita State University. While not yet formally open, Duffy, Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Ron Estes were able to get a sneak peak at this unique new facility.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765882622476.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Great to be in Kansas touring <a href="https://twitter.com/Textron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Textron</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Boeing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Boeing</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/NIARWSU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NIARWSU</a> with my friend, Senator <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JerryMoran</a>. I’m proud to see the state of Kansas leading the charge in the future of aviation✈️🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/CbmF6ZMMRY">pic.twitter.com/CbmF6ZMMRY</a>&mdash; Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDuffy/status/2000748158645665820?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In addition to visiting other aerospace facilities in Wichita, Duffy was in Kansas to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and cut the ribbon on the NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research building, according to Wichita State University. While not yet formally open, Duffy, Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Ron Estes were able to get a sneak peak at this unique new facility.&nbsp;

U.S. Transportation Secretary makes stop in Kansas 

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent to women to the hospital.

Just after 2a.m. December 14, 2025, at 2:14 a.m., the Pittsburg, Kansas, Police Department dispatch center received a call about two victims who were shot and were being driven to the hospital by personal vehicle, according to a media release.

 While this call was received, another call came into dispatch about gunshots being heard in the area of west 20th Street in Pittsburg. Officers responded to the area of west 20th Street as well as Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg.   

Officers at the hospital located a 22-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman suffered gunshot wounds. Both victims began receiving treatment and were later flown to KU Medical Center in Kansas City for additional treatment.  Both victims are currently listed as being in stable condition. 

Officers were informed that the shooting incident occurred in the alley of the 300 block of west 20th Street.  Officers located evidence related to the shooting in the alley and secured the crime scene.  Three individuals who drove the victims to the hospital were transported to the police department to be interviewed.  Detectives from the police department responded to assist with the investigation.   

After interviewing the witnesses, officers were able to determine that an altercation took place between the two victims and one of the subjects from the vehicle.  During the altercation, another occupant of the vehicle who was not involved in the altercation, shot the two women.

As a result, 23-year-old Walter Herrera Alvarez, of Pittsburg, was placed under arrest.  The other individuals were released after being interviewed.   

&nbsp;Alvarez was transported to the jail located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking and he is being held without bond on requested charges that include two counts of Aggravated Battery.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765811168250.png" alt="Alvarez photo Crawford Co." />
 <figcaption>Alvarez photo Crawford Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent to women to the hospital.Just after 2a.m. December 14, 2025, at 2:14 a.m., the Pittsburg, Kansas, Police Department dispatch center received a call about two victims who were shot and were being driven to the hospital by personal vehicle, according to a media release. While this call was received, another call came into dispatch about gunshots being heard in the area of west 20th Street in Pittsburg. Officers responded to the area of west 20th Street as well as Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg. Officers at the hospital located a 22-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman suffered gunshot wounds. Both victims began receiving treatment and were later flown to KU Medical Center in Kansas City for additional treatment. Both victims are currently listed as being in stable condition. Officers were informed that the shooting incident occurred in the alley of the 300 block of west 20th Street. Officers located evidence related to the shooting in the alley and secured the crime scene. Three individuals who drove the victims to the hospital were transported to the police department to be interviewed. Detectives from the police department responded to assist with the investigation. After interviewing the witnesses, officers were able to determine that an altercation took place between the two victims and one of the subjects from the vehicle. During the altercation, another occupant of the vehicle who was not involved in the altercation, shot the two women.As a result, 23-year-old Walter Herrera Alvarez, of Pittsburg, was placed under arrest. The other individuals were released after being interviewed. &nbsp;Alvarez was transported to the jail located at the Crawford County Sheriff’s office for booking and he is being held without bond on requested charges that include two counts of Aggravated Battery.&nbsp;

Police: 2 Kansas woman injured in shooting during an alley fight 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that it attacked three boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing a total of eight people as scrutiny over the boat strikes is intensifying in Congress.

The military said in a statement on social media that the strikes targeted “designated terrorist organizations,” killing three people in the first vessel, two in the second boat and three in the third boat. It didn’t provide evidence of their alleged drug trafficking but posted a video of a boat moving through water before exploding.

President Donald Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified the attacks</a>&nbsp;as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">“armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>. But the Trump administration is facing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-pete-hegseth-venezuela-9f46a5f074b5b3c979ee41082949b196">increasing scrutiny from lawmakers</a>&nbsp;over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 95 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-petro-colombia-drugs-us-aid-c3955b2ce351737119920741178e0567">25 known strikes</a>&nbsp;since early September, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-strike-video-footage-boat-caribbean-3cf2ca9cbe4523978e935b99c2979caa">a follow-up strike that killed two survivors</a>&nbsp;clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit.

The latest boat strikes come on the eve of briefings on Capitol Hill for all members of Congress as questions mount over the Trump administration’s military campaign.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top national security officials are expected to provide closed-door briefings for lawmakers in the House and Senate.

The campaign has ramped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">charged with narcoterrorism</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. In a sharp escalation last week, U.S. forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tanker-seized-venezuela-maduro-0a148ba01684fc6ce1a228dd276732c0">seized a sanctioned oil tanker</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-trump-sanctions-maduro-a2ef5b45b48365861e0a724d8c27dce3">accused of smuggling illicit crude</a>. Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office.

The U.S. military has built up its largest presence in the region in decades and launched a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-pentagon-drug-boats-pacific-35a60ce3bc018e5f66c18b2d18b49c35">deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Trump says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-maduro-colombia-petro-boats-559a73dbfcbdc9245494f441be1aad39">land attacks are coming soon</a>&nbsp;but has not offered any details on location.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that it attacked three boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing a total of eight people as scrutiny over the boat strikes is intensifying in Congress.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On Dec. 15, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known… <a href="https://t.co/IQfCVvUpau">pic.twitter.com/IQfCVvUpau</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2000756230252314901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The military said in a statement on social media that the strikes targeted “designated terrorist organizations,” killing three people in the first vessel, two in the second boat and three in the third boat. It didn’t provide evidence of their alleged drug trafficking but posted a video of a boat moving through water before exploding.President Donald Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified the attacks</a>&nbsp;as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">“armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>. But the Trump administration is facing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-pete-hegseth-venezuela-9f46a5f074b5b3c979ee41082949b196">increasing scrutiny from lawmakers</a>&nbsp;over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 95 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-petro-colombia-drugs-us-aid-c3955b2ce351737119920741178e0567">25 known strikes</a>&nbsp;since early September, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-strike-video-footage-boat-caribbean-3cf2ca9cbe4523978e935b99c2979caa">a follow-up strike that killed two survivors</a>&nbsp;clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit.The latest boat strikes come on the eve of briefings on Capitol Hill for all members of Congress as questions mount over the Trump administration’s military campaign.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top national security officials are expected to provide closed-door briefings for lawmakers in the House and Senate.The campaign has ramped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">charged with narcoterrorism</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. In a sharp escalation last week, U.S. forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tanker-seized-venezuela-maduro-0a148ba01684fc6ce1a228dd276732c0">seized a sanctioned oil tanker</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-oil-trump-sanctions-maduro-a2ef5b45b48365861e0a724d8c27dce3">accused of smuggling illicit crude</a>. Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office.The U.S. military has built up its largest presence in the region in decades and launched a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-pentagon-drug-boats-pacific-35a60ce3bc018e5f66c18b2d18b49c35">deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Trump says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-maduro-colombia-petro-boats-559a73dbfcbdc9245494f441be1aad39">land attacks are coming soon</a>&nbsp;but has not offered any details on location.

🎥US military conducts more drug boat strikes killing 8

COWLEY COUNTY —One Kansas school district is starting holiday break early due to sickness across the district.

On their social media page USD 471 Dexter wrote, "we are going through a tremendous amount of sickness right now and it seems to be spreading at a very high rate."

"Due to a high number of students and staff illnesses and the rate at which it continues to climb the school dismissing for the semester Monday afternoon." "All scheduled end of the semester activities, extra curricular activity competitions, and classes starting Tuesday will be postponed, canceled, and/or rescheduled for a later date in the 2nd Semester."

  Not only are we concerned with student and staff sickness now we don't want to continue to spread the sickness and end up with students taking it to their extended families over the holiday break. 

"We appreciate your understanding as we work to keep our students, staff, and school community healthy.' The community is located approximately 70 miles southeast of Wichita.

COWLEY COUNTY —One Kansas school district is starting holiday break early due to sickness across the district.On their social media page USD 471 Dexter wrote, "we are going through a tremendous amount of sickness right now and it seems to be spreading at a very high rate.""Due to a high number of students and staff illnesses and the rate at which it continues to climb the school dismissing for the semester Monday afternoon." "All scheduled end of the semester activities, extra curricular activity competitions, and classes starting Tuesday will be postponed, canceled, and/or rescheduled for a later date in the 2nd Semester." Not only are we concerned with student and staff sickness now we don't want to continue to spread the sickness and end up with students taking it to their extended families over the holiday break. "We appreciate your understanding as we work to keep our students, staff, and school community healthy.' The community is located approximately 70 miles southeast of Wichita.

Kan. school district starts winter break early due to spread of illness

The Powerball® jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.25 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, giving players nationwide another chance to dream big this holiday season. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $572.1 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Wednesday’s jackpot is the second-largest Powerball prize this year, behind the $1.787 billion prize won on Sept. 6 in Missouri and Texas. This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots.

“Powerball has only seen back-to-back to billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” said Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball Product Group Chair. “While it’s exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.”

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 23, 35, 59, 63, 68 and red Powerball 2. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully to see if they have won any cash prizes.

Two tickets, sold in Arizona and California, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The drawing also produced 43 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes.

Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

Wednesday’s drawing will be the 44th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

The only other time the Powerball game generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot won on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won by players in California.

If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.25 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $572.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

<a href="https://www.powerball.com/">Powerball</a>

The Powerball® jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.25 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, giving players nationwide another chance to dream big this holiday season. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $572.1 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.Wednesday’s jackpot is the second-largest Powerball prize this year, behind the $1.787 billion prize won on Sept. 6 in Missouri and Texas. This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots.“Powerball has only seen back-to-back to billion-dollar jackpots twice, and this one has arrived just in time for the holidays,” said Matt Strawn, Iowa Lottery CEO and Powerball Product Group Chair. “While it’s exciting to see the jackpot climb to this level, please remember to play responsibly. A single $2 ticket gives you a chance to win, while also supporting good causes in your community.”The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 23, 35, 59, 63, 68 and red Powerball 2. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully to see if they have won any cash prizes.Two tickets, sold in Arizona and California, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The drawing also produced 43 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes.Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.Wednesday’s drawing will be the 44th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.The only other time the Powerball game generated back-to-back billion-dollar jackpots was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot won on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won by players in California.If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.25 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $572.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.25 Billion est. – Dec. 17, 2025</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li>
 </ol><a href="https://www.powerball.com/">Powerball</a>

Merry Christmas: Powerball jackpot surges to $1.25 billion

JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman who was reported missing early Sunday morning near a golf course in Lenexa has been found dead, according an online state from Lenexa police.

Just before 6a.m. Sunday, Amber J. Foster was last seen in the area of W. 87th Street Parkway and Winchester in Lenexa (17300 block of W. 87th Street Parkway)

She was described as wearing an orange t-shirt, over a long-sleeve white shirt, and blue jeans. Amber’s vehicle was located in a nearby parking garage, and she was last seen on foot walking towards the Canyon Farms Golf Course.&nbsp;

Just after 11:30a.m. Monday her body was found near W. 86th and Haven Street.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765846082934.png" alt="Amber Foster photo Lenexa Police" />
 <figcaption>Amber Foster photo Lenexa Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman who was reported missing early Sunday morning near a golf course in Lenexa has been found dead, according an online state from Lenexa police.Just before 6a.m. Sunday, Amber J. Foster was last seen in the area of W. 87th Street Parkway and Winchester in Lenexa (17300 block of W. 87th Street Parkway)She was described as wearing an orange t-shirt, over a long-sleeve white shirt, and blue jeans. Amber’s vehicle was located in a nearby parking garage, and she was last seen on foot walking towards the Canyon Farms Golf Course.&nbsp;Just after 11:30a.m. Monday her body was found near W. 86th and Haven Street.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Police: Missing Kansas woman found dead near a golf course

WICHITA, KAN. – An Arizona man was sentenced to 272 months in prison for his part in a drug trafficking ring that transported large amounts of fentanyl into Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Rafael Turner, 35, of Phoenix, Arizona, and formerly of Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Beginning on a date unknown and continuing through March 2023, Turner conspired with other people to distribute fentanyl.&nbsp;

“Turner was part of a criminal organization that injected both fentanyl and illegal drug proceeds into our communities,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge William Steenson, St. Louis Field Office. “We’re more committed than ever to using our financial expertise to help disrupt these drug trafficking organizations and bring the criminals who run them to justice.”

Forty-five other individuals were prosecuted as part of this overall investigation, which included individuals in Kansas. &nbsp;Across the country, individuals have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Included among them are Clifton Ray Weatherspoon, 33, and Antonio Dawayne Knight, 27, both of Wichita, who were each convicted of one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Weatherspoon was sentenced to 300 months in prison. Knight was sentenced to 150 months in prison.&nbsp;

In February 2023, Weatherspoon and Knight traveled by plane from Wichita to Phoenix, Arizona, to purchase 300,000 fentanyl pills. They packed the pills into two suitcases, checked the luggage under their names, and flew back to Wichita. Pursuant to a federal search warrant, law enforcement officers seized one of the bags before it reached the baggage claim area. They x-rayed and searched the luggage and discovered 15 bags stuffed inside containing 150,000 fentanyl pills. Agents arrested Weatherspoon and Knight, who had by then retrieved the second suitcase from baggage claim. A search of that bag showed it also contained approximately 150,000 fentanyl pills.

“Over the past few years, the federal government has partnered with state and local governments as well as community groups to curtail the fentanyl crisis. The prosecution of this large drug conspiracy was part of that work. However, we are not done in these efforts. While we try to save lives by raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, criminals seek to undermine that hard work” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Fentanyl dealers have little to no regard for human life and are willing to let children get ahold of this poison in efforts to turn a profit. We are grateful to law enforcement agents whose investigations keep this toxic substance off our streets.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765462730894.png" alt="Turner-photo Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Turner-photo Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – An Arizona man was sentenced to 272 months in prison for his part in a drug trafficking ring that transported large amounts of fentanyl into Kansas, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Rafael Turner, 35, of Phoenix, Arizona, and formerly of Wichita, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.Beginning on a date unknown and continuing through March 2023, Turner conspired with other people to distribute fentanyl.&nbsp;“Turner was part of a criminal organization that injected both fentanyl and illegal drug proceeds into our communities,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge William Steenson, St. Louis Field Office. “We’re more committed than ever to using our financial expertise to help disrupt these drug trafficking organizations and bring the criminals who run them to justice.”Forty-five other individuals were prosecuted as part of this overall investigation, which included individuals in Kansas. &nbsp;Across the country, individuals have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Included among them are Clifton Ray Weatherspoon, 33, and Antonio Dawayne Knight, 27, both of Wichita, who were each convicted of one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Weatherspoon was sentenced to 300 months in prison. Knight was sentenced to 150 months in prison.&nbsp;In February 2023, Weatherspoon and Knight traveled by plane from Wichita to Phoenix, Arizona, to purchase 300,000 fentanyl pills. They packed the pills into two suitcases, checked the luggage under their names, and flew back to Wichita. Pursuant to a federal search warrant, law enforcement officers seized one of the bags before it reached the baggage claim area. They x-rayed and searched the luggage and discovered 15 bags stuffed inside containing 150,000 fentanyl pills. Agents arrested Weatherspoon and Knight, who had by then retrieved the second suitcase from baggage claim. A search of that bag showed it also contained approximately 150,000 fentanyl pills.“Over the past few years, the federal government has partnered with state and local governments as well as community groups to curtail the fentanyl crisis. The prosecution of this large drug conspiracy was part of that work. However, we are not done in these efforts. While we try to save lives by raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, criminals seek to undermine that hard work” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Fentanyl dealers have little to no regard for human life and are willing to let children get ahold of this poison in efforts to turn a profit. We are grateful to law enforcement agents whose investigations keep this toxic substance off our streets.”

Man transported large amounts of fentanyl into Kansas.

&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of a 4-year-old&nbsp; made his hit first appearance in court on Friday.

A Sedgwick County Judge charged 34-year-old Daniel Martin with&nbsp; first degree murder and child abuse in the death of Tiuri Blunt-Porrata, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 3:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp; responded to a medical call regarding an unresponsive 4-year-old child in the 2600 block of South Topeka in Wichita, according to police department spokesman Andrew Ford. The child identified as Tirui Blunt-Porrata, according to an online fundraiser, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced deceased at 4:07 p.m.

Police booked Martin,&nbsp; into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.

In the online fundraise, Nathaniel Porrata, " I’m Tiuri’s father. I recently moved to a new city to help restart my family’s life, hoping it would bring us a brighter future." 

"I had just landed a new job, and our finances were finally starting to recover. My soon to be ex-wife and our children were planning to join me at the beginning of 2026, and we were looking forward to being together again as a family."

"Tragically, on Monday, November 8th, 2025, my 4 year old son, Tiuri Blunt-Porrata, became the victim of a horrible crime and passed away. The investigation is still ongoing, so I am unable to share more details at this time."

"My world has been turned upside down. I am struggling to process the pain and shock of losing Tiuri so suddenly."<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-tiuri-bluntporratas-memory"> Click here to view</a> the fundraiser.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765296481475.png" alt="Martin photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of a 4-year-old&nbsp; made his hit first appearance in court on Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765596159268.png" alt="Photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>A Sedgwick County Judge charged 34-year-old Daniel Martin with&nbsp; first degree murder and child abuse in the death of Tiuri Blunt-Porrata, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 3:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp; responded to a medical call regarding an unresponsive 4-year-old child in the 2600 block of South Topeka in Wichita, according to police department spokesman Andrew Ford. The child identified as Tirui Blunt-Porrata, according to an online fundraiser, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced deceased at 4:07 p.m.Police booked Martin,&nbsp; into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.In the online fundraise, Nathaniel Porrata, " I’m Tiuri’s father. I recently moved to a new city to help restart my family’s life, hoping it would bring us a brighter future." "I had just landed a new job, and our finances were finally starting to recover. My soon to be ex-wife and our children were planning to join me at the beginning of 2026, and we were looking forward to being together again as a family.""Tragically, on Monday, November 8th, 2025, my 4 year old son, Tiuri Blunt-Porrata, became the victim of a horrible crime and passed away. The investigation is still ongoing, so I am unable to share more details at this time.""My world has been turned upside down. I am struggling to process the pain and shock of losing Tiuri so suddenly."<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-tiuri-bluntporratas-memory"> Click here to view</a> the fundraiser.

Kan. suspect in abuse death of 4-year-old faces a judge

NEW YORK (AP) —Anthony Geary, who rose to fame in the 1970s and ‘80s as half the daytime TV super couple Luke and Laura on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-hospital-60-years-soap-opera-120ba44b08ac517a56b94257b294a678">“General Hospital,”</a>&nbsp;has died. He was 78.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony Geary, whose portrayal of Luke Spencer helped define General Hospital and daytime television,” ABC said in a statement confirming his death.

Geary died Sunday in Amsterdam of complications from a surgical procedure three days prior.

“The entire ‘General Hospital’ family is heartbroken over the news of Tony Geary’s passing,” Frank Valentini, executive producer of the ABC show, said in a statement Monday. “Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for.”

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Geary earned eight Daytime Emmy awards as Luke Spencer after joining the soap in 1978. Luke’s pairing with Genie Francis’ Laura Webber Baldwin (as she was known at the time) propelled the two onto magazine covers and into the cultural mainstream.

The 1981 wedding of Luke and Laura was a pop culture phenom done in two parts, drawing guest appearances that included Elizabeth Taylor. A record 30 million viewers watched.

“He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind. As an artist, he was filled with a passion for the truth, no matter how blunt, or even a little rude it might be, but always hilariously funny,” Francis said in a statement.

In addition to his role as Luke, Geary had numerous TV and stage credits, including stints on other soaps: “The Young and the Restless” and “Bright Promise.” Geary played Luke on and off until 2015, though he returned for a cameo in 2017.

He lived a quiet life with husband Claudio Gama in Amsterdam.

<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=interviews+with+Tony+Geary&amp;rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1053US1054&amp;oq=interviews+with+Tony+Geary&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRiPAtIBCDM3OThqMGo3qAIIsAIB8QUmeU6L-Rg5lfEFJnlOi_kYOZU&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&amp;vld=cid:79c41a52,vid:3YNGiHX9_sc,st:0" target="_blank">In a 1993 interview</a>, Geary spoke of the many highs and lows of playing Luke.

“I felt like I had to be Luke 24 hours a day or people would be disappointed,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, they are mythic creatures. They come from two sides of the universe together and have a mutual connection, which is basically lust and appreciation for individuality. They love the eccentricity in each other.”

Geary’s Luke began as a small-time hitman recruited to dismantle the relationship of Laura and her first husband, Scotty Baldwin. Their story arc turned darker when Luke sexually assaulted Laura. The assault led to a redemption trail for Luke, who evolved into a hero and even served as mayor of the show’s small town, Port Charles.

“He was not created to be a heroic character,” Geary&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/anthony-geary-reflects-37-years-playing-dark-dangerous/story?id=32619755" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;ABC’s “Nightline” in 2015. “He was created to be an anti-hero, and I have treasured the anti-side of the hero and pushed it for a long time. ... He’s not a white hat or a black hat, he’s all shades of grey. And that has been the saving grace of playing him all these years.”

Geary was born to Mormon parents in Coalville, Utah. He was discovered while attending the University of Utah and performing on stage. He joined a touring company of “The Subject was Roses,” which brought him to Los Angeles.

Over the years, he appeared frequently in stage productions alongside his screen work.

Geary’s first appearance on TV was as Tom Whalom on an episode of “Room 222.” He went on to appear in “All in the Family,” “The Partridge Family,” “The Mod Squad,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “The Streets of San Francisco” and “Barnaby Jones.”

NEW YORK (AP) —Anthony Geary, who rose to fame in the 1970s and ‘80s as half the daytime TV super couple Luke and Laura on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-hospital-60-years-soap-opera-120ba44b08ac517a56b94257b294a678">“General Hospital,”</a>&nbsp;has died. He was 78.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgeneralhospital%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0q2YKpCjJ7Jdese8Tk2YuFNFVmkyC7LHq6ukc9wWkwXi9kCLx7TWWH8hKToL7Bkovl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="711" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony Geary, whose portrayal of Luke Spencer helped define General Hospital and daytime television,” ABC said in a statement confirming his death.Geary died Sunday in Amsterdam of complications from a surgical procedure three days prior.“The entire ‘General Hospital’ family is heartbroken over the news of Tony Geary’s passing,” Frank Valentini, executive producer of the ABC show, said in a statement Monday. “Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for.”In a career spanning more than 40 years, Geary earned eight Daytime Emmy awards as Luke Spencer after joining the soap in 1978. Luke’s pairing with Genie Francis’ Laura Webber Baldwin (as she was known at the time) propelled the two onto magazine covers and into the cultural mainstream.The 1981 wedding of Luke and Laura was a pop culture phenom done in two parts, drawing guest appearances that included Elizabeth Taylor. A record 30 million viewers watched.“He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind. As an artist, he was filled with a passion for the truth, no matter how blunt, or even a little rude it might be, but always hilariously funny,” Francis said in a statement.In addition to his role as Luke, Geary had numerous TV and stage credits, including stints on other soaps: “The Young and the Restless” and “Bright Promise.” Geary played Luke on and off until 2015, though he returned for a cameo in 2017.He lived a quiet life with husband Claudio Gama in Amsterdam.<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=interviews+with+Tony+Geary&amp;rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1053US1054&amp;oq=interviews+with+Tony+Geary&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRiPAtIBCDM3OThqMGo3qAIIsAIB8QUmeU6L-Rg5lfEFJnlOi_kYOZU&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&amp;vld=cid:79c41a52,vid:3YNGiHX9_sc,st:0" target="_blank">In a 1993 interview</a>, Geary spoke of the many highs and lows of playing Luke.“I felt like I had to be Luke 24 hours a day or people would be disappointed,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, they are mythic creatures. They come from two sides of the universe together and have a mutual connection, which is basically lust and appreciation for individuality. They love the eccentricity in each other.”Geary’s Luke began as a small-time hitman recruited to dismantle the relationship of Laura and her first husband, Scotty Baldwin. Their story arc turned darker when Luke sexually assaulted Laura. The assault led to a redemption trail for Luke, who evolved into a hero and even served as mayor of the show’s small town, Port Charles.“He was not created to be a heroic character,” Geary&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/anthony-geary-reflects-37-years-playing-dark-dangerous/story?id=32619755" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;ABC’s “Nightline” in 2015. “He was created to be an anti-hero, and I have treasured the anti-side of the hero and pushed it for a long time. ... He’s not a white hat or a black hat, he’s all shades of grey. And that has been the saving grace of playing him all these years.”Geary was born to Mormon parents in Coalville, Utah. He was discovered while attending the University of Utah and performing on stage. He joined a touring company of “The Subject was Roses,” which brought him to Los Angeles.Over the years, he appeared frequently in stage productions alongside his screen work.Geary’s first appearance on TV was as Tom Whalom on an episode of “Room 222.” He went on to appear in “All in the Family,” “The Partridge Family,” “The Mod Squad,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “The Streets of San Francisco” and “Barnaby Jones.”

'General Hospital' star Anthony Geary of Luke and Laura fame dies at 78

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Monday blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rob-reiner-dead-9a87be595a7da742394829afc6f1132e">actor-director’s killing</a>, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a shocking post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy.

The statement, even for Trump, was a shocking comment that came as police were still investigating the deaths of the director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, as an apparent homicide. The couple were found dead at their home Sunday in Los Angeles. Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and the couple’s son Nick Reiner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/rob-michele-reiner-dead-updates">was in police custody early Monday</a>.

Trump has a long track record of inflammatory remarks, but his comments in a social media post were a drastic departure from the role presidents typically play in offering a message of consolation or tribute after the death of a public figure. His message drew criticism even from conservatives and his supporters and laid bare Trump’s unwillingness to rise above political grievance in moments of crisis.

Trump, in a post on his social media network, said Reiner and his wife were killed “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”

He said Reiner “was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness.”

The president did not mention his personal connection to Reiner’s wife, who was a photographer. Peter Osnos, the original publisher of “The Art of the Deal,” confirmed Monday that Michele Singer took the cover image of Trump’s 1987 bestseller.

Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who has bucked much of his party’s lockstep agreement with the president, criticized Trump for the comment.

“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” Massie wrote in a post on X. “I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican whom Trump branded a “traitor” for disagreeing with him, responded to Trump’s message by saying, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”

Republican Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, who are not known for pushing back on the White House, also criticized Trump’s message.

Reiner — a director of beloved films like “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally” — was one of the most active Democrats in the film industry and regularly campaigned on behalf of liberal causes and hosted fundraisers. He was a vocal critic of Trump, calling him in a 2017 interview with Variety “mentally unfit” to be president and “the single-most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States.”

The White House, which shared the president’s post, did not respond to a message about the criticism it was receiving and calls for Trump to take it down.

Speaking at the White House to reporters later Monday, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Reiner when he was asked if he stood by his post. Using the third person, Trump said Reiner “was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”

“I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way shape or form,” Trump said. “I thought he was very bad for our country.”

The unsympathetic message was the latest example of Trump’s unsparing prism through which he views those he perceives as enemies.

He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-revenge-bolton-military-deployments-aa2b977621bce563770b60dade581f79">made retribution against political enemies</a>&nbsp;a prime focus of his campaign for the White House last year. And he has in the past made light of violence when it’s befallen those on the other side of the political aisle.

When Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">attacked by an intruder looking for the former House speaker</a>&nbsp;at the family’s San Francisco home in 2022 and beaten over the head with a hammer, Trump later mocked the attack.

That’s despite his comments after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;earlier this year. Trump said Kirk’s killing was “the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.”

His administration then sought consequences for people who were critical of Kirk or even celebrated his killing.

Jenna Ellis, who was one of Trump’s lawyers and worked on his efforts in 2020 to overturn the results of the presidential election, pointed out Trump’s double standard and called his post “NOT the appropriate response.”

“The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirk’s death. This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency,” Ellis said in a post on X.

When Trump spoke at Kirk’s memorial service, he used his remarks to underline how he views his adversaries.

“I hate my opponent,” the president said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765833966030.png" alt="The president was asked if he stood by his social media post in light of the pushback he was getting, including from those in his own party.&nbsp;Using the third person, Trump said Reiner “was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”&nbsp;“I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way shape or form,” Trump said. “I thought he was very bad for our country.”- image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>The president was asked if he stood by his social media post in light of the pushback he was getting, including from those in his own party.&nbsp;Using the third person, Trump said Reiner “was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”&nbsp;“I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way shape or form,” Trump said. “I thought he was very bad for our country.”- image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Monday blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rob-reiner-dead-9a87be595a7da742394829afc6f1132e">actor-director’s killing</a>, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a shocking post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/pibzXhB2x9">pic.twitter.com/pibzXhB2x9</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2000579703942344839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump on Rob Reiner: &quot;I wasn&#39;t a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned...I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all in any way, shape or form. I thought he was very bad for our country.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/s3Ui8K6Y0a">pic.twitter.com/s3Ui8K6Y0a</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2000670041465827461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The statement, even for Trump, was a shocking comment that came as police were still investigating the deaths of the director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, as an apparent homicide. The couple were found dead at their home Sunday in Los Angeles. Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and the couple’s son Nick Reiner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/rob-michele-reiner-dead-updates">was in police custody early Monday</a>.Trump has a long track record of inflammatory remarks, but his comments in a social media post were a drastic departure from the role presidents typically play in offering a message of consolation or tribute after the death of a public figure. His message drew criticism even from conservatives and his supporters and laid bare Trump’s unwillingness to rise above political grievance in moments of crisis.Trump, in a post on his social media network, said Reiner and his wife were killed “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”He said Reiner “was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness.”The president did not mention his personal connection to Reiner’s wife, who was a photographer. Peter Osnos, the original publisher of “The Art of the Deal,” confirmed Monday that Michele Singer took the cover image of Trump’s 1987 bestseller.Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who has bucked much of his party’s lockstep agreement with the president, criticized Trump for the comment.“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” Massie wrote in a post on X. “I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.”Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican whom Trump branded a “traitor” for disagreeing with him, responded to Trump’s message by saying, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”Republican Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, who are not known for pushing back on the White House, also criticized Trump’s message.Reiner — a director of beloved films like “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally” — was one of the most active Democrats in the film industry and regularly campaigned on behalf of liberal causes and hosted fundraisers. He was a vocal critic of Trump, calling him in a 2017 interview with Variety “mentally unfit” to be president and “the single-most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States.”The White House, which shared the president’s post, did not respond to a message about the criticism it was receiving and calls for Trump to take it down.Speaking at the White House to reporters later Monday, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Reiner when he was asked if he stood by his post. Using the third person, Trump said Reiner “was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.”“I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way shape or form,” Trump said. “I thought he was very bad for our country.”The unsympathetic message was the latest example of Trump’s unsparing prism through which he views those he perceives as enemies.He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-revenge-bolton-military-deployments-aa2b977621bce563770b60dade581f79">made retribution against political enemies</a>&nbsp;a prime focus of his campaign for the White House last year. And he has in the past made light of violence when it’s befallen those on the other side of the political aisle.When Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">attacked by an intruder looking for the former House speaker</a>&nbsp;at the family’s San Francisco home in 2022 and beaten over the head with a hammer, Trump later mocked the attack.That’s despite his comments after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;earlier this year. Trump said Kirk’s killing was “the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.”His administration then sought consequences for people who were critical of Kirk or even celebrated his killing.Jenna Ellis, who was one of Trump’s lawyers and worked on his efforts in 2020 to overturn the results of the presidential election, pointed out Trump’s double standard and called his post “NOT the appropriate response.”“The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirk’s death. This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency,” Ellis said in a post on X.When Trump spoke at Kirk’s memorial service, he used his remarks to underline how he views his adversaries.“I hate my opponent,” the president said.

🎥Trump doubles down on criticizing Rob Reiner after his killing

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Ford County have released the name of the victim as&nbsp;27-year-old Blane Enyeart, according to the Ford County Sheriff's office.

Just before 6p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to a home north of Dodge City, according to a media release. First responders including Dodge City Police and Ford County EMS found Enyeart dead from a gunshot wound.

Investigators questioned those who were inside the home. The sheriff's office has not reported an arrest or additional details on what led to the shooting.

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Ford County have released the name of the victim as&nbsp;27-year-old Blane Enyeart, according to the Ford County Sheriff's office.Just before 6p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to a home north of Dodge City, according to a media release. First responders including Dodge City Police and Ford County EMS found Enyeart dead from a gunshot wound.Investigators questioned those who were inside the home. The sheriff's office has not reported an arrest or additional details on what led to the shooting.

Sheriff releases name of victim in fatal SW Kansas killing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The two Iowa National Guard members&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-us-military-attack-palmyra-is-22f67e54c1a15fcc643de2672b83aacb">killed in a weekend attack</a>&nbsp;in Syria that the U.S. military blamed on the Islamic State group were identified Monday and remembered as dedicated soldiers.

The U.S. Army named them as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in their honor, saying that, “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”

The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, has said a U.S. civilian working as an interpreter also was killed. Three other Guard members were wounded in the attack, the Iowa National Guard said Monday, with two of them in stable condition and the other in good condition.

The attack was a major test for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-sanctions-trump-treasury-state-2ed65c895905e2e7bc385098a6ab1301">rapprochement between the United States and Syria</a>&nbsp;since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-sweida-daraa-homs-hts-qatar-7f65823bbf0a7bd331109e8dff419430">ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad</a>&nbsp;a year ago, coming as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-syria-troops-islamic-state-kurds-3354f71e88d278427994d209b2d16d9c">U.S. military is expanding its cooperation</a>&nbsp;with Syrian security forces. Hundreds of American troops are deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS.

The shooting Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra also wounded members of the country’s security forces, and the gunman was killed. The assailant had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-islamic-state-attack-security-forces-cc45fd7a00c06f8c1426ac589753f961">might be affiliated with IS</a>, a Syrian official said.

The man stormed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said Sunday.

Al-Baba acknowledged that it was “a major security breach” but said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-anniversary-assad-fall-a22746c8b8351b02d77cb62a6260c87e">in the year since Assad’s fall</a>, “there have been many more successes than failures” by security forces.

The Army said Monday that the incident is under investigation. Military officials and President Donald Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1999883271035822281" target="_blank">blamed the attack on an IS member</a>.

“Our hearts go out to their families, and we lift them up in prayer for strength and comfort during this time of grief,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday on social media. “The United States of America will avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force.”

Trump said over the weekend that “there will be very serious retaliation” for the attack and that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was “devastated by what happened,” stressing that Syria was fighting alongside U.S. troops.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-syria-sharaa-first-visit-cf01c5d6c9af7e47ec0bae585634d845">Trump welcomed al-Sharaa</a>, who led the lightning insurgency that toppled Assad’s rule, to the White House for a historic meeting last month.

Iowa National Guard members remembered as heroes

Meanwhile, Torres-Tovar and Howard were remembered as dedicated soldiers and “cherished members” of the Iowa National Guard family, Stephen Osborn, adjutant general, said in a statement.

“Our focus now is providing unwavering support to their families through this unimaginable time and ensuring the legacy of these two heroes is never forgotten,” Osborn said.

Howard had wanted to be a soldier since he was a young boy, according to Jeffrey Bunn, Howard’s stepfather and chief of the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in Tama, Iowa, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northeast of Des Moines.

Howard “loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out,” Bunn wrote Saturday on the department’s Facebook page.

Howard also was a loving husband and an “amazing man of faith,” Bunn said, adding that Howard’s younger brother, a staff sergeant in the Iowa National Guard, would escort “Nate” back to Iowa.

Howard was inspired by his grandfather’s service and wanted to serve for 20 years, according to an April post on a Facebook page dedicated to sharing stories of the unit. He had served for over 11 years.

Three fellow members of the Iowa Guard who were deployed with Torres-Tovar reflected on his character in a joint statement to local TV broadcast station, WOI.

David Hernandez, Freddy Sarceño and Luis Corona described him as “very positive,” family oriented and always putting others first.

Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765830118517.png" alt="&nbsp;Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar-photo Iowa National Guard" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar-photo Iowa National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The two Iowa National Guard members&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-us-military-attack-palmyra-is-22f67e54c1a15fcc643de2672b83aacb">killed in a weekend attack</a>&nbsp;in Syria that the U.S. military blamed on the Islamic State group were identified Monday and remembered as dedicated soldiers.The U.S. Army named them as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765830050753.png" alt="&nbsp;Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard</figcaption>
 </figure>Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in their honor, saying that, “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, has said a U.S. civilian working as an interpreter also was killed. Three other Guard members were wounded in the attack, the Iowa National Guard said Monday, with two of them in stable condition and the other in good condition.The attack was a major test for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-sanctions-trump-treasury-state-2ed65c895905e2e7bc385098a6ab1301">rapprochement between the United States and Syria</a>&nbsp;since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-sweida-daraa-homs-hts-qatar-7f65823bbf0a7bd331109e8dff419430">ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad</a>&nbsp;a year ago, coming as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-syria-troops-islamic-state-kurds-3354f71e88d278427994d209b2d16d9c">U.S. military is expanding its cooperation</a>&nbsp;with Syrian security forces. Hundreds of American troops are deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS.<h2>How the attack happened</h2>The shooting Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra also wounded members of the country’s security forces, and the gunman was killed. The assailant had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-islamic-state-attack-security-forces-cc45fd7a00c06f8c1426ac589753f961">might be affiliated with IS</a>, a Syrian official said.The man stormed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said Sunday.Al-Baba acknowledged that it was “a major security breach” but said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-anniversary-assad-fall-a22746c8b8351b02d77cb62a6260c87e">in the year since Assad’s fall</a>, “there have been many more successes than failures” by security forces.The Army said Monday that the incident is under investigation. Military officials and President Donald Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1999883271035822281" target="_blank">blamed the attack on an IS member</a>.<h2>Trump administration vows retaliation</h2>“Our hearts go out to their families, and we lift them up in prayer for strength and comfort during this time of grief,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday on social media. “The United States of America will avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force.”Trump said over the weekend that “there will be very serious retaliation” for the attack and that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was “devastated by what happened,” stressing that Syria was fighting alongside U.S. troops.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-syria-sharaa-first-visit-cf01c5d6c9af7e47ec0bae585634d845">Trump welcomed al-Sharaa</a>, who led the lightning insurgency that toppled Assad’s rule, to the White House for a historic meeting last month.<h2>Iowa National Guard members remembered as heroes</h2>Meanwhile, Torres-Tovar and Howard were remembered as dedicated soldiers and “cherished members” of the Iowa National Guard family, Stephen Osborn, adjutant general, said in a statement.“Our focus now is providing unwavering support to their families through this unimaginable time and ensuring the legacy of these two heroes is never forgotten,” Osborn said.Howard had wanted to be a soldier since he was a young boy, according to Jeffrey Bunn, Howard’s stepfather and chief of the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in Tama, Iowa, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northeast of Des Moines.Howard “loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out,” Bunn wrote Saturday on the department’s Facebook page.Howard also was a loving husband and an “amazing man of faith,” Bunn said, adding that Howard’s younger brother, a staff sergeant in the Iowa National Guard, would escort “Nate” back to Iowa.Howard was inspired by his grandfather’s service and wanted to serve for 20 years, according to an April post on a Facebook page dedicated to sharing stories of the unit. He had served for over 11 years.Three fellow members of the Iowa Guard who were deployed with Torres-Tovar reflected on his character in a joint statement to local TV broadcast station, WOI.David Hernandez, Freddy Sarceño and Luis Corona described him as “very positive,” family oriented and always putting others first.___Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.

US Army names National Guard members killed in attack in Syria

RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fatal fire at a home in Hutchinson.

Just after 3:30a.m. Monday, crews responded small house fire at 56th Street and Old Kansas 61, according to a media release..  When crews arrived on scene, they found a small 700 square foot home that that was fully involved with roof collapse.  Crews performed a defensive attack calling the fire controlled at 4:15 am.

  During firefighting operations, it was determined that there was potential of an occupant still in the home.  After the fire was out and the removal of roof materials and debris, the occupant was found deceased.  

Investigation of the fire showed that the fire may have started at approximately 1a.m.&nbsp; A neighbors camera system showed a glow in the area at that time.  The fire went unnoticed for approx. 2 and one half hours before Hutchinson Fire was notified.  Due to the prolonged burn time and the destruction of the home and contents, the cause of the fire is ruled as undetermined.

RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fatal fire at a home in Hutchinson.Just after 3:30a.m. Monday, crews responded small house fire at 56th Street and Old Kansas 61, according to a media release.. When crews arrived on scene, they found a small 700 square foot home that that was fully involved with roof collapse. Crews performed a defensive attack calling the fire controlled at 4:15 am. During firefighting operations, it was determined that there was potential of an occupant still in the home. After the fire was out and the removal of roof materials and debris, the occupant was found deceased. Investigation of the fire showed that the fire may have started at approximately 1a.m.&nbsp; A neighbors camera system showed a glow in the area at that time. The fire went unnoticed for approx. 2 and one half hours before Hutchinson Fire was notified. Due to the prolonged burn time and the destruction of the home and contents, the cause of the fire is ruled as undetermined.

1 dead after fire at small Kansas home

Board of Regents selects Matthew Baker, a Kansas native and K-State graduate

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>

TOPEKA — A 30-year higher education administrator at Northwest Missouri State University will return to Kansas for the opportunity to serve as president of Emporia State University.

Matthew Baker, who grew up in Kansas and earned a psychology degree at Kansas State University, has been vice president of student affairs at NMSU in Maryville, Missouri, for the past 14 years. Baker is expected to begin leadership duties at ESU in March. He holds a master’s degree from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Missouri in Columbia.

“It is the honor of my career to return to Kansas to serve as the university’s next president,” Baker said. “I will forever be grateful to Northwest for all it has done for me and my family. It is because of the experiences Northwest provided me that I am able to step into this role.”

Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Baker was a “proven leader with extensive experience developing and implementing initiatives designed to help students succeed in college and after graduation.” The Board of Regents unanimously voted to hire Baker.

Baker replaced Ken Hush, who became ESU president in 2021 and was an unusual appointee due to his lack of a graduate degree. Hush received an undergraduate degree from ESU and had a lengthy career in the private sector, including work with Koch Industries.

Benson, on behalf of the Board of Regents, said Hush “consistently exhibited an unwavering commitment to serving ESU’s students and has worked hard to improve affordability and student success.”

Hush invited controversy by deciding in 2022 to fire about 30 tenured or tenure-track faculty and to eliminate a cluster of academic programs, which exacerbated&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/02/emporia-state-university-continues-enrollment-slide-while-other-kansas-universities-post-gains/">the university’s enrollment decline</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/12/emporia-state-university-president-defends-cuts-firings-in-bid-to-recast-higher-education-culture/">Hush’s unilateral dismissal of</a>&nbsp;personnel prompted a wave of lawsuits, which have yet to be fully resolved.

During Hush’s time at ESU, the Kansas Legislature earmarked tens of millions of dollars in special funding to stabilize the university. In addition, an attorney employed by ESU led an effort to persuade the Legislature to retroactively undermine faculty tenure statewide.

Hush, who plans to retire this month from ESU, said he would donate $1.4 million, or the equivalent of his four years of salary at ESU, to the university. The money would be used over three years for student recruitment, scholarships and campus operations, officials said.

“This gift is in appreciation for the meaningful impact ESU has had on our community and on me, both as a student and in my role as president,” Hush said.

Baker has worked at the public, four-year Northwest Missouri State for more than 30 years. He began in 1993 as the university’s residence hall director. He was off campus from 1996 to 1998 while completing a master’s degree in higher education administration in Arkansas. He returned to Northwest Missouri State and moved through several administrative jobs before being named dean of students in 2008.

Baker said he would conduct a listening tour to better understand the needs of Emporia State. He said ESU would be marked, under his tenure, by “shared governance, enhance(d) communication.”

He said he would rely on data to chart ESU future, because benchmarks on student retention or recruitment would reveal “where our opportunities are, where our successes are, what we celebrate.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765821587566.png" alt=" The Kansas Board of Regents selected Matthew Baker, an administrator at Northwest Missouri State University, to be the 19th president of Emporia State University. Baker earned a bachelor's degree at Kansas State Universities, and graduate degrees in Missouri and Arkansas. This September 2023 image is of ESU's Memorial Union. (Photo by Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The Kansas Board of Regents selected Matthew Baker, an administrator at Northwest Missouri State University, to be the 19th president of Emporia State University. Baker earned a bachelor's degree at Kansas State Universities, and graduate degrees in Missouri and Arkansas. This September 2023 image is of ESU's Memorial Union. (Photo by Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Board of Regents selects Matthew Baker, a Kansas native and K-State graduate</h2>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a>TOPEKA — A 30-year higher education administrator at Northwest Missouri State University will return to Kansas for the opportunity to serve as president of Emporia State University.Matthew Baker, who grew up in Kansas and earned a psychology degree at Kansas State University, has been vice president of student affairs at NMSU in Maryville, Missouri, for the past 14 years. Baker is expected to begin leadership duties at ESU in March. He holds a master’s degree from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Missouri in Columbia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765821533818.png" alt="Matthew Baker photo Emporia State University" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Baker photo Emporia State University</figcaption>
 </figure>“It is the honor of my career to return to Kansas to serve as the university’s next president,” Baker said. “I will forever be grateful to Northwest for all it has done for me and my family. It is because of the experiences Northwest provided me that I am able to step into this role.”Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Baker was a “proven leader with extensive experience developing and implementing initiatives designed to help students succeed in college and after graduation.” The Board of Regents unanimously voted to hire Baker.Baker replaced Ken Hush, who became ESU president in 2021 and was an unusual appointee due to his lack of a graduate degree. Hush received an undergraduate degree from ESU and had a lengthy career in the private sector, including work with Koch Industries.Benson, on behalf of the Board of Regents, said Hush “consistently exhibited an unwavering commitment to serving ESU’s students and has worked hard to improve affordability and student success.”Hush invited controversy by deciding in 2022 to fire about 30 tenured or tenure-track faculty and to eliminate a cluster of academic programs, which exacerbated&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/02/emporia-state-university-continues-enrollment-slide-while-other-kansas-universities-post-gains/">the university’s enrollment decline</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/12/emporia-state-university-president-defends-cuts-firings-in-bid-to-recast-higher-education-culture/">Hush’s unilateral dismissal of</a>&nbsp;personnel prompted a wave of lawsuits, which have yet to be fully resolved.During Hush’s time at ESU, the Kansas Legislature earmarked tens of millions of dollars in special funding to stabilize the university. In addition, an attorney employed by ESU led an effort to persuade the Legislature to retroactively undermine faculty tenure statewide.Hush, who plans to retire this month from ESU, said he would donate $1.4 million, or the equivalent of his four years of salary at ESU, to the university. The money would be used over three years for student recruitment, scholarships and campus operations, officials said.“This gift is in appreciation for the meaningful impact ESU has had on our community and on me, both as a student and in my role as president,” Hush said.Baker has worked at the public, four-year Northwest Missouri State for more than 30 years. He began in 1993 as the university’s residence hall director. He was off campus from 1996 to 1998 while completing a master’s degree in higher education administration in Arkansas. He returned to Northwest Missouri State and moved through several administrative jobs before being named dean of students in 2008.Baker said he would conduct a listening tour to better understand the needs of Emporia State. He said ESU would be marked, under his tenure, by “shared governance, enhance(d) communication.”He said he would rely on data to chart ESU future, because benchmarks on student retention or recruitment would reveal “where our opportunities are, where our successes are, what we celebrate.”

Emporia State turns to Mo. higher education administrator to lead university

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A driver charged in a crash that killed two Kansas women is due back in court on Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Clowie Ann McLaughlin, 80, Augusta, is to appear in Judge Roger Woods courtroom for a preliminary hearing. She&nbsp;is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, severity level 4 person felonies, in the deaths of 42-year-old LaShea Bell and her daughter, 25-year-old A’Niah Bell.

The crash happened around 9:35 p.m.&nbsp; August 30, at the intersection of Central and Webb Road in Wichita

According to Wichita police, McLaughlin’s black Chevrolet truck collided with a white BMW carrying the Bells and a gray Jeep driven by a 41-year-old man. LaShea Bell was pronounced dead at the scene, while A’Niah Bell later died at a local hospital. The Jeep driver was treated at the scene and released.

Police said speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the collision. McLaughlin was taken to a hospital for treatment of her own injuries and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail after being medically cleared. She bonded out of jail the following day after posting a $100,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756685616137.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A driver charged in a crash that killed two Kansas women is due back in court on Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756722147795.png" alt="Mclaughlin photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Mclaughlin photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Clowie Ann McLaughlin, 80, Augusta, is to appear in Judge Roger Woods courtroom for a preliminary hearing. She&nbsp;is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, severity level 4 person felonies, in the deaths of 42-year-old LaShea Bell and her daughter, 25-year-old A’Niah Bell.The crash happened around 9:35 p.m.&nbsp; August 30, at the intersection of Central and Webb Road in WichitaAccording to Wichita police, McLaughlin’s black Chevrolet truck collided with a white BMW carrying the Bells and a gray Jeep driven by a 41-year-old man. LaShea Bell was pronounced dead at the scene, while A’Niah Bell later died at a local hospital. The Jeep driver was treated at the scene and released.Police said speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the collision. McLaughlin was taken to a hospital for treatment of her own injuries and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail after being medically cleared. She bonded out of jail the following day after posting a $100,000 bond.

Preliminary hearing for driver in crash that killed 2 Kan. women

Country music star Trace Adkins will open the 2026 Kansas State Fair with a special Grandstand concert on Friday, Sept. 11, marking both the opening day of the fair and the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725972052496.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Fair Midway-Photo by Pat James" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Fair Midway-Photo by Pat James</figcaption>
 </figure>Country music star Trace Adkins will open the 2026 Kansas State Fair with a special Grandstand concert on Friday, Sept. 11, marking both the opening day of the fair and the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765815199931.png" alt="Trace Adkins - Kansas State Fair" />
 <figcaption>Trace Adkins - Kansas State Fair</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State Fair Executive Director Bryan Schulz announced the concert on Monday morning, noting the significance of the date and Adkins’ long-standing support for veterans and first responders.“Opening day of the Kansas State Fair is September 11, and with this being the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we wanted an artist who truly represents patriotism and respect for our military and first responders,” Schulz said. “Trace Adkins was the perfect fit.”The concert is part of Adkins’ 30th Anniversary Tour, celebrating three decades since the release of his debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud. His career includes more than 40 charted singles, 14 studio albums, and multiple No. 1 hits, including “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” and “Every Light in the House.”Adkins will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand, reflecting a new naming sponsorship for the Grandstand in 2026.Ticket pricing ranges from reserved Grandstand seating at $45 to $55, Party Pit tickets at $85, VIP Deck standing tickets at $110—which include two drinks and appetizers—and reserved VIP tables priced at $835 for six people, which include food, drinks, and early Grandstand entry.Ticket sales will roll out in phases:<ol>
 <li>Kansas State Fair email subscribers receive presale access on Thursday</li><li>Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday</li>
 </ol>Schulz encouraged fans to purchase tickets directly through the official Kansas State Fair website to avoid third-party resale issues.In addition to the Adkins concert, Schulz said 2026 will be a milestone year for the Kansas State Fair, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, the 35th anniversary of the Little Red Schoolhouse, and the 140th anniversary of 4-H. Fair officials are also hopeful that the Bison Arena will be available for part of the 2026 fair run.More information and ticket details are available at kansasstatefair.org.