SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Pete Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public late Wednesday.

<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25362284/hegseth-police-report.pdf">Click here to read</a> the police report with text messages (caution graphic)

Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be defense secretary, told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said.

News of the allegations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-sexual-assault-13540626e4b0b1399a0ecab5a592f515">surfaced last week when local officials</a>&nbsp;released a brief statement confirming that a woman had accused Hegseth of sexual assault in October 2017 after he had spoken at a Republican women’s event in Monterey.

Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said in a statement that the police report confirms “what I have said all along that the incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed.”

Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sexual-assault-allegations-trump-defense-secretary-677b2df5859a338feac4714c60ef369d">paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off</a>&nbsp;the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said.

The 22-page police report was released in response to a public records request and offers the first detailed account of what the woman alleged to have transpired — one that is at odds with Hegseth’s version of events. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth.

The woman’s name was not released, and The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually assaulted.

A spokeswoman for the Trump transition said early Thursday that the “report corroborates what Mr. Hegseth’s attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false.”

The report does not say that police found the allegations were false. Police recommended the case report be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Investigators were first alerted to the alleged assault, the report said, by a nurse who called them after a patient requested a sexual assault exam. The patient told medical personnel she believed she was assaulted five days earlier but couldn’t remember much about what had happened. She reported something may have been slipped into her drink before ending up in the hotel room where she said the assault occurred.

Police collected the unwashed dress and underwear she had worn that night, the report said.

The woman’s partner, who was staying at the hotel with her, told police that he was worried about her that night after she didn’t come back to their room. At 2 a.m., he went to the hotel bar, but she wasn’t there. She made it back a few hours later, apologizing that she “must have fallen asleep.” A few days later, she told him she had been sexually assaulted.

The woman, who helped organize the California Federation of Republican Women gathering at which Hegseth spoke, told police that she had witnessed the TV anchor acting inappropriately throughout the night and saw him stroking multiple women’s thighs. She texted a friend that Hegseth was giving off a “creeper” vibe, according to the report.

After the event, the woman and others attended an after-party in a hotel suite where she said she confronted Hegseth, telling him that she “did not appreciate how he treated women,” the report states.

A group of people, including Hegseth and the woman, decamped for the hotel’s bar. That’s when “things got fuzzy,” the woman told police.

She remembered having a drink at the bar with Hegseth and others, the police report states. She also told police that she argued with Hegseth near the hotel pool, an account that is supported by a hotel staffer who was sent to handle the disturbance and spoke to police, according to the report.

Soon, she told police, she was inside a hotel room with Hegseth, who took her phone and blocked the door with his body so that she could not leave, according to the report. She also told police she remembered “saying ‘no’ a lot,” the report said.

Her next memory was of lying on a couch or bed with a bare-chested Hegseth hovering over her, his dog tags dangling, the report states. Hegseth served in the National Guard, rising to the rank of major.

After Hegseth finished, she recalled he threw a towel at her and asked if she was “OK,” the report states. She told police she did not recall how she got back to her own hotel room and had since suffered from nightmares and memory loss.

At the time of the alleged assault, Hegseth, now 44, was going through a divorce with his second wife, with whom he has three children. She filed for divorce after he had a child with a Fox News producer who is now his third wife, according to court records and social media posts by Hegseth. His first marriage ended in 2009, also after infidelity by Hegseth, according to court records.

Hegseth, who joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 before becoming co-host of “Fox &amp; Friends Weekend,” left the network after Trump announced his intention to nominate him.

Hegseth said he attended an after party and drank beer but did not consume liquor, and acknowledged being “buzzed” but not drunk.

He said he met the woman at the hotel bar, and she led him by the arm back to his hotel room, which surprised him because he initially had no intention of having sex with her, the report said.

Hegseth told investigators that the sexual encounter that followed was consensual, adding that he explicitly asked more than once if she was comfortable. Hegseth said in the morning the woman “showed early signs of regret,” and he assured her that he wouldn’t tell anyone about the encounter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732222061640.png" alt="Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, Pete Hegseth, and Vice President-elect JD Vance during a meeting on Wednesday-photo courtesy Senator Blackburn's office" />
 <figcaption>Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, Pete Hegseth, and Vice President-elect JD Vance during a meeting on Wednesday-photo courtesy Senator Blackburn's office</figcaption>
 </figure>SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Pete Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public late Wednesday.<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25362284/hegseth-police-report.pdf">Click here to read</a> the police report with text messages (caution graphic)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732203862825.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be defense secretary, told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said.News of the allegations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-sexual-assault-13540626e4b0b1399a0ecab5a592f515">surfaced last week when local officials</a>&nbsp;released a brief statement confirming that a woman had accused Hegseth of sexual assault in October 2017 after he had spoken at a Republican women’s event in Monterey.Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said in a statement that the police report confirms “what I have said all along that the incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed.”Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sexual-assault-allegations-trump-defense-secretary-677b2df5859a338feac4714c60ef369d">paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off</a>&nbsp;the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said.The 22-page police report was released in response to a public records request and offers the first detailed account of what the woman alleged to have transpired — one that is at odds with Hegseth’s version of events. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth.The woman’s name was not released, and The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually assaulted.A spokeswoman for the Trump transition said early Thursday that the “report corroborates what Mr. Hegseth’s attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false.”The report does not say that police found the allegations were false. Police recommended the case report be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review.Investigators were first alerted to the alleged assault, the report said, by a nurse who called them after a patient requested a sexual assault exam. The patient told medical personnel she believed she was assaulted five days earlier but couldn’t remember much about what had happened. She reported something may have been slipped into her drink before ending up in the hotel room where she said the assault occurred.Police collected the unwashed dress and underwear she had worn that night, the report said.The woman’s partner, who was staying at the hotel with her, told police that he was worried about her that night after she didn’t come back to their room. At 2 a.m., he went to the hotel bar, but she wasn’t there. She made it back a few hours later, apologizing that she “must have fallen asleep.” A few days later, she told him she had been sexually assaulted.The woman, who helped organize the California Federation of Republican Women gathering at which Hegseth spoke, told police that she had witnessed the TV anchor acting inappropriately throughout the night and saw him stroking multiple women’s thighs. She texted a friend that Hegseth was giving off a “creeper” vibe, according to the report.After the event, the woman and others attended an after-party in a hotel suite where she said she confronted Hegseth, telling him that she “did not appreciate how he treated women,” the report states.A group of people, including Hegseth and the woman, decamped for the hotel’s bar. That’s when “things got fuzzy,” the woman told police.She remembered having a drink at the bar with Hegseth and others, the police report states. She also told police that she argued with Hegseth near the hotel pool, an account that is supported by a hotel staffer who was sent to handle the disturbance and spoke to police, according to the report.Soon, she told police, she was inside a hotel room with Hegseth, who took her phone and blocked the door with his body so that she could not leave, according to the report. She also told police she remembered “saying ‘no’ a lot,” the report said.Her next memory was of lying on a couch or bed with a bare-chested Hegseth hovering over her, his dog tags dangling, the report states. Hegseth served in the National Guard, rising to the rank of major.After Hegseth finished, she recalled he threw a towel at her and asked if she was “OK,” the report states. She told police she did not recall how she got back to her own hotel room and had since suffered from nightmares and memory loss.At the time of the alleged assault, Hegseth, now 44, was going through a divorce with his second wife, with whom he has three children. She filed for divorce after he had a child with a Fox News producer who is now his third wife, according to court records and social media posts by Hegseth. His first marriage ended in 2009, also after infidelity by Hegseth, according to court records.Hegseth, who joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 before becoming co-host of “Fox &amp; Friends Weekend,” left the network after Trump announced his intention to nominate him.Hegseth said he attended an after party and drank beer but did not consume liquor, and acknowledged being “buzzed” but not drunk.He said he met the woman at the hotel bar, and she led him by the arm back to his hotel room, which surprised him because he initially had no intention of having sex with her, the report said.Hegseth told investigators that the sexual encounter that followed was consensual, adding that he explicitly asked more than once if she was comfortable. Hegseth said in the morning the woman “showed early signs of regret,” and he assured her that he wouldn’t tell anyone about the encounter.

Read police report of sex assault allegations on Trump's pick for Defense Secretary

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged fentanyl overdose death and have made an arrest.

Just after noon Wednesday police arrested 23-year-old Caziah Self of Ellsworth in the 1000 block of S. Seth Child Road in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The arrested is in connection with an incident that occurred in June of 2023 where law enforcement officers investigated the overdose death of a 25-year-old individual in Manhattan.

Self is being held on a $100,000 bond on requested charges of&nbsp; distribution of a controlled substance causing death, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, and distribution of opiate/opium/stimulant/heroin dosage &lt; 10 units.

Self has four previous drug convictions and another for criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Anyone with relevant information on this case is urged to come forward, according to the RCPD. The investigation into this and all other Fentanyl-related overdoses remain active and ongoing. Any individuals possessing pertinent information are urged to come forward and assist law enforcement authorities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732204540054.png" alt="Self -photo Kansas Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Self -photo Kansas Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged fentanyl overdose death and have made an arrest.Just after noon Wednesday police arrested 23-year-old Caziah Self of Ellsworth in the 1000 block of S. Seth Child Road in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The arrested is in connection with an incident that occurred in June of 2023 where law enforcement officers investigated the overdose death of a 25-year-old individual in Manhattan.Self is being held on a $100,000 bond on requested charges of&nbsp; distribution of a controlled substance causing death, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, and distribution of opiate/opium/stimulant/heroin dosage &lt; 10 units.Self has four previous drug convictions and another for criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Anyone with relevant information on this case is urged to come forward, according to the RCPD. The investigation into this and all other Fentanyl-related overdoses remain active and ongoing. Any individuals possessing pertinent information are urged to come forward and assist law enforcement authorities.

Kan. felon jailed in connection with fentanyl overdose death

HARVEY COUNTY —Newton Fire crews were on the scene of a large chicken barn fire in the 1400 Block of N West Road after an explosion was reported on Thursday afternoon, according to a social media report from Newton Fire and EMS.

Water tenders from surrounding communities are responding to provide water supply for firefighting operations.&nbsp; Authorities said the fire was caused by a propane explosion.&nbsp;

There was one person in the chicken barn at the time of the explosion who was not injured. Unfortunately, the barn was at or near capacity with 20,000 chickens. The entire structure collapsed. Fire crews will remain on scene throughout the afternoon and evening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732226605754.png" alt="Photos Newton Fire and EMS" />
 <figcaption>Photos Newton Fire and EMS</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —Newton Fire crews were on the scene of a large chicken barn fire in the 1400 Block of N West Road after an explosion was reported on Thursday afternoon, according to a social media report from Newton Fire and EMS.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732227048818.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Water tenders from surrounding communities are responding to provide water supply for firefighting operations.&nbsp; Authorities said the fire was caused by a propane explosion.&nbsp;There was one person in the chicken barn at the time of the explosion who was not injured. Unfortunately, the barn was at or near capacity with 20,000 chickens. The entire structure collapsed. Fire crews will remain on scene throughout the afternoon and evening.

20,000 chicken in Kansas barn at time of propane explosion

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks climbed Thursday after market&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-market-value-stock-price-revenue-chips-fe1d0d081191d5168332bf1c9ea3b85f">superstar Nvidia</a>&nbsp;and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected.

The S&amp;P 500 pulled 0.5% higher after flipping between gains and losses several times during the day. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend to do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bitcoin-crypto-trump-regulation-dogecoin-b3bdaf96e329fb90708c35c642c95e11">bitcoin</a>&nbsp;briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 461 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1%.

Nvidia rose just 0.5% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-ai-earnings-report-adc942aa0e0c5d1a550b7bad486b942a">beating analysts’ estimates</a>&nbsp;for profit and revenue yet again, but it was still the strongest force pulling the S&amp;P 500 upward. It also gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that topped most analysts’ expectations due to voracious demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology.

Its stock initially sank in afterhours trading Wednesday following the release of the results. Some investors said the market might have been looking for Nvidia’s revenue forecast to surpass expectations by even more. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dow-intel-nvidia-sherwinwilliams-dji-edc5430cad4696c650b5cb2e4fd2d0bf">its stock</a>&nbsp;recovered in premarket trading Thursday, and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said it was another “flawless” profit report provided by Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang, whom Ives calls “the Godfather of AI.”

The stock meandered through Thursday as well, dragging the S&amp;P 500 and other indexes back and forth. How Nvidia’s stock performs has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wall-street-stocks-magnificent-seven-a6e1da1a8c85c0a56f9e9c85e001ebff">more impact</a>&nbsp;than any other because it’s grown into Wall Street’s most valuable company at roughly $3.6 trillion.

The frenzy around AI is sweeping up other stocks, and Snowflake jumped 32.7% after reporting stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, whose platform helps customers get a better view of all their silos of data and use AI, also reported stronger revenue growth than expected.

BJ’S Wholesale Club rose 8.3% after likewise delivering a bigger profit than expected. That may help calm worries about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates.

A day earlier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-third-quarter-earnings-inflation-3d089d122d04937ac700cfcf70619f4c">Target tumbled</a>&nbsp;after reporting sluggish sales in the latest quarter and giving a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season. It followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-third-quarter-earnings-economy-inflation-ca8742036a5d077a172e864b5186e1b5">Walmart</a>, which gave a much more encouraging outlook.

Nearly 90% of the stocks in the S&amp;P 500 ended up rising Thursday, and the gains were even bigger among smaller companies. The Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped a market-leading 1.7%.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, helped keep indexes in check. It fell 4.7% after U.S. regulators asked a judge to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justice-department-84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7">break up the tech giant</a>&nbsp;by forcing it to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser.

In a 23-page document filed late Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice called for sweeping punishments that would include restrictions preventing Android from favoring its own search engine. Regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android but left the door open to it if the company’s oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 31.60 points to 5,948.71. The Dow jumped 461.88 to 43,870.35, and the Nasdaq composite added 6.28 to 18,972.42.

In the crypto market, bitcoin eclipsed $99,000 for the first time before pulling back toward $98,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s more than doubled so far this year, and its climb has accelerated since Election Day. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to make the country “the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-elections-crypto-cryptocurrency-treasury-blockchain-29df24818d03e557c6c434533052b33c">crypto capital</a>&nbsp;of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin.

Bitcoin got a further boost after Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said Thursday he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sec-gensler-trump-bitcoin-12ed7655830172800a4741a6cb39f372">step down in January</a>. Gensler has pushed for more protections for crypto investors.

Bitcoin and related investment have a notorious history of big price swings in both directions. MicroStrategy, a company that’s been raising cash expressly to buy bitcoin, saw an early Thursday gain of 14.6% for its stock quickly disappear. It finished the day with a loss of 16.2%.

In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 2% to bring its gain for the week to 4.8%. Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 1.8%. Oil has been rising amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-ukraine-war-b5ee115aa2099fa247f630e16da861d8">escalations in the Russia-Ukraine</a>&nbsp;war.

In stock markets abroad, shares of India’s Adani Enterprises plunged 22.6% Thursday after the U.S. charged founder Gautam Adani in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gautam-adani-india-solar-energy-securities-fraud-bribery-9f4c7ff20e7a47ae560c2ad72f4dda44">federal indictment</a>&nbsp;with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The businessman and one of the world’s richest people is accused of concealing that his company’s huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme.

Stock indexes elsewhere in Asia and Europe were mixed.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.43% from 4.41% late Wednesday following some mixed reports on the U.S. economy.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks climbed Thursday after market&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-market-value-stock-price-revenue-chips-fe1d0d081191d5168332bf1c9ea3b85f">superstar Nvidia</a>&nbsp;and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected.The S&amp;P 500 pulled 0.5% higher after flipping between gains and losses several times during the day. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend to do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bitcoin-crypto-trump-regulation-dogecoin-b3bdaf96e329fb90708c35c642c95e11">bitcoin</a>&nbsp;briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 461 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1%.Nvidia rose just 0.5% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-ai-earnings-report-adc942aa0e0c5d1a550b7bad486b942a">beating analysts’ estimates</a>&nbsp;for profit and revenue yet again, but it was still the strongest force pulling the S&amp;P 500 upward. It also gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that topped most analysts’ expectations due to voracious demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology.Its stock initially sank in afterhours trading Wednesday following the release of the results. Some investors said the market might have been looking for Nvidia’s revenue forecast to surpass expectations by even more. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dow-intel-nvidia-sherwinwilliams-dji-edc5430cad4696c650b5cb2e4fd2d0bf">its stock</a>&nbsp;recovered in premarket trading Thursday, and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said it was another “flawless” profit report provided by Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang, whom Ives calls “the Godfather of AI.”The stock meandered through Thursday as well, dragging the S&amp;P 500 and other indexes back and forth. How Nvidia’s stock performs has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wall-street-stocks-magnificent-seven-a6e1da1a8c85c0a56f9e9c85e001ebff">more impact</a>&nbsp;than any other because it’s grown into Wall Street’s most valuable company at roughly $3.6 trillion.The frenzy around AI is sweeping up other stocks, and Snowflake jumped 32.7% after reporting stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, whose platform helps customers get a better view of all their silos of data and use AI, also reported stronger revenue growth than expected.BJ’S Wholesale Club rose 8.3% after likewise delivering a bigger profit than expected. That may help calm worries about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates.A day earlier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-third-quarter-earnings-inflation-3d089d122d04937ac700cfcf70619f4c">Target tumbled</a>&nbsp;after reporting sluggish sales in the latest quarter and giving a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season. It followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-third-quarter-earnings-economy-inflation-ca8742036a5d077a172e864b5186e1b5">Walmart</a>, which gave a much more encouraging outlook.Nearly 90% of the stocks in the S&amp;P 500 ended up rising Thursday, and the gains were even bigger among smaller companies. The Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped a market-leading 1.7%.Google’s parent company, Alphabet, helped keep indexes in check. It fell 4.7% after U.S. regulators asked a judge to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justice-department-84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7">break up the tech giant</a>&nbsp;by forcing it to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser.In a 23-page document filed late Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice called for sweeping punishments that would include restrictions preventing Android from favoring its own search engine. Regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android but left the door open to it if the company’s oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 31.60 points to 5,948.71. The Dow jumped 461.88 to 43,870.35, and the Nasdaq composite added 6.28 to 18,972.42.In the crypto market, bitcoin eclipsed $99,000 for the first time before pulling back toward $98,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s more than doubled so far this year, and its climb has accelerated since Election Day. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to make the country “the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-elections-crypto-cryptocurrency-treasury-blockchain-29df24818d03e557c6c434533052b33c">crypto capital</a>&nbsp;of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin.Bitcoin got a further boost after Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said Thursday he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sec-gensler-trump-bitcoin-12ed7655830172800a4741a6cb39f372">step down in January</a>. Gensler has pushed for more protections for crypto investors.Bitcoin and related investment have a notorious history of big price swings in both directions. MicroStrategy, a company that’s been raising cash expressly to buy bitcoin, saw an early Thursday gain of 14.6% for its stock quickly disappear. It finished the day with a loss of 16.2%.In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 2% to bring its gain for the week to 4.8%. Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 1.8%. Oil has been rising amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-ukraine-war-b5ee115aa2099fa247f630e16da861d8">escalations in the Russia-Ukraine</a>&nbsp;war.In stock markets abroad, shares of India’s Adani Enterprises plunged 22.6% Thursday after the U.S. charged founder Gautam Adani in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gautam-adani-india-solar-energy-securities-fraud-bribery-9f4c7ff20e7a47ae560c2ad72f4dda44">federal indictment</a>&nbsp;with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The businessman and one of the world’s richest people is accused of concealing that his company’s huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme.Stock indexes elsewhere in Asia and Europe were mixed.In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.43% from 4.41% late Wednesday following some mixed reports on the U.S. economy.

Wall Street climbs as bitcoin bursts above $99,000

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in a pedestrian accident on Thursday in Wichita.

The accident occurred just after 8a.m. at the intersection of Central and West Street, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders found 48-year-old Angela Carrillo from Wichita with serious head injuries after being struck by a Lincoln MKX driven by a 74-year-old man.

EMS transported Carillo to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Police determined she was crossing West Street on foot, moving from east to west along Central, when the collision occurred. The driver of the Lincoln remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

The Wichita Police Department’s Critical Accident Team continues to investigate this incident and is interviewing witnesses to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732220785154.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in a pedestrian accident on Thursday in Wichita.The accident occurred just after 8a.m. at the intersection of Central and West Street, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders found 48-year-old Angela Carrillo from Wichita with serious head injuries after being struck by a Lincoln MKX driven by a 74-year-old man.EMS transported Carillo to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.Police determined she was crossing West Street on foot, moving from east to west along Central, when the collision occurred. The driver of the Lincoln remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.The Wichita Police Department’s Critical Accident Team continues to investigate this incident and is interviewing witnesses to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police ID Kansas woman who died after struck by SUV

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As respiratory season is upon us, the Reno County Health Department is alerting the public of an increase in pertussis/whooping cough<a href="https://wonder.cdc.gov/nndss/static/2024/46/2024-46-table990.html"> cases in the U.S. </a>this year so far.

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/signs-symptoms/index.html">Click here to read symptoms </a>of whooping cough

Preliminary data from the CDC shows that there are five times as many cases this year (about 23,500) so far when compared to the same time in 2023. "These numbers are higher than what was seen in 2019 before the pandemic and we have seen a few cases here in Reno County."

TDaP is a routine vaccine that includes Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis and is recommended to receive it every 10 years. If you are not up to date, please contact your health care provider, pharmacy or the County Health Department for a booster.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As respiratory season is upon us, the Reno County Health Department is alerting the public of an increase in pertussis/whooping cough<a href="https://wonder.cdc.gov/nndss/static/2024/46/2024-46-table990.html"> cases in the U.S. </a>this year so far.<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/signs-symptoms/index.html">Click here to read symptoms </a>of whooping coughPreliminary data from the CDC shows that there are five times as many cases this year (about 23,500) so far when compared to the same time in 2023. "These numbers are higher than what was seen in 2019 before the pandemic and we have seen a few cases here in Reno County."TDaP is a routine vaccine that includes Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis and is recommended to receive it every 10 years. If you are not up to date, please contact your health care provider, pharmacy or the County Health Department for a booster.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Health Dept. alerts public to increase in whooping cough in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matt-gaetz">Matt Gaetz</a>&nbsp;withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following continued scrutiny over a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-matt-gaetz-justice-department-9d51501fb6ad5c04b5b4113d3a6a584b">federal sex trafficking investigation</a>&nbsp;that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer.

The abrupt withdrawal is a setback to Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration, but also a recognition of the resistance the Republican is already encountering from members of his own party to picks with checkered backgrounds. By bowing out, Gaetz averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation battle that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to confirm Trump's Cabinet selections.

The Florida Republican's announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department.

“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz said in a statement announcing his decision. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”

Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”

Gaetz’s announcement came days after an attorney for two women said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman.

One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18.

Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-matt-gaetz-donald-trump-florida-6398693b203e38dbdabefb23d8377ac1">and said last year</a>&nbsp;that the Justice Department’s investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him.

Gaetz’s political future is uncertain, at the moment.

He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected to be as attorney general. That move was seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Republicans on the committee declined this week to release its findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter.

Gaetz did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025. But it’s unclear whether he would take office. There are plans for a special election in Florida for his seat.

Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731531518225.png" alt="Matt Gaetz photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Matt Gaetz photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matt-gaetz">Matt Gaetz</a>&nbsp;withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following continued scrutiny over a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-matt-gaetz-justice-department-9d51501fb6ad5c04b5b4113d3a6a584b">federal sex trafficking investigation</a>&nbsp;that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The end of an era ✨ <a href="https://t.co/AdXGRnfpq9">https://t.co/AdXGRnfpq9</a> <a href="https://t.co/K04Jf29hEf">pic.twitter.com/K04Jf29hEf</a>&mdash; Ginger Gaetz (@GingerLGaetz) <a href="https://twitter.com/GingerLGaetz/status/1859649348491149449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The abrupt withdrawal is a setback to Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration, but also a recognition of the resistance the Republican is already encountering from members of his own party to picks with checkered backgrounds. By bowing out, Gaetz averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation battle that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to confirm Trump's Cabinet selections.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732211535033.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Florida Republican's announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department.“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz said in a statement announcing his decision. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”Gaetz’s announcement came days after an attorney for two women said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman.One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18.Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-matt-gaetz-donald-trump-florida-6398693b203e38dbdabefb23d8377ac1">and said last year</a>&nbsp;that the Justice Department’s investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him.Gaetz’s political future is uncertain, at the moment.He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected to be as attorney general. That move was seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.Republicans on the committee declined this week to release its findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter.Gaetz did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025. But it’s unclear whether he would take office. There are plans for a special election in Florida for his seat._____Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.\

Trump responds after his AG pick Matt Gaetz withdraws

STEVENS COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas State Fire Marshal (KSFM) Investigation Division was requested to assist with a fatality fire at 1601 S Washington, Hugoton, according to a state from KSFM's office spokesman Lance Feyh.

 KSFM Special Agents were requested by local authorities after they responded to a fire with a fatality to a shed that belonged to the City of Hugoton’s electrical department.&nbsp; Three Special Agent/Certified Fire Investigators were sent to assist with this fire event.

The fire incident is still under investigation and is believed to be related to an overpressure event from natural gas. No foul play is suspected. Identification of the deceased is pending, and an autopsy is scheduled to help determine the official cause of death.

STEVENS COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas State Fire Marshal (KSFM) Investigation Division was requested to assist with a fatality fire at 1601 S Washington, Hugoton, according to a state from KSFM's office spokesman Lance Feyh. KSFM Special Agents were requested by local authorities after they responded to a fire with a fatality to a shed that belonged to the City of Hugoton’s electrical department.&nbsp; Three Special Agent/Certified Fire Investigators were sent to assist with this fire event.The fire incident is still under investigation and is believed to be related to an overpressure event from natural gas. No foul play is suspected. Identification of the deceased is pending, and an autopsy is scheduled to help determine the official cause of death.

Fire Marshal determines cause of fatal SW Kansas fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two teens accused in a&nbsp;violent acid attack on a Kansas teen were scheduled to make an appearance in court Thursday afternoon.&nbsp; The hearing for both was rescheduled, according to the district attorney's office.

Ye'Kira Acoya Hollins, 18, and Tayronnia Jontashia West, 18, both of Wichita, are charged with aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; They will appear before judge David Kaufman and are expected to enter a plea in the case.

Just after noon May 26, police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of N Dodge in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The victim in this case, an 18-year-old girl later arrived at an area hospital with second degree burns to the face and neck believed to be caused by a suspect throwing an acidic liquid on her during a fight.&nbsp;

Immediately following the incident, investigators with the Wichita Police Felony Assault unit along with patrol officers began looking for the suspects. 

On June 5, officers with the Patrol North Community Response Team located and arrested Hollins and&nbsp; West.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717690818288.png" alt="West photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>West photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two teens accused in a&nbsp;violent acid attack on a Kansas teen were scheduled to make an appearance in court Thursday afternoon.&nbsp; The hearing for both was rescheduled, according to the district attorney's office.Ye'Kira Acoya Hollins, 18, and Tayronnia Jontashia West, 18, both of Wichita, are charged with aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; They will appear before judge David Kaufman and are expected to enter a plea in the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717690911383.png" alt="Hollins photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hollins photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after noon May 26, police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of N Dodge in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The victim in this case, an 18-year-old girl later arrived at an area hospital with second degree burns to the face and neck believed to be caused by a suspect throwing an acidic liquid on her during a fight.&nbsp;Immediately following the incident, investigators with the Wichita Police Felony Assault unit along with patrol officers began looking for the suspects. On June 5, officers with the Patrol North Community Response Team located and arrested Hollins and&nbsp; West.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Hearing delayed for suspects in acid attack on Kansas teen

NEW YORK (AP) —A Florida man was arrested Wednesday and charged with a plot to “reboot” the U.S. government by planting a bomb at the New York Stock Exchange this week and detonating it with a remote-controlled device, according to the FBI.

Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, of Coral Springs, Florida, was charged with attempt to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce.

The FBI began investigating Yener in February based on a tip that he was storing “bombmaking schematics” in a storage unit. They found bomb-making sketches, many watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be used for building explosive devices, according to the FBI. He had also searched online for things related to bomb-making since 2017, according to the FBI.

Yener also told undercover FBI agents that he wanted to detonate the bomb the week before Thanksgiving and that the stock exchange in lower Manhattan would be a popular site to target.

“The Stock Exchange, we want to hit that, because it will wake people up,” he told undercover FBI agents, according to court documents.

He wanted to bomb the stock exchange in order to “reboot” the U.S. government, explaining that it would be “like a small nuke went off,” killing everyone inside the building, according to court documents.

In the last month, he had rewired two-way radios so that they could work as remote triggers for an explosive device and planned to wear a disguise when planting the explosives, according to court documents.

Yener had his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon and will be detained while he awaits a trial.

The news was first reported by the website CourtWatch.

Calls to telephone numbers listed for Harun Abdul-Malik Yener in public records rang unanswered and a lawyer was not listed in court records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732197940673.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —A Florida man was arrested Wednesday and charged with a plot to “reboot” the U.S. government by planting a bomb at the New York Stock Exchange this week and detonating it with a remote-controlled device, according to the FBI.Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, of Coral Springs, Florida, was charged with attempt to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce.The FBI began investigating Yener in February based on a tip that he was storing “bombmaking schematics” in a storage unit. They found bomb-making sketches, many watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be used for building explosive devices, according to the FBI. He had also searched online for things related to bomb-making since 2017, according to the FBI.Yener also told undercover FBI agents that he wanted to detonate the bomb the week before Thanksgiving and that the stock exchange in lower Manhattan would be a popular site to target.“The Stock Exchange, we want to hit that, because it will wake people up,” he told undercover FBI agents, according to court documents.He wanted to bomb the stock exchange in order to “reboot” the U.S. government, explaining that it would be “like a small nuke went off,” killing everyone inside the building, according to court documents.In the last month, he had rewired two-way radios so that they could work as remote triggers for an explosive device and planned to wear a disguise when planting the explosives, according to court documents.Yener had his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon and will be detained while he awaits a trial.The news was first reported by the website CourtWatch.Calls to telephone numbers listed for Harun Abdul-Malik Yener in public records rang unanswered and a lawyer was not listed in court records.

FBI makes arrest in plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange 

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a sexual assault and theft that occurred Tuesday morning at a home in Overland Park have a suspect in custody.

The incident occurred&nbsp; just after 2:30a.m. in a home near W. 97th Street and Reeder in Overland Park, according to Overland Park Police Officer John Lacy.

The victim did not know the suspect but was able to provide a description as a stocky build, clean-shaven, late twenties to early thirties man. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a black beanie-style cap.

EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Overland Park Police Department, with the assistance of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, made the arrest and the suspect is being held in Johnson County Central Booking Facility in Olathe.

Police turned the case over to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732041800750.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a sexual assault and theft that occurred Tuesday morning at a home in Overland Park have a suspect in custody.The incident occurred&nbsp; just after 2:30a.m. in a home near W. 97th Street and Reeder in Overland Park, according to Overland Park Police Officer John Lacy.The victim did not know the suspect but was able to provide a description as a stocky build, clean-shaven, late twenties to early thirties man. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a black beanie-style cap.EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The Overland Park Police Department, with the assistance of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, made the arrest and the suspect is being held in Johnson County Central Booking Facility in Olathe.Police turned the case over to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;----------

Police capture suspect in sex assault, theft at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

A&nbsp; Chevy Cruze was southbound on U.S. 49 Highway just before the Red Bridge exit merging towards the right shoulder to yield to a Fire Truck, running with emergency lights and siren, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

The driver of the Chevy did not see a man in a wheelchair who was crossing the highway from the east to the west.

The right front of his vehicle struck the wheelchair. EMS transported the man&nbsp; to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The driver of the Chevy Cruze was not injured in the collision. This is fatality #84 in Kansas City, Missouri for 2024, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.A&nbsp; Chevy Cruze was southbound on U.S. 49 Highway just before the Red Bridge exit merging towards the right shoulder to yield to a Fire Truck, running with emergency lights and siren, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.The driver of the Chevy did not see a man in a wheelchair who was crossing the highway from the east to the west.The right front of his vehicle struck the wheelchair. EMS transported the man&nbsp; to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The driver of the Chevy Cruze was not injured in the collision. This is fatality #84 in Kansas City, Missouri for 2024, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KCPD: Car struck and killed man in a wheelchair on highway

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will give Ukraine antipersonnel mines to help it slow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s battlefield advances</a>, marking the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">second major shift</a>&nbsp;on U.S. military support for Kyiv in days.

After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">allowing Ukraine</a>&nbsp;to use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atacms-ukraine-longrange-missiles-5fd95f32449d14da22b82d57d6ccab22">longer-range American missiles</a>&nbsp;to launch strikes deeper into Russia, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the shift in Washington’s policy on antipersonnel land mines for Ukraine was needed to counter changing Russian tactics.

The war, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-f7f56e494df1dbbcdec1853001796c45">reached its 1,000-day milestone</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, has largely been going Russia’s way. Moscow's bigger army is slowly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kurakhove-donbas-drones-evacuation-offensive-afb121bfbb276f8bb3789960f7076331">pushing Ukraine’s forces backward</a>&nbsp;in the eastern Donetsk region, while Ukrainian civilians&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-strike-85dea3d9af59589d372333a23de9130a">are being maimed and killed</a>&nbsp;by Russian drones and missiles often fired from inside Russia.

Individual ground troops, rather than forces more protected in armored carriers, are leading the Russian battlefield advance, so Ukraine has “a need for things that can help slow down that effort,” Austin said during a trip to Laos.

The announcement comes two months before Donald Trump replaces Joe Biden in the White House. Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war and has criticized the amount the U.S. has spent on supporting Ukraine.

Biden administration officials say they are determined to help Ukraine as much as possible before he leaves office, and they announced Wednesday that the U.S. intends to cancel half of the debt — some $4.6 billion — Ukraine owes to the country. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said U.S. lawmakers were informed of the move this week, and that he doesn't expect them to pass a resolution of disapproval to try to stop the loan forgiveness because of the bipartisan support for Ukraine in the current Congress.

The steps taken to help Ukraine — along with unconfirmed reports Wednesday of Ukraine firing a certain British cruise missile at Russia for the first time — were likely to vex Moscow.

The U.S. and some other Western embassies in Kyiv closed for the day Wednesday in response to the threat of a potentially major Russian aerial attack on the Ukrainian capital.

Humanitarian groups have long criticized the use of antipersonnel mines because they present a lingering threat to civilians. Amnesty International called the U.S. decision “reckless” and a “deeply disappointing setback." And Norway’s foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, called it “very problematic” because Ukraine is a signatory to an international convention opposing the use of land mines.

Austin pointed out that Ukraine already makes its own antipersonnel mines, and that the U.S. has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines. He also tried to allay concerns about the new mines the U.S. is giving Kyiv, saying they are not persistent, meaning troops can control when they would self-detonate.

“That makes it far more safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own,” Austin said.

The mines are are electrically fused and powered by batteries so that when the battery runs out, they won’t detonate. They can become inert in anywhere from four hours to two weeks.

Russia already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-2022-midterm-elections-united-nations-human-rights-watch-europe-aeb0d403ebd62e543c95b3089611505c">uses land mines in Ukraine</a>, but those don’t become inert over time.

The United States also sought commitments from the Ukrainians on the use of the mines to limit harm to innocent civilians, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Ukraine would use the mines in its own country and would not put them in civilian populated areas.

The mines are contained in a $275 million package of new military assistance from the Biden administration, according to a different U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid package hasn't been formerly announced. Also included in the package are High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, as well as 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds, Javelin anti-armor munitions, and other equipment and spare parts.

The war has taken on a growing international dimension with the arrival of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-north-korea-troops-c8cf9599591e50caf1c48a98b6841fe4">North Korean troops to help Russia</a>&nbsp;on the battlefield — a development that U.S. officials said prompted Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-biden-what-are-atacms-missiles-8d8621321af8c673bd42a5693c2ad1f4">policy shift</a>&nbsp;on allowing Ukraine to fire longer-range U.S. missiles into Russia and that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-attack-sumy-5cd4f9fe2cee1ae8aed67d63c22b0703">angered the Kremlin</a>.

Britain had been quietly pressing the U.S. to ease restrictions on how Western-supplied missiles are used, and unconfirmed news reports Wednesday said Ukraine had fired British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at Russia for the first time. British and Ukrainian officials didn't confirm the reports.

Officials with France's military and president’s office, meanwhile, declined to say whether Ukraine is using French long-range SCALP missiles to strike targets in Russia, citing France's military secrecy policy. French President Emmanuel Macron&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-news-conference-c8bc75f0802ea1c7f0c0f4fc36c0597b">has been pushing for such a step</a>&nbsp;for months.

After the Biden administration allowed Ukraine to attack Russia with longer-range American-made ATACMS missiles, Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-91f20e0c9b0f9e5eaa3ed97c35789898">lowered the threshold</a>&nbsp;for using his nuclear arsenal, with the new doctrine announced Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-ukraine-war-b5ee115aa2099fa247f630e16da861d8">permitting a potential nuclear response</a>&nbsp;by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.

That could potentially include Ukrainian attacks backed by the U.S.

The American diplomatic mission in Kyiv said Wednesday that it had received a warning about a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital and was staying closed for the day. It anticipated a quick return to regular operations. The Spanish, Italian and Greek embassies also closed for the day, but the U.K. government and France said that their embassies remained open.

Western leaders dismissed the Russian reaction to the U.S. missile decision as an attempt to deter Ukraine’s allies from providing further support to Kyiv, but the escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-japan-china-3a2ce8be3c3743199782c3453053afaf">tension weighed on stock markets</a>&nbsp;after Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-1000-days-attack-06002c8c50bfb2fc622f446a8580bc0e">for the first time</a>&nbsp;at a target inside Russia.

Western and Ukrainian officials say Russia been stockpiling powerful long-range missiles, possibly in an upcoming effort to crush the Ukrainian power grid as winter approaches.

Military analysts say the U.S. decision on the range over which American-made missiles can be used isn't expected to be a game-changer, but it could help weaken the Russian war effort, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank.

“Ukrainian long-range strikes against military objects within Russia’s rear are crucial for degrading Russian military capabilities throughout the theater," it said.

Meanwhile, North Korea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-ukraine-artillery-f16f8a95fc6b4314c52d4a9271c3632d">recently supplied additional artillery systems</a>&nbsp;to Russia, according to South Korea. It said that North Korean soldiers were assigned to Russia’s marine and airborne forces units and some of them have already begun fighting alongside the Russians on the front lines.

Ukraine struck a factory in Russia’s Belgorod region that makes cargo drones for the armed forces in an overnight attack, according to Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraine’s Security Council.

He also claimed Ukraine hit an arsenal in Russia’s Novgorod region, near the town of Kotovo, located about 680 kilometers (420 miles) behind the Ukrainian border. The arsenal stored artillery ammunition and various types of missiles, he said.

It wasn't possible to independently verify the claims.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will give Ukraine antipersonnel mines to help it slow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s battlefield advances</a>, marking the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">second major shift</a>&nbsp;on U.S. military support for Kyiv in days.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The United States has announced a new support package worth $275 million. It includes drones, ammunition for HIMARS and artillery, and—critically—essential mines to stop Russian assaults. This will significantly strengthen our troops on the front lines. This marks the 70th… <a href="https://t.co/bXlBLPKg6C">pic.twitter.com/bXlBLPKg6C</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1859313020641366485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">allowing Ukraine</a>&nbsp;to use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atacms-ukraine-longrange-missiles-5fd95f32449d14da22b82d57d6ccab22">longer-range American missiles</a>&nbsp;to launch strikes deeper into Russia, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the shift in Washington’s policy on antipersonnel land mines for Ukraine was needed to counter changing Russian tactics.The war, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-f7f56e494df1dbbcdec1853001796c45">reached its 1,000-day milestone</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, has largely been going Russia’s way. Moscow's bigger army is slowly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kurakhove-donbas-drones-evacuation-offensive-afb121bfbb276f8bb3789960f7076331">pushing Ukraine’s forces backward</a>&nbsp;in the eastern Donetsk region, while Ukrainian civilians&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-strike-85dea3d9af59589d372333a23de9130a">are being maimed and killed</a>&nbsp;by Russian drones and missiles often fired from inside Russia.Individual ground troops, rather than forces more protected in armored carriers, are leading the Russian battlefield advance, so Ukraine has “a need for things that can help slow down that effort,” Austin said during a trip to Laos.The announcement comes two months before Donald Trump replaces Joe Biden in the White House. Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war and has criticized the amount the U.S. has spent on supporting Ukraine.Biden administration officials say they are determined to help Ukraine as much as possible before he leaves office, and they announced Wednesday that the U.S. intends to cancel half of the debt — some $4.6 billion — Ukraine owes to the country. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said U.S. lawmakers were informed of the move this week, and that he doesn't expect them to pass a resolution of disapproval to try to stop the loan forgiveness because of the bipartisan support for Ukraine in the current Congress.The steps taken to help Ukraine — along with unconfirmed reports Wednesday of Ukraine firing a certain British cruise missile at Russia for the first time — were likely to vex Moscow.The U.S. and some other Western embassies in Kyiv closed for the day Wednesday in response to the threat of a potentially major Russian aerial attack on the Ukrainian capital.Humanitarian groups have long criticized the use of antipersonnel mines because they present a lingering threat to civilians. Amnesty International called the U.S. decision “reckless” and a “deeply disappointing setback." And Norway’s foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, called it “very problematic” because Ukraine is a signatory to an international convention opposing the use of land mines.Austin pointed out that Ukraine already makes its own antipersonnel mines, and that the U.S. has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines. He also tried to allay concerns about the new mines the U.S. is giving Kyiv, saying they are not persistent, meaning troops can control when they would self-detonate.“That makes it far more safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own,” Austin said.The mines are are electrically fused and powered by batteries so that when the battery runs out, they won’t detonate. They can become inert in anywhere from four hours to two weeks.Russia already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-2022-midterm-elections-united-nations-human-rights-watch-europe-aeb0d403ebd62e543c95b3089611505c">uses land mines in Ukraine</a>, but those don’t become inert over time.The United States also sought commitments from the Ukrainians on the use of the mines to limit harm to innocent civilians, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Ukraine would use the mines in its own country and would not put them in civilian populated areas.The mines are contained in a $275 million package of new military assistance from the Biden administration, according to a different U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid package hasn't been formerly announced. Also included in the package are High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, as well as 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds, Javelin anti-armor munitions, and other equipment and spare parts.The war has taken on a growing international dimension with the arrival of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-north-korea-troops-c8cf9599591e50caf1c48a98b6841fe4">North Korean troops to help Russia</a>&nbsp;on the battlefield — a development that U.S. officials said prompted Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-biden-what-are-atacms-missiles-8d8621321af8c673bd42a5693c2ad1f4">policy shift</a>&nbsp;on allowing Ukraine to fire longer-range U.S. missiles into Russia and that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-attack-sumy-5cd4f9fe2cee1ae8aed67d63c22b0703">angered the Kremlin</a>.Britain had been quietly pressing the U.S. to ease restrictions on how Western-supplied missiles are used, and unconfirmed news reports Wednesday said Ukraine had fired British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at Russia for the first time. British and Ukrainian officials didn't confirm the reports.Officials with France's military and president’s office, meanwhile, declined to say whether Ukraine is using French long-range SCALP missiles to strike targets in Russia, citing France's military secrecy policy. French President Emmanuel Macron&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-news-conference-c8bc75f0802ea1c7f0c0f4fc36c0597b">has been pushing for such a step</a>&nbsp;for months.After the Biden administration allowed Ukraine to attack Russia with longer-range American-made ATACMS missiles, Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-91f20e0c9b0f9e5eaa3ed97c35789898">lowered the threshold</a>&nbsp;for using his nuclear arsenal, with the new doctrine announced Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-ukraine-war-b5ee115aa2099fa247f630e16da861d8">permitting a potential nuclear response</a>&nbsp;by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.That could potentially include Ukrainian attacks backed by the U.S.The American diplomatic mission in Kyiv said Wednesday that it had received a warning about a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital and was staying closed for the day. It anticipated a quick return to regular operations. The Spanish, Italian and Greek embassies also closed for the day, but the U.K. government and France said that their embassies remained open.Western leaders dismissed the Russian reaction to the U.S. missile decision as an attempt to deter Ukraine’s allies from providing further support to Kyiv, but the escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-japan-china-3a2ce8be3c3743199782c3453053afaf">tension weighed on stock markets</a>&nbsp;after Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-1000-days-attack-06002c8c50bfb2fc622f446a8580bc0e">for the first time</a>&nbsp;at a target inside Russia.Western and Ukrainian officials say Russia been stockpiling powerful long-range missiles, possibly in an upcoming effort to crush the Ukrainian power grid as winter approaches.Military analysts say the U.S. decision on the range over which American-made missiles can be used isn't expected to be a game-changer, but it could help weaken the Russian war effort, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank.“Ukrainian long-range strikes against military objects within Russia’s rear are crucial for degrading Russian military capabilities throughout the theater," it said.Meanwhile, North Korea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-ukraine-artillery-f16f8a95fc6b4314c52d4a9271c3632d">recently supplied additional artillery systems</a>&nbsp;to Russia, according to South Korea. It said that North Korean soldiers were assigned to Russia’s marine and airborne forces units and some of them have already begun fighting alongside the Russians on the front lines.Ukraine struck a factory in Russia’s Belgorod region that makes cargo drones for the armed forces in an overnight attack, according to Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraine’s Security Council.He also claimed Ukraine hit an arsenal in Russia’s Novgorod region, near the town of Kotovo, located about 680 kilometers (420 miles) behind the Ukrainian border. The arsenal stored artillery ammunition and various types of missiles, he said.It wasn't possible to independently verify the claims.___

🎥Biden approves giving land mines to Ukraine, undoing his own policy

President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is filling key posts in his second administration, and it's shaping up much differently than his first. He's prioritizing loyalists for top jobs.

Trump was bruised and hampered by internal squabbles during his initial term in office. Now he appears focused on remaking the federal government in his own image. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation battles even with Republicans in control of the U.S. Senate.

Here's a look at whom he has selected so far.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-marco-rubio-secretary-of-state-25664371f80dcf3332838352165e4d48">named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;to be secretary of state, making the critic-turned-ally his choice for top diplomat.

Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations.

Trump said Wednesday he will nominate Florida Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matt-gaetz">Matt Gaetz</a>&nbsp;to serve as his attorney general, naming a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.

In selecting Gaetz, 42, Trump passed over more established lawyers whose names had been mentioned as being contenders for the job.

“Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and Restore Americans' badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department,” Trump said in a statement.

Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump announced him. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that Gaetz paid for sex with a 17-year-old, though that probe effectively ended when he resigned. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.

DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Tulsi Gabbard

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gabbard-director-national-intelligence-466dfdfe2f949ea20bc2f4ef13e21438">has been tapped by Trump</a>&nbsp;to be director of national intelligence, another example of Trump prizing loyalty over experience.

Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall, and she's been accused of echoing Russian propaganda.

Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions.

Hegseth, 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show.

Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011. He has two Bronze Stars. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-defense-secretary-pentagon-2d8030921ecef933778cf92afd40ec72">Hegseth lacks</a>&nbsp;senior military and national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea.

Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year.

Lutnick heads up the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and is a cryptocurrency enthusiast. He is co-chair of Trump's transition operation, charged along with Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, with helping the president-elect build a Cabinet for his second administration.

As commerce secretary, Lutnick would play a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. He would oversee a sprawling Cabinet department whose oversight ranges from funding new computer chip factories and imposing trade restrictions to releasing economic data and monitoring the weather.

Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms as South Dakota's governor to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic.

More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog.

She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports.

Ratcliffe, a former U.S. House member from Texas, was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump’s first term, leading the U.S. government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic.

If confirmed, Ratcliffe will have held the highest intelligence positions in the U.S.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45">then endorsed Trump</a>. He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign.

The nomination alarmed people who are concerned about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-vaccines-trump-rfkjr-7f8dcb25de76a5a70710d22bbc63f6fa">his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines</a>. For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism.

Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business.

Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children.

Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate.

Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command.

The governor of North Dakota, once little-known outside his state, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump and then spent months traveling to drum up support for Trump after dropping out of the race.

Burgum was a serious contender to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vice-president-rubio-vance-burgum-scott-8b6a3a22eecdfff668a5002ddfd3af18">be Trump’s vice presidential choice</a>&nbsp;this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs.

Trump initially announced his choice of Burgum while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. His formal announcement the following day said he wanted Burgum to be Interior secretary and chairman of a new National Energy Council. Burgum will also have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary.

A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market.

Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States.

Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term.

McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul, would be making a return appearance in a second Trump administration. She led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 during Trump’s first term and twice ran unsuccessfully in Connecticut as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice.