NEW YORK (AP) — More than one million pairs of oven gloves are being recalled due to a burn hazard, after dozens of injury reports.

Video and e-commerce retailer QVC is recalling about 1.1 million of its “Temp-tations Oven Gloves” because they fail to provide sufficient heat protection. According to a Thursday notice&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/QVC-Recalls-More-than-One-Million-Temp-tations-Oven-Gloves-Due-to-Burn-Hazard">published</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, QVC has received 162 reports of insufficient heat protection, including 92 minor burns.

Consumers in possession of the now-recalled gloves are urged to stop using them immediately and contact QVC for a refund. More information can be found on the recall's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.recallrtr.com/ovengloves">online registration page</a>.

According to the recall notice, the oven gloves were sold online at qvc.com as well as through QVC’s televised and digital shopping platforms from August 2018 to August 2024 for between $4 and $13 a pair.

The products, which come in a range of colors and designs, came in single pairs or in sets. “Temp-tations by Tara” is printed on an label inside the gloves, Thursday's announcement notes. The recalled gloves can also be identified by their model numbers: K51459, K76398, K47973, K48879, K85322, K96004, K92603, K308719, K309220, K309388 and K309516.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733501232893.png" alt="Photo Consumer Products Safety Commission" />
 <figcaption>Photo Consumer Products Safety Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — More than one million pairs of oven gloves are being recalled due to a burn hazard, after dozens of injury reports.Video and e-commerce retailer QVC is recalling about 1.1 million of its “Temp-tations Oven Gloves” because they fail to provide sufficient heat protection. According to a Thursday notice&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/QVC-Recalls-More-than-One-Million-Temp-tations-Oven-Gloves-Due-to-Burn-Hazard">published</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, QVC has received 162 reports of insufficient heat protection, including 92 minor burns.Consumers in possession of the now-recalled gloves are urged to stop using them immediately and contact QVC for a refund. More information can be found on the recall's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.recallrtr.com/ovengloves">online registration page</a>.According to the recall notice, the oven gloves were sold online at qvc.com as well as through QVC’s televised and digital shopping platforms from August 2018 to August 2024 for between $4 and $13 a pair.The products, which come in a range of colors and designs, came in single pairs or in sets. “Temp-tations by Tara” is printed on an label inside the gloves, Thursday's announcement notes. The recalled gloves can also be identified by their model numbers: K51459, K76398, K47973, K48879, K85322, K96004, K92603, K308719, K309220, K309388 and K309516.

Gloves recalled after consumers report nearly 100 burns

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations following an investigation into a vehicle blocking an ATM.

Just before 4:30 a.m. December 3, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received notification regarding a blue 2017 Chevrolet Colorado stopped at an ATM in the 4600 block of NW 46th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded. During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located. Neal R. St Cyr, 45, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733261697776.png" alt="St Cyr photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>St Cyr photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations following an investigation into a vehicle blocking an ATM.Just before 4:30 a.m. December 3, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received notification regarding a blue 2017 Chevrolet Colorado stopped at an ATM in the 4600 block of NW 46th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded. During the investigation, illegal narcotics were located. Neal R. St Cyr, 45, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas drug suspect was blocking bank ATM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A pair of iconic ruby slippers that were worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” and stolen from a museum nearly two decades ago sold for a winning bid of $28 million at auction Saturday.

Heritage Auctions had estimated that they would fetch $3 million or more, but the fast-paced bidding far outpaced that amount within seconds and tripled it within minutes. A few bidders making offers by phone volleyed back and forth for 15 minutes as the price climbed to the final, eye-popping sum.

Including the Dallas-based auction house's fee, the unknown buyer will ultimately pay $32.5 million.

Online bidding, which opened last month, had stood at $1.55 million before live bidding began late Saturday afternoon.

This slippers were on display at the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005 when Terry Jon Martin used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum’s door and display case.

Their whereabouts remained a mystery until&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f15402e28f04341b6a25d179b070fc5">the FBI recovered them in 2018.</a>&nbsp;Martin, now 77, who lives near Grand Rapids in northern Minnesota, wasn't publicly exposed as the thief&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/solen-ruby-slippers-wizard-of-oz-5d142469ad5f052f6af053d20dbf20c4">until he was indicted</a>&nbsp;in May 2023. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wizard-oz-stolen-ruby-slippers-judy-garland-f2bd6d4455a9821c311d1d0a03f6d77a">pleaded guilty in October 2023.</a>&nbsp;He was in a wheelchair and on supplementary oxygen when he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oz-stolen-ruby-slippers-sentencing-2479d587123b97eda5c47672322d2d6e">sentenced last January</a>&nbsp;to time served because of his poor health.

His attorney, Dane DeKrey, explained ahead of sentencing that Martin, who had a long history of burglary and receiving stolen property, was attempting to pull off “one last score” after an old associate with connections to the mob told him the shoes had to be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value. But a fence — a person who buys stolen goods — later told him the rubies were just glass, DeKrey said. So Martin got rid of the slippers. The attorney didn't specify how.

The alleged fence, Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, of the Minneapolis suburb of Crystal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wizard-oz-ruby-slippers-dorothy-judy-garland-e96057028c8d1b5ab6c4ffeef28fd123">was indicted in March</a>. He was also in a wheelchair and on oxygen when he made his first court appearance. He's scheduled to go on trial in January and hasn't entered a plea, though his attorney has said he's not guilty.

The shoes were returned in February to memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, who had loaned them to the museum. They were one of several pairs that Garland wore during the filming, but only four pairs are known to have survived. In the movie, to return from Oz to Kansas, Dorothy had to click her heels three times and repeat, “There’s no place like home.”

As Rhys Thomas, author of “The Ruby Slippers of Oz,” put it, the sequined shoes from the beloved 1939 musical have seen “more twists and turns than the Yellow Brick Road.”

Over 800 people had been tracking the slippers, and the company’s&nbsp;<a href="https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/props/the-wizard-of-oz-mgm-1939-judy-garland-dorothy-gale-screen-matched-ruby-slippers/a/7388-89182.s?ic4=GalleryView-Thumbnail-071515">webpage for the auction</a>&nbsp;had hit nearly 43,000 page views by Thursday, said Robert Wilonsky, a vice president with the auction house.

After the slippers sold, the auctioneer told bidders and spectators in the room and watching online that the previous record for a piece of entertainment memorabilia was $5.52 million, for the white dress Marilyn Monroe famously wore atop a windy subway grate.

The auction also included other memorabilia from “The Wizard of Oz,” such as a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who played the original Wicked Witch of the West. That item went for $2.4 million, or a total final cost to the buyer of $2.93 million.

“The Wizard of Oz” story has gained new attention in recent weeks with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/movie-review-wicked-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-784258a509b990dbd34206c4991e2c6b">release of the movie “Wicked,”</a>&nbsp;an adaptation of the megahit Broadway musical, a prequel of sorts that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/movie-review-wicked-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-784258a509b990dbd34206c4991e2c6b">reimagines the character</a>&nbsp;of the Wicked Witch of the West.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684352824766.png" alt="FILE - Ruby slippers once worn by Judy Garland in the "The Wizard of Oz," are displayed at a news conference, Sept. 4, 2018, at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Ruby slippers once worn by Judy Garland in the "The Wizard of Oz," are displayed at a news conference, Sept. 4, 2018, at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A pair of iconic ruby slippers that were worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” and stolen from a museum nearly two decades ago sold for a winning bid of $28 million at auction Saturday.Heritage Auctions had estimated that they would fetch $3 million or more, but the fast-paced bidding far outpaced that amount within seconds and tripled it within minutes. A few bidders making offers by phone volleyed back and forth for 15 minutes as the price climbed to the final, eye-popping sum.Including the Dallas-based auction house's fee, the unknown buyer will ultimately pay $32.5 million.Online bidding, which opened last month, had stood at $1.55 million before live bidding began late Saturday afternoon.This slippers were on display at the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005 when Terry Jon Martin used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum’s door and display case.Their whereabouts remained a mystery until&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f15402e28f04341b6a25d179b070fc5">the FBI recovered them in 2018.</a>&nbsp;Martin, now 77, who lives near Grand Rapids in northern Minnesota, wasn't publicly exposed as the thief&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/solen-ruby-slippers-wizard-of-oz-5d142469ad5f052f6af053d20dbf20c4">until he was indicted</a>&nbsp;in May 2023. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wizard-oz-stolen-ruby-slippers-judy-garland-f2bd6d4455a9821c311d1d0a03f6d77a">pleaded guilty in October 2023.</a>&nbsp;He was in a wheelchair and on supplementary oxygen when he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oz-stolen-ruby-slippers-sentencing-2479d587123b97eda5c47672322d2d6e">sentenced last January</a>&nbsp;to time served because of his poor health.His attorney, Dane DeKrey, explained ahead of sentencing that Martin, who had a long history of burglary and receiving stolen property, was attempting to pull off “one last score” after an old associate with connections to the mob told him the shoes had to be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value. But a fence — a person who buys stolen goods — later told him the rubies were just glass, DeKrey said. So Martin got rid of the slippers. The attorney didn't specify how.The alleged fence, Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, of the Minneapolis suburb of Crystal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wizard-oz-ruby-slippers-dorothy-judy-garland-e96057028c8d1b5ab6c4ffeef28fd123">was indicted in March</a>. He was also in a wheelchair and on oxygen when he made his first court appearance. He's scheduled to go on trial in January and hasn't entered a plea, though his attorney has said he's not guilty.The shoes were returned in February to memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, who had loaned them to the museum. They were one of several pairs that Garland wore during the filming, but only four pairs are known to have survived. In the movie, to return from Oz to Kansas, Dorothy had to click her heels three times and repeat, “There’s no place like home.”As Rhys Thomas, author of “The Ruby Slippers of Oz,” put it, the sequined shoes from the beloved 1939 musical have seen “more twists and turns than the Yellow Brick Road.”Over 800 people had been tracking the slippers, and the company’s&nbsp;<a href="https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv-memorabilia/props/the-wizard-of-oz-mgm-1939-judy-garland-dorothy-gale-screen-matched-ruby-slippers/a/7388-89182.s?ic4=GalleryView-Thumbnail-071515">webpage for the auction</a>&nbsp;had hit nearly 43,000 page views by Thursday, said Robert Wilonsky, a vice president with the auction house.After the slippers sold, the auctioneer told bidders and spectators in the room and watching online that the previous record for a piece of entertainment memorabilia was $5.52 million, for the white dress Marilyn Monroe famously wore atop a windy subway grate.The auction also included other memorabilia from “The Wizard of Oz,” such as a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who played the original Wicked Witch of the West. That item went for $2.4 million, or a total final cost to the buyer of $2.93 million.“The Wizard of Oz” story has gained new attention in recent weeks with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/movie-review-wicked-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-784258a509b990dbd34206c4991e2c6b">release of the movie “Wicked,”</a>&nbsp;an adaptation of the megahit Broadway musical, a prequel of sorts that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/movie-review-wicked-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-784258a509b990dbd34206c4991e2c6b">reimagines the character</a>&nbsp;of the Wicked Witch of the West.

'Wizard of Oz' ruby slippers sell at auctioned for record price

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged violent assault in Barton County.

Just before 11a.m. Dec. 5, police responded to the hospital in Great Bend, in reference to an alleged domestic disturbance.

An investigation determined 68-year-old Judy Goodman allegedly battered the other party in the dispute using a mop handle. 

Goodman was placed under arrest for aggravated battery. Goodman was transported to the Barton County Jail where she was booked and held on a $75,000 bond on a requested charge of&nbsp; aggravated battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733508555832.jpeg" alt="Goodman-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Goodman-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged violent assault in Barton County.Just before 11a.m. Dec. 5, police responded to the hospital in Great Bend, in reference to an alleged domestic disturbance.An investigation determined 68-year-old Judy Goodman allegedly battered the other party in the dispute using a mop handle. Goodman was placed under arrest for aggravated battery. Goodman was transported to the Barton County Jail where she was booked and held on a $75,000 bond on a requested charge of&nbsp; aggravated battery.

Police: Kan. woman battered victim with a mop handle

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 22-year-old Kansas City man accused of illegally purchasing a gun found after February’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-parade-shooting-58db068706aa90b1d174f2b688484df7">mass shooting</a>&nbsp;at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally has been sentenced to probation.

U.S. District Court Judge Howard Sachs sentenced Ronnel Williams Jr. to 5 years probation Thursday, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article296696439.html">reported</a>.

Williams’ public defenders did not immediately respond to Associated Press calls and emails requesting comment Friday.

Williams in July pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make false statements in the acquisition of a firearm.

Williams has said he lied in order to buy a gun for a 19-year-old who was too young to purchase the weapon legally. The man Williams bought the gun for faces the same charges and is set to be sentenced Dec. 12. The man has told police that the weapon was stolen from him.

Williams’ lawyer has said Williams has no connection to the parade shooters. The gun was found by law enforcement after the shooting.

The February shooting left one person dead and roughly two dozen others injured. Three people have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-parade-shooting-charges-385a15abbd03f1926b6ec11bb88ce79c">charged with murder</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708018861457.jpeg" alt="File photo Police clear the area following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)." />
 <figcaption>File photo Police clear the area following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann).</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 22-year-old Kansas City man accused of illegally purchasing a gun found after February’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-parade-shooting-58db068706aa90b1d174f2b688484df7">mass shooting</a>&nbsp;at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally has been sentenced to probation.U.S. District Court Judge Howard Sachs sentenced Ronnel Williams Jr. to 5 years probation Thursday, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article296696439.html">reported</a>.Williams’ public defenders did not immediately respond to Associated Press calls and emails requesting comment Friday.Williams in July pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make false statements in the acquisition of a firearm.Williams has said he lied in order to buy a gun for a 19-year-old who was too young to purchase the weapon legally. The man Williams bought the gun for faces the same charges and is set to be sentenced Dec. 12. The man has told police that the weapon was stolen from him.Williams’ lawyer has said Williams has no connection to the parade shooters. The gun was found by law enforcement after the shooting.The February shooting left one person dead and roughly two dozen others injured. Three people have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-parade-shooting-charges-385a15abbd03f1926b6ec11bb88ce79c">charged with murder</a>.

Man accused of buying gun later found at Chiefs rally shooting sentenced

PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/notre-dame-cathedral">Notre Dame Cathedral</a>&nbsp;’s heart from beating again.

With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches.

The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies.

The restoration, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-fire-timeline-paris-f6859b8ad959b35e35defa56dd582317">spectacular achievement in just five years</a>&nbsp;for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emmanuel-macron">Emmanuel Macron,</a>&nbsp;who championed the ambitious timeline — and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-government-collapse-24681982fc526ffdafd57e53773ef855">a welcome respite from his domestic political woes</a>.

The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises.

As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment.

Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.”

With the congregation watching in silence and the world looking on, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone.

Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches.

Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it.

Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave.

“I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years.

“Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said.

The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/michel-barnier-emmanuel-macron-france-france-government-marine-le-pen-0388ac3a167b4c63a8768306d3582f17">whose prime minister was ousted this week</a>, plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil.

Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis.

Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof.

The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.”

The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound.

Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.”

The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.”

The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">wars raging in Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and the Middle East.

For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.″

“It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.”

The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace.

Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.”

Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history.

Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide.

Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof.

But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie.

Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump.

Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens.

For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire.

Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733603028810.png" alt="First lady Jill Biden, Brigitte Macron, President-elect Trump and French President Macron at the Cathedral ceremony on Saturday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>First lady Jill Biden, Brigitte Macron, President-elect Trump and French President Macron at the Cathedral ceremony on Saturday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/notre-dame-cathedral">Notre Dame Cathedral</a>&nbsp;’s heart from beating again.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Notre Dame Cathedral Re-Opening in Paris, France <a href="https://t.co/dc3kWXD6PD">pic.twitter.com/dc3kWXD6PD</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1865464128451584274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches.The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: Notre Dame Cathedral Re-Opening in Paris, France <a href="https://t.co/uC6Enmm80u">pic.twitter.com/uC6Enmm80u</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1865476987084489169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The restoration, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-fire-timeline-paris-f6859b8ad959b35e35defa56dd582317">spectacular achievement in just five years</a>&nbsp;for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emmanuel-macron">Emmanuel Macron,</a>&nbsp;who championed the ambitious timeline — and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-government-collapse-24681982fc526ffdafd57e53773ef855">a welcome respite from his domestic political woes</a>.The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises.<h2>Dramatic three knocks and bell Emmanuel</h2>As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment.Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.”With the congregation watching in silence and the world looking on, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone.Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches.Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it.<h2>Macron’s political woes</h2>Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave.“I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years.“Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said.The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/michel-barnier-emmanuel-macron-france-france-government-marine-le-pen-0388ac3a167b4c63a8768306d3582f17">whose prime minister was ousted this week</a>, plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil.Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis.<h2>Monumental feats of restoration</h2>Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof.The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.”The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President-elect Trump arrives at Notre Dame Cathedral Re-Opening in Paris, France. Watch LIVE on C-SPAN <a href="https://t.co/HFPxAJTIrf">https://t.co/HFPxAJTIrf</a> <a href="https://t.co/K79o4M4pcB">pic.twitter.com/K79o4M4pcB</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1865458048933810359?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.”The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.”The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">wars raging in Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and the Middle East.For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.″“It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.”The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace.Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.”<h2>Historical details enrich the occasion</h2>Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> Dr. Jill Biden arrives at Notre Dame Cathedral Re-Opening in Paris, France. Watch LIVE on C-SPAN <a href="https://t.co/HFPxAJTIrf">https://t.co/HFPxAJTIrf</a> <a href="https://t.co/hhnKrmO2Jw">pic.twitter.com/hhnKrmO2Jw</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1865460604481262051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide.Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof.But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie.<h2>Security is tight for this global event</h2>Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year.The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump.Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens.For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire.___Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed.___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

🎥Archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as heads of state look on

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

ESU administrators remain as defendants; state Board of Regents dismissed

TOPEKA — A U.S. District Court judge rejected a motion to dismiss the entirety of a federal lawsuit filed by former Emporia State University faculty challenging their dismissal under an expedited process that allegedly undermined their constitutional rights.

Judge Julie Robinson said in a memorandum Thursday the suit against ESU administrators could continue, but she dismissed current and former members of the Kansas Board of Regents named as defendants. The judge dropped three conspiracy claims made by plaintiffs, but left intact the plaintiffs’ claims of constitutional violation of due process, liberty interests, equal protection, freedom of association and a conspiracy to deprive employees of tenure rights.

The judge affirmed one of the plaintiffs’ central claims that tenure was viewed as a property right held by faculty in the state and the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals had previously affirmed property interests of tenured professors in Kansas.

The determination bolstered the argument by plaintiffs — 11 former ESU tenured professors — that they were terminated in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

“The court agrees with plaintiffs that it is clearly established under 10th Circuit law that tenured university faculty have a property interest deserving of the procedural and substantive protections of the 14th Amendment,” Robinson said in the order.

Topeka attorney Phillip Grayson, who represents the 11 plaintiffs, said in a Friday interview the decision by Robinson was welcomed by his clients.

“I consider that a very favorable ruling,” Grayson said. “It’s about academic freedom. The primary purpose of tenure is the preservation of academic freedom.”

A spokeswoman for Emporia State wasn’t available to comment on the judge’s rulings in the lawsuit. It is possible ESU could appeal portions of Robinson’s decision to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

ESU and Board of Regents attorneys had asked the federal district court to dismiss the lawsuit based, in part, on a claim of qualified immunity. They argued there was no proof ESU professors were fired for unionizing efforts, political beliefs or advocacy work. Instead, the defendants said the terminations were reasonable because they were triggered by budget issues and enrollment declines accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robinson said the separate legal action involving ESU and seven fired professors in state district court was insufficient to address constitutional issues raised by plaintiffs in the federal case.

“Defendants fail to demonstrate that the state courts are an adequate vehicle for the complete resolution of the issues presented by this case. The state court appeals are not parallel to this action,” Robinson said.

In 2021, the state Board of Regents formulated a policy allowing state universities to take extraordinary means to suspend, dismiss or terminate employees amid a financial emergency.

KBOR general counsel Julene Miller said the policy was in response to “extreme financial pressures that the state universities are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, decreased program and university enrollments, and the state’s declining fiscal support.”

Only ESU made use of the Framework for Workforce Management policy allowing for expedited firing of campus employees. In 2022, ESU administrators informed 33 employees, including 23 tenured professors, they would lose their jobs in 2023.

Faculty appeals were filed through the Kansas Office of Administrative Hearings, and some prevailed, but the 11 tenured professors who were dismissed pursued the lawsuit in federal court.

The American Association of University Professors denounced the employment decisions by ESU President Ken Hush as damaging to academic freedom and to due process rights of tenured faculty.

In wake of the faculty and staff dismissals, ESU administrators awarded more than $137,000 in bonuses to 68 faculty members remaining at the university.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733600732643.png" alt=" A U.S. District Court judge said in a ruling that Emporia State University Ken Hush, second from right, would remain a defendant in a lawsuit filed by 11 former tenured professors at ESU challenging their dismissal under a unique program authorized by the Kansas Board fo Regents to help universities deal with enrollment and budget problems tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> A U.S. District Court judge said in a ruling that Emporia State University Ken Hush, second from right, would remain a defendant in a lawsuit filed by 11 former tenured professors at ESU challenging their dismissal under a unique program authorized by the Kansas Board fo Regents to help universities deal with enrollment and budget problems tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>ESU administrators remain as defendants; state Board of Regents dismissed</h2>TOPEKA — A U.S. District Court judge rejected a motion to dismiss the entirety of a federal lawsuit filed by former Emporia State University faculty challenging their dismissal under an expedited process that allegedly undermined their constitutional rights.Judge Julie Robinson said in a memorandum Thursday the suit against ESU administrators could continue, but she dismissed current and former members of the Kansas Board of Regents named as defendants. The judge dropped three conspiracy claims made by plaintiffs, but left intact the plaintiffs’ claims of constitutional violation of due process, liberty interests, equal protection, freedom of association and a conspiracy to deprive employees of tenure rights.The judge affirmed one of the plaintiffs’ central claims that tenure was viewed as a property right held by faculty in the state and the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals had previously affirmed property interests of tenured professors in Kansas.The determination bolstered the argument by plaintiffs — 11 former ESU tenured professors — that they were terminated in violation of the U.S. Constitution.“The court agrees with plaintiffs that it is clearly established under 10th Circuit law that tenured university faculty have a property interest deserving of the procedural and substantive protections of the 14th Amendment,” Robinson said in the order.Topeka attorney Phillip Grayson, who represents the 11 plaintiffs, said in a Friday interview the decision by Robinson was welcomed by his clients.“I consider that a very favorable ruling,” Grayson said. “It’s about academic freedom. The primary purpose of tenure is the preservation of academic freedom.”A spokeswoman for Emporia State wasn’t available to comment on the judge’s rulings in the lawsuit. It is possible ESU could appeal portions of Robinson’s decision to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.ESU and Board of Regents attorneys had asked the federal district court to dismiss the lawsuit based, in part, on a claim of qualified immunity. They argued there was no proof ESU professors were fired for unionizing efforts, political beliefs or advocacy work. Instead, the defendants said the terminations were reasonable because they were triggered by budget issues and enrollment declines accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.Robinson said the separate legal action involving ESU and seven fired professors in state district court was insufficient to address constitutional issues raised by plaintiffs in the federal case.“Defendants fail to demonstrate that the state courts are an adequate vehicle for the complete resolution of the issues presented by this case. The state court appeals are not parallel to this action,” Robinson said.In 2021, the state Board of Regents formulated a policy allowing state universities to take extraordinary means to suspend, dismiss or terminate employees amid a financial emergency.KBOR general counsel Julene Miller said the policy was in response to “extreme financial pressures that the state universities are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, decreased program and university enrollments, and the state’s declining fiscal support.”Only ESU made use of the Framework for Workforce Management policy allowing for expedited firing of campus employees. In 2022, ESU administrators informed 33 employees, including 23 tenured professors, they would lose their jobs in 2023.Faculty appeals were filed through the Kansas Office of Administrative Hearings, and some prevailed, but the 11 tenured professors who were dismissed pursued the lawsuit in federal court.The American Association of University Professors denounced the employment decisions by ESU President Ken Hush as damaging to academic freedom and to due process rights of tenured faculty.In wake of the faculty and staff dismissals, ESU administrators awarded more than $137,000 in bonuses to 68 faculty members remaining at the university.

Judge allows lawsuit by fired Emporia State tenured faculty to proceed

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are asking for the community’s help identifying a robbery suspect.

The suspect claimed to be a COX employee to gain access to a residence at the&nbsp;1400 block of N. Brunswick in Wichita, where an 89-year-old resident allowed him inside, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo.

 While inside, he stole her purse and has since been making unauthorized purchases, including at Lowe’s near Maple &amp; Ridge.

This individual is also a suspect in a similar case being investigated by Goddard Police, where he used the same tactic to gain access to another home and steal a purse.

The suspect may be driving a silver SUV&nbsp;with tag 519SDF, which is expired, not registered, and belongs to a blue Buick.

If you recognize this man or have any information about him, please contact Wichita Police Department at 316-928-4407

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733585741645.png" alt="Security camera images Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are asking for the community’s help identifying a robbery suspect.The suspect claimed to be a COX employee to gain access to a residence at the&nbsp;1400 block of N. Brunswick in Wichita, where an 89-year-old resident allowed him inside, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo. While inside, he stole her purse and has since been making unauthorized purchases, including at Lowe’s near Maple &amp; Ridge.This individual is also a suspect in a similar case being investigated by Goddard Police, where he used the same tactic to gain access to another home and steal a purse.The suspect may be driving a silver SUV&nbsp;with tag 519SDF, which is expired, not registered, and belongs to a blue Buick.If you recognize this man or have any information about him, please contact Wichita Police Department at 316-928-4407

Kan. suspect posing as cable co. employee stole woman's purse

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of motel fire in Kansas City.

Just before 11:30a.m. Friday, crews responded to a reported fire in a motel located at 6300 Blue Parkway, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported smoke and fire showing from a single unit on arrival.&nbsp; Searches of the structure came back all clear. The fire was quickly brought under control limiting the damage to a few units. No injuries were reported at this incident. Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733521109045.png" alt="Photo KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of motel fire in Kansas City.Just before 11:30a.m. Friday, crews responded to a reported fire in a motel located at 6300 Blue Parkway, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported smoke and fire showing from a single unit on arrival.&nbsp; Searches of the structure came back all clear. The fire was quickly brought under control limiting the damage to a few units. No injuries were reported at this incident. Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

Cause of Kansas City motel fire under investigation

NEW YORK (AP) —The gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c">stalked and killed</a>&nbsp;UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;fled New York City by bus, police officials told CNN on Friday.

Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN.

FBI announces reward for information leading to gunman's arrest and conviction

The FBI announced Friday night that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the shooter who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c">killed</a>&nbsp;the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer.

The FBI’s New York Field Office is working with the New York City Police Department to identify the gunman.

Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City

The gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c">killed</a>&nbsp;the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday.

“We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City,” Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

Gunman’s steps after killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO give police new clues

The gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c">killed</a>&nbsp;the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer made sure to wear a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence in view of the nation’s biggest city and its network of security cameras that have aided authorities piecing together his movements and his identity.

A law enforcement official said Friday that new surveillance footage shows the suspect riding the subway and visiting establishments in Manhattan and provided more clues about his actions in the days before he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-shooting-death-daa1e8c8c05606197a5bd2e0242f1683">ambushed</a>&nbsp;UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>.

The gunman’s whereabouts and identity remain unknown Friday, as did the reason for Wednesday’s killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-thompson-shooting-security-corporate-a9400196d019daa3fe70698e807c606d">a targeted attack</a>.

▶ Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-48590215ba756741bbaadeeb6255d135">the search for the gunman</a>

For many companies, investor meetings are seen as a risk

In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;was walking to when he was fatally shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized.

“It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area.

Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering.

Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders.

▶ Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-thompson-shooting-security-corporate-a9400196d019daa3fe70698e807c606d">how companies protect their leaders</a>

Police have obtained other surveillance images of the person wanted for questioning

Those images include New York’s subway system, a law enforcement official said. In establishments where the person was captured on camera, he always appeared to pay with cash, the official said.

The official wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Another health insurer taking precautions after the shooting

Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm that serves 1.5 million customers in 12 states, said it’s temporarily closing all six locations.

The firm has offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota, and employs about 3,000 people. Employees will work from home, Medica spokesman Greg Bury said in an email Friday.

“The safety of Medica employees is our top priority and we have increased security both for all of our employees,” a statement from Medica said. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.”

Bury also said biographical information on the company’s executives was taken down from its website as a precaution.

Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. says its Investor Day will now be virtual

The insurer cited the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;in its announcement about the Dec. 12 event.

“All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected. Health insurance is a big industry and a small community; many members of the CenTeam crossed paths with Brian during their careers,” Centene CEO Sarah M. London said in a news release. “He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care. Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time.”

Centene Corp. has grown in recent years to become the largest insurer in Medicaid, the state- and federally funded program that covers care for people with low incomes. Insurers manage Medicaid coverage for states, and Centene has more than 13 million people enrolled in that coverage.

UnitedHealth Group says it’s focused on supporting Brian Thompson’s family

The insurance company also said it’s focused on ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators.

“While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the company said.

NY Mayor Eric Adams provided no new information on investigation’s progress during interviews

But he said Friday that he’s confident police will arrest the shooter.

“We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice,” Adams said on TV station WPIX.

Hours after the shooting, UnitedHealthcare removed photographs of its executives from its website

Later, it removed their names and biographies entirely.

Investigators believe the suspect may have traveled to NY last month on a bus that originated in Atlanta

Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, a law enforcement official said.

Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled.

Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass

The fatal shooting of Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats.

Experts say today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say.

Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks.

▶ Read more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-thompson-shooting-security-corporate-a9400196d019daa3fe70698e807c606d">steps companies take to protect their leadership</a>

Police test DNA and fingerprints on discarded bottle as they hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killer

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733576299830.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —The gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c">stalked and killed</a>&nbsp;UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;fled New York City by bus, police officials told CNN on Friday.Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN.Here's the latest:<h2>FBI announces reward for information leading to gunman's arrest and conviction</h2>The FBI announced Friday night that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the shooter who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c">killed</a>&nbsp;the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer.The FBI’s New York Field Office is working with the New York City Police Department to identify the gunman.<h2>Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City</h2>The gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c">killed</a>&nbsp;the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday.Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN.“We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City,” Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.<h2>Gunman’s steps after killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO give police new clues</h2>The gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-7f6581ba6b0b520938d82c361e77a83c">killed</a>&nbsp;the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer made sure to wear a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence in view of the nation’s biggest city and its network of security cameras that have aided authorities piecing together his movements and his identity.A law enforcement official said Friday that new surveillance footage shows the suspect riding the subway and visiting establishments in Manhattan and provided more clues about his actions in the days before he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-shooting-death-daa1e8c8c05606197a5bd2e0242f1683">ambushed</a>&nbsp;UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>.The gunman’s whereabouts and identity remain unknown Friday, as did the reason for Wednesday’s killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-thompson-shooting-security-corporate-a9400196d019daa3fe70698e807c606d">a targeted attack</a>.▶ Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-manhattan-shooting-death-48590215ba756741bbaadeeb6255d135">the search for the gunman</a><h2>For many companies, investor meetings are seen as a risk</h2>In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;was walking to when he was fatally shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized.“It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area.Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering.Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders.▶ Read more about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-thompson-shooting-security-corporate-a9400196d019daa3fe70698e807c606d">how companies protect their leaders</a><h2>Police have obtained other surveillance images of the person wanted for questioning</h2>Those images include New York’s subway system, a law enforcement official said. In establishments where the person was captured on camera, he always appeared to pay with cash, the official said.The official wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.— Mike Balsamo<h2>Another health insurer taking precautions after the shooting</h2>Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm that serves 1.5 million customers in 12 states, said it’s temporarily closing all six locations.The firm has offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota, and employs about 3,000 people. Employees will work from home, Medica spokesman Greg Bury said in an email Friday.“The safety of Medica employees is our top priority and we have increased security both for all of our employees,” a statement from Medica said. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.”Bury also said biographical information on the company’s executives was taken down from its website as a precaution.<h2>Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. says its Investor Day will now be virtual</h2>The insurer cited the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;in its announcement about the Dec. 12 event.“All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected. Health insurance is a big industry and a small community; many members of the CenTeam crossed paths with Brian during their careers,” Centene CEO Sarah M. London said in a news release. “He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care. Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time.”Centene Corp. has grown in recent years to become the largest insurer in Medicaid, the state- and federally funded program that covers care for people with low incomes. Insurers manage Medicaid coverage for states, and Centene has more than 13 million people enrolled in that coverage.<h2>UnitedHealth Group says it’s focused on supporting Brian Thompson’s family</h2>The insurance company also said it’s focused on ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators.“While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the company said.<h2>NY Mayor Eric Adams provided no new information on investigation’s progress during interviews</h2>But he said Friday that he’s confident police will arrest the shooter.“We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice,” Adams said on TV station WPIX.<h2>Hours after the shooting, UnitedHealthcare removed photographs of its executives from its website</h2>Later, it removed their names and biographies entirely.<h2>Investigators believe the suspect may have traveled to NY last month on a bus that originated in Atlanta</h2>Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, a law enforcement official said.Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled.<h2>Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass</h2>The fatal shooting of Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats.Experts say today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say.Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks.▶ Read more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-thompson-shooting-security-corporate-a9400196d019daa3fe70698e807c606d">steps companies take to protect their leadership</a><h2>Police test DNA and fingerprints on discarded bottle as they hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killer</h2>

FBI: $50K reward in hunt for the gunman who killed Insurance CEO

DOUGLAS COUNTY — Two people died after an incident that began Thursday night at a residence south of Eudora and involved a standoff with law enforcement for several hours. 

According to preliminary information, the 52-year-old male suspect shot and killed a&nbsp; 44-year-old woman at the residence in the 900 block of E 2300 Road, according to sheriff's department spokesman George Diepenbrock.

The incident involved two people in a domestic relationship, and law enforcement later found the man dead inside the residence.

Just before 9p.m. Thursday, Sheriff's office dispatchers were called about a woman in distress. Dispatchers reported the woman caller was difficult to hear. 

A Eudora Police Department officer responded initially and heard a gunshot when he reached the front door. Law enforcement officers were able to establish phone contact with the man inside who was overtly hostile and threatening to shoot law enforcement officers, as he barricaded himself into the home.

The Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Lawrence Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol utilized drones and other technology to gain access into the residence. 

The tools did allow officers to determine the woman was deceased. After several hours of phone communication, law enforcement lost contact with the suspect, and they continued to use technological tools to try to re-establish contact with him or identify his status inside the house to take him into custody on an arrest warrant. 

Sheriff Armbrister said as part of the investigation there were concerns about a possible threat of explosives inside the residence, which was part of the reason why officers acted methodically over several hours

.Just before 4:30 p.m. Friday the Kansas Highway Patrol made entry into the residence and found the suspect deceased.

Detectives and investigators processed the scene Friday evening. Names of the suspect and victim have not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733843022887.png" alt="View of the standoff location in Douglas County-photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>View of the standoff location in Douglas County-photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY — Two people died after an incident that began Thursday night at a residence south of Eudora and involved a standoff with law enforcement for several hours. According to preliminary information, the 52-year-old male suspect shot and killed a&nbsp; 44-year-old woman at the residence in the 900 block of E 2300 Road, according to sheriff's department spokesman George Diepenbrock.The incident involved two people in a domestic relationship, and law enforcement later found the man dead inside the residence.Just before 9p.m. Thursday, Sheriff's office dispatchers were called about a woman in distress. Dispatchers reported the woman caller was difficult to hear. A Eudora Police Department officer responded initially and heard a gunshot when he reached the front door. Law enforcement officers were able to establish phone contact with the man inside who was overtly hostile and threatening to shoot law enforcement officers, as he barricaded himself into the home.The Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Lawrence Police Department and Kansas Highway Patrol utilized drones and other technology to gain access into the residence. The tools did allow officers to determine the woman was deceased. After several hours of phone communication, law enforcement lost contact with the suspect, and they continued to use technological tools to try to re-establish contact with him or identify his status inside the house to take him into custody on an arrest warrant. Sheriff Armbrister said as part of the investigation there were concerns about a possible threat of explosives inside the residence, which was part of the reason why officers acted methodically over several hours.Just before 4:30 p.m. Friday the Kansas Highway Patrol made entry into the residence and found the suspect deceased.Detectives and investigators processed the scene Friday evening. Names of the suspect and victim have not been released.

Sheriff: 2 dead after 20-hour standoff at rural Kansas home

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-president-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-2f0f76bb6440231f2504b77cb117d988">DOGE</a>&nbsp;time at the U.S. Capitol.

Billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;and fellow entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vivek-ramaswamy">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>&nbsp;arrived this week on Capitol Hill meeting with legislators behind closed doors about President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;plans to “dismantle” the federal government.

Trump tapped the two business titans to head his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-ramaswamy-trump-budget-cuts-doge-impoundment-8e2fffc27df6acc1b275b1614e66fd01">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, tasked with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-government-regulations-democrats-6badc3b424b9eff3ba51e0ec35a8d824">firing federal workers</a>, cutting government programs and slashing federal regulations — all part of what he calls his "Save America" agenda for a second term in the White House.

“We're going to see a lot of change around here in Washington,” said House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-house-speaker-johnson-madison-square-garden-995a7ee3324e04ec6da680c826136655">Mike Johnson</a>, as Musk, with a small child on his shoulders, breezed by and into the private meeting.

Washington has seen this before, with ambitious efforts to reduce the size and scope of the federal government that historically have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-cuts-mccarthy-biden-senate-4f094e28b6d05a8d4852cdee4653d0f5">run into resistance</a>&nbsp;when the public is confronted with cuts to trusted programs that millions of Americans depend on for jobs, health care, military security and everyday needs.

But this time Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-budget-immigration-loyalty-986154f35c82452e0e2e642a3e1752a8">staffing his administration</a>&nbsp;with battle-tested architects of sweeping proposals, some outlined in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-conservatives-trump-heritage-857eb794e505f1c6710eb03fd5b58981">Project 2025</a>, to severely reduce and reshape the government. Musk and Ramaswamy said they plan to work alongside the White House's Office of Management and Budget, headed by Trump's nominee Russ Vought, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-heritage-foundation-e2b1be71422f4afcfd4a397828f7cab6">mastermind of past cuts</a>.

“DOGE has a historic opportunity for structural reductions in the federal government,” Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/musk-and-ramaswamy-the-doge-plan-to-reform-government-supreme-court-guidance-end-executive-power-grab-fa51c020?mod=hp_opin_pos_0">op-ed in The Wall Street Journal</a>. “We are prepared for the onslaught.”

The duo, invited for what Johnson called a “brainstorming” session as they begin this “journey” together, face a first test in private with House and Senate lawmakers — some eager to hear what they have in mind.

“I am fired up to go out and do something,” said Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., who joined with Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, in launching what they are calling the DOGE caucus in the House, with more than 50 Republicans and two Democratic members.

Bean said the DOGE caucus will unveil an email tip line where people can report wasteful spending. He also envisions a scoreboard of sorts that people can view on a website showing “how many positions we’ve cut, agencies we’ve cut, what the actual number is.”

In the Senate, Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa and Rick Scott, R-Fla., have launched a similar caucus.

“I think that’ll be a great start to the whole process,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who will chair a House Oversight subcommittee in the new year as part of “building the bridge between Congress and DOGE.”

While neither Musk nor Ramaswamy have much public service experience, they bring track records in private business — Musk's operations have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-doge-tesla-spacex-80fa8b213b46460b1a0e369dc07a6404">vast government contracts</a>&nbsp;— and enthusiasm for Trump's agenda, having campaigned alongside him in the final stretch of the election.

The world's richest man, Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-america-pac-trump-d248547966bf9c6daf6f5d332bc4be66">poured millions</a>&nbsp;into a get-out-the-vote effort to help the former president return to the White House. He is known politically for having transformed the popular social media site formerly known as Twitter into X, a platform embraced by Trump's MAGA enthusiasts.

Despite its name, the Department of Government Efficiency is neither a department nor part of the government, which frees Musk and Ramaswamy from having to go through the typical ethics and background checks required for federal employment. They said they will not be paid for their work.

One good-government group has said that DOGE, as a presidential advisory panel, should be expected to adhere to traditional practices of transparency, equal representation and public input — as happened with similar advisory entities from the Reagan to the Obama administrations.

The Federal Advisory Committee Act “is designed expressly for situations like this," wrote Lisa Gilbert and Robert Weissman, the co-chairs of Public Citizen in a letter to the Trump transition team.

"If the government is going to turn to unelected and politically unaccountable persons to make recommendations as grand as $2 trillion in budget cuts, it must ensure those recommendations come from a balanced and transparent process not rigged to benefit insiders.”

The nation's $6 trillion federal budget routinely runs a deficit, which this year ran $1.8 trillion, a historic high, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It has not been balanced since the Clinton administration more than two decades ago.

Republicans generally blame what they see as exorbitant spending for the deficit, while Democrats point to tax cuts enacted under Republican presidents Trump and George W. Bush as the major driver.

Receipts last year as a percentage of gross domestic product came in just below the average for the past 50 years, while outlays were equal to 23.4% of GDP, compared to the 50-year average of 21.1%

Some of the biggest increases in spending last year occurred with politically popular programs that lawmakers will be reticent to touch. For example, spending on Social Security benefits went up 8%, Medicare outlays increased 9%, spending on defense went up 7% and spending on veterans health care rose 14%, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he would like to see Musk testify before the House Armed Services Committee on the “bloated defense budget.”

“I’d like to see Elon recommend some cuts. Let’s have him testify,” Khanna said.

He said he’s open to hearing proposals on non-defense spending, but was skeptical.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733430476480.png" alt="Elon Musk with his son, lil X on Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers on government efficiency -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Elon Musk with his son, lil X on Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers on government efficiency -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — It's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-president-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-2f0f76bb6440231f2504b77cb117d988">DOGE</a>&nbsp;time at the U.S. Capitol.Billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;and fellow entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vivek-ramaswamy">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>&nbsp;arrived this week on Capitol Hill meeting with legislators behind closed doors about President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;plans to “dismantle” the federal government.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a> speaks to media before Elon Musk &amp; Vivek Ramaswamy meet with lawmakers on government efficiency: &quot;We need to make government more efficient.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/e7VYsoPvF3">pic.twitter.com/e7VYsoPvF3</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1864749912493064514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump tapped the two business titans to head his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-ramaswamy-trump-budget-cuts-doge-impoundment-8e2fffc27df6acc1b275b1614e66fd01">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, tasked with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-government-regulations-democrats-6badc3b424b9eff3ba51e0ec35a8d824">firing federal workers</a>, cutting government programs and slashing federal regulations — all part of what he calls his "Save America" agenda for a second term in the White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I just left a meeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HouseGOP</a> &amp; President Trump’s co-directors of the Department of Government Efficiency, <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/VivekGRamaswamy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VivekGRamaswamy</a>. We are ready to roll up our sleeves, reduce our government spending, slash government bureaucracy, and get our country back on track. <a href="https://t.co/UVHHlKE8W4">pic.twitter.com/UVHHlKE8W4</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1864786754097549801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We're going to see a lot of change around here in Washington,” said House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-house-speaker-johnson-madison-square-garden-995a7ee3324e04ec6da680c826136655">Mike Johnson</a>, as Musk, with a small child on his shoulders, breezed by and into the private meeting.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Had a great meeting with Elon Musk. I’m looking very forward to working with him, <a href="https://twitter.com/DOGE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DOGE</a> and the House Oversight Committee to get the back’s of the American taxpayers to cut wasteful government spending and eliminate unnecessary regulations. <a href="https://t.co/QfEdlvf8A8">pic.twitter.com/QfEdlvf8A8</a>&mdash; James Comer (@JamesComer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesComer/status/1864773385319751727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Washington has seen this before, with ambitious efforts to reduce the size and scope of the federal government that historically have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-cuts-mccarthy-biden-senate-4f094e28b6d05a8d4852cdee4653d0f5">run into resistance</a>&nbsp;when the public is confronted with cuts to trusted programs that millions of Americans depend on for jobs, health care, military security and everyday needs.But this time Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-budget-immigration-loyalty-986154f35c82452e0e2e642a3e1752a8">staffing his administration</a>&nbsp;with battle-tested architects of sweeping proposals, some outlined in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-conservatives-trump-heritage-857eb794e505f1c6710eb03fd5b58981">Project 2025</a>, to severely reduce and reshape the government. Musk and Ramaswamy said they plan to work alongside the White House's Office of Management and Budget, headed by Trump's nominee Russ Vought, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-heritage-foundation-e2b1be71422f4afcfd4a397828f7cab6">mastermind of past cuts</a>.“DOGE has a historic opportunity for structural reductions in the federal government,” Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/musk-and-ramaswamy-the-doge-plan-to-reform-government-supreme-court-guidance-end-executive-power-grab-fa51c020?mod=hp_opin_pos_0">op-ed in The Wall Street Journal</a>. “We are prepared for the onslaught.”The duo, invited for what Johnson called a “brainstorming” session as they begin this “journey” together, face a first test in private with House and Senate lawmakers — some eager to hear what they have in mind.“I am fired up to go out and do something,” said Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., who joined with Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, in launching what they are calling the DOGE caucus in the House, with more than 50 Republicans and two Democratic members.Bean said the DOGE caucus will unveil an email tip line where people can report wasteful spending. He also envisions a scoreboard of sorts that people can view on a website showing “how many positions we’ve cut, agencies we’ve cut, what the actual number is.”In the Senate, Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa and Rick Scott, R-Fla., have launched a similar caucus.“I think that’ll be a great start to the whole process,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who will chair a House Oversight subcommittee in the new year as part of “building the bridge between Congress and DOGE.”While neither Musk nor Ramaswamy have much public service experience, they bring track records in private business — Musk's operations have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-doge-tesla-spacex-80fa8b213b46460b1a0e369dc07a6404">vast government contracts</a>&nbsp;— and enthusiasm for Trump's agenda, having campaigned alongside him in the final stretch of the election.The world's richest man, Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-america-pac-trump-d248547966bf9c6daf6f5d332bc4be66">poured millions</a>&nbsp;into a get-out-the-vote effort to help the former president return to the White House. He is known politically for having transformed the popular social media site formerly known as Twitter into X, a platform embraced by Trump's MAGA enthusiasts.Despite its name, the Department of Government Efficiency is neither a department nor part of the government, which frees Musk and Ramaswamy from having to go through the typical ethics and background checks required for federal employment. They said they will not be paid for their work.One good-government group has said that DOGE, as a presidential advisory panel, should be expected to adhere to traditional practices of transparency, equal representation and public input — as happened with similar advisory entities from the Reagan to the Obama administrations.The Federal Advisory Committee Act “is designed expressly for situations like this," wrote Lisa Gilbert and Robert Weissman, the co-chairs of Public Citizen in a letter to the Trump transition team."If the government is going to turn to unelected and politically unaccountable persons to make recommendations as grand as $2 trillion in budget cuts, it must ensure those recommendations come from a balanced and transparent process not rigged to benefit insiders.”The nation's $6 trillion federal budget routinely runs a deficit, which this year ran $1.8 trillion, a historic high, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It has not been balanced since the Clinton administration more than two decades ago.Republicans generally blame what they see as exorbitant spending for the deficit, while Democrats point to tax cuts enacted under Republican presidents Trump and George W. Bush as the major driver.Receipts last year as a percentage of gross domestic product came in just below the average for the past 50 years, while outlays were equal to 23.4% of GDP, compared to the 50-year average of 21.1%Some of the biggest increases in spending last year occurred with politically popular programs that lawmakers will be reticent to touch. For example, spending on Social Security benefits went up 8%, Medicare outlays increased 9%, spending on defense went up 7% and spending on veterans health care rose 14%, according to the Congressional Budget Office.Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he would like to see Musk testify before the House Armed Services Committee on the “bloated defense budget.”“I’d like to see Elon recommend some cuts. Let’s have him testify,” Khanna said.He said he’s open to hearing proposals on non-defense spending, but was skeptical.“If they find waste, maybe, but in terms of big numbers, I mean, no one is going to allow for cutting education funding for special needs kids and for low-income schools, or for cutting Social Security and Medicare,” Khanna said. “If they want to do that, they’re going to hand us a landslide in 2026.”