KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old&nbsp;Angelo Brayboy, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 9:00p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue in Kansas City

As officers arrived they were directed inside the convenience store. There they located a Brayboy suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported Brayboy to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed there was an altercation between two individuals inside of the store prior to shots being fired.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737752890791.png" alt="Scene of the deadly shooting -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the deadly shooting -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old&nbsp;Angelo Brayboy, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Just before 9:00p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue in Kansas CityAs officers arrived they were directed inside the convenience store. There they located a Brayboy suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported Brayboy to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed there was an altercation between two individuals inside of the store prior to shots being fired.&nbsp;

KCPD: Man dies after altercation inside convenience store

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-hegseth-allegations-defense-trump-194e39797595d87f621db641d0f35ff1">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;as the nation's defense secretary Friday in a dramatic late-night vote, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-defense-trump-women-allegations-cd3bfa2dbc35afa37a7f98b72e576233">allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior</a>&nbsp;toward women.

Rarely has a Cabinet nominee faced such wide-ranging concerns about his experience and behavior as Hegseth, particularly for such a high-profile role atop the U.S. military. But the Republican-led Senate was determined to confirm Hegseth, a former Fox News host and combat veteran who has vowed to bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon, rounding out President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;top national security Cabinet officials.

Vice President JD Vance was on hand to cast a tie-breaking vote, unusual in the Senate for Cabinet nominees, who typically win wider support. Hegseth himself was at the Capitol with his family.

Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/john-thune-is-striving-to-be-the-next-republican-senate-leader-but-can-he-rise-in-trumps-gop/">John Thune</a>&nbsp;said Hegseth, as a veteran of the Army National Guard who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, “will bring a warrior's perspective" to the top military job.

“Gone will be the days of woke distractions,” Thune said, referring to the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives being slashed across the federal government. “The Pentagon's focus will be on war fighting.”

The Senate's ability to confirm Hegseth despite a grave series of allegations against him will provide a measure of Trump's political power and ability to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaetz-rfk-nominations-senate-59a69fe1758f5fb106d574895c70eba5">get what he wants from the GOP-led Congress</a>, and of the potency of the culture wars to fuel his agenda at the White House.

Next week senators will be facing Trump's other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-confirmation-hearings-e12dcbc5d26d675414331d9a35cab6a6">outside Cabinet choices</a>&nbsp;including particularly Kash Patel, a Trump ally who has published an enemies list, as the FBI director; Tulsi Gabbard as director of the office of national intelligence; and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, the anti-vaccine advocate at Health and Human Services.

“Is Pete Hegseth truly the best we have to offer?” said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, urging his colleagues to think seriously about their vote.

Hegseth himself was working the phones late Friday to shore up his support, his confirmation at stake.

“He’s a good man," Trump said of Hegseth while departing the White House to visit disaster-hit North Carolina and Los Angeles. "I hope he makes it.”

Trump leveled criticism of Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who announced they would vote against Hegseth. And Tump raised fresh questions about Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., saying, “And of course Mitch is always a no vote, I guess. Is Mitch a no vote?”

In the end all three voted against Hegseth, as tensions soared late Friday at the Capitol.

McConnell, the former GOP leader in the Senate, had not declared his vote, but signaled skepticism in an earlier speech when he declared he would confirm nominees to senior national security roles “whose record and experience will make them immediate assets, not liabilities.” He voted against.

It takes a simple majority to confirm Hegseth, and Republicans, with a 53-47 majority in the Senate, could only lose one more objection.

One Republican, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, sent the Senate swirling as he raised questions and was provided information and answers, said a person familiar with the situation Thursday and granted anonymity to discuss it.

But Tillis ultimately voted to confirm Hegseth who he said “has a unique perspective” and is passionate about modernizing the military. He said he spoke to Hegseth for “nearly two hour” about his concerns.

Democrats, as the minority party, have helped confirm Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;and CIA Director&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cia-director-ratcliffe-trump-cabinet-national-intelligence-a73ceaef42086d46a728979189a9826b">John Ratcliffe</a>&nbsp;in bipartisan votes to Trump's national security team within days of his return to the White House.

But Democrats gravely opposed to Hegseth have little power to stop him, and instead have resorted to dragging out the process.

Hours before the vote, Democrat after Democrat took to the Senate floor to object.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said during the debate there are few Trump nominees as “dangerously and woefully unqualified as Hegseth.”

Hegseth faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sexual-assault-allegations-trump-defense-secretary-677b2df5859a338feac4714c60ef369d">allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman</a>&nbsp;at a Republican conference in California, though he has denied the claims and said the encounter was consensual. He later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sex-assault-payment-trump-6674cc8cfee654c374725948e01ff666">paid $50,000 to the woman</a>.

More recently, Hegseth's former sister-in-law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-hegseth-affidavit-defense-secretary-pentagon-trump-e195ba72a3f47060f7a1b7a81981cba2">said in an affidavit</a>&nbsp;that he was abusive to his second wife to the point that she feared for her safety. Hegseth has denied the allegation, and in divorce proceedings, neither Hegseth nor the woman claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse.

During a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/pete-hegseth-roger-wicker-greenland-virginia-military-and-defense-cc8aef7f27e44f55a3f4e6476fed3086">fiery confirmation</a>&nbsp;hearing, Hegseth dismissed allegations of wrongdoing one by one, and vowed to bring “warrior culture” to the top Pentagon post.

Hegseth has promised not to drink on the job if confirmed.

But Republican senators facing an intensive pressure campaign by Trump allies to support Hegseth have stood by his nomination, echoing his claims of a “smear” campaign against him.

A Princeton and Harvard graduate, Hegseth represents a newer generation of veterans who came of age in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He went on to a career at Fox News as the host of a weekend show, and was unknown to many on Capitol Hill until Trump tapped him for the top Defense job.

Hegseth's comments that women should have no role in military combat drew particular concern on Capitol Hill, including from lawmakers who themselves served. He has since tempered those views as he met with senators during the confirmation process.

Murkowski said in a lengthy statement ahead of a test vote on Hegseth that his behaviors “starkly contrast” with what is expected of the military.

“I remain concerned about the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join,” Murkowski wrote on social media.

Collins said that after a lengthy discussion with Hegseth, “I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed.”

But one prominent Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a veteran and sexual assault survivor, came under harsh criticism for her skepticism toward Hegseth and eventually announced she would back him.

Hegseth would lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.

In exercising its advise and consent role over Trump’s nominees, the Senate is also trying to stave off his suggestion that the GOP leaders simply do away with the confirmation process altogether, and allow him to appoint his Cabinet choices when the Congress is on recess.

Trump raised the idea of so-called “recess appointments” during a private White House meeting with Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a step many senators are trying to avoid.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737751384250.png" alt="Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, his wife and then President-elect Trump at the Army -Navy Game last month-courtesy photi" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, his wife and then President-elect Trump at the Army -Navy Game last month-courtesy photi</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-hegseth-allegations-defense-trump-194e39797595d87f621db641d0f35ff1">Pete Hegseth</a>&nbsp;as the nation's defense secretary Friday in a dramatic late-night vote, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-defense-trump-women-allegations-cd3bfa2dbc35afa37a7f98b72e576233">allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior</a>&nbsp;toward women.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737771904109.png" alt="Kansas Senior U.S. Senator Jerry Moran met with Hegseth January 10- photo courtesy Moran's office" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Senior U.S. Senator Jerry Moran met with Hegseth January 10- photo courtesy Moran's office</figcaption>
 </figure>Rarely has a Cabinet nominee faced such wide-ranging concerns about his experience and behavior as Hegseth, particularly for such a high-profile role atop the U.S. military. But the Republican-led Senate was determined to confirm Hegseth, a former Fox News host and combat veteran who has vowed to bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon, rounding out President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;top national security Cabinet officials.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737773600294.png" alt="Vice President Vance with the tie-breaking vote-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Vance with the tie-breaking vote-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Vice President JD Vance was on hand to cast a tie-breaking vote, unusual in the Senate for Cabinet nominees, who typically win wider support. Hegseth himself was at the Capitol with his family.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737772412121.png" alt="Kansas Junior U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (center) during the vote count-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Junior U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (center) during the vote count-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/john-thune-is-striving-to-be-the-next-republican-senate-leader-but-can-he-rise-in-trumps-gop/">John Thune</a>&nbsp;said Hegseth, as a veteran of the Army National Guard who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, “will bring a warrior's perspective" to the top military job.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Previously, the only Vice President to break a tie on a Cabinet nominee confirmation vote was Mike Pence in 2017 on Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education. <a href="https://t.co/nSYD0uiTiP">https://t.co/nSYD0uiTiP</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1882978941100871852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Gone will be the days of woke distractions,” Thune said, referring to the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives being slashed across the federal government. “The Pentagon's focus will be on war fighting.”The Senate's ability to confirm Hegseth despite a grave series of allegations against him will provide a measure of Trump's political power and ability to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaetz-rfk-nominations-senate-59a69fe1758f5fb106d574895c70eba5">get what he wants from the GOP-led Congress</a>, and of the potency of the culture wars to fuel his agenda at the White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you for your confidence Mr. President. Thank you for the tie-breaker Mr. Vice President. Thank you Senators for 50 votes. This is for the troops. For the warriors. For our country. America First. Every day. We will never back down. 🇺🇸&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1883022600676188588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Next week senators will be facing Trump's other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-confirmation-hearings-e12dcbc5d26d675414331d9a35cab6a6">outside Cabinet choices</a>&nbsp;including particularly Kash Patel, a Trump ally who has published an enemies list, as the FBI director; Tulsi Gabbard as director of the office of national intelligence; and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, the anti-vaccine advocate at Health and Human Services.“Is Pete Hegseth truly the best we have to offer?” said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, urging his colleagues to think seriously about their vote.Hegseth himself was working the phones late Friday to shore up his support, his confirmation at stake.“He’s a good man," Trump said of Hegseth while departing the White House to visit disaster-hit North Carolina and Los Angeles. "I hope he makes it.”Trump leveled criticism of Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who announced they would vote against Hegseth. And Tump raised fresh questions about Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., saying, “And of course Mitch is always a no vote, I guess. Is Mitch a no vote?”In the end all three voted against Hegseth, as tensions soared late Friday at the Capitol.McConnell, the former GOP leader in the Senate, had not declared his vote, but signaled skepticism in an earlier speech when he declared he would confirm nominees to senior national security roles “whose record and experience will make them immediate assets, not liabilities.” He voted against.It takes a simple majority to confirm Hegseth, and Republicans, with a 53-47 majority in the Senate, could only lose one more objection.One Republican, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, sent the Senate swirling as he raised questions and was provided information and answers, said a person familiar with the situation Thursday and granted anonymity to discuss it.But Tillis ultimately voted to confirm Hegseth who he said “has a unique perspective” and is passionate about modernizing the military. He said he spoke to Hegseth for “nearly two hour” about his concerns.Democrats, as the minority party, have helped confirm Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;and CIA Director&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cia-director-ratcliffe-trump-cabinet-national-intelligence-a73ceaef42086d46a728979189a9826b">John Ratcliffe</a>&nbsp;in bipartisan votes to Trump's national security team within days of his return to the White House.But Democrats gravely opposed to Hegseth have little power to stop him, and instead have resorted to dragging out the process.Hours before the vote, Democrat after Democrat took to the Senate floor to object.Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said during the debate there are few Trump nominees as “dangerously and woefully unqualified as Hegseth.”Hegseth faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sexual-assault-allegations-trump-defense-secretary-677b2df5859a338feac4714c60ef369d">allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman</a>&nbsp;at a Republican conference in California, though he has denied the claims and said the encounter was consensual. He later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-sex-assault-payment-trump-6674cc8cfee654c374725948e01ff666">paid $50,000 to the woman</a>.More recently, Hegseth's former sister-in-law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-hegseth-affidavit-defense-secretary-pentagon-trump-e195ba72a3f47060f7a1b7a81981cba2">said in an affidavit</a>&nbsp;that he was abusive to his second wife to the point that she feared for her safety. Hegseth has denied the allegation, and in divorce proceedings, neither Hegseth nor the woman claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse.During a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/pete-hegseth-roger-wicker-greenland-virginia-military-and-defense-cc8aef7f27e44f55a3f4e6476fed3086">fiery confirmation</a>&nbsp;hearing, Hegseth dismissed allegations of wrongdoing one by one, and vowed to bring “warrior culture” to the top Pentagon post.Hegseth has promised not to drink on the job if confirmed.But Republican senators facing an intensive pressure campaign by Trump allies to support Hegseth have stood by his nomination, echoing his claims of a “smear” campaign against him.A Princeton and Harvard graduate, Hegseth represents a newer generation of veterans who came of age in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He went on to a career at Fox News as the host of a weekend show, and was unknown to many on Capitol Hill until Trump tapped him for the top Defense job.Hegseth's comments that women should have no role in military combat drew particular concern on Capitol Hill, including from lawmakers who themselves served. He has since tempered those views as he met with senators during the confirmation process.Murkowski said in a lengthy statement ahead of a test vote on Hegseth that his behaviors “starkly contrast” with what is expected of the military.“I remain concerned about the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join,” Murkowski wrote on social media.Collins said that after a lengthy discussion with Hegseth, “I am not convinced that his position on women serving in combat roles has changed.”But one prominent Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a veteran and sexual assault survivor, came under harsh criticism for her skepticism toward Hegseth and eventually announced she would back him.Hegseth would lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.In exercising its advise and consent role over Trump’s nominees, the Senate is also trying to stave off his suggestion that the GOP leaders simply do away with the confirmation process altogether, and allow him to appoint his Cabinet choices when the Congress is on recess.Trump raised the idea of so-called “recess appointments” during a private White House meeting with Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a step many senators are trying to avoid.___

Former FOX host confirmed as Defense Secretary in tie-breaking vote 

&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man has been charged for a deadly crash while racing another car. The crash left two women dead.

Ahmed Juma, 21, Wichita is charged with two counts reckless involuntary manslaughter and two alternative counts of involuntary manslaughter in commission of another crime: racing.

Just before 2:30a.m. November 15, 2023, a Lexus GS350 driven by Juma was westbound in the 6200 Block of East Pawnee, according to Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs. The Lexus left the road, struck a utility pole, rolled and all three occupants were ejected.

The rear passenger Carol Chakra, 19, Wichita, was pronounced deceased on scene, according to Gibbs. EMS transported the front seat passenger Lian Awadi 19, Wichita, to a local hospital in critical condition and she later died.&nbsp; Juma was treated at a local hospital and released.

The second vehicle at the scene did not have any physical contact with the Lexus however the occupants knew the individuals involved in the collision. It does not appear alcohol was a factor in the crash at this time. Speed is a likely factor, Lt. Gibbs reported at the time of the preliminary investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737755349041.png" alt="Scene of the deadly crash photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the deadly crash photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man has been charged for a deadly crash while racing another car. The crash left two women dead.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737649438557.png" alt="Juma-photo Sedgwick County." />
 <figcaption>Juma-photo Sedgwick County.</figcaption>
 </figure>Ahmed Juma, 21, Wichita is charged with two counts reckless involuntary manslaughter and two alternative counts of involuntary manslaughter in commission of another crime: racing.Just before 2:30a.m. November 15, 2023, a Lexus GS350 driven by Juma was westbound in the 6200 Block of East Pawnee, according to Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs. The Lexus left the road, struck a utility pole, rolled and all three occupants were ejected.The rear passenger Carol Chakra, 19, Wichita, was pronounced deceased on scene, according to Gibbs. EMS transported the front seat passenger Lian Awadi 19, Wichita, to a local hospital in critical condition and she later died.&nbsp; Juma was treated at a local hospital and released.The second vehicle at the scene did not have any physical contact with the Lexus however the occupants knew the individuals involved in the collision. It does not appear alcohol was a factor in the crash at this time. Speed is a likely factor, Lt. Gibbs reported at the time of the preliminary investigation.

Kansas man charged for double-fatal crash while racing

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump vowed to support pro-life protesters in his second term as tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Washington on Friday for the annual March for Life.

“We will again stand proudly for families and for life,” Trump declared in a prerecorded video address.

Protesters had come to the capital for decades to call for the repeal of Roe v. Wade, which affirmed a constitutional right to an abortion. Now, with the repeal of Roe in 2022, they are now on the inside rather than the outside. With Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-cabinet-medication-comstock-act-7faace8a458d637d31d34dfe1f8ab47b">return to the White House</a>&nbsp;and Republicans in control of Congress, the activists want to build on their victories.

“Our country faces the return of the most pro-family, most pro-life American president of our lifetimes," Vice President JD Vance told the crowd in his in-person speech.

Vance hailed Trump’s previous actions on abortion, saying the president “delivered on his promise of ending Roe" and appointed hundreds of anti-abortion judges.

Abortion was largely absent from the stack of dozens of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-day-1-executive-orders-3a035a0bbd37b5c12630b92c8c8a9625">executive actions</a>&nbsp;in Trump’s first days of office. But he has already made quieter moves on abortion, including pardoning several right to life activists and using wording related to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/embryos-ivf-abortion-personhood-laws-ffe4f4d326469a97fef999254ca86eea">fetal personhood</a>&nbsp;in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sex-gender-transgender-dei-order-245350b97e0c4dcc221fefc49ef44699">executive order</a>&nbsp;rolling back protections for transgender people.

Despite frigid weather, a festive atmosphere surrounded the event as activists showed up with multicolored hats and signs declaring “Life is our revolution” and “MAGA: Make Abortion Gone Again.”

“This is a significant moment in history,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group. “Yes, we have a march every year but this one is pretty special...There is a trifecta of pro-life Republicans in the White House and the House and the Senate.”

Kristen Cooper, 21, was among several thousand Students for Life America members attending. She said she was especially excited to be at the march with anti-abortion Republicans in the White House.

She said this march was her fourth but the first with a Republican administration. “It’s surreal, actually.”

Anna Henderson, a teacher at a Catholic high school near Jackson, Michigan, was also attending her fourth march with a busload of her students.

“Just because we have the backing of the administration doesn’t mean the fight is over,” she said. “We still need to change people’s hearts.”

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, said there is still work to be done, including calling on Trump to defund Planned Parenthood and offer resources such as paid family leave to women with unplanned pregnancies.

“The march now ends on the backside of the U.S. Capitol to remind our representatives that abortion is not only a state issue, but also a local issue and also a federal issue,” she said.

Angela Vasquez-Giroux, vice president of communications at Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which supports abortion rights, said: “We know exactly what is at risk and we know the hate and lies they will spew at the March for Life."

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-bills-murder-oklahoma-missouri-courts-trump-0a8883ae0cb8d84b13efdb209fab9e47">battle over abortion since the 2022 decision,</a>&nbsp;has been in state courts and at the ballot box where voters in seven states&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ballot-measures-harris-trump-florida-missouri-49c9073cbb6056b66a8a7d0d099795d1">approved ballot measures</a>&nbsp;for constitutional amendments on reproductive freedom in November. Legislatures have been fighting back already with proposals that could make such measures more difficult to get passed.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis celebrated the 2024 defeat of an abortion rights amendment on the March for Life stage and boasted about his role in the state-funded campaign against the measure. Voters there supported a state constitutional amendment overturning a six-week abortion ban but Florida requires 60% to pass constitutional amendments in the state. Most states require a simple majority.

“Most elected officials will say ‘Look, what’s on the ballot is not their issue — the people can decide,'" DeSantis told the crowd. “And they wash their hands of it and walk away.”

Supporters of abortion rights spoke up, too.

"No matter what they said on the campaign trail to win an election, this shows their intentions to continue to attack abortion access,” Ryan Stitzlein, vice president of political and government relations for the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, said of abortion-rights opponents.

“Each time one of these has taken place since the Dobbs decision, it’s been a day to reflect on how much damage that’s been caused by that decision and the crisis we continue to live in.”

Ellie Smeal, president and founder of the Feminist Majority Foundation, said her group would counterprotest.

“We want to remind people of the popularity of abortion rights and the importance of this issue, that women and men are supportive of people making their own reproductive health decisions,” she said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump vowed to support pro-life protesters in his second term as tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Washington on Friday for the annual March for Life.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump to <a href="https://twitter.com/March_for_Life?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@March_for_Life</a>: &quot;I know your hearts are warm and your spirits are strong because your mission is just, very, very pure: to forge a society that welcomes and protects every child as a beautiful gift from the hand of our Creator.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/GxXL0ibiDr">pic.twitter.com/GxXL0ibiDr</a>&mdash; President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1882891449366138893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We will again stand proudly for families and for life,” Trump declared in a prerecorded video address.Protesters had come to the capital for decades to call for the repeal of Roe v. Wade, which affirmed a constitutional right to an abortion. Now, with the repeal of Roe in 2022, they are now on the inside rather than the outside. With Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-cabinet-medication-comstock-act-7faace8a458d637d31d34dfe1f8ab47b">return to the White House</a>&nbsp;and Republicans in control of Congress, the activists want to build on their victories.“Our country faces the return of the most pro-family, most pro-life American president of our lifetimes," Vice President JD Vance told the crowd in his in-person speech.Vance hailed Trump’s previous actions on abortion, saying the president “delivered on his promise of ending Roe" and appointed hundreds of anti-abortion judges.Abortion was largely absent from the stack of dozens of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-day-1-executive-orders-3a035a0bbd37b5c12630b92c8c8a9625">executive actions</a>&nbsp;in Trump’s first days of office. But he has already made quieter moves on abortion, including pardoning several right to life activists and using wording related to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/embryos-ivf-abortion-personhood-laws-ffe4f4d326469a97fef999254ca86eea">fetal personhood</a>&nbsp;in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sex-gender-transgender-dei-order-245350b97e0c4dcc221fefc49ef44699">executive order</a>&nbsp;rolling back protections for transgender people.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737759514514.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Despite frigid weather, a festive atmosphere surrounded the event as activists showed up with multicolored hats and signs declaring “Life is our revolution” and “MAGA: Make Abortion Gone Again.”“This is a significant moment in history,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group. “Yes, we have a march every year but this one is pretty special...There is a trifecta of pro-life Republicans in the White House and the House and the Senate.”Kristen Cooper, 21, was among several thousand Students for Life America members attending. She said she was especially excited to be at the march with anti-abortion Republicans in the White House.She said this march was her fourth but the first with a Republican administration. “It’s surreal, actually.”Anna Henderson, a teacher at a Catholic high school near Jackson, Michigan, was also attending her fourth march with a busload of her students.“Just because we have the backing of the administration doesn’t mean the fight is over,” she said. “We still need to change people’s hearts.”Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, said there is still work to be done, including calling on Trump to defund Planned Parenthood and offer resources such as paid family leave to women with unplanned pregnancies.“The march now ends on the backside of the U.S. Capitol to remind our representatives that abortion is not only a state issue, but also a local issue and also a federal issue,” she said.Angela Vasquez-Giroux, vice president of communications at Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which supports abortion rights, said: “We know exactly what is at risk and we know the hate and lies they will spew at the March for Life."The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-bills-murder-oklahoma-missouri-courts-trump-0a8883ae0cb8d84b13efdb209fab9e47">battle over abortion since the 2022 decision,</a>&nbsp;has been in state courts and at the ballot box where voters in seven states&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ballot-measures-harris-trump-florida-missouri-49c9073cbb6056b66a8a7d0d099795d1">approved ballot measures</a>&nbsp;for constitutional amendments on reproductive freedom in November. Legislatures have been fighting back already with proposals that could make such measures more difficult to get passed.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis celebrated the 2024 defeat of an abortion rights amendment on the March for Life stage and boasted about his role in the state-funded campaign against the measure. Voters there supported a state constitutional amendment overturning a six-week abortion ban but Florida requires 60% to pass constitutional amendments in the state. Most states require a simple majority.“Most elected officials will say ‘Look, what’s on the ballot is not their issue — the people can decide,'" DeSantis told the crowd. “And they wash their hands of it and walk away.”Supporters of abortion rights spoke up, too."No matter what they said on the campaign trail to win an election, this shows their intentions to continue to attack abortion access,” Ryan Stitzlein, vice president of political and government relations for the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, said of abortion-rights opponents.“Each time one of these has taken place since the Dobbs decision, it’s been a day to reflect on how much damage that’s been caused by that decision and the crisis we continue to live in.”Ellie Smeal, president and founder of the Feminist Majority Foundation, said her group would counterprotest.“We want to remind people of the popularity of abortion rights and the importance of this issue, that women and men are supportive of people making their own reproductive health decisions,” she said.

🎥Trump's message at March for Life rally in Washington 

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in southwest Kanas is asking for the public to help&nbsp; locate 25-year-old Jesus Loya of Garden City.

On Thursday, Loya walked out in the middle of his jury trial in Garden City, according to a media release from police.

Loya has been found guilty and is wanted on a warrant for Kidnapping&nbsp; Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness/Victim, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Threat.

Loya’s Bond had been set at $1,000,000. 

.If you have any information about Loya's whereabouts, please call the Finney County Sheriff's Office at 620-272-3700, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GardenCityPD?__cft__[0]=AZU-2cYlX6rLk-EVW3w5FsGCrOq-EyJOztz7UQjSeXONxCDdzfVBWEJf-206I5hmH8Z3IU7-9xxYNe3xJbU9ijhF130h886ZsWhQTIXs-A9ZkkbGLkKBRxpEKhKOjwIUGLWk1Vk3N0LYNDnNKM0a_IazBLJFa85vWDQtveux3PsxgghE5iGYBNatI_dwElgt_o6OwD89e1Rdp6CirusdzUhjv0bVuoXKSyQaWoRzSqvl3Q&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Garden City Police Department - KS</a> at 620-276-1300. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 620-275-7807 or texting GCTIP and your information to Tip411 (847411).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737757966841.png" alt="Jesus Loya photo Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Jesus Loya photo Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in southwest Kanas is asking for the public to help&nbsp; locate 25-year-old Jesus Loya of Garden City.On Thursday, Loya walked out in the middle of his jury trial in Garden City, according to a media release from police.Loya has been found guilty and is wanted on a warrant for Kidnapping&nbsp; Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness/Victim, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Threat.Loya’s Bond had been set at $1,000,000. .If you have any information about Loya's whereabouts, please call the Finney County Sheriff's Office at 620-272-3700, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GardenCityPD?__cft__[0]=AZU-2cYlX6rLk-EVW3w5FsGCrOq-EyJOztz7UQjSeXONxCDdzfVBWEJf-206I5hmH8Z3IU7-9xxYNe3xJbU9ijhF130h886ZsWhQTIXs-A9ZkkbGLkKBRxpEKhKOjwIUGLWk1Vk3N0LYNDnNKM0a_IazBLJFa85vWDQtveux3PsxgghE5iGYBNatI_dwElgt_o6OwD89e1Rdp6CirusdzUhjv0bVuoXKSyQaWoRzSqvl3Q&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Garden City Police Department - KS</a> at 620-276-1300. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 620-275-7807 or texting GCTIP and your information to Tip411 (847411).

Sheriff: Violent suspect escaped during trial in southwest Kansas 

WICHITA, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Thursday night in Wichita.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO) and Wichita Police Department (WPD) requested KBI assistance on Thursday, Jan. 23, around 11:55 p.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.

At around 9 p.m., WPD received a call about a man who forced entry into a home and attempted to shoot at a male resident. The subject had bonded out of jail on domestic violence charges earlier that day. The man was later identified as Devario C. Edwards, 28, of Wichita.

Preliminary information indicates that after Edwards attempted to shoot the resident, he fled the scene and began a Facebook livestream. In the video, he is armed with a rifle and indicated he was headed to Spirit Aerosystems.

Once he arrived at Spirit, deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff and Wichita Police officers located the vehicle and a brief car chase ensued. Edwards then jumped out of his vehicle holding the gun. Around 11:10 p.m., he shot several rounds at officers, beginning an exchange of gunfire. Edwards was struck multiple times. Shortly after, officers approached him, secured his weapon, and began performing lifesaving measures. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 12:14 a.m. No law enforcement officers were injured during the exchange.

The preliminary investigation indicated that during the incident two police vehicles were struck by gunfire. Edwards fired over 20 rounds at police. A total of eight law enforcement officers fired over 100 rounds.

This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737755840677.png" alt="Law enforcement of the scene early Friday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement of the scene early Friday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Thursday night in Wichita.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKBIKansas%2Fvideos%2F603623159208781%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO) and Wichita Police Department (WPD) requested KBI assistance on Thursday, Jan. 23, around 11:55 p.m. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.At around 9 p.m., WPD received a call about a man who forced entry into a home and attempted to shoot at a male resident. The subject had bonded out of jail on domestic violence charges earlier that day. The man was later identified as Devario C. Edwards, 28, of Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737756332519.png" alt="Edwards was booked into jail on Thursday morning and bonded out later in the day-.&nbsp; photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Edwards was booked into jail on Thursday morning and bonded out later in the day-.&nbsp; photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737755920109.png" alt="Image from Sedgwick County Deputy dash camera of shots fired a the patrol vehicle&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Image from Sedgwick County Deputy dash camera of shots fired a the patrol vehicle&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Preliminary information indicates that after Edwards attempted to shoot the resident, he fled the scene and began a Facebook livestream. In the video, he is armed with a rifle and indicated he was headed to Spirit Aerosystems.Once he arrived at Spirit, deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff and Wichita Police officers located the vehicle and a brief car chase ensued. Edwards then jumped out of his vehicle holding the gun. Around 11:10 p.m., he shot several rounds at officers, beginning an exchange of gunfire. Edwards was struck multiple times. Shortly after, officers approached him, secured his weapon, and began performing lifesaving measures. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 12:14 a.m. No law enforcement officers were injured during the exchange.The preliminary investigation indicated that during the incident two police vehicles were struck by gunfire. Edwards fired over 20 rounds at police. A total of eight law enforcement officers fired over 100 rounds.This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Police ID man who died in Kansas officer-shooting 

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Friday that he was considering “getting rid of” the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offering the latest sign of how he is weighing sweeping changes to the nation's central organization for responding to disasters.

Speaking while on the first trip of his second term, Trump made the comment in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">North Carolina</a>&nbsp;during a briefing on the monthslong recovery from Hurricane Helene.

“FEMA has been a very big disappointment," the Republican president said. “It’s very bureaucratic. And it’s very slow. Other than that, we’re very happy with them.”

Trump said Michael Whatley, chair of the Republican National Committee, would help coordinate recovery efforts in the state, where frustrations over the storm continue to linger. Whatley is a North Carolina native but does not hold an official government position.

While Trump emphasized his desire to help North Carolina, a battleground state that's voted for him in all of his presidential campaigns, he was much less generous toward California, where he plans to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-gofundme-01bc1eaec701d862f442c35a8438519f">wildfire-ravaged</a>&nbsp;Los Angeles later in the day.

Trump reiterated that he wants to extract concessions from the Democratic-led state in return for disaster assistance, including changes to water policies and requirements that voters need to show identification when casting ballots.

Beyond Trump's criticisms of FEMA, he's suggested a dramatic overhaul of the federal government's role in responding to disasters.

“I’d like to see the states take care of disasters," he said after landing in the Asheville area. “Let the state take care of the tornadoes and the hurricanes and all of the other things that happen.”

Trump said that would be quicker than sending in FEMA.

“FEMA just hasn’t done the job," the president said. "We’re looking at the whole concept of FEMA.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-fema-trump-disasters-b191d88e2ab77d3b79eeeb860e4ae13b">The agency helps respond</a>&nbsp;to disasters when local leaders request a presidential emergency declaration, a signal that the damage is beyond the state's ability to handle on its own. FEMA can reimburse governments for recovery efforts such as debris removal, and it gives stopgap financial assistance to individual residents. Some of Trump's conservative allies have proposed reducing how much money the agency should provide.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/helene-hurricane-damage-fema-trump-biden-harris-e5c1feed690765bac4d7096ce9dceb96">has criticized</a>&nbsp;former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;for his administration's response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. As he left the White House on Friday morning, he told reporters that “it’s been a horrible thing the way that’s been allowed to fester” since the storm hit in September, and "we're going to get it fixed up.”

After the briefing recovery efforts, Trump traveled to a small town outside Asheville to meet with residents who have been helped by Samaritan’s Purse, a humanitarian organization headed by evangelical leader Franklin Graham.

Once in California, Trump plans to tour the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where rows of homes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-pacific-palisades-wildfires-los-angeles-4b67b7f29d0d6eb7321a52ef60c17d60">burned to the ground.</a>&nbsp;He’s expected to receive a briefing on the fires,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-fires-los-angeles-winds-300bac5d21394adf9d44493c4ccd337b">which are ongoing</a>, with thousands of people under evacuation orders.

Trump has showered California leaders with disdain for water policies that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-republicans-taxes-eea4754a0f580d451aa0588f0639d52c">he falsely claimed</a>&nbsp;worsened the recent blazes. He said he would “take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they let the water flow, but they didn’t let the water flow.”

Members of Congress will be at the briefing, and the meeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-conditional-aid-washington-trump-johnson-12c779b96e04d564802d4d06348aa0fc">could prove contentious.</a>&nbsp;Trump has suggested using federal disaster assistance as a bargaining chip during unrelated legislative negotiations over government borrowing, or as leverage to persuade California to change its water policies.

“Playing politics with people’s livelihoods is unacceptable and a slap in the face to the Southern California wildfire victims and to our brave first responders,” said Rep. Young Kim, a Republican from Orange County, south of Los Angeles, in a recent statement.

Trump has a history of injecting politics and falsehoods into disaster response. During his first term, he talked about limiting help for Democratic states that didn't support him, according to former administration officials. While running for president last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-donald-trump-hurricane-helene-3097f1706455929adf5a4eb67f9cdf0f">he claimed without evidence</a>&nbsp;that Democrats were “going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas” of the battleground state of North Carolina.

He's also been focused on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-republicans-taxes-eea4754a0f580d451aa0588f0639d52c">California water policies</a>, specifically fish conservation efforts in the northern part of the state.

“I don’t think we should give California anything until they let the water run down,” Trump said Wednesday in an interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity.

The president also suggested shifting more responsibility to individual states for managing disasters.

“I’d rather see the states take care of their own problems,” he told Hannity, adding that “FEMA is getting in the way of everything.”

Michael Coen, who served as chief of staff at FEMA during the Biden administration, said Trump was “misinformed” about an agency that provides critical help to states when they're overwhelmed by catastrophe.

In addition, Coen criticized the idea of attaching strings to assistance.

“You’re going to pick winners and losers on which communities are going to be supported by the federal government," he said. "I think the American people expect the federal government will be there for them on their worst day, no matter where they live.”

The last time Trump was president, he visited numerous disaster zones, including the aftermaths of hurricanes and tornadoes. He sometimes sparked criticism, like when he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-maria-puerto-rico-donald-trump-ap-top-news-hurricanes-2055da43223a456e8ad635a22348fafc">tossed paper towels</a>&nbsp;to survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

“If you’re a disaster survivor, no matter who you voted for, it’s always good when the president comes to town,” said Pete Gaynor, who headed FEMA during the first Trump administration between 2019 and 2021. “You can see him and hopefully talk to him about what you need in your community.”

Laurie Carpenter, a 62-year-old retiree in Newland, North Carolina, said she's looking forward to Trump's visit because she's been disappointed by the federal response. She said there's still debris and trash strewn around her part of the state months after Hurricane Helene.

“If anybody’s going to do something about it, I think he will,” Carpenter said.

Trump tapped Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL with limited experience managing natural disasters, as FEMA’s acting director. He also said individual states should be in charge of directing response to natural disasters rather than FEMA, and that the federal government should only step in subsequently to provide funding.

Biden vowed before leaving office that the federal government would cover all the costs of responding to the wildfires around Los Angeles, which could end up being the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-natural-disasters-losses-insurance-recovery-d2f24e44d75503118643151eaee947fb">costliest natural disasters in U.S. history</a>. However, that promise won't be kept unless Congress comes up with more funding.

Friday's trip could prompt some uncomfortable conversations about climate change, which Trump has played down and denied. Both Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires were exacerbated by global warming.

In Helene’s case, a study by international climate scientists at World Weather Attribution found that climate change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-science-fatalities-8a0d4f072669fd1d0031a23d7fc4b29c">boosted the storm’s rainfall by 10%.</a>&nbsp;In California, the state suffered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fire-devastation-climate-change-santa-ana-winds-a46e2bb6785b1e325f6076fb22c8fcc5">a record dry fall and winter</a>&nbsp;— its traditional wet season — which made the area around Los Angeles more vulnerable to blazes.

“This is just breaking our comfort zone of what is supposed to be normal,” said University of Oregon researcher Amanda Stasiewicz.

After visiting North Carolina and California, Trump plans to hold a rally Saturday in Las Vegas.

___ Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Seth Borenstein and Makiya Seminera contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737737414942.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Friday that he was considering “getting rid of” the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offering the latest sign of how he is weighing sweeping changes to the nation's central organization for responding to disasters.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump in North Carolina: &quot;FEMA has really let us down. Let the country down. I don&#39;t know if that&#39;s Biden&#39;s fault or whose fault it is, but we&#39;re going to take over an we&#39;re going to do a good job.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/pNpY8NyOyL">pic.twitter.com/pNpY8NyOyL</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1882829420219498686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Speaking while on the first trip of his second term, Trump made the comment in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">North Carolina</a>&nbsp;during a briefing on the monthslong recovery from Hurricane Helene.“FEMA has been a very big disappointment," the Republican president said. “It’s very bureaucratic. And it’s very slow. Other than that, we’re very happy with them.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> and First Lady <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MELANIATRUMP</a> hug a woman who lost everything in Hurricane Helene 🙏❤️ <a href="https://t.co/ZWQQbcwKcG">pic.twitter.com/ZWQQbcwKcG</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1882922429925949742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump said Michael Whatley, chair of the Republican National Committee, would help coordinate recovery efforts in the state, where frustrations over the storm continue to linger. Whatley is a North Carolina native but does not hold an official government position.While Trump emphasized his desire to help North Carolina, a battleground state that's voted for him in all of his presidential campaigns, he was much less generous toward California, where he plans to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-gofundme-01bc1eaec701d862f442c35a8438519f">wildfire-ravaged</a>&nbsp;Los Angeles later in the day.Trump reiterated that he wants to extract concessions from the Democratic-led state in return for disaster assistance, including changes to water policies and requirements that voters need to show identification when casting ballots.Beyond Trump's criticisms of FEMA, he's suggested a dramatic overhaul of the federal government's role in responding to disasters.“I’d like to see the states take care of disasters," he said after landing in the Asheville area. “Let the state take care of the tornadoes and the hurricanes and all of the other things that happen.”Trump said that would be quicker than sending in FEMA.“FEMA just hasn’t done the job," the president said. "We’re looking at the whole concept of FEMA.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-fema-trump-disasters-b191d88e2ab77d3b79eeeb860e4ae13b">The agency helps respond</a>&nbsp;to disasters when local leaders request a presidential emergency declaration, a signal that the damage is beyond the state's ability to handle on its own. FEMA can reimburse governments for recovery efforts such as debris removal, and it gives stopgap financial assistance to individual residents. Some of Trump's conservative allies have proposed reducing how much money the agency should provide.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/helene-hurricane-damage-fema-trump-biden-harris-e5c1feed690765bac4d7096ce9dceb96">has criticized</a>&nbsp;former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;for his administration's response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. As he left the White House on Friday morning, he told reporters that “it’s been a horrible thing the way that’s been allowed to fester” since the storm hit in September, and "we're going to get it fixed up.”After the briefing recovery efforts, Trump traveled to a small town outside Asheville to meet with residents who have been helped by Samaritan’s Purse, a humanitarian organization headed by evangelical leader Franklin Graham.Once in California, Trump plans to tour the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where rows of homes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-pacific-palisades-wildfires-los-angeles-4b67b7f29d0d6eb7321a52ef60c17d60">burned to the ground.</a>&nbsp;He’s expected to receive a briefing on the fires,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-fires-los-angeles-winds-300bac5d21394adf9d44493c4ccd337b">which are ongoing</a>, with thousands of people under evacuation orders.Trump has showered California leaders with disdain for water policies that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-republicans-taxes-eea4754a0f580d451aa0588f0639d52c">he falsely claimed</a>&nbsp;worsened the recent blazes. He said he would “take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they let the water flow, but they didn’t let the water flow.”Members of Congress will be at the briefing, and the meeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-conditional-aid-washington-trump-johnson-12c779b96e04d564802d4d06348aa0fc">could prove contentious.</a>&nbsp;Trump has suggested using federal disaster assistance as a bargaining chip during unrelated legislative negotiations over government borrowing, or as leverage to persuade California to change its water policies.“Playing politics with people’s livelihoods is unacceptable and a slap in the face to the Southern California wildfire victims and to our brave first responders,” said Rep. Young Kim, a Republican from Orange County, south of Los Angeles, in a recent statement.Trump has a history of injecting politics and falsehoods into disaster response. During his first term, he talked about limiting help for Democratic states that didn't support him, according to former administration officials. While running for president last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-donald-trump-hurricane-helene-3097f1706455929adf5a4eb67f9cdf0f">he claimed without evidence</a>&nbsp;that Democrats were “going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas” of the battleground state of North Carolina.He's also been focused on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-republicans-taxes-eea4754a0f580d451aa0588f0639d52c">California water policies</a>, specifically fish conservation efforts in the northern part of the state.“I don’t think we should give California anything until they let the water run down,” Trump said Wednesday in an interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity.The president also suggested shifting more responsibility to individual states for managing disasters.“I’d rather see the states take care of their own problems,” he told Hannity, adding that “FEMA is getting in the way of everything.”Michael Coen, who served as chief of staff at FEMA during the Biden administration, said Trump was “misinformed” about an agency that provides critical help to states when they're overwhelmed by catastrophe.In addition, Coen criticized the idea of attaching strings to assistance.“You’re going to pick winners and losers on which communities are going to be supported by the federal government," he said. "I think the American people expect the federal government will be there for them on their worst day, no matter where they live.”The last time Trump was president, he visited numerous disaster zones, including the aftermaths of hurricanes and tornadoes. He sometimes sparked criticism, like when he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-maria-puerto-rico-donald-trump-ap-top-news-hurricanes-2055da43223a456e8ad635a22348fafc">tossed paper towels</a>&nbsp;to survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.“If you’re a disaster survivor, no matter who you voted for, it’s always good when the president comes to town,” said Pete Gaynor, who headed FEMA during the first Trump administration between 2019 and 2021. “You can see him and hopefully talk to him about what you need in your community.”Laurie Carpenter, a 62-year-old retiree in Newland, North Carolina, said she's looking forward to Trump's visit because she's been disappointed by the federal response. She said there's still debris and trash strewn around her part of the state months after Hurricane Helene.“If anybody’s going to do something about it, I think he will,” Carpenter said.Trump tapped Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL with limited experience managing natural disasters, as FEMA’s acting director. He also said individual states should be in charge of directing response to natural disasters rather than FEMA, and that the federal government should only step in subsequently to provide funding.Biden vowed before leaving office that the federal government would cover all the costs of responding to the wildfires around Los Angeles, which could end up being the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-natural-disasters-losses-insurance-recovery-d2f24e44d75503118643151eaee947fb">costliest natural disasters in U.S. history</a>. However, that promise won't be kept unless Congress comes up with more funding.Friday's trip could prompt some uncomfortable conversations about climate change, which Trump has played down and denied. Both Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires were exacerbated by global warming.In Helene’s case, a study by international climate scientists at World Weather Attribution found that climate change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-science-fatalities-8a0d4f072669fd1d0031a23d7fc4b29c">boosted the storm’s rainfall by 10%.</a>&nbsp;In California, the state suffered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fire-devastation-climate-change-santa-ana-winds-a46e2bb6785b1e325f6076fb22c8fcc5">a record dry fall and winter</a>&nbsp;— its traditional wet season — which made the area around Los Angeles more vulnerable to blazes.“This is just breaking our comfort zone of what is supposed to be normal,” said University of Oregon researcher Amanda Stasiewicz.After visiting North Carolina and California, Trump plans to hold a rally Saturday in Las Vegas.___ Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Seth Borenstein and Makiya Seminera contributed to this report.

🎥Trump proposes ‘getting rid of FEMA’ on North Carolina visit

SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. -&nbsp;The wife of a Sedgwick County Commission has been granted diversion in an electioneering case from last year's general election.  

Meghan Blubaugh, wife of Sedgwick County Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh was granted diversion in her first appearance in Sedgwick County District Court. &nbsp;Judge Shawn Elliot granted the diversion order on Thursday.&nbsp;

Blubaugh was charged with one count of electioneering. &nbsp;She is alleged to have been wearing a shirt with her husband's campaign logo on it while voting last fall. Election workers at the poling location told her she needed to turn the shirt inside out but she refused. &nbsp;

Under Kansas law election campaign information is not to be displayed or distributed within any polling site on election day or at any advanced voting site. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732103072923.png" alt="Jeff Blubaugh and family photo from his campaign website" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Blubaugh and family photo from his campaign website</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. -&nbsp;The wife of a Sedgwick County Commission has been granted diversion in an electioneering case from last year's general election. Meghan Blubaugh, wife of Sedgwick County Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh was granted diversion in her first appearance in Sedgwick County District Court. &nbsp;Judge Shawn Elliot granted the diversion order on Thursday.&nbsp;Blubaugh was charged with one count of electioneering. &nbsp;She is alleged to have been wearing a shirt with her husband's campaign logo on it while voting last fall. Election workers at the poling location told her she needed to turn the shirt inside out but she refused. &nbsp;Under Kansas law election campaign information is not to be displayed or distributed within any polling site on election day or at any advanced voting site. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Commissioner's wife granted diversion in electioneering case

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-catalini">MIKE CATALINI</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana">REBECCA SANTANA</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced Friday that it is expanding a fast-track&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-news-ap-top-news-az-state-wire-arrests-fbbdebf6e4aa4024873105dcbe570446">deportation authority</a>&nbsp;nationwide, allowing immigration officers to deport migrants without appearing before a judge as President Donald Trump seeks to make good on a sweeping agenda of removing everyone who is in the U.S. illegally.

The administration said it is expanding the use of “expedited removal” authority so it can be used across the country.

“The effect of this change will be to enhance national security and public safety — while reducing government costs — by facilitating prompt immigration determinations,” the administration said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/24/2025-01720/designating-aliens-for-expedited-removal?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=federalregister.gov" target="_blank">notice in the Federal Register</a>&nbsp;on Friday outlining the new rules.

In Trump’s first week in office, his administration has taken action on a number of different fronts on his signature campaign promise of cracking down on illegal immigration.

After declaring a national emergency and describing immigration at the southern border as an invasion, he sent military troops to the border; lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc">near schools and churches</a>; indefinitely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/refugees-flights-trump-immigration-border-resettlement-33ebaa34bc4d0c069a22ee7aa5f8ff6d">suspended the refugee program</a>; and halted key Biden-era immigration pathways.

In executive orders signed Monday, Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-immigration-homan-asylum-inauguration-ac10480dc636b758ab3c435b974aeb19">laid out a vision for future actions</a>&nbsp;designed to dramatically boost immigration enforcement in the interior of the country while ratcheting down access at the southern border.

Friday’s news of the expanded use of expedited removal comes as Newark, N.J., officials are lashing out over what they say were illegal arrests by federal immigration officers at a local business. About half of the city’s population of 305,000 is Black and nearly 40% is Hispanic, according to census figures.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat who is seeking the party’s nomination for governor this year, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained “undocumented residents” along with U.S. citizens on Thursday. City officials are slated to have a news conference Friday.

“Expedited removal” gives enforcement agencies broad authority to deport people without requiring them to appear before an immigration judge. There are limited exceptions, including if they express fear of returning home and pass an initial screening interview for asylum.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-lawsuits-us-news-tx-state-wire-fl-state-wire-60cd287465724b10a6a70d300d8e9b55">Critics have said there’s</a>&nbsp;too much risk that people who have the right to be in the country will be mistakenly swept up by agents and officers and that not enough is done to protect migrants who have genuine reason to fear being sent home.

The powers were created under a 1996 law. But these powers weren’t really widely used until 2004, when Homeland Security said they would use expedited removal authority for people arrested within two weeks of entering the U.S. by land and caught within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border. That meant it was used mostly against migrants recently arrived in the country.

In the notice Friday the administration said the authority could be used across the country and would go into effect immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737727787494.png" alt="A C-17 Military Transport with the 301st Airlift Squadron of the 60th Air Mobility Wing from Travis Air Force Base loading Illegal Aliens from Guatemala on a deportation flight Photo White House" />
 <figcaption>A C-17 Military Transport with the 301st Airlift Squadron of the 60th Air Mobility Wing from Travis Air Force Base loading Illegal Aliens from Guatemala on a deportation flight Photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-catalini">MIKE CATALINI</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana">REBECCA SANTANA</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced Friday that it is expanding a fast-track&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-news-ap-top-news-az-state-wire-arrests-fbbdebf6e4aa4024873105dcbe570446">deportation authority</a>&nbsp;nationwide, allowing immigration officers to deport migrants without appearing before a judge as President Donald Trump seeks to make good on a sweeping agenda of removing everyone who is in the U.S. illegally.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/ZdvukddhtA">pic.twitter.com/ZdvukddhtA</a>&mdash; ICE (@ICEgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICEgov/status/1882591102684758226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The administration said it is expanding the use of “expedited removal” authority so it can be used across the country.“The effect of this change will be to enhance national security and public safety — while reducing government costs — by facilitating prompt immigration determinations,” the administration said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/24/2025-01720/designating-aliens-for-expedited-removal?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=federalregister.gov" target="_blank">notice in the Federal Register</a>&nbsp;on Friday outlining the new rules.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The US Marine Corps Is On The Border Assisting CBP With The Mission To Secure America Promise Made --&gt; Promise KEPT! <a href="https://t.co/t384DH1FDl">pic.twitter.com/t384DH1FDl</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1882842972150288732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In Trump’s first week in office, his administration has taken action on a number of different fronts on his signature campaign promise of cracking down on illegal immigration.After declaring a national emergency and describing immigration at the southern border as an invasion, he sent military troops to the border; lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc">near schools and churches</a>; indefinitely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/refugees-flights-trump-immigration-border-resettlement-33ebaa34bc4d0c069a22ee7aa5f8ff6d">suspended the refugee program</a>; and halted key Biden-era immigration pathways.In executive orders signed Monday, Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-immigration-homan-asylum-inauguration-ac10480dc636b758ab3c435b974aeb19">laid out a vision for future actions</a>&nbsp;designed to dramatically boost immigration enforcement in the interior of the country while ratcheting down access at the southern border.Friday’s news of the expanded use of expedited removal comes as Newark, N.J., officials are lashing out over what they say were illegal arrests by federal immigration officers at a local business. About half of the city’s population of 305,000 is Black and nearly 40% is Hispanic, according to census figures.Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat who is seeking the party’s nomination for governor this year, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained “undocumented residents” along with U.S. citizens on Thursday. City officials are slated to have a news conference Friday.“Expedited removal” gives enforcement agencies broad authority to deport people without requiring them to appear before an immigration judge. There are limited exceptions, including if they express fear of returning home and pass an initial screening interview for asylum.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-lawsuits-us-news-tx-state-wire-fl-state-wire-60cd287465724b10a6a70d300d8e9b55">Critics have said there’s</a>&nbsp;too much risk that people who have the right to be in the country will be mistakenly swept up by agents and officers and that not enough is done to protect migrants who have genuine reason to fear being sent home.The powers were created under a 1996 law. But these powers weren’t really widely used until 2004, when Homeland Security said they would use expedited removal authority for people arrested within two weeks of entering the U.S. by land and caught within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border. That meant it was used mostly against migrants recently arrived in the country.In the notice Friday the administration said the authority could be used across the country and would go into effect immediately.

U.S. begins migrant deportation flights using military aircraft 

DICKINSON COUNTY—Sheriff's deputies are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

On Thursday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant in relation to a narcotics investigation, at a residence in the 2500 Block of Nicholson Road in Chapman, according to a media release.

While conducting the search warrant, deputies located THC edible products, Methamphetamine, Drug Paraphernalia, and firearms.

As a result of the investigation, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 34-year-old Emma Gomez and booked her into the Dickinson County Detention Facility on the following requested charges that include Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Unlawful Manufacturing of Controlled Substance, Aggravated Endangering a Child, Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia within 1,000 feet of a school, Criminal Possession of weapons, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737740268993.png" alt="Gomez photo Dickinson County" />
 <figcaption>Gomez photo Dickinson County</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY—Sheriff's deputies are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.On Thursday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant in relation to a narcotics investigation, at a residence in the 2500 Block of Nicholson Road in Chapman, according to a media release.While conducting the search warrant, deputies located THC edible products, Methamphetamine, Drug Paraphernalia, and firearms.As a result of the investigation, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 34-year-old Emma Gomez and booked her into the Dickinson County Detention Facility on the following requested charges that include Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Unlawful Manufacturing of Controlled Substance, Aggravated Endangering a Child, Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia within 1,000 feet of a school, Criminal Possession of weapons, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp

Sheriff: Kansas woman accused of selling meth, marijuana

BANGKOK (AP) — Ford Motor Co. is recalling 272,827 Broncos and Mavericks due to a power problem that can cause vehicles to stop unexpectedly or fail to start.

Information from the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration says the problem is related to a 12 volt battery made by Camel Battery of China that has “internal manufacturing defects,” including weld failures that can cause open circuits.

It said there were no reports of accidents, fires or injuries caused by the problem.

The vehicles were made between February 2021 and October 2023, when Ford stopped using those specific batteries. The defects are thought to affect only 1% of the vehicles equipped with the batteries.

<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2024-11/ford-consent-order-web.pdf">Ford pledged</a>&nbsp;in November to review and improve its recall decision-making process and to submit to monitoring by an independent third party that will oversee its recall performance for three years after the U.S. government fine it for moving too slowly on an earlier recall.

The NHTSA said that after a previous recall of 2021-23 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022-2023 Ford Maverick pickups, some vehicles lost power including the ability to turn on hazard lights, without warning. The remedy involves software updates to improve detection of battery problems and provide warnings to drivers, it said.

BANGKOK (AP) — Ford Motor Co. is recalling 272,827 Broncos and Mavericks due to a power problem that can cause vehicles to stop unexpectedly or fail to start.Information from the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration says the problem is related to a 12 volt battery made by Camel Battery of China that has “internal manufacturing defects,” including weld failures that can cause open circuits.It said there were no reports of accidents, fires or injuries caused by the problem.The vehicles were made between February 2021 and October 2023, when Ford stopped using those specific batteries. The defects are thought to affect only 1% of the vehicles equipped with the batteries.<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2024-11/ford-consent-order-web.pdf">Ford pledged</a>&nbsp;in November to review and improve its recall decision-making process and to submit to monitoring by an independent third party that will oversee its recall performance for three years after the U.S. government fine it for moving too slowly on an earlier recall.The NHTSA said that after a previous recall of 2021-23 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022-2023 Ford Maverick pickups, some vehicles lost power including the ability to turn on hazard lights, without warning. The remedy involves software updates to improve detection of battery problems and provide warnings to drivers, it said.

Ford recalls more than 270,000 vehicles  due to loss of power problem

By NATE KING Salina Post

Coperion K-Tron, a bulk handling manufacturing company in Salina announced plans to close its facility by the end of the year, resulting in the loss of 98 jobs.

The company notified Salina Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz, the Kansas Department of Commerce, and KansasWorks on Jan. 22 through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice. This federal law mandates that employers provide 60 days advance notice to employees in the event of plant closures or mass layoffs.

According to Salina City Manager Mike Schrage, the Salina Community Economic Development Organization in partnership with Kansas Works and Kansas Department of Commerce’s rapid response team are working to assist those affected by the layoffs. The team will help connect displaced workers with new employment opportunities and other Salina resources.

Salina Post reached out to Coperion K-Tron for comment but was unable to connect with a company representative.

Additional details about the closure and support efforts have not been announced.

By NATE KING Salina PostCoperion K-Tron, a bulk handling manufacturing company in Salina announced plans to close its facility by the end of the year, resulting in the loss of 98 jobs.The company notified Salina Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz, the Kansas Department of Commerce, and KansasWorks on Jan. 22 through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice. This federal law mandates that employers provide 60 days advance notice to employees in the event of plant closures or mass layoffs.According to Salina City Manager Mike Schrage, the Salina Community Economic Development Organization in partnership with Kansas Works and Kansas Department of Commerce’s rapid response team are working to assist those affected by the layoffs. The team will help connect displaced workers with new employment opportunities and other Salina resources.Salina Post reached out to Coperion K-Tron for comment but was unable to connect with a company representative.Additional details about the closure and support efforts have not been announced.

Bulk handling manufacturing company will close Kan. facility

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon who left his 11-month-old daughter in the canal in Wichita is going back to prison.

Judge Tyler Roush sentence 34-year-old Vincent Perez to 54 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Perez pleaded&nbsp; guilty in December to aggravated endangering a child and aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In July, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.

Officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation and later placed into police protective custody, according to Gupilan.&nbsp;

Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation and asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. The following day police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">Perez&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;into the Sedgwick County jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Perez has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721927142112.png" alt="Perez photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Perez photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon who left his 11-month-old daughter in the canal in Wichita is going back to prison.Judge Tyler Roush sentence 34-year-old Vincent Perez to 54 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Perez pleaded&nbsp; guilty in December to aggravated endangering a child and aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In July, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.Officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation and later placed into police protective custody, according to Gupilan.&nbsp;Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation and asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. The following day police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">Perez&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;into the Sedgwick County jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;Perez has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. felon who left baby daughter in canal is going back to prison

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

State law enables complaint-based and scheduled annual inspections

TOPEKA — The acting child advocate for Kansas recommended Wednesday that lawmakers mandate annual unannounced inspection of residential facilities serving children in the state’s welfare system.

Surprise assessments of congregate care settings, including group homes and treatment facilities, would be in addition to a yearly scheduled inspection and complaint-based inspections authorized by the state.

“Are you saying there are currently no unannounced inspections of these facilities right now?” said Sen. Adam Thomas, an Olathe Republican on the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.

Kerri Lonard, acting child advocate for the state of Kansas, told the Senate committee there was no statutory requirement in Kansas for unannounced inspections for benefit of children in the welfare system.

Her recommendation was included in a series of proposals prepared for consideration during the 2025 legislative session.

Lonard urged lawmakers to consider altering the definition of “neglect” in relation to children to make certain a parent or guardian’s level of poverty wasn’t a determinant in child-welfare assessments. She also suggested the Legislature change the frequency of court hearings on a child permanency from 12 months to nine months.

She recommended the state authorize issuance of a best-practices handbook for benefit of attorneys working on behalf of children and their families.

Lawmakers could consider a child-welfare certification program for employees and contract staff at the Kansas Department for Children and Families or DCF, she said.

In addition, she said, the state ought to study the possibility of creating bed space for youth in detoxification facilities and expanding availability of substance abuse and behavioral health services for youth.

Kansas could work toward better collaboration among DCF and law enforcement agencies when making decisions on removal of children from the home, placing children in police protective custody and when resolving placement decisions, she said.

“There is a lot of interplay around prevention and then those services that may or may not be available when they enter the system,” Lonard said.

Lonard said reforms adopted by the 2024 Legislature, including a provision in state law creating the neutral and independent office of child advocate, were proving beneficial. Originally, the office was established by an executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Lonard said it was important the Legislature granted the child advocate access to court records of foster care cases.

“We find we are utilizing that system quite often to really get a better understanding of what’s going on — where the case is at procedurally,” Lonard said.

In the office’s annual report, Lonard said there were 235 formal complaints filed in 2024 regarding the welfare of 377 children. She said investigations supported allegations in 68 cases. In 22 instances, allegations were unsupported by the child advocate office but recommendations were issued on unrelated concerns. There were 42 cases in which the complaint was unsupported and no recommendation was made for correction action.

She said most complaints were about DCF or foster care case managers, but others involved judges, attorneys, state agencies, KanCare contractors and mental health providers. There were 72 complaints last year about state agency bias, conflict of interest or unprofessionalism. There were 88 complaints filed in 2024 regarding family separation and reunification.

From 2017 to 2021, the Legislature was unable to reach consensus on a way to amend state law to make permanent the office of child advocate. In 2021, Kelly signed an executive order launching the administrative office.

Some legislators were hesitant to make the office part of state statute unless it was placed under control of a Republican attorney general rather than Democratic governor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737665979713.png" alt=" Kerrie Lonard, acting director of the Kansas office of child advocate, asked members of the Kansas Senate to support legislation requiring annual unannounced inspection of residential facilities serving children and their families. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kerrie Lonard, acting director of the Kansas office of child advocate, asked members of the Kansas Senate to support legislation requiring annual unannounced inspection of residential facilities serving children and their families. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>State law enables complaint-based and scheduled annual inspections</h2>TOPEKA — The acting child advocate for Kansas recommended Wednesday that lawmakers mandate annual unannounced inspection of residential facilities serving children in the state’s welfare system.Surprise assessments of congregate care settings, including group homes and treatment facilities, would be in addition to a yearly scheduled inspection and complaint-based inspections authorized by the state.“Are you saying there are currently no unannounced inspections of these facilities right now?” said Sen. Adam Thomas, an Olathe Republican on the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.Kerri Lonard, acting child advocate for the state of Kansas, told the Senate committee there was no statutory requirement in Kansas for unannounced inspections for benefit of children in the welfare system.Her recommendation was included in a series of proposals prepared for consideration during the 2025 legislative session.Lonard urged lawmakers to consider altering the definition of “neglect” in relation to children to make certain a parent or guardian’s level of poverty wasn’t a determinant in child-welfare assessments. She also suggested the Legislature change the frequency of court hearings on a child permanency from 12 months to nine months.She recommended the state authorize issuance of a best-practices handbook for benefit of attorneys working on behalf of children and their families.Lawmakers could consider a child-welfare certification program for employees and contract staff at the Kansas Department for Children and Families or DCF, she said.In addition, she said, the state ought to study the possibility of creating bed space for youth in detoxification facilities and expanding availability of substance abuse and behavioral health services for youth.Kansas could work toward better collaboration among DCF and law enforcement agencies when making decisions on removal of children from the home, placing children in police protective custody and when resolving placement decisions, she said.“There is a lot of interplay around prevention and then those services that may or may not be available when they enter the system,” Lonard said.Lonard said reforms adopted by the 2024 Legislature, including a provision in state law creating the neutral and independent office of child advocate, were proving beneficial. Originally, the office was established by an executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly.Lonard said it was important the Legislature granted the child advocate access to court records of foster care cases.“We find we are utilizing that system quite often to really get a better understanding of what’s going on — where the case is at procedurally,” Lonard said.In the office’s annual report, Lonard said there were 235 formal complaints filed in 2024 regarding the welfare of 377 children. She said investigations supported allegations in 68 cases. In 22 instances, allegations were unsupported by the child advocate office but recommendations were issued on unrelated concerns. There were 42 cases in which the complaint was unsupported and no recommendation was made for correction action.She said most complaints were about DCF or foster care case managers, but others involved judges, attorneys, state agencies, KanCare contractors and mental health providers. There were 72 complaints last year about state agency bias, conflict of interest or unprofessionalism. There were 88 complaints filed in 2024 regarding family separation and reunification.From 2017 to 2021, the Legislature was unable to reach consensus on a way to amend state law to make permanent the office of child advocate. In 2021, Kelly signed an executive order launching the administrative office.Some legislators were hesitant to make the office part of state statute unless it was placed under control of a Republican attorney general rather than Democratic governor.In the 2024 session, the compromise bill passed 117-3 in the House and 36-3 in the Senate. The leader of child advocate office is subject to appointment by the governor and Senate confirmation. The confirmed director of the office would serve a five-year term.