NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-buy-q3-earnings-consumer-electronics-0d04b5e90f9746e3cd390d00ace1da66">Kohl’s</a>&nbsp;said Friday it was closing 27 underperforming locations in 15 states by April — a fraction of its 1,150 store base — as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-restaurants-winners-losers-bankruptcies-2024-2a5b608814960de49f741207daa7aa01">struggling department store</a>&nbsp;chain aims to boost profitability and improve sagging sales.

There are 12 Kohl's stores in Kansas. None are on the list of stores set to close.

The announcement comes as the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based chain has posted 11 consecutive quarters of sales declines.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohls-ceo-ashley-buchanan-c874d3ce09ca22c0510bc12826f46435">Michaels CEO and retail veteran Ashley Buchanan</a>&nbsp;is set to take over as the chief executive of Kohl’s next week.

Buchanan will take over the top job from Tom Kingsbury, who will stay as an adviser to the new CEO and retain his position on Kohl’s board until his scheduled retirement in May. Kingsbury served as Kohl’s interim CEO in December 2022 and was named its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/levi-strauss-and-co-business-ee81d36eff822ed1d1abacf81146281f">permanent leader in February 2023.</a>

Kohl’s declined to disclose the number of employees affected. It said workers have been informed and were offered a “competitive severance package” or the chance to apply to other open roles at Kohl’s. The stores identified for closure included 10 in California.

“As we continue to build on our long-term growth strategy, it is important that we also take difficult but necessary actions to support the health and future of our business for our customers and our teams,” Kingsbury said in a statement.

U.S. department stores have had a challenging few years as consumers continue to seek out deals online.

On Thursday, Macy’s disclosed the locations of&nbsp;<a href="https://s202.q4cdn.com/285121676/files/doc_downloads/investors/FY-2024-Year-End-Closures-1-9-2025.pdf" target="_blank">66 stores</a>&nbsp;that it will be closing early this year, including one in a historic landmark building in Philadelphia. The majority of these stores will close during the company’s first fiscal quarter of this year, Macy’s said.

The announcement is part of a strategy announced in February 2024, that calls for shuttering roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/macys-fourthquarter-tony-spring-investor-adb135fab8bf9ddf6d01119bfcbffb83">150 underproductive stores while upgrading its remaining 350 stores</a>&nbsp;through fiscal 2026. The closings come as Macy’s is looking to improve its sales as shoppers have pulled back on discretionary items amid still high inflation.

In November, Macy’s reported&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/macys-third-quarter-earnings-profit-holiday-60800dd9f1c194510ee9cacbfbba4725">falling profit and sales in its fiscal third quarter.</a>&nbsp;It raised sales expectations for the current fiscal year, but lowered profit projections.

The Macy’s stores set to close account for 25% of the company’s overall square footage but less than 10% of its sales, the company had said.

These are the 27 locations Kohl's announced would be closing:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736565938892.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-buy-q3-earnings-consumer-electronics-0d04b5e90f9746e3cd390d00ace1da66">Kohl’s</a>&nbsp;said Friday it was closing 27 underperforming locations in 15 states by April — a fraction of its 1,150 store base — as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-restaurants-winners-losers-bankruptcies-2024-2a5b608814960de49f741207daa7aa01">struggling department store</a>&nbsp;chain aims to boost profitability and improve sagging sales.There are 12 Kohl's stores in Kansas. None are on the list of stores set to close.The announcement comes as the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based chain has posted 11 consecutive quarters of sales declines.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohls-ceo-ashley-buchanan-c874d3ce09ca22c0510bc12826f46435">Michaels CEO and retail veteran Ashley Buchanan</a>&nbsp;is set to take over as the chief executive of Kohl’s next week.Buchanan will take over the top job from Tom Kingsbury, who will stay as an adviser to the new CEO and retain his position on Kohl’s board until his scheduled retirement in May. Kingsbury served as Kohl’s interim CEO in December 2022 and was named its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/levi-strauss-and-co-business-ee81d36eff822ed1d1abacf81146281f">permanent leader in February 2023.</a>Kohl’s declined to disclose the number of employees affected. It said workers have been informed and were offered a “competitive severance package” or the chance to apply to other open roles at Kohl’s. The stores identified for closure included 10 in California.“As we continue to build on our long-term growth strategy, it is important that we also take difficult but necessary actions to support the health and future of our business for our customers and our teams,” Kingsbury said in a statement.U.S. department stores have had a challenging few years as consumers continue to seek out deals online.On Thursday, Macy’s disclosed the locations of&nbsp;<a href="https://s202.q4cdn.com/285121676/files/doc_downloads/investors/FY-2024-Year-End-Closures-1-9-2025.pdf" target="_blank">66 stores</a>&nbsp;that it will be closing early this year, including one in a historic landmark building in Philadelphia. The majority of these stores will close during the company’s first fiscal quarter of this year, Macy’s said.The announcement is part of a strategy announced in February 2024, that calls for shuttering roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/macys-fourthquarter-tony-spring-investor-adb135fab8bf9ddf6d01119bfcbffb83">150 underproductive stores while upgrading its remaining 350 stores</a>&nbsp;through fiscal 2026. The closings come as Macy’s is looking to improve its sales as shoppers have pulled back on discretionary items amid still high inflation.In November, Macy’s reported&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/macys-third-quarter-earnings-profit-holiday-60800dd9f1c194510ee9cacbfbba4725">falling profit and sales in its fiscal third quarter.</a>&nbsp;It raised sales expectations for the current fiscal year, but lowered profit projections.The Macy’s stores set to close account for 25% of the company’s overall square footage but less than 10% of its sales, the company had said.<h2>List of Kohl's stores closing nationwide</h2>These are the 27 locations Kohl's announced would be closing:Alabama<ul>
 <li>Spanish Fort:&nbsp;21000 Town Center Ave.</li>
 </ul>Arkansas<ul>
 <li>Little Rock West:&nbsp;13909 Chenal Pkwy.</li>
 </ul>California<ul>
 <li>Balboa (San Diego):&nbsp;5505 Balboa Ave.</li><li>Encinitas:&nbsp;134 N El Camino Real</li><li>Fremont:&nbsp;43782 Christy St.</li><li>Mountain View:&nbsp;350 Showers Drive</li><li>Napa:&nbsp;1116 1st St.</li><li>Pleasanton:&nbsp;4525 Rosewood Drive</li><li>Point West (Sacramento):&nbsp;1896 Arden Way</li><li>San Rafael:&nbsp;5010 Northgate Drive</li><li>San Luis Obispo:&nbsp;205 Madonna Road</li><li>Westchester:&nbsp;8739 S Sepulveda Blvd.</li>
 </ul>Colorado<ul>
 <li>Arapahoe Crossing (Aurora):&nbsp;6584 S Parker Road</li>
 </ul>Georgia<ul>
 <li>Duluth:&nbsp;2050 W Liddell Road</li>
 </ul>Idaho<ul>
 <li>Boise:&nbsp;400 N Milwaukee St.</li>
 </ul>Illinois<ul>
 <li>Plainfield: 11860 S Route 59</li><li>Spring Hill (West Dundee):&nbsp;3000 Spring Hill Ring Road</li>
 </ul>Massachusetts<ul>
 <li>Stoughton:&nbsp;501 Technology Center Drive</li>
 </ul>New Jersey<ul>
 <li>East Windsor:&nbsp;72 Princeton Hightstown Road</li>
 </ul>Ohio<ul>
 <li>Blue Ash:&nbsp;4150 Hunt Road</li><li>Forest Park (Cincinnati):&nbsp;100 Cincinnati Mills Drive</li>
 </ul>Oregon<ul>
 <li>Portland Gateway:&nbsp;10010 NE Halsey St.</li>
 </ul>Pennsylvania<ul>
 <li>Pottstown:&nbsp;351 W Schuylkill Road</li>
 </ul>Texas<ul>
 <li>North Dallas:&nbsp;18224 Preston Road</li>
 </ul>Utah<ul>
 <li>Riverton:&nbsp;13319 S 3600 W Ste 13LOT</li>
 </ul>Virginia<ul>
 <li>Herndon:&nbsp;2100 Centreville Road</li><li>Williamsburg:&nbsp;100 Gristmill Plz</li>
 </ul>

See the list: Kohl’s to close 27 stores nationwide

JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas high school student has admitted to his role in a school shooting.

On Friday, 21-year-old Jaylon D. Elmore pleaded guilty to attempted premeditated murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the 2022 shooting in the assistant principal's office at Olathe East High School, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

Prosecutors allege Elmore, who was a 19-year-old senior at the time, was called to the office when he refused to allow school officials to search his backpack after reports that he had a gun. Elmore shot school resource officer Erik Clark.

Clark and Elmore shot each other during the scuffle, according to court documents. The assistant principal was hit by bullets “most likely” shot by Clark during the confrontation, investigators said.

Both men survived their injuries and were released shortly after the shooting. Elmore was hospitalized in critical condition for several months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652189950125.png" alt="Elmore photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Elmore photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas high school student has admitted to his role in a school shooting.On Friday, 21-year-old Jaylon D. Elmore pleaded guilty to attempted premeditated murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the 2022 shooting in the assistant principal's office at Olathe East High School, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646417385414.png" alt="--Scene outside the school on the morning of the shooting -photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>--Scene outside the school on the morning of the shooting -photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Prosecutors allege Elmore, who was a 19-year-old senior at the time, was called to the office when he refused to allow school officials to search his backpack after reports that he had a gun. Elmore shot school resource officer Erik Clark.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646450835191.png" alt="-Erik Clark-photo courtesy Olathe Police" />
 <figcaption>-Erik Clark-photo courtesy Olathe Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Clark and Elmore shot each other during the scuffle, according to court documents. The assistant principal was hit by bullets “most likely” shot by Clark during the confrontation, investigators said.Both men survived their injuries and were released shortly after the shooting. Elmore was hospitalized in critical condition for several months.Elmore is set for sentencing March 20.

Former student admits guilt in shooting at Kansas high school

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Friday seemed likely to uphold a law that would ban&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-speech-national-security-22d672d946b6b4065ae5fb7f3e0d8bed">TikTok</a>&nbsp;in the United States beginning Jan. 19 unless the popular social media program is sold by its China-based parent company.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/24-656">Click here to listen </a>to the oral argument

Hearing arguments in a momentous clash of free speech and national security concerns, the justices seemed persuaded by arguments that the national security threat posed by the company's connections to China override concerns about restricting the speech either of TikTok or its 170 million users in the United States.

Early in arguments that lasted more than two and a half hours, Chief Justice John Roberts identified his main concern: TikTok’s ownership by China-based ByteDance and the parent company's requirement to cooperate with the Chinese government’s intelligence operations.

If left in place, the law passed by bipartisan majorities in Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in April will require TikTok to “go dark” on Jan. 19, lawyer Noel Francisco told the justices on behalf of TikTok.

At the very least, Francisco urged, the justices should enter a temporary pause that would allow TikTok to keep operating. “We might be in a different world again” after President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Trump, who has 14.7 million followers on TikTok, also has called for the deadline to be pushed back to give him time to negotiate a “political resolution.” Francisco served as Trump's solicitor general in his first presidential term.

But it was not clear whether any justices would choose such a course. And only Justice Neil Gorsuch sounded like he would side with TikTok to find that the ban violates the Constitution.

Gorsuch labeled arguments advanced by the Biden administration’ in defense of the law a “paternalistic point of view.” TikTok, he said, has offered to post a warning that the content could be manipulated by the Chinese government.

“Don’t we normally assume that the best remedy for problematic speech is counter speech?” he asked Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, who defended the law for the Biden administration

A warning wouldn’t be enough to counterbalance the spread of misinformation, Prelogar said.

Francisco and lawyer Jeffrey Fisher, representing content creators and TikTok users, repeatedly tried to focus the court on the First Amendment restrictions that would fall on TikTok and its users, imperiling the livelihood of content creators, if the law is allowed to take effect.

But compared to the mildly challenging questions directed to Prelogar, they faced skepticism from every justice other than Gorsuch.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised U.S. concerns about China accessing information on tens of millions of Americans, including especially teenagers and people in their 20s, with whom TikTok is extremely popular.

“That seems like a huge concern for the future of the country,” said Kavanaugh, whose daughters are in that age range.

Roberts downplayed Fisher’s argument that banning TikTok violates American users’ free speech rights. “Congress is fine with the expression,” Roberts said. “They’re not fine with a foreign adversary, as they’ve determined it is, gathering all this information about the 170 million people who use TikTok.”

The justices are expected to act within days, almost certainly ahead of the Jan. 19 deadline.

Content creators and small business owners who rely on the app are awaiting a decision with anxiety.

“There’s really no replacement for this app," said Skip Chapman, co-owner of KAFX Body in Manasquan, N.J., a maker and seller of natural deodorants. Chapman said more than 80% of his sales come on TikTok and he has not found the same traction on Amazon or other platforms.

Lee Zavorskas, a TikTok creator and a licensed esthetician based in New Hampshire, said she makes nearly half of her income on the platform by promoting products for other businesses. Zavorskas said she found it too stressful to listen to Friday's arguments. Instead, she spent her time building a YouTube channel.

ByteDance has said it won’t sell the short-form video platform, and Francisco said a sale might never be possible under the conditions set in the law.

But some investors have been eyeing TikTok, including Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-mnuchin-house-senate-ffdf37776e63a09bb6966d741df7093b">Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchi</a>&nbsp;n and billionaire businessman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-mccourt-sale-bytedance-843d24334321f90bebeeac4b32896a9a">Frank McCourt</a>. On Thursday, McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative said it, along with its unnamed partners, presented a proposal to ByteDance to acquire TikTok’s U.S. assets. The consortium, which includes “Shark Tank” host Kevin O’Leary, did not disclose the financial terms of the offer.

If TikTok isn’t sold to an approved buyer, the federal law would prohibit app stores, such as those operated by Apple and Google, from offering the popular app. It would also bar internet hosting services from hosting TikTok.

TikTok users who already have the app on their phones will continue to have access to it. But new users won’t be able to download the app, and existing ones will no longer be able to receive updates. That will eventually render the app unworkable, the Justice Department has said in court filings.

Prelogar said an eventual sale of the platform, even after the ban kicks in, would allow TikTok to resume operations. The sale of Twitter to Elon Musk, who renamed it X, shows that the sale of a social media platform can happen quickly, she said.

That high-profile transaction went through in about six months from offer to completion, she said.

TikTok, meanwhile, has been “on notice” since 2020, during Trump's first term, that its sale could be required if it couldn’t satisfy the U.S. government’s national security concerns

The federal law was the culmination of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">yearslong saga in Washington</a>&nbsp;over TikTok, which the government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-shou-zi-chew-8d8a6a9694357040d484670b7f4833be">sees as a national security threat</a>&nbsp;due to its connections to China.

U.S. officials argue that the vast amounts of user data that TikTok collects, including sensitive information on viewing habits, could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. They also are concerned that the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who could pressure ByteDance to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect.

TikTok, which sued the government last year over the law, has long denied it could be used as a tool of Beijing.

The company negotiated with the Biden administration between 2021 and 2022 to resolve the concerns around U.S. data privacy and potential algorithmic manipulation. In court documents, it has accused the administration of essentially walking away from those negotiations after it presented a draft agreement in August 2022. But the Justice Department has said the Biden administration concluded the proposal was “insufficient” because it would maintain TikTok’s ties to China. The agency said the Executive Branch also could “neither trust ByteDance to comply nor detect noncompliance before it was too late.”

A three-judge panel made up of two Republican appointees and a Democratic appointee unanimously upheld the law in December, prompting TikTok's quick appeal to the Supreme Court.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Friday seemed likely to uphold a law that would ban&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-speech-national-security-22d672d946b6b4065ae5fb7f3e0d8bed">TikTok</a>&nbsp;in the United States beginning Jan. 19 unless the popular social media program is sold by its China-based parent company.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2024/24-656">Click here to listen </a>to the oral argumentHearing arguments in a momentous clash of free speech and national security concerns, the justices seemed persuaded by arguments that the national security threat posed by the company's connections to China override concerns about restricting the speech either of TikTok or its 170 million users in the United States.Early in arguments that lasted more than two and a half hours, Chief Justice John Roberts identified his main concern: TikTok’s ownership by China-based ByteDance and the parent company's requirement to cooperate with the Chinese government’s intelligence operations.If left in place, the law passed by bipartisan majorities in Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in April will require TikTok to “go dark” on Jan. 19, lawyer Noel Francisco told the justices on behalf of TikTok.At the very least, Francisco urged, the justices should enter a temporary pause that would allow TikTok to keep operating. “We might be in a different world again” after President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Trump, who has 14.7 million followers on TikTok, also has called for the deadline to be pushed back to give him time to negotiate a “political resolution.” Francisco served as Trump's solicitor general in his first presidential term.But it was not clear whether any justices would choose such a course. And only Justice Neil Gorsuch sounded like he would side with TikTok to find that the ban violates the Constitution.Gorsuch labeled arguments advanced by the Biden administration’ in defense of the law a “paternalistic point of view.” TikTok, he said, has offered to post a warning that the content could be manipulated by the Chinese government.“Don’t we normally assume that the best remedy for problematic speech is counter speech?” he asked Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, who defended the law for the Biden administrationA warning wouldn’t be enough to counterbalance the spread of misinformation, Prelogar said.Francisco and lawyer Jeffrey Fisher, representing content creators and TikTok users, repeatedly tried to focus the court on the First Amendment restrictions that would fall on TikTok and its users, imperiling the livelihood of content creators, if the law is allowed to take effect.But compared to the mildly challenging questions directed to Prelogar, they faced skepticism from every justice other than Gorsuch.Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised U.S. concerns about China accessing information on tens of millions of Americans, including especially teenagers and people in their 20s, with whom TikTok is extremely popular.“That seems like a huge concern for the future of the country,” said Kavanaugh, whose daughters are in that age range.Roberts downplayed Fisher’s argument that banning TikTok violates American users’ free speech rights. “Congress is fine with the expression,” Roberts said. “They’re not fine with a foreign adversary, as they’ve determined it is, gathering all this information about the 170 million people who use TikTok.”The justices are expected to act within days, almost certainly ahead of the Jan. 19 deadline.Content creators and small business owners who rely on the app are awaiting a decision with anxiety.“There’s really no replacement for this app," said Skip Chapman, co-owner of KAFX Body in Manasquan, N.J., a maker and seller of natural deodorants. Chapman said more than 80% of his sales come on TikTok and he has not found the same traction on Amazon or other platforms.Lee Zavorskas, a TikTok creator and a licensed esthetician based in New Hampshire, said she makes nearly half of her income on the platform by promoting products for other businesses. Zavorskas said she found it too stressful to listen to Friday's arguments. Instead, she spent her time building a YouTube channel.ByteDance has said it won’t sell the short-form video platform, and Francisco said a sale might never be possible under the conditions set in the law.But some investors have been eyeing TikTok, including Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-mnuchin-house-senate-ffdf37776e63a09bb6966d741df7093b">Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchi</a>&nbsp;n and billionaire businessman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-mccourt-sale-bytedance-843d24334321f90bebeeac4b32896a9a">Frank McCourt</a>. On Thursday, McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative said it, along with its unnamed partners, presented a proposal to ByteDance to acquire TikTok’s U.S. assets. The consortium, which includes “Shark Tank” host Kevin O’Leary, did not disclose the financial terms of the offer.If TikTok isn’t sold to an approved buyer, the federal law would prohibit app stores, such as those operated by Apple and Google, from offering the popular app. It would also bar internet hosting services from hosting TikTok.TikTok users who already have the app on their phones will continue to have access to it. But new users won’t be able to download the app, and existing ones will no longer be able to receive updates. That will eventually render the app unworkable, the Justice Department has said in court filings.Prelogar said an eventual sale of the platform, even after the ban kicks in, would allow TikTok to resume operations. The sale of Twitter to Elon Musk, who renamed it X, shows that the sale of a social media platform can happen quickly, she said.That high-profile transaction went through in about six months from offer to completion, she said.TikTok, meanwhile, has been “on notice” since 2020, during Trump's first term, that its sale could be required if it couldn’t satisfy the U.S. government’s national security concernsThe federal law was the culmination of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">yearslong saga in Washington</a>&nbsp;over TikTok, which the government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-shou-zi-chew-8d8a6a9694357040d484670b7f4833be">sees as a national security threat</a>&nbsp;due to its connections to China.U.S. officials argue that the vast amounts of user data that TikTok collects, including sensitive information on viewing habits, could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. They also are concerned that the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who could pressure ByteDance to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect.TikTok, which sued the government last year over the law, has long denied it could be used as a tool of Beijing.The company negotiated with the Biden administration between 2021 and 2022 to resolve the concerns around U.S. data privacy and potential algorithmic manipulation. In court documents, it has accused the administration of essentially walking away from those negotiations after it presented a draft agreement in August 2022. But the Justice Department has said the Biden administration concluded the proposal was “insufficient” because it would maintain TikTok’s ties to China. The agency said the Executive Branch also could “neither trust ByteDance to comply nor detect noncompliance before it was too late.”A three-judge panel made up of two Republican appointees and a Democratic appointee unanimously upheld the law in December, prompting TikTok's quick appeal to the Supreme Court.

🎧Supreme Court seems likely to uphold law to ban TikTok

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Sam Moore, the surviving half and higher voice of the 1960s duo Sam &amp; Dave that was known for such definitive hits of the era as “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I'm Comin,’” has died. He was 89.

Publicist Jeremy Westby said Moore died Friday morning in Coral Gables, Florida, due to complications while recovering from surgery. No additional details were immediately available.

Moore, who influenced musicians including Michael Jackson, Al Green and Bruce Springsteen, was inducted with Dave Prater into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

At the Memphis, Tennessee-based Stax Records, Moore and Prater were second only to Otis Redding. They transformed the “call and response” of gospel music into a frenzied stage show and recorded some of soul music’s most enduring hits, which also included “You Don’t Know Like I Know,” “When Something is Wrong With My Baby” and “I Thank You.”

Most of their hits were written and produced by the team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter and featured the Stax house band Booker T. &amp; the MGs, whose guitarist Steve Cropper received one of music’s most famous shoutouts when Sam &amp; Dave called “Play it, Steve” midway through “Soul Man.”

Like many ’60s soul acts, Sam &amp; Dave faded after the 1960s. But “Soul Man” hit the charts again in the late 1970s when the Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd recorded it with many of the same musicians. Moore had mixed feelings about the hit becoming associated with the “Saturday Night Live” stars, remembering how young people believed it originated with the Blues Brothers.

In 2008, the movie “Soul Men” depicted a pair of aging, estranged singers who bore more than a little resemblance to Sam &amp; Dave. Moore lost a lawsuit claiming the resemblance was too close.

He also spent years suing Prater after Prater hired a substitute and toured as the New Sam &amp; Dave. Prater died in a 1988 car crash in Georgia.

Moore also pressed legal claims that the record industry had cheated him out of retirement benefits. Moore and other artists sued multiple record companies and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in 1993.

Moore told The Associated Press in 1994 that he joined the legal effort after learning, despite his million-selling records, his pension amounted to just $2,285, which he could take as a lump sum or in payments of $73 monthly.

“Two thousand dollars for my lifetime?” Moore said then. “If you’re making a profit off of me, give me some too. Don’t give me cornbread and tell me it’s biscuits.”

Moore wrote the song “Dole Man,” modeled on “Soul Man,” for Republican Bob Dole’s presidential campaign in 1996. In 2017, he was among the few entertainers who performed for Republican President Donald Trump’s inaugural festivities. Eight years earlier, Moore had objected when Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s campaign used the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’.”

Moore was born Oct. 12, 1935, in Miami and got his start singing in church.

He and Prater performed in soul and R&amp;B clubs in the 1950s, but didn’t meet until 1961 in Miami. Moore helped coach Prater on the lyrics of a song and they quickly became a popular local duo. In 1965, after signing with Atlantic Records, producer Jerry Wexler sent them to the label’s Stax subsidiary in Memphis.

Moore and Prater argued often and Moore told the AP in 2006 that a drug habit, which he kicked in 1981, played a part in the band’s troubles and later made entertainment executives leery of giving him a fresh start. The duo broke up in 1970 and neither had another major hit.

He married his wife, Joyce, in 1982, and she helped him get treatment for his addiction that he credited with saving his life.

“I did a lot of cruise ships, I did a lot of oldies shows," during those struggles, he said, adding that he once opened for a group of Elvis impersonators.

“That’s funny to think back to it now. And I did a lot of shows where if I did a show with an oldie show, I had to actually audition," he said. "But you know what? You keep your mouth shut and you get up there and you sing as hard and perform as hard as you can, and get the little money and go on about your business and try and pay those bills. I’m laughing about it now, but at that time, man, it was really serious.”

Moore kept recording and singing. He was a frequent performer at the Kennedy Center Honors and performed for presidents, including Obama.

Moore is survive by his wife, Joyce, daughter, Michell, and two grandchildren.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736592991546.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Sam Moore, the surviving half and higher voice of the 1960s duo Sam &amp; Dave that was known for such definitive hits of the era as “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I'm Comin,’” has died. He was 89.Publicist Jeremy Westby said Moore died Friday morning in Coral Gables, Florida, due to complications while recovering from surgery. No additional details were immediately available.Moore, who influenced musicians including Michael Jackson, Al Green and Bruce Springsteen, was inducted with Dave Prater into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.At the Memphis, Tennessee-based Stax Records, Moore and Prater were second only to Otis Redding. They transformed the “call and response” of gospel music into a frenzied stage show and recorded some of soul music’s most enduring hits, which also included “You Don’t Know Like I Know,” “When Something is Wrong With My Baby” and “I Thank You.”Most of their hits were written and produced by the team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter and featured the Stax house band Booker T. &amp; the MGs, whose guitarist Steve Cropper received one of music’s most famous shoutouts when Sam &amp; Dave called “Play it, Steve” midway through “Soul Man.”Like many ’60s soul acts, Sam &amp; Dave faded after the 1960s. But “Soul Man” hit the charts again in the late 1970s when the Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd recorded it with many of the same musicians. Moore had mixed feelings about the hit becoming associated with the “Saturday Night Live” stars, remembering how young people believed it originated with the Blues Brothers.In 2008, the movie “Soul Men” depicted a pair of aging, estranged singers who bore more than a little resemblance to Sam &amp; Dave. Moore lost a lawsuit claiming the resemblance was too close.He also spent years suing Prater after Prater hired a substitute and toured as the New Sam &amp; Dave. Prater died in a 1988 car crash in Georgia.Moore also pressed legal claims that the record industry had cheated him out of retirement benefits. Moore and other artists sued multiple record companies and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in 1993.Moore told The Associated Press in 1994 that he joined the legal effort after learning, despite his million-selling records, his pension amounted to just $2,285, which he could take as a lump sum or in payments of $73 monthly.“Two thousand dollars for my lifetime?” Moore said then. “If you’re making a profit off of me, give me some too. Don’t give me cornbread and tell me it’s biscuits.”Moore wrote the song “Dole Man,” modeled on “Soul Man,” for Republican Bob Dole’s presidential campaign in 1996. In 2017, he was among the few entertainers who performed for Republican President Donald Trump’s inaugural festivities. Eight years earlier, Moore had objected when Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s campaign used the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’.”Moore was born Oct. 12, 1935, in Miami and got his start singing in church.He and Prater performed in soul and R&amp;B clubs in the 1950s, but didn’t meet until 1961 in Miami. Moore helped coach Prater on the lyrics of a song and they quickly became a popular local duo. In 1965, after signing with Atlantic Records, producer Jerry Wexler sent them to the label’s Stax subsidiary in Memphis.Moore and Prater argued often and Moore told the AP in 2006 that a drug habit, which he kicked in 1981, played a part in the band’s troubles and later made entertainment executives leery of giving him a fresh start. The duo broke up in 1970 and neither had another major hit.He married his wife, Joyce, in 1982, and she helped him get treatment for his addiction that he credited with saving his life.“I did a lot of cruise ships, I did a lot of oldies shows," during those struggles, he said, adding that he once opened for a group of Elvis impersonators.“That’s funny to think back to it now. And I did a lot of shows where if I did a show with an oldie show, I had to actually audition," he said. "But you know what? You keep your mouth shut and you get up there and you sing as hard and perform as hard as you can, and get the little money and go on about your business and try and pay those bills. I’m laughing about it now, but at that time, man, it was really serious.”Moore kept recording and singing. He was a frequent performer at the Kennedy Center Honors and performed for presidents, including Obama.Moore is survive by his wife, Joyce, daughter, Michell, and two grandchildren.

Sam Moore, who sang ‘Soul Man’ in Sam & Dave duo, dies at 89 

JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.

Just after 11p.m. January 7, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Buick Park Avenue, near 150th&nbsp;and Q. Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp; The driver, Jade Taylor Mendoza, 24, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges that include possession of fentanyl, possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper driving on laned roadway, improper turn signal, fail to provide proof of insurance.

The passenger, Joseph Lee Purvis, 43, of Meriden, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony interference with LEO and a Wabaunsee County Warrant for failure to appear.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736426784495.png" alt="Purvis" />
 <figcaption>Purvis</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.Just after 11p.m. January 7, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Buick Park Avenue, near 150th&nbsp;and Q. Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736426747498.png" alt="Mendoza-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Mendoza-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; The driver, Jade Taylor Mendoza, 24, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges that include possession of fentanyl, possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper driving on laned roadway, improper turn signal, fail to provide proof of insurance.The passenger, Joseph Lee Purvis, 43, of Meriden, was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony interference with LEO and a Wabaunsee County Warrant for failure to appear.

Kansas couple caught with fentanyl and cocaine

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating an armed robbery in Hutchinson have made an arrest.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Just before 5 p.m. December 30, a man entered the Selectel Wireless, 1500 E 11th Avenue in Hutchinson, brandished a dark colored handgun at the store clerk, and then demanded money and various electronic items. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken along with several electronic items.

On Friday Detectives with Hutchinson Police Department arrested 19-year-old Zayne M. Bruce and 17-year-old Kaidyn Emmerich both from Hutchinson. They are being held on requested charges for Armed Robbery and Theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735663974802.jpeg" alt="Photo&nbsp; Hutchinson Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo&nbsp; Hutchinson Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating an armed robbery in Hutchinson have made an arrest.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just before 5 p.m. December 30, a man entered the Selectel Wireless, 1500 E 11th Avenue in Hutchinson, brandished a dark colored handgun at the store clerk, and then demanded money and various electronic items. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken along with several electronic items.On Friday Detectives with Hutchinson Police Department arrested 19-year-old Zayne M. Bruce and 17-year-old Kaidyn Emmerich both from Hutchinson. They are being held on requested charges for Armed Robbery and Theft.

Police arrest teens for Kan. cell phone store armed robbery

KANSAS CITY —Two women died in an accident just after 3a.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A preliminary investigation revealed a Honda SUV was westbound on Interstate 435 too fast for weather conditions on the snow covered highway, according KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

 Just east of 103rd Street, the Honda traveled off the roadway to the right, up and over the snowbank that was lining the north side of the highway.&nbsp; The Honda then vaulted off the bridge, falling approximately 100 feet and landing in the Blue River. 

The female driver and female rear seat passenger of the Honda were both declared deceased at the scene. 

The male front seat passenger of the Honda was transported to a local hospital and was listed in critical condition late Friday afternoon, according to Becchina.

Two lanes of westbound Interstate 435 were closed to traffic as recovery efforts of the Honda and the deceased subjects was made. This is fatalities #1 and #2 compared to #4 at this time last year. Police have not released the names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736549982440.png" alt="First responders at the scene early Friday-image from KC Scout" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene early Friday-image from KC Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Two women died in an accident just after 3a.m. Friday in Kansas City.A preliminary investigation revealed a Honda SUV was westbound on Interstate 435 too fast for weather conditions on the snow covered highway, according KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. Just east of 103rd Street, the Honda traveled off the roadway to the right, up and over the snowbank that was lining the north side of the highway.&nbsp; The Honda then vaulted off the bridge, falling approximately 100 feet and landing in the Blue River. The female driver and female rear seat passenger of the Honda were both declared deceased at the scene. The male front seat passenger of the Honda was transported to a local hospital and was listed in critical condition late Friday afternoon, according to Becchina.Two lanes of westbound Interstate 435 were closed to traffic as recovery efforts of the Honda and the deceased subjects was made. This is fatalities #1 and #2 compared to #4 at this time last year. Police have not released the names of the victims.

KCPD: 2 women dead after SUV slides on snow and into river

COFFEY COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;A 32-year-old former Burlington High School teacher and wrestling coach was sentenced Thursday in Coffey County District Court related to the sexual abuse of two teens.

At a sentencing hearing on Jan. 9, a judge sentenced Michael Vander Linden, of Burlington, to 36 months in prison and lifetime registration as a registered offender for three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Coffey County Attorney Wade Bowie prosecuted the case.

On Oct. 31, 2024, Michael Vander Linden pleaded no contest to the three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The remaining charges were dismissed.

On Feb. 13, 2024, Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agents obtained an arrest warrant and took Vander Linden into custody after two former students reported he had engaged in sexual intercourse with them between 2012 and 2013, when both were 15-years-old.

Following the hearing, Vander Linden was remanded to the custody of the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office where he will be transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections to fulfill his sentence.

COFFEY COUNTY –&nbsp; Law enforcement authorities have arrested a Kansas wrestling coach and teacher for alleged sex crimes.

Just after 7p.m. Wednesday, KBI agents arrested 31-year-old Michael Vander Linden of Burlington, Kansas, at 401 N. 12th St., in Burlington, according to a media release from the KBI. He was arrested on a warrant for eight counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. 

Vander Linden is <a href="https://bhs.usd244ks.org/119401_2">employed as teacher </a>and wrestling and cross country coach at Burlington High School.&nbsp; He also directed the drama club and theater productions, according to the school web site.

In June 2022, the KBI initiated an investigation after the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office took a report from a former student of Vander Linden’s who reported a sexual relationship that took place in 2012 and 2013, when she was a sophomore and Vander Linden was a student teacher. 

The investigation led to a second former student who reported she also had sexual intercourse with Vander Linden on multiple occasions in 2013, when she was 15-years-old.

After the arrest, Vander Linden was booked into the Coffey County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707879216666.png" alt="Vander Linden-photo Coffey County" />
 <figcaption>Vander Linden-photo Coffey County</figcaption>
 </figure>COFFEY COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;A 32-year-old former Burlington High School teacher and wrestling coach was sentenced Thursday in Coffey County District Court related to the sexual abuse of two teens.At a sentencing hearing on Jan. 9, a judge sentenced Michael Vander Linden, of Burlington, to 36 months in prison and lifetime registration as a registered offender for three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Coffey County Attorney Wade Bowie prosecuted the case.On Oct. 31, 2024, Michael Vander Linden pleaded no contest to the three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The remaining charges were dismissed.On Feb. 13, 2024, Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agents obtained an arrest warrant and took Vander Linden into custody after two former students reported he had engaged in sexual intercourse with them between 2012 and 2013, when both were 15-years-old.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707879437207.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following the hearing, Vander Linden was remanded to the custody of the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office where he will be transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections to fulfill his sentence.-----------COFFEY COUNTY –&nbsp; Law enforcement authorities have arrested a Kansas wrestling coach and teacher for alleged sex crimes.Just after 7p.m. Wednesday, KBI agents arrested 31-year-old Michael Vander Linden of Burlington, Kansas, at 401 N. 12th St., in Burlington, according to a media release from the KBI. He was arrested on a warrant for eight counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Vander Linden is <a href="https://bhs.usd244ks.org/119401_2">employed as teacher </a>and wrestling and cross country coach at Burlington High School.&nbsp; He also directed the drama club and theater productions, according to the school web site.In June 2022, the KBI initiated an investigation after the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office took a report from a former student of Vander Linden’s who reported a sexual relationship that took place in 2012 and 2013, when she was a sophomore and Vander Linden was a student teacher. The investigation led to a second former student who reported she also had sexual intercourse with Vander Linden on multiple occasions in 2013, when she was 15-years-old.After the arrest, Vander Linden was booked into the Coffey County Jail.

Kan. wrestling coach, teacher sentenced for sex with students

The Department of Corrections is giving few details, but advocates say the removal of the South Central Correctional Center warden occurred after an investigation into how contraband is entering the prison

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The warden and a top supervisor at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking have been replaced amid allegations contraband was entering the prison through a poorly screened gate.

Michele Buckner, a 25-year employee of the Department of Corrections, officially ended her employment with the department on Tuesday, spokeswoman Karen Pojmann wrote in an email to The Independent. Buckner was hired by the department in September 1999 and became warden in May 2019, Pojmann wrote.

Robert Hopping, ranked as a major, left the department’s employment last month, Pojmann wrote. Hopping also worked for the department for more than 20 years.

Michael Shewmaker, warden at Ozark Correctional Center in Webster County, will be acting warden at South Central. He is also a 25-year employee of the department, Pojmann wrote.

The South Central Correctional Center houses 1,601 inmates in minimum, medium and maximum security units.

Neither Buckner nor Hopping could not be reached for comment.

Pojmann cited confidentiality restrictions for declining to give a reason for Buckner and Hopping’s separation from the department. But advocates who use staff, inmate and family sources to obtain information from inside prison walls said Buckner and Hopping were fired last month and walked out of the prison under supervision.&nbsp;

“Everyone that I hear from, including current staff, former staff, and people who live there say that it is overrun with drugs and other contraband, that there is a lack of order, there’s a lack of policy being followed,” said&nbsp;Lori Curry of Missouri Prison Reform, an organization that advocates for people who are incarcerated and their families. “It’s basically the Wild West in there.”

The department has a&nbsp;<a href="https://doc.mo.gov/director/office-director/office-professional-standards" target="_blank">confidential hotline</a>&nbsp;for employee reports of misconduct by staff.

An investigation triggered by a hotline call “uncovered significant amounts of drugs and contraband at the facility,” Curry wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18GcyvzpA5/" target="_blank">social media post</a>&nbsp;dated Jan. 3. “Employees were reportedly allowed to come and go freely through the back of the facility without checks or body scans, contributing to the influx of illegal items.”

There are “some inaccuracies in the claims” made in the post by Missouri Prison Reform, Pojmann wrote, but declined to give specifics. Personnel decisions and investigations are confidential, she wrote.

“I’m able to provide neither information about the nature of any employee’s separation from the department nor details about any ongoing investigation,” she wrote.

Buckner is the second warden to be dismissed in the past year because of issues within the facility they oversee. In June, Doris Falkenrath was removed as warden of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/warden-of-missouri-prison-replaced-after-investigation-of-inmate-death/">Jefferson City Correctional Center</a>&nbsp;after an investigation of the December 2023 death of Othel Moore.

Three corrections officers are facing&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-corrections-officers-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-inmate-in-restraints/">second degree murder</a>&nbsp;and assault charges in the death of Moore. Charges against two other corrections officers have been dismissed.

No details have been released by the department about Falkenrath’s removal.

An advocate for families with members in prison, Michelle Smith of the Missouri Justice Coalition, said outside investigations and transparency are needed to show the public that the department is serious about controlling contraband.

Removing a warden is an image makeover, not real change, she said.

“Even when they say that there was an investigation, and that’s why she was fired, that’s not transparent,” Smith said. “We don’t know exactly what the results were, what happened.”

Contraband drugs entering Missouri’s prisons is one factor in an increasing number of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/04/memorial-service-seeks-answers-on-rapid-increase-in-missouri-inmate-deaths/">deaths among inmates</a>. In response, “the department has created a robust investigations unit as one component of our efforts to keep dangerous contraband out of state prisons,” Pojmann wrote. “Department investigators work with other state agencies and local law enforcement to try to identify the sources of drugs and shut them down before contraband can enter the facilities.”

The department has installed body scanners, requires all personal correspondence be conducted digitally and is working to move legal mail to digital platforms only to reduce the chances for contraband entering the prison, Pojmann wrote. To reduce demand for drugs, the department has expanded treatment.

There have been several arrests of employees of the South Central Correctional Center who smuggle drugs into the prison. In August, former corrections officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=23TE-CR00416&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0005_CT25#charges" target="_blank">Trishana Barton</a>&nbsp;pleaded guilty to trafficking drugs and smuggling drugs into a prison for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2023/11/22/authorities-arrest-south-central-correctional-center-officer-accused-trafficking-trugs-7-up-cans/" target="_blank">attempting to bring methamphetamine</a>&nbsp;into the Licking facility in soda cans.

Law enforcement authorities for Licking and Texas County told The Independent that they have no jurisdiction within the prison and the department has not provided any information about any recent investigation.

“I hope that information is brought to us, or even another law enforcement agency, and I hope that whoever is bringing it in there or has been bringing it in is brought to justice,” Licking Police Chief Pat Burton said.

Texas County Sheriff Scott Lindsey said he had not met Shewmaker but offered to assist if asked.

“I’m always willing to work with whoever is in charge over there, and I look forward to meeting them, but I’m kind of waiting, at this point, just being patient to see what changes the state decides to make,” Lindsey said.

Déna Notz, who worked for part of 2022 as a corrections officer in the Licking facility now advocates for prison improvements through an organization called Collectively Changing Corrections. She sees a problem with Buckner’s last day being Tuesday, almost a week after Missouri Prison Reform posted about her removal.

“I believe they let her retire, which is pretty disheartening to hear, but I believe that’s what they did,” Notz said. “They’re so mysterious it’s sickening.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736535286846.png" alt=" Entrance sign at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking (Department of Corrections photo)." />
 <figcaption> Entrance sign at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking (Department of Corrections photo).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Department of Corrections is giving few details, but advocates say the removal of the South Central Correctional Center warden occurred after an investigation into how contraband is entering the prison</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The warden and a top supervisor at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking have been replaced amid allegations contraband was entering the prison through a poorly screened gate.Michele Buckner, a 25-year employee of the Department of Corrections, officially ended her employment with the department on Tuesday, spokeswoman Karen Pojmann wrote in an email to The Independent. Buckner was hired by the department in September 1999 and became warden in May 2019, Pojmann wrote.Robert Hopping, ranked as a major, left the department’s employment last month, Pojmann wrote. Hopping also worked for the department for more than 20 years.Michael Shewmaker, warden at Ozark Correctional Center in Webster County, will be acting warden at South Central. He is also a 25-year employee of the department, Pojmann wrote.The South Central Correctional Center houses 1,601 inmates in minimum, medium and maximum security units.Neither Buckner nor Hopping could not be reached for comment.Pojmann cited confidentiality restrictions for declining to give a reason for Buckner and Hopping’s separation from the department. But advocates who use staff, inmate and family sources to obtain information from inside prison walls said Buckner and Hopping were fired last month and walked out of the prison under supervision.&nbsp;“Everyone that I hear from, including current staff, former staff, and people who live there say that it is overrun with drugs and other contraband, that there is a lack of order, there’s a lack of policy being followed,” said&nbsp;Lori Curry of Missouri Prison Reform, an organization that advocates for people who are incarcerated and their families. “It’s basically the Wild West in there.”The department has a&nbsp;<a href="https://doc.mo.gov/director/office-director/office-professional-standards" target="_blank">confidential hotline</a>&nbsp;for employee reports of misconduct by staff.An investigation triggered by a hotline call “uncovered significant amounts of drugs and contraband at the facility,” Curry wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18GcyvzpA5/" target="_blank">social media post</a>&nbsp;dated Jan. 3. “Employees were reportedly allowed to come and go freely through the back of the facility without checks or body scans, contributing to the influx of illegal items.”There are “some inaccuracies in the claims” made in the post by Missouri Prison Reform, Pojmann wrote, but declined to give specifics. Personnel decisions and investigations are confidential, she wrote.“I’m able to provide neither information about the nature of any employee’s separation from the department nor details about any ongoing investigation,” she wrote.Buckner is the second warden to be dismissed in the past year because of issues within the facility they oversee. In June, Doris Falkenrath was removed as warden of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/warden-of-missouri-prison-replaced-after-investigation-of-inmate-death/">Jefferson City Correctional Center</a>&nbsp;after an investigation of the December 2023 death of Othel Moore.Three corrections officers are facing&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-corrections-officers-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-inmate-in-restraints/">second degree murder</a>&nbsp;and assault charges in the death of Moore. Charges against two other corrections officers have been dismissed.No details have been released by the department about Falkenrath’s removal.An advocate for families with members in prison, Michelle Smith of the Missouri Justice Coalition, said outside investigations and transparency are needed to show the public that the department is serious about controlling contraband.Removing a warden is an image makeover, not real change, she said.“Even when they say that there was an investigation, and that’s why she was fired, that’s not transparent,” Smith said. “We don’t know exactly what the results were, what happened.”Contraband drugs entering Missouri’s prisons is one factor in an increasing number of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/04/memorial-service-seeks-answers-on-rapid-increase-in-missouri-inmate-deaths/">deaths among inmates</a>. In response, “the department has created a robust investigations unit as one component of our efforts to keep dangerous contraband out of state prisons,” Pojmann wrote. “Department investigators work with other state agencies and local law enforcement to try to identify the sources of drugs and shut them down before contraband can enter the facilities.”The department has installed body scanners, requires all personal correspondence be conducted digitally and is working to move legal mail to digital platforms only to reduce the chances for contraband entering the prison, Pojmann wrote. To reduce demand for drugs, the department has expanded treatment.There have been several arrests of employees of the South Central Correctional Center who smuggle drugs into the prison. In August, former corrections officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=23TE-CR00416&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0005_CT25#charges" target="_blank">Trishana Barton</a>&nbsp;pleaded guilty to trafficking drugs and smuggling drugs into a prison for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ky3.com/2023/11/22/authorities-arrest-south-central-correctional-center-officer-accused-trafficking-trugs-7-up-cans/" target="_blank">attempting to bring methamphetamine</a>&nbsp;into the Licking facility in soda cans.Law enforcement authorities for Licking and Texas County told The Independent that they have no jurisdiction within the prison and the department has not provided any information about any recent investigation.“I hope that information is brought to us, or even another law enforcement agency, and I hope that whoever is bringing it in there or has been bringing it in is brought to justice,” Licking Police Chief Pat Burton said.Texas County Sheriff Scott Lindsey said he had not met Shewmaker but offered to assist if asked.“I’m always willing to work with whoever is in charge over there, and I look forward to meeting them, but I’m kind of waiting, at this point, just being patient to see what changes the state decides to make,” Lindsey said.Déna Notz, who worked for part of 2022 as a corrections officer in the Licking facility now advocates for prison improvements through an organization called Collectively Changing Corrections. She sees a problem with Buckner’s last day being Tuesday, almost a week after Missouri Prison Reform posted about her removal.“I believe they let her retire, which is pretty disheartening to hear, but I believe that’s what they did,” Notz said. “They’re so mysterious it’s sickening.”

Warden and top supervisor removed from jobs at southwest Mo. prison

WASHINGTON&nbsp;— U.S. Senators Jerry Moran, Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Friday reintroduced the&nbsp;Justice for 9/11 Act&nbsp;to nullify any plea deals made between the U.S. government and the Guantanamo Bay inmates who planned the attacks on September 11, 2001, according to a statement from Moran's office.

 This legislation is being reintroduced following&nbsp;a&nbsp;military judge’s decision that plea agreements&nbsp;could&nbsp;move forward. The Biden administration&nbsp;also recently&nbsp;released 11 Guantanamo Bay detainees to Oman.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“The court’s decision to uphold the plea deal for three 9/11 conspirators is alarming,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“In addition to the plea deal, the Biden administration continues to use its final days in power to release some of the world's most violent terrorists from Guantanamo Bay. These men should face trial for their crimes, and Congress must act quickly to pass this important legislation.”

“Giving a plea deal to the terrorist masterminds behind 9/11 is disgraceful and an insult to the victims of the attacks, as well at those who served to avenge them,”&nbsp;said Sen. Cotton. “These monsters should have faced justice decades ago; instead, Joe Biden has set the stage to let them go free. My bill will stop this travesty and prevent the Biden administration from replenishing the ranks of our terrorist enemies any further on his way out the door.”&nbsp;

“In the wake of terrorist savagery, our obligation is to deliver justice,”&nbsp;said Sen. McConnell. “However long it takes, those responsible for September 11th deserve nothing more, and the families of their victims deserve nothing less.”&nbsp;

The bill text can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/f/a/fa6ef8b7-d43b-4089-a972-970744a0df8d/CEE32784AC55B394AB1CA498C5117ED19A2D97669E59763554C35B9603F357A2.11-plea-deal-bill-reintro.pdf">here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722465359811.jpeg" alt="FILE - This Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. military, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, left, attending a pre-trial session at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. (Pool, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - This Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. military, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, left, attending a pre-trial session at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. (Pool, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;— U.S. Senators Jerry Moran, Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Friday reintroduced the&nbsp;Justice for 9/11 Act&nbsp;to nullify any plea deals made between the U.S. government and the Guantanamo Bay inmates who planned the attacks on September 11, 2001, according to a statement from Moran's office. This legislation is being reintroduced following&nbsp;a&nbsp;military judge’s decision that plea agreements&nbsp;could&nbsp;move forward. The Biden administration&nbsp;also recently&nbsp;released 11 Guantanamo Bay detainees to Oman.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The court’s decision to uphold the plea deal for three 9/11 conspirators is alarming,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“In addition to the plea deal, the Biden administration continues to use its final days in power to release some of the world's most violent terrorists from Guantanamo Bay. These men should face trial for their crimes, and Congress must act quickly to pass this important legislation.”“Giving a plea deal to the terrorist masterminds behind 9/11 is disgraceful and an insult to the victims of the attacks, as well at those who served to avenge them,”&nbsp;said Sen. Cotton. “These monsters should have faced justice decades ago; instead, Joe Biden has set the stage to let them go free. My bill will stop this travesty and prevent the Biden administration from replenishing the ranks of our terrorist enemies any further on his way out the door.”&nbsp;“In the wake of terrorist savagery, our obligation is to deliver justice,”&nbsp;said Sen. McConnell. “However long it takes, those responsible for September 11th deserve nothing more, and the families of their victims deserve nothing less.”&nbsp;The bill text can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/f/a/fa6ef8b7-d43b-4089-a972-970744a0df8d/CEE32784AC55B394AB1CA498C5117ED19A2D97669E59763554C35B9603F357A2.11-plea-deal-bill-reintro.pdf">here.</a>Background:<ul>
 <li>In 2008,&nbsp;Khalid Shaikh Mohammad was charged with multiple crimes for his role, including conspiracy, murder in violation of the law of war, attacking civilians, and terrorism and material support of terrorism.</li><li>The&nbsp;Justice for 9/11 Act&nbsp;would prevent the Biden administration from offering plea deals to the 9/11 terrorists by requiring a trial and ensuring death penalty remains an option in sentencing.</li><li>The bill would also require the terrorist be kept at Guantanamo Bay in solitary confinement and prohibit them from being extradited to another country.</li>
 </ul>

Kan. U.S. Senator reintroduce bill to prevent 9/11 terrorists plea deal

NEW YORK (AP)—President-elect Donald Trump was formally sentenced Friday in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">hush money case</a>, but the judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-sentencing-stormy-daniels-33e070bd3c1acb609bba13f23d784a3a">declined to impose any punishment.</a>&nbsp;The outcome cements Trump’s conviction while freeing him to return to the White House unencumbered by the threat of a jail term or a fine.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/recorded-audio-president-elect-trump-sentenced-in-hush-money-case/430047">Click here </a>to listen to the sentencing hearing

The punishment-free judgement marks a quiet end to an extraordinary case

It was a case that for the first time put a former president and major presidential candidate in a courtroom as a criminal defendant. The case was the only one of four criminal indictments that has gone to trial and possibly the only one that ever will.

Trump can still vote after sentencing, but can’t own a gun and will have to turn over a DNA sample

President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t have to go to jail, pay a fine or perform community service as a result of his New York hush money conviction. A judge ended the case Friday with a sentence of an unconditional discharge, closing the case with no punishment.

But unless the conviction for falsifying business records is someday overturned, Trump will have felonies on his criminal record, which will affect some of his rights.

Trump is registered to vote in Florida and he’ll be able to vote there. Florida does bars people convicted of felonies from voting, but restores their right to vote after they’ve completed their sentence.

Under federal law, people convicted of felonies aren’t allowed to possess firearms.

Trump calls the sentencing a ‘despicable event’ on Truth Social

“Today’s event was a despicable charade, and now that it is over, we will appeal this Hoax, which has no merit, and restore the trust of Americans in our once great System of Justice,” he wrote in a lengthy post on his social media platform after the sentencing.

Outside the courthouse after the sentencing

Following the historic sentencing, the mood outside the courthouse is festive, with a few dozen Trump supporters waving American flags and signs emblazoned with the president-elect’s face.

Some described the scene as a reunion of sorts, a chance to catch up with others who’d attended demonstrations during the trial while celebrating both the election victory and the outcome of the case.

“No penalty at all is great news,” said Jerry Gasowski, a retired power plant worker who drove into the city from Long Island. “It’s great news for our country.”

Trump’s demeanor as the sentence was handed down

As Judge Merchan delivered the sentence, Trump sat upright, lips pursed, frowning slightly. He tilted his head to the side as the judge wished him “godspeed in your second term in office.”

Judge sentences Trump in hush money case but declines to impose any punishment

President-elect Donald Trump was formally sentenced Friday in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">hush money case</a>, but the judge declined to impose any punishment. The outcome cements Trump’s conviction while freeing him to return to the White House unencumbered by the threat of a jail term or a fine.

Trump’s sentence of an unconditional discharge caps a norm-smashing case that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">saw the former and future president charged with 34 felonies</a>, put on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-photos-dde716152b697a6b2315a2ecc5df9524">trial for almost two months</a>&nbsp;and convicted on every count. Yet, the legal detour — and sordid details aired in court of a plot to bury affair allegations — didn’t hurt him with voters, who elected him to a second term.

Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan could have sentenced the 78-year-old Republican to up to four years in prison. Instead, he chose a sentence that sidestepped thorny constitutional issues by effectively ending the case but assured that Trump will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency.

Merchan says a judge must consider the facts of the case as well as aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” he said.

Trump says: ‘I’m totally innocent. I did nothing wrong’

He argued that voters saw what happened in this courtroom and, like him, thought it was a disgrace and supported him overwhelmingly in the election.

Addressing the court, Trump says there was no crime

“It’s been a political witch hunt,” he said. “It was done to damage my reputation so that I would lose the election, and obviously, that didn’t work.”

“This has been a very terrible experience. I think it has been a tremendous set back for New York and the New York court system,” he said.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche begins speaking with Trump by his side

“I very, very much disagree with much of what the government just said about this case, about the legitimacy of what happened in this courtroom during this trial, and about President Trump’s conduct fighting this case,” Blanche said.

Steinglass notes Trump’s contempt findings in this case and others

“As this court has noted, the defendant’s conduct constitutes a ‘direct attack on the rule of law itself,’” Steinglass said.

He also noted Trump’s threats to retaliate against people who have wronged him in his legal matters, which Steinglass said is intended to have a chilling effect.

Steinglass said the author of the pre-sentence report, a probation officer who interviewed Trump, notes Trump sees himself as above the law.

Despite all that, Steinglass said an unconditional discharge is the “most practical sentence prior to his inauguration.”

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass begins speaking on behalf of the prosecution

He notes the conviction and reviews the sentencing options include up to four years in prison, but other remedies as well.

Steinglass says the prosecution recommends unconditional discharge based on circumstances including Trump’s impending return to the White House.

Steinglass says prosecutors are OK with the potential no-penalty sentence. He cites “all the circumstances of this case, its unique posture and the defendant’s status as president-elect.”

“The verdict in this case was unanimous and decisive and it must be respected,” he said.

As prosecutors began their remarks, Trump shook his head, eyes darting around the screen. The camera view is framed tightly on him and Blanche, offering courtroom spectators a much closer view of Trump’s expression than during the trial.

Trump attorney Emil Bove says Trump is appearing via Teams

“He’s co-located with my partner, Todd Blanche,” he said.

He’s wearing a red tie with white or gold thin diagonal stripes. Trump appears stoic and reserved as he waits.

An attorney sits to Trump’s right, in front of a backdrop of American flags. American flag pins on both men’s suit jackets.

Outside the courthouse ahead of the sentencing

A handful of protesters had gathered in front of the Manhattan federal courthouse Friday morning.

Some carried signs reading “DESERVES THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE” and “34 FELONY CONVICTIONS.”

Meanwhile, at a park across the street, supporters unfurled a massive flag reading “TRUMP WON.”

Why did Judge Merchan decide to go ahead with Trump’s sentencing?

In an 18-page legal opinion, Merchan laid out his reasoning for ruling that the president-elect should be sentenced later this month for the crime of falsifying business records.

His most important finding was that Trump’s conviction should not be thrown out simply because he was elected president.

But the judge also signaled that he intended to impose a sentence of “unconditional discharge,” which means Trump would not face any punishment beyond having the conviction on his legal record.

▶ Read more about what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-criminal-case-excerpts-59e72847cd80e5f0c734b02fa0426e17">Merchan had to say</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736521504369.jpeg" alt=" President-elect Donald Trump appears remotely for a sentencing hearing in front of New York State Judge Juan Merchan in the criminal case in which he was convicted in 2024 on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star, at New York Criminal Court in Manhattan in New York, Jan. 10, 2025. (Brendan McDermid via AP, Pool)" />
 <figcaption> President-elect Donald Trump appears remotely for a sentencing hearing in front of New York State Judge Juan Merchan in the criminal case in which he was convicted in 2024 on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star, at New York Criminal Court in Manhattan in New York, Jan. 10, 2025. (Brendan McDermid via AP, Pool)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP)—President-elect Donald Trump was formally sentenced Friday in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">hush money case</a>, but the judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-sentencing-stormy-daniels-33e070bd3c1acb609bba13f23d784a3a">declined to impose any punishment.</a>&nbsp;The outcome cements Trump’s conviction while freeing him to return to the White House unencumbered by the threat of a jail term or a fine.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/recorded-audio-president-elect-trump-sentenced-in-hush-money-case/430047">Click here </a>to listen to the sentencing hearingHere's the latest:<h2>The punishment-free judgement marks a quiet end to an extraordinary case</h2>It was a case that for the first time put a former president and major presidential candidate in a courtroom as a criminal defendant. The case was the only one of four criminal indictments that has gone to trial and possibly the only one that ever will.<h2>Trump can still vote after sentencing, but can’t own a gun and will have to turn over a DNA sample</h2>President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t have to go to jail, pay a fine or perform community service as a result of his New York hush money conviction. A judge ended the case Friday with a sentence of an unconditional discharge, closing the case with no punishment.But unless the conviction for falsifying business records is someday overturned, Trump will have felonies on his criminal record, which will affect some of his rights.Trump is registered to vote in Florida and he’ll be able to vote there. Florida does bars people convicted of felonies from voting, but restores their right to vote after they’ve completed their sentence.Under federal law, people convicted of felonies aren’t allowed to possess firearms.<h2>Trump calls the sentencing a ‘despicable event’ on Truth Social</h2>“Today’s event was a despicable charade, and now that it is over, we will appeal this Hoax, which has no merit, and restore the trust of Americans in our once great System of Justice,” he wrote in a lengthy post on his social media platform after the sentencing.<h2>Outside the courthouse after the sentencing</h2>Following the historic sentencing, the mood outside the courthouse is festive, with a few dozen Trump supporters waving American flags and signs emblazoned with the president-elect’s face.Some described the scene as a reunion of sorts, a chance to catch up with others who’d attended demonstrations during the trial while celebrating both the election victory and the outcome of the case.“No penalty at all is great news,” said Jerry Gasowski, a retired power plant worker who drove into the city from Long Island. “It’s great news for our country.”<h2>Trump’s demeanor as the sentence was handed down</h2>As Judge Merchan delivered the sentence, Trump sat upright, lips pursed, frowning slightly. He tilted his head to the side as the judge wished him “godspeed in your second term in office.”<h2>Judge sentences Trump in hush money case but declines to impose any punishment</h2>President-elect Donald Trump was formally sentenced Friday in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">hush money case</a>, but the judge declined to impose any punishment. The outcome cements Trump’s conviction while freeing him to return to the White House unencumbered by the threat of a jail term or a fine.Trump’s sentence of an unconditional discharge caps a norm-smashing case that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">saw the former and future president charged with 34 felonies</a>, put on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-photos-dde716152b697a6b2315a2ecc5df9524">trial for almost two months</a>&nbsp;and convicted on every count. Yet, the legal detour — and sordid details aired in court of a plot to bury affair allegations — didn’t hurt him with voters, who elected him to a second term.Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan could have sentenced the 78-year-old Republican to up to four years in prison. Instead, he chose a sentence that sidestepped thorny constitutional issues by effectively ending the case but assured that Trump will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency.<h2>Judge Merchan begins speaking</h2>Merchan says a judge must consider the facts of the case as well as aggravating and mitigating circumstances.“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” he said.<h2>Trump says: ‘I’m totally innocent. I did nothing wrong’</h2>He argued that voters saw what happened in this courtroom and, like him, thought it was a disgrace and supported him overwhelmingly in the election.<h2>Addressing the court, Trump says there was no crime</h2>“It’s been a political witch hunt,” he said. “It was done to damage my reputation so that I would lose the election, and obviously, that didn’t work.”<h2>Trump speaks in court</h2>“This has been a very terrible experience. I think it has been a tremendous set back for New York and the New York court system,” he said.<h2>Trump lawyer Todd Blanche begins speaking with Trump by his side</h2>“I very, very much disagree with much of what the government just said about this case, about the legitimacy of what happened in this courtroom during this trial, and about President Trump’s conduct fighting this case,” Blanche said.<h2>Steinglass notes Trump’s contempt findings in this case and others</h2>“As this court has noted, the defendant’s conduct constitutes a ‘direct attack on the rule of law itself,’” Steinglass said.He also noted Trump’s threats to retaliate against people who have wronged him in his legal matters, which Steinglass said is intended to have a chilling effect.Steinglass said the author of the pre-sentence report, a probation officer who interviewed Trump, notes Trump sees himself as above the law.Despite all that, Steinglass said an unconditional discharge is the “most practical sentence prior to his inauguration.”<h2>Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass begins speaking on behalf of the prosecution</h2>He notes the conviction and reviews the sentencing options include up to four years in prison, but other remedies as well.Steinglass says the prosecution recommends unconditional discharge based on circumstances including Trump’s impending return to the White House.Steinglass says prosecutors are OK with the potential no-penalty sentence. He cites “all the circumstances of this case, its unique posture and the defendant’s status as president-elect.”“The verdict in this case was unanimous and decisive and it must be respected,” he said.As prosecutors began their remarks, Trump shook his head, eyes darting around the screen. The camera view is framed tightly on him and Blanche, offering courtroom spectators a much closer view of Trump’s expression than during the trial.<h2>Trump attorney Emil Bove says Trump is appearing via Teams</h2>“He’s co-located with my partner, Todd Blanche,” he said.Trump is in Florida, Blanche confirmed.<h2>Trump appears in court via a video feed</h2>He’s wearing a red tie with white or gold thin diagonal stripes. Trump appears stoic and reserved as he waits.An attorney sits to Trump’s right, in front of a backdrop of American flags. American flag pins on both men’s suit jackets.<h2>Outside the courthouse ahead of the sentencing</h2>A handful of protesters had gathered in front of the Manhattan federal courthouse Friday morning.Some carried signs reading “DESERVES THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE” and “34 FELONY CONVICTIONS.”Meanwhile, at a park across the street, supporters unfurled a massive flag reading “TRUMP WON.”<h2>Why did Judge Merchan decide to go ahead with Trump’s sentencing?</h2>In an 18-page legal opinion, Merchan laid out his reasoning for ruling that the president-elect should be sentenced later this month for the crime of falsifying business records.His most important finding was that Trump’s conviction should not be thrown out simply because he was elected president.But the judge also signaled that he intended to impose a sentence of “unconditional discharge,” which means Trump would not face any punishment beyond having the conviction on his legal record.▶ Read more about what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-criminal-case-excerpts-59e72847cd80e5f0c734b02fa0426e17">Merchan had to say</a><h2>The scene inside the courtroom before sentencing</h2>Four big TV screens are mounted on the walls: one on either side of the bench where the judge will sit and one each hanging from the left and right side, parallel with the tables where the defense and prosecution will sit.Another large monitor sits behind next to the defense table, visible to the judge’s bench. A crew from ABC News, which will be distributing an audio recording of the proceeding after it ends, was testing the microphone system. At one point, instead of the usual counting up or down to check levels, one member of the crew started reciting the first few words of the Declaration of Independence — “When in the Course of human events” — drawing chuckles from the crowd of reporters and spectators in the gallery.