By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department says it has upgraded its investigation into Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over a video where he and other members of Congress told members of the military they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.&nbsp;

“The Office of the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the Department of War’s Office of the General Counsel, is escalating the preliminary review of Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.), to an official Command Investigation,” a spokesperson for the department wrote in an email Monday night.&nbsp;

“Retired Captain Kelly is currently under investigation for serious allegations of misconduct,” the spokesperson continued. “Further official comments will be limited to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.”

Paul J. Fishman, an attorney at the Arnold &amp; Porter law firm who is representing Kelly, wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26379142-ltr-to-secretary-phelan-dec-15-2025/#document/p1" target="_blank">a Monday letter</a>&nbsp;to the secretary of the Navy that “there is no legitimate basis for any type of proceeding against Senator Kelly, and any such effort would be unconstitutional and an extraordinary abuse of power.”

“If the Executive Branch were to move forward in any forum—criminal, disciplinary, or administrative—we will take all appropriate legal action on Senator Kelly’s behalf to halt the Administration’s unprecedented and dangerous overreach,” Fishman wrote.&nbsp;

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had set Dec. 10 as the deadline for the secretary of the Navy to recommend what to do about Kelly’s appearance in the video, but that came and went without any public announcements.

Hegseth also remained silent on the matter after rebuking Kelly weeks ago for posting the video where he and five other Democrats warned against illegal orders.

Kelly said on Dec. 9, one day before the deadline, he hadn’t received any information from the Navy or other administration officials.&nbsp;

“Forget about an update. I haven’t heard anything from the guy,” Kelly told reporters. “That’s a good question for you guys to ask the Navy.”

The secretary of the Navy’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from States Newsroom.&nbsp;

The Department of Defense posted in late November that officials were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pentagon-investigates-arizona-sen-mark-kelly-after-he-appears-video-blasted-trump" target="_blank">looking into</a>&nbsp;“serious allegations of misconduct” against Kelly for appearing in the video.&nbsp;

It didn’t detail how Kelly might have violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice but stated that “a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”&nbsp;

Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/1993436056008507865/photo/1" target="_blank">referred</a>&nbsp;the issue to Navy Secretary John Phelan for any “review, consideration, and disposition” he deemed appropriate. Hegseth then asked for a briefing on the outcome of the review “by no later than December 10.”

Kelly said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/arizonas-kelly-vows-stay-outspoken-despite-threats-over-illegal-order-video" target="_blank">during a press conference</a>&nbsp;in early December the military’s investigation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-threatened-trump-over-video-say-theyre-now-being-probed-fbi" target="_blank">a separate one</a>&nbsp;by the FBI were designed to intimidate the six lawmakers in the video from speaking out against President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The lawmakers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948" target="_blank">video</a>, who have backgrounds in the military or intelligence agencies, told members of those communities they “can” and “must refuse illegal orders.”

“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant,” they said. “But whether you’re serving in the CIA, in the Army, or Navy, or the Air Force, your vigilance is critical.”

The other Democrats in the video — Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, Pennsylvania Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander — are not subject to the military justice system.&nbsp;

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-accuses-6-democratic-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-punishable-death" target="_blank">railed against the video</a>&nbsp;a couple days after it posted, saying the statements represented “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1764097679232.png" alt="Image from the controversial video" />
 <figcaption>Image from the controversial video</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>WASHINGTON — The Defense Department says it has upgraded its investigation into Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over a video where he and other members of Congress told members of the military they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.&nbsp;“The Office of the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the Department of War’s Office of the General Counsel, is escalating the preliminary review of Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.), to an official Command Investigation,” a spokesperson for the department wrote in an email Monday night.&nbsp;“Retired Captain Kelly is currently under investigation for serious allegations of misconduct,” the spokesperson continued. “Further official comments will be limited to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.”Paul J. Fishman, an attorney at the Arnold &amp; Porter law firm who is representing Kelly, wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26379142-ltr-to-secretary-phelan-dec-15-2025/#document/p1" target="_blank">a Monday letter</a>&nbsp;to the secretary of the Navy that “there is no legitimate basis for any type of proceeding against Senator Kelly, and any such effort would be unconstitutional and an extraordinary abuse of power.”“If the Executive Branch were to move forward in any forum—criminal, disciplinary, or administrative—we will take all appropriate legal action on Senator Kelly’s behalf to halt the Administration’s unprecedented and dangerous overreach,” Fishman wrote.&nbsp;Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had set Dec. 10 as the deadline for the secretary of the Navy to recommend what to do about Kelly’s appearance in the video, but that came and went without any public announcements.Hegseth also remained silent on the matter after rebuking Kelly weeks ago for posting the video where he and five other Democrats warned against illegal orders.Kelly said on Dec. 9, one day before the deadline, he hadn’t received any information from the Navy or other administration officials.&nbsp;“Forget about an update. I haven’t heard anything from the guy,” Kelly told reporters. “That’s a good question for you guys to ask the Navy.”The secretary of the Navy’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from States Newsroom.&nbsp;The Department of Defense posted in late November that officials were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pentagon-investigates-arizona-sen-mark-kelly-after-he-appears-video-blasted-trump" target="_blank">looking into</a>&nbsp;“serious allegations of misconduct” against Kelly for appearing in the video.&nbsp;It didn’t detail how Kelly might have violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice but stated that “a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”&nbsp;Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/1993436056008507865/photo/1" target="_blank">referred</a>&nbsp;the issue to Navy Secretary John Phelan for any “review, consideration, and disposition” he deemed appropriate. Hegseth then asked for a briefing on the outcome of the review “by no later than December 10.”Kelly said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/arizonas-kelly-vows-stay-outspoken-despite-threats-over-illegal-order-video" target="_blank">during a press conference</a>&nbsp;in early December the military’s investigation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-threatened-trump-over-video-say-theyre-now-being-probed-fbi" target="_blank">a separate one</a>&nbsp;by the FBI were designed to intimidate the six lawmakers in the video from speaking out against President Donald Trump.&nbsp;The lawmakers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948" target="_blank">video</a>, who have backgrounds in the military or intelligence agencies, told members of those communities they “can” and “must refuse illegal orders.”“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant,” they said. “But whether you’re serving in the CIA, in the Army, or Navy, or the Air Force, your vigilance is critical.”The other Democrats in the video — Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, Pennsylvania Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander — are not subject to the military justice system.&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-accuses-6-democratic-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-punishable-death" target="_blank">railed against the video</a>&nbsp;a couple days after it posted, saying the statements represented “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

Pentagon ‘escalating’ investigation into Sen. Kelly for illegal-orders video

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A high wind watch is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon for Hays and surrounding counties, according to the National Weather Service.

Affected counties include&nbsp;Trego, Ellis, Scott, Lane, Ness, Rush, Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Hodgeman, Pawnee, Stafford, Gray, Ford and Edwards.

Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are possible.

Areas of blowing dust are likely. Please exercise caution when driving past open fields, as visibility could quickly fall to one-half mile or less over very short distances.

The National Weather Service advises that loose objects should be fastened or secured in a safe location before the onset of winds.

Winds today could gust to 33 mph with a high forecast of 61.

The forecast high for Hays on Thursday is 49.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765986704331.png" alt="National Weather Service, Dodge City" />
 <figcaption>National Weather Service, Dodge City</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA high wind watch is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon for Hays and surrounding counties, according to the National Weather Service.Affected counties include&nbsp;Trego, Ellis, Scott, Lane, Ness, Rush, Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Hodgeman, Pawnee, Stafford, Gray, Ford and Edwards.Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are possible.Areas of blowing dust are likely. Please exercise caution when driving past open fields, as visibility could quickly fall to one-half mile or less over very short distances.The National Weather Service advises that loose objects should be fastened or secured in a safe location before the onset of winds.Winds today could gust to 33 mph with a high forecast of 61.The forecast high for Hays on Thursday is 49.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765986757381.png" alt="National Weather Service, Goodland" />
 <figcaption>National Weather Service, Goodland</figcaption>
 </figure>

High wind watch in effect for Hays on Thursday

A GoFundMe has been established for the family of the man killed in a semi-truck accident on Interstate 70 on Sunday.

Julio Caesar Villarreal, 37, WaKeeney, was killed when he was&nbsp;loading a disabled vehicle onto a trailer pulled by a 1996 Ford F250 on the north shoulder of Interstate 70 near the 183 Bypass. 

The pickup was legally parked and towing a 2014 Eagle trailer, which was hauling a 2009 Chevy Tahoe. One pedestrian was attempting to strap down the vehicle on the side of the trailer closest to the roadway.

A westbound 2026 Freightliner semi driven by Alejandro Fuentes-Castro, 53, Wilmington, Delaware, failed to maintain his lane and struck&nbsp;Villarreal, who was on the roadway side of the vehicle.

Villarreal's friend posted on the GoFundMe page, “As Casey’s boss and friend, I am starting a GoFundMe for Casey Villarreal!&nbsp;With heavy hearts, we share the tragic loss of Ceaser Villarreal, who was taken from us far too soon, leaving behind Casey. In this difficult time, I am asking for financial support to help ease the burden on her as she navigates the days ahead alone. Any contribution, no matter how small, will go toward helping her cover expenses so we can lessen her financial stress! We deeply appreciate your kindness, love and generosity."

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/easing-caseys-burden-after-ceasers-loss">Click HERE to donate.</a>

As of Wednesday morning, $1,655 of the requested $3,000 had been raised.

A GoFundMe has also been created for Villarreal's son, Jaxon, to help with expenses to attend his father's funeral.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/lucy.g.71/posts/pfbid0bE99YZCMcD4WdHX9fYLT6TJCKYv14NLutg27DmPynd34x4FALdwNWpgfx4J8gqY3l?__cft__[0]=AZaHUGacNx3N_PSeFy0wBbEqfH3U93Nl49qnCuXiXYVyNyG3-AHQcTnIiSphBCPtVfcpZuga7JehxeGnvLHePCPQj84b0SyIF49cb62Yg5a2laCLodkT7iV2eT9-X3wtH8efIBH5ca8qE1B36-4rU-PSGHg3c2j6PKfHnME8qLw5eg&amp;__tn__=R]-R">https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BVzqqEPBM/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765983579050.png" alt="Photo courtesy of GoFundMe." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of GoFundMe.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA GoFundMe has been established for the family of the man killed in a semi-truck accident on Interstate 70 on Sunday.Julio Caesar Villarreal, 37, WaKeeney, was killed when he was&nbsp;loading a disabled vehicle onto a trailer pulled by a 1996 Ford F250 on the north shoulder of Interstate 70 near the 183 Bypass. The pickup was legally parked and towing a 2014 Eagle trailer, which was hauling a 2009 Chevy Tahoe. One pedestrian was attempting to strap down the vehicle on the side of the trailer closest to the roadway.A westbound 2026 Freightliner semi driven by Alejandro Fuentes-Castro, 53, Wilmington, Delaware, failed to maintain his lane and struck&nbsp;Villarreal, who was on the roadway side of the vehicle.Villarreal's friend posted on the GoFundMe page, “As Casey’s boss and friend, I am starting a GoFundMe for Casey Villarreal!&nbsp;With heavy hearts, we share the tragic loss of Ceaser Villarreal, who was taken from us far too soon, leaving behind Casey. In this difficult time, I am asking for financial support to help ease the burden on her as she navigates the days ahead alone. Any contribution, no matter how small, will go toward helping her cover expenses so we can lessen her financial stress! We deeply appreciate your kindness, love and generosity."<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/easing-caseys-burden-after-ceasers-loss">Click HERE to donate.</a>As of Wednesday morning, $1,655 of the requested $3,000 had been raised.A GoFundMe has also been created for Villarreal's son, Jaxon, to help with expenses to attend his father's funeral.See the link below.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/lucy.g.71/posts/pfbid0bE99YZCMcD4WdHX9fYLT6TJCKYv14NLutg27DmPynd34x4FALdwNWpgfx4J8gqY3l?__cft__[0]=AZaHUGacNx3N_PSeFy0wBbEqfH3U93Nl49qnCuXiXYVyNyG3-AHQcTnIiSphBCPtVfcpZuga7JehxeGnvLHePCPQj84b0SyIF49cb62Yg5a2laCLodkT7iV2eT9-X3wtH8efIBH5ca8qE1B36-4rU-PSGHg3c2j6PKfHnME8qLw5eg&amp;__tn__=R]-R">https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BVzqqEPBM/</a>

GoFundMe created for WaKeeney man struck, killed on I-70 Sunday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men's Soccer matched its highest ranking ever in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll to close out the 2025 season. The Tigers elevated to No. 3 in the final rankings, released on December 16, after their run to the NCAA Tournament National Semifinals as they entered the national tournament ranked No. 4 nationally.

This is the highest non-preseason ranking or final ranking the Tigers have ever received in the poll. Fort Hays State was tabbed No. 3 in the 2019 preseason poll following their advancement to the national semifinals in 2018. The Tigers finished at No. 4 in the final 2018 poll.

Fort Hays State was the highest nationally ranked team remaining in the NCAA Tournament field going into the national semifinals at No. 4. National champion Midwestern State went into the national tournament ranked No. 8 and elevated to No. 1 by winning the NCAA Tournament. Rollins College, which eliminated FHSU in the semifinals went from unranked to No. 2 in the poll. Southern New Hampshire went into the tournament ranked No. 6 in the nation and finished at No. 4 with its national semifinal appearance.

Looking at the final rankings, Fort Hays State eliminated (RV) Indianapolis, No. 13 Rockhurst and No. 6 Rogers State to reach the national semifinals. During the national tournament, Rockhurst was ranked No. 10 and Rogers State was ranked No. 13. All four of Rogers State's losses in 2025 were to Fort Hays State.

Final United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll for 2025 Rank	School	Prev	W-L-T 1	Midwestern State University (Texas)	8	19-3-3 2	Rollins College (Fla.)	NR	14-5-5 3	Fort Hays State University (Kan.)	4	20-1-3 4	Southern New Hampshire University	6	16-3-2 5	California State University Stanislaus	3	17-2-1 6	Rogers State University (Okla.)	NR	14-4-5 7	Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.)	16	16-4-2 8	Lynn University (Fla.)	7	14-3-1 9	University of Charleston (W.Va.)	1	17-1-4 10	Mississippi College	20	15-3-4 11	Gannon University (Pa.)	14	15-3-4 12	Palm Beach Atlantic University (Fla.)	2	13-3-2 13	Rockhurst University (Mo.)	10	12-5-4 14	Franklin Pierce University (N.H.)	22	12-4-4 15	Flagler College (Fla.)	NR	15-3-6 16	Lincoln University (Mo.)	15	11-2-7 17	Anderson University (S.C.)	5	11-2-6 18	University of Colorado-Colorado Springs	19	12-6-5 19	Bentley University (Mass.)	11	11-3-4 20	California State University-Dominguez Hills	9	12-4-4 21	Cedarville University (Ohio)	17	12-2-7 22	University of West Florida	24	13-2-5 23	Florida Tech	18	8-3-8 24	Young Harris College (Ga.)	12	15-2-3 25	Seattle Pacific University (Wash.)	RV	12-4-4

Receiving Votes: Wilmington University, Tiffin University, California State University-San Bernardino, University of Bridgeport, Adelphi University, University of Hawaii-Hilo, Post University. Maryville University of St. Louis, McKendree University, University of Indianapolis, Northern Michigan University, Roberts Wesleyan University, Lincoln Memorial University, Western Oregon University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765983459568.png" alt="FHSU Athletics image" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics image</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men's Soccer matched its highest ranking ever in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll to close out the 2025 season. The Tigers elevated to No. 3 in the final rankings, released on December 16, after their run to the NCAA Tournament National Semifinals as they entered the national tournament ranked No. 4 nationally.This is the highest non-preseason ranking or final ranking the Tigers have ever received in the poll. Fort Hays State was tabbed No. 3 in the 2019 preseason poll following their advancement to the national semifinals in 2018. The Tigers finished at No. 4 in the final 2018 poll.Fort Hays State was the highest nationally ranked team remaining in the NCAA Tournament field going into the national semifinals at No. 4. National champion Midwestern State went into the national tournament ranked No. 8 and elevated to No. 1 by winning the NCAA Tournament. Rollins College, which eliminated FHSU in the semifinals went from unranked to No. 2 in the poll. Southern New Hampshire went into the tournament ranked No. 6 in the nation and finished at No. 4 with its national semifinal appearance.Looking at the final rankings, Fort Hays State eliminated (RV) Indianapolis, No. 13 Rockhurst and No. 6 Rogers State to reach the national semifinals. During the national tournament, Rockhurst was ranked No. 10 and Rogers State was ranked No. 13. All four of Rogers State's losses in 2025 were to Fort Hays State.Final United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll for 2025 Rank	School	Prev	W-L-T 1	Midwestern State University (Texas)	8	19-3-3 2	Rollins College (Fla.)	NR	14-5-5 3	Fort Hays State University (Kan.)	4	20-1-3 4	Southern New Hampshire University	6	16-3-2 5	California State University Stanislaus	3	17-2-1 6	Rogers State University (Okla.)	NR	14-4-5 7	Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.)	16	16-4-2 8	Lynn University (Fla.)	7	14-3-1 9	University of Charleston (W.Va.)	1	17-1-4 10	Mississippi College	20	15-3-4 11	Gannon University (Pa.)	14	15-3-4 12	Palm Beach Atlantic University (Fla.)	2	13-3-2 13	Rockhurst University (Mo.)	10	12-5-4 14	Franklin Pierce University (N.H.)	22	12-4-4 15	Flagler College (Fla.)	NR	15-3-6 16	Lincoln University (Mo.)	15	11-2-7 17	Anderson University (S.C.)	5	11-2-6 18	University of Colorado-Colorado Springs	19	12-6-5 19	Bentley University (Mass.)	11	11-3-4 20	California State University-Dominguez Hills	9	12-4-4 21	Cedarville University (Ohio)	17	12-2-7 22	University of West Florida	24	13-2-5 23	Florida Tech	18	8-3-8 24	Young Harris College (Ga.)	12	15-2-3 25	Seattle Pacific University (Wash.)	RV	12-4-4Receiving Votes: Wilmington University, Tiffin University, California State University-San Bernardino, University of Bridgeport, Adelphi University, University of Hawaii-Hilo, Post University. Maryville University of St. Louis, McKendree University, University of Indianapolis, Northern Michigan University, Roberts Wesleyan University, Lincoln Memorial University, Western Oregon University.

⚽ Tigers finish at No. 3 in final United Soccer Coaches poll

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A driver charged in a crash that killed two Kansas women decided she did not want to return to Judge Rodger Woods courtroom on Monday for a preliminary hearing. Clowie&nbsp; Ann McLaughlin, 80, Augusta, waived her right to the hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

McLaughlin is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, severity level 4 person felonies, in the deaths of 42-year-old LaShea Bell and her daughter, 25-year-old A’Niah Bell.

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

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

Police said speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the collision. McLaughlin was taken to a hospital for treatment of her own injuries and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail after being medically cleared. She bonded out of jail the following day after posting a $100,000 bond. She is scheduled to return to court January 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757541241700.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A driver charged in a crash that killed two Kansas women decided she did not want to return to Judge Rodger Woods courtroom on Monday for a preliminary hearing. Clowie&nbsp; Ann McLaughlin, 80, Augusta, waived her right to the hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756722147795.png" alt="Mclaughlin photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Mclaughlin photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>McLaughlin is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence, severity level 4 person felonies, in the deaths of 42-year-old LaShea Bell and her daughter, 25-year-old A’Niah Bell.The crash happened around 9:35 p.m.&nbsp; August 30, at the intersection of Central and Webb Road in WichitaAccording to Wichita police, McLaughlin’s black Chevrolet truck collided with a white BMW carrying the Bells and a gray Jeep driven by a 41-year-old man. LaShea Bell was pronounced dead at the scene, while A’Niah Bell later died at a local hospital. The Jeep driver was treated at the scene and released.Police said speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the collision. McLaughlin was taken to a hospital for treatment of her own injuries and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail after being medically cleared. She bonded out of jail the following day after posting a $100,000 bond. She is scheduled to return to court January 8.

Kan. woman avoids preliminary hearing in fatal DUI crash

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Authorities have asked the public for any footage they might have of the gunman who fatally shot two students and wounded nine others&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-investigation-b08f1fdf5e71542f6e93bbba05fa043c">at Brown University</a>, even as they released a new video timeline and a slightly clearer image of a possible suspect.

Investigators provided no indication Tuesday that they were any closer to zeroing in on his identity. In all the videos made public, the suspect’s face was masked or turned away, and authorities have only been able to give a vague description of him as being stocky and about 5 feet, 8 inches (173 centimeters) tall.

Officers have been canvassing around Providence in search of clues that might help them figure out who was behind Saturday’s campus shooting.

Surveillance video the FBI posted online before it was removed showed a person in dark clothing walking along multiple sidewalks for about an hour starting shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday. The streets were all within a few blocks of the Brown University engineering building where the shooting occurred.

Some clips show the person walking in front of some properties several times. In one, the person abruptly turns around and runs in the other direction when someone approaches.

Two clips taken minutes after the shooting show the person walking away from a parking lot and then along a street.

Police have received about 200 tips, and Col. Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, asked the public on Tuesday to look at their camera systems in the area to see if they have footage that might help officials identify the suspected gunman.

“We’re looking for a moment that is shorter than someone taking a breath,” Perez said.

A lack of cameras and clear video of the gunman has continued to frustrate both authorities and the community. While Brown President Christina Paxson confirmed Tuesday that the campus has 1,200 cameras, law enforcement says there is no clear video of the shooter from inside the engineering building.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha defended the investigation as going "really well" as he pleaded for public patience in locating the suspected killer.

Large questions remain, particularly about the shooter's motive. When pressed about a connection to ethnicity, political motive or culture, Neronha said, “That is a dangerous road to go down.”

Brown alumnus Chris Kremer joined about 200 others at a somber church service on campus for the victims Tuesday. He lives a block from the scene and often goes to the building where the shooting happened. Many in the community are thinking how easily they could have been among the shot, he said.

He said it was better to attend the service than to sit alone being sad, depressed and scrolling through his phone.

“It’s always nice to be in a big exalted space when you’re thinking kind of big heavy thoughts," Kremer said. “I guess people for thousands of years have found that to be something of a salve, so I’m hoping that a little bit of that works for me tonight.”

The attack and the shooter’s escape have raised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-security-64e1e19e7a4ce2039912107071035247">questions about campus security</a>, including a lack of cameras, and led to calls for better locks on campus doors.

Paxson said the university has two security systems. One system, activated at a time of emergency, sent out text messages, phone calls and emails that reached 20,000 people. The other system features three sirens across the campus and was not activated Saturday, a decision Paxson defended because doing so would have caused people to rush into buildings, including the one where the shooting was happening.

"So that is not a system we would ever use in the case of an active shooter," she said.

Brown's website says the sirens can be used when there is an active shooter, but Paxson said it “depends on the circumstances" and the location of the shooter.

Providence remained tense on Tuesday as additional police were sent to city schools to reassure worried parents that their kids would be safe. Ten state troopers were assigned to support police sent to beef up security at schools, district Superintendent Javier Montañez said.

Providence public schools canceled after-school activities and field trips for the week as a precaution.

Locals expressed fear as well as defiance as the investigation continued Tuesday.

“Of course it feels scary. But at the same time, I think that if the person really wanted to scare us, we shouldn’t allow him or her to win," said Tatjana Stojanovic, a Providence parent who lives next door to the Brown campus.

Others say the attention on security measures does little to address the real issue.

“The issue isn’t the doors, it’s the guns,” said Zoe Kass, a senior who fled the engineering building as police stormed in Saturday.

After spending of her life in schools where every door was locked and school shootings continued to persist, Kass said such security measures only created “the illusion of safety.”

Details have emerged about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-victims-e5b40e867f1a349c5c9b7c4f0e866af8">the victims</a>, who were in the first-floor classroom in the school's engineering building studying for a final.

Two of the wounded students had been released as of Tuesday, Brown spokesperson Amanda McGregor said. Of the seven people that remained hospitalized, Mayor Brett Smiley said one remained in critical condition, five were in critical but stable condition and one was in stable condition.

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

Jacob Spears, 18, a freshman from Evans, Georgia, was shot in the stomach, “but through sheer adrenaline and courage, he managed to run outside, where he was aided by others," according to a GoFundMe site organized for him.

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

The other student killed was MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman from Brandermill, Virginia, who was majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience. His family immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan when he was a kid.

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

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Authorities have asked the public for any footage they might have of the gunman who fatally shot two students and wounded nine others&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-investigation-b08f1fdf5e71542f6e93bbba05fa043c">at Brown University</a>, even as they released a new video timeline and a slightly clearer image of a possible suspect.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=420&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F872134025201536%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="420" 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>Investigators provided no indication Tuesday that they were any closer to zeroing in on his identity. In all the videos made public, the suspect’s face was masked or turned away, and authorities have only been able to give a vague description of him as being stocky and about 5 feet, 8 inches (173 centimeters) tall.Officers have been canvassing around Providence in search of clues that might help them figure out who was behind Saturday’s campus shooting.Surveillance video the FBI posted online before it was removed showed a person in dark clothing walking along multiple sidewalks for about an hour starting shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday. The streets were all within a few blocks of the Brown University engineering building where the shooting occurred.Some clips show the person walking in front of some properties several times. In one, the person abruptly turns around and runs in the other direction when someone approaches.Two clips taken minutes after the shooting show the person walking away from a parking lot and then along a street.<h2>Authorities ask public for help</h2>Police have received about 200 tips, and Col. Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, asked the public on Tuesday to look at their camera systems in the area to see if they have footage that might help officials identify the suspected gunman.“We’re looking for a moment that is shorter than someone taking a breath,” Perez said.A lack of cameras and clear video of the gunman has continued to frustrate both authorities and the community. While Brown President Christina Paxson confirmed Tuesday that the campus has 1,200 cameras, law enforcement says there is no clear video of the shooter from inside the engineering building.Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha defended the investigation as going "really well" as he pleaded for public patience in locating the suspected killer.Large questions remain, particularly about the shooter's motive. When pressed about a connection to ethnicity, political motive or culture, Neronha said, “That is a dangerous road to go down.”<h2>Seeking solace</h2>Brown alumnus Chris Kremer joined about 200 others at a somber church service on campus for the victims Tuesday. He lives a block from the scene and often goes to the building where the shooting happened. Many in the community are thinking how easily they could have been among the shot, he said.He said it was better to attend the service than to sit alone being sad, depressed and scrolling through his phone.“It’s always nice to be in a big exalted space when you’re thinking kind of big heavy thoughts," Kremer said. “I guess people for thousands of years have found that to be something of a salve, so I’m hoping that a little bit of that works for me tonight.”<h2>Campus security</h2>The attack and the shooter’s escape have raised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-security-64e1e19e7a4ce2039912107071035247">questions about campus security</a>, including a lack of cameras, and led to calls for better locks on campus doors.Paxson said the university has two security systems. One system, activated at a time of emergency, sent out text messages, phone calls and emails that reached 20,000 people. The other system features three sirens across the campus and was not activated Saturday, a decision Paxson defended because doing so would have caused people to rush into buildings, including the one where the shooting was happening."So that is not a system we would ever use in the case of an active shooter," she said.Brown's website says the sirens can be used when there is an active shooter, but Paxson said it “depends on the circumstances" and the location of the shooter.<h2>A city on edge</h2>Providence remained tense on Tuesday as additional police were sent to city schools to reassure worried parents that their kids would be safe. Ten state troopers were assigned to support police sent to beef up security at schools, district Superintendent Javier Montañez said.Providence public schools canceled after-school activities and field trips for the week as a precaution.Locals expressed fear as well as defiance as the investigation continued Tuesday.“Of course it feels scary. But at the same time, I think that if the person really wanted to scare us, we shouldn’t allow him or her to win," said Tatjana Stojanovic, a Providence parent who lives next door to the Brown campus.Others say the attention on security measures does little to address the real issue.“The issue isn’t the doors, it’s the guns,” said Zoe Kass, a senior who fled the engineering building as police stormed in Saturday.After spending of her life in schools where every door was locked and school shootings continued to persist, Kass said such security measures only created “the illusion of safety.”<h2>A fuller picture of the victims emerges</h2>Details have emerged about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brown-university-shooting-victims-e5b40e867f1a349c5c9b7c4f0e866af8">the victims</a>, who were in the first-floor classroom in the school's engineering building studying for a final.Two of the wounded students had been released as of Tuesday, Brown spokesperson Amanda McGregor said. Of the seven people that remained hospitalized, Mayor Brett Smiley said one remained in critical condition, five were in critical but stable condition and one was in stable condition.One of the wounded students, 18-year-old freshman Spencer Yang of New York City, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/us/brown-shooting-witness-spencer-yang.html">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025/12/live-updates-active-shooter-at-brown-university">Brown Daily Herald</a>&nbsp;that there was a mad scramble after the gunman entered the room. Yang said he wound up on the ground between some seats and was shot in the leg.Jacob Spears, 18, a freshman from Evans, Georgia, was shot in the stomach, “but through sheer adrenaline and courage, he managed to run outside, where he was aided by others," according to a GoFundMe site organized for him.Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore who was one of the two students killed, was vice president of the Brown College Republicans and was beloved in her church in Birmingham, Alabama.The other student killed was MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman from Brandermill, Virginia, who was majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience. His family immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan when he was a kid.___Contributing were Associated Press journalists Jennifer McDermott, Matt O'Brien and Robert F. Bukaty in Providence; Brian Slodysko in Washington; Michael Casey in Boston; Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu.

Enhanced video released: Brown University gunman still at large

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

That's how Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty sums up Monday's complicated legal arguments before the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;about whether Hays and Russell can transfer their water rights in Edwards County. 

WaterPACK, a group of agricultural irrigators, objects to the 90-mile pipeline project.

SEE RELATED STORY: <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/15/kansas-supreme-court-examines-roiling-water-dispute-between-crop-irrigators-and-hays-russell/?emci=8167aaad-45da-f011-8196-000d3a1d5afe&amp;emdi=4a57ce00-66da-f011-8196-000d3a1d5afe&amp;ceid=115039">Kanas Supreme Court examines roiling water dispute between crop irrigators and Hays, Russell</a>

The R9 Ranch southwest of Kinsley was purchased in 1995 by Hays. The city of Russell bought an 18% interest in the R9 in 1996.

"We were very happy with the proceedings," Dougherty said. "We had prepared extensively for the oral argument and potential questions from the judges.

"I think Dan Buller (attorney for Hays and Russell) and Stephanie Kramer (Kansas Department of Agriculture attorney) were very adept in illustrating the key points in a very simplistic manner and reminding the justices that not only does WaterPACK lose on the merits of the case, but because of that, they don't even have standings to be bringing thise case forward."

Now it's just a waiting game until the Supreme Court issues its ruling, which Dougherty expects to be in a few months.&nbsp;

About 10 years ago, Hays and Rusell filed application to change their 32 water rights from irrigation to municipal use. The request was approved by Kansas Department of Agriculture chief engineer Earl Lewis.

Legal wrangling between WaterPACK (Water Protection Association of Central Kansas), the Edwards County Commission and the Edwards County Planning Commission, which&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/72cef8d3-79bf-4085-b070-bccbdc589f9d">oppose the pipeline</a>,&nbsp; and Hays and Russell, has been underway for almost 11 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We see no reason why the Supreme Court would overturn what a&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8d8e87f6-e3c9-4950-bcea-9cac40e269bd">judge has already resoundingly upheld</a>," Dougherty said <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/92c6bbf2-25be-47de-ad1c-a2e44e17e420">when the oral argument date was first announced</a>.&nbsp;

WaterPACK's attorney, Charles Lee, argued Monday the cities would take too much water from Edwards County, ultimately lowering the aquifer level.

But, said Dougherty, "what they conveniently forget to bring up in their briefs...is they're causing way more lowering of the aquifer than we are."

The southwest corner of the R9 Ranch abuts some WaterPACK members.

"When WaterPack's own members looked at what would happen if we pumped every drop of available water from our property for 51 years, ... we would contribute 2.4 feet of decline in a 140-foot of saturated thickness,"&nbsp;Dougherty said.

"But their expert conveniently forgot to include that WaterPACK's members and the irrigators around us, would drop that aquifer by about 20 feet because of their utilization."

To protect the declining aquifer, Hays and Russell's regulatory consumptive use of their water rights in Edwards County is 83.7%, and the towns voluntarily agreed to drop their use another 30%.

"We cannot pump every drop of water available from the property from day one," Dougherty said. "It's not physically possible. We don't have the legal right to do it, and we're only building seven wells to start with."&nbsp;

Even taking all of WaterPACK's claims at face value, it does not demonstrate harm, Dougherty says, and he believes that's what the Supreme Court justices came away with.

"There is no harm that would result in impairment in the future. It just boils down to they don't like the project," he said.

Ellis County is the only county in Kansas with a population of more than 15,000 without an adequate local water supply.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765912549805.jpeg" alt="Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays Post"They just don't like this project."That's how Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty sums up Monday's complicated legal arguments before the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;about whether Hays and Russell can transfer their water rights in Edwards County. WaterPACK, a group of agricultural irrigators, objects to the 90-mile pipeline project.SEE RELATED STORY: <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/15/kansas-supreme-court-examines-roiling-water-dispute-between-crop-irrigators-and-hays-russell/?emci=8167aaad-45da-f011-8196-000d3a1d5afe&amp;emdi=4a57ce00-66da-f011-8196-000d3a1d5afe&amp;ceid=115039">Kanas Supreme Court examines roiling water dispute between crop irrigators and Hays, Russell</a>The R9 Ranch southwest of Kinsley was purchased in 1995 by Hays. The city of Russell bought an 18% interest in the R9 in 1996."We were very happy with the proceedings," Dougherty said. "We had prepared extensively for the oral argument and potential questions from the judges."I think Dan Buller (attorney for Hays and Russell) and Stephanie Kramer (Kansas Department of Agriculture attorney) were very adept in illustrating the key points in a very simplistic manner and reminding the justices that not only does WaterPACK lose on the merits of the case, but because of that, they don't even have standings to be bringing thise case forward."Now it's just a waiting game until the Supreme Court issues its ruling, which Dougherty expects to be in a few months.&nbsp;About 10 years ago, Hays and Rusell filed application to change their 32 water rights from irrigation to municipal use. The request was approved by Kansas Department of Agriculture chief engineer Earl Lewis.Legal wrangling between WaterPACK (Water Protection Association of Central Kansas), the Edwards County Commission and the Edwards County Planning Commission, which&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/72cef8d3-79bf-4085-b070-bccbdc589f9d">oppose the pipeline</a>,&nbsp; and Hays and Russell, has been underway for almost 11 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We see no reason why the Supreme Court would overturn what a&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8d8e87f6-e3c9-4950-bcea-9cac40e269bd">judge has already resoundingly upheld</a>," Dougherty said <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/92c6bbf2-25be-47de-ad1c-a2e44e17e420">when the oral argument date was first announced</a>.&nbsp;WaterPACK's attorney, Charles Lee, argued Monday the cities would take too much water from Edwards County, ultimately lowering the aquifer level.But, said Dougherty, "what they conveniently forget to bring up in their briefs...is they're causing way more lowering of the aquifer than we are."The southwest corner of the R9 Ranch abuts some WaterPACK members."When WaterPack's own members looked at what would happen if we pumped every drop of available water from our property for 51 years, ... we would contribute 2.4 feet of decline in a 140-foot of saturated thickness,"&nbsp;Dougherty said."But their expert conveniently forgot to include that WaterPACK's members and the irrigators around us, would drop that aquifer by about 20 feet because of their utilization."To protect the declining aquifer, Hays and Russell's regulatory consumptive use of their water rights in Edwards County is 83.7%, and the towns voluntarily agreed to drop their use another 30%."We cannot pump every drop of water available from the property from day one," Dougherty said. "It's not physically possible. We don't have the legal right to do it, and we're only building seven wells to start with."&nbsp;Even taking all of WaterPACK's claims at face value, it does not demonstrate harm, Dougherty says, and he believes that's what the Supreme Court justices came away with."There is no harm that would result in impairment in the future. It just boils down to they don't like the project," he said.Ellis County is the only county in Kansas with a population of more than 15,000 without an adequate local water supply.&nbsp;

Hays City Manager happy with R9 Ranch state supreme court water proceedings

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is ordering a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers” into Venezuela, ramping up pressure on the country’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro in a move that seemed designed to put a tighter chokehold on the South American country's economy.

Trump's escalation comes after U.S. forces last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tanker-seized-venezuela-maduro-0a148ba01684fc6ce1a228dd276732c0">seized an oil tanker</a>&nbsp;off Venezuela’s coast, an unusual move that followed a buildup of military forces in the region. In a post on social media Tuesday night announcing the blockade, Trump alleged Venezuela was using oil to fund drug trafficking and other crimes and vowed to continue the military buildup until the country gave the U.S. oil, land and assets, though it was not clear why he felt the U.S. had a claim.

“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform. “It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.”

Pentagon officials referred all questions about the post to the White House.

Venezuela’s government released a statement Tuesday accusing Trump of “violating international law, free trade, and the principle of free navigation” with “a reckless and grave threat” against the South American country.

“On his social media, he assumes that Venezuela’s oil, land, and mineral wealth are his property,” the statement said of Trump’s post. “Consequently, he demands that Venezuela immediately hand over all its riches. The President of the United States intends to impose, in an utterly irrational manner, a supposed naval blockade on Venezuela with the aim of stealing the wealth that belongs to our nation.”

Maduro’s government, according to the statement, plans to denounce the situation before the United Nations.

(On Dec. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. 

The U.S. buildup has been accompanied by a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-us-military-drugs-pacific-108d10bbd3d19c34b8959602222e22e6">military strikes on boats</a>&nbsp;in international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The campaign, which has drawn bipartisan scrutiny among U.S. lawmakers, has killed at least 95 people in 25 known strikes on vessels.

Trump has for weeks said that the U.S. will move its campaign beyond the water and start strikes on land.

The Trump administration has defended the strikes as a success, saying they have prevented drugs from reaching American shores, and pushed back on concerns that they are stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.

The Trump administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the U.S., but Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-wiles-chief-staff-interview-cabinet-bondi-5c995a046318973b1a3dfe8ed89cf3cf">chief of staff Susie Wiles</a>&nbsp;appeared to confirm in a Vanity Fair interview published Tuesday that the campaign is part of a push to oust Maduro.

Wiles said Trump “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.”

Tuesday night's announcement seemed to have a similar aim.

Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves and produces about 1 million barrels a day, has long relied on oil revenue as a lifeblood of its economy.

Since the Trump administration began imposing oil sanctions on Venezuela in 2017, Maduro’s government has relied on a shadowy fleet of unflagged tankers to smuggle crude into global supply chains.

The state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., commonly known as PDVSA, has been locked out of global oil markets by U.S. sanctions. It sells most of its exports at a steep discount in the black market in China.

Francisco Monaldi, a Venezuelan oil expert at Rice University in Houston, said about 850,000 barrels of the 1 million daily production is exported. Of that, he said, 80% goes to China, 15% to 17% goes to the U.S. through Chevron Corp., and the remainder goes to Cuba.

In October, Trump appeared to confirm reports that Maduro has offered a stake in Venezuela’s oil and other mineral wealth in recent months to try to stave off mounting pressure from the United States.

“He’s offered everything,” Trump said at the time. “You know why? Because he doesn’t want to f—- around with the United States.”

It wasn't immediately clear how the U.S. planned to enact what Trump called a “TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.”

But the U.S. Navy has 11 ships, including an aircraft carrier and several amphibious assault ships, in the region.

Those ships carry a wide complement of aircraft, including helicopters and V-22 Ospreys. Additionally, the Navy has been operating a handful of P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in the region.

All told, those assets provide the military a significant ability to monitor marine traffic coming in and out of the country.

Trump in his post said that the “Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,” but it wasn't clear what he was referring to.

The foreign terrorist organization designation has been historically reserved for non-state actors that do not have sovereign immunities conferred by either treaties or United Nations membership.

In November, the Trump administration announced it was designating the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. The term Cartel de los Soles originally referred to Venezuelan military officers involved in drug-running, but it is not a cartel per se.

Governments that U.S. administrations seek to sanction for financing, otherwise fomenting or tolerating extremist violence are usually designated “state sponsors of terrorism.”

Venezuela is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism">not on that list</a>.

In rare cases, the U.S. has designated an element of a foreign government as an “FTO.” The Trump administration in its first term did so with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, an arm of the Iranian government, which had already been designated a state sponsor of terrorism.

Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin and Matt Le in Washington and Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755651756653.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is ordering a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers” into Venezuela, ramping up pressure on the country’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro in a move that seemed designed to put a tighter chokehold on the South American country's economy.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/QS8Whosuml">pic.twitter.com/QS8Whosuml</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001076955395797252?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump's escalation comes after U.S. forces last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tanker-seized-venezuela-maduro-0a148ba01684fc6ce1a228dd276732c0">seized an oil tanker</a>&nbsp;off Venezuela’s coast, an unusual move that followed a buildup of military forces in the region. In a post on social media Tuesday night announcing the blockade, Trump alleged Venezuela was using oil to fund drug trafficking and other crimes and vowed to continue the military buildup until the country gave the U.S. oil, land and assets, though it was not clear why he felt the U.S. had a claim.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765968665337.png" alt="Image from Dept. of Justice video" />
 <figcaption>Image from Dept. of Justice video</figcaption>
 </figure>“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform. “It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.”Pentagon officials referred all questions about the post to the White House.Venezuela’s government released a statement Tuesday accusing Trump of “violating international law, free trade, and the principle of free navigation” with “a reckless and grave threat” against the South American country.“On his social media, he assumes that Venezuela’s oil, land, and mineral wealth are his property,” the statement said of Trump’s post. “Consequently, he demands that Venezuela immediately hand over all its riches. The President of the United States intends to impose, in an utterly irrational manner, a supposed naval blockade on Venezuela with the aim of stealing the wealth that belongs to our nation.”Maduro’s government, according to the statement, plans to denounce the situation before the United Nations.(On Dec. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple… <a href="https://t.co/dNr0oAGl5x">pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x</a>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1998875795151024337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The U.S. buildup has been accompanied by a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-us-military-drugs-pacific-108d10bbd3d19c34b8959602222e22e6">military strikes on boats</a>&nbsp;in international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The campaign, which has drawn bipartisan scrutiny among U.S. lawmakers, has killed at least 95 people in 25 known strikes on vessels.Trump has for weeks said that the U.S. will move its campaign beyond the water and start strikes on land.The Trump administration has defended the strikes as a success, saying they have prevented drugs from reaching American shores, and pushed back on concerns that they are stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.The Trump administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the U.S., but Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-wiles-chief-staff-interview-cabinet-bondi-5c995a046318973b1a3dfe8ed89cf3cf">chief of staff Susie Wiles</a>&nbsp;appeared to confirm in a Vanity Fair interview published Tuesday that the campaign is part of a push to oust Maduro.Wiles said Trump “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.”Tuesday night's announcement seemed to have a similar aim.Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves and produces about 1 million barrels a day, has long relied on oil revenue as a lifeblood of its economy.Since the Trump administration began imposing oil sanctions on Venezuela in 2017, Maduro’s government has relied on a shadowy fleet of unflagged tankers to smuggle crude into global supply chains.The state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., commonly known as PDVSA, has been locked out of global oil markets by U.S. sanctions. It sells most of its exports at a steep discount in the black market in China.Francisco Monaldi, a Venezuelan oil expert at Rice University in Houston, said about 850,000 barrels of the 1 million daily production is exported. Of that, he said, 80% goes to China, 15% to 17% goes to the U.S. through Chevron Corp., and the remainder goes to Cuba.In October, Trump appeared to confirm reports that Maduro has offered a stake in Venezuela’s oil and other mineral wealth in recent months to try to stave off mounting pressure from the United States.“He’s offered everything,” Trump said at the time. “You know why? Because he doesn’t want to f—- around with the United States.”It wasn't immediately clear how the U.S. planned to enact what Trump called a “TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.”But the U.S. Navy has 11 ships, including an aircraft carrier and several amphibious assault ships, in the region.Those ships carry a wide complement of aircraft, including helicopters and V-22 Ospreys. Additionally, the Navy has been operating a handful of P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in the region.All told, those assets provide the military a significant ability to monitor marine traffic coming in and out of the country.Trump in his post said that the “Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,” but it wasn't clear what he was referring to.The foreign terrorist organization designation has been historically reserved for non-state actors that do not have sovereign immunities conferred by either treaties or United Nations membership.In November, the Trump administration announced it was designating the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. The term Cartel de los Soles originally referred to Venezuelan military officers involved in drug-running, but it is not a cartel per se.Governments that U.S. administrations seek to sanction for financing, otherwise fomenting or tolerating extremist violence are usually designated “state sponsors of terrorism.”Venezuela is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism">not on that list</a>.In rare cases, the U.S. has designated an element of a foreign government as an “FTO.” The Trump administration in its first term did so with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, an arm of the Iranian government, which had already been designated a state sponsor of terrorism.___Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin and Matt Le in Washington and Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.

Trump orders blockade of 'sanctioned oil tankers' into Venezuela

The Hays USD 489 school board approved a $110,315 contract with Integrated Solutions for the removal of asbestos floor tile, adhesive and window glazing from Felten Elementary at its meeting Monday night.

The funds will come from the capital outlay budget. The bid came in under the $175,000 estimate.

The former high school has been renovated into a new middle school. Staff will begin moving into the renovated space on Thursday.

The former middle school will be renovated into a four-section elementary school, scheduled to open in August.

Wilson Elementary School is set to close as an elementary school at the end of the school year, with administrative offices eventually relocating to that building.

The district plans to close the Rockwell Administration Center.

The asbestos in the former middle school poses no threat at this time, because it is not airborne, Superintendent Ron Wilson said.

However, when the tile is replaced with new flooring during the renovation, the asbestos will need to be abated.

Board member Allen Park moved to table the motion to the next meeting.&nbsp;

Park said he wanted more time to consider the bid.

Superintendent Ron Wilson said the district needed to move forward with the bid to keep to its construction timeline. He said delaying the bid award would "severely disrupt our schedule." He also said the item had been in the capital outlay budget for some time.

The flooring work needs to be completed before other construction can begin, he said, and further delays could push the completion date past the start of the school year.

Park said he wanted to walk through the building to determine if some of the tile replacement could be delayed.

He also complained that the bid was not being awarded to a Kansas company.&nbsp;

Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business services, said the district received three bids for the work after a public bidding process.

Jayme Goetz, whose husband works in construction, said there is an extreme labor shortage right now, and some Kansas companies are not bidding on projects because they don't have the workers.

Park argued that the asbestos did not have to be removed by a professional abatement company. 

Hipp said any outside company that the district would hire to work on the tile would be subject to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Occupational+Safety+and+Health+Administration&amp;oq=OSHA&amp;aqs=chrome.0.0i355i433i512j46i199i433i465i512j0i131i433i512l3j0i433i512l3j0i131i433i512j0i433i512.1467j0j15&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;mstk=AUtExfDNc4jZZ6p0JGclkC38nCTs7KP9B2rLRkBBz1Ydn4CwtZA-2LYYHxh08Z1K4gEV1vjqBXYHA9dEPlYdNni_yRnQhd4cISOCQXLFHayttyFTIsNMzgoIOI1UJ-PoVCcbNbjfblD1wmCKfkK3KTmlsVuC8Si89ylfo8IQERjj8Sk82u4&amp;csui=3&amp;ved=2ahUKEwicw_aMw8KRAxWtJUQIHccmM9wQgK4QegQIARAC">Occupational Safety and Health Administration</a>&nbsp;guidelines. Those guidelines require professional asbestos abatement.

Goetz said she did not think any local company would be willing to assume the liability for removing the asbestos.

Board member Derek Yarmer said he wanted bids to be brought to the board for a first reading before a vote.

"Everything has been something that we've had to move on," Yarmer said. ... "If everything is an emergency, then nothing is an emergency."

Wilson said now is the best time to replace the flooring and remove the asbestos because the building will be empty for six months.

Board member Ruth Ruder agreed that any future flooring work could disrupt students and teachers. She added that the cost of the work will only increase in the future.

The motion to table the bid approval failed on a vote of 4-2.

The motion to replace the flooring and abate the asbestos passed on a vote of 4-2, with Park and Yarmer voting against.&nbsp;

Park asked Wilson to bring a report to the board on any remaining asbestos in district schools.

Wilson said the district has been working for years to remove asbestos from its buildings and has made even more progress during the bond projects. He said very little asbestos remains. However, he said he would bring an asbestos report back to the board.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648763037215.jpeg" alt="Hays Middle School hallway. As the former middle school is renovated into an elementary school, the flooring will be replaced and asbestos tile and adhesive will be abated. File photo" />
 <figcaption>Hays Middle School hallway. As the former middle school is renovated into an elementary school, the flooring will be replaced and asbestos tile and adhesive will be abated. File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board approved a $110,315 contract with Integrated Solutions for the removal of asbestos floor tile, adhesive and window glazing from Felten Elementary at its meeting Monday night.The funds will come from the capital outlay budget. The bid came in under the $175,000 estimate.The former high school has been renovated into a new middle school. Staff will begin moving into the renovated space on Thursday.The former middle school will be renovated into a four-section elementary school, scheduled to open in August.Wilson Elementary School is set to close as an elementary school at the end of the school year, with administrative offices eventually relocating to that building.The district plans to close the Rockwell Administration Center.The asbestos in the former middle school poses no threat at this time, because it is not airborne, Superintendent Ron Wilson said.However, when the tile is replaced with new flooring during the renovation, the asbestos will need to be abated.Board member Allen Park moved to table the motion to the next meeting.&nbsp;Park said he wanted more time to consider the bid.Superintendent Ron Wilson said the district needed to move forward with the bid to keep to its construction timeline. He said delaying the bid award would "severely disrupt our schedule." He also said the item had been in the capital outlay budget for some time.The flooring work needs to be completed before other construction can begin, he said, and further delays could push the completion date past the start of the school year.Park said he wanted to walk through the building to determine if some of the tile replacement could be delayed.He also complained that the bid was not being awarded to a Kansas company.&nbsp;Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business services, said the district received three bids for the work after a public bidding process.Jayme Goetz, whose husband works in construction, said there is an extreme labor shortage right now, and some Kansas companies are not bidding on projects because they don't have the workers.Park argued that the asbestos did not have to be removed by a professional abatement company. Hipp said any outside company that the district would hire to work on the tile would be subject to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Occupational+Safety+and+Health+Administration&amp;oq=OSHA&amp;aqs=chrome.0.0i355i433i512j46i199i433i465i512j0i131i433i512l3j0i433i512l3j0i131i433i512j0i433i512.1467j0j15&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;mstk=AUtExfDNc4jZZ6p0JGclkC38nCTs7KP9B2rLRkBBz1Ydn4CwtZA-2LYYHxh08Z1K4gEV1vjqBXYHA9dEPlYdNni_yRnQhd4cISOCQXLFHayttyFTIsNMzgoIOI1UJ-PoVCcbNbjfblD1wmCKfkK3KTmlsVuC8Si89ylfo8IQERjj8Sk82u4&amp;csui=3&amp;ved=2ahUKEwicw_aMw8KRAxWtJUQIHccmM9wQgK4QegQIARAC">Occupational Safety and Health Administration</a>&nbsp;guidelines. Those guidelines require professional asbestos abatement.Goetz said she did not think any local company would be willing to assume the liability for removing the asbestos.Board member Derek Yarmer said he wanted bids to be brought to the board for a first reading before a vote."Everything has been something that we've had to move on," Yarmer said. ... "If everything is an emergency, then nothing is an emergency."Wilson said now is the best time to replace the flooring and remove the asbestos because the building will be empty for six months.Board member Ruth Ruder agreed that any future flooring work could disrupt students and teachers. She added that the cost of the work will only increase in the future.The motion to table the bid approval failed on a vote of 4-2.The motion to replace the flooring and abate the asbestos passed on a vote of 4-2, with Park and Yarmer voting against.&nbsp;Park asked Wilson to bring a report to the board on any remaining asbestos in district schools.Wilson said the district has been working for years to remove asbestos from its buildings and has made even more progress during the bond projects. He said very little asbestos remains. However, he said he would bring an asbestos report back to the board.

Hays USD 489 votes to replace tile at former middle school, abate asbestos

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post Sports PLAINVILLE – The TMP-Marian Monarchs girls and boys
basketball teams ran their win streak to two games each on Tuesday as they
opened Mid-Continent League play with a pair of wins over the Plainville
Cardinals on the road in Plainville.

GIRLS: TMP 62, Plainville 41 The Lady Monarchs used a 21-2 run that covered the second
and third quarters on their way to a 62-41 win over the Lady Cardinals.

After scoring the first field goal, TMP found themselves in
an early hole, trailing 6-2 with just over five minutes left in the first
quarter.

The Monarchs struggled to shoot the ball in the first half
but slowly erased the deficit and built a 10-7 lead at the end of the first
quarter.

In the second frame, five quick points from Paige Koenigsman
helped TMP take their largest lead of the first half at 15-7, but that lead was
short-lived. 

Plainville answered with a 13-2 run to build a 20-17 lead
with just over two minutes left in the first half.

But TMP had the answer this time: Raegan Allen scored six of
her team-high 14 points in the final 90 seconds of the first half, giving TMP
the 26-20 halftime lead.

TMP’s shooting struggles lasted well into the second half,
but the Monarchs were still able to build a third-quarter lead to as much as 15
at 38-23. 

But Plainville cut the lead to nine at 41-32 through three
quarters.

In the final period, TMP recorded its highest-scoring
quarter of the season, scoring 21 points, as they improved to 2-2 and 1-0 in
the MCL.

The 14 points and 12 rebounds led TMP from Raegan Allen. 

Hannah Rose and Brynn Rebel each finished with nine points.

BOYS: TMP 62, Plainville 57 The Monarchs made just enough free throws down the stretch as
they closed out the 61-57 win over the Cardinals, ending a three-game losing
streak against Plainville.

TMP’s Ian and Grant Nehls combined to score 13 of the Monarchs'
first 19 points as they led 19-15, but every time the Monarchs built a lead,
Plainville had an answer. 

Plainville closed the half on a 14-7 run to go from down 4
to up 3, 29-26 at halftime.

Down five to start the second half, at 31-26, TMP answered
with a 14-0 run sparked by nine points from Ty Schmeidler.

TMP led by nine, at 40-31, midway through the third quarter.

They maintained that nine-point lead for a portion of the
fourth quarter before Plainville stormed back and pulled within one, at 56-55,
on back-to-back turnovers.

The Monarchs struggled briefly to hit their free throws in
the final minute of the game, but Ian Nehls and Schmeidler combined to score five
straight at the free throw line and secure TMP’s 61-57 win.

Grant Nehls scored a game-high 19 points, and Ty Schmeilder added
15.

The TMP boys and girls will host Central Plains at 6 p.m. at
Al Billinger Field House.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post Sports PLAINVILLE – The TMP-Marian Monarchs girls and boys
basketball teams ran their win streak to two games each on Tuesday as they
opened Mid-Continent League play with a pair of wins over the Plainville
Cardinals on the road in Plainville.GIRLS: TMP 62, Plainville 41 The Lady Monarchs used a 21-2 run that covered the second
and third quarters on their way to a 62-41 win over the Lady Cardinals.After scoring the first field goal, TMP found themselves in
an early hole, trailing 6-2 with just over five minutes left in the first
quarter.The Monarchs struggled to shoot the ball in the first half
but slowly erased the deficit and built a 10-7 lead at the end of the first
quarter.In the second frame, five quick points from Paige Koenigsman
helped TMP take their largest lead of the first half at 15-7, but that lead was
short-lived. Plainville answered with a 13-2 run to build a 20-17 lead
with just over two minutes left in the first half.But TMP had the answer this time: Raegan Allen scored six of
her team-high 14 points in the final 90 seconds of the first half, giving TMP
the 26-20 halftime lead.TMP’s shooting struggles lasted well into the second half,
but the Monarchs were still able to build a third-quarter lead to as much as 15
at 38-23. But Plainville cut the lead to nine at 41-32 through three
quarters.In the final period, TMP recorded its highest-scoring
quarter of the season, scoring 21 points, as they improved to 2-2 and 1-0 in
the MCL.The 14 points and 12 rebounds led TMP from Raegan Allen. Hannah Rose and Brynn Rebel each finished with nine points.BOYS: TMP 62, Plainville 57 The Monarchs made just enough free throws down the stretch as
they closed out the 61-57 win over the Cardinals, ending a three-game losing
streak against Plainville.TMP’s Ian and Grant Nehls combined to score 13 of the Monarchs'
first 19 points as they led 19-15, but every time the Monarchs built a lead,
Plainville had an answer. Plainville closed the half on a 14-7 run to go from down 4
to up 3, 29-26 at halftime.Down five to start the second half, at 31-26, TMP answered
with a 14-0 run sparked by nine points from Ty Schmeidler.TMP led by nine, at 40-31, midway through the third quarter.They maintained that nine-point lead for a portion of the
fourth quarter before Plainville stormed back and pulled within one, at 56-55,
on back-to-back turnovers.The Monarchs struggled briefly to hit their free throws in
the final minute of the game, but Ian Nehls and Schmeidler combined to score five
straight at the free throw line and secure TMP’s 61-57 win.TMP is 2-2 and 1-0 in the MCL.Grant Nehls scored a game-high 19 points, and Ty Schmeilder added
15.The TMP boys and girls will host Central Plains at 6 p.m. at
Al Billinger Field House.

🏀 Monarchs sweep Plainville in MCL opener

SEDGWICK COUNTY – In a Sedgwick County courtroom on Friday Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 22-year-old John A. Griffin III to 673 months—more than 56 years—in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for killing two people at a motel in Wichita in February of 2024, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In October,&nbsp; Griffin  pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of 35-year-old Christopher Harrell and 35-year-old Natisha Phillips in a motel room  in 7300 block of E. Kellogg in Wichita,  according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708804201051.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation- photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation- photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY – In a Sedgwick County courtroom on Friday Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 22-year-old John A. Griffin III to 673 months—more than 56 years—in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for killing two people at a motel in Wichita in February of 2024, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708953115181.png" alt="Griffin photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Griffin photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>In October,&nbsp; Griffin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of 35-year-old Christopher Harrell and 35-year-old Natisha Phillips in a motel room in 7300 block of E. Kellogg in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 9:30a.m. February 24, 2024,&nbsp; police were dispatched to a shooting call at a motel&nbsp; in the 7300 block of E. Kellogg, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders located the two shooting victims in a motel room identified as Harrell and Phillips both of Wichita.EMS transported Harrell to a local area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Phillips was pronounced deceased on the scene.Officers also located a young child at the scene, who was unharmed, and police used resources to address any psychological or medical needs for the child.&nbsp;Subsequent investigation led the arrest of GriffinGriffin&nbsp; had been in prison for portion of 2022 and 2023 after a conviction for Battery Juvenile Corrections Facility officer, Employer person confined, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. During his time his approximately 18 months in prison, Griffin had been disciplined nearly three dozen times for battery, theft, fighting and other crimes, according to the KDOC.As a part of the sentencing on Friday, Griffin will also be subject to a period of 36 months of post-release supervision. Additionally, as part of the judgment, Judge Tyler Roush ordered him to pay approximately $8,500 in restitution.