Christmas is probably, if not the most beloved holiday amongst us all. The countdown to December 25 is what we long for, and is a great time where families and friends come together for gift-giving, eat delicious foods, sip on some eggnog and do other well-known traditions.

But, what is the origin of the holiday and what is its true meaning? Also, where does the concept of Santa come from?&nbsp;

Before Christmas actually became a holiday, the <a href="https://www.history.com/articles/winter-solstice">Winter Solstice</a>&nbsp;(known as the shortest day and longest night of the year) was a time where ancient&nbsp; cultures&nbsp;held feasts and celebrated holidays during that time. Since it was the longest/darkest night of the year, cultures used fire and light which became traditional symbols.

Ancient Rome also got in on the fun and&nbsp;held several celebrations around the time of the winter solstice, including <a href="https://www.history.com/articles/saturnalia">Saturnalia</a>, which is a&nbsp;pagan festival honoring the agricultural god "Saturn."

Moreover, Rome added more celebrations into the mix, including the birthday of Mithra (ancient Persian god of light) on December 25.

Once Christianity was established, the first recorded Christmas that celebrated the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-25/christ-is-born">birth of Jesus</a> is often cited to occur in AD 336. This then became a religious service that recognized Jesus' birth, as the Roman government at the time, decided to celebrate this on December 25.&nbsp;

It is important to note, it is not quite clear on the exact date of Jesus' birth, though many Bible commentators including <a href="https://www.icr.org/henry_morris/">Dr. Henry M. Morris</a>, speculated Jesus was born on September.

By the fourth century, church officials had decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday on December 25. According to many historians, it is believed the Roman church&nbsp;chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. However, the Roman church did not celebrate Saturnalia, since it was a pagan festival celebrated by outside (not within the church) Roman society.

In fact, the word "Christmas" means two words, "Christ Mass" which is a combination of "Christ" (from Greek Khristos, meaning "anointed one" or Messiah) and "Mass" (from Latin missa, referring to the Eucharistic service or celebration).

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas says the plus-sized man in a red suit with a long white beard. But, the question becomes, "who really is this guy and how did he come about?"

In the 3rd century, a Christian monk named St. Nicholas was known for doing many things such as&nbsp;stopping a violent storm to save doomed sailors, donating money to a father forced to sell his daughters into prostitution and even restoring to life a trio of boys who had been dismembered by an unethical butcher.

St. Nicholas had a special heart for children, and every December 6 he would deliver goods to the youth through their windows around parts of Europe. He also started dropping in goods through chimneys, once it was established in homes.

The name Santa Claus&nbsp;evolved from St. Nicholas' Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas.

Interestingly enough in 1809, <a href="https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2016/fall/feature/how-washington-irving-shaped-christmas-in-america">Washington Irving</a> (American writer), portrayed St. Nicholas as a portly Dutchman who flew the skies in a wagon and dropping gifts down chimneys.

In 1822, an Episcopal minister named Clement Moore wrote a long Christmas poem for his three daughters entitled “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” more popularly known as “’Twas The Night Before Christmas.”

In the poem, Moore portrayed St. Nicholas as&nbsp;a “right jolly old elf” with a portly figure and the supernatural ability to ascend a chimney with a mere nod of his head. 

His poem helped popularize the now-familiar image of how we view Santa Claus today.

Learn: Brief history of Christmas

HARVEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Wednesday in Harvey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Kawasaki motorcycle driven by Curtis Moss, 48, Lindsborg, was northbound in the left lane of Interstate 135 at E First Street in Newton.&nbsp; A southbound 2024 Ford Maverick driven by Brian Voth, 65, Newton, moved from the right lane to the left lane to pass another vehicle. The motorcycle rear-ended the pickup.

&nbsp;EMS transported Moss to Wesley Med Center. Voth was properly restrained and not injured. Moss was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kan. man hospitalized after motorcycle rear-ends a pickup

From a video courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/deercreekdronesLLC/">Deer Creek Drones LLC</a>, the log jam near Bill Burke and Indian Rock Parks is officially cleared.

The log jam started its pileup on <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5d56e5f3-429d-4518-891d-2809c660271d">July 19</a> and after significant rain events, eventually accumulated stacks of logs clogging the Smoky Hill River.

On <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/483d033a-a3aa-4b22-8041-02404862faa1">July 28</a>, the City of Salina&nbsp;approved a quote of&nbsp;$411,231 with a (10%) construction contingency from&nbsp;DIEHL Enterprises Inc. (Salina based) to remove the log jam. However, heavy rainfall continued to occur and worsen the pileup causing the City to put in&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a7c9bfa0-1573-46f0-80b5-236552b0ada9">additional costs to the project</a>,&nbsp;resulting in&nbsp;upwards of $1 million.

The City <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/dc461e5b-c714-4956-be7b-7ea7fa8515a1">will receive federal assistance</a> after suffering from July's significant weather events.

Watch the video courtesy of Deer Creek Drones LLC below:

🎥 Log jam near Bill Burke & Indian Rock Parks officially cleared 

With Salina under a Dense Fog Advisory until noon on Christmas Eve, the US National Weather Service is advising the public to be cautious on the roads.

Visibility on Wednesday morning has dropped rapidly in many locations across central Kansas, with less than 1/4 of a mile of visibility range.

Dense fog will gradually dissipate from south to north by around midday on Wednesday, with more dense fog developing again this evening and tonight.

The&nbsp;US National Weather Service advises the public to slow down when traveling, and use low beam headlights.

Stay updated with local weather on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita">US National Weather Service Wichita Kansas</a>&nbsp;Facebook page.

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

&nbsp;For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Dense fog advisory for Christmas Eve in central Kansas, US National Weather Service cautions public

After the Salina Family YMCA was awarded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.praesidiumaccreditation.com/">Praesidium Accreditation</a>®,&nbsp;a prestigious honor that publicly demonstrates the organization has worked to achieve the highest industry standards in abuse prevention, staff of the Y gave their comments on the accreditation.

Read more: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/028d2e75-228f-4e26-8f7c-e5f35497e419">Salina YMCA accredited highest honor for abuse prevention practices</a>

Senior Director of Youth Development, Marti Higdon said the accreditation gives those come to the Y "extra reassurance" the facility is a safe place to be.

Higdon works with the youth on a daily basis and she stated she is the "Praesidium Guardian," meaning she earned her own personal accreditation in the past. Her key takeaways were that it is highly important to be observant and connected.

Marketing Director, Zach Gilig commented he hopes this accreditation will reach out to other families and people of the surrounding area to join in on the safe, fun and welcoming environment the Salina YMCA provides.&nbsp;

🎥 Salina YMCA staff share comments after earning highest honor for abuse prevention practices

Saline County Jail Bookings, December 24

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Christmas Eve & Day, Dec. 26 Salina weather forecast

DICKINSON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Tuesday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Chevy Equinox driven by Benjamin John&nbsp;Shafer, 26, Abilene, was&nbsp;&nbsp;westbound on Kansas 18 one half mile east of Mink Road.

The SUV rear-ended a 2017 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp;Hock, Matthew Warren Hock, 43, Abilene, who was&nbsp;slowing to turn north into a driveway.

EMS transported Shafer to Memorial Health System. Hock was not injured. Shafer was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after rear-end crash

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Salina Post obituary policy (subject to change)

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

Salina Post accepts all obituaries&nbsp;free of charge (subject to change)&nbsp;and you can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

Recent obituaries and service times, how to submit an obituary

SkyWest Airlines, the world’s largest regional air carrier, has selected the Salina Regional Airport (SLN) to establish an aircraft maintenance facility. 

This will help support maintenance on some of SkyWest’s fleet of 500+ regional jets, including the aircraft currently operating United Express flights in and out of Salina.

SkyWest's maintenance base will initially create several new, high-paying jobs at the Salina Airport and is expected to be operational by early spring 2026. These new positions are in addition to existing customer service staff based at the airport. 

Those interested in joining the SkyWest team of technicians can apply today at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.skywest.com/skywest-airline-jobs/career-guides/a-and-p-mechanic?utm_source=CC&amp;utm_medium=Release&amp;utm_campaign=SLNMX" target="_blank">https://www.skywest.com/mechanic</a>.

This new location will support SkyWest’s reliable and safe passenger service for business and leisure travelers from across the state and nation. SkyWest operates multiple daily flights as United Express to Denver, Chicago, and Houston from Salina. These flights provide vital connectivity by allowing travelers to easily connect to United’s global network.

SkyWest’s decision to open the Salina maintenance base is aligned with Governor Kelly’s initiative to expand&nbsp;aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations across Kansas, and was made possible by support from the Kansas Department of Commerce, City of Salina, Saline County, Salina Airport Authority, and the Salina Community Economic Development Organization.

The expenditures between the agencies as a whole were around $750,000.

“SkyWest’s decision to establish a maintenance base in Salina reflects Kansas’ ability to compete and deliver for world-class aviation partners,” Kansas Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Joshua Jefferson said. “We’ve made deliberate investments in workforce, infrastructure and airport readiness, and this announcement shows that those efforts are paying off. Salina is positioned to support SkyWest’s growth today and well into the future.”

Salina Airport Authority executive director Pieter Miller said, “SkyWest adds to a growing aviation ecosystem that includes the Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus, Textron, and Garmin.” He added that, “the SkyWest Salina maintenance facility will support the development and growth of Salina flights to United Airlines’ hubs at Denver, Chicago, and Houston.”

“We are excited to establish a maintenance presence in Salina,” said Joe Sigg, SkyWest’s VP of Maintenance. “We appreciate the local and statewide support and look forward to building a team of technicians dedicated&nbsp; to SkyWest’s standards of excellence here in Salina.”

<a href="https://www.skywest.com/">SkyWest Airlines</a> operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines carrying over 42 million passengers in 2024. Headquartered in St. George, Utah, SkyWest’s fleet of 500+ aircraft connects passengers to 258 destinations throughout North America.&nbsp;

World's largest regional air carrier, SkyWest Airlines to establish aircraft maintenance facility in Salina

HARVEY COUNTY – Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina, was sentenced December 22, by Chief Judge Wilder in Harvey County District Court for the crime of rape, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.

Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, Cole faced a presumptive prison sentence ranging from 147 to 165 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. Harvey County Attorney Heather Figger requested that the Court impose the standard sentence of 155 months in prison.

After considering a defense motion for durational departure, the Court sentenced Cole to 78 months in prison. The Court cited Cole’s acceptance of responsibility, his age at the time of the offense, his performance while on bond, and his consistent attendance at court proceedings as factors supporting the reduced sentence. Cole will be subject to lifetime post-release supervision and lifetime registration as a sexual offender.

Cole was convicted of rape on September 19, 2025. The offense occurred in August of 2023 in the victim’s dorm room on the Bethel campus in Harvey County.

HARVEY COUNTY – On September 19, 2025, Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina,&nbsp; entered a guilty plea in Harvey County District Court to one count of Rape, according to the Harvey County District Attorney's office.

At the time of the offense, Cole was a student at Bethel College and the crime occurred in the dorms located on the Bethel College campus.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place before Chief Judge Marilyn Wilder on December 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Cole remains out of custody on bond pending sentencing. 

He faces a potential prison sentence of 147 to 653 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime post-release supervision. He will also be subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

The successful prosecution of this case was made possible with the dedicated assistance of the North Newton Police Department. 

Prison for sex crime in Bethel college dorm

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 22 - December 24

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 19 - December 21

With the current strong windy weather across central Kansas, Saline County Emergency Management issues warnings and I-70 between Colby and Goodland are reportedly closed.&nbsp;

Saline County Emergency Management statement:

Northwest winds will increase and persist through the afternoon, with sustained speeds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts approaching 60 mph. These conditions will create widespread hazards throughout Saline County.

The combination of strong winds and very dry conditions will result in extreme fire danger. Any grass fire that starts could spread rapidly and be difficult to control. Blowing dust may also reduce visibility, particularly along and west of Salina near I-70.

Kansas Department of Transportation statement:

KDOT has closed both directions of I-70 between Goodland and Colby due to reduced visibility from blowing dust as of 10:22 am on Thursday.

This statement comes after the freeway reopened at around 5:00 am, when it was closed late Wednesday evening.

Motorists are advised to delay non-essential travel until conditions improve.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019b32451255-66bf87ed-2388-4d16-a916-7ad1cd6cb05e-000000/-WTaKRS3IZhaitvuvGXNomZD2QUr6_IU549OuSP-qyY=436">kandrive.gov</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

Salina Post will provide updates on the reopening of the freeway.

Windy weather and road closures: Saline Co. Emergency Management issues warning, I-70 between Colby & Goodland closed

Very strong northwest winds and a grassland fire danger are expected to occur Thursday morning most of western and central Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service, wind gusts in the 50 to 60 mph range will commonly occur throughout the central Kansas region.

Strong winds will combine with dry conditions to elevate the grassland fire danger into the extreme category on Thursday with peak timing from around 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Any fires that start will be difficult to control.

Moreover, some locations may see visibility reduced which may result in dangerous driving conditions, especially along Interstate 70 west of Salina.

Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph and grassland fire danger expected Thursday 

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 17 - December 19

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 15 - December 17

Four day weather forecast Salina, December 12 - December 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 10 - December 12

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department said Wednesday that it may need a “few more weeks” to release all of its records on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after suddenly discovering more than a million potentially relevant documents, further delaying compliance with last Friday’s congressionally mandated deadline.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">Click here to see</a>&nbsp;the files and do a search

The Christmas Eve announcement came hours after a dozen U.S. senators called on the Justice Department’s watchdog to examine its failure to meet the deadline. The group, 11 Democrats and a Republican, told Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume in a letter that victims “deserve full disclosure” and the “peace of mind” of an independent audit.

The Justice Department said in a social media post that federal prosecutors in Manhattan and the FBI “have uncovered over a million more documents” that could be related to the Epstein case — a stunning 11th hour development after department officials suggested months ago that they had undertaken a comprehensive review that accounted for the vast universe of Epstein-related materials.

In March, Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News that a “truckload of evidence” had been delivered to her after she ordered the Justice Department to “deliver the full and complete Epstein files to my office” — a directive she said she made after learning from an unidentified source that the FBI in New York was “in possession of thousands of pages of documents.”

In July, the FBI and Justice Department indicated in an unsigned memo that they had undertaken an “exhaustive review” and had determined that no additional evidence should be released — an extraordinary about face from the Trump administration, which for months had pledged maximum transparency. The memo did not raise the possibility that additional evidence existed that officials were unaware of or had not reviewed.

Wednesday’s post did not say when the Justice Department was informed of the newly uncovered files.

In a letter last week, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Manhattan federal prosecutors already had more than 3.6 million records from sex trafficking investigations into Epstein and his longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell, though many were copies of material already turned over by the FBI.

The Justice Department said its lawyers are “working around the clock” to review the documents and remove victims names and other identifying information as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted last month that requires the government to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-release-justice-department-32cbc21a6ae8189dccd00455dc83d2be">open its files</a>&nbsp;on Epstein and Maxwell.

“We will release the documents as soon as possible,” the department said. “Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks.”

The announcement came amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-epstein-files-trump-nassar-justice-department-101ba03107c32ba88869bc37e1d01849">increasing scrutiny on the Justice Department’s staggered release</a>&nbsp;of Epstein-related records, including from Epstein victims and members of Congress.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, one of the chief authors of the law mandating the document release, posted Wednesday on X: “DOJ did break the law by making illegal redactions and by missing the deadline.” Another architect of the law, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he and Massie will “continue to keep the pressure on” and noted that the Justice Department was releasing more documents after lawmakers threatened contempt.

“A Christmas Eve news dump of ‘a million more files’ only proves what we already know: Trump is engaged in a massive coverup,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said after DOJ’s announcement. “The question Americans deserve answered is simple: WHAT are they hiding -- and WHY?”

The White House on Wednesday defended the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein records.

“President Trump has assembled the greatest cabinet in American history, which includes Attorney General Bondi and her team — like Deputy Attorney General Blanche — who are doing a great job implementing the President’s agenda,” spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement.

After releasing an initial wave of records on Friday, the Justice Department posted more batches to its website over the weekend and on Tuesday. The Justice Department has not given any notice when more records might arrive.

Records that have been released, including photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, court records and other documents, were either already public or heavily blacked out, and many lacked necessary context. Records that hadn’t been seen before include transcripts of grand jury testimony from FBI agents who described interviews they had with several girls and young women who described being paid to perform sex acts for Epstein.

Other records made public in recent days include a note from a federal prosecutor from January 2020 that said Trump had flown on the financier’s private plane more often than had been previously known and emails between Maxwell and someone who signs off with the initial “A.” They contain other references that suggest the writer was Britain’s former Prince Andrew. In one, “A” writes: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?”

The senators’ call Wednesday for an inspector general audit comes days after Schumer introduced a resolution that, if passed, would direct the Senate to file or join lawsuits aimed at forcing the Justice Department to comply with the disclosure and deadline requirements. In a statement, he called the staggered, heavily redacted release “a blatant cover-up.”

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., in leading the call for an inspector general audit. Others signing the letter were Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota., Adam Schiff of California, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, both of New Jersey, Gary Peters of Michigan, Chris Van Hollen, of Maryland, Mazie Hirono, of Hawaii, and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.

“Given the (Trump) Administration’s historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential,” the senators wrote. Full transparency, they said, “is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein’s crimes.”

Sisak reported from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Why the DOJ says it needs a 'few more weeks' to finish release of Epstein files 

Missouri was already unlikely to ever collect a dime, legal experts agree, and the countersuit could expose U.S. assets to retaliation

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has cast news that she is being sued by the Chinese government as a badge of honor, pointing to the lawsuit as proof that her&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-wants-to-seize-chinese-assets-to-recover-24-billion-judgment-in-covid-case/">aggressive push to collect on a roughly $25 billion</a>&nbsp;court judgment tied to the COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact.

But experts in international law say the lawsuit, filed in China earlier this year and announced last week by Hanaway, is more likely to do the opposite — making an already remote chance that Missouri will ever collect that money even slimmer, while potentially exposing U.S. assets abroad to retaliation.

Hanaway said last week in a news release that China is demanding a public apology from the state in a complaint filed in the Intermediate People’s Court of Wuhan, along with damages equivalent to $50.5 billion, legal fees and the right to seek additional compensation.

“This lawsuit is a stalling tactic and tells me that we have been on the right side of this issue all along,” Hanaway said.

The suit was filed after Missouri secured a default judgment earlier this year in a federal case alleging that China hoarded personal protective equipment during the early months of the pandemic. A judge ruled for Missouri after China declined to participate in the trial, awarding the state roughly $25 billion in damages.

Hanaway has since asked the U.S. State Department to notify China that Missouri intends to pursue assets with full or partial Chinese government ownership to satisfy the judgment. Her office is also assembling a list of Chinese properties that could be targeted, focusing on assets owned outright by the Chinese government or by companies in which it has a stake.

Legal scholars say those efforts face steep, and likely insurmountable, obstacles.

Chimène Keitner, director of the U.C. Davis Center for International Law &amp; Policy, said government-owned property is generally protected by sovereign immunity — meaning Chinese government assets in the United States are shielded from seizure, just as U.S. government property is protected abroad.

China’s countersuit, she said, also appears unlikely to result in any recovery. But it carries legal and diplomatic implications that could further complicate Missouri’s case.

International law recognizes a doctrine known as “countermeasures,” Keitner said, which allows a country to take actions it otherwise could not as a way of pressuring another country to comply with international law.

If the U.S. government were to authorize Missouri’s efforts to seize Chinese assets, she said, it could expose American property in China to reciprocal action.

“So if Missouri violates China’s sovereign immunity,” Keitner said, “China could have a good argument for doing the same thing — not just against Missouri, but against the United States as a whole.”

William Dodge, a law professor at George Washington University who specializes in international law a, said neither lawsuit “has a prayer of being enforced.”

Even if Missouri were allowed to pursue assets, Dodge said, the scope would be narrow. Only property owned by the defendants named in the lawsuit — including the Chinese government, the Communist Party of China, several national agencies, provincial and local governments around Wuhan and the Wuhan Institute of Virology — could potentially be targeted.

And the state would still have to show that those specific entities were involved in hoarding personal protective equipment, he said.

Dodge, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://tlblog.org/author/william-dodge/" target="_blank">written extensively about Missouri’s lawsuit and a similar effort in Mississippi</a>, agreed that China’s complaint further reduces the already slim likelihood that Missouri will be able to collect because it raises the risk of retaliation.

“China’s law has a reciprocity provision,” he said. “It basically says that if a foreign country gives China less immunity than Chinese law provides, China can respond by giving that foreign country less immunity. In other words: whatever the U.S. does to us, we can do to them.”

U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh initially dismissed Missouri’s lawsuit in 2022, ruling that the state could not sue China. An appeals court later allowed one claim to proceed — the allegation that China hoarded items such as respirator masks, medical gowns and gloves.

After Chinese officials failed to respond, Limbaugh accepted Missouri’s estimate of past and future damages of more than $8 billion, tripled it as federal law allows, and added 3.91% interest until the judgment is paid.

In an emailed statement last month, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said China’s pandemic response involved “acts of national sovereignty” that are not subject to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.

China will not pay, Liu said, and “will retaliate if necessary.”

The lawsuit filed in China accuses Missouri of “fabricating enormous disinformation” and spreading “stigmatizing and discriminating slanders” that it says have damaged China’s reputation.

“We stand undeterred in our mission to collect on our $24 billion judgment that was lawfully handed down in federal court,” she said.

Neither side’s claims are likely to result in any tangible recovery, Keitner said, leaving the dispute largely symbolic.

“Unfortunately, this all seems to be a lot of unhelpful political theater,” she said, “with no clear off-ramp for either side to save face.”

China’s lawsuit makes Missouri’s $25 billion COVID judgment even harder to collect

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. —A Jackson County sheriff's deputy struck by a car while investigating an accident was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve, according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'. 

Just after 6p.m. December 17, a 2012 Mercedes driven by a 69-year-old Lee's Summit woman was southbound at South Buckner Tarsney at E. Ryan Road. The vehicle traveled into the crash scene and struck the the 53-year-old deputy, according to the MSHP.

Central Jackson County EMS transported the deputy to Centerpoint Medical Center where he underwnt several medical procedures.

"He’s in good spirits, has a positive mindset, and is expected to fully recover.&nbsp; He’s blessed to be surrounded by a caring family," according to Forte'

Merry Christmas: Deputy struck by a car released from hospital

The Powerball® jackpot has been won in Arkansas, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. A single ticket sold in Arkansas matched all six numbers drawn last night to win a $1.817 billion jackpot. The jackpot has a cash option of $834.9 million.

The winning numbers in the Wednesday, Dec. 24 Powerball drawing were white balls 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and red Powerball 19. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.

With final ticket sales, the Powerball jackpot reached $1.817 billion, making it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever won and the largest Powerball prize this year.

“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak – every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”

This marks the second time the Powerball® jackpot has been won by a ticket sold in Arkansas; the first was in 2010.

The lucky ticket holder will have the choice between an annuitized prize of $1.817 billion or a lump sump payment of $834.9 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If a winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.

Nationwide, eight tickets matched all five white balls. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in California, Indiana, Michigan, New York (2), Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Match 5 prize is a set cash prize of $1 million except in California, where prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

The drawing also produced 114 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 31 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.

In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets sold in Colorado and South Carolina won $500,000 prizes after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. The Double Play drawing is live streamed on<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">&nbsp;Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.

Last night’s Powerball drawing was the 47th in the jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was previously won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

For the next drawing on Saturday night, the Powerball jackpot resets to $20 million. The Power Play® 10X multiplier will be available for play since the advertised jackpot is below $150 million.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

Single ticket wins $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging two Indian nationals with allegedly defrauding a victim while posing as federal law enforcement officials.&nbsp;

According to court documents, Venkateswara Reddy Chagamreddy, 27, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sai Praveen Kommana, 29, of Frisco, Texas, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of interference with commerce by threat.

From May 2025 through September 2025, Chagamreddy and Kommana are accused of conspiring with others to defraud a victim in Kansas. The members of this conspiracy posed as agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They allegedly convinced the individual to purchase $255,287 in gold and give it them, falsely thinking it was going to a government agency for safe keeping.

The members of this conspiracy, including the indicted men, allegedly primarily target elderly retired individuals, falsely asserting they are with a government agency and telling victims that their identity has been compromised in ways that could result in jail time and major financial loss for victims. Prosecutors accuse the members of this conspiracy of convincing victims to transfer their assets, primarily in gold, to the federal government to protect themselves against further crimes.

The FBI will never call, email or otherwise contact private citizens to demand payment, threaten arrest, or request personal or sensitive information. Fraud can be reported via<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">&nbsp;tips.fbi.gov&nbsp;</a>or 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI encourages people who have been victims of internet crimes and/or financial fraud and schemes to report via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/">ic3.gov</a>.&nbsp;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a&nbsp;

2 accused of posing as FBI agents to scam Kansans

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Just after&nbsp; 7:00 a.m. Dec. 18, a Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives served a search warrant at the residence of 16399 R. Road, just north of the City of Mayetta, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse. In October law enforcement responded to a shooting at the same address.

 The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received information late Tuesday evening reporting a domestic altercation and criminal damage to a vehicle at the location.&nbsp; On Wednesday, deputies served the search warrant taking two men into custody.

Deputies arrested 22-year-old Cody M. Smith and 21-year-old Cole Alexander Thompson both of Mayetta.

Deputies seized cocaine and weapons from the residence. Smith was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thompson was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, domestic battery and criminal damage to property.

Sheriff: Suspects were selling cocaine from Kansas home

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 33-year-old Johntrel L Vickers, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

just before 4:30a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the intersection of Admiral and Paseo on a reported shooting, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

First responders found Vickers lying in the street near the intersection, unresponsive, and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS responded to the scene&nbsp; and pronounced him deceased.

There is no preliminary information indicating what led up to the shooting and a subject of interest has not been identified.

Police ID homicide victim found on Kansas City street

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed higher and reached more records Wednesday on a holiday-shortened trading day.

The S&amp;P 500 index rose 22.26 points, or 0.3%, to 6,932.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 288.75, or 0.6%, to close at 48,731.16, and the Nasdaq composite added 51.46, or 0.2%, to 23,613.31

Trading was extremely light as markets closed early for Christmas Eve and will be closed for Christmas Thursday. Roughly 1.8 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, which is roughly a third of the average trading day.

Markets will reopen for a full day of trading on Friday; however volumes are expected to remain light this week with most investors having closed out their positions for the year.

The S&amp;P 500 is up more than 17%&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wall-street-stocks-bonds-crypto-tariffs-ai-539ae5ec338d19f52116e97d38300c28">this year</a>, as investors have embraced the deregulatory policies of the Trump administration and been optimistic about the future of artificial intelligence in helping boost profits for not only technology companies but also for Corporate America. Some of the strongest performers this year include Nvidia and Micron Technologies, both companies that make chips or other components that power the proliferation of data centers across the country.

Much of the focus for investors for the next few weeks will be on where the U.S. economy is heading and where the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-economy-inflation-jobs-442de589de9b99bb811f76e402b00948">Federal Reserve</a>&nbsp;will move interest rates. Investors are betting the Fed will hold steady on interest rates at its January meeting.

The U.S. economy grew at a surprisingly strong 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter, the most rapid expansion in two years, driven by consumers who continue to spend in the face of ongoing inflation. There have also been recent reports showing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-55a603a497c5885745b87de8fc5f7821">shaky confidence among consumers</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-economy-inflation-groceries-costs-trump-affordability-d27635d279b27e5e2c19700c006ebb1d">worried about high prices</a>. The labor market&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-trump-unemployment-federal-reserve-cf1280a8466d92fbbc1b5ace7b80bffc">has been slowing</a>&nbsp;and retail sales&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-industry-inflation-cd9c68bb96ea0f1bfc6a3c0be6be1a90">have weakened</a>.

The number of Americans applying for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-ba15107bd53911c23c1a694c3dd09f18">unemployment benefits</a>&nbsp;fell last week and remain at historically healthy levels despite some signs that the labor market is weakening.

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