The City of Salina has approved and announced a new strategy meant to achieve traffic safety, by eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

"Vision Zero," a strategy approved by Salina Commissioners meant to achieve the policy goal of eliminating all traffic&nbsp;fatalities and serious injuries, while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all.

Specifically the strategy is meant achieve the following:

• Actively working to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on City streets within 10 years (by 2035).

• Collecting, analyzing, and using data to understand trends and potential effects of traffic deaths.

• Creating a Vision Zero Committee to develop and implement an action plan that is guided by community input.

• Prioritizing the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, scooter riders, and people with disabilities over the ease of use of personal automobiles.

The City stated it is an "ambitious and challenging goal, but achievable."

This committee will work with the community, to develop an action plan for achieving the goals set for the strategy.&nbsp;

Moreover, the committee will increase government accountability through&nbsp; public participation and public reporting provisions.

Anyone from the public can join the committee and for those interested in joining can contact the City's Public Works Department at:&nbsp;(785) 309-5725

The strategy is designed to increase transparency and ensure accountability in the policymaking process.

The City clarified Vision Zero "cannot eliminate"&nbsp;all traffic fatalities and serious injuries or solve all traffic safety problems.&nbsp;This approach must work in tandem with other transportation policy and planning efforts, such as: 

Complete Streets policies, long-range planning, active transportation plans and new mobility policies. 

Collisions resulting in minor injuries; near misses; and issues related to enforcement and personal safety also affect people’s experiences with traffic safety and their perceptions of it.

To read the full item, click&nbsp;<a href="https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/file/getfile/14699">here</a>.

Vision Zero was <a href="https://highways.dot.gov/sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/2022-06/FHWA-SA-20-073_Lessons_Learned_from_Development_of_Vision_Zero_Action_Plans.pdf">first implemented in Sweden in the 1990s</a>. This strategy has proved successful across Europe — and since 2014 has been gaining momentum in the United States.

More than 50 US cities, counties, and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have committed to the Vision Zero strategy.

Salina sets vision to achieve zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035

DICKINSON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Tuesday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Kenworth semi driven by Scott L.&nbsp;Graverholt, 42, Bellevue, Nebraska, was southbound on Kansas 15 near 3300 Avenue. The semi&nbsp;&nbsp;crossed the center line, entered the east ditch, stuck a cattle fence and entered private property The vehicle continued along the inside of the fence line, stuck a culvert and coming to rest south of the culvert.

EMS transported Graverholt to.&nbsp;Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Driver hospitalized after semi crash into cattle fence, culvert

Salina Police are currently searching for unknown suspect(s) that committed "Jackpotting" crimes at multiple banks.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Monday at around 10:30 am, officers were dispatched to Bennington State Bank (2130 S. Ohio) regarding a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.secretservice.gov/newsroom/releases/2018/01/secret-service-warns-sophisticated-atm-jackpotting-attack#:~:text=ATM%20jackpotting%20is%20a%20sophisticated,to%20international%20organized%20crime%20syndicates.">Jackpotting</a>&nbsp;theft.

ATM Jackpotting&nbsp;is a sophisticated crime in which thieves install malicious software and/or hardware at ATMs that force the machines to dispense huge volumes of cash on demand.&nbsp;

Reportedly at 8:00 pm the previous day on Sunday, unknown suspect(s) jackpotted the bank's ATM and&nbsp;were able to obtain an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect(s) then went to another Bennington State Bank location (200 S. 9th), at about 1:00 am on Monday. The suspect(s) committed the same crime as well.

SPD stated the suspect(s)&nbsp;vehicle was a white Lincoln passenger car (see image above).

A Kansas tag was observed on the vehicle as well. 

Moreover, SPD confirmed the tag had been stolen between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Sunday from a vehicle in the 100 block of S. Phillips. 

It is suspected a Jackpotting incident which occurred in Wamego after the events in Salina, are connected. 

Jackpotting suspect(s) sought after committing crimes at multiple banks

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

NAME:&nbsp;Outland, Ernest James

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Domestic battery: Knowing/reckless bodily harm

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Saline County Jail Bookings, November 25

OCCK Inc. Transportation is pleased to announce the addition of new stops on the 81 Connection route, expanding access and improving regional mobility for riders traveling between Belleville and Salina.&nbsp; 

The updated route will go into effect on December 1, 2025.

- Casey’s, 2087 N. 145th&nbsp;Road, Concordia

The new stops are designed to better connect riders to key destinations, improve convenience, and support growing transportation needs across North Central Kansas.&nbsp; 

“These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing mobility options for the communities we serve,” said&nbsp;Trell Grinter, OCCK Transportation Director. “The new stops will offer riders greater flexibility and improved access to work, healthcare, education, and essential services along the corridor.”

Updated maps and schedules will be available soon.

For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.occk.com/">www.occk.com</a>. For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>.

Or contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

OCCK announces new stops added towards 81 Connection to improve rideability

Salina is well known across Kansas for having some of the most affordable, fun, and best organized running events in the state. Earlier this year Salina race directors launched the first annual Run Salina Series. Run Salina Series is a collaborative effort of local organizations to encourage the community to participate in multiple Salina running events. 

Participants who completed 4 of the 6 events receive an exclusive Run Salina Series shirt. Participation in local races turns into funding for these non-profits who help children and adults within our community.

The Run Salina Series is a product of Salina race directors meeting quarterly to identify ways to increase opportunities for running and walking in the community and this is the first of the ideas that were developed through those meetings. 

“Salina has a well deserved reputation for having some of the top races in Kansas” said Daniel Craig, a Co-Founder of the Salina Crossroads Marathon. “The race courses are flat, fast, and scenic and Salina races receive five star reviews on how friendly and passionate the volunteers are. We have some incredible organizations and race directors that put on our local races and it was exciting to see several Salina races have record-breaking registration totals this year. With our high school teams and Kansas Wesleyan University having awesome cross country seasons, increased participation in the Salina Running Club, and having some of the premier youth track and field clubs in the state Salina has quickly become one of the top running communities in Kansas. On behalf of the Run Salina Series I want to thank the City of Salina, Salina Downtown Inc., Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, all of the sponsors who help make our local races possible, and everyone who participated in or volunteered for Salina races this year.”

· Five races broke their registration records! (A sixth race had its second highest totals ever)

· Three races exceeded 1000 registered participants! Smoky Hill River Run: 1040, Fe for a Cure: 1214, and Salina Crossroads Marathon: 5416 (Prior to 2025 the Salina Crossroads Marathon was the only Salina race to have reached the 1000 registered runner mark.)

Runners who completed the Run Salina Series Challenge (participating in four of the six races) can email runsalinacrossroads@gmail.com with a list of races completed and Run Salina Series shirt size needed.

The Run Salina Series planning committee will be meeting in early December to plan a couple of potential pick up dates/locations. 

That information will be emailed out and also posted on Facebook. 

The Run Salina Series planning committee looks forward to continuing to grow Salina races in 2026.

Run Salina Series breaking records for 2025, what to know about the initiative that promotes running and walking within the community

The Salina Family YMCA is proud to announce its first-ever “Blizzards and Bishops” Chess Tournament, set for Saturday, December 6.

This exciting new event welcomes players of all experience levels — from seasoned competitors to those just beginning to explore the game of chess.

Check-in begins at 8:30 am at the YMCA, and registration is just $5 per participant.

The tournament will use a Swiss-system pairing format, meaning no player will be eliminated throughout the event. Each match will follow a G/30 time control with a 10-second increment per move starting from move one.

A US Chess Federation membership is required to participate. Players are encouraged to bring their own chess sets, boards, and clocks, as only a limited number will be available on-site.

“This tournament is a great opportunity for players of all levels to challenge themselves, meet others who love the game, and have fun,” organizers said.

For more information, visit the Salina Family YMCA, contact our front desk, or register online at: <a href="https://www.salinaymca.org/events/blizzards-bishops-chess-tournament">https://www.salinaymca.org/events/blizzards-bishops-chess-tournament</a>

Salina Family YMCA to host first-ever “Blizzards and Bishops” chess tournament

The City of Salina presented on Monday's City Commission meeting, the plan of the 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The CIP is divided into two categories:&nbsp;

- 5 year CIP (typically large dollar projects with long life cycles that may be funded with current cash, but are often funded with debt financing).

- 2026 Sub-CIP&nbsp;(mechanism to provide pre-approval by the City Commission for larger cash supported items broken out into six categories: CIP Planning, Building &amp; Facilities, Parks, Streets,Vehicles &amp; Equipment and Water/Wastewater Enhancements).

The 2026-2030 CIP provides an anticipated schedule of capital projects and capital outlay for the next 5 years, along with anticipated funding sources.

- 9th &amp; Ohio updated traffic signal interconnect system.

- Design and construction of culvert at Northwood and Fairdale.

- Comprehensive planning and zoning code updates.

- Design of Ohio and Schilling roundabout.

- E. Magnolia bridge and road improvements.

- Bifra runway repairs and construction of new landfill scales.

- $743,500 = Repairs in maintenance to buildings and facilities.

- $790,000 = Parks and maintenance.

- $5,787,000 = Street maintenance.

- $2,000,000 = System enhancements (for utility systems).

- $4,813,211 = Vehicle and equipment, purchase/replacements.

- $203,383 = Kenwood Cove maintenance.&nbsp;

Projects for 2027-2030 will be re-evaluated each year and adjusted.

To view the item from Monday's City Commission meeting packet, click <a href="https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/file/getfile/14497">here</a>.

City of Salina approves 2026 Capital Improvement Plan

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/A-B-Machine-Inc-100067769904354/">A&amp;B Tool Machine</a>, a local precision machining company is seeking to expand with the support of Salina Commissioners.

On Monday's City Commission meeting, Executive Director of Salina Community Economic Development Organization (SCEDO), Mitch Robinson presented to Commissioners the information of the expansion.

- 38,170 square foot facility/5.5 acres for the machining company.

This expansion would create 6 new jobs within the first 3 years of operation. Plus an additional 4 positions would be added in years 4 and 5 of the new space.

The average wage would be $27.07 per hour, with an additional $5.53 per hour in benefits. Entry-level employment with minimal to no experience starts at $20 an hour.

The total project investment would be $6,343,390.&nbsp;

The City would cover the cost with <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/taxes-and-financing/irb/">Industrial Revenue Bonds</a> (IRBs), except for equipment costs.

IRBs are a type of bond issued by the City on behalf of a private company to finance the construction project.&nbsp;

The City states the structure of IRBs, affords the company sales tax exemptions on initial purchases for construction and property tax abatements up to 10 years.

According to the City, interest payable of the bonds are exempt from federal income tax.&nbsp;

Project achieves 1.0 or higher Return on Investment

SCEDO examined the benefit-cost ratio and economic impact analysis provided the Kansas Department of Commerce. 

Accordingly, the project achieved a Return on Investment (ROI) score of 1.0 or higher, indicating economic benefits such as, job creation and increased sales tax revenue. This would outweigh the costs of the proposed abatements.

The City stated a 1.0 or higher ROI, means a net positive impact for the community. Anything lower suggests the costs of incentives would exceed benefits.

The current building A&amp;B operates in, is a 9,000 square foot facility on 2259 Centennial Road. The current building will continue to pay in property taxes once A&amp;B moves out.

The City would then plan to fill the leased building with a new industrial company.

Construction is expected to start in Spring 2026.&nbsp;

End of 2026 is the expectant date of operation in the new building.

A&amp;B Tool Machine is a precision machine and tool production company, supplying high quality parts to industries in Salina, Kansas and the US. It utilizes advance CNC lathes (machine performing complex manufacturing operations) with a skilled workforce.

For more information about the item click <a href="https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/file/getfile/14596">here</a>.

Local precision machining company seeking to expand with support of Salina Commissioners

The City of Salina's City Commission set the date for the upcoming special ballot concerning the amendment of the breed-specific ordinance.&nbsp;

The Commission voted to hold the special ballot though mail-in ballots which would be sent out to the citizens of Salina. While the city government works on establishing a timeline for voters, the vote shall be held on Febuary 24, 2026.&nbsp;

"This is an issue that will effect the entire community," said Commissioner Hoppock, "I think the higher turnout we can get, the more beneficial it would be."

The County Clerk's office will manage the ballots with a budget of $90,000. Citizens would not need to pay postage on the ballots. Any member of the public casting their vote will simply deposit their ballot at a mailbox or post office in town.&nbsp;

Salina Post will continue to update you as more updates emerge.

For more information on the pitbull ban, visit our previous article by clicking <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2cc3dd3c-dcd2-4f4e-a5d9-9b9c2e99ab65">here</a>.&nbsp;

City Commission sets date for Pitbull ballot

Salina Police are currently investigating a burglary that occurred at Valmont after business hours.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Sunday at around 6:00 am, officers were dispatched to Valmont (1100 N. Ohio) for the report of burglary.

SPD stated that employees of Valmont reported when they arrived to the business, a burglary evidently occurred.&nbsp;

SPD determined at approximately 3:00 am, a man with a mask entered the business and began collecting tools and various items, which he loaded into a company white Ford F150, attached with a black metal and wood trailer with a welder attached to the trailer, before leaving the area.

It is believed the truck possibly has a Nebraska tag.

The type of company car and additional details of the truck are unknown at this time.

Reportedly, there was no forced entry and the business is still determining what exactly was taken. 

Salina Police investigating Valmont burglary that occurred after business hours

<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>

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.

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>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 24 - November 26

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 21 - November 24

The US National Weather Service (USNWS) has issued Saline County a "Dense Fog" advisory until 11:00 am Wednesday morning.

The USNWS posted on Facebook&nbsp;a screenshot from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), of dense fog along I-70 near mile marker 229, at Lincoln Hill in central KS at 7:46 am (see above).

Please be cautious on the roads and drive safely during this advisory.

Saline County under "Dense Fog" advisory Wednesday morning

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 19 - November 21

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 17 - November 19

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 14 - November 17

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 12 - November 14

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 10 - November 12

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 7 - November 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 5 - November 7

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City teen faces multiple allegations for a fatal shooting that occurred in April.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2753/Jacoway-RED-COMPLAINT-MJ">Martez Jacoway Jr.</a>, 19, faces 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2754/Jacoway-RED-PC-MJRedacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to a shooting on April 17 and found the victim in the front passenger seat of a white Ford Focus suffering from a single gunshot wound to his back. He was pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital.&nbsp;

Witnesses told detectives they saw a man wearing a black hoodie at the driver’s side window holding a rifle. The man fired several rounds toward the white Ford Focus. Surveillance footage captured muzzle flashes from the front driver’s side of a black vehicle directed at the victim’s vehicle.&nbsp;

Detectives used the Automated License Plate Recognition (APLR) system to track the suspect vehicle’s movements, which led to the identification of Jacoway. His cellphone records showed incoming and outgoing calls from areas that matched the black Nissan’s path on the day of the homicide, corroborating surveillance footage, city camera footage, and license plate reader data.

Jacoway had previously been identified by SAVE KC, but did not attend a call-in. He is being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

Court records: KC teen used rifle in deadly drive-by shooting

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia has agreed to pay nearly $5.2 million in overdue personal taxes, the latest saga for the former billionaire who has been followed by a trail of financial challenges going back well over a decade.

An attorney for Justice and his wife, Cathy, entered into a joint motion for consent judgment with the federal government Monday, the same day that the government filed a lawsuit saying that the couple “have neglected or refused to make full payment” for the income taxes dating to 2009. An attorney for the U.S. Justice Department's tax division signed off on the agreement.

Justice had a fortune&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-39a131d2143b4f458fe6c50e8283e03f">estimated at $1.9 billion last decade</a>&nbsp;by Forbes magazine, which stripped his billionaire title in 2021, when Justice's worth had dwindled to an estimated $513 million. Earlier this year, Forbes estimated that Justice’s net worth had disintegrated to “less than zero” due to liabilities that far exceeded assets.

A spokesperson for Justice's office didn’t immediate respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday.

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senator-jim-justice-debts-west-virginia-irs-f83649c701450b4a8e1077305760479a">a briefing with local media in October</a>, Justice asserted that his companies “are complicated and complex” and that his children “are doing a magnificent job” running them. He then repeated past assertions that collection efforts against him were politically motivated, before concluding:. “At the end of the day, I’d say just let it be and see how it all plays out.”

Justice, a former two-term Republican governor who owns dozens of businesses that include coal and agricultural operations,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-senate-justice-elliott-7376ed0ceb9bebd0766190fb14cc0e69">was elected last November to the Senate.</a>&nbsp;He took over the seat vacated by the retiring Joe Manchin, a Democrat who became an independent in 2024 near the end of his second full term.

Justice still has other financial challenges to work out.

The Internal Revenue Service last month filed liens totaling more than $8 million against Justice and his wife on unpaid personal taxes. In September, state tax officials filed $1.4 million in liens against the Justice family’s historic hotel, The Greenbrier, and the resort’s Greenbrier Sporting Club, over unpaid sales taxes.

Last month, a foreclosure auction on several hundred lots owned by the Justice family at a resort community near Beckley was paused. The auction centered on a dispute between the Glade Springs Village Property Owners Association and Justice Holdings over unpaid fees. The state Supreme Court plans to review the case more closely.

In 2021, the IRS filed liens over $1.1 million in unpaid taxes on the Greenbrier Hotel and an additional $80,000 on the resort’s medical clinic. Those debts were paid off later that year.

Justice’s family settled debts last year in a separate case to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-governor-justice-hotel-51715adcfa963192d9c13cbd64707d82">avoid the Greenbrier Hotel’s foreclosure</a>. The 710-room hotel, which has hosted U.S. presidents, royalty and congressional retreats, had come under threat of being auctioned off on the steps of a Lewisburg courthouse. That was after JPMorgan Chase sold a longstanding loan taken out by Justice to a credit collection company, Beltway Capital, which declared it to be in default.

The state Democratic Party has said efforts to seize the hotel from Justice were “a direct consequence of his own financial incompetence.”

Last year, a union official at the Greenbrier said that Justice’s family&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenbrier-hotel-jim-justice-west-virginia-350b92c83c37dfe03dd38f4368a4accc">was at least $2.4 million behind</a>&nbsp;in payments to an employees’ health insurance fund, putting workers’ coverage at risk. In 2023, dozens of properties owned by the Justice family in three counties were auctioned as payment for delinquent real estate taxes. Others have sought to recoup millions in fines for environmental issues and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-governor-jim-justice-mine-fines-3d98e07c4d14646a194ee9f739b5f770">unsafe working conditions at his company’s coal mines</a>.

Justice bought The Greenbrier resort out of bankruptcy in 2009 for $20.1 million. The sporting club is a private equity club and residential community on the property that opened in 2000.

The resort in White Sulphur Springs that dates to 1778 also has a casino, spa and dozens of amenities and employs around 2,000 workers. The resort held a PGA Tour golf tournament from 2010 until 2019 and has welcomed NFL teams for training camp and practices. A once-secret 112,000-square-foot (10,080-square-meter) underground bunker built for Congress at the Greenbrier in case of nuclear attack during the Cold War now hosts tours.

U.S. Senator agrees to pay nearly $5.2M in overdue personal taxes

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;didn't bring much holiday cheer Tuesday when bestowing ceremonial pardons on two Thanksgiving turkeys, dispensing more insults than goodwill at the traditional White House ritual.

He joked about sending the turkeys to an infamous prison in El Salvador that has been used to house migrants deported from the United States. He said the birds should be named Chuck and Nancy — after Democratic stalwarts Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi — but “I would never pardon those people.”

Trump claimed that last year's turkey pardons, issued by President Joe Biden, were invalid because he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-pardons-autopen-capitol-riot-1956c5dcb44ecba10cd9b01171ca9efa">used an autopen</a>. “Where's Hunter?” he said, suggesting that his predecessor's son could once again face legal jeopardy.

And all of that was before Trump turned his attention to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-violence-crime-pritzker-national-guard-trump-2023e25445c45a3f0f4d3513e8eb2ac4">resisted the White House's plans</a>&nbsp;to deploy the National Guard in Chicago.

Trump said he had a joke prepared about Pritzker, but “I refuse to talk about the fact that he's a fat slob. I don't mention it.”

Scattered laughter rippled through the audience, which sat under cloudy skies and an intermittent drizzle on the Rose Garden patio.

Trump eventually got around to the business at hand, which was pardoning the turkeys Gobble and Waddle. But Waddle wasn't there — the White House did not immediately respond to questions about the bird's whereabouts — and the president proceeded anyway.

“Gobble, I just want to tell you this — very important — you are hereby unconditionally pardoned,” Trump said. He reached over to run his hand over the feathers, saying, “Who would want to harm this beautiful bird?”

Waddle had previously been spotted in the White House briefing room.

"Waddle, want to give us a gobble?” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asked.

Trump used part of his ceremonial remarks to insist that the price of Thanksgiving meals was dropping under his leadership, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-trump-thanksgiving-meal-cost-discounts-0005c70022b7701e0ec0531220673942">his numbers are misleading.</a>&nbsp;Some research indicates that holiday dinners could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-turkey-food-prices-2025-5754f2e4c7ca8747b75a4b3efe15297f">cost more this year</a>, a reminder of persistent frustration with inflation.

The president plans to fly south to his private Florida resort later Tuesday, a holiday interlude during what has been a turbulent and uncertain chapter of his second term.

Trump is struggling to advance a plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-ukraine-russia-war-ece1a80b435f402b475fb180023a75dc">end the Russian invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;after an earlier version faced swift criticism from European allies and even some Republicans. The U.S. military is also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caine-caribbean-military-venezuela-boat-strikes-02073d27c1d264deb0fb1afd03cc1971">poised to target Venezuela</a>&nbsp;with military strikes, part of an anti-drug operation that could ultimately destabilize the country's leadership.

In Washington, Trump faces the possibility of a splintering Republican coalition ahead of next year's midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Some members of his party already took the rare step of crossing the president by successfully pushing legislation to force the Justice Department to release more documents about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-e1fa3b7cb64b6c678073744c7744c4a9">the Jeffrey Epstein case.</a>

Trump faced a setback in court this week when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-james-justice-department-5ec1a59d152bc1fd000ade15e20745b5">a federal judge tossed cases</a>&nbsp;against James Comey and Letitia James, two targets of the president's retribution campaign.

Comey, a former FBI director whom Trump fired during his first term, was charged with making a false statement and obstructing Congress. James, the New York attorney general who investigated the president between his two terms, was charged with mortgage fraud.

Both pleaded not guilty and said the prosecutions were politically motivated, pointing to Trump's public demands for the Justice Department to punish his enemies.

The judge said the interim U.S. attorney, a former member of Trump's personal legal team, who obtained the indictments was illegally appointed. However, the decision was made without prejudice, so the Justice Department could try again to charge Comey and James.

The White House plans to be open for holiday tours. However, despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-3249c03bec94e4ac99cc6002733a971c">the traditional arrival of a Christmas tree</a>&nbsp;on Monday, the presidential residence will be much different this year.

Trump's decision to demolish the building's East Wing to make room for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ballroom-east-wing-white-house-844ddefd00c2323cf9419e5ba9635daf">a new ballroom</a>&nbsp;has turned part of the White House grounds into a construction site.

🎥Not much holiday cheer as President pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-rate-trump-china-4aae117f7a02df19b82dcf1b5f58fd27">climbed again</a>&nbsp;Tuesday on hopes for a coming cut to interest rates.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.9% after breaking out of a morning lull and is back within 1.8% of its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 664 points, or 1.4%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.7%.

Stocks got a boost from easing yields in the bond market. Lower interest rates can cover up many sins in financial markets, including prices going too high, and hopes are strong that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-inflation-8a0060c2f52f884ed3489450a66619b8">the Federal Reserve will cut</a>&nbsp;its main interest rate at its next meeting to juice the economy further.

A raft of mixed economic data on Tuesday left traders betting on a nearly 83% probability that the Fed will cut in December, according to data from CME Group. That’s roughly the same as a day before and up sharply from the coin flip’s chance that they saw just a week ago.

One of Tuesday’s reports said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-retail-consumers-68854ba56ab37f1c3d5d2efe9656a4ae">shoppers bought less at U.S. retailers</a>&nbsp;in September than economists expected. Another said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-economy-55848421b5ff33ed244c8a4291f7facf">confidence among U.S. consumers worsened</a>&nbsp;by more in November than expected, a second signal that the economy could potentially use the help of lower interest rates.

Easier rates can boost the economy by encouraging households and companies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-672fc089b1cf87dabf11fed9e7ac3cb5">to borrow more</a>&nbsp;and investors to pay higher prices for investments than they would otherwise.

A third report, meanwhile, said inflation at the wholesale level was a touch worse in September than economists expected, but a closely tracked underlying trend was slightly better. That’s important because lower interest rates can make inflation worse, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-inflation-trump-prices-economy-wall-street-fed-consumers-280a2fd30de3bb44bd87cd0248082322">high inflation</a>&nbsp;is the main deterrent that could keep the Fed from cutting rates.

After taking all the data together, economists suggested the Fed and its chair, Jerome Powell, could be leaning toward cutting rates on Dec. 10. The Fed has already cut rates twice this year in hopes of shoring up the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-hiring-economy-c48fd84dfaa71eee962feb3a88fd8575">slowing job market</a>.

“Taking a pause on rate cuts would probably do more damage to sentiment than a cut would help,” according to Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management, who also said “Powell doesn’t need to be the Grinch that stole Christmas.”

Easier interest rates can give particularly big boosts to smaller companies, because many of them need to borrow to grow. The Russell 2000 index of the smallest U.S. stocks jumped 2.1% to lead the market.

Elsewhere on Wall Street, several retailers leaped after delivering stronger profits for the summer than analysts expected.

Abercrombie &amp; Fitch soared 37.5% after the apparel seller reported a better profit than expected. It also raised the bottom end of its forecasted range for revenue and profit over the full year.

Kohl’s surged 42.5% after reporting a profit for the latest quarter, when analysts were expecting a loss.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-buy-earnings-economy-a82022e44a9f4eac0196d898509b3cae">Best Buy</a>&nbsp;rose 5.3% after boosting its profit forecast for the full year following a better-than-expected third quarter, citing strength across computing, gaming and mobile phones.

Dick’s Sporting Goods erased an early drop of 4% to add 0.2%. It raised its forecast for results at its Dick’s stores, though its purchase of Foot Locker is requiring some work. Executive Chairman Ed Stack said the company is “cleaning out the garage” at Foot Locker by clearing inventory, closing poorly performing stores and making other moves.

Swings also continued in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial-intelligence</a>&nbsp;industry, which has battled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-bubble-warnings-bank-of-england-imf-b15e54f6d06992371ee39b27f4e6da3a">concerns that too many dollars are pouring into data centers</a>&nbsp;and may not produce the revolution of bigger profits and productivity that proponents are predicting.

Alphabet rose another 1.5%, continuing a strong run on excitement about its recently released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-gemini-artificial-intelligence-9d584d1be428bf5d0a98ecd411c6d23e">Gemini AI model</a>. Chinese giant Alibaba, meanwhile, saw its stock that trades in the United States fall 2.3% after losing an early gain. It reported&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alibaba-ai-agi-ecommerce-revenue-2b891a2c649a3e983052a37c5cb0a11d">stronger revenue</a>&nbsp;than analysts expected for the latest quarter thanks in part to the AI boom, but its overall profit fell short of forecasts.

Some chip companies dropped sharply following a report from The Information that Meta Platforms is in talks to spend billions of dollars on AI chips from Alphabet instead of them.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-earnings-artificial-intelligence-boom-bubble-6feaf871d527436f98fbd8d228377b30">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;sank 2.6% and Advanced Micro Devices dropped 4.1%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 60.76 points to 6,765.88. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 664.18 to 47,112.45, and the Nasdaq composite gained 153.59 to 23,025.59.

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