The active investigation for the 7-week old infant who died in July, is currently being investigated by the <a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/">Kansas Bureau of Investigation</a> (KBI) and Attorney General Kris Kobach.

ORIGINAL: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/c824c901-bdb0-4b17-bd3f-761cdf5c71d9">Salina Police has moved to an 'active investigation' regarding death of 7-week old infant</a>

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD), KBI and AG Kobach have now become part of the investigation for the male infant who passed away on July 23, 2025.

AG Kobach will ultimately prosecute the ongoing case, once finalized.

This comes after SPD received the final autopsy report from&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/36605e2e-d386-4d26-b7a3-e6ba2afddd94">Frontier Forensics Midwest</a>&nbsp;(Kansas City) on October.

The infant reportedly <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/36605e2e-d386-4d26-b7a3-e6ba2afddd94">passed away inside a home</a> in east Salina.

The initial report was a medical emergency call made by the infant's parents who found their child to be 'unresponsive.'

Salina Post will follow up on more information and updates once received.

UPDATE: KBI & AG Kobach part of investigation for deceased 7-week old Salina infant  

For what started as a welfare check call for a man, then resulted in an arrest of the man for throwing rocks at moving cars in Saline County.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office (SO) on Tuesday at around 3:03 pm, the SO received a call regarding a welfare check for a man walking along the road on Cunningham and E. North Street.

A deputy arrived at around 3:13 pm and came in contact with the man, who was identified as 25-year old, Malik Dorsey.&nbsp;

Dorsey was reportedly carrying large trash bags that were filled, as the deputy asked him if he needed any help and offered to give him a ride. The SO stated Dorsey then became angry and started yelling at the deputy, declining assistance.

Three hours later, SO received a call about a man who was reportedly throwing rocks at cars traveling through in the 9800 block of E. Country Club Road.&nbsp;Reports stated he struck several vehicles.

A deputy was then dispatched to the area and found the man to be Dorsey. The deputy approached Dorsey, and moments later a physical altercation occurred between the two during an attempted arrest.

Momentarily, two people in the area stopped by who perceived to be victims of the damaged vehicles, assisted the deputy to place Dorsey into custody.

After the arrest, Dorsey was transported to Salina Regional Health Center&nbsp; for a general check up.

Dorsey was then booked into the Saline County Jail on the requested charges of:

Criminal Damage to Property, Interference w/ a Law Enforcement Officer, Disorderly Conduct and Battery.

Welfare check call results in arrest of man for throwing rocks at moving cars in Saline Co.

The Georgetown Santas are back and ready for action this Christmas season, as they will continue their tradition for the 27th year.

This December 21st - 23rd, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm each night, the Santas and their elves will give out candy and freshly-popped popcorn to passersby&nbsp;on 2312 Georgetown&nbsp;Road&nbsp;in Salina.

This event is open to all in the community and is FREE of charge, as donations are encouraged to help offset operating expenses.

The community continues to show a desire for this annual tradition as they have fueled the operation to allow the Santas to operate entirely off of donations from the community for the last 20+ years. Year after year, the&nbsp;Santas have continued to receive enough in donations to cover the associated costs of supporting the event for the following year, namely the costs associated with procuring all of the candy and popcorn supplies.

The Georgetown Santas greet thousands of visitors each year in the days leading up to Christmas, from neighbors that approach on foot, to travelers coming in from out of state. The Santas distribute hundreds of pounds of candy, several thousand candy canes, and the Elves pop over 350 lbs. of popcorn in their 3 days of operation, annually.

For those wanting to join this beloved tradition, all you need to do is drive to Georgetown Road, stay in your vehicles, receive road directions from the Elves and&nbsp;roll down the windows to get your treats!

Pictures with the Santas are welcome, and there is a request for you to pull your vehicle ahead to park to not hold up traffic, so that the team can continue to serve other guests.

Jack Schmiedeler, Paul McDaniel, Pete Martin, Mel Augustine, Brian Berner, Jay Caldwell, Kevin Bernhardt and Steve Sperling.

Justin Martin, Larry Thompson, John Miller, Zach Schreiber and Joe Becker.

Since 1999,&nbsp;Santa Jack Schmiedeler would stand out at the end of his driveway and wave at the passersby. He then started handing out candy as cars stopped to see Santa. 

The following year, Santa Paul McDaniel joined up with Santa Jack to spread the Christmas cheer. Within the next three years, Santas Pete Martin, Mike Chaput, and Mel Augustine joined in to support the cause. It was about that time that the Santas and their helpers; Justin Martin, Virgil Michaelis, and Larry Thompson; began handing out freshly-popped popcorn in addition to the candy. 

From these humble beginnings has grown a true Christmas tradition on Georgetown Road.

To listen to the Georgetown Santas soundtrack on Spotify, click <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7mSj8w04OMXfCbgQEaw3B7?go=1&amp;sp_cid=c9de47a24f94723d2a089a71adfeb42a&amp;utm_source=embed_player_p&amp;utm_medium=desktop&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=5a8e727d650c4d11">here</a>.

For more information, click <a href="http://www.georgetownsantas.com/visit-us">here</a>.

Watch the video below to see how Georgetown Santas prepare for their tradition since 1999.

🎥 Georgetown Santas are gearing up and ready to give treats to Salinans for the 27th year 

The Salina Rescue Mission is excited to announce a generous $100,000 Matching Gift Challenge,&nbsp;now through December 31st.

Every dollar given will double the impact during this period, providing twice the hope, twice the care, and twice the life-changing impact for men experiencing homelessness in our community.

For nearly 40 years, the Salina Rescue Mission has been more than a shelter. We are a place where real people with real struggles experience real change—the kind of change that comes from encountering Christ’s love and receiving the support needed to rebuild a life.

Our approach to homelessness goes far beyond offering food and a bed. We walk with each man through a journey of meaningful and lasting heart change that leads to stability, dignity, and renewed purpose. By sharing God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness, and by giving men a second chance with practical tools for success, we’ve seen remarkable transformation.

Once immediate crisis needs are met, we help men address the deeper challenges that often hold them back—health care, addiction recovery, employment readiness, conflict resolution, financial counseling, and more. This holistic approach has restored hope for countless men who had nowhere else to turn.

This Matching Gift Challenge is an invitation to the Salina community: 

Do you want to be part of giving Real People, with Real Struggles, a Real Change in Jesus’ name?

Your gift today will go twice as far in providing meals, shelter, care, and life-changing support to our homeless neighbors in need this winter.

To participate in the Matching Gift Challenge, give securely online at <a href="https://salinarescuemission.com/">SalinaRescueMission.com</a>, or mail your gift to:

Salina Rescue Mission PO Box 1667 Salina, KS 67402

Every gift—large or small—helps transform lives. Together, we can share God’s love and offer a pathway from crisis to stability for those who need it most.

Salina Rescue Mission announces $100,000 matching gift challenge every gift doubled through Dec. 31

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.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Battery; Knowing/recklessly causing bodily harm; Crim damage to prop;w/o consent $1K-$25K; Disorderly conduct; Unknown circumstance; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose felony warrant

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;DUI; 3rd in 10y;comp evidence blood/breath .08+Driving While Suspended; Circumvention of Ignition Interlock device; Transporting an open container

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Poss of stolen property;Value $1,500 to $25,000

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator

NAME:&nbsp;Morgan, Christopher Ryan

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Sexual exploit of child; poss media of child&lt;18

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Agg battery; Knowingly use deadly weapon

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant; Poss of marijuana; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Unlawful acts: vehicle registration violation

NAME:&nbsp;Trevino, Thomandrea Elizabeth

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Unsafe turning or stopping - Fail to Signal; No Proof Of Insurance; Vehicle registration; Fail to yield at stop or yield sign

NAME:&nbsp;Unrein, William Barrett

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Failure to appear; Driving While Suspended

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Criminal damage to property; Felony; Domestic battery: Knowing/reckless bodily harm; Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation

Saline County Jail Bookings, December 10

The <a href="https://www.localfoodworksfoundation.org/">Local Food Works Foundation</a> (LFWF) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the annual Local Food Grant, offering $3,000 to $5,000 in funding to individuals, businesses, or community groups dedicated to strengthening and expanding the local food system in Saline County and the surrounding region.

Each year, the LFWF Grant supports a project that embodies the Foundation’s mission of connectivity, collaboration, and growth within local food networks. 

Past awardees have spanned the spectrum of local food enterprises—from startup growers and food entrepreneurs to community educators and market organizers—each working to bridge meaningful gaps in our regional food system.

The LFWF Grant is designed to help launch, expand, or enhance projects that address barriers in local food production, distribution, education, or accessibility.

“We believe strong local food systems thrive when community members have the resources to innovate,” said Kirsty Hartley, LFWF Board President. “This grant is an investment not only in a project, but in the long-term health, resilience, and creativity of our local food economy.”

Applicants must submit the following materials:

Include contact information and a brief introduction describing your current or intended involvement in the local food system.

2. Project Explanation (500–750 words)

Detail the proposed project, including:

- Description of how the project will foster growth for your local food business, group, or the broader food community

Outline how grant funds will be used, including a list of materials or resources needed and their estimated costs.

Applications may be submitted by mail or email:

Mail: Local Food Works Foundation PO Box 2357 Salina, KS 67402-2357

Email: localfoodworksfoundation@gmail.com

Selected awardees will participate in an in-person interim check-in with a member of the LFWF Board during the project cycle. A final report or presentation summarizing project outcomes and achievements will be due approximately one year after the award date on April, 1, 2026.

 LFWF board members will collaborate with the awardee to determine the best format for this final report.

The Local Food Works Foundation is committed to cultivating a thriving, connected local food system that supports producers, strengthens community relationships, and increases access to fresh, affordable, locally sourced foods for all residents. Through grants, education, and collaborative partnerships, LFWF works to build a resilient and equitable food future for the Salina region.

For questions or additional information, please contact LFWF at localfoodworksfoundation@gmail.com

Local Food Works Foundations accepting applications for annual grant, offering $3-5k to those working in the Saline County food system

<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, December 10 - December 12

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.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;&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>

Recent obituaries and service times, how to submit an obituary

All of our LIVE sports streams are FREE to watch for everybody!!!

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

Salina Police are searching for two suspects that burglarized a vape lounge, as an undetermined amount of items were stolen.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) at around 1:00 am on Tuesday, a burglary occurred at Juicy's Vapor Lounge (2316 Planet Ave.).

Reportedly two suspects broke into the shop by throwing a large rock through the front window.&nbsp;

Afterwards, the suspects smashed two glass display cases and stole an undetermined amount of nicotine vapes.

SPD stated surveillance footage showed the suspects were wearing hoodies and sunglasses, as they were covered head to toe.&nbsp;

The investigation is ongoing and updates are anticipated.

Two suspects sought after burglarizing Salina vape lounge

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Return for court testimony

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Criminal threat; Cause terror, evacuation or disruption

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Contribute to a child misconduct; Failure to reveal a runaway; Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Interfere w/ LEO; False report felony to obstruct; Poss of marijuana; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Failure to appear; Battery on LEO; Bodily harm to corrections/court services ofcr on duty

NAME:&nbsp;Silva Hernandez, Jorge Alejandro

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Indecent liberties with child; 14 &lt; 16 YOA; Lewd fondling

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;DUI; 3rd conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Return for court testimony

Saline County Jail Bookings, December 9

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 8 - December 10

Four day weather forecast Salina, December 5 - December 8

According to the US National Weather Service, there is a slight chance of snow flurries for Wednesday afternoon and into the evening in Salina.

A chance of sprinkles before 4:00 pm, then a chance of sprinkles and flurries.&nbsp;Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a north wind 18 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

A chance of flurries before 10pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 15. North northeast wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

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.

Slight chance of flurries in Salina Wednesday evening

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 3 - December 5

What a way to start December, as accumulated snow has touched down in Salina and several areas throughout central Kansas.

KDOT webcams (See above) showing accumulated snow on roadways at Russell and Great Bend in central Kansas early this morning. This will create hazardous travel conditions during the morning commute.

Salina is under a winter weather advisory until 6:00 pm on Monday. The high for today is 28, and the low is 14.

The US National Weather Service has provided winter travel safety tips for those who are will be traveling on the roads for the holidays.

- Share your travel plans with friends or family.

- Frequently check weather forecasts in your area.

Accumulated snowfall throughout Salina and central Kansas kicks off month of December

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 1 - December 3

Traces of snowfall have touched down in Central Kansas, with more snow expected for Monday, plus cold air throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout Central Kansas, colder air will spread southward across the region for Saturday along with strong and gusty northwest winds. Wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph are likely.

Rain will change to snow briefly over parts of central Kansas through mid-morning on Saturday. Minor accumulations on elevated and grassy surfaces are possible.

Low of 7 degrees is expected for Sunday, with a high of 30 in Salina.

Salina is also under a wind advisory until 6:00 pm for Saturday.

According to the US National Weather Service, light to moderate snow is expected to move-in from the west on Monday and provide many locations with the first measurable snow of the season. 

 Snow will start around or shortly after sunrise and continue through the Monday afternoon hours with travel impacts likely, especially across central and northeast Kansas.

Highs are expected to be between 27-32 degrees, with the low expected to be around 14 degrees throughout the region.

Traces of snow have touched down in Central Kansas, more snow expected for Monday

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 28 - December 1

Salina and parts of Central Kansas will experience a cold front, along with below freezing temperatures and a possibility of snow this upcoming weekend.

According to the US National Weather Service, a cold front is expected to occur this upcoming weekend. Showers are possible Friday and Saturday, along with a light wintry mix on Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning.

Lows for Saturday night are in the teens, with wind chills expected to be near 0 degrees into Sunday morning.

Highs will struggle to even make it above freezing temperatures as well.

Salina has a 47% chance of traces of snow on Saturday afternoon. The low is expected to 17 degrees on Saturday night, with a high of 29 on Sunday.

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

Cold front, below freezing temps, possibility of snow anticipated for Salina and Central Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo. —A suspect is in custody following an investigation into the online possession of child sexual abuse material.

In October, the Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children (WMICAC) Task Force received a cyber tip that prompted a joint investigation involving police, according to a media release from the Warrensburg Police Department.

 Detectives went to a residence in the corporate city limits of Warrensburg to contact their suspect identified as 20-year-old Noah Mclean Rogers.

Police took Rogers into custody on a warrant on requested charged of Possession of Child Pornography and Promotion of Child Pornography.

The court has set a bond at $75,000 cash only. Rogers is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail pending further legal proceedings.

Tip led to arrest for online possession of child sexual abuse material

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted to pass a sweeping defense policy bill Wednesday that authorizes $900 billion in military programs, including a pay raise for troops and an overhaul of how the Department of Defense buys weapons.

The bill's passage on a 312-112 vote comes at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-hegseth-boat-strikes-e68621ec48c7886215359c0110d6d9ca">increasing friction</a>&nbsp;between the Republican-controlled Congress and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;administration over the management of the military. All four members of the Kansas Congressional Delegation voted in favor of the bill.

The annual National Defense Authorization Act typically gains bipartisan backing, and the White House has signaled “strong support” for the must-pass legislation, saying it is in line with Trump's national security agenda. Yet tucked into the over-3,000-page bill are several measures that push back against the Department of Defense, including a demand for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-strikes-boats-drugs-caribbean-hegseth-congress-93c513e28f38688f5582150c7675c072">more information on boat strikes</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean and support for allies in Europe, such as Ukraine.

Overall, the sweeping bill calls for a 3.8% pay raise for many military members as well as housing and facility improvements on military bases. It also strikes a compromise between the political parties — cutting climate and diversity efforts in line with Trump's agenda, while also boosting congressional oversight of the Pentagon and repealing several old war authorizations. Still, hard-line conservatives said they were frustrated that the bill does not do more to cut U.S. commitments overseas.

“We need a ready, capable and lethal fighting force because the threats to our nation, especially those from China, are more complex and challenging than at any point in the last 40 years,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, the GOP chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

Lawmakers overseeing the military said the bill would change how the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-weapons-purchases-6f9326c2bad4355541d1a02b54d899db">Pentagon buys weapons</a>, with an emphasis on speed after years of delay by the defense industry. It's also a key priority for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the armed services panel, called the bill “the most ambitious swing at acquisition reform that we’ve taken.”

Still, Smith lamented that the bill does not do as much as Democrats would like to rein in the Trump administration but called it “a step in the right direction towards reasserting the authority of Congress.”

“The biggest concern I have is that the Pentagon, being run by Secretary Hegseth and by President Trump, is simply not accountable to Congress or accountable to the law,” he said.

The legislation next heads to the Senate, where leaders are working to pass the bill before lawmakers depart Washington for a holiday break.

Several senators on both sides of the aisle have criticized the bill for not doing enough to restrict military flights over Washington. They had pushed for reforms after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-aircraft-crash-9d79051a9e535bd855df5a4e5553b2e9">midair collision</a>&nbsp;this year between an Army helicopter and a jetliner killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft near Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board and families of the victims have also voiced opposition to that section of the bill, raising concerns that it would make the airspace more dangerous.

Here's what the defense bill does as it makes its way through Congress.

Boat strike videos and congressional oversight

Lawmakers included a provision that would cut Hegseth's travel budget by a quarter until the Pentagon provides Congress with unedited video of the strikes against alleged drug boats near Venezuela. Lawmakers are asserting their oversight role after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">Sept. 2 strike</a>&nbsp;where the U.S. military fired on two survivors who were holding on to a boat that had partially been destroyed.

The bill also demands that Hegseth allow Congress to review the orders for the strikes.

Trump's ongoing support for Ukraine and other allies in Eastern Europe has been under doubt over the last year, but lawmakers included several positions meant to keep up U.S. support for countering Russian aggression in the region.

The defense bill requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and major equipment stationed in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and there is a determination that such a withdrawal is in U.S. interests. Around 80,000 to 100,000 U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-eastern-flank-us-troops-drawdown-russia-40a1c731a866ce84d5c7721fe12c380e">are usually present</a>&nbsp;on European soil. It also authorizes $400 million for each of the next two years to manufacture weapons to be sent to Ukraine.

Additionally, there is a provision to keep U.S. troops stationed in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/south-korea">South Korea</a>, setting the minimum requirement at 28,500.

Cuts to climate and diversity initiatives

The bill makes $1.6 billion in cuts to climate change-related spending, the House Armed Services Committee said. U.S. military assessments have long found that climate change is a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-lloyd-austin-a5c79e8a005c7c4db8a61cf0e6a4267a">threat to national security</a>, with bases being pummeled by hurricanes or routinely flooded.

The bill also would save $40 million by repealing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-culture-pentagon-hegseth-dei-tansgender-4c5f94c1235d29240b22677e3d66f0ed">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;offices, programs and trainings, the committee said. The position of chief diversity officer would be cut, for example.

Congress is putting an official end to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-invasion-war-timeline-saddam-hussein-50828061c98e410063753045179bdcfb">war in Iraq</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-war-powers-iraq-trump-a6bc311c0b0890022cb818550758c94e">repealing the authorization</a>&nbsp;for the 2003 invasion. Supporters in both the House and Senate say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the U.S.

The 2002 resolution has been rarely used in recent years. But the first Trump administration cited it as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Suleimani.

Congress would permanently remove U.S. sanctions put on Syria after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-sanctions-trump-treasury-state-2ed65c895905e2e7bc385098a6ab1301">Trump administration temporarily lifted many penalties</a>.

Lawmakers imposed economically crippling sanctions on the country in 2019 to punish former leader Bashar Assad for human rights abuses during the nearly 14-year civil war. After Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa led a successful insurgency to depose Assad, he is seeking to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-anniversary-assad-fall-a22746c8b8351b02d77cb62a6260c87e">rebuild his nation’s economy</a>.

Advocates of a permanent repeal have said international companies are unlikely to invest in projects needed for the country’s reconstruction as long as there is a threat of sanctions returning.

Democrats criticized Johnson for stripping a provision from the bill to expand coverage of in vitro fertilization for active duty personnel. An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2296/text">earlier version</a>&nbsp;covered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ivf-vitro-fertilization-trump-executive-order-65972cc1b10151bf1a0d9390fe5754d9">the medical procedure, known as IVF</a>, which helps people facing infertility have children.

Kan. lawmakers help House pass $900 billion defense policy bill

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday&nbsp;an officer on patrol observed a vehicle stopped in the southbound driving lane in the 400 block River Road in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 Stephen Oswalt, 62, was in the driver’s seat and appeared to be sleeping or passed out. During the investigation at the scene he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the County Jail and is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Suspect was passed out in vehicle in driving lane of Kan. highway

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run incident involving a police vehicle in Manhattan.

Just before 3 a.m. on Dec. 10 in the 1600 block of Fair Lane, victims including&nbsp;a 37-year-old man, a 42-year-old man, a 41-year-old man and D &amp; I Rentals reported two suspects attempted to strike two officers with their 2014 Chevy Silverado before reversing and driving into an occupied patrol unit during a traffic stop, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity Report.

The suspects are wanted for allegedly fleeing or attempting to elude, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, criminal damage to property, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, possession of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, according to the RCPD.

The suspects, identified as two 41-year-old men and a 42-year-old woman&nbsp; fled the scene. Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000

3 wanted for hit-and-run crash into Kan. police vehicle

NEW YORK (AP) — Secret grand jury transcripts from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case</a>&nbsp;can be made public, a judge ruled Wednesday, joining two other judges in granting the Justice Department’s requests to unseal material from investigations into the late financier’s sexual abuse.

U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman reversed his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-epstein-c148333f2618c92c0b9a87784c45a416">earlier decision to keep the material under wraps</a>, citing a new law that requires the government to open its files on Epstein and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-ghislaine-maxwell-fa2c504a6dfe30ce1686b857a4123b7b">longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell</a>. The judge previously cautioned that the 70 or so pages of grand jury materials slated for release are hardly revelatory.

On Tuesday, a different Manhattan federal judge ordered the release of records from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-sex-trafficking-case-records-8e3985dd977cb94ef41b9581115ef61b">Maxwell’s 2021 sex trafficking case</a>. Last week, a judge in Florida approved the unsealing of transcripts from an abandoned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-florida-bd036cbe2fa4e98d27aa473fd6daa3bd">Epstein federal grand jury investigation in the 2000s</a>.

The Justice Department asked the judges to lift secrecy orders after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-release-justice-department-32cbc21a6ae8189dccd00455dc83d2be">Epstein Files Transparency Act</a>, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump last month, created a narrow exception to rules that normally keep grand jury proceedings confidential.

The law requires that the Justice Department disclose Epstein-related records to the public by Dec. 19.

Questions about the government’s Epstein files have dominated the first year of Trump’s second term, with pressure on the Republican intensifying after he reneged on a campaign&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">promise to release the files</a>. His administration released some material, most of it already public, disappointing critics and some allies.

Epstein, a millionaire money manager known for socializing with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and the academic elite,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-department-of-justice-investigation-50c229b7953096f0301bfa1e7f0b7703">killed himself in jail</a>&nbsp;a month after his 2019 arrest. Maxwell was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-convicted-jeffrey-epstein-trial-verdict-63a71a2825eab41184a79e37bb967e90">convicted in 2021</a>&nbsp;by a federal jury of sex trafficking for helping recruit some of Epstein’s underage victims and participating in some of the abuse. She is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-sentencing-aeac127f9cc3811d975ce8e10d171260">serving a 20-year prison sentence</a>.

In court filings, the Justice Department informed Berman that the only witness to testify before the Epstein grand jury was an FBI agent who, the judge noted, “had no direct knowledge of the facts of the case and whose testimony was mostly hearsay.”

The agent testified over two days, on June 18, 2019, and July 2, 2019. The rest of the grand jury presentation consisted of a PowerPoint slideshow and a call log. The July 2 session, which ended with grand jurors voting to indict Epstein. Both of those will also remain sealed, Berman ruled.

Judge: DOJ can make public secret Epstein grand jury transcripts

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Wednesday that the United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">tensions mount</a>&nbsp;with the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

Using U.S. forces to seize an oil tanker is incredibly unusual and marks the Trump administration’s latest push to increase pressure on Maduro, who has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">charged with narcoterrorism</a>&nbsp;in the United States. The U.S. has built up the largest military presence in the region in decades and launched a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-pentagon-drug-boats-pacific-35a60ce3bc018e5f66c18b2d18b49c35">deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The campaign is facing growing scrutiny from Congress.

“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually,” Trump told reporters at the White House, later adding that "it was seized for a very good reason.”

Trump said “other things are happening,” but did not offer additional details, saying he would speak more about it later. When asked what would happen to the oil aboard the tanker, Trump said, “Well, we keep it, I guess.”

The seizure was led by the U.S. Coast Guard and supported by the Navy, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The official added that the seizure was conducted under U.S. law enforcement authority.