DOUGLAS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 7a.m. Saturday after crash into a building.

The Douglas County Sheriff reported a vehicle was westbound in the 1500 Block of East 23rd Street in Lawrence. The driver fell asleep. The car struck the north curb and he overcorrected his steering. The car struck a storage facility.

The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The sheriff's office released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737373270875.png" alt="Photo Douglas County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Douglas County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 7a.m. Saturday after crash into a building.The Douglas County Sheriff reported a vehicle was westbound in the 1500 Block of East 23rd Street in Lawrence. The driver fell asleep. The car struck the north curb and he overcorrected his steering. The car struck a storage facility.The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Sheriff: Kansas driver fell asleep before crash into building

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President-elect Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;used a raucous rally Sunday on the eve of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/associated-press-inauguration-trump-biden-898f999243fc4a43170d6191fa355ea7">his inauguration</a>&nbsp;to promise swift Day 1 action remaking the federal government, shifting federal priorities at breakneck speed and ensuring that “the curtain closes on four long years of American decline.”

Supporters filled nearly all of the 20,000-plus-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington for a “Make America Great” victory celebration, and cheered as Trump said he’d take quick action on everything from cracking down on the U.S.-Mexico border to promoting oil drilling, reining in the federal workforce and eradicating diversity programs.

“We’re going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history,” said Trump, who also promised to roll back executive actions by his predecessor, outgoing President Joe Biden, “within hours.”

In an unusual move, Trump entered at the arena’s concourse level and deliberately made his way down the stairs before his speech, stopping frequently to pump his fist and pose for pictures with rallygoers. It was even more surreal after he finished speaking, when the Village People took the stage and the president-elect sang — and even briefly danced — along to “YMCA,” an unofficial anthem of his campaign.

Trump said he'd jump start his agenda with a series of unilateral actions from the White House, telling the crowd, “You’re going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy. Lots of them.”

Sunday was Trump’s first full day back in Washington since his Election Day victory and gave him a chance to energize core supporters before the official pomp of Inauguration Day. Unlike when Trump helped spark a mob of his supporters to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">attack the Capitol</a>&nbsp;and tried&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-trump-election-certification-capitol-b8284b9b6b22f78ab7f23f8c8b3c3da3">to retain power</a>&nbsp;in 2021 after his loss to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>, officials did not expect massive protests, unrest or violence.

Instead, jubilant crowds reveled in Trump’s coming second term and MAGA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-9a38fb935f94ac1e3f5cdcef621a39ca">total control</a>&nbsp;of the Republican Party.

Yet even with a comfortable Electoral College victory and his party in full — albeit narrow — control of Congress, the incoming president is one of the most polarizing figures in U.S. history, with nearly as many fierce detractors as ardent supporters. That means it could be difficult for Trump to fulfill postelection&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-turning-point-speech-panama-canal-933065fd25f1847b0dc3210f8b2195f5">pledges</a>&nbsp;to promote bipartisanship while healing political differences.

Trump has nonetheless insisted that unity will be a theme of his inauguration speech Monday, along with strength and fairness — despite spending months as a candidate saying that if elected he would seek&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-violent-rhetoric-retribution-authoritarians-2024-39e090680a33c0869312e79bcef106e8">retribution against political enemies</a>.

That was the theme of much of his rally speech Sunday, when Trump returned to the greatest hits of his campaign — as if the race against Vice President Kamala Harris weren’t already long decided. Trump denounced “migrant crime” by evoking one of his favorite fictional characters, Hannibal Lecter, and promised to stamp out “woke” policies and oppose transgender rights.

“Tomorrow, at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride,” Trump said, adding, “Once and for all, we’re going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington."

The event also featured a performance by Kid Rock, who performed “All Summer Long” despite a cold mix of rain and snow falling outside. Others taking the stage included singer Lee Greenwood, whose “God Bless the USA” is a Trump favorite.

Billionaire Tesla owner Elon Musk — who Trump has tasked with helping run a special commission to make the federal government more efficient — took the stage and said “we’re looking forward to making a lot of changes.” Jon Voight, an actor named by Trump as a special ambassador to Hollywood, declared the president-elect “our hero. A man who never gave up on the American people, and we the people never gave up on him.”

Stephen Miller, Trump’s pick to be deputy chief of staff and a key architect of the administration’s promised hard-line immigration polices, vowed that “justice is coming.”

“We are about to get our country back and our democracy back,” Miller said, adding “Donald J. Trump is about to save this country.”

With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arctic-siberian-cold-chilly-trump-inauguration-7537abf637d19e681e9c517e1e82cb4b">frigid temperatures</a>&nbsp;expected Monday, Trump directed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-capitol-rotunda-cold-weather-2e527b4f40309be7fd2b48a8173af390">most of Monday’s outdoor events to be moved indoors</a>, and officials held a rehearsal Sunday for his swearing-in in the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda, which holds only 600 people compared to the 250,000-plus guests who had tickets to view the inauguration from around the Capitol grounds.

Also Sunday, Trump had breakfast privately with Republican senators at&nbsp;<a href="https://2009-2017.state.gov/s/cpr/blair/index.htm">Blair House</a>, the president’s official guest residence, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, and took to his social media site to comment on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-01-19-2025-437f7f1bf49c9d2936718cf78bdf272c">ceasefire between Israel and Hamas</a>&nbsp;and the U.S. ban on TikTok.

“Hostages starting to come out today!." Trump wrote.

Overnight, millions of U.S. users of TikTok lost the ability to watch videos on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">the social media platform</a>&nbsp;as a federal ban on the app took effect. Though the site later began working again for some users, the disruptions reflected a new law requiring its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest for national security reasons.

The company made a personal appeal to Trump to intervene, posting a message saying, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office."

Trump subsequently posted, “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!" He promised to issue an executive order Monday "to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.” The president-elect also wrote that he was interested in the U.S. owning 50% of TikTok in a “joint venture” model, though he did not offer much detail on what that would look like.

Another stop for Trump on Sunday were snow-covered graves at Arlington National Cemetery, where he and Vice President-elect JD Vance — each wearing dark overcoats and red ties — walked together to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a wreath-laying ceremony that included the playing of taps. Trump mouthed “thank you” after placing the wreath.

The pair later spent nearly half an hour in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, talking with families of soldiers who died&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1">in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing</a>.

The scene was far different than in August, when two Trump campaign staff members&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-arlington-cemetery-altercation-afghanistan-3f0331e9209336a9b696ec164be7eb1c">reportedly</a>&nbsp;verbally “abused and pushed” aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737332211025.png" alt="During the Sunday Victory Rally, the Village People took the stage and the president-elect sang — and even briefly danced — along to “YMCA,” an unofficial anthem of his campaign. Image courtesy Margo Martin, Deputy Director of Communications, Donald J. Trump for President" />
 <figcaption>During the Sunday Victory Rally, the Village People took the stage and the president-elect sang — and even briefly danced — along to “YMCA,” an unofficial anthem of his campaign. Image courtesy Margo Martin, Deputy Director of Communications, Donald J. Trump for President</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President-elect Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;used a raucous rally Sunday on the eve of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/associated-press-inauguration-trump-biden-898f999243fc4a43170d6191fa355ea7">his inauguration</a>&nbsp;to promise swift Day 1 action remaking the federal government, shifting federal priorities at breakneck speed and ensuring that “the curtain closes on four long years of American decline.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President-elect Trump: &quot;In the coming days, we are going to make public remaining records relating to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy as well as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/EyBXDJvlx5">pic.twitter.com/EyBXDJvlx5</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1881117719778525486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Supporters filled nearly all of the 20,000-plus-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington for a “Make America Great” victory celebration, and cheered as Trump said he’d take quick action on everything from cracking down on the U.S.-Mexico border to promoting oil drilling, reining in the federal workforce and eradicating diversity programs.“We’re going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history,” said Trump, who also promised to roll back executive actions by his predecessor, outgoing President Joe Biden, “within hours.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Epic entrance into Capital One Arena by President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/WtZrLaqNeP">pic.twitter.com/WtZrLaqNeP</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@margomartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/margomartin/status/1881107755433644190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In an unusual move, Trump entered at the arena’s concourse level and deliberately made his way down the stairs before his speech, stopping frequently to pump his fist and pose for pictures with rallygoers. It was even more surreal after he finished speaking, when the Village People took the stage and the president-elect sang — and even briefly danced — along to “YMCA,” an unofficial anthem of his campaign.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> dancing to YMCA on Inauguration Eve 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/7RWt66TndQ">pic.twitter.com/7RWt66TndQ</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@margomartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/margomartin/status/1881121771761647737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump said he'd jump start his agenda with a series of unilateral actions from the White House, telling the crowd, “You’re going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy. Lots of them.”Sunday was Trump’s first full day back in Washington since his Election Day victory and gave him a chance to energize core supporters before the official pomp of Inauguration Day. Unlike when Trump helped spark a mob of his supporters to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">attack the Capitol</a>&nbsp;and tried&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-trump-election-certification-capitol-b8284b9b6b22f78ab7f23f8c8b3c3da3">to retain power</a>&nbsp;in 2021 after his loss to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>, officials did not expect massive protests, unrest or violence.Instead, jubilant crowds reveled in Trump’s coming second term and MAGA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-9a38fb935f94ac1e3f5cdcef621a39ca">total control</a>&nbsp;of the Republican Party.Yet even with a comfortable Electoral College victory and his party in full — albeit narrow — control of Congress, the incoming president is one of the most polarizing figures in U.S. history, with nearly as many fierce detractors as ardent supporters. That means it could be difficult for Trump to fulfill postelection&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-turning-point-speech-panama-canal-933065fd25f1847b0dc3210f8b2195f5">pledges</a>&nbsp;to promote bipartisanship while healing political differences.Trump has nonetheless insisted that unity will be a theme of his inauguration speech Monday, along with strength and fairness — despite spending months as a candidate saying that if elected he would seek&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-violent-rhetoric-retribution-authoritarians-2024-39e090680a33c0869312e79bcef106e8">retribution against political enemies</a>.That was the theme of much of his rally speech Sunday, when Trump returned to the greatest hits of his campaign — as if the race against Vice President Kamala Harris weren’t already long decided. Trump denounced “migrant crime” by evoking one of his favorite fictional characters, Hannibal Lecter, and promised to stamp out “woke” policies and oppose transgender rights.“Tomorrow, at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride,” Trump said, adding, “Once and for all, we’re going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington."The event also featured a performance by Kid Rock, who performed “All Summer Long” despite a cold mix of rain and snow falling outside. Others taking the stage included singer Lee Greenwood, whose “God Bless the USA” is a Trump favorite.Billionaire Tesla owner Elon Musk — who Trump has tasked with helping run a special commission to make the federal government more efficient — took the stage and said “we’re looking forward to making a lot of changes.” Jon Voight, an actor named by Trump as a special ambassador to Hollywood, declared the president-elect “our hero. A man who never gave up on the American people, and we the people never gave up on him.”Stephen Miller, Trump’s pick to be deputy chief of staff and a key architect of the administration’s promised hard-line immigration polices, vowed that “justice is coming.”“We are about to get our country back and our democracy back,” Miller said, adding “Donald J. Trump is about to save this country.”With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arctic-siberian-cold-chilly-trump-inauguration-7537abf637d19e681e9c517e1e82cb4b">frigid temperatures</a>&nbsp;expected Monday, Trump directed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-capitol-rotunda-cold-weather-2e527b4f40309be7fd2b48a8173af390">most of Monday’s outdoor events to be moved indoors</a>, and officials held a rehearsal Sunday for his swearing-in in the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda, which holds only 600 people compared to the 250,000-plus guests who had tickets to view the inauguration from around the Capitol grounds.Also Sunday, Trump had breakfast privately with Republican senators at&nbsp;<a href="https://2009-2017.state.gov/s/cpr/blair/index.htm">Blair House</a>, the president’s official guest residence, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, and took to his social media site to comment on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-01-19-2025-437f7f1bf49c9d2936718cf78bdf272c">ceasefire between Israel and Hamas</a>&nbsp;and the U.S. ban on TikTok.“Hostages starting to come out today!." Trump wrote.Overnight, millions of U.S. users of TikTok lost the ability to watch videos on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">the social media platform</a>&nbsp;as a federal ban on the app took effect. Though the site later began working again for some users, the disruptions reflected a new law requiring its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest for national security reasons.The company made a personal appeal to Trump to intervene, posting a message saying, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office."Trump subsequently posted, “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!" He promised to issue an executive order Monday "to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.” The president-elect also wrote that he was interested in the U.S. owning 50% of TikTok in a “joint venture” model, though he did not offer much detail on what that would look like.Another stop for Trump on Sunday were snow-covered graves at Arlington National Cemetery, where he and Vice President-elect JD Vance — each wearing dark overcoats and red ties — walked together to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a wreath-laying ceremony that included the playing of taps. Trump mouthed “thank you” after placing the wreath.The pair later spent nearly half an hour in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, talking with families of soldiers who died&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1">in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing</a>.The scene was far different than in August, when two Trump campaign staff members&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-arlington-cemetery-altercation-afghanistan-3f0331e9209336a9b696ec164be7eb1c">reportedly</a>&nbsp;verbally “abused and pushed” aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60.

🎥Trump pledges a series of Day 1 executive actions 

KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in a house fire Friday in Kansas City.

Just after 7:30a.m., crews responded to a report of a house fire in the 7400 block of E 49th, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews reported heavy smoke and fire from a single-story home.&nbsp; Two occupants and a family pet were able to escape prior to the arrival of fire crews. One occupant was evaluated on scene and refused additional medical treatment. One occupant was transported in stable condition for evaluation of smoke inhalation and minor burns. 

The Red Cross is assisting two adults and one dog.&nbsp; No firefighter injuries were reported at this incident. The cause of the fire is remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737331474939.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in a house fire Friday in Kansas City.Just after 7:30a.m., crews responded to a report of a house fire in the 7400 block of E 49th, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.Crews reported heavy smoke and fire from a single-story home.&nbsp; Two occupants and a family pet were able to escape prior to the arrival of fire crews. One occupant was evaluated on scene and refused additional medical treatment. One occupant was transported in stable condition for evaluation of smoke inhalation and minor burns. The Red Cross is assisting two adults and one dog.&nbsp; No firefighter injuries were reported at this incident. The cause of the fire is remains under investigation.

One hospitalized after fire at home in Kansas City

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects in connection with a shooting at a hotel.

On December 18, police responded to a shooting at the Meadow Acres Inn, 2950 SW Topeka Blvd, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. Shots were reportedly fired into a hotel room occupied by two adults. 

Upon arrival, officers observed property damage to the room and found a person in another room who was transported to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries.

Just before 8p.m. January 15, police located Michael H. Howey, 31, of Topeka, in the 700 block of SE 34th St. As a result of the investigation, Howey was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Battery; aggravated Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied dwelling w great bodily harm, Criminal discharge of firearm; Unoccupied dwelling, Criminal damage to property; To injure or defraud value $1000 to $25000 and&nbsp;&nbsp;Unlawful discharge of firearm in city limits, Assault; aggravated, Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana and Interference with LEO; obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution

On January 16, federal partners located Leonard Madison III, 29, of Topeka, in the 5800 block of SW Topeka Blvd. As a result of the investigation, Madison was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Criminal possession of a weapon by felon; less than 8 years since sentence/diversion, Battery; aggravated, Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied dwelling w great bodily harm, Criminal discharge of firearm; Unoccupied dwelling, Criminal damage to property; To injure or defraud value $1000 to $25000, Unlawful discharge of firearm in city limits and Assault; aggravated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737152240415.png" alt="Howey-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Howey-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects in connection with a shooting at a hotel.On December 18, police responded to a shooting at the Meadow Acres Inn, 2950 SW Topeka Blvd, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. Shots were reportedly fired into a hotel room occupied by two adults. Upon arrival, officers observed property damage to the room and found a person in another room who was transported to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries.Just before 8p.m. January 15, police located Michael H. Howey, 31, of Topeka, in the 700 block of SE 34th St. As a result of the investigation, Howey was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Battery; aggravated Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied dwelling w great bodily harm, Criminal discharge of firearm; Unoccupied dwelling, Criminal damage to property; To injure or defraud value $1000 to $25000 and&nbsp;&nbsp;Unlawful discharge of firearm in city limits, Assault; aggravated, Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana and Interference with LEO; obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737152384650.png" alt="Madison-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Madison-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>On January 16, federal partners located Leonard Madison III, 29, of Topeka, in the 5800 block of SW Topeka Blvd. As a result of the investigation, Madison was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Criminal possession of a weapon by felon; less than 8 years since sentence/diversion, Battery; aggravated, Criminal discharge of firearm; Occupied dwelling w great bodily harm, Criminal discharge of firearm; Unoccupied dwelling, Criminal damage to property; To injure or defraud value $1000 to $25000, Unlawful discharge of firearm in city limits and Assault; aggravated.

Police track down 2 for shooting at Kan. motel that critically injured victim

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on drug allegations.

On January 15,&nbsp;the Finney County Sheriff’s Office / Garden City Police Department Joint Drug Task Force and Holcomb Police Department served a search warrant at 401 Emmanuel Drive Apt. 3 in Holcomb, according to a media release.

This search warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation into the activities of the residents of the apartment. The search of the residence resulted in the seizure of Methamphetamine and multiple items associated with the illegal distribution of controlled substances. The following people were arrested and lodged in the Finney County Jail as a result of the search warrant.

Danyl Rodriguez, 39,&nbsp; Holcomb, arrested on requested charges that include Distribute stimulants; 3.5-100 grams within 1000’ of a school zone; Possession of drug paraphernalia for distribution; Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transactions; Use of communication device to facilitate felony drug violation; Possession of drug paraphernalia for use; Felony interference with law enforcement and for destroying evidence.

Larry Briscoe Jr., 45, Holcomb, was arrested on requested charges that includ Possession of a Stimulant with 1 prior convictionand Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zuleyca Beatriz Perez-Gomez, 30, Dodge City, was arrested on requested charges of&nbsp; Interference with a law enforcement officer and obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737126059592.png" alt="Briscoe-photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Briscoe-photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on drug allegations.On January 15,&nbsp;the Finney County Sheriff’s Office / Garden City Police Department Joint Drug Task Force and Holcomb Police Department served a search warrant at 401 Emmanuel Drive Apt. 3 in Holcomb, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737217611476.png" alt="Perez-Gomez-photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Perez-Gomez-photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>This search warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation into the activities of the residents of the apartment. The search of the residence resulted in the seizure of Methamphetamine and multiple items associated with the illegal distribution of controlled substances. The following people were arrested and lodged in the Finney County Jail as a result of the search warrant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737126123906.png" alt="Rodriguez-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Rodriguez-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Danyl Rodriguez, 39,&nbsp; Holcomb, arrested on requested charges that include Distribute stimulants; 3.5-100 grams within 1000’ of a school zone; Possession of drug paraphernalia for distribution; Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transactions; Use of communication device to facilitate felony drug violation; Possession of drug paraphernalia for use; Felony interference with law enforcement and for destroying evidence.Larry Briscoe Jr., 45, Holcomb, was arrested on requested charges that includ Possession of a Stimulant with 1 prior convictionand Possession of drug paraphernalia.Zuleyca Beatriz Perez-Gomez, 30, Dodge City, was arrested on requested charges of&nbsp; Interference with a law enforcement officer and obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution.

Three accused in southwest Kansas drug sale operation

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump spent the eve of his inauguration in a series of Washington events that celebrate his return to power as he prepares to move back into the White House at a time of deep national political divisions.

Trump appeared solemn as he placed a wreath on an easel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Moments later, Vance did the same.

After he placing the wreaths, Trump, Vance and their wives met with families of soldiers buried at Section 60 in Arlington National Cemetery, a burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Trump greeted each family individually at the gravestones of their loved ones and appeared to place challenge coins on their headstones.

Trump family members,&nbsp;Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, Ivanka Trump and his picks for several Cabinet positions were also at Arlington National Cemetery including Pete Hegseth, his pick for defense secretary, Marco Rubio, his pick for secretary of state, Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for director of national intelligence and Elise Stefanik, his pick for United Nations ambassador. JD Vance’s spouse, Usha Vance, was also in attendance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737312137074.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump spent the eve of his inauguration in a series of Washington events that celebrate his return to power as he prepares to move back into the White House at a time of deep national political divisions.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President-Elect Trump Participates in Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery - LIVE on C-SPAN <a href="https://t.co/ZcvIfDNfXB">https://t.co/ZcvIfDNfXB</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1881047349553963293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump appeared solemn as he placed a wreath on an easel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Moments later, Vance did the same.After he placing the wreaths, Trump, Vance and their wives met with families of soldiers buried at Section 60 in Arlington National Cemetery, a burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737312296523.png" alt="Photo courtesy Margo Martin, Deputy Director of Communications, Donald J. Trump for President" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Margo Martin, Deputy Director of Communications, Donald J. Trump for President</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump greeted each family individually at the gravestones of their loved ones and appeared to place challenge coins on their headstones.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737319892231.png" alt="Photo courtesy Margo Martin, Deputy Director of Communications, Donald J. Trump for President" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Margo Martin, Deputy Director of Communications, Donald J. Trump for President</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump family members,&nbsp;Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, Ivanka Trump and his picks for several Cabinet positions were also at Arlington National Cemetery including Pete Hegseth, his pick for defense secretary, Marco Rubio, his pick for secretary of state, Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for director of national intelligence and Elise Stefanik, his pick for United Nations ambassador. JD Vance’s spouse, Usha Vance, was also in attendance.

🎥Trump and wounded warrior lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery

Kanakuk Ministries and its insurer are released from claims of fraud, with statute of limitations impacting sexual abuse survivor’s right to sue

BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Christian summer camp Kanakuk Ministries and its insurer are not liable after allegedly concealing knowledge of sexual misconduct at its camp, a judge in Christian County Circuit Court ruled Friday.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/22/former-camper-suing-missouri-based-kanakuk-kamps-claiming-fraudulent-abuse-settlement/">case was brought by Logan Yandell, a survivor</a>&nbsp;of sexual abuse by Kanakuk Ministries’ former camp director Pete Newman. Yandell alleged the camp’s CEO lied to his parents, which influenced them to sign a settlement and non-disclosure agreement for $250,000 that they otherwise would have continued to fight.

Yandell says his family relied on statements made by camp CEO Joe White on a phone call that “nothing has been on (the camp’s) radar with (Newman)” when settling in 2010.

Yandell’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/18/judge-weighs-whether-missouri-based-kanakuk-defrauded-abuse-survivors-family/">attorney Reed Martens argued</a>&nbsp;in a November proceeding that the camp’s insurer, ACE American Insurance Co., influenced White to cover up his knowledge, saying White was acting as an agent of the insurance company during the phone conversation.

Judge Raymond Gross, who typically serves in Ozark County but was brought in to oversee the case, dismissed Yandell’s claims of fraud, saying he lacked the “right to rely” on a misstatement by White after newspapers reported that Kanakuk “knew of inappropriate behavior since 2003” and a public sentencing referenced the camp’s knowledge.

Yandell said he didn’t realize White had not told the truth until 2021, but Gross ruled that there were occasions he should have learned of the camp’s negligence years prior.

The statute of limitations in Missouri restricts fraud claims to five years after the fraud is discovered. Yandell should have known about the misstatement more than five years before he filed his claim, Gross wrote, making him ineligible to bring the claim.

Gross also rejected ACE Insurance as responsible for White’s statement, writing: “There is no evidence that ACE vested White with any power to speak or act on its behalf.”

The ruling did not mention a letter that the camp drafted to send to families that ACE “strongly recommended not to send.” This occurred after the phone call with the misstatement.

Gross wrote that there was no evidence of ACE pressuring White “prior to or during the phone call.”

The trial scheduled for July is now canceled. Attorneys for Yandell could not be immediately reached for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732026482190.png" alt="&nbsp;The Christian County Justice Center, as photographed Nov. 18, 2024 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;The Christian County Justice Center, as photographed Nov. 18, 2024 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kanakuk Ministries and its insurer are released from claims of fraud, with statute of limitations impacting sexual abuse survivor’s right to sue</h2>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Christian summer camp Kanakuk Ministries and its insurer are not liable after allegedly concealing knowledge of sexual misconduct at its camp, a judge in Christian County Circuit Court ruled Friday.The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/22/former-camper-suing-missouri-based-kanakuk-kamps-claiming-fraudulent-abuse-settlement/">case was brought by Logan Yandell, a survivor</a>&nbsp;of sexual abuse by Kanakuk Ministries’ former camp director Pete Newman. Yandell alleged the camp’s CEO lied to his parents, which influenced them to sign a settlement and non-disclosure agreement for $250,000 that they otherwise would have continued to fight.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732026447363.png" alt="Logan Yandell in 2003, the year he began attending Kanakuk summer camp (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>Logan Yandell in 2003, the year he began attending Kanakuk summer camp (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>Yandell says his family relied on statements made by camp CEO Joe White on a phone call that “nothing has been on (the camp’s) radar with (Newman)” when settling in 2010.Yandell’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/18/judge-weighs-whether-missouri-based-kanakuk-defrauded-abuse-survivors-family/">attorney Reed Martens argued</a>&nbsp;in a November proceeding that the camp’s insurer, ACE American Insurance Co., influenced White to cover up his knowledge, saying White was acting as an agent of the insurance company during the phone conversation.Judge Raymond Gross, who typically serves in Ozark County but was brought in to oversee the case, dismissed Yandell’s claims of fraud, saying he lacked the “right to rely” on a misstatement by White after newspapers reported that Kanakuk “knew of inappropriate behavior since 2003” and a public sentencing referenced the camp’s knowledge.Yandell said he didn’t realize White had not told the truth until 2021, but Gross ruled that there were occasions he should have learned of the camp’s negligence years prior.The statute of limitations in Missouri restricts fraud claims to five years after the fraud is discovered. Yandell should have known about the misstatement more than five years before he filed his claim, Gross wrote, making him ineligible to bring the claim.Gross also rejected ACE Insurance as responsible for White’s statement, writing: “There is no evidence that ACE vested White with any power to speak or act on its behalf.”The ruling did not mention a letter that the camp drafted to send to families that ACE “strongly recommended not to send.” This occurred after the phone call with the misstatement.Gross wrote that there was no evidence of ACE pressuring White “prior to or during the phone call.”The trial scheduled for July is now canceled. Attorneys for Yandell could not be immediately reached for comment.

Judge rules summer camp not liable for CEO statements about sexual misconduct

GRAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6a.m. Sunday in Gray County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Edgar Adolfo&nbsp;Rios-Meraz, 22, Satanta, was eastbound on Kansas 144 four miles east of Copeland.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection at U.S. 56 and struck a KDOT post.

The truck crossed U.S. 56, entered into the south ditch and rolled. The driver and passenger identified as 18-year-old Yensin Mabel&nbsp;Servin-Shavez were ejected.

Rios-Meraz was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Servin-Shavez to&nbsp;Wesley Trauma Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The report did not include Servin-Shavez's hometown.

GRAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6a.m. Sunday in Gray County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Edgar Adolfo&nbsp;Rios-Meraz, 22, Satanta, was eastbound on Kansas 144 four miles east of Copeland.The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection at U.S. 56 and struck a KDOT post.The truck crossed U.S. 56, entered into the south ditch and rolled. The driver and passenger identified as 18-year-old Yensin Mabel&nbsp;Servin-Shavez were ejected.Rios-Meraz was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Servin-Shavez to&nbsp;Wesley Trauma Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The report did not include Servin-Shavez's hometown.

Kansas man dead after ejected in pickup rollover crash

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HALELUYA%20HADERO%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HALELUYA HADERO Associated Press</a>

TikTok said Sunday it was restoring service to users in the United States after the popular video-sharing platform went dark in response to a federal ban that President-elect Donald Trump said he would try to pause by executive order on his first day in office.

Trump said he planned to issue the order to give TikTok’s China-based parent company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-us-ban-trump-extension-a3936a93f174d176d3633a67554d771b">more time</a>&nbsp;to find an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-buyers-divestment-ban-8429dfb422c4cefb6b0807aeb2c5cd56">approved buyer</a>&nbsp;before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-supreme-court-36c3c3b42f743a35c69e1c74341f1f30">popular video-sharing platform</a>&nbsp;is subject to a permanent U.S.ban. He announced the move on his Truth Social account as millions of U.S. TikTok users awoke to discover they could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-security-speech-166f7c794ee587d3385190f893e52777">no longer access</a>&nbsp;the TikTok app or platform.

Google and Apple removed the app from their digital stores to comply with the law, which required them to do so if TikTok parent company ByteDance didn’t sell its U.S. operation by Sunday. The law, which passed with wide bipartisan support in April, allowed for steep fines for non-compliance.

The company that runs TikTok said in a post on X that Trump's post had provided “the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans.”

Some users reported soon after TikTok's statement that the app was working again, and TikTok’s website appeared to be functioning for at least some users. Even as TikTok was flickering back on, it remained unavailable for download in Apple and Google’s app stores.

The law that took effect Sunday required ByteDance to cut ties with the platform’s U.S. operations due to national security concerns posed by the app’s Chinese roots. However, the statute gave the sitting president authority to grant a 90-day extension if a viable sale is underway.

Although investors made a few offers, ByteDance previously said it would not sell. In his post on Sunday, Trump said he “would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” but it was not immediately clear if he was referring to the government or an American company.

Trump said his order would “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect” and "confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.

“Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump wrote.

The on-and-off availability of TikTok came after the U.S. Supreme Court held in a unanimous ruling Friday that the risk to national security posed by TikTok’s ties to China outweighed concerns about limiting speech by the app or its millions of users in the United States.

When TikTok users in the U.S. tried to watch or post videos on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">the platform</a>&nbsp;as of Saturday night, they saw a pop-up message under the headline, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.”

“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” a pop-up message informed users who opened the TikTok app and tried to scroll through videos on Saturday night. “Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

The service interruption TikTok instituted hours early caught most users by surprise. Experts had said the law as written did not require TikTok to take down its platform, only for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-alternative-social-media-platforms-ban-49af1bfd2a1543a09b327544c380f217">app stores</a>&nbsp;to remove it. Current users had been expected to continue to have access to videos until the app stopped working due to a lack of updates.

“The community on TikTok is like nothing else, so it’s weird to not have that anymore,” content creator Tiffany Watson, 20, said Sunday.

Watson said she had been in denial about the looming shutdown and with the space time on her hands plans to focus on bolstering her presence on Instagram and YouTube.

“There are still people out there who want beauty content,” Watson said.

The company’s app also was removed late Saturday from prominent app stores, including the ones operated by Apple and Google. Apple told customers with its devices that it also took down other apps developed by TikTok’s China-based parent company, including one that some social media influencers had promoted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lemon8-tiktok-ban-alternative-creators-4d9328b4312681cc4f6dcb5d81a5e464">as an alternative</a>.

“Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates,” the company said.

Trump's plan to issue an executive order to spare TikTok on his first day in office reflected the ban's coincidental timing and the unusual mix of political considerations surrounding a social media platform that first gained popularity with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-biden-timeline-india-119969bfc584e92d47baa189a3e1c4fc">often silly videos</a>&nbsp;featuring dances and music clips.

During his first term in the White House, Trump issued executive orders in 2020 banning TikTok and the Chinese messaging app WeChat, moves that courts subsequently blocked. When momentum for a ban emerged in Congress last year, however, he opposed the legislation. Trump has since credited TikTok with helping him win support from young voters in last year's presidential election.

Despite its own part in getting the nationwide ban enacted, the Biden administration stressed in recent days that it did not intend to implement or enforce the ban before Trump takes office on Monday.

In the nine months since Congress passed the sale-or-ban law,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/divesting-tiktok-buyer-330c3a10d80aa9223facbfba0296a608">no clear buyers</a>&nbsp;emerged, and ByteDance publicly insisted it would not sell TikTok. But Trump said he hoped his administration could facilitate a deal to “save” the app.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump’s</a>&nbsp;inauguration with a prime seating location.

Chew posted a video late Saturday thanking Trump for his commitment to work with the company to keep the app available in the U.S. and taking a “strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”

Trump's choice for national security adviser, Michael Waltz, told CBS News on Sunday that the president-elect discussed TikTok going dark in the U.S. during a weekend call with Chinese President Xi Jinping “and they agreed to work together on this.”

On Saturday, artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance to create a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok's U.S. business, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Perplexity is not asking to purchase the ByteDance algorithm that feeds TikTok user’s videos based on their interests and has made the platform such a phenomenon.

Other investors also eyed TikTok. “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary recently said a consortium of investors that he and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-mccourt-sale-bytedance-843d24334321f90bebeeac4b32896a9a">billionaire Frank McCourt</a>&nbsp;offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash. Trump’s former treasury secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-mnuchin-house-senate-ffdf37776e63a09bb6966d741df7093b">Steven Mnuchin</a>, also said last year that he was putting together an investor group to buy TikTok.

In Washington, lawmakers and administration officials have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-unitedstates-tiktok-chew-2d851c716d6454d7c87762a056604c7a">long raised concerns</a>&nbsp;about TikTok, warning the algorithm that fuels what users see is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities. But to date, the U.S. has not publicly provided evidence of TikTok handing user data to Chinese authorities or tinkering with its algorithm to benefit Chinese interests.

Kanis Leung in Hong Kong and Charlotte Kramon in Atlanta contributed to this story.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737312697501.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HALELUYA%20HADERO%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HALELUYA HADERO Associated Press</a>TikTok said Sunday it was restoring service to users in the United States after the popular video-sharing platform went dark in response to a federal ban that President-elect Donald Trump said he would try to pause by executive order on his first day in office.Trump said he planned to issue the order to give TikTok’s China-based parent company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-us-ban-trump-extension-a3936a93f174d176d3633a67554d771b">more time</a>&nbsp;to find an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-buyers-divestment-ban-8429dfb422c4cefb6b0807aeb2c5cd56">approved buyer</a>&nbsp;before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-supreme-court-36c3c3b42f743a35c69e1c74341f1f30">popular video-sharing platform</a>&nbsp;is subject to a permanent U.S.ban. He announced the move on his Truth Social account as millions of U.S. TikTok users awoke to discover they could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-security-speech-166f7c794ee587d3385190f893e52777">no longer access</a>&nbsp;the TikTok app or platform.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737257873247.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Google and Apple removed the app from their digital stores to comply with the law, which required them to do so if TikTok parent company ByteDance didn’t sell its U.S. operation by Sunday. The law, which passed with wide bipartisan support in April, allowed for steep fines for non-compliance.The company that runs TikTok said in a post on X that Trump's post had provided “the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans.”Some users reported soon after TikTok's statement that the app was working again, and TikTok’s website appeared to be functioning for at least some users. Even as TikTok was flickering back on, it remained unavailable for download in Apple and Google’s app stores.The law that took effect Sunday required ByteDance to cut ties with the platform’s U.S. operations due to national security concerns posed by the app’s Chinese roots. However, the statute gave the sitting president authority to grant a 90-day extension if a viable sale is underway.Although investors made a few offers, ByteDance previously said it would not sell. In his post on Sunday, Trump said he “would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” but it was not immediately clear if he was referring to the government or an American company.Trump said his order would “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect” and "confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.“Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump wrote.The on-and-off availability of TikTok came after the U.S. Supreme Court held in a unanimous ruling Friday that the risk to national security posed by TikTok’s ties to China outweighed concerns about limiting speech by the app or its millions of users in the United States.When TikTok users in the U.S. tried to watch or post videos on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">the platform</a>&nbsp;as of Saturday night, they saw a pop-up message under the headline, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.”“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” a pop-up message informed users who opened the TikTok app and tried to scroll through videos on Saturday night. “Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”The service interruption TikTok instituted hours early caught most users by surprise. Experts had said the law as written did not require TikTok to take down its platform, only for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-alternative-social-media-platforms-ban-49af1bfd2a1543a09b327544c380f217">app stores</a>&nbsp;to remove it. Current users had been expected to continue to have access to videos until the app stopped working due to a lack of updates.“The community on TikTok is like nothing else, so it’s weird to not have that anymore,” content creator Tiffany Watson, 20, said Sunday.Watson said she had been in denial about the looming shutdown and with the space time on her hands plans to focus on bolstering her presence on Instagram and YouTube.“There are still people out there who want beauty content,” Watson said.The company’s app also was removed late Saturday from prominent app stores, including the ones operated by Apple and Google. Apple told customers with its devices that it also took down other apps developed by TikTok’s China-based parent company, including one that some social media influencers had promoted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lemon8-tiktok-ban-alternative-creators-4d9328b4312681cc4f6dcb5d81a5e464">as an alternative</a>.“Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates,” the company said.Trump's plan to issue an executive order to spare TikTok on his first day in office reflected the ban's coincidental timing and the unusual mix of political considerations surrounding a social media platform that first gained popularity with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-biden-timeline-india-119969bfc584e92d47baa189a3e1c4fc">often silly videos</a>&nbsp;featuring dances and music clips.During his first term in the White House, Trump issued executive orders in 2020 banning TikTok and the Chinese messaging app WeChat, moves that courts subsequently blocked. When momentum for a ban emerged in Congress last year, however, he opposed the legislation. Trump has since credited TikTok with helping him win support from young voters in last year's presidential election.Despite its own part in getting the nationwide ban enacted, the Biden administration stressed in recent days that it did not intend to implement or enforce the ban before Trump takes office on Monday.In the nine months since Congress passed the sale-or-ban law,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/divesting-tiktok-buyer-330c3a10d80aa9223facbfba0296a608">no clear buyers</a>&nbsp;emerged, and ByteDance publicly insisted it would not sell TikTok. But Trump said he hoped his administration could facilitate a deal to “save” the app.TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump’s</a>&nbsp;inauguration with a prime seating location.Chew posted a video late Saturday thanking Trump for his commitment to work with the company to keep the app available in the U.S. and taking a “strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”Trump's choice for national security adviser, Michael Waltz, told CBS News on Sunday that the president-elect discussed TikTok going dark in the U.S. during a weekend call with Chinese President Xi Jinping “and they agreed to work together on this.”On Saturday, artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance to create a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok's U.S. business, according to a person familiar with the matter.Perplexity is not asking to purchase the ByteDance algorithm that feeds TikTok user’s videos based on their interests and has made the platform such a phenomenon.Other investors also eyed TikTok. “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary recently said a consortium of investors that he and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-mccourt-sale-bytedance-843d24334321f90bebeeac4b32896a9a">billionaire Frank McCourt</a>&nbsp;offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash. Trump’s former treasury secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-mnuchin-house-senate-ffdf37776e63a09bb6966d741df7093b">Steven Mnuchin</a>, also said last year that he was putting together an investor group to buy TikTok.In Washington, lawmakers and administration officials have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-unitedstates-tiktok-chew-2d851c716d6454d7c87762a056604c7a">long raised concerns</a>&nbsp;about TikTok, warning the algorithm that fuels what users see is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities. But to date, the U.S. has not publicly provided evidence of TikTok handing user data to Chinese authorities or tinkering with its algorithm to benefit Chinese interests.___Kanis Leung in Hong Kong and Charlotte Kramon in Atlanta contributed to this story.

TikTok coming back online after Trump vowed to halt ban

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22WAFAA%20SHURAFA,%20SAMY%20MAGDY%20and%20TIA%20GOLDENBERG%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By WAFAA SHURAFA, SAMY MAGDY and TIA GOLDENBERG Associated Press</a>

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The first three hostages released from Gaza have arrived in Israel, the military announced Sunday, hours after the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold. Their mothers were waiting to meet them.

Israeli media, carrying live footage from Qatar-based Al Jazeera, showed the three women walking to Red Cross vehicles as their convoy moved through Gaza City. The vehicles were accompanied by armed men who wore green Hamas headbands and struggled to guard the cars from an unruly crowd that swelled into the thousands.

No further glimpses of the three were immediately expected as they will be taken for medical assessment. “They appear to be in good health,” President Joe Biden said in brief remarks as they were arriving in Israel.

In Tel Aviv, thousands of people gathered to watch the news on large screens erupted in cheers. For months, many had gathered in the square to demand a ceasefire deal.

The ceasefire ushers in an initial six-week period of calm and raises hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the devastating 15-month war. A last-minute delay by Hamas put off the truce's start by nearly three hours and highlighted its fragility.

Even before the ceasefire took effect, celebrations broke out across the territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes.

Next up is the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners later Sunday. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, families and friends gathered excitedly as cars honked and people waved the Palestinian flag.

The truce, which started at 11:15 a.m. local time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-draft-terms-hostages-3df21b67620fdc8f62aa1d1e96487880">is the first step</a>&nbsp;toward ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were released. Gonen was abducted from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-music-festival-survivors-89d5785b3caed4e5796b8750010877f9">the Nova music festival</a>, while the others were kidnapped from Kibbutz&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-kibbutz-attack-anniversary-344b289751d8ee80d4909f15864f508c">Kfar Aza</a>. Damari is an Israeli-British dual citizen.

In the interim between 8:30 a.m. and when the ceasefire took hold, Israeli fire killed at least 26 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It did not say whether they were civilians or fighters. The military has warned people to stay away from Israeli forces as they retreat to a buffer zone inside Gaza.

Israel’s hard-line national security minister, meanwhile, said his Jewish Power faction was quitting the government in protest over the ceasefire agreement.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/itamar-bengvir-resigns-gaza-ceasefire-netanyahu-d63bc4ac1e4f741cafa6fab4d932f891">Itamar Ben-Gvir’s departure</a>&nbsp;weakens Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition but will not affect the truce.

In a separate development, Israel announced it had recovered the body of Oron Shaul, a soldier killed in the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, in a special operation in Gaza. The bodies of Shaul and another soldier, Hadar Goldin, remained there after the 2014 war and had not been returned.

The ceasefire deal was announced last week after a year of mediation by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump's team&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-ceasefire-trump-biden-israel-hamas-0e6c324ba0e3e9413bafe740fdefebc6">had both pressed for an agreement</a>&nbsp;to be reached before the inauguration on Monday.

Netanyahu on Saturday warned that he had Trump's backing to continue fighting if necessary.

The 42-day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-draft-terms-hostages-3df21b67620fdc8f62aa1d1e96487880">first phase of the ceasefire</a>&nbsp;should see 33 hostages returned from Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees released. Many displaced Palestinians should be able to return home.

There is also supposed to be a surge of humanitarian aid, with hundreds of trucks entering Gaza daily,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-aid-hamas-unrwa-biden-bcf8489c338a2f33cb4d6f0a4f7138b5">far more than Israel allowed before</a>. The United Nations' World Food Program said trucks started entering through two crossings after the ceasefire took hold.

This is just the second ceasefire in the war, longer and more consequential than a weeklong pause in November 2023, with the potential to end the fighting for good.

Negotiations on the far more difficult second phase of this ceasefire should begin in just over two weeks. Major questions remain, including whether the war will resume after the first phase and how the rest of the hostages in Gaza will be freed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737298450699.png" alt="Doron Steinbrecher -Photos Hostages and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Doron Steinbrecher -Photos Hostages and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22WAFAA%20SHURAFA,%20SAMY%20MAGDY%20and%20TIA%20GOLDENBERG%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By WAFAA SHURAFA, SAMY MAGDY and TIA GOLDENBERG Associated Press</a>DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The first three hostages released from Gaza have arrived in Israel, the military announced Sunday, hours after the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold. Their mothers were waiting to meet them.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737298581042.png" alt="Emily Damari-Photos Hostages and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Emily Damari-Photos Hostages and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>Israeli media, carrying live footage from Qatar-based Al Jazeera, showed the three women walking to Red Cross vehicles as their convoy moved through Gaza City. The vehicles were accompanied by armed men who wore green Hamas headbands and struggled to guard the cars from an unruly crowd that swelled into the thousands.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on ceasefire in Gaza: &quot;After so much pain, destruction and loss of life, today the guns in Gaza have gone silent.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/QLm8jmXNyJ">pic.twitter.com/QLm8jmXNyJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1881021050575831514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>No further glimpses of the three were immediately expected as they will be taken for medical assessment. “They appear to be in good health,” President Joe Biden said in brief remarks as they were arriving in Israel.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737298203464.png" alt="Romi Gonen-Photos Hostages and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Romi Gonen-Photos Hostages and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>In Tel Aviv, thousands of people gathered to watch the news on large screens erupted in cheers. For months, many had gathered in the square to demand a ceasefire deal.The ceasefire ushers in an initial six-week period of calm and raises hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the devastating 15-month war. A last-minute delay by Hamas put off the truce's start by nearly three hours and highlighted its fragility.Even before the ceasefire took effect, celebrations broke out across the territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">They’re home. 💛 <a href="https://t.co/PHkJ3yZLrV">pic.twitter.com/PHkJ3yZLrV</a>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1881008620990840990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Next up is the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners later Sunday. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, families and friends gathered excitedly as cars honked and people waved the Palestinian flag.The truce, which started at 11:15 a.m. local time,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-draft-terms-hostages-3df21b67620fdc8f62aa1d1e96487880">is the first step</a>&nbsp;toward ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack.Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were released. Gonen was abducted from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-music-festival-survivors-89d5785b3caed4e5796b8750010877f9">the Nova music festival</a>, while the others were kidnapped from Kibbutz&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-kibbutz-attack-anniversary-344b289751d8ee80d4909f15864f508c">Kfar Aza</a>. Damari is an Israeli-British dual citizen.In the interim between 8:30 a.m. and when the ceasefire took hold, Israeli fire killed at least 26 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It did not say whether they were civilians or fighters. The military has warned people to stay away from Israeli forces as they retreat to a buffer zone inside Gaza.Israel’s hard-line national security minister, meanwhile, said his Jewish Power faction was quitting the government in protest over the ceasefire agreement.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/itamar-bengvir-resigns-gaza-ceasefire-netanyahu-d63bc4ac1e4f741cafa6fab4d932f891">Itamar Ben-Gvir’s departure</a>&nbsp;weakens Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition but will not affect the truce.In a separate development, Israel announced it had recovered the body of Oron Shaul, a soldier killed in the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, in a special operation in Gaza. The bodies of Shaul and another soldier, Hadar Goldin, remained there after the 2014 war and had not been returned.<h2>Fragile agreement</h2>The ceasefire deal was announced last week after a year of mediation by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump's team&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-ceasefire-trump-biden-israel-hamas-0e6c324ba0e3e9413bafe740fdefebc6">had both pressed for an agreement</a>&nbsp;to be reached before the inauguration on Monday.Netanyahu on Saturday warned that he had Trump's backing to continue fighting if necessary.The 42-day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-draft-terms-hostages-3df21b67620fdc8f62aa1d1e96487880">first phase of the ceasefire</a>&nbsp;should see 33 hostages returned from Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees released. Many displaced Palestinians should be able to return home.There is also supposed to be a surge of humanitarian aid, with hundreds of trucks entering Gaza daily,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-aid-hamas-unrwa-biden-bcf8489c338a2f33cb4d6f0a4f7138b5">far more than Israel allowed before</a>. The United Nations' World Food Program said trucks started entering through two crossings after the ceasefire took hold.This is just the second ceasefire in the war, longer and more consequential than a weeklong pause in November 2023, with the potential to end the fighting for good.Negotiations on the far more difficult second phase of this ceasefire should begin in just over two weeks. Major questions remain, including whether the war will resume after the first phase and how the rest of the hostages in Gaza will be freed.

Three Israeli hostages released as fragile ceasefire passes first hurdle

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Sunday posthumously&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/19/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-clemency-actions-3/" target="_blank">pardoned</a>&nbsp;Black nationalist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/individuals/marcus-garvey" target="_blank">Marcus Garvey</a>, who influenced Malcolm X and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s. Biden also pardoned immigrant rights activist Ravi Ragbir and criminal justice reform advocate Kemba Smith Pradia. <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/19/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-clemency-actions-3/">Click here to see</a> the new list&nbsp;

Congressional leaders had pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey. Supporters long argued that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an effort to silence the increasingly popular leader who spoke of racial pride.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c8bd2f796e4f4198ad4038b509255fb5">Ragbir was convicted of a nonviolent offence in 2001</a>&nbsp;and was sentenced to two years in prison. Smith Pradia is an advocate convicted of a drug offense in 1994 when she was sentenced to 24 years behind bars. President Bill Clinton commuted her sentence in 2000.

It’s still not clear whether Biden will use his last day in office to give pardons to people who have been criticized or threatened by President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-trump-f36ead0eb92ea30e47cbfddfaf326f20">Issuing preemptive pardons</a>&nbsp;— for actual or imagined offenses by Trump’s critics that could be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration — would stretch the powers of the presidency in untested ways.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Sunday posthumously&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/19/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-clemency-actions-3/" target="_blank">pardoned</a>&nbsp;Black nationalist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/individuals/marcus-garvey" target="_blank">Marcus Garvey</a>, who influenced Malcolm X and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s. Biden also pardoned immigrant rights activist Ravi Ragbir and criminal justice reform advocate Kemba Smith Pradia. <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/19/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-clemency-actions-3/">Click here to see</a> the new list&nbsp;Congressional leaders had pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey. Supporters long argued that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an effort to silence the increasingly popular leader who spoke of racial pride.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c8bd2f796e4f4198ad4038b509255fb5">Ragbir was convicted of a nonviolent offence in 2001</a>&nbsp;and was sentenced to two years in prison. Smith Pradia is an advocate convicted of a drug offense in 1994 when she was sentenced to 24 years behind bars. President Bill Clinton commuted her sentence in 2000.It’s still not clear whether Biden will use his last day in office to give pardons to people who have been criticized or threatened by President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-trump-f36ead0eb92ea30e47cbfddfaf326f20">Issuing preemptive pardons</a>&nbsp;— for actual or imagined offenses by Trump’s critics that could be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration — would stretch the powers of the presidency in untested ways.

See the list: Biden issues more pardons on final full day in office 

OSAGE COUNTY —The Osage County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are investigating a drowning incident. 

&nbsp;Just after 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a person who had fallen out of a boat on Melvern Lake, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. Emergency crews responded to the scene.

After a lengthy search by land, air, and water, a subject was located. The subject was rescued from the water and life-saving measures were performed. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased.

The sheriff's office did not release the name of the victim or additional details.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Osage County Fire District #2 – Osage City, Osage County Fire District #3 – Melvern, Reading Fire Department, LifeSave air ambulance out of Emporia, and Osage County EMS participated in the search.&nbsp;

OSAGE COUNTY —The Osage County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are investigating a drowning incident. &nbsp;Just after 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a person who had fallen out of a boat on Melvern Lake, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. Emergency crews responded to the scene.After a lengthy search by land, air, and water, a subject was located. The subject was rescued from the water and life-saving measures were performed. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased.The sheriff's office did not release the name of the victim or additional details.The Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Osage County Fire District #2 – Osage City, Osage County Fire District #3 – Melvern, Reading Fire Department, LifeSave air ambulance out of Emporia, and Osage County EMS participated in the search.&nbsp;

Sheriff: One dead after fall from boat on a Kansas lake

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

While it won’t drop off electricity to substations in Kansas, the Grain Belt Express transmission line will bring savings and improve reliability for residents, developers of the project said Thursday.&nbsp;

Representatives from Invenergy, the Chicago-based company developing the Grain Belt Express, appeared before committees of the Kansas Senate and House to answer questions about the project, which is expected to carry renewable energy from southwest Kansas through Missouri and Illinois, ending at the Indiana border.

Using high-voltage direct current technology, the 5,000-megawatt line will carry as much power as three traditional power line networks, Invenergy representatives said. It can also reverse its flow to provide power in the case of emergencies.&nbsp;

“This project will unleash the power of Kansas energy to address the rapidly growing need for domestic energy supply,” said Patrick Whitty, senior vice president of public affairs for transmission at Invenergy.

Justin Grady, deputy director of the utilities division for the Kansas Corporation Commission, acknowledged lawmakers might question how installing a transmission line to carry wind power from southwest Kansas to Missouri, where it will drop off substantial power, would help Kansans.&nbsp;

“The reality is that it does … because in Kansas, we are not an island,” he said.

Kansas utilities are part of a regional grid that operates in 14 states called the Southwest Power Pool. When electrical generation is built or power lines go down in the region, it can affect Kansas, he said.&nbsp;

Right now, Grady said, there’s wind energy in western and central Kansas causing congestion on the regional grid. Alleviating that, he said, would help improve reliability and cost for consumers.

Beyond that, Grady said, the Kansas Corporation Commission found the economic generation from constructing the Grain Belt Express would benefit Kansas.&nbsp;

“What the commission found was billions of dollars of economic development activity in the state of Kansas is essentially unlocked by this project,” Grady said.&nbsp;

The company and agency’s testimony comes at a time when, according to the Kansas Farm Bureau, rural residents’ attitudes about renewable energy projects are changing. Wendee Grady, the farm bureau’s assistant general counsel, said the organization had updated its policy positions from blanket support for energy projects to a “more balanced” support of projects while “protecting landowner rights.”

To build the transmission line, Invenergy needs easements on private landowners’ properties to build towers and run the line. While Whitty said it has obtained almost all of those easements voluntarily, Invenergy can also obtain them through eminent domain, a legal mechanism that allows it to obtain easements from reluctant landowners and compensate them.&nbsp;

Grain Belt’s right to use eminent domain has drawn criticism from some rural landowners. In neighboring Missouri, lawmakers tried for years to strip Invenergy of the right to use eminent domain for Grain Belt.

Grady said the Farm Bureau has advocated that the Kansas Corporation Commission, which governs utilities, require a code of conduct for future transmission line developers, including requiring “truth and transparency when companies are dealing with our members or landowners in general.”&nbsp;

“Those are basic standards that are sometimes not met,” she said.&nbsp;

Grady said the Farm Bureau would also like to see higher compensation for landowners and efforts by transmission developers to mitigate any harm to agricultural land from construction.

“Now is the time to address these issues,” she said, “so that companies that come to Kansas to do business are going to do it right and deal with landowners in a fair and transparent way and protect ag lands.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737253265055.png" alt=" Grain Belt Express, under development by Chicago-based Invenergy, will carry renewable energy from southwest Kansas through Missouri and Illinois before ending at the Indiana border. (Invenergy)" />
 <figcaption> Grain Belt Express, under development by Chicago-based Invenergy, will carry renewable energy from southwest Kansas through Missouri and Illinois before ending at the Indiana border. (Invenergy)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>While it won’t drop off electricity to substations in Kansas, the Grain Belt Express transmission line will bring savings and improve reliability for residents, developers of the project said Thursday.&nbsp;Representatives from Invenergy, the Chicago-based company developing the Grain Belt Express, appeared before committees of the Kansas Senate and House to answer questions about the project, which is expected to carry renewable energy from southwest Kansas through Missouri and Illinois, ending at the Indiana border.Using high-voltage direct current technology, the 5,000-megawatt line will carry as much power as three traditional power line networks, Invenergy representatives said. It can also reverse its flow to provide power in the case of emergencies.&nbsp;“This project will unleash the power of Kansas energy to address the rapidly growing need for domestic energy supply,” said Patrick Whitty, senior vice president of public affairs for transmission at Invenergy.Justin Grady, deputy director of the utilities division for the Kansas Corporation Commission, acknowledged lawmakers might question how installing a transmission line to carry wind power from southwest Kansas to Missouri, where it will drop off substantial power, would help Kansans.&nbsp;“The reality is that it does … because in Kansas, we are not an island,” he said.Kansas utilities are part of a regional grid that operates in 14 states called the Southwest Power Pool. When electrical generation is built or power lines go down in the region, it can affect Kansas, he said.&nbsp;Right now, Grady said, there’s wind energy in western and central Kansas causing congestion on the regional grid. Alleviating that, he said, would help improve reliability and cost for consumers.Beyond that, Grady said, the Kansas Corporation Commission found the economic generation from constructing the Grain Belt Express would benefit Kansas.&nbsp;“What the commission found was billions of dollars of economic development activity in the state of Kansas is essentially unlocked by this project,” Grady said.&nbsp;The company and agency’s testimony comes at a time when, according to the Kansas Farm Bureau, rural residents’ attitudes about renewable energy projects are changing. Wendee Grady, the farm bureau’s assistant general counsel, said the organization had updated its policy positions from blanket support for energy projects to a “more balanced” support of projects while “protecting landowner rights.”To build the transmission line, Invenergy needs easements on private landowners’ properties to build towers and run the line. While Whitty said it has obtained almost all of those easements voluntarily, Invenergy can also obtain them through eminent domain, a legal mechanism that allows it to obtain easements from reluctant landowners and compensate them.&nbsp;Grain Belt’s right to use eminent domain has drawn criticism from some rural landowners. In neighboring Missouri, lawmakers tried for years to strip Invenergy of the right to use eminent domain for Grain Belt.Grady said the Farm Bureau has advocated that the Kansas Corporation Commission, which governs utilities, require a code of conduct for future transmission line developers, including requiring “truth and transparency when companies are dealing with our members or landowners in general.”&nbsp;“Those are basic standards that are sometimes not met,” she said.&nbsp;Grady said the Farm Bureau would also like to see higher compensation for landowners and efforts by transmission developers to mitigate any harm to agricultural land from construction.“Now is the time to address these issues,” she said, “so that companies that come to Kansas to do business are going to do it right and deal with landowners in a fair and transparent way and protect ag lands.”

Grain Belt developers tell lawmakers how the transmission line will benefit Kansas

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred just after 3a.m. Saturday in Kansas City.

An unknown vehicle was eastbound on Independence Avenue at Van Brunt Boulevard, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez. The vehicle struck a pedestrian in the outside lane. The victim was crossing Independence Avenue from the North to the South. 

The vehicle left the scene in an unknown direction. EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital and they pronounced deceased a few minutes later, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred just after 3a.m. Saturday in Kansas City.An unknown vehicle was eastbound on Independence Avenue at Van Brunt Boulevard, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez. The vehicle struck a pedestrian in the outside lane. The victim was crossing Independence Avenue from the North to the South. The vehicle left the scene in an unknown direction. EMS transported the pedestrian to a local hospital and they pronounced deceased a few minutes later, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KCPD investigating fatal hit-and-run

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift returned to Arrowhead Stadium to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday as they face the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Taylor arrived much earlier than usual — about two hours before kickoff — and was dressed nearly head to toe in Chanel, including a black-and-white tweed jacket, a quarter-zip romper, a pearl strand belt and pendant earrings.

She spent some of the game sitting in a suite alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who is likewise a big Chiefs fan.

Swift began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-broncos-b08b0e53fdd232dc0a468b5fa43b5b04">her high-profile romance with Kelce</a>&nbsp;last season, when he invited the “Anti-Hero” singer to watch him play in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">a September matchup with the Bears</a>. Since then, the two have spent plenty of time together, often with cameras following them.

She has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-chiefs-childrens-hospital-63677e7d794ea29053c32fe84d44355d">spending more time in Kansas City lately</a>&nbsp;after wrapping up her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-numbers-2-billion-118a7f5ea4609c5d3072a29152e387bb">record-setting Eras Tour</a>&nbsp;on Dec. 8 in Canada.

The Chiefs had a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-playoffs-6f7dbffff1f69e7b31277850fa6626b3">first-round bye in the playoffs</a>&nbsp;after going 15-2 in the regular season and earning the No. 1 seed. They are trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls; Swift was on hand for the most recent one in Las Vegas, racing back from her concert in Tokyo the same weekend to make it in time for kickoff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737247206128.png" alt="Taylor Swift watches from a suite during the first half of an NFL football AFC divisional playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Travis Heying)" />
 <figcaption>Taylor Swift watches from a suite during the first half of an NFL football AFC divisional playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Travis Heying)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift returned to Arrowhead Stadium to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday as they face the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs.Taylor arrived much earlier than usual — about two hours before kickoff — and was dressed nearly head to toe in Chanel, including a black-and-white tweed jacket, a quarter-zip romper, a pearl strand belt and pendant earrings.She spent some of the game sitting in a suite alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who is likewise a big Chiefs fan.Swift began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-broncos-b08b0e53fdd232dc0a468b5fa43b5b04">her high-profile romance with Kelce</a>&nbsp;last season, when he invited the “Anti-Hero” singer to watch him play in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">a September matchup with the Bears</a>. Since then, the two have spent plenty of time together, often with cameras following them.She has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-chiefs-childrens-hospital-63677e7d794ea29053c32fe84d44355d">spending more time in Kansas City lately</a>&nbsp;after wrapping up her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-numbers-2-billion-118a7f5ea4609c5d3072a29152e387bb">record-setting Eras Tour</a>&nbsp;on Dec. 8 in Canada.The Chiefs had a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-playoffs-6f7dbffff1f69e7b31277850fa6626b3">first-round bye in the playoffs</a>&nbsp;after going 15-2 in the regular season and earning the No. 1 seed. They are trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls; Swift was on hand for the most recent one in Las Vegas, racing back from her concert in Tokyo the same weekend to make it in time for kickoff.

Taylor Swift returns to Arrowhead to watch Kelce and the Chiefs, joined by Caitlin Clark

SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; – Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop and arrest.

Just before 1 a.m. Dec. 15, a sheriff' s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a blue 1994 Ford Ranger near NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Lyman Road, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the traffic stop, the driver gave false information including his name, date of birth, age, and more. Eventually, it was discovered that the driver had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest through the City of Topeka and a suspended driver’s license.

A K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located. John J. Shaw, 41, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant,&nbsp; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia,&nbsp;Identity theft,&nbsp; Interference with law enforcement, Driving while license suspended, Improper display of license plate and No vehicle liability insurance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736976441700.png" alt="Shawnee photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Shawnee photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; – Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop and arrest.Just before 1 a.m. Dec. 15, a sheriff' s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a blue 1994 Ford Ranger near NW Topeka Boulevard and NW Lyman Road, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.During the traffic stop, the driver gave false information including his name, date of birth, age, and more. Eventually, it was discovered that the driver had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest through the City of Topeka and a suspended driver’s license.A K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located. John J. Shaw, 41, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant,&nbsp; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia,&nbsp;Identity theft,&nbsp; Interference with law enforcement, Driving while license suspended, Improper display of license plate and No vehicle liability insurance.

Wanted Kan. suspect gave fake name and more during traffic stop

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;returned to Washington Saturday evening to celebrate with family, supporters and political allies ahead of his second inauguration, a triumphant return for the Republican four years after he departed the city under the shadow of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">attack by his supporters on the Capitol</a>.

Trump marked his return to power with a celebration at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, about 30 miles outside Washington.

He addressed the crowd, giving shoutouts to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and declaring his Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff a “great negotiator.” Witkoff this past week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-ceasefire-trump-biden-israel-hamas-0e6c324ba0e3e9413bafe740fdefebc6">helped negotiate a ceasefire</a>&nbsp;deal between Israel and Hamas that's scheduled to take effect on Sunday.

Soon after his remarks, Trump stepped out onto a clubhouse balcony while guests gathered on the patio below him for a fireworks display and performance by tenor Christopher Macchio.

Trump was marking his return to power with a celebration and a fireworks showcase at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, about 30 miles outside Washington.

Trump returned to Washington as organizers of Monday’s Inauguration Day ceremony were scrambling to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-capitol-rotunda-cold-weather-2e527b4f40309be7fd2b48a8173af390">move inside most of the outdoor events</a>, including the swearing-in of president and vice president that traditionally takes place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, due to forecasted frigid temperatures.

It will be the first time since President Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in 1985 for his second term that the ceremony will be moved inside the U.S. Capitol.

Trump made his way from West Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife Melania Trump and their son Barron aboard a U.S. military C-32 aircraft on a flight dubbed Special Air Mission 47 — a nod to Trump becoming the 47th president on Monday.

It’s a courtesy that's traditionally been extended by the outgoing administration to the incoming one. Trump did not make a government plane available to President Joe Biden ahead of his inauguration in 2021, and instead the Democrat flew to Washington on a privately chartered aircraft.

As his motorcade neared his golf club for Saturday's celebration, he was greeted by dozens of well-wishers who gathered along the roadside and chanted “Trump” and “USA, USA!”

With a blast of Arctic air expected to leave the nation’s capital&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arctic-siberian-cold-chilly-trump-inauguration-7537abf637d19e681e9c517e1e82cb4b">facing frigid temperatures</a>&nbsp;on Inauguration Day, Trump opted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-capitol-rotunda-cold-weather-2e527b4f40309be7fd2b48a8173af390">move inside most of Monday’s outdoor events</a>, including the swearing-in ceremony.

“I think we made the right decision. We’ll be very comfortable now,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview Saturday.

On Pennsylvania Avenue leading to the White House, crews were breaking down metal bleachers that would have been used for outdoor inauguration viewing stands.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;returned to Washington Saturday evening to celebrate with family, supporters and political allies ahead of his second inauguration, a triumphant return for the Republican four years after he departed the city under the shadow of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">attack by his supporters on the Capitol</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President-elect Donald Trump arrives at Dulles Airport in Virginia for inauguration. <a href="https://t.co/ypXRWr2Smw">pic.twitter.com/ypXRWr2Smw</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1880778654277398754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump marked his return to power with a celebration at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, about 30 miles outside Washington.He addressed the crowd, giving shoutouts to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and declaring his Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff a “great negotiator.” Witkoff this past week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-ceasefire-trump-biden-israel-hamas-0e6c324ba0e3e9413bafe740fdefebc6">helped negotiate a ceasefire</a>&nbsp;deal between Israel and Hamas that's scheduled to take effect on Sunday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MELANIATRUMP</a>, and Barron Trump board Air Force One for his official return to Washington, DC! America, your next Commander-in-Chief is en route 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/NmoIu0svOw">pic.twitter.com/NmoIu0svOw</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@margomartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/margomartin/status/1880731125330645239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Soon after his remarks, Trump stepped out onto a clubhouse balcony while guests gathered on the patio below him for a fireworks display and performance by tenor Christopher Macchio.Trump was marking his return to power with a celebration and a fireworks showcase at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, about 30 miles outside Washington.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President-Elect Trump and Melania Trump watch fireworks at Trump National Golf Course in Sterling, VA. <a href="https://t.co/3xlFkKnZFX">pic.twitter.com/3xlFkKnZFX</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1880812130250756354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump returned to Washington as organizers of Monday’s Inauguration Day ceremony were scrambling to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-capitol-rotunda-cold-weather-2e527b4f40309be7fd2b48a8173af390">move inside most of the outdoor events</a>, including the swearing-in of president and vice president that traditionally takes place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, due to forecasted frigid temperatures.It will be the first time since President Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in 1985 for his second term that the ceremony will be moved inside the U.S. Capitol.Trump made his way from West Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife Melania Trump and their son Barron aboard a U.S. military C-32 aircraft on a flight dubbed Special Air Mission 47 — a nod to Trump becoming the 47th president on Monday.It’s a courtesy that's traditionally been extended by the outgoing administration to the incoming one. Trump did not make a government plane available to President Joe Biden ahead of his inauguration in 2021, and instead the Democrat flew to Washington on a privately chartered aircraft.As his motorcade neared his golf club for Saturday's celebration, he was greeted by dozens of well-wishers who gathered along the roadside and chanted “Trump” and “USA, USA!”With a blast of Arctic air expected to leave the nation’s capital&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arctic-siberian-cold-chilly-trump-inauguration-7537abf637d19e681e9c517e1e82cb4b">facing frigid temperatures</a>&nbsp;on Inauguration Day, Trump opted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-capitol-rotunda-cold-weather-2e527b4f40309be7fd2b48a8173af390">move inside most of Monday’s outdoor events</a>, including the swearing-in ceremony.“I think we made the right decision. We’ll be very comfortable now,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview Saturday.On Pennsylvania Avenue leading to the White House, crews were breaking down metal bleachers that would have been used for outdoor inauguration viewing stands.Even before Trump got to town,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/peoples-march-reproductive-rights-climate-immigration-democracy-a8c0d6a1351bb03f4b2b6436fa79fe58">groups of protesters</a>&nbsp;began taking to the street in the morning as a light sleet fell.Melody Hamoud, a Washington resident, wore a pink hat that she had on at a 2017 march to protest Trump's first inauguration.“I just didn’t want to sit home and fret in front of the TV,” she said. “I wanted to feel like our movement still has energy and be around others who felt the same.”Timothy Wallis, 58, flew in for the inauguration from Pocatello, Idaho, with friends. The group had tickets to watch the ceremony outside but haven't been able to get tickets to any of the indoor events.“We found out on the plane,” he said about the change of plans.Wallis said he was disappointed about the switch and a little bemused since he’s used to cold at home.“We left snow to come here,” he said. “I brought my gloves!”Meanwhile, Trump said Saturday he is preparing to roll out a series of executive orders and other actions in the first days of his new administration.He confirmed he'll&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-us-ban-trump-extension-a3936a93f174d176d3633a67554d771b">“most likely” grant an extension</a>&nbsp;that might allow TikTok to keep operating in the U.S. beyond Sunday, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tiktok-china-security-speech-166f7c794ee587d3385190f893e52777">a law</a>&nbsp;that prohibits mobile app stores and internet hosting services from distributing TikTok to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-creators-influencers-react-78a06f9d2a91541710f999cbe39a3290">U.S. users</a>&nbsp;takes effect.And Trump in the NBC News interview confirmed that his administration would begin its effort “very early, very quickly” on following through on a campaign promise of mass deportations of migrants living in the U.S. without legal permission.Federal immigration officers are expected to initially target&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-ice-raids-trump-immigrant-community-b3b276656067b5302bed7dfcaf950f57">more than 300 people in the Chicago area</a>&nbsp;with histories of egregious, violent crimes after Trump takes office Monday, according to an official familiar with the planning who spoke on condition of anonymity because plans have not been made public.“Well, it’s got to happen, and if it doesn’t happen, we’re not going to have a country any longer,” said Trump, who declined to say where the deportation operations would begin.Trump, a Republican, left office in 2021 as a political pariah after his refusal to accept his loss to Democrat Joe Biden led a mob to overrun the Capitol. He then broke tradition by skipping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-inauguration-a01d1ffa7862661914cb92b22e359854">Biden's inauguration.</a>Biden will adhere to one of the most potent symbols of the democratic handover, welcoming Trump to the White House and joining him on the ride to the Capitol before Trump takes the oath of office.The first time Trump was sworn into office eight years ago, the former reality TV star billionaire came in as an outsider disrupting Washington’s norms, delivering a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-inauguration-speech-b7664360cc648dd2a5d5f2303b7490d9">dark inaugural address</a>&nbsp;as his swearing-in drew large protests and some clashes in the street.This time, Trump told NBC, the theme of his inauguration speech would be “unity and strength, and also the word ‘fairness.’”As he takes power, the protests were far less noticeable, eclipsed by the ceremonies and celebrations around Trump’s taking power. As one more marker of Trump's remarkable comeback, the events surrounding his inauguration will be more celebrity-studded than the last time, along with a noticeable turnout by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oligarchy-musk-bezos-zuckerberg-trump-biden-altman-putin-3ade224cccfb287f7fadaeac42b76e3d">cadre of tech-world billionaires</a>.While Trump held court at his Virginia golf club on Saturday evening, Vice President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;attended a reception for Cabinet members and hosted a dinner in Washington.On Sunday, the eve of his inauguration, Trump is scheduled to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery before heading to a rally at Capital One Arena in Washington. The rally will be followed by a private dinner.On Inauguration Day, Trump will start with the traditional prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church before heading to the White House for a customary tea with the outgoing president and first lady.Trump then heads to the Capitol, where his ceremony has been moved indoors as temperatures are set to plummet and make it the coldest Inauguration Day in 40 years. It’s not quite clear how the ceremony will be adapted to the Capitol Rotunda, which holds only 600 people. More than 250,000 guests were ticketed to view the inauguration from around the Capitol grounds.The planned traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue has morphed into an indoor event because of the cold, with Trump again planning to speak to his gathered supporters before he heads to the White House for a signing ceremony in the Oval Office. A trio of glitzy balls will follow in the evening, punctuated by musical performances.___