DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen's Houthi rebels</a>.

Both pilots were recovered alive after ejecting from their stricken aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries. But the shootdown underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become, with ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis despite U.S. and European military coalitions patrolling the area.

The U.S. military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the time of the friendly fire incident, though the U.S. military’s Central Command did not elaborate on what the pilots' mission was and did not respond to questions from The Associated Press.

The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, Central Command said. On Dec. 15, Central Command acknowledged the Truman had entered the Mideast, but hadn't specified that the carrier and its battle group was in the Red Sea.

“The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command said in a statement.

From the military's description, the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

It wasn't immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly as ships in a battle group remain linked by both radar and radio communication.

However, Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels. Incoming hostile fire from the Houthis has given sailors just seconds to make decisions in the past.

Since the Truman's arrival, the U.S. has stepped up its airstrikes targeting the Houthis and their missile fire into the Red Sea and the surrounding area. However, the presence of an American warship group may spark renewed attacks from the rebels, like what the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower saw earlier this year. That deployment marked what the Navy described as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-navy-yemen-houthis-israel-war-7a9997f9d84ac669fae69ecf819913fb">its most intense combat since World War II</a>.

On Saturday night and early Sunday, U.S. warplanes conducted airstrikes that shook Sanaa, the capital of Yemen which the Houthis have held since 2014. Central Command described the strikes as targeting a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility,” without elaborating.

Houthi-controlled media reported strikes in both Sanaa and around the port city of Hodeida, without offering any casualty or damage information. In Sanaa, strikes appeared particularly targeted at a mountainside known to be home to military installations. However, there were no images or information released regarding the strikes — which has happened previously when airstrikes hit vital facilities for the rebels.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, released a prerecorded statement hours later in which he claimed the rebels launched eight drones and 17 cruise missiles in their attack. He also claimed without offering any evidence that the Houthis shot down the F/A-18, likely following a pattern of him making exaggerated claims. During the Eisenhower's deployment, he repeatedly falsely claimed the carrier had been struck by Houthi fire.

The Houthis have targeted about 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023 after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage.

Israel’s grinding offensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, local health officials say. The tally doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The Houthis have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-red-sea-ship-yemen-houthis-65b611ff878a411900037e7c9a8ee17b">seized one vessel</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthi-rebels-ship-attack-red-sea-yemen-bfa7d321e55c5bb59b268b82ef3c56ba">sunk two in a campaign</a>&nbsp;that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by separate U.S.- and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have also included Western military vessels.

The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.

The Houthis also have increasingly targeted Israel itself with drones and missiles, resulting in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-airstrikes-sanaa-israel-hamas-war-8f73755ccc47a34261cc041658403b4d">retaliatory Israeli airstrikes</a>.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would act “forcefully” against the Houthis, as it has against other allies of Iran, “only in this case, we are not acting alone.”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen's Houthi rebels</a>.Both pilots were recovered alive after ejecting from their stricken aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries. But the shootdown underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become, with ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis despite U.S. and European military coalitions patrolling the area.The U.S. military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the time of the friendly fire incident, though the U.S. military’s Central Command did not elaborate on what the pilots' mission was and did not respond to questions from The Associated Press.The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, Central Command said. On Dec. 15, Central Command acknowledged the Truman had entered the Mideast, but hadn't specified that the carrier and its battle group was in the Red Sea.“The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18,” Central Command said in a statement.From the military's description, the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.It wasn't immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly as ships in a battle group remain linked by both radar and radio communication.However, Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels. Incoming hostile fire from the Houthis has given sailors just seconds to make decisions in the past.Since the Truman's arrival, the U.S. has stepped up its airstrikes targeting the Houthis and their missile fire into the Red Sea and the surrounding area. However, the presence of an American warship group may spark renewed attacks from the rebels, like what the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower saw earlier this year. That deployment marked what the Navy described as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-navy-yemen-houthis-israel-war-7a9997f9d84ac669fae69ecf819913fb">its most intense combat since World War II</a>.On Saturday night and early Sunday, U.S. warplanes conducted airstrikes that shook Sanaa, the capital of Yemen which the Houthis have held since 2014. Central Command described the strikes as targeting a “missile storage facility” and a “command-and-control facility,” without elaborating.Houthi-controlled media reported strikes in both Sanaa and around the port city of Hodeida, without offering any casualty or damage information. In Sanaa, strikes appeared particularly targeted at a mountainside known to be home to military installations. However, there were no images or information released regarding the strikes — which has happened previously when airstrikes hit vital facilities for the rebels.Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, released a prerecorded statement hours later in which he claimed the rebels launched eight drones and 17 cruise missiles in their attack. He also claimed without offering any evidence that the Houthis shot down the F/A-18, likely following a pattern of him making exaggerated claims. During the Eisenhower's deployment, he repeatedly falsely claimed the carrier had been struck by Houthi fire.The Houthis have targeted about 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023 after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage.Israel’s grinding offensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, local health officials say. The tally doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.The Houthis have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-red-sea-ship-yemen-houthis-65b611ff878a411900037e7c9a8ee17b">seized one vessel</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthi-rebels-ship-attack-red-sea-yemen-bfa7d321e55c5bb59b268b82ef3c56ba">sunk two in a campaign</a>&nbsp;that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by separate U.S.- and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have also included Western military vessels.The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.The Houthis also have increasingly targeted Israel itself with drones and missiles, resulting in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-airstrikes-sanaa-israel-hamas-war-8f73755ccc47a34261cc041658403b4d">retaliatory Israeli airstrikes</a>.On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would act “forcefully” against the Houthis, as it has against other allies of Iran, “only in this case, we are not acting alone.”

Friendly fire: 2 US Navy pilots recovered after shot down over Red Sea 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting into a Kansas home have captured a suspect.&nbsp;

On Friday, police reported the arrest of 18-year-old Sergio Rodolfo Vargas, according to jail booking records, for the crime.

Just after 11p.m. Nov. 6, police&nbsp; responded to a reported shooting in the 2300 block of Mascot in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

First responders found two victims a 49-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman identified as Deanna Garcia.

The male victim reported hearing several gunshots outside their residence as they prepared for bed. The male victim sustained a gunshot wound to his lower left leg and was transported to a local hospital by Sedgwick County EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Garcia sustained critical injuries from a gunshot wound to her upper body. She was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced deceased&nbsp;at 11:54 p.m.&nbsp;by medical staff, according to Ford.&nbsp;

Vargas was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of felony murder, discharge into an occupied dwelling, and aggravated battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731033524040.png" alt="A view of the crime scene-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>A view of the crime scene-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting into a Kansas home have captured a suspect.&nbsp;On Friday, police reported the arrest of 18-year-old Sergio Rodolfo Vargas, according to jail booking records, for the crime.Just after 11p.m. Nov. 6, police&nbsp; responded to a reported shooting in the 2300 block of Mascot in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.First responders found two victims a 49-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman identified as Deanna Garcia.The male victim reported hearing several gunshots outside their residence as they prepared for bed. The male victim sustained a gunshot wound to his lower left leg and was transported to a local hospital by Sedgwick County EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;Garcia sustained critical injuries from a gunshot wound to her upper body. She was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced deceased&nbsp;at 11:54 p.m.&nbsp;by medical staff, according to Ford.&nbsp;Vargas was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of felony murder, discharge into an occupied dwelling, and aggravated battery.

Homicide arrest: Kan. couple preparing for bed shot in their home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Kansas City, Mo., men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to illegally traffic firearms and for illegally possessing firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.

Ernest L. Hall, 61, and Rodney O. Ellison, 57, were charged in a 12-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.

The indictment replaces federal criminal complaints that charged Hall and Ellison separately on Nov. 27, 2024. Both Hall and Ellison remain in federal custody without bond.

The indictment alleges that Hall and Ellison participated in a conspiracy to traffic firearms from June 15 to Nov. 26, 2024. The indictment also charges Hall and Ellison together with one count of engaging in firearm sales without a license, and charges Hall and Ellison separately with five counts each of trafficking firearms. Hall and Ellison each also are charged with being a felon in possession of firearms.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, a confidential informant working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives purchased firearms from both Ellison and Hall on several occasions at their residences. Between June 18, 2024, and Nov. 25, 2024, the confidential informant allegedly purchased six firearms from Ellison and five firearms from Hall.

On Nov. 26, 2024, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at the residences of both Hall and Ellison. Ellison was arrested at his residence but Hall left his residence carrying a large bag and drove away as officers were approaching. When law enforcement began to follow him, Hall turned off his headlights and drove into oncoming traffic to elude them. Investigators then executed the search warrant for Hall’s residence and seized one firearm. Officers seized seven firearms from Ellison’s residence, including two firearms with obliterated or missing serial numbers.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Hall has three prior felony convictions for armed criminal action, two prior felony convictions for robbery, and prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, voluntary manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Ellison has prior felony convictions for murder, armed criminal action, and tampering with service utility.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Kansas City, Mo., men were indicted by a federal grand jury today for their roles in a conspiracy to illegally traffic firearms and for illegally possessing firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.Ernest L. Hall, 61, and Rodney O. Ellison, 57, were charged in a 12-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City.The indictment replaces federal criminal complaints that charged Hall and Ellison separately on Nov. 27, 2024. Both Hall and Ellison remain in federal custody without bond.The indictment alleges that Hall and Ellison participated in a conspiracy to traffic firearms from June 15 to Nov. 26, 2024. The indictment also charges Hall and Ellison together with one count of engaging in firearm sales without a license, and charges Hall and Ellison separately with five counts each of trafficking firearms. Hall and Ellison each also are charged with being a felon in possession of firearms.According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, a confidential informant working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives purchased firearms from both Ellison and Hall on several occasions at their residences. Between June 18, 2024, and Nov. 25, 2024, the confidential informant allegedly purchased six firearms from Ellison and five firearms from Hall.On Nov. 26, 2024, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at the residences of both Hall and Ellison. Ellison was arrested at his residence but Hall left his residence carrying a large bag and drove away as officers were approaching. When law enforcement began to follow him, Hall turned off his headlights and drove into oncoming traffic to elude them. Investigators then executed the search warrant for Hall’s residence and seized one firearm. Officers seized seven firearms from Ellison’s residence, including two firearms with obliterated or missing serial numbers.Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Hall has three prior felony convictions for armed criminal action, two prior felony convictions for robbery, and prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, voluntary manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Ellison has prior felony convictions for murder, armed criminal action, and tampering with service utility.The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

2 KC men sold illegally trafficked firearms to ATF informant

ATCHISON COUNTY— Law enforcement are investigating a suspect who was jailed in Johnson County on drug and financial crime allegations.

On Thursday, police arrested 39-year-old Charles E. Carpenter III of Atchison on a Johnson County Kansas warrant for failure to comply with lawful order of the court, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734705243116.png" alt="Carpenter photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Carpenter photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY— Law enforcement are investigating a suspect who was jailed in Johnson County on drug and financial crime allegations.On Thursday, police arrested 39-year-old Charles E. Carpenter III of Atchison on a Johnson County Kansas warrant for failure to comply with lawful order of the court, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Carpenter remains jailed in Atchison.

Kansas man jailed for failure to comply with court order

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is underway, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2024-week-50.html">cases surging</a>&nbsp;across much of the country, health officials said Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted sharp increases in several measures, including lab tests and emergency room visits.

“It's been increasing at a pretty steady pace now for the past several weeks. So yeah, we are certainly in flu season now,” said the CDC's Alicia Budd.

Thirteen states reported high or very high levels of flu-like illness last week, about double from the week before. One is Tennessee, where a sickness spike is hitting the Nashville area, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University.

“Flu has been increasing, but just this last week has exploded,” Schaffner said. He noted that in a local clinic that serves as an indicator of illness trends, as many as a quarter of the patients have flu symptoms.

“Just this week is really that turning point where people are out because of the flu," said Dr. Catherine O’Neal, an infectious diseases doctor at the largest private hospital in the state, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. "You hear parents saying, ‘I can’t come to work because of the flu’ and ‘Where can I get a flu test?’”

Of course, there are a number of bugs that cause fever, cough, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms. One is COVID-19. Another is RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, which is a common cause of cold-like symptoms but can be dangerous for infants and the elderly.

The most recent CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/resp-net/dashboard/?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fsurveillance%2Fresp-net%2Fdashboard.html">data</a>&nbsp;show COVID-19 hospitalizations have been declining since summer. COVID-19 activity is moderate nationally, but high in the Midwest, according to CDC wastewater data.

RSV hospitalizations started rising before flu did and now show signs of possibly leveling off, but they remain a little more common than admissions for flu. Overall, RSV activity is low nationally, but high in the South, the wastewater data show.

The CDC called the start of flu season based on several indicators, include lab results for patients in hospitals and doctor's offices, and the percentage of emergency department visits that had a discharge diagnosis of flu.

No flu strain seems to be dominant, and it's too early in the season to know how good a match the flu vaccine will be, Budd said.

Last winter's flu season was considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flu-season-cdc-cad4c3e74d4e562c3040af11e0dcce48">“moderate”</a>&nbsp;overall, but it was long — 21 weeks — and the CDC estimated there were 28,000 flu-related deaths. It was unusually dangerous for children, with 205 pediatric deaths reported. That was the highest number ever reported for a conventional flu season.

The long season was likely a factor, Budd said. Another factor was a lack of flu vaccinations. Among the children who died who were old enough for flu vaccinations — and for whom their vaccination status was known — 80% were not fully vaccinated,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2023-2024-pediatric-deaths-200.html">according to</a>&nbsp;the CDC.

Vaccination rates for children are even lower this year. As of Dec. 7, about 41% of adults had received a flu vaccination, similar to the rate at the same point last year. The percentage is the same for kids, but for them that’s a drop from a year ago, when 44% were vaccinated against the flu, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/index.html">CDC data</a>.

Vaccination rates are lower still against COVID-19, with about 21% of adults and 11% of children up to date.

Flu experts suggest everyone get vaccinated, especially as people prepare to attend holiday gatherings where respiratory viruses can spread widely.

“All those gatherings that are so heartwarming and fun and joyous are also an opportunity for this virus to spread person to person,” Schaffner said. “It's not too late to get vaccinated.”

Even so, Louisiana’s health department said in a statement Friday that it was actually backing away from recommending flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. An official wrote that the department’s latest position is that people should talk to their doctors about whether the shots make sense for them.

A department spokeswoman, Emma Herrock, did not respond to follow-up questions about the policy. The state’s surgeon general, Dr. Ralph Abraham, previously expressed concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccines save lives and policies that dissuade people from getting protected are irresponsibly dangerous, public health experts and advocates say.

“People are going to die because of this policy,” said Jennifer Herricks, founder of a group called Louisiana Families for Vaccines.

Associated Press data journalist Nicky Forster contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734798876264.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is underway, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2024-week-50.html">cases surging</a>&nbsp;across much of the country, health officials said Friday.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted sharp increases in several measures, including lab tests and emergency room visits.“It's been increasing at a pretty steady pace now for the past several weeks. So yeah, we are certainly in flu season now,” said the CDC's Alicia Budd.Thirteen states reported high or very high levels of flu-like illness last week, about double from the week before. One is Tennessee, where a sickness spike is hitting the Nashville area, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University.“Flu has been increasing, but just this last week has exploded,” Schaffner said. He noted that in a local clinic that serves as an indicator of illness trends, as many as a quarter of the patients have flu symptoms.Louisiana is another early hot spot.“Just this week is really that turning point where people are out because of the flu," said Dr. Catherine O’Neal, an infectious diseases doctor at the largest private hospital in the state, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. "You hear parents saying, ‘I can’t come to work because of the flu’ and ‘Where can I get a flu test?’”Of course, there are a number of bugs that cause fever, cough, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms. One is COVID-19. Another is RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, which is a common cause of cold-like symptoms but can be dangerous for infants and the elderly.The most recent CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/resp-net/dashboard/?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fsurveillance%2Fresp-net%2Fdashboard.html">data</a>&nbsp;show COVID-19 hospitalizations have been declining since summer. COVID-19 activity is moderate nationally, but high in the Midwest, according to CDC wastewater data.RSV hospitalizations started rising before flu did and now show signs of possibly leveling off, but they remain a little more common than admissions for flu. Overall, RSV activity is low nationally, but high in the South, the wastewater data show.The CDC called the start of flu season based on several indicators, include lab results for patients in hospitals and doctor's offices, and the percentage of emergency department visits that had a discharge diagnosis of flu.No flu strain seems to be dominant, and it's too early in the season to know how good a match the flu vaccine will be, Budd said.Last winter's flu season was considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flu-season-cdc-cad4c3e74d4e562c3040af11e0dcce48">“moderate”</a>&nbsp;overall, but it was long — 21 weeks — and the CDC estimated there were 28,000 flu-related deaths. It was unusually dangerous for children, with 205 pediatric deaths reported. That was the highest number ever reported for a conventional flu season.The long season was likely a factor, Budd said. Another factor was a lack of flu vaccinations. Among the children who died who were old enough for flu vaccinations — and for whom their vaccination status was known — 80% were not fully vaccinated,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2023-2024-pediatric-deaths-200.html">according to</a>&nbsp;the CDC.Vaccination rates for children are even lower this year. As of Dec. 7, about 41% of adults had received a flu vaccination, similar to the rate at the same point last year. The percentage is the same for kids, but for them that’s a drop from a year ago, when 44% were vaccinated against the flu, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/index.html">CDC data</a>.Vaccination rates are lower still against COVID-19, with about 21% of adults and 11% of children up to date.Flu experts suggest everyone get vaccinated, especially as people prepare to attend holiday gatherings where respiratory viruses can spread widely.“All those gatherings that are so heartwarming and fun and joyous are also an opportunity for this virus to spread person to person,” Schaffner said. “It's not too late to get vaccinated.”Even so, Louisiana’s health department said in a statement Friday that it was actually backing away from recommending flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. An official wrote that the department’s latest position is that people should talk to their doctors about whether the shots make sense for them.A department spokeswoman, Emma Herrock, did not respond to follow-up questions about the policy. The state’s surgeon general, Dr. Ralph Abraham, previously expressed concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine.Vaccines save lives and policies that dissuade people from getting protected are irresponsibly dangerous, public health experts and advocates say.“People are going to die because of this policy,” said Jennifer Herricks, founder of a group called Louisiana Families for Vaccines.___Associated Press data journalist Nicky Forster contributed.

US flu season is underway, as cases surge in some areas and vaccinations lag

DENVER (AP) — A baby Jesus figurine snatched from a nativity scene in Colorado has been returned in time for Christmas, with an apology.

The statuette of Jesus lying in a manger, stolen from a public display in downtown Fort Collins early Sunday, was dropped off anonymously at a fire station Thursday, police said. It was accompanied by a handwritten note saying: “I’m really sorry. I made a dumb mistake in the moment. It won’t happen again.”

It was returned two days after police in the college town about 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of Denver, posted surveillance video of the suspected Grinch on social media. The person appeared to be a teen or young adult.

There's no other information about who stole the figurine, police said Friday. The fire station has a motion-sensing door camera but it was not activated when the statue was returned, police said.

The business that takes care of the Nativity scene does not want to pursue charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734799356290.png" alt="Photo Fort Collins Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Fort Collins Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — A baby Jesus figurine snatched from a nativity scene in Colorado has been returned in time for Christmas, with an apology.The statuette of Jesus lying in a manger, stolen from a public display in downtown Fort Collins early Sunday, was dropped off anonymously at a fire station Thursday, police said. It was accompanied by a handwritten note saying: “I’m really sorry. I made a dumb mistake in the moment. It won’t happen again.”It was returned two days after police in the college town about 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of Denver, posted surveillance video of the suspected Grinch on social media. The person appeared to be a teen or young adult.There's no other information about who stole the figurine, police said Friday. The fire station has a motion-sensing door camera but it was not activated when the statue was returned, police said.The business that takes care of the Nativity scene does not want to pursue charges.

Baby Jesus figurine stolen from nativity scene returned with apology

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A judge ruled Friday that Missouri’s near-total abortion ban is unenforceable under a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-amendment-ballot-election-f114445b087e77d0cc786d3eeb2eb615">new constitutional amendment</a>, ensuring abortion will be legal in the state.

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang issued an order blocking the state’s strict abortion law after a new abortion-rights constitutional amendment recently took effect.

Missouri is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ballot-measures-harris-trump-florida-missouri-49c9073cbb6056b66a8a7d0d099795d1">five states</a>&nbsp;where voters approved ballot measures in the 2024 general election to add the right to an abortion to their state constitutions. The Missouri amendment does not specifically override any laws. Instead, advocates must ask courts to knock down bans they believe are now unconstitutional.

Zhang’s order is temporary, but it signals that she’s likely to find the ban unconstitutional after the lawsuit that abortion-rights supporters filed plays out.

Spokespeople for Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.

Bailey, an abortion opponent, issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-fed343e84ce8e07c0f5d7bb32fda57e9">an opinion</a>&nbsp;agreeing that most abortions would be legal when the amendment took effect.

But Bailey’s office is still fighting for a ban on most abortions after viability, along with a number of regulations that Planned Parenthood argues made it nearly impossible to offer abortions in the state even before abortion was almost completely banned in 2022.

Missouri’s constitutional amendment allows lawmakers to restrict abortion after viability, with exceptions to “protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant person.”

The term “viability” is used by health care providers to describe whether a pregnancy is expected to continue developing normally or whether a fetus might survive outside the uterus. Though there’s no defined time frame, doctors say it is sometime after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-technology-science-health-birmingham-7fc806f3c06aeae94c5d6ed1b06a6461">21st week</a>&nbsp;of pregnancy.

Other abortion laws that Bailey wants to keep include a 72-hour waiting period before an abortion can be performed; bans on abortions based on race, sex or a possible Down syndrome diagnosis; and a requirement that medical facilities that provide abortions be licensed as ambulatory surgical centers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725887984419.png" alt="Photo Anna Spoerre" />
 <figcaption>Photo Anna Spoerre</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A judge ruled Friday that Missouri’s near-total abortion ban is unenforceable under a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-amendment-ballot-election-f114445b087e77d0cc786d3eeb2eb615">new constitutional amendment</a>, ensuring abortion will be legal in the state.Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang issued an order blocking the state’s strict abortion law after a new abortion-rights constitutional amendment recently took effect.Missouri is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ballot-measures-harris-trump-florida-missouri-49c9073cbb6056b66a8a7d0d099795d1">five states</a>&nbsp;where voters approved ballot measures in the 2024 general election to add the right to an abortion to their state constitutions. The Missouri amendment does not specifically override any laws. Instead, advocates must ask courts to knock down bans they believe are now unconstitutional.Zhang’s order is temporary, but it signals that she’s likely to find the ban unconstitutional after the lawsuit that abortion-rights supporters filed plays out.Spokespeople for Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.Bailey, an abortion opponent, issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-fed343e84ce8e07c0f5d7bb32fda57e9">an opinion</a>&nbsp;agreeing that most abortions would be legal when the amendment took effect.But Bailey’s office is still fighting for a ban on most abortions after viability, along with a number of regulations that Planned Parenthood argues made it nearly impossible to offer abortions in the state even before abortion was almost completely banned in 2022.Missouri’s constitutional amendment allows lawmakers to restrict abortion after viability, with exceptions to “protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant person.”The term “viability” is used by health care providers to describe whether a pregnancy is expected to continue developing normally or whether a fetus might survive outside the uterus. Though there’s no defined time frame, doctors say it is sometime after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-technology-science-health-birmingham-7fc806f3c06aeae94c5d6ed1b06a6461">21st week</a>&nbsp;of pregnancy.Other abortion laws that Bailey wants to keep include a 72-hour waiting period before an abortion can be performed; bans on abortions based on race, sex or a possible Down syndrome diagnosis; and a requirement that medical facilities that provide abortions be licensed as ambulatory surgical centers.

Missouri judge says the state’s abortion ban isn’t enforceable

FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement are working to identify the body of a man found on Thursday in Franklin County.

On December 19, officers and detectives with the Ottawa Police Department were investigating a missing person case, according to a media release from the department.

 During the investigation the area around the Main Street bridge crossing over the Marais Des Cygnes River was searched.  During this search, investigators located the body of deceased man under the bridge. 

Police reported they had not identified the man but he is believed to be the subject of the original searcn.

 Pending identification and notification of next-of-kin, specifics about the identification will not be released.&nbsp; There is no indication of a crime.

FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement are working to identify the body of a man found on Thursday in Franklin County.On December 19, officers and detectives with the Ottawa Police Department were investigating a missing person case, according to a media release from the department. During the investigation the area around the Main Street bridge crossing over the Marais Des Cygnes River was searched. During this search, investigators located the body of deceased man under the bridge. Police reported they had not identified the man but he is believed to be the subject of the original searcn. Pending identification and notification of next-of-kin, specifics about the identification will not be released.&nbsp; There is no indication of a crime.

Police found body during search for missing person

DAYTON, Ohio – A former Kansas doctor was arrested by federal agents this week and charged with making false statements related to a 1989 rape, according to the United State's Attorney.

 Officials ask anyone with information regarding this or any other similar rape to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

It is alleged that Frederick Louis Tanzer, 66, knowingly made a false statement to FBI agents. His current home on Kenwood Road in&nbsp;Sycamore Township, Ohio and vehicles were searched and Tanzer appeared in federal court in Dayton following his arrest.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Tanzer was recently identified as the prime suspect in the cold-case rape. In recent months, agents collected DNA evidence from a Starbucks cup that Tanzer discarded at a local BMV. The DNA extracted from Tanzer’s coffee cup was confirmed by a forensic laboratory as a match to the DNA the rapist had left at the 1989 crime scene.

It is alleged that Tanzer made several materially false statements to federal investigators when approached today, including denying having seen or interacted with the victim on the date she was raped.

Tanzer is a medical doctor who has lived and practiced medicine in Kansas, Colorado and Ohio.

The affidavit details that on Aug. 1, 1989, the victim was violently raped in her condominium on Creighton Place in Cincinnati after arriving home from work.

Federal law enforcement officials ask the public to consider these circumstances of the rape and to contact the FBI with any similar information:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734724913138.png" alt="Tanzer photo Shelby County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Tanzer photo Shelby County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>DAYTON, Ohio – A former Kansas doctor was arrested by federal agents this week and charged with making false statements related to a 1989 rape, according to the United State's Attorney. Officials ask anyone with information regarding this or any other similar rape to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.It is alleged that Frederick Louis Tanzer, 66, knowingly made a false statement to FBI agents. His current home on Kenwood Road in&nbsp;Sycamore Township, Ohio and vehicles were searched and Tanzer appeared in federal court in Dayton following his arrest.According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Tanzer was recently identified as the prime suspect in the cold-case rape. In recent months, agents collected DNA evidence from a Starbucks cup that Tanzer discarded at a local BMV. The DNA extracted from Tanzer’s coffee cup was confirmed by a forensic laboratory as a match to the DNA the rapist had left at the 1989 crime scene.It is alleged that Tanzer made several materially false statements to federal investigators when approached today, including denying having seen or interacted with the victim on the date she was raped.Tanzer is a medical doctor who has lived and practiced medicine in Kansas, Colorado and Ohio.The affidavit details that on Aug. 1, 1989, the victim was violently raped in her condominium on Creighton Place in Cincinnati after arriving home from work.Federal law enforcement officials ask the public to consider these circumstances of the rape and to contact the FBI with any similar information:<ul>
 <li>When the victim arrived home, she noticed an odor that smelled to her like brewed tea or burnt marijuana.</li><li>The rapist was dressed from head to toe in black Lycra, including black gloves and a face mask. He had a black gym bag with him.</li><li>The assailant held a knife to the victim’s throat.</li><li>The rapist used white surgical tape from the gym bag to wrap around the victim’s eyes and head. He used stockings and panty hose from the victim’s dresser to bind her hands and feet to the headboard and footboard of her bed.</li><li>The rapist cut or tore the victim’s clothing and used Vaseline.</li><li>The rapist assaulted the victim vaginally, orally and anally. In between bouts of sexual conduct, the assailant used a cloth to wipe the victim’s mouth and genital areas.</li><li>The rapist said nothing during the entire encounter. He occasionally took breaks from sexually assaulting the victim while the victim remained tied to her bed.</li><li>The rapist listened to and erased answering machine messages. He looked through papers in the victim’s living room and rummaged through her purse. He unplugged and/or disconnected telephones.</li><li>On the handset of the telephone in the bedroom, the rapist taped a piece of newspaper that had been cut from the paper on the couch in the victim’s living room and wrote, “No police or I’ll be back Mis [sic] [name of victim’s employer]”</li><li>The victim described the rapist as white, with dark brown hair, approximately six feet tall with a thin or athletic build.</li><li>The assault took place over the course of more than five and a half hours.</li>
 </ul>

FBI seeks victims of former Kan. doctor accused of rape

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-elon-musk-johnson-schumer-jeffries-cf75ae3c5f04207980cb96b286e70c09">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;deadline, the Senate rushed through final passage early Saturday of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, dropping President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;demands for a debt limit increase into the new year.

<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/ARA%2012.20.pdf">Click here</a>&nbsp;to read the continuing resolution

House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-house-speaker-johnson-madison-square-garden-995a7ee3324e04ec6da680c826136655">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;had insisted Congress would “meet our obligations” and not allow federal operations to shutter ahead of the Christmas holiday season. But the day's outcome was uncertain after Trump doubled down on his insistence that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-ceiling-shutdown-explainer-22ff94a8f8b188c722ff8fab3f7093d0">debt ceiling</a>&nbsp;increase be included in any deal — if not, he said in an early morning post, let the closures “start now.”

The House approved Johnson's new bill overwhelmingly, 366-34. Sharice Davids, Ron Estes, Tracey Mann and Jake LaTurner, voted with majority.

 The Senate worked into the night to pass it, 85-11, just after the deadline.&nbsp; Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted for the measure.

&nbsp;At midnight, the White House said it had ceased shutdown preparations.

“This is a good outcome for the country, ” Johnson said after the House vote, adding he had spoken with Trump and the president-elect “was certainly happy about this outcome, as well.”

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, who has played a less public role in the process throughout a turbulent week, was expected to sign the measure into law Saturday.

“There will be no government shutdown," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

The final product was the third attempt from Johnson, the beleaguered House speaker, to achieve one of the basic requirements of the federal government — keeping it open. And it raised stark questions about whether Johnson will be able to keep his job, in the face of angry GOP colleagues, and work alongside Trump and billionaire ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3">Elon Musk</a>, who called the legislative plays from afar.

Trump's last-minute demand was almost an impossible ask, and Johnson had almost no choice but to work around his pressure for a debt ceiling increase. The speaker knew there wouldn’t be enough support within the GOP majority to pass any funding package, since many Republican deficit hawks prefer to slash the federal government and certainly wouldn’t allow more debt.

Instead, the Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate next year, with big plans for tax cuts and other priorities, are showing they must routinely rely on Democrats for the votes needed to keep up with the routine operations of governing.

“So is this a Republican bill or a Democrat bill?” scoffed Musk on social media ahead of the vote.

The drastically slimmed-down 118-page package would fund the government at current levels through March 14 and add $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance to farmers.

Gone is Trump’s demand to lift the debt ceiling, which GOP leaders told lawmakers would be debated as part of their tax and border packages in the new year. Republicans made a so-called handshake agreement to raise the debt limit at that time while also cutting $2.5 trillion in spending over 10 years.

It’s essentially the same deal that flopped the night before in a spectacular setback — opposed by most Democrats and some of the most conservative Republicans — minus Trump’s debt ceiling demand.

But it's far smaller than the original bipartisan accord Johnson struck with Democratic and Republican leaders — a 1,500-page bill that Trump and Musk rejected, forcing him to start over. It was stuffed with a long list of other bills — including much-derided pay raises for lawmakers — but also other measures with broad bipartisan support that now have a tougher path to becoming law.

House Democrats were cool to the latest effort after Johnson reneged on the hard-fought bipartisan compromise.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said it looked like Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, was calling the shots for Trump and Republicans.

“Who is in charge?” she asked during the debate.

Still, the House Democrats put up more votes than Republicans for the bill's passage. Almost three dozen conservative House Republicans voted against it.

“The House Democrats have successfully stopped extreme MAGA Republicans from shutting down the government, crashing the economy and hurting working-class Americans all across the nation,” House Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;said, referring to Trump's “Make America Great Again” slogan.

In the Senate, almost all the opposition came from the Republicans — except independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who said Musk's interference was “not democracy, that's oligarchy.”

Trump, who has not yet been sworn into office, is showing the power but also the limits of his sway with Congress, as he intervenes and orchestrates affairs from Mar-a-Lago alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3">Musk</a>, who is heading up the new Department of Government Efficiency.

The incoming Trump administration vows to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/project-2025-trump-harris-election-heritage-foundation-9183cf4c36c293e11b59847189d26a87">slash the federal budget and fire thousands of employees</a>&nbsp;and is counting on Republicans for a big tax package. And Trump's not fearful of shutdowns the way lawmakers are, having sparked the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/30769167ab7a4ef9adf880d020b775dd">longest government shutdown in history</a>&nbsp;in his first term at the White House.

“If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now,” Trump posted early in the morning on social media.

More important for the president-elect was his demand for pushing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053">thorny debt ceiling debate</a>&nbsp;off the table before he returns to the White House. The federal debt limit expires Jan. 1, and Trump doesn't want the first months of his new administration saddled with tough negotiations in Congress to lift the nation's borrowing capacity. Now Johnson will be on the hook to deliver.

“Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling,” Trump posted — increasing his demand for a new five-year debt limit increase. "Without this, we should never make a deal."

Government workers had already been told to prepare for a federal shutdown that would send millions of employees — and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-trump-musk-military-troop-pay-adcc3bd728ec2e406cb8f3be9d1a890a">members of the military</a>&nbsp;— into the holiday season without paychecks.

Biden has been in discussions with Jeffries and Schumer, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “Republicans blew up this deal. They did, and they need to fix this.”

As the day dragged on, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell stepped in to remind colleagues “how harmful it is to shut the government down, and how foolish it is to bet your own side won’t take the blame for it.”

At one point, Johnson asked House Republicans at a lunchtime meeting for a show of hands as they tried to choose the path forward.

It wasn’t just the shutdown, but the speaker’s job on the line. The speaker’s election is the first vote of the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, and some Trump allies have floated Musk for speaker.

Johnson said he spoke to Musk ahead of the vote Friday and they talked about the “extraordinary challenges of this job.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734474980545.png" alt="The 2024 Capitol Christmas Tree -photo courtesy Architect of the Capitol" />
 <figcaption>The 2024 Capitol Christmas Tree -photo courtesy Architect of the Capitol</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-elon-musk-johnson-schumer-jeffries-cf75ae3c5f04207980cb96b286e70c09">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;deadline, the Senate rushed through final passage early Saturday of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, dropping President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;demands for a debt limit increase into the new year.<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/ARA%2012.20.pdf">Click here</a>&nbsp;to read the continuing resolutionHouse Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-house-speaker-johnson-madison-square-garden-995a7ee3324e04ec6da680c826136655">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;had insisted Congress would “meet our obligations” and not allow federal operations to shutter ahead of the Christmas holiday season. But the day's outcome was uncertain after Trump doubled down on his insistence that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-ceiling-shutdown-explainer-22ff94a8f8b188c722ff8fab3f7093d0">debt ceiling</a>&nbsp;increase be included in any deal — if not, he said in an early morning post, let the closures “start now.”The House approved Johnson's new bill overwhelmingly, 366-34. Sharice Davids, Ron Estes, Tracey Mann and Jake LaTurner, voted with majority. The Senate worked into the night to pass it, 85-11, just after the deadline.&nbsp; Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted for the measure.&nbsp;At midnight, the White House said it had ceased shutdown preparations.“This is a good outcome for the country, ” Johnson said after the House vote, adding he had spoken with Trump and the president-elect “was certainly happy about this outcome, as well.”President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, who has played a less public role in the process throughout a turbulent week, was expected to sign the measure into law Saturday.“There will be no government shutdown," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.The final product was the third attempt from Johnson, the beleaguered House speaker, to achieve one of the basic requirements of the federal government — keeping it open. And it raised stark questions about whether Johnson will be able to keep his job, in the face of angry GOP colleagues, and work alongside Trump and billionaire ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3">Elon Musk</a>, who called the legislative plays from afar.Trump's last-minute demand was almost an impossible ask, and Johnson had almost no choice but to work around his pressure for a debt ceiling increase. The speaker knew there wouldn’t be enough support within the GOP majority to pass any funding package, since many Republican deficit hawks prefer to slash the federal government and certainly wouldn’t allow more debt.Instead, the Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate next year, with big plans for tax cuts and other priorities, are showing they must routinely rely on Democrats for the votes needed to keep up with the routine operations of governing.“So is this a Republican bill or a Democrat bill?” scoffed Musk on social media ahead of the vote.The drastically slimmed-down 118-page package would fund the government at current levels through March 14 and add $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance to farmers.Gone is Trump’s demand to lift the debt ceiling, which GOP leaders told lawmakers would be debated as part of their tax and border packages in the new year. Republicans made a so-called handshake agreement to raise the debt limit at that time while also cutting $2.5 trillion in spending over 10 years.It’s essentially the same deal that flopped the night before in a spectacular setback — opposed by most Democrats and some of the most conservative Republicans — minus Trump’s debt ceiling demand.But it's far smaller than the original bipartisan accord Johnson struck with Democratic and Republican leaders — a 1,500-page bill that Trump and Musk rejected, forcing him to start over. It was stuffed with a long list of other bills — including much-derided pay raises for lawmakers — but also other measures with broad bipartisan support that now have a tougher path to becoming law.House Democrats were cool to the latest effort after Johnson reneged on the hard-fought bipartisan compromise.Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said it looked like Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, was calling the shots for Trump and Republicans.“Who is in charge?” she asked during the debate.Still, the House Democrats put up more votes than Republicans for the bill's passage. Almost three dozen conservative House Republicans voted against it.“The House Democrats have successfully stopped extreme MAGA Republicans from shutting down the government, crashing the economy and hurting working-class Americans all across the nation,” House Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;said, referring to Trump's “Make America Great Again” slogan.In the Senate, almost all the opposition came from the Republicans — except independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who said Musk's interference was “not democracy, that's oligarchy.”Trump, who has not yet been sworn into office, is showing the power but also the limits of his sway with Congress, as he intervenes and orchestrates affairs from Mar-a-Lago alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3">Musk</a>, who is heading up the new Department of Government Efficiency.The incoming Trump administration vows to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/project-2025-trump-harris-election-heritage-foundation-9183cf4c36c293e11b59847189d26a87">slash the federal budget and fire thousands of employees</a>&nbsp;and is counting on Republicans for a big tax package. And Trump's not fearful of shutdowns the way lawmakers are, having sparked the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/30769167ab7a4ef9adf880d020b775dd">longest government shutdown in history</a>&nbsp;in his first term at the White House.“If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now,” Trump posted early in the morning on social media.More important for the president-elect was his demand for pushing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053">thorny debt ceiling debate</a>&nbsp;off the table before he returns to the White House. The federal debt limit expires Jan. 1, and Trump doesn't want the first months of his new administration saddled with tough negotiations in Congress to lift the nation's borrowing capacity. Now Johnson will be on the hook to deliver.“Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling,” Trump posted — increasing his demand for a new five-year debt limit increase. "Without this, we should never make a deal."Government workers had already been told to prepare for a federal shutdown that would send millions of employees — and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-trump-musk-military-troop-pay-adcc3bd728ec2e406cb8f3be9d1a890a">members of the military</a>&nbsp;— into the holiday season without paychecks.Biden has been in discussions with Jeffries and Schumer, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “Republicans blew up this deal. They did, and they need to fix this.”As the day dragged on, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell stepped in to remind colleagues “how harmful it is to shut the government down, and how foolish it is to bet your own side won’t take the blame for it.”At one point, Johnson asked House Republicans at a lunchtime meeting for a show of hands as they tried to choose the path forward.It wasn’t just the shutdown, but the speaker’s job on the line. The speaker’s election is the first vote of the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, and some Trump allies have floated Musk for speaker.Johnson said he spoke to Musk ahead of the vote Friday and they talked about the “extraordinary challenges of this job.”

Kan. lawmakers help send stop-gap funding bill to Biden, averting a shutdown

DAMASCUS —On Thursday,&nbsp;U.S. Forces conducted a precision  airstrike targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud in the Dayr az Zawr  Province, Syria resulting in two ISIS operatives killed, including Abu  Yusif, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

"This  airstrike is part of CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment, along with partners  in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan,  organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel  from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and  beyond."

This strike was conducted in an area formerly controlled by the Syrian regime and Russians.

“As  stated before, the United States — working with allies and partners in  the region — will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current  situation in Syria and reconstitute. ISIS has the intent to break out of  detention the over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently being held in  facilities in Syria. We will aggressively target these leaders and  operatives, including those trying to conduct operations external to  Syria," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734705079925.png" alt="A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle patrols the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle patrols the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DAMASCUS —On Thursday,&nbsp;U.S. Forces conducted a precision airstrike targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud in the Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria resulting in two ISIS operatives killed, including Abu Yusif, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command."This airstrike is part of CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond."This strike was conducted in an area formerly controlled by the Syrian regime and Russians.“As stated before, the United States — working with allies and partners in the region — will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria and reconstitute. ISIS has the intent to break out of detention the over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently being held in facilities in Syria. We will aggressively target these leaders and operatives, including those trying to conduct operations external to Syria," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander.

U.S. airstrike kills ISIS terror leader

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered Kansas offender on new allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 9:30p.m. Dec. 16, a sheriff's deputy stopped a Toyota Corolla for a traffic violation on U.S. Hwy 75 near 118th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The driver of the vehicle, Robert Thomas Johnson, 66, of Topeka, was arrested for 5 offender registry violations and driving while suspended.

As part of his drug conviction sentence, Johnson has been required to register as an offender for 15 years. He was convicted in 2009 for selling meth, according to the Kansas offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734574862116.png" alt="Johnson photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered Kansas offender on new allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 9:30p.m. Dec. 16, a sheriff's deputy stopped a Toyota Corolla for a traffic violation on U.S. Hwy 75 near 118th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The driver of the vehicle, Robert Thomas Johnson, 66, of Topeka, was arrested for 5 offender registry violations and driving while suspended.As part of his drug conviction sentence, Johnson has been required to register as an offender for 15 years. He was convicted in 2009 for selling meth, according to the Kansas offender registry.

Kan. offender accused of multiple registry violations

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s governor commuted the sentence of a white Kansas City police officer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man whose death fueled racial justice protests.

Gov. Mike Parson commuted Eric DeValkenaere's sentence to time served on Friday, weeks before he will leave office. The Missouri Department of Corrections confirmed DeValkenaere has been released from prison.

DeValkenaere was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-5168b9935ec869fa74453228a87c166d">serving a six-year prison sentence.</a>&nbsp;He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-933d3aba9b37c83145fba5818d557c02">convicted in 2021</a>&nbsp;of killing 26-year-old Cameron Lamb as he backed into his garage. Lamb’s name was invoked frequently during racial injustice protests in Kansas City in 2020 following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Lamb’s family even met with then-President Donald Trump that year.

At trial, DeValkenaere testified that he fired his weapon on Dec. 3, 2019, after Lamb pointed a gun at another detective, Troy Schwalm, and that he believed his actions saved his partner’s life.

Prosecutors, however, argued that police shouldn’t have been on the property and staged the shooting scene to support their claims that Lamb was armed.

Evidence presented during the trial, which was held without a jury at DeValkenaere’s request, showed that DeValkenaere kicked over a barricade to get into Lamb's backyard.

The trial judge, Dale Youngs, said the officers had no warrant for Lamb’s arrest and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property. He called it a tragic case with troubling facts and said DeValkenaere and the officer with him escalated a situation that had been calmed. He didn’t address allegations that evidence had been planted.

DeValkenaere&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-2af535a9a637024a23b3530c1c20cc2e">left the police force after his conviction</a>&nbsp;but remained free on bond until he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-police-shooting-974b3aa6e4736005b553672489bb46ea">lost his appeal</a>&nbsp;in October 2023. The Missouri Supreme Court subsequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/exkansas-city-detective-conviction-appeal-507be4b6eb77e19a71f5fbacc081088e">declined</a>&nbsp;to hear an appeal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698332674249.png" alt="DeValkenaere-photo MODOX" />
 <figcaption>DeValkenaere-photo MODOX</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s governor commuted the sentence of a white Kansas City police officer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man whose death fueled racial justice protests.Gov. Mike Parson commuted Eric DeValkenaere's sentence to time served on Friday, weeks before he will leave office. The Missouri Department of Corrections confirmed DeValkenaere has been released from prison.DeValkenaere was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-5168b9935ec869fa74453228a87c166d">serving a six-year prison sentence.</a>&nbsp;He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-933d3aba9b37c83145fba5818d557c02">convicted in 2021</a>&nbsp;of killing 26-year-old Cameron Lamb as he backed into his garage. Lamb’s name was invoked frequently during racial injustice protests in Kansas City in 2020 following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Lamb’s family even met with then-President Donald Trump that year.At trial, DeValkenaere testified that he fired his weapon on Dec. 3, 2019, after Lamb pointed a gun at another detective, Troy Schwalm, and that he believed his actions saved his partner’s life.Prosecutors, however, argued that police shouldn’t have been on the property and staged the shooting scene to support their claims that Lamb was armed.Evidence presented during the trial, which was held without a jury at DeValkenaere’s request, showed that DeValkenaere kicked over a barricade to get into Lamb's backyard.The trial judge, Dale Youngs, said the officers had no warrant for Lamb’s arrest and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property. He called it a tragic case with troubling facts and said DeValkenaere and the officer with him escalated a situation that had been calmed. He didn’t address allegations that evidence had been planted.DeValkenaere&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-2af535a9a637024a23b3530c1c20cc2e">left the police force after his conviction</a>&nbsp;but remained free on bond until he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-police-shooting-974b3aa6e4736005b553672489bb46ea">lost his appeal</a>&nbsp;in October 2023. The Missouri Supreme Court subsequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/exkansas-city-detective-conviction-appeal-507be4b6eb77e19a71f5fbacc081088e">declined</a>&nbsp;to hear an appeal.

Gov. commutes sentence of KC officer convicted of killing Black man

BROWN COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just after 8a.m. Friday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner semi driven by Edward C. Bullmaster, 26, St. Joseph, was westbound on K20 at U.S. 75.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at the junction.&nbsp; The semi struck a westbound 2019 Ford F150 driven by David&nbsp; Provorse, 64, Topeka, broadside. After impact both vehicles came to rest in the west ditch.

&nbsp;Provorse and a passenger in the pickup Marcia L. Provorse, 62, Topeka, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Chapel Oaks Funeral Home. 

EMS transported Bullmaster and a passenger in the semi Clay J Lutz, 36, Rushville, Missouri, to the Sabetha Hospital.

BROWN COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just after 8a.m. Friday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner semi driven by Edward C. Bullmaster, 26, St. Joseph, was westbound on K20 at U.S. 75.The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at the junction.&nbsp; The semi struck a westbound 2019 Ford F150 driven by David&nbsp; Provorse, 64, Topeka, broadside. After impact both vehicles came to rest in the west ditch.&nbsp;Provorse and a passenger in the pickup Marcia L. Provorse, 62, Topeka, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Chapel Oaks Funeral Home. EMS transported Bullmaster and a passenger in the semi Clay J Lutz, 36, Rushville, Missouri, to the Sabetha Hospital.

Kansas couple killed in pickup, semi crash

FINNEY COUNTY —Officials at the Garden City Recreation Center, 310 North 6th Street in Garden City, detected elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the facility. Out of an abundance of caution, officials evacuated the building and are closed for the remainder of the day, according to a statement from the city.

If you visited the Recreation Center Friday, December 20, please monitor yourself and your loved ones for symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure, including:

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can pose serious health risks. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, move to fresh air immediately and call&nbsp;Poison Control&nbsp;at&nbsp;1-800-222-1222&nbsp;for assistance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734734548979.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Officials at the Garden City Recreation Center, 310 North 6th Street in Garden City, detected elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the facility. Out of an abundance of caution, officials evacuated the building and are closed for the remainder of the day, according to a statement from the city.If you visited the Recreation Center Friday, December 20, please monitor yourself and your loved ones for symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure, including:<ul>
 <li>Headache</li><li>Dizziness</li><li>Nausea or vomiting</li><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Confusion or disorientation</li><li>Loss of consciousness</li>
 </ul>Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can pose serious health risks. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, move to fresh air immediately and call&nbsp;Poison Control&nbsp;at&nbsp;1-800-222-1222&nbsp;for assistance.

Elevated carbon monoxide forces evacuation of SW Kan. Rec Center

SEDGWICK COUNTY—On Thursday District Judge Jeffrey Syrios sentenced 23-year-old Brandon Prouse Jr. of Wichita, to 290 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On Nov. 1, Prouse pled guilty to aggravated robbery. Judge Syrios sentenced Prouse to 216 months for the robbery count and an additional 74 months for violating probation on two earlier crimes.

In September, a co-defendant, Justin Macormac, was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 853 months. Macormac pled guilty to first-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, attempted second-degree murder, and two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm. On Super Bowl weekend in February of 2022, Macormac shot and killed Bonnie Galloway and Connor O’Callaghan in a shed in the 2200 block of S. Erie in Wichita. Both had been living in the shed.

Prouse was with Macormac, and both victims the evening of the shooting.

Officers from the Violent Crimes Community Response Team, along with assistance from the US Marshal’s Task Force, apprehended Macormac at a Wichita gas station.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645065946539.png" alt="Prouse-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Prouse-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—On Thursday District Judge Jeffrey Syrios sentenced 23-year-old Brandon Prouse Jr. of Wichita, to 290 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On Nov. 1, Prouse pled guilty to aggravated robbery. Judge Syrios sentenced Prouse to 216 months for the robbery count and an additional 74 months for violating probation on two earlier crimes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655924835194.png" alt="Macormac photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Macormac photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>In September, a co-defendant, Justin Macormac, was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 853 months. Macormac pled guilty to first-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, attempted second-degree murder, and two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm. On Super Bowl weekend in February of 2022, Macormac shot and killed Bonnie Galloway and Connor O’Callaghan in a shed in the 2200 block of S. Erie in Wichita. Both had been living in the shed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655924767929.png" alt="-While taking him into custody, officers located a stolen 9mm carbine with a high capacity magazine-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>-While taking him into custody, officers located a stolen 9mm carbine with a high capacity magazine-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Prouse was with Macormac, and both victims the evening of the shooting.Officers from the Violent Crimes Community Response Team, along with assistance from the US Marshal’s Task Force, apprehended Macormac at a Wichita gas station.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. man sentenced for role in Super Bowl weekend robbery, killing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours to go before a midnight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-elon-musk-johnson-schumer-jeffries-cf75ae3c5f04207980cb96b286e70c09">government shutdown</a>, the House approved a new plan late Friday from Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-house-speaker-johnson-madison-square-garden-995a7ee3324e04ec6da680c826136655">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but drops President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;demands for a debt limit increase into the new year.

<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/ARA%2012.20.pdf">Click here</a> to read Friday's continuing resolution

Johnson insisted Congress would “meet our obligations” and not allow federal operations to shutter ahead of the Christmas holiday season. But the day's outcome was uncertain after Trump doubled down on his insistence that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-ceiling-shutdown-explainer-22ff94a8f8b188c722ff8fab3f7093d0">debt ceiling</a>&nbsp;increase be included in any deal — if not, he said in an early morning post, let the closures “start now.”

The bill was approved 366-34. All four members of the Kansas delegation, Sharice Davids, Ron Estes, Tracey Mann and Jake LaTurner, voted with majority.

The bill now goes to the Senate, for expected quick passage.

“We're excited about this outcome,” Johnson said afterward, adding he had spoken with Trump and the president-elect “was certainly happy about this outcome, as well.”

It was the third attempt from Johnson, the beleaguered House speaker, to achieve one of the basic requirements of the federal government — keeping it open. And it raised stark questions about whether Johnson will be able to keep his job, in the face of angry GOP colleagues, and work alongside Trump and billionaire ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3">Elon Musk</a>, who have called the legislative plays this time.

Trump's last-minute demand was almost an impossible ask, and Johnson had almost no choice but to work around his pressure for a debt ceiling increase. The speaker knew there wouldn’t be enough support within the GOP majority to pass any funding package, since many Republicans prefer to slash federal government and certainly wouldn’t allow more debt.

The new 118-page package would fund the government at current levels through March and adds $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance to farmers.

It's essentially the same deal that flopped the night before in a spectacular setback — opposed by most Democrats and some of the most conservative Republicans — minus Trump's debt ceiling demand.

Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;was in contact with Johnson, but Democrats were cool to the latest effort after the Republican speaker reneged on their original bipartisan compromise.

“Welcome back to the MAGA swamp,” Jeffries posted.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said it looked like Musk, an unelected official and the wealthiest man in the world, was calling the shots for Trump and the Republicans.

Still, the White House supported the final bill, and Democrats put up more votes than Republicans for its passage. Almost three dozen Republicans voted against it.

Trump, who has not yet been sworn into office, is showing the power but also the limits of his sway with Congress, as he intervenes and orchestrates affairs from Mar-a-Lago alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3">Musk</a>, who is heading up the incoming administration's new Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump does not fear government shutdowns the way Johnson and the lawmakers see federal closures as political losers that harm the livelihoods of Americans. The incoming Trump administration vows to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/project-2025-trump-harris-election-heritage-foundation-9183cf4c36c293e11b59847189d26a87">slash the federal budget and fire thousands of employees</a>. Trump himself sparked the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/30769167ab7a4ef9adf880d020b775dd">longest government shutdown in history</a>&nbsp;in his first term at the White House, the monthlong closures over the 2018-19 Christmas holiday and New Year period.

More importantly for the president-elect was his demand for pushing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053">thorny debt ceiling debate</a>&nbsp;off the table before he returns to the White House. The federal debt limit expires Jan. 1, and Trump doesn't want the first months of his new administration saddled with tough negotiations in Congress to lift the nation's borrowing capacity. It gives Democrats, who will be in the minority next year, leverage.

“Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling,” Trump posted — increasing his demand for a now five-year debt limit increase. "Without this, we should never make a deal."

Johnson had tried at first to appease Trump's demands, but ultimately had to work around them.

Trump and Musk unleashed their opposition — and social media army — on the original plan Johnson presented, which was a 1,500-page bipartisan compromise he struck with Democrats that included the disaster aid for hard hit states, but did not address the debt ceiling situation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734733669071.png" alt="House Speaker Mike Johnson just before the vote -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Mike Johnson just before the vote -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours to go before a midnight&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-elon-musk-johnson-schumer-jeffries-cf75ae3c5f04207980cb96b286e70c09">government shutdown</a>, the House approved a new plan late Friday from Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-house-speaker-johnson-madison-square-garden-995a7ee3324e04ec6da680c826136655">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but drops President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;demands for a debt limit increase into the new year.<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/ARA%2012.20.pdf">Click here</a> to read Friday's continuing resolutionJohnson insisted Congress would “meet our obligations” and not allow federal operations to shutter ahead of the Christmas holiday season. But the day's outcome was uncertain after Trump doubled down on his insistence that a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-ceiling-shutdown-explainer-22ff94a8f8b188c722ff8fab3f7093d0">debt ceiling</a>&nbsp;increase be included in any deal — if not, he said in an early morning post, let the closures “start now.”The bill was approved 366-34. All four members of the Kansas delegation, Sharice Davids, Ron Estes, Tracey Mann and Jake LaTurner, voted with majority.The bill now goes to the Senate, for expected quick passage.“We're excited about this outcome,” Johnson said afterward, adding he had spoken with Trump and the president-elect “was certainly happy about this outcome, as well.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The House just passed the American Relief Act with OVERWHELMING support. This America First legislation delivers much-needed relief for Americans devastated by the hurricanes and our hardworking farmers, and it sets up President Trump to start delivering on DAY ONE. <a href="https://t.co/85fEJT5WIY">pic.twitter.com/85fEJT5WIY</a>&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1870256003499122960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It was the third attempt from Johnson, the beleaguered House speaker, to achieve one of the basic requirements of the federal government — keeping it open. And it raised stark questions about whether Johnson will be able to keep his job, in the face of angry GOP colleagues, and work alongside Trump and billionaire ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3">Elon Musk</a>, who have called the legislative plays this time.Trump's last-minute demand was almost an impossible ask, and Johnson had almost no choice but to work around his pressure for a debt ceiling increase. The speaker knew there wouldn’t be enough support within the GOP majority to pass any funding package, since many Republicans prefer to slash federal government and certainly wouldn’t allow more debt.Instead, the Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate next year, with big plans for tax cuts and other priorities, are showing they must routinely rely on Democrats for the votes needed to keep up with the routine operations of governing.“So is this a Republican bill or a Democrat bill?” scoffed Musk on social media ahead of the vote.The new 118-page package would fund the government at current levels through March and adds $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance to farmers.Gone is Trump’s demand to lift the debt ceiling, which GOP leaders told lawmakers would be debated as part of their tax and border packages in the new year. Republicans made a so-called handshake agreement to raise the debt limit at that time while also cutting $2.5 trillion in spending over 10 years.It's essentially the same deal that flopped the night before in a spectacular setback — opposed by most Democrats and some of the most conservative Republicans — minus Trump's debt ceiling demand.Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;was in contact with Johnson, but Democrats were cool to the latest effort after the Republican speaker reneged on their original bipartisan compromise.“Welcome back to the MAGA swamp,” Jeffries posted.Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said it looked like Musk, an unelected official and the wealthiest man in the world, was calling the shots for Trump and the Republicans.“Who is in charge?” she asked during the debate.Still, the White House supported the final bill, and Democrats put up more votes than Republicans for its passage. Almost three dozen Republicans voted against it.Trump, who has not yet been sworn into office, is showing the power but also the limits of his sway with Congress, as he intervenes and orchestrates affairs from Mar-a-Lago alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3">Musk</a>, who is heading up the incoming administration's new Department of Government Efficiency.“If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now,” Trump posted early in the morning on social media.Trump does not fear government shutdowns the way Johnson and the lawmakers see federal closures as political losers that harm the livelihoods of Americans. The incoming Trump administration vows to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/project-2025-trump-harris-election-heritage-foundation-9183cf4c36c293e11b59847189d26a87">slash the federal budget and fire thousands of employees</a>. Trump himself sparked the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/30769167ab7a4ef9adf880d020b775dd">longest government shutdown in history</a>&nbsp;in his first term at the White House, the monthlong closures over the 2018-19 Christmas holiday and New Year period.More importantly for the president-elect was his demand for pushing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053">thorny debt ceiling debate</a>&nbsp;off the table before he returns to the White House. The federal debt limit expires Jan. 1, and Trump doesn't want the first months of his new administration saddled with tough negotiations in Congress to lift the nation's borrowing capacity. It gives Democrats, who will be in the minority next year, leverage.“Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling,” Trump posted — increasing his demand for a now five-year debt limit increase. "Without this, we should never make a deal."Johnson had tried at first to appease Trump's demands, but ultimately had to work around them.Trump and Musk unleashed their opposition — and social media army — on the original plan Johnson presented, which was a 1,500-page bipartisan compromise he struck with Democrats that included the disaster aid for hard hit states, but did not address the debt ceiling situation.A Trump-backed second plan, Thursday's slimmed-down 116-page bill with his preferred two-year debt limit increase into 2027, failed in a monumental defeat, rejected by most Democrats as an unserious effort — but also by conservative Republicans who refuse to pile on the nation's red ink.On Friday morning, Vice President-elect JD Vance and Trump's pick to be incoming Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, arrived at the Capitol, where a group of holdouts from the hardline House Freedom Caucus were meeting with Johnson.Later, during the lunchtime meeting of House Republicans in the Capitol basement, Johnson asked for a show of hands as they determined the path forward, Republican Rep. Ralph Norman said.Government workers have already been told to prepare for a federal shutdown which would send millions of employees — and members of the military — into the holiday season without paychecks.President Joe Biden, in his final weeks in office, has played a less public role in the debate, drawing criticism from Trump and Republicans who are trying to shift the blame for any shutdown on him.Biden has been in discussions with Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “Republicans blew up this deal. They did, and they need to fix this.”At one point Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell stepped in to remind colleagues “how harmful it is to shut the government down, and how foolish it is to bet your own side won’t take the blame for it.”The speaker's election is the first vote of the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, and Johnson will need the support of almost every single House Republican from his razor-thin majority to ensure he can keep the gavel.As some have floated Musk for speaker, Johnson said he spoke to him, as well. He said they talked about the “extraordinary challenges of this job.”As the speaker twisted in Washington, his peril was on display. At Turning Point USA’s conservative AmericaFest confab, Trump ally Steve Bannon stirred thousands of activists late Thursday with a withering takedown of the Louisiana Republican.“Clearly, Johnson is not up to the task. He’s gotta go,” Bannon said, drawing cheers.___Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Stephen Groves, Mary Clare Jalonick, Darlene Superville and Bill Barrow contributed to this report.