President Biden and the First Lady made a holiday visit to patients and families at Children’s National Hospital on Friday.&nbsp; Click below to watch.

President Biden and the First Lady made a holiday visit to patients and families at Children’s National Hospital on Friday.&nbsp; Click below to watch.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OOWwyIm7OM4?si=L-VP2nm1YfqJm-qw&amp;start=6" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fchildrens.national%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0pfErqkoDsVruqiMGWac8Zv4rtCzg9utdkReGq5rgWQQX3baGpFQmYEKKwpdUf43l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="748" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The People&#39;s House is ready for St. Nick. <a href="https://t.co/UE8MmsRHfr">pic.twitter.com/UE8MmsRHfr</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1871556433457693040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Bidens make holiday visit to Children's National Hospital

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man charged in the shooting death of 39-year-old Kyce Barnes, whose body was&nbsp;was found in the trunk of a car&nbsp;in Wichita was back in court Monday for a preliminary hearing.

Daitrez Birch, 24, of Wichita plead guilty to the murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 8a.m. August 21, police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a vacant lot located in the 8200 block of West Irving Street in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

Officers were directed to a white four door Mercedes and discovered a victim later identified as Barnes in the trunk of the vehicle wrapped in blood-stained bedding with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body. His remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner's Office for further examination.

During the investigation, detectives identified the Deluxe Motel at 8401 W. Kellogg Drive as the original crime scene.&nbsp;

Barnes had a long history of crime. He spent time in the Kansas Department of Corrections for drug convictions in Cowley County. He was released from prison in 2020.&nbsp; On August 20, police booked Barnes into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges that included possession of stolen property and drug possession, according to jail booking records. He was released from the Sedgwick County jail just after 3p.m. August 21.

Police in Wichita also arrested him in 2022 on requested charges of theft, violation of a protection order, domestic battery and failure to appear.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724854691982.png" alt="Birch photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Birch photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man charged in the shooting death of 39-year-old Kyce Barnes, whose body was&nbsp;was found in the trunk of a car&nbsp;in Wichita was back in court Monday for a preliminary hearing.Daitrez Birch, 24, of Wichita plead guilty to the murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724266152157.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 8a.m. August 21, police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a vacant lot located in the 8200 block of West Irving Street in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.Officers were directed to a white four door Mercedes and discovered a victim later identified as Barnes in the trunk of the vehicle wrapped in blood-stained bedding with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body. His remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner's Office for further examination.During the investigation, detectives identified the Deluxe Motel at 8401 W. Kellogg Drive as the original crime scene.&nbsp;Barnes had a long history of crime. He spent time in the Kansas Department of Corrections for drug convictions in Cowley County. He was released from prison in 2020.&nbsp; On August 20, police booked Barnes into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges that included possession of stolen property and drug possession, according to jail booking records. He was released from the Sedgwick County jail just after 3p.m. August 21.Police in Wichita also arrested him in 2022 on requested charges of theft, violation of a protection order, domestic battery and failure to appear.&nbsp;

Kan. suspect enters plea in death of body found in car trunk

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/aaron-sanderford/">AARON SANDERFORD</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/fortenberry-seeks-two-month-delay-of-re-trial-to-wait-for-trump-justice-department/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen will need at least one more night in the hospital before heading home for recovery after being bucked off a horse.

He might need longer depending on whether he elects to have surgery to repair seven broken ribs on his left side from the ride on family land Sunday afternoon near Columbus.

If not, he could be released on Christmas Eve. Pillen’s Nebraska Medical Center doctors detailed his injuries to reporters Monday at the adjacent University of Nebraska Medical Center.

In addition to broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung, Pillen suffered a “minor fracture” to a vertebra in his lower back and a minor kidney injury, Nebraska Medicine trauma surgeons Dr. Charity Evans and Dr. Hillman Terzian said.

His spleen injury required an hour-long surgery when he arrived from Columbus Community Hospital on Sunday to repair some bleeding from a lacerated spleen, a procedure they said went well.

During that surgery, while the governor was incapacitated, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly served as governor, the Governor’s Office announced in a press release later Monday.

Doctors said they were pleased the governor suffered no injuries to his head, neck or spine, which are common with horseback riding-related falls. He had been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-to-spend-pre-christmas-in-hospital-after-fall-from-horse/">riding at the time</a>&nbsp;with his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.

Pillen, 68, is eager to get home, the doctors said. He tried to bargain with his doctors to get home in time for Monday Night Football but was urged against rushing for recovery time.

“He’s already been walking laps, which is very impressive,” Terzian said. “He’s a tough guy, and that shows with the way he’s recovering so far.”

Evans said Pillen is keeping doctors and nurses on their toes. She said he has already been trying to recruit resident doctors who are checking in on him to stay in Nebraska.

The Governor’s Office said Pillen was out of surgery Sunday in time to watch the second half of Nebraska basketball’s broadcasted win against Murray State in Hawaii.

He remained in the intensive care unit as a precaution Monday morning but was moved into a more typical hospital setting Monday afternoon, the Governor’s Office announced.

The latest news release said Pillen plans to return to work “after Christmas and wishes a blessed and safe holiday to all Nebraskans.” He will do some work from the hospital. Full recovery could take up to three months, depending on the nature of the rib fractures.

The new horse Pillen rode, Jack, was not injured and is “fine,” the Governor’s Office said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735053644935.png" alt="Nebraska Medicine trauma surgeons Dr. Hillman Terzian and Dr. Charity Evans speak about Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s injuries and recovery ahead. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Medicine trauma surgeons Dr. Hillman Terzian and Dr. Charity Evans speak about Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s injuries and recovery ahead. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/aaron-sanderford/">AARON SANDERFORD</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/fortenberry-seeks-two-month-delay-of-re-trial-to-wait-for-trump-justice-department/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen will need at least one more night in the hospital before heading home for recovery after being bucked off a horse.He might need longer depending on whether he elects to have surgery to repair seven broken ribs on his left side from the ride on family land Sunday afternoon near Columbus.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724255733171.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen&nbsp; (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen&nbsp; (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>If not, he could be released on Christmas Eve. Pillen’s Nebraska Medical Center doctors detailed his injuries to reporters Monday at the adjacent University of Nebraska Medical Center.In addition to broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung, Pillen suffered a “minor fracture” to a vertebra in his lower back and a minor kidney injury, Nebraska Medicine trauma surgeons Dr. Charity Evans and Dr. Hillman Terzian said.<h2>Surgery required succession</h2>His spleen injury required an hour-long surgery when he arrived from Columbus Community Hospital on Sunday to repair some bleeding from a lacerated spleen, a procedure they said went well.During that surgery, while the governor was incapacitated, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly served as governor, the Governor’s Office announced in a press release later Monday.Doctors said they were pleased the governor suffered no injuries to his head, neck or spine, which are common with horseback riding-related falls. He had been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-to-spend-pre-christmas-in-hospital-after-fall-from-horse/">riding at the time</a>&nbsp;with his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.Pillen, 68, is eager to get home, the doctors said. He tried to bargain with his doctors to get home in time for Monday Night Football but was urged against rushing for recovery time.“He’s already been walking laps, which is very impressive,” Terzian said. “He’s a tough guy, and that shows with the way he’s recovering so far.”<h2>Doctors on their toes</h2>Evans said Pillen is keeping doctors and nurses on their toes. She said he has already been trying to recruit resident doctors who are checking in on him to stay in Nebraska.The Governor’s Office said Pillen was out of surgery Sunday in time to watch the second half of Nebraska basketball’s broadcasted win against Murray State in Hawaii.He remained in the intensive care unit as a precaution Monday morning but was moved into a more typical hospital setting Monday afternoon, the Governor’s Office announced.The latest news release said Pillen plans to return to work “after Christmas and wishes a blessed and safe holiday to all Nebraskans.” He will do some work from the hospital. Full recovery could take up to three months, depending on the nature of the rib fractures.The new horse Pillen rode, Jack, was not injured and is “fine,” the Governor’s Office said.

Neb. Governor broke seven ribs, one vertebra when bucked from horse

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner marked final preparations for departing Congress with a speech connecting his rise in Kansas politics to a family legacy of resilience and featuring a special request that colleagues aid children suffering extreme malnutrition.

LaTurner, a Republican who served in the Kansas Senate and as state treasurer before entering the U.S. House, declined to seek reelection to a third term in 2024. He was elected in 2020 by 2nd District voters eager to replace troubled GOP U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins.

He said in April the requirements of serving in Congress and running for reelection every two years had “taken a toll.” He has four young children and wanted to “be more present” for them.

“I want to thank my friends both at home and my colleagues here, my supporters who helped me get here, and my family,” LaTurner said. “To my kids, the best title I’ve ever had is dad. And that title is about to get my full attention.”

In remarks offered on the House floor ahead of his January exit, LaTurner requested Congress and the White House approve $300 million in funding for a global health initiative making use of Ready-to-Use&nbsp;Therapeutic Foods or&nbsp;RUTF. It would expand the reach of this U.S.-made, medical-grade, nutrient-dense paste given to children suffering severe malnutrition.

“That increase should be realized. It is the right thing to do,” LaTurner said.

LaTurner said starving children consuming RUFT — at a cost of about $1 per day — had a survival rate near 90%. The nutritional product could be made with ingredients from 28 states, including peanuts, dairy, soy, sugar and micronutrients.

He recalled entering the House in 2021 and speaking with U.S. Rep. Don Young, who became the longest-serving Republican in House history. Young represented Alaska until his death in 2022.

“He told me when he arrived in 1973, it was customary for freshmen members to wait six months before speaking on the House floor,” LaTurner said. “To his surprise, I adopted this tradition. I did so partly out of deference to the dean, but mostly because it showed respect for this institution.”

LaTurner said it was the responsibility of people serving in Congress to preserve “an institution and a system of government that our founders painstakingly designed to safeguard against human nature.”

The departing Republican originally from southeast Kansas said he followed a path carved through sacrifice and tenacity of his family.

LaTurner said his single-parent father worked long hours managing a Sonic restaurant while putting himself through college. His dad became the first in the family to earn a college degree. He was as an educator and mayor of Galena.

His grandmother dropped out of school in the ninth grade because she had only one dress and couldn’t endure ridicule by her classmates. She raised six children and earned a G.E.D. before working as a nurse. LaTurner’s grandfather was the first in the family to graduate high school. He lost sight in one eye while serving in Korea. Unable to pass a physical, he worked odd jobs until he found his calling as a lay judge.

His grandfather’s father was killed in the mines at the age of 41 and left behind a widow and six children. They endured hardships most people cannot fathom, LaTurner said.

“Yet, three short generations later, his great-grandson was called ‘the gentleman from Kansas’ on the floor of the United States House of Representatives,” LaTurner said. “I share these stories because they remind me every day that I did not get here on my own. What a country this is. But it’s not just my story. It’s the American story.”

LaTurner, 36, entered the Kansas Senate in 2012. He was appointed state treasurer by GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. In 2020, he briefly sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate before winning the 2nd District House race.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735050524393.png" alt=" U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kansas, addressed the U.S. House for the final time before leaving Congress in January. He chose not to seek reelection in 2024 in the Second District of Kansas. (Kansas Reflector screen caputure of the U.S. House’s YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kansas, addressed the U.S. House for the final time before leaving Congress in January. He chose not to seek reelection in 2024 in the Second District of Kansas. (Kansas Reflector screen caputure of the U.S. House’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner marked final preparations for departing Congress with a speech connecting his rise in Kansas politics to a family legacy of resilience and featuring a special request that colleagues aid children suffering extreme malnutrition.LaTurner, a Republican who served in the Kansas Senate and as state treasurer before entering the U.S. House, declined to seek reelection to a third term in 2024. He was elected in 2020 by 2nd District voters eager to replace troubled GOP U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins.He said in April the requirements of serving in Congress and running for reelection every two years had “taken a toll.” He has four young children and wanted to “be more present” for them.“I want to thank my friends both at home and my colleagues here, my supporters who helped me get here, and my family,” LaTurner said. “To my kids, the best title I’ve ever had is dad. And that title is about to get my full attention.”In remarks offered on the House floor ahead of his January exit, LaTurner requested Congress and the White House approve $300 million in funding for a global health initiative making use of Ready-to-Use&nbsp;Therapeutic Foods or&nbsp;RUTF. It would expand the reach of this U.S.-made, medical-grade, nutrient-dense paste given to children suffering severe malnutrition.“That increase should be realized. It is the right thing to do,” LaTurner said.LaTurner said starving children consuming RUFT — at a cost of about $1 per day — had a survival rate near 90%. The nutritional product could be made with ingredients from 28 states, including peanuts, dairy, soy, sugar and micronutrients.He recalled entering the House in 2021 and speaking with U.S. Rep. Don Young, who became the longest-serving Republican in House history. Young represented Alaska until his death in 2022.“He told me when he arrived in 1973, it was customary for freshmen members to wait six months before speaking on the House floor,” LaTurner said. “To his surprise, I adopted this tradition. I did so partly out of deference to the dean, but mostly because it showed respect for this institution.”LaTurner said it was the responsibility of people serving in Congress to preserve “an institution and a system of government that our founders painstakingly designed to safeguard against human nature.”The departing Republican originally from southeast Kansas said he followed a path carved through sacrifice and tenacity of his family.LaTurner said his single-parent father worked long hours managing a Sonic restaurant while putting himself through college. His dad became the first in the family to earn a college degree. He was as an educator and mayor of Galena.His grandmother dropped out of school in the ninth grade because she had only one dress and couldn’t endure ridicule by her classmates. She raised six children and earned a G.E.D. before working as a nurse. LaTurner’s grandfather was the first in the family to graduate high school. He lost sight in one eye while serving in Korea. Unable to pass a physical, he worked odd jobs until he found his calling as a lay judge.His grandfather’s father was killed in the mines at the age of 41 and left behind a widow and six children. They endured hardships most people cannot fathom, LaTurner said.“Yet, three short generations later, his great-grandson was called ‘the gentleman from Kansas’ on the floor of the United States House of Representatives,” LaTurner said. “I share these stories because they remind me every day that I did not get here on my own. What a country this is. But it’s not just my story. It’s the American story.”LaTurner, 36, entered the Kansas Senate in 2012. He was appointed state treasurer by GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. In 2020, he briefly sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate before winning the 2nd District House race.

Retiring U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner shares appreciation for family, seeks aid for starving children

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;American Airlines flights were cleared to fly by regulators early Tuesday after a brief grounding due to a systemwide technical issue.

Just before 7 a.m. Eastern time, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. at the airline’s request. American had reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday.

In social media replies to frustrated travelers, the airline said: “Our team is currently working to rectify this. Your continued patience is appreciated.”

The company has not issued a press release explaining the issue and an email was not immediately returned.

A post on the Federal Aviation Administration's website acknowledged the airline's request for a “nationwide groundstop” for all American Airlines planes and their subsidiary airlines.

The grounding occurred with millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-holiday-travel-airports-roads-38cfcfe5f9d7b19fdc9d843827ed21f9">Transportation Security Administration</a>&nbsp;expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. after the carrier reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday.

A post on the Federal Aviation Administration’s website acknowledged the airline’s request for a “nationwide groundstop” for all American Airlines planes and their subsidiary airlines.

The groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640461231896.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;American Airlines flights were cleared to fly by regulators early Tuesday after a brief grounding due to a systemwide technical issue.Just before 7 a.m. Eastern time, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. at the airline’s request. American had reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday.In social media replies to frustrated travelers, the airline said: “Our team is currently working to rectify this. Your continued patience is appreciated.”The company has not issued a press release explaining the issue and an email was not immediately returned.A post on the Federal Aviation Administration's website acknowledged the airline's request for a “nationwide groundstop” for all American Airlines planes and their subsidiary airlines.The grounding occurred with millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-holiday-travel-airports-roads-38cfcfe5f9d7b19fdc9d843827ed21f9">Transportation Security Administration</a>&nbsp;expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2.--------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650398929304.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. after the carrier reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday.In social media replies to frustrated travelers, the airline said: “Our team is currently working to rectify this. Your continued patience is appreciated.”The company has not issued a press release explaining the issue and an email was not immediately returned.A post on the Federal Aviation Administration’s website acknowledged the airline’s request for a “nationwide groundstop” for all American Airlines planes and their subsidiary airlines.The groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-holiday-travel-airports-roads-38cfcfe5f9d7b19fdc9d843827ed21f9">Transportation Security Administration</a>&nbsp;expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2.

FAA briefly halts American Airlines flights on Christmas Eve

KANSAS CITY —Detectives investigating the death of baby were notified Monday by medical examiners that the death of Giovanni Carr has been ruled a homicide based on their medical findings, according to KCPC Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 11:30p.m. June 15, police were dispatched to an EMS call for service at a residence in the 5300 block of Olive Street in Kansas City.

 Responding officers observed a six month old infant unresponsive in the residence.&nbsp; EMS transported the child to an area hospital for treatment.&nbsp; 

It was determined at the hospital the child had suffered significant physical bodily trauma. On June 20, detectives were notified the child had died from his injuries.

Detectives have continued to investigate this case since the date the incident occurred and have identified all people believed to be involved. They are not searching for any additional involved individuals at this time.

 Detectives are hopeful to have the case file submitted to the prosecutors office in the coming days for consideration of applicable charges, according to Gonzalez.

KANSAS CITY —Detectives investigating the death of baby were notified Monday by medical examiners that the death of Giovanni Carr has been ruled a homicide based on their medical findings, according to KCPC Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 11:30p.m. June 15, police were dispatched to an EMS call for service at a residence in the 5300 block of Olive Street in Kansas City. Responding officers observed a six month old infant unresponsive in the residence.&nbsp; EMS transported the child to an area hospital for treatment.&nbsp; It was determined at the hospital the child had suffered significant physical bodily trauma. On June 20, detectives were notified the child had died from his injuries.Detectives have continued to investigate this case since the date the incident occurred and have identified all people believed to be involved. They are not searching for any additional involved individuals at this time. Detectives are hopeful to have the case file submitted to the prosecutors office in the coming days for consideration of applicable charges, according to Gonzalez.

Medical examiner: Death of baby in Kansas City ruled a homicide

CRAWFORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Monday in Crawford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by 1 Nathan Brown, 17, Pittsburg was northbound on S Rouse Street just north of Adams Street in Pittsburg.

The SUV traveled off the the roadway to the left and struck a tree. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene and ws transported to Frontier Forensics.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

CRAWFORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Monday in Crawford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by 1 Nathan Brown, 17, Pittsburg was northbound on S Rouse Street just north of Adams Street in Pittsburg.The SUV traveled off the the roadway to the left and struck a tree. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene and ws transported to Frontier Forensics.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas teen dies after SUV strikes a tree

WASHINGTON (AP)— The Pentagon says U.S. Central Command forces have killed two operatives for the Islamic State militant group in a airstrike in Syria.

The U.S. military said the airstrike Monday in Deir Ezzour Province was aimed at IS militants who were moving a truckload of weapons, which was destroyed. Another IS operative was wounded.

Central Command said the area was formerly controlled by former President Bashar Assad’s regime and its Russian supporters. Assad fled to Moscow after rebel forces seized control of Damascus earlier this month and ended his family’s 50 years of iron rule.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731379013172.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— The Pentagon says U.S. Central Command forces have killed two operatives for the Islamic State militant group in a airstrike in Syria.The U.S. military said the airstrike Monday in Deir Ezzour Province was aimed at IS militants who were moving a truckload of weapons, which was destroyed. Another IS operative was wounded.Central Command said the area was formerly controlled by former President Bashar Assad’s regime and its Russian supporters. Assad fled to Moscow after rebel forces seized control of Damascus earlier this month and ended his family’s 50 years of iron rule.

US airstrike kills Islamic State terrorists in Syria

Des Moines —The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first human case of avian influenza A(H5) in the state, according to a media release.

 The individual was exposed to infected poultry while working with a commercial flock in northwest Iowa. The individual reported mild symptoms, has received appropriate treatment and is recovering. The case was identified through testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory and confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of December 20, 2024, the CDC has reported 64 confirmed human cases of H5 HPAI across nine states. The majority of the exposures are linked to infected poultry or dairy cows. There is no evidence that human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) is occurring in the U.S.

Although human infections are rare, the virus is spread through prolonged exposure around infected flocks and herds, through the eyes, nose or mouth. Any individuals with direct contact who develop flu-like symptoms or an eye infection should contact their doctor. To reduce the risk of infection or spread, people in direct contact with exposed animals should wear proper PPE and avoid direct contact with sick or dead animals, including birds.&nbsp;

“Iowa has monitored the spread of avian influenza closely since it was first detected in poultry in the state in 2022, and our state is prepared with the established knowledge, strong partnerships, and effective tools to mitigate its impact on our community,” said Iowa HHS State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse.

There is no concern about the safety of eggs and poultry products or pasteurized milk and dairy products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733747978622.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Des Moines —The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first human case of avian influenza A(H5) in the state, according to a media release. The individual was exposed to infected poultry while working with a commercial flock in northwest Iowa. The individual reported mild symptoms, has received appropriate treatment and is recovering. The case was identified through testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory and confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).As of December 20, 2024, the CDC has reported 64 confirmed human cases of H5 HPAI across nine states. The majority of the exposures are linked to infected poultry or dairy cows. There is no evidence that human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) is occurring in the U.S.Although human infections are rare, the virus is spread through prolonged exposure around infected flocks and herds, through the eyes, nose or mouth. Any individuals with direct contact who develop flu-like symptoms or an eye infection should contact their doctor. To reduce the risk of infection or spread, people in direct contact with exposed animals should wear proper PPE and avoid direct contact with sick or dead animals, including birds.&nbsp;“Iowa has monitored the spread of avian influenza closely since it was first detected in poultry in the state in 2022, and our state is prepared with the established knowledge, strong partnerships, and effective tools to mitigate its impact on our community,” said Iowa HHS State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse.There is no concern about the safety of eggs and poultry products or pasteurized milk and dairy products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

Iowa confirms first human case of bird flu

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs all while the Florida Republican was a member of Congress.

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25469466-read-the-house-ethics-committees-report-about-former-rep-matt-gaetz/">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the opening documents &nbsp;<a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Appendix-A.pdf">Click here to read</a> Appendix A <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gaetz-Appendix-B-Part-1.pdf">Click here to read</a> Appendix B <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gaetz-Appendix-B-Part-2.pdf">Click here to read</a> Appendix B part 2 <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Appendix-B-Part-3.pdf">Click here to read</a> Appendix B part 3

The&nbsp;<a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Committee-Report.pdf">37-page report</a>&nbsp;by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while representing Florida's western panhandle. The findings conclude that he violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office.

“The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report states.

The report brings to a close a nearly five-year investigation into Gaetz, who spent the majority of his time in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politicians-in-crisis-refuse-to-resign-16046aff55900e97f59aec9aa5153df6">enmeshed in scandals</a>, which ultimately derailed his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump as attorney general. His political future is uncertain, although Gaetz indicated recently that he would be interested in running for the open Senate seat in Florida.

The long-anticipated release of the report comes after at least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the panel earlier this month in a secret vote to release the report about their former colleague despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to publishing findings about a former member of Congress.

While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Gaetz objected to its release, saying last week that he would have “no opportunity to debate or rebut” the findings as a former member of the House.

On Monday, Gaetz&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.275994/gov.uscourts.dcd.275994.1.0.pdf">filed a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;seeking to block the release of the report, which he says contains “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his “standing and reputation in the community.” Gaetz’s complaint argues he’s no longer under the committee’s jurisdiction since he resigned from Congress.

“The Committee’s position that it may nonetheless publish potentially defamatory findings about a private citizen over whom it claims no jurisdiction represents an unprecedented expansion of Congressional power that threatens fundamental constitutional rights and established procedural protections,” Gaetz’s lawyers wrote in their request for a temporary restraining order.

In addition to soliciting prostitution, the Ethics Committee report states that Gaetz “accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging in connection with a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts.”

That same year, investigators say he arranged for his chief of staff to obtain a passport for a woman he was sexually involved with, falsely telling the State Department that she was his constituent. One of the final pieces of “substantial evidence” the committee gathered determined that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the report.

The report contains dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages and financial records, travel receipts, checks and online payments among various people involved. In some of the text exchanges, Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. At one point he asks one woman if she has a “cute black dress” to wear. There are also discussions of shipping goods.

One of the exhibits is a text exchange that appears to be between two of the women concerned about their cash flow and payments. In another, a person asks Gaetz for help to pay an educational expense.

The often secretive, bipartisan panel has investigated claims against Gaetz since 2021. However, its work became more urgent last month when Trump picked him shortly after Election Day as his first choice to be the nation's top law enforcement officer. Gaetz resigned from Congress that same day, putting him outside the purview of the Ethics Committee's jurisdiction.

But Democrats had pressed to make the report public even after Gaetz was no longer a member and had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/matt-gaetz-trump-transition-updates">withdrawn as Trump’s pick</a>&nbsp;to lead the Justice Department. A vote on the House floor this month to force the report’s release failed; all but one Republican voted against it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734969682915.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734969996618.png" alt="Portion of text thread from the House Ethics Committee report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz" />
 <figcaption>Portion of text thread from the House Ethics Committee report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs all while the Florida Republican was a member of Congress.Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731531518225.png" alt="File photo Matt Gaetz courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Matt Gaetz courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25469466-read-the-house-ethics-committees-report-about-former-rep-matt-gaetz/">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the opening documents &nbsp;<a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Appendix-A.pdf">Click here to read</a> Appendix A <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gaetz-Appendix-B-Part-1.pdf">Click here to read</a> Appendix B <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Gaetz-Appendix-B-Part-2.pdf">Click here to read</a> Appendix B part 2 <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Appendix-B-Part-3.pdf">Click here to read</a> Appendix B part 3<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Giving funds to someone you are dating - that they didn’t ask for - and that isn’t “charged” for sex is now prostitution?!? There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge… <a href="https://t.co/HzWODpBBB9">pic.twitter.com/HzWODpBBB9</a>&mdash; Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattgaetz/status/1871207714665197718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Committee-Report.pdf">37-page report</a>&nbsp;by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while representing Florida's western panhandle. The findings conclude that he violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office.“The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report states.The report brings to a close a nearly five-year investigation into Gaetz, who spent the majority of his time in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politicians-in-crisis-refuse-to-resign-16046aff55900e97f59aec9aa5153df6">enmeshed in scandals</a>, which ultimately derailed his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump as attorney general. His political future is uncertain, although Gaetz indicated recently that he would be interested in running for the open Senate seat in Florida.The long-anticipated release of the report comes after at least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the panel earlier this month in a secret vote to release the report about their former colleague despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to publishing findings about a former member of Congress.While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Gaetz objected to its release, saying last week that he would have “no opportunity to debate or rebut” the findings as a former member of the House.On Monday, Gaetz&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.275994/gov.uscourts.dcd.275994.1.0.pdf">filed a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;seeking to block the release of the report, which he says contains “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his “standing and reputation in the community.” Gaetz’s complaint argues he’s no longer under the committee’s jurisdiction since he resigned from Congress.“The Committee’s position that it may nonetheless publish potentially defamatory findings about a private citizen over whom it claims no jurisdiction represents an unprecedented expansion of Congressional power that threatens fundamental constitutional rights and established procedural protections,” Gaetz’s lawyers wrote in their request for a temporary restraining order.In addition to soliciting prostitution, the Ethics Committee report states that Gaetz “accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging in connection with a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts.”That same year, investigators say he arranged for his chief of staff to obtain a passport for a woman he was sexually involved with, falsely telling the State Department that she was his constituent. One of the final pieces of “substantial evidence” the committee gathered determined that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the report.The report contains dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages and financial records, travel receipts, checks and online payments among various people involved. In some of the text exchanges, Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. At one point he asks one woman if she has a “cute black dress” to wear. There are also discussions of shipping goods.One of the exhibits is a text exchange that appears to be between two of the women concerned about their cash flow and payments. In another, a person asks Gaetz for help to pay an educational expense.The often secretive, bipartisan panel has investigated claims against Gaetz since 2021. However, its work became more urgent last month when Trump picked him shortly after Election Day as his first choice to be the nation's top law enforcement officer. Gaetz resigned from Congress that same day, putting him outside the purview of the Ethics Committee's jurisdiction.But Democrats had pressed to make the report public even after Gaetz was no longer a member and had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/matt-gaetz-trump-transition-updates">withdrawn as Trump’s pick</a>&nbsp;to lead the Justice Department. A vote on the House floor this month to force the report’s release failed; all but one Republican voted against it.

Read the shocking House Ethics report on former congressman Gaetz

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;was admitted Monday to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington after developing a fever.

The 78-year-old was hospitalized in the “afternoon for testing and observation,” Angel Urena, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, said in a statement.

“He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving,” Urena said.

Clinton, a Democrat who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-democratic-convention-kamala-harris-trump-5d60df1b037cbc153e20a2c71d7429f8">served two terms</a>&nbsp;as president from January 1993 until January 2001,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democratic-national-convention-walz-clinton-harris-4f299bd2684c0284dd100f7f0731172f">addressed</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;in Chicago this summer, and campaigned ahead of November’s election for the unsuccessful White House bid of Democratic Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>.

In the years since Clinton left the White House, he’s faced some health scares.

In 2004, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery after experiencing prolonged chest pains and shortness of breath. Clinton returned to the hospital for surgery for a partially collapsed lung in 2005, and in 2010 he had a pair of stents implanted in a coronary artery.

Clinton responded by embracing a largely vegan diet that saw him lose weight and report improved health.

In 2021, the former president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-released-hospital-98cfbab9c7cb593a8449d4ca8c916cbf">was hospitalized for six days in California</a>&nbsp;while being treated for an infection that was unrelated to COVID-19, when the pandemic was still near its height.

An aide to the former president said then that Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream, but was on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition. The aide said Clinton was in an intensive care section of the hospital that time, but wasn’t receiving ICU care.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734997118682.png" alt="Bill Clinton during a November 2024 interview -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Bill Clinton during a November 2024 interview -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;was admitted Monday to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington after developing a fever.The 78-year-old was hospitalized in the “afternoon for testing and observation,” Angel Urena, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, said in a statement.“He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving,” Urena said.Clinton, a Democrat who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-democratic-convention-kamala-harris-trump-5d60df1b037cbc153e20a2c71d7429f8">served two terms</a>&nbsp;as president from January 1993 until January 2001,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/democratic-national-convention-walz-clinton-harris-4f299bd2684c0284dd100f7f0731172f">addressed</a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;in Chicago this summer, and campaigned ahead of November’s election for the unsuccessful White House bid of Democratic Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>.In the years since Clinton left the White House, he’s faced some health scares.In 2004, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery after experiencing prolonged chest pains and shortness of breath. Clinton returned to the hospital for surgery for a partially collapsed lung in 2005, and in 2010 he had a pair of stents implanted in a coronary artery.Clinton responded by embracing a largely vegan diet that saw him lose weight and report improved health.In 2021, the former president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-released-hospital-98cfbab9c7cb593a8449d4ca8c916cbf">was hospitalized for six days in California</a>&nbsp;while being treated for an infection that was unrelated to COVID-19, when the pandemic was still near its height.An aide to the former president said then that Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream, but was on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition. The aide said Clinton was in an intensive care section of the hospital that time, but wasn’t receiving ICU care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734997118682.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>

Former President Bill Clinton hospitalized in Washington

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Family and friends said their final farewells Monday to a substitute teacher killed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-school-shooting-abundant-life-rupnow-32ef21b182db91a097dfffa317dfec53">shooting at a private religious school in Wisconsin</a>&nbsp;last week, describing her as a devout Christian with Southern roots who made copious notes in her personal Bible and planned to take her children to Disney World next year.

Erin Michelle West, 42, was killed on Dec. 16 when 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow opened fire with a handgun at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. A 14-year-old student, Rubi Vergara, also was killed and six others were wounded before Rupnow turned the gun on herself. Rupnow was a first-semester student at the school. Investigators are still&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/pronto/62313e9e9d20f3ed59fcf8d2c7fc3b44">trying to piece together her motive</a>.

Scores of people attended West's midday funeral at Doxa Church in Fitchburg, a Madison suburb. West's casket was set up before a stage decorated with Christmas trees adorned with golden lights. A giant photograph of her was displayed on a screen above the stage throughout the hourlong service.

Rob Warren, the church's pastor, fought back tears as he welcomed people.

“In a sense, no one wants to be here,” he said. “But in another sense I believe we're all supposed to be here right now, to hurt and heal together. As painful as it is, I believe we really all do need this moment.”

According to West's obituary, she was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2005. She married her husband, Jack, in 2005, in Powder Springs, Georgia. The couple has three daughters.

Warren read several verses from West's personal Bible, remarking on all the handwritten notes and underlined sections throughout. He said that after Jack West gave him the Bible, the first page he turned to had the phrase “the Gospel is for everyone” written in blue ink.

“This is what Erin West was about,” the pastor said, adding later: “Erin is in heaven right now with Jesus and she's more alive than she ever has been and that's the truth.”

Nate Kaloupek, Doxa Church's director of leadership development and equipping, gave a short elegy, describing how Erin met Jack in an online Christian chatroom and how Jack's company, Cardinal Glass, moved the couple around the country, first to Oklahoma and the Pacific Northwest before they settled in Wisconsin about six years ago.

Struggling at times to find his voice, Kaloupek said Erin loved the fast food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A and she showed her Georgia roots often by quipping "love y'all” or “hey, y'all."

He joked that Erin was “really bad” at hiding her emotions and felt God had called her to work at ALCS. She led prayers for people in their church group and tracked what prayers were answered, he said.

She loved camping trips with her family, wine-tasting trips with her husband and was looking forward to taking their daughters to Disney World this spring, he added, before concluding the elegy with: “She'd want me to say ‘love y’all.' Thank you.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734989496324.png" alt="Erin Michelle West-photo courtesy Gunderson Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Erin Michelle West-photo courtesy Gunderson Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Family and friends said their final farewells Monday to a substitute teacher killed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-school-shooting-abundant-life-rupnow-32ef21b182db91a097dfffa317dfec53">shooting at a private religious school in Wisconsin</a>&nbsp;last week, describing her as a devout Christian with Southern roots who made copious notes in her personal Bible and planned to take her children to Disney World next year.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VSUyiNyPzrc?si=uxh5sIjB2mKSb8zc&amp;start=32" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Erin Michelle West, 42, was killed on Dec. 16 when 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow opened fire with a handgun at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. A 14-year-old student, Rubi Vergara, also was killed and six others were wounded before Rupnow turned the gun on herself. Rupnow was a first-semester student at the school. Investigators are still&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/pronto/62313e9e9d20f3ed59fcf8d2c7fc3b44">trying to piece together her motive</a>.Scores of people attended West's midday funeral at Doxa Church in Fitchburg, a Madison suburb. West's casket was set up before a stage decorated with Christmas trees adorned with golden lights. A giant photograph of her was displayed on a screen above the stage throughout the hourlong service.Rob Warren, the church's pastor, fought back tears as he welcomed people.“In a sense, no one wants to be here,” he said. “But in another sense I believe we're all supposed to be here right now, to hurt and heal together. As painful as it is, I believe we really all do need this moment.”According to West's obituary, she was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2005. She married her husband, Jack, in 2005, in Powder Springs, Georgia. The couple has three daughters.Warren read several verses from West's personal Bible, remarking on all the handwritten notes and underlined sections throughout. He said that after Jack West gave him the Bible, the first page he turned to had the phrase “the Gospel is for everyone” written in blue ink.“This is what Erin West was about,” the pastor said, adding later: “Erin is in heaven right now with Jesus and she's more alive than she ever has been and that's the truth.”Nate Kaloupek, Doxa Church's director of leadership development and equipping, gave a short elegy, describing how Erin met Jack in an online Christian chatroom and how Jack's company, Cardinal Glass, moved the couple around the country, first to Oklahoma and the Pacific Northwest before they settled in Wisconsin about six years ago.Struggling at times to find his voice, Kaloupek said Erin loved the fast food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A and she showed her Georgia roots often by quipping "love y'all” or “hey, y'all."He joked that Erin was “really bad” at hiding her emotions and felt God had called her to work at ALCS. She led prayers for people in their church group and tracked what prayers were answered, he said.She loved camping trips with her family, wine-tasting trips with her husband and was looking forward to taking their daughters to Disney World this spring, he added, before concluding the elegy with: “She'd want me to say ‘love y’all.' Thank you.”

Scores attend funeral for teacher who died in school shooting

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-strike-holidays-b0376dbbb388a3cfdfe92297a7a41a35">five-day strike</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/starbucks-corp">Starbucks</a>&nbsp;baristas had closed 59 stores as of Monday afternoon, according to the union organizing the workers.

The strike, which began Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago and Starbucks' hometown of Seattle, spread Monday to stores in Boston, Dallas and Portland, Ore. Workers in New York, Denver, Pittsburgh and other cities had also joined the strike over the weekend.

Workers are protesting a lack of progress in contract negotiation with the company. Starbucks Workers United, which began the unionization effort in 2021, said Starbucks has failed to honor a commitment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-union-workers-united-ef16b24b20d43a6addadf91c0067bd28">made in February</a>&nbsp;to reach a labor agreement this year.

The union also wants the company to resolve outstanding legal issues, including hundreds of unfair labor practice charges that workers have filed with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-starbucks-union-fired-workers-tennessee-18547e128a14fae93a148383f48cb305">National Labor Relations Board</a>. Since 2021, baristas at 535 company-owned U.S. Starbucks stores have voted to join the union.

The strike comes at one of the busiest times of the year for Starbucks. But the company said Monday it has had “no significant impact” to its store operations. Starbucks has around 10,000 company-operated stores in the U.S.

“We respect our partners’ right to engage in lawful strike activity, and we appreciate the thousands of partners across the country who are continuing to support each other and deliver the Starbucks experience for our customers," the company said Monday in a statement.

The two side have been bargaining since the spring but appear to have reached an impasse over economic issues. Starbucks said it has committed to an annual pay increase of 1.5% or more for unionized workers. If the company gave a lower increase to non-union workers in any given year, it still would give union workers a 1.5% increase.

Starbucks said its U.S. baristas make an average of $18 per hour. With benefits — including health care, free college tuition and paid family leave — Starbucks’ pay package is worth an average of $30 per hour for baristas who work at least 20 hours per week, the company said.

Workers say they deserve more, and note that Starbucks' new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-brian-niccol-f2b918d9862a329d7f0ba3373ebbc444">Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol</a>, who started in September, could make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-niccol-chipotle-coffee-7cf3e56164ad0b9cba05002e7805b1fc">more than $100 million</a>&nbsp;in his first year on the job.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734883727847.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-strike-holidays-b0376dbbb388a3cfdfe92297a7a41a35">five-day strike</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/starbucks-corp">Starbucks</a>&nbsp;baristas had closed 59 stores as of Monday afternoon, according to the union organizing the workers.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsbworkersunited%2Fposts%2Fpfbid022RArfNGig4BsXAHSnJKJeNBW7FFfsAnnuQroHGAVSqW9dSCD64DubD82NfBTuqmml&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="0" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The strike, which began Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago and Starbucks' hometown of Seattle, spread Monday to stores in Boston, Dallas and Portland, Ore. Workers in New York, Denver, Pittsburgh and other cities had also joined the strike over the weekend.Workers are protesting a lack of progress in contract negotiation with the company. Starbucks Workers United, which began the unionization effort in 2021, said Starbucks has failed to honor a commitment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-union-workers-united-ef16b24b20d43a6addadf91c0067bd28">made in February</a>&nbsp;to reach a labor agreement this year.The union also wants the company to resolve outstanding legal issues, including hundreds of unfair labor practice charges that workers have filed with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-starbucks-union-fired-workers-tennessee-18547e128a14fae93a148383f48cb305">National Labor Relations Board</a>. Since 2021, baristas at 535 company-owned U.S. Starbucks stores have voted to join the union.The strike comes at one of the busiest times of the year for Starbucks. But the company said Monday it has had “no significant impact” to its store operations. Starbucks has around 10,000 company-operated stores in the U.S.“We respect our partners’ right to engage in lawful strike activity, and we appreciate the thousands of partners across the country who are continuing to support each other and deliver the Starbucks experience for our customers," the company said Monday in a statement.The two side have been bargaining since the spring but appear to have reached an impasse over economic issues. Starbucks said it has committed to an annual pay increase of 1.5% or more for unionized workers. If the company gave a lower increase to non-union workers in any given year, it still would give union workers a 1.5% increase.Starbucks said its U.S. baristas make an average of $18 per hour. With benefits — including health care, free college tuition and paid family leave — Starbucks’ pay package is worth an average of $30 per hour for baristas who work at least 20 hours per week, the company said.Workers say they deserve more, and note that Starbucks' new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-brian-niccol-f2b918d9862a329d7f0ba3373ebbc444">Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol</a>, who started in September, could make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-niccol-chipotle-coffee-7cf3e56164ad0b9cba05002e7805b1fc">more than $100 million</a>&nbsp;in his first year on the job.

Starbucks strike expands closing more US stores

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday announced that he is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/23/fact-sheet-president-biden-commutes-the-sentences-of-37-individuals-on-death-row/">commuting the sentences</a>&nbsp;of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office.

The move spares the lives of people&nbsp;<a href="https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/state-and-federal-info/federal-death-penalty/list-of-federal-death-row-prisoners">convicted in killings</a>, including the slayings of police and military officers, people on federal land and those involved in deadly bank robberies or drug deals, as well as the killings of guards or prisoners in federal facilities.

It means just three federal inmates continue to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-389bcc56019f268cb1056e37a517bd6c">2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church</a>&nbsp;in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/dzhokhar-tsarnaev">Dzhokhar Tsarnaev</a>; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-death-penalty-27e3b1a505cacdd674ee9b8a179aa1a8">Tree of life Synagogue in 2018</a>, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/23/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-federal-death-row-commutations/">“I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden said in a statement</a>. “Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.”

Reaction to the president's end-of-year act of clemency was strong, particularly among those who were victimized by Roof.

Michael Graham, whose sister Cynthia Hurd was killed by Roof, wants him to die for his crimes and was thankful Biden kept him on death row. He said Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the U.S. means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for.

“This was a crime against a race of people who were doing something all Americans do on a Wednesday night – go to Bible study,” Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.”

Felicia Sanders, who shielded her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son Tywanza and her aunt Susie Jackson sent her lawyer, Andy Savage, a text message that called Biden's decision to not spare Roof's life a wonderful Christmas gift.

The Biden administration in 2021 announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-executions-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-e7d40ed2dcf68f8b1e49001c1acfb2a8">moratorium</a>&nbsp;on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used, which suspended executions during Biden's term. But Biden actually had promised to go further on the issue in the past, pledging to end federal executions without the caveats for terrorism and hate-motivated, mass killings.

While running for president in 2020, Biden's campaign website said he would “work to pass legislation to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-penalty-politics-biden-trump-federal-moratorium-a76fe555f61c3cf6e09b87433f77966f">eliminate the death penalty at the federal level</a>, and incentivize states to follow the federal government’s example.”

Similar language didn't appear on Biden's reelection website before he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">left the presidential race</a>&nbsp;in July.

“Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden's statement said. “But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, vice president, and now president, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.”

He took a political jab at Trump, saying, “In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.”

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has spoken frequently of expanding executions. In a speech&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-2024-updates-cd5339d48064a149527e8f9a1aa7614e">announcing his 2024 campaign</a>, Trump called for those “caught selling drugs to receive the death penalty for their heinous acts.” He later promised to execute drug and human smugglers and even praised China's harsher treatment of drug peddlers. During his first term as president, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/653b2353f34e495099d9b004acbcc090">also advocated for the death penalty for drug dealers</a>.

There were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-28e44cc5c026dc16472751bbde0ead50">13 federal executions</a>&nbsp;during Trump's first term, more than under any president in modern history, and some may have happened fast enough to have contributed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-prisons-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-956da680790108d8b7e2d8f1567f3803">spread of the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;at the federal death row facility in Indiana.

Those were the first federal executions since 2003. The final three occurred after Election Day in November 2020 but before Trump left office the following January, the first time federal prisoners were put to death by a lame-duck president since Grover Cleveland in 1889.

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-clemency-4432002d67334e6716c2776fd73f3cc8">faced recent pressure</a>&nbsp;from advocacy groups urging him to act to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The president's announcement also comes less than two weeks after he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/12/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-clemency-for-nearly-1500-americans/">commuted the sentences</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/12/clemency-recipient-list-7/">roughly 1,500 people</a>&nbsp;who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and of 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

The announcement also followed the post-election pardon that Biden granted his son Hunter on federal gun and tax charges after long saying he would not issue one, sparking an uproar in Washington. The pardon also raised questions about whether he would issue sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-trump-f36ead0eb92ea30e47cbfddfaf326f20">preemptive pardons</a>&nbsp;for administration officials and other allies who the White House worries could be unjustly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-enemies-from-within-5c4a34776469a55e71d3ba4d4e68cf62">targeted by Trump’s</a>&nbsp;second administration.

Speculation that Biden could commute federal death sentences intensified last week after the White House announced he plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-vatican-pope-frances-842948a7a8d37122b38b2545e1a92568">visit Italy on the final foreign trip of his presidency</a>&nbsp;next month. Biden, a practicing Catholic, will meet with Pope Francis, who recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-appeal-prayers-federal-death-row-grace-inmates.html">called for prayers for U.S. death row inmates</a>&nbsp;in hopes their sentences will be commuted.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has long called for an end to the death penalty, said Biden's decision is a “significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity in our nation” and moves the country “a step closer to building a culture of life.”

Martin Luther King III, who publicly urged Biden to change the death sentences, said in a statement shared by the White House that the president "has done what no president before him was willing to do: take meaningful and lasting action not just to acknowledge the death penalty’s racist roots but also to remedy its persistent unfairness.”

Madeline Cohen, an attorney for Norris Holder, who faced death for the 1997 fatal shooting of a guard during a bank robbery in St. Louis, said his case “reflects many of the system's flaws” and thanked Biden for converting his sentence to life in prison. Holder, who is Black, was sentenced by an all-white jury.

“Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said.

Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by one of the men whose death sentence was converted, said the execution of "the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace."

“The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.”

Weissert reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, and Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734952706781.png" alt="Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush at a rally on Dec. 10, asking President Biden to commute all federal death row sentences." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush at a rally on Dec. 10, asking President Biden to commute all federal death row sentences.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday announced that he is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/23/fact-sheet-president-biden-commutes-the-sentences-of-37-individuals-on-death-row/">commuting the sentences</a>&nbsp;of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734957421965.png" alt="According to the U.S. Attorney, in 2014, a federal jury in Louisiana decided that Thomas Sanders, 57, should be put to death for the brutal kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts in the fall of 2010. Sanders drove several days across the country before he murdered the girl in a wooded area in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Evidence at trial established that Sanders shot Lexis Roberts four times, cut her throat, and left her body in the woods where a hunter found her body . President Biden commuted his sentence-photo Yavapai County, AZ Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>According to the U.S. Attorney, in 2014, a federal jury in Louisiana decided that Thomas Sanders, 57, should be put to death for the brutal kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts in the fall of 2010. Sanders drove several days across the country before he murdered the girl in a wooded area in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Evidence at trial established that Sanders shot Lexis Roberts four times, cut her throat, and left her body in the woods where a hunter found her body . President Biden commuted his sentence-photo Yavapai County, AZ Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734959622195.png" alt="Page 1 White House image" />
 <figcaption>Page 1 White House image</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734959643074.png" alt="Page 2 White House image" />
 <figcaption>Page 2 White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>The move spares the lives of people&nbsp;<a href="https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/state-and-federal-info/federal-death-penalty/list-of-federal-death-row-prisoners">convicted in killings</a>, including the slayings of police and military officers, people on federal land and those involved in deadly bank robberies or drug deals, as well as the killings of guards or prisoners in federal facilities.It means just three federal inmates continue to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-389bcc56019f268cb1056e37a517bd6c">2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church</a>&nbsp;in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/dzhokhar-tsarnaev">Dzhokhar Tsarnaev</a>; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-death-penalty-27e3b1a505cacdd674ee9b8a179aa1a8">Tree of life Synagogue in 2018</a>, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/23/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-federal-death-row-commutations/">“I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden said in a statement</a>. “Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734969024431.png" alt="Serial killer Jorge Torrez, sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia also pleaded guilty for the&nbsp; fatal stabbings of 8-year-old Laura Hobbs and 9-year-old Krystal Tobias on Mother's Day 2005.&nbsp; President Biden commuted his sentence-photo Lake County, Illinois Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Serial killer Jorge Torrez, sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia also pleaded guilty for the&nbsp; fatal stabbings of 8-year-old Laura Hobbs and 9-year-old Krystal Tobias on Mother's Day 2005.&nbsp; President Biden commuted his sentence-photo Lake County, Illinois Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Reaction to the president's end-of-year act of clemency was strong, particularly among those who were victimized by Roof.Michael Graham, whose sister Cynthia Hurd was killed by Roof, wants him to die for his crimes and was thankful Biden kept him on death row. He said Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the U.S. means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for.“This was a crime against a race of people who were doing something all Americans do on a Wednesday night – go to Bible study,” Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.”Felicia Sanders, who shielded her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son Tywanza and her aunt Susie Jackson sent her lawyer, Andy Savage, a text message that called Biden's decision to not spare Roof's life a wonderful Christmas gift.The Biden administration in 2021 announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-executions-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-e7d40ed2dcf68f8b1e49001c1acfb2a8">moratorium</a>&nbsp;on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used, which suspended executions during Biden's term. But Biden actually had promised to go further on the issue in the past, pledging to end federal executions without the caveats for terrorism and hate-motivated, mass killings.While running for president in 2020, Biden's campaign website said he would “work to pass legislation to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-penalty-politics-biden-trump-federal-moratorium-a76fe555f61c3cf6e09b87433f77966f">eliminate the death penalty at the federal level</a>, and incentivize states to follow the federal government’s example.”Similar language didn't appear on Biden's reelection website before he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">left the presidential race</a>&nbsp;in July.“Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden's statement said. “But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, vice president, and now president, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.”He took a political jab at Trump, saying, “In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.”Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has spoken frequently of expanding executions. In a speech&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-2024-updates-cd5339d48064a149527e8f9a1aa7614e">announcing his 2024 campaign</a>, Trump called for those “caught selling drugs to receive the death penalty for their heinous acts.” He later promised to execute drug and human smugglers and even praised China's harsher treatment of drug peddlers. During his first term as president, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/653b2353f34e495099d9b004acbcc090">also advocated for the death penalty for drug dealers</a>.There were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-28e44cc5c026dc16472751bbde0ead50">13 federal executions</a>&nbsp;during Trump's first term, more than under any president in modern history, and some may have happened fast enough to have contributed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-prisons-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-956da680790108d8b7e2d8f1567f3803">spread of the coronavirus</a>&nbsp;at the federal death row facility in Indiana.Those were the first federal executions since 2003. The final three occurred after Election Day in November 2020 but before Trump left office the following January, the first time federal prisoners were put to death by a lame-duck president since Grover Cleveland in 1889.Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-clemency-4432002d67334e6716c2776fd73f3cc8">faced recent pressure</a>&nbsp;from advocacy groups urging him to act to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The president's announcement also comes less than two weeks after he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/12/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-clemency-for-nearly-1500-americans/">commuted the sentences</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/12/clemency-recipient-list-7/">roughly 1,500 people</a>&nbsp;who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and of 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.The announcement also followed the post-election pardon that Biden granted his son Hunter on federal gun and tax charges after long saying he would not issue one, sparking an uproar in Washington. The pardon also raised questions about whether he would issue sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-trump-f36ead0eb92ea30e47cbfddfaf326f20">preemptive pardons</a>&nbsp;for administration officials and other allies who the White House worries could be unjustly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-enemies-from-within-5c4a34776469a55e71d3ba4d4e68cf62">targeted by Trump’s</a>&nbsp;second administration.Speculation that Biden could commute federal death sentences intensified last week after the White House announced he plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-vatican-pope-frances-842948a7a8d37122b38b2545e1a92568">visit Italy on the final foreign trip of his presidency</a>&nbsp;next month. Biden, a practicing Catholic, will meet with Pope Francis, who recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-appeal-prayers-federal-death-row-grace-inmates.html">called for prayers for U.S. death row inmates</a>&nbsp;in hopes their sentences will be commuted.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has long called for an end to the death penalty, said Biden's decision is a “significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity in our nation” and moves the country “a step closer to building a culture of life.”Martin Luther King III, who publicly urged Biden to change the death sentences, said in a statement shared by the White House that the president "has done what no president before him was willing to do: take meaningful and lasting action not just to acknowledge the death penalty’s racist roots but also to remedy its persistent unfairness.”Madeline Cohen, an attorney for Norris Holder, who faced death for the 1997 fatal shooting of a guard during a bank robbery in St. Louis, said his case “reflects many of the system's flaws” and thanked Biden for converting his sentence to life in prison. Holder, who is Black, was sentenced by an all-white jury.“Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said.Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by one of the men whose death sentence was converted, said the execution of "the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace."“The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.”___Weissert reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, and Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, contributed to this report.

Read the list: Biden commutes sentences of nearly all on federal death row

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a theft and asking the public if they recognize the thief who was caught stealing money out of a local business’ tip jar repeatedly over the weekend, according to a social media report from Claycomo police.

"We’d sure like to talk to him about his actions, his future, and about those “shoes” he’s wearing."

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a theft and asking the public if they recognize the thief who was caught stealing money out of a local business’ tip jar repeatedly over the weekend, according to a social media report from Claycomo police.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FClaycomoPD%2Fvideos%2F580751794560337%2F&show_text=false&width=308&t=1" width="308" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>"We’d sure like to talk to him about his actions, his future, and about those “shoes” he’s wearing."

🎥Police: Man accused of stealing from tip jar at KC area business

MCPHERSON COUNTY— One person died in a house fire in McPherson County Sunday.

&nbsp;Just after 6 p.m. fire crews and deputies with the McPherson County Sheriff's Office responded to a house fire in the 1000 block of 9th Avenue in rural McPherson County, according to a media release from the McPherson County Sheriff's Office.

Upon deputies arriving at the fire, they entered the residence and began searching for the occupant, who was reported to still be inside the home.

Due to the intensity of the fire, deputies had to back out of the house. Inman Fire and McPherson Fire were able to get the fire contained and the homeowner was located deceased inside of the residence.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. The preliminary investigation determined the fire was accidental and caused by faulty electrical equipment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735038666829.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY— One person died in a house fire in McPherson County Sunday.&nbsp;Just after 6 p.m. fire crews and deputies with the McPherson County Sheriff's Office responded to a house fire in the 1000 block of 9th Avenue in rural McPherson County, according to a media release from the McPherson County Sheriff's Office.Upon deputies arriving at the fire, they entered the residence and began searching for the occupant, who was reported to still be inside the home.Due to the intensity of the fire, deputies had to back out of the house. Inman Fire and McPherson Fire were able to get the fire contained and the homeowner was located deceased inside of the residence.The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. The preliminary investigation determined the fire was accidental and caused by faulty electrical equipment.

Sheriff: One dead in rural Kansas house fire

NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare pleaded not guilty on Monday to state murder and terror charges while his attorney complained that comments coming from New York’s mayor would make it tough to receive a fair trial.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was shackled and seated in a Manhattan court when he leaned over to a microphone to enter his plea. The Manhattan district attorney charged him last week with multiple counts of murder, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-terrorism-law-7fcb28dcc0106c980b6ecf4aa9cf682f">murder as an act of terrorism</a>, in a state case that will run alongside his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-d6575764b6f4c58108e505e6e5ea896d">federal prosecution</a>.

His initial appearance in New York’s state trial court was preempted by federal prosecutors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-d6575764b6f4c58108e505e6e5ea896d">bringing their own charges</a>&nbsp;over the shooting. The federal charges could carry the possibility of the death penalty, while the maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors have said the two cases will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-4cc18cfa71b96aaa39b321f60145d2f0">proceed on parallel tracks</a>, with the state charges expected to go to trial first.

One of Mangione’s attorneys told a judge that government officials, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, have turned Mangione into a political pawn, robbing him of his rights as a defendant and tainting the jury pool.

“I am very concerned about my client’s right to a fair trial,” said Karen Friedman Agnifilo.

The city’s mayor and top police official stood among a throng of heavily armed officers last Thursday when Mangione was flown to a Manhattan heliport and escorted up a pier after being extradited from Pennsylvania.

“I wanted to look him in the eye and say you carried out this terroristic act in my city — the city that the people of New York love,” the mayor told a local TV station.

Friedman Agnifilo said police turned Mangione’s return to New York into a choreographed spectacle.

“He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest stage perp walk I’ve ever seen in my career. It was absolutely unnecessary,” she said.

His attorney also accused federal and state prosecutors of advancing conflicting legal theories, calling their approach confusing and highly unusual. “He is being treated like a human pingpong ball between warring jurisdictions here,” she said Monday.

State trial court Judge Gregory Carro said he has little control over what happens outside the courtroom, but can guarantee Mangione will receive a fair trial.

Authorities say Mangione gunned down Brian Thompson as he was walking to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan on the morning of Dec 4.

Mangione was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s after a five-day search, carrying a gun that matched the one used in the shooting and a fake ID, police said. He also was carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, according to federal prosecutors.

At a news conference last week, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the application of the terrorism law reflected the severity of a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.”

“In its most basic terms, this was a killing that was intended to evoke terror,” he added.

Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried.

During his court appearance Monday, he smiled at times when talking with his attorneys and stretched his right hand after an officer removed his cuffs.

Outside the courthouse, a few dozen supporters chanted, “Free Luigi,” over the blare of a trumpet.

Natalie Monarrez, a 55-year-old Staten Island resident, said she joined the demonstration because she lost both her mother and her life savings as a result of denied insurance claims.

“As extreme as it was, it jolted the conversation that we need to deal with this issue,” she said of the shooting. “Enough is enough, people are fed up.”

An Ivy-league graduate from a prominent Maryland family, Mangione appeared to have cut himself off from family and friends in recent months. He posted frequently in online forums about his struggles with back pain. He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/luigi-mangione-united-healthcare-ceo-d148fbdde498c3ea4cf768945889d7e7">never a UnitedHealthcare client</a>, according to the insurer.

Thompson, a married father of two high-schoolers, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group for 20 years and became CEO of its insurance arm in 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734643890089.png" alt="Luigi Mangione photo NYPD" />
 <figcaption>Luigi Mangione photo NYPD</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare pleaded not guilty on Monday to state murder and terror charges while his attorney complained that comments coming from New York’s mayor would make it tough to receive a fair trial.Luigi Mangione, 26, was shackled and seated in a Manhattan court when he leaned over to a microphone to enter his plea. The Manhattan district attorney charged him last week with multiple counts of murder, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-terrorism-law-7fcb28dcc0106c980b6ecf4aa9cf682f">murder as an act of terrorism</a>, in a state case that will run alongside his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-d6575764b6f4c58108e505e6e5ea896d">federal prosecution</a>.His initial appearance in New York’s state trial court was preempted by federal prosecutors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-d6575764b6f4c58108e505e6e5ea896d">bringing their own charges</a>&nbsp;over the shooting. The federal charges could carry the possibility of the death penalty, while the maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole.Prosecutors have said the two cases will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-4cc18cfa71b96aaa39b321f60145d2f0">proceed on parallel tracks</a>, with the state charges expected to go to trial first.One of Mangione’s attorneys told a judge that government officials, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, have turned Mangione into a political pawn, robbing him of his rights as a defendant and tainting the jury pool.“I am very concerned about my client’s right to a fair trial,” said Karen Friedman Agnifilo.The city’s mayor and top police official stood among a throng of heavily armed officers last Thursday when Mangione was flown to a Manhattan heliport and escorted up a pier after being extradited from Pennsylvania.“I wanted to look him in the eye and say you carried out this terroristic act in my city — the city that the people of New York love,” the mayor told a local TV station.Friedman Agnifilo said police turned Mangione’s return to New York into a choreographed spectacle.“He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest stage perp walk I’ve ever seen in my career. It was absolutely unnecessary,” she said.His attorney also accused federal and state prosecutors of advancing conflicting legal theories, calling their approach confusing and highly unusual. “He is being treated like a human pingpong ball between warring jurisdictions here,” she said Monday.State trial court Judge Gregory Carro said he has little control over what happens outside the courtroom, but can guarantee Mangione will receive a fair trial.Authorities say Mangione gunned down Brian Thompson as he was walking to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan on the morning of Dec 4.Mangione was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s after a five-day search, carrying a gun that matched the one used in the shooting and a fake ID, police said. He also was carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, according to federal prosecutors.At a news conference last week, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the application of the terrorism law reflected the severity of a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.”“In its most basic terms, this was a killing that was intended to evoke terror,” he added.Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried.During his court appearance Monday, he smiled at times when talking with his attorneys and stretched his right hand after an officer removed his cuffs.Outside the courthouse, a few dozen supporters chanted, “Free Luigi,” over the blare of a trumpet.Natalie Monarrez, a 55-year-old Staten Island resident, said she joined the demonstration because she lost both her mother and her life savings as a result of denied insurance claims.“As extreme as it was, it jolted the conversation that we need to deal with this issue,” she said of the shooting. “Enough is enough, people are fed up.”An Ivy-league graduate from a prominent Maryland family, Mangione appeared to have cut himself off from family and friends in recent months. He posted frequently in online forums about his struggles with back pain. He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/luigi-mangione-united-healthcare-ceo-d148fbdde498c3ea4cf768945889d7e7">never a UnitedHealthcare client</a>, according to the insurer.Thompson, a married father of two high-schoolers, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group for 20 years and became CEO of its insurance arm in 2021.The killing has prompted some to voice their resentment at U.S. health insurers, with Mangione&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-luigi-mangione-josh-shapiro-3a8c64a0bc412e0eeb84bca0c99b6e67">serving as a stand-in</a>&nbsp;for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty medical bills. It also has sent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-security-threats-wanted-posters-9a6687d14e667e5b48a1581923830e3f">shockwaves through the corporate world</a>, rattling executives who say they have received a spike in threats.