WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating the murder&nbsp; over the the Thanksgiving weekend have identified the victim as 17-year-old&nbsp;Nicholas Brooks of Kansas City, Kansas, according a media release from police.

Just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the area of N. 2nd Street and Quindaro Blvd. in Kansas City, Kansas, after reports of a deceased person inside a vehicle.

First responders found Brooks inside a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit.&nbsp; Police have not reported possible suspect details.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating the murder&nbsp; over the the Thanksgiving weekend have identified the victim as 17-year-old&nbsp;Nicholas Brooks of Kansas City, Kansas, according a media release from police.Just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the area of N. 2nd Street and Quindaro Blvd. in Kansas City, Kansas, after reports of a deceased person inside a vehicle.First responders found Brooks inside a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit.&nbsp; Police have not reported possible suspect details.

Victim in Thanksgiving weekend killing was 17-year-old Kan. boy

JERUSALEM —U.S. forces destroyed imminent threats to&nbsp;U.S. and Coalition forces near military support site Euphrates.

On Tuesday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed several weapon systems in the vicinity of Military Support Site Euphrates that included three truck mounted Multiple Rocket Launchers, a T-64 tank, an armored personnel carrier and mortars that presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and Coalition forces, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

The self-defense strike occurred after the truck mounted Multiple Rocket Launcher, armored personnel carrier and mortars were fired toward U.S. forces.

The U.S. mission in Syria remains unchanged as U.S. and Coalition forces continue to focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS.  The ongoing support of regional partners and operations in Syria are unrelated to recent events in northwest Syria.

U.S. forces continue to monitor the situation and remain in constant communication with our other forces in the region as the situation develops.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728066701383.png" alt="A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor -photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor -photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —U.S. forces destroyed imminent threats to&nbsp;U.S. and Coalition forces near military support site Euphrates.On Tuesday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed several weapon systems in the vicinity of Military Support Site Euphrates that included three truck mounted Multiple Rocket Launchers, a T-64 tank, an armored personnel carrier and mortars that presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and Coalition forces, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.The self-defense strike occurred after the truck mounted Multiple Rocket Launcher, armored personnel carrier and mortars were fired toward U.S. forces.The U.S. mission in Syria remains unchanged as U.S. and Coalition forces continue to focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS. The ongoing support of regional partners and operations in Syria are unrelated to recent events in northwest Syria.U.S. forces continue to monitor the situation and remain in constant communication with our other forces in the region as the situation develops.

U.S. military destroys imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces

DECATUR COUNTY –&nbsp;The Oberlin Police Department reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that 97-year-old Loyal Shirley was located and is now safe.

MARSHALL COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a Statewide Silver Alert for a missing Marshall County man. 

The whereabouts of 97-year-old Loyal Shirley are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Mr. Shirley was last seen on Dec. 3, around 7 p.m. He is driving a 2013 Silver Cadillac XTS bearing Kansas tag 8051AFY. An AirTag pinged him approximately two miles east of Mankato, Kansas at 7:40 p.m. 

Shirley is described as a white male who is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. He has white hair and blue eyes. 

Shirley was last seen wearing a blue and grey sweatshirt and a plaid shirt with black or grey slacks.

If you see Loyal Shirley, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 562-3141.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733310166694.png" alt="Loyal Shirley courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Loyal Shirley courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DECATUR COUNTY –&nbsp;The Oberlin Police Department reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that 97-year-old Loyal Shirley was located and is now safe.The silver alert is canceled.----------MARSHALL COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a Statewide Silver Alert for a missing Marshall County man. The whereabouts of 97-year-old Loyal Shirley are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Mr. Shirley was last seen on Dec. 3, around 7 p.m. He is driving a 2013 Silver Cadillac XTS bearing Kansas tag 8051AFY. An AirTag pinged him approximately two miles east of Mankato, Kansas at 7:40 p.m. Shirley is described as a white male who is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. He has white hair and blue eyes. Shirley was last seen wearing a blue and grey sweatshirt and a plaid shirt with black or grey slacks.If you see Loyal Shirley, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office at (785) 562-3141.

KBI: Statewide Silver Alert canceled, missing Kansas man found

🎧 Supreme Court hears case on gender-affirming care for minors

BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — Rowan Ford knew&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-date-set-christopher-collings-e81def9fe66d34cab516b7945be057b5">Christopher Collings</a>&nbsp;as “Uncle Chris” after he spent several months living with her family. On Tuesday, Collings was executed for sexually assaulting and killing the child, then dumping her body in a sinkhole outside a small Missouri town.

Collings, 49, was put to death with a single dose of pentobarbital on Tuesday evening at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri. The execution was the 23rd in the U.S. this year and the fourth in Missouri. Only Alabama with six and Texas with five have performed more executions in 2024.

Collings spoke with a spiritual adviser who was at his side as the process began. Shortly thereafter, the inmate appeared to breathe heavily and swallow hard. After a few seconds, all movement stopped. He was officially declared dead nine minutes after the injection.

Collings’ fate was sealed Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court turned aside an appeal and Republican Gov. Mike Parson denied clemency.

“Right or wrong I accept this situation for what it is,” Collings said in a written final statement. “To anyone that I have hurt in this life I am sorry. I hope that you are able to get closure and move on.” He added, “I hope to see you in heaven one day.”

Parson, in a statement, said he hopes that “all those who knew and loved Rowan may find peace in knowing that justice has been done.”

Rowan was a fourth-grader described by teachers at Collings’ trial as a hard-working and happy student, a lover of Barbie who had her room painted pink. Collings was a friend of Rowan’s stepfather, David Spears, and lived for several months in 2007 at the home Rowan shared with her mother, Colleen Munson, and Spears. Collings sometimes helped Rowan with her homework.

Collings told authorities that he drank heavily and smoked marijuana with Spears and another man in the hours before the attack on Rowan, according to court records. Collings said he picked up the still-sleeping child from her bed, took her to the camper where he lived, and assaulted her.

Collings planned to take Rowan back home, leading her outside the camper facing away from him so that she couldn’t identify him, he said in his confession. But when moonlight lit up the darkness, Rowan was able to see Collings, he told police. He said he “freaked out,” grabbed a rope from a nearby pickup truck, and strangled her.

Munson returned home from work at 9 a.m. on Nov. 3 and was alarmed when she couldn’t find Rowan, walking the neighborhood looking for her. Court records said Spears insisted Rowan was at a friend’s house. But when Rowan failed to return home by the afternoon, the mother called the police, prompting a massive search.

Collings, Spears and the third man became the focus of police attention because they were the last people seen at Rowan’s home. Collings confessed to the crime and told police that after killing Rowan, he took the body to a sinkhole. He burned the rope used in the attack, along with the clothes he was wearing and his blood-stained mattress, prosecutors said.

Court documents and the clemency petition said Spears also implicated himself in the crimes. A transcript of Spears’ statement to police, cited in the clemency petition, said Spears told police that Collings handed him a cord and Spears killed Rowan.

“I choke her with it. I realize she’s gone. She’s ... she’s really gone,” Spears said, according to the transcript. Meanwhile, court documents said it was Spears who led authorities to the sinkhole where the body was found.

But Spears was allowed to plead to lesser charges. It wasn’t clear why. Prosecutors at the original trial didn’t respond to messages seeking comment.

Spears served more than seven years in prison before being released in 2015. No phone listing for him could be found.

Collings’ attorney, Jeremy Weis, said the inmate was a loving father and a changed man in prison and didn't deserve to die, despite his crimes.

“We share Chris's desire that his death will provide a measure of closure for the victim's family and that the people hurt by him will be able to carry on,” Weis said in a statement. “What occurred today, though, was an act of vengeance, but it will not define Chris, nor will it be how we remember him.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723583895173.png" alt="Collings photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Collings photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — Rowan Ford knew&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-date-set-christopher-collings-e81def9fe66d34cab516b7945be057b5">Christopher Collings</a>&nbsp;as “Uncle Chris” after he spent several months living with her family. On Tuesday, Collings was executed for sexually assaulting and killing the child, then dumping her body in a sinkhole outside a small Missouri town.Collings, 49, was put to death with a single dose of pentobarbital on Tuesday evening at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri. The execution was the 23rd in the U.S. this year and the fourth in Missouri. Only Alabama with six and Texas with five have performed more executions in 2024.Collings spoke with a spiritual adviser who was at his side as the process began. Shortly thereafter, the inmate appeared to breathe heavily and swallow hard. After a few seconds, all movement stopped. He was officially declared dead nine minutes after the injection.Collings’ fate was sealed Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court turned aside an appeal and Republican Gov. Mike Parson denied clemency.“Right or wrong I accept this situation for what it is,” Collings said in a written final statement. “To anyone that I have hurt in this life I am sorry. I hope that you are able to get closure and move on.” He added, “I hope to see you in heaven one day.”Parson, in a statement, said he hopes that “all those who knew and loved Rowan may find peace in knowing that justice has been done.”Rowan was a fourth-grader described by teachers at Collings’ trial as a hard-working and happy student, a lover of Barbie who had her room painted pink. Collings was a friend of Rowan’s stepfather, David Spears, and lived for several months in 2007 at the home Rowan shared with her mother, Colleen Munson, and Spears. Collings sometimes helped Rowan with her homework.Collings told authorities that he drank heavily and smoked marijuana with Spears and another man in the hours before the attack on Rowan, according to court records. Collings said he picked up the still-sleeping child from her bed, took her to the camper where he lived, and assaulted her.Collings planned to take Rowan back home, leading her outside the camper facing away from him so that she couldn’t identify him, he said in his confession. But when moonlight lit up the darkness, Rowan was able to see Collings, he told police. He said he “freaked out,” grabbed a rope from a nearby pickup truck, and strangled her.Munson returned home from work at 9 a.m. on Nov. 3 and was alarmed when she couldn’t find Rowan, walking the neighborhood looking for her. Court records said Spears insisted Rowan was at a friend’s house. But when Rowan failed to return home by the afternoon, the mother called the police, prompting a massive search.Collings, Spears and the third man became the focus of police attention because they were the last people seen at Rowan’s home. Collings confessed to the crime and told police that after killing Rowan, he took the body to a sinkhole. He burned the rope used in the attack, along with the clothes he was wearing and his blood-stained mattress, prosecutors said.Court documents and the clemency petition said Spears also implicated himself in the crimes. A transcript of Spears’ statement to police, cited in the clemency petition, said Spears told police that Collings handed him a cord and Spears killed Rowan.“I choke her with it. I realize she’s gone. She’s ... she’s really gone,” Spears said, according to the transcript. Meanwhile, court documents said it was Spears who led authorities to the sinkhole where the body was found.But Spears was allowed to plead to lesser charges. It wasn’t clear why. Prosecutors at the original trial didn’t respond to messages seeking comment.Spears served more than seven years in prison before being released in 2015. No phone listing for him could be found.Collings’ attorney, Jeremy Weis, said the inmate was a loving father and a changed man in prison and didn't deserve to die, despite his crimes.“We share Chris's desire that his death will provide a measure of closure for the victim's family and that the people hurt by him will be able to carry on,” Weis said in a statement. “What occurred today, though, was an act of vengeance, but it will not define Chris, nor will it be how we remember him.”

Man who killed 9-year-old apologized before execution

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

A 42-year-old Hays man was sentenced last month to more than two and a half years in prison for killing a man outside a Hays bar in June 2023.

Keith Allen Ostrom was initially charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of 63-year-old Larry Braun outside the Horseshoe Bar in Hays on June 25, 2023.

Ostrom was sentenced Wednesday, Nov. 20, to 32 months in prison by Ellis County District Court Judge Glenn Braun.

According to the Hays Police Department, in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 26, 2023, 63-year-old Larry D. Braun was shot in the neck following an incident at the Horseshoe Bar.

Braun died as a result of his wounds, and police arrested Ostrom.

Court documents showed that Ostrom had claimed that the shooting was in self-defense. He, at one point during the investigation, told police that he believed Braun had a knife.

Court documents indicated Ostrom claimed the shooting was self-defense. At one point during the investigation, he told police he believed Braun had a knife.

However, according to the initial police report, Ostrom did not tell police on the scene about the knife.

Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson said a witness to the event that night, who was sober, told police that Braun did not have a knife, but during grand jury testimony, the witness said Braun did have a knife.

Anderson said the questions about self-defense were the main reason he presented the case to a grand jury.

On Aug. 9, 2023, the 15-member grand jury returned an indictment charging Ostrom with voluntary manslaughter, criminal discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol and endangerment.

In October, Ostrom pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

At sentencing, Ostrom’s attorney requested the judge sentence him to probation instead of prison.

They cited his lack of criminal history, his age, and his current medical condition—he has a kidney condition that requires several dialysis treatments a week—as all reasons why the judge should sentence Ostrom to probation instead of prison.

Braun denied the motion, saying that if you take a life in Ellis County, there have to be consequences.

He sentenced Ostrom to 32 months in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733240682925.png" alt="Ostrom is being held in the Lansing Correctional Facility" />
 <figcaption>Ostrom is being held in the Lansing Correctional Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostA 42-year-old Hays man was sentenced last month to more than two and a half years in prison for killing a man outside a Hays bar in June 2023.Keith Allen Ostrom was initially charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of 63-year-old Larry Braun outside the Horseshoe Bar in Hays on June 25, 2023.Ostrom was sentenced Wednesday, Nov. 20, to 32 months in prison by Ellis County District Court Judge Glenn Braun.According to the Hays Police Department, in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 26, 2023, 63-year-old Larry D. Braun was shot in the neck following an incident at the Horseshoe Bar.Braun died as a result of his wounds, and police arrested Ostrom.Court documents showed that Ostrom had claimed that the shooting was in self-defense. He, at one point during the investigation, told police that he believed Braun had a knife.Court documents indicated Ostrom claimed the shooting was self-defense. At one point during the investigation, he told police he believed Braun had a knife.However, according to the initial police report, Ostrom did not tell police on the scene about the knife.Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson said a witness to the event that night, who was sober, told police that Braun did not have a knife, but during grand jury testimony, the witness said Braun did have a knife.Anderson said the questions about self-defense were the main reason he presented the case to a grand jury.On Aug. 9, 2023, the 15-member grand jury returned an indictment charging Ostrom with voluntary manslaughter, criminal discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol and endangerment.In October, Ostrom pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.At sentencing, Ostrom’s attorney requested the judge sentence him to probation instead of prison.They cited his lack of criminal history, his age, and his current medical condition—he has a kidney condition that requires several dialysis treatments a week—as all reasons why the judge should sentence Ostrom to probation instead of prison.Braun denied the motion, saying that if you take a life in Ellis County, there have to be consequences.He sentenced Ostrom to 32 months in prison.

Prison for killing outside NW Kansas bar

SUMNER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 2p.m. Tuesday in Sumner County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Edward&nbsp;Fitzpatrick, 73, Neosho Falls, was northbound on U.S. 81 one half mile east of north Seneca Road.

The pickup traveled left of center and into the north ditch. The driver overcorrected and the pickup struck a barrier, continued in the ditch and came to rest on its roof in the Ninnescha River. 

EMS transported Fitzpatrick to Wesley Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733275271710.png" alt="Image courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 2p.m. Tuesday in Sumner County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Edward&nbsp;Fitzpatrick, 73, Neosho Falls, was northbound on U.S. 81 one half mile east of north Seneca Road.The pickup traveled left of center and into the north ditch. The driver overcorrected and the pickup struck a barrier, continued in the ditch and came to rest on its roof in the Ninnescha River. EMS transported Fitzpatrick to Wesley Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after pickup lands on its roof in a river

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s the final holiday stretch for President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill</a>, who has decked out the White House with some whimsical decorations to evoke the “peace and light” of the season.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays-2024/">Click here to see</a> more on the White House decorations

<a href="file:///Users/stanwunruh/Downloads/Holiday-Tourbook-2024.pdf">Click here to see</a> the White House holiday gift guide

The festive display includes a towering Christmas tree surrounded by an amusement park-style carousel, brass-colored bells and sleigh bells lining a hallway, and a ceiling design that mimics snowfall.

The first lady invited National Guard families to be among the first members of the public to see the decorations, which are based on the theme of “A Season of Peace and Light.” She also spoke at a separate event held to thank the volunteers who helped with the monumental job of decorating the interior and exterior of the White House.

“This would not be possible without your work,” she said. “It’s been incredible to watch all of you transform this space year after year, and you traded time with families for hours of gluing.”

More than 300 volunteers spent the past week decorating the White House’s public spaces and its 83 Christmas trees with nearly 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) of ribbon, more than 28,000 ornaments, over 2,200 paper doves and some 165,000 lights used on wreaths, garlands and other displays.

The official White House tree, a towering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-north-carolina-helene-e4868d6b13c65cd4944c5fe26fafb058">Fraser fir from North Carolina</a>&nbsp;that was anchored to the ceiling of the Blue Room after a chandelier was removed, sits at the center of a colorful carousel with reindeer, swans and other animals bobbing up and down on poles. The tree is awash in twinkling multicolored lights and three-dimensional holiday sweets like peppermints and ribbon candies. It also sports the names of every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia.

Guests enter the White House beneath a rotating starlight and quickly come upon the Gold Star tree, honoring the families of fallen service members. The tree is made of six gold-toned stars, one for each of the six branches of the military, stacked one on top of the other.

The bells lining the East Colonnade hallway are meant to symbolize the sounds of the holidays. The ceiling and windows upstairs in the East Room are covered with reflective decorations designed to create the feeling of snow falling. Silhouettes of people holding hands decorate the bases of two large Christmas trees that flank the center door of the room.

Light shines through colored glass ornaments and prisms in the Green Room while paper doves in the Red Room carry messages of peace. Doves are also suspended overhead along the Cross Hall, which runs between the East Room and the State Dining Room.

In the State Dining Room, a starburst made out of sugar shines above the massive gingerbread White House, which includes snow-covered South Grounds dotted with dozens of twinkling mini Christmas trees and a scene of people ice skating in a rink on the South Lawn.

The sugary confection — which is for display purposes only and never eaten — was built using 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 65 pounds (29.48 kilograms) of pastillage, a sugar paste, 45 pounds (20.41 kilograms) of chocolate, 50 pounds (22.68 kilograms) of royal icing, and 10 pounds (4.54 kilograms) of gum paste.

Military families from the USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords, two Navy vessels that Jill Biden sponsors, to make paper garlands decorating the State Dining Room, including two large trees there.

As part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-michelle-obama-michael-pence-volunteer-forces-c13b158b555669e8e46191f641e1538d">Joining Forces</a>, Jill Biden’s White House initiative to support military families, the first lady allowed National Guard families to be the first to experience the decor. She invited their children — girls in sparkly dresses and shoes and boys sporting bow ties — to join her on the stage as she thanked their parents for serving their country.

<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d8f69eb645d74b7886387f713981b739">The Bidens’ late son, Beau</a>, was a major in the Delaware Army National Guard. He died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733259936609.png" alt="Photo White House" />
 <figcaption>Photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s the final holiday stretch for President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill</a>, who has decked out the White House with some whimsical decorations to evoke the “peace and light” of the season.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays-2024/">Click here to see</a> more on the White House decorations<a href="file:///Users/stanwunruh/Downloads/Holiday-Tourbook-2024.pdf">Click here to see</a> the White House holiday gift guideThe festive display includes a towering Christmas tree surrounded by an amusement park-style carousel, brass-colored bells and sleigh bells lining a hallway, and a ceiling design that mimics snowfall.The first lady invited National Guard families to be among the first members of the public to see the decorations, which are based on the theme of “A Season of Peace and Light.” She also spoke at a separate event held to thank the volunteers who helped with the monumental job of decorating the interior and exterior of the White House.“This would not be possible without your work,” she said. “It’s been incredible to watch all of you transform this space year after year, and you traded time with families for hours of gluing.”More than 300 volunteers spent the past week decorating the White House’s public spaces and its 83 Christmas trees with nearly 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) of ribbon, more than 28,000 ornaments, over 2,200 paper doves and some 165,000 lights used on wreaths, garlands and other displays.The official White House tree, a towering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-north-carolina-helene-e4868d6b13c65cd4944c5fe26fafb058">Fraser fir from North Carolina</a>&nbsp;that was anchored to the ceiling of the Blue Room after a chandelier was removed, sits at the center of a colorful carousel with reindeer, swans and other animals bobbing up and down on poles. The tree is awash in twinkling multicolored lights and three-dimensional holiday sweets like peppermints and ribbon candies. It also sports the names of every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia.Guests enter the White House beneath a rotating starlight and quickly come upon the Gold Star tree, honoring the families of fallen service members. The tree is made of six gold-toned stars, one for each of the six branches of the military, stacked one on top of the other.The bells lining the East Colonnade hallway are meant to symbolize the sounds of the holidays. The ceiling and windows upstairs in the East Room are covered with reflective decorations designed to create the feeling of snow falling. Silhouettes of people holding hands decorate the bases of two large Christmas trees that flank the center door of the room.Light shines through colored glass ornaments and prisms in the Green Room while paper doves in the Red Room carry messages of peace. Doves are also suspended overhead along the Cross Hall, which runs between the East Room and the State Dining Room.In the State Dining Room, a starburst made out of sugar shines above the massive gingerbread White House, which includes snow-covered South Grounds dotted with dozens of twinkling mini Christmas trees and a scene of people ice skating in a rink on the South Lawn.The sugary confection — which is for display purposes only and never eaten — was built using 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, 65 pounds (29.48 kilograms) of pastillage, a sugar paste, 45 pounds (20.41 kilograms) of chocolate, 50 pounds (22.68 kilograms) of royal icing, and 10 pounds (4.54 kilograms) of gum paste.Military families from the USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords, two Navy vessels that Jill Biden sponsors, to make paper garlands decorating the State Dining Room, including two large trees there.As part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-michelle-obama-michael-pence-volunteer-forces-c13b158b555669e8e46191f641e1538d">Joining Forces</a>, Jill Biden’s White House initiative to support military families, the first lady allowed National Guard families to be the first to experience the decor. She invited their children — girls in sparkly dresses and shoes and boys sporting bow ties — to join her on the stage as she thanked their parents for serving their country.<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d8f69eb645d74b7886387f713981b739">The Bidens’ late son, Beau</a>, was a major in the Delaware Army National Guard. He died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.

White House holiday theme: Season of Peace and Light

The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic concluded its two-year investigation into the COVID-19 pandemic and released a final report titled “After Action Review of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward.” 

<a href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12.04.2024-SSCP-FINAL-REPORT.pdf">Click here to read</a> the report

The final report will serve as a road map for Congress, the Executive Branch, and the private sector to prepare for and respond to future pandemics. Since February 2023, the Select Subcommittee has sent more than 100 investigative letters, conducted more than 30 transcribed interviews and depositions, held 25 hearings and meetings, and reviewed more than one million pages of documents. Members and staff have exposed high-level corruption in America’s public health system, confirmed the most likely origin of the pandemic, held COVID-19 bad actors publicly accountable, fostered bipartisan consensus on consequential pandemic-era issues, and more. This 520-page final report details all findings of the Select Subcommittee’s investigation.

“This work will help the United States, and the world, predict the next pandemic, prepare for the next pandemic, protect ourselves from the next pandemic, and hopefully prevent the next pandemic. Members of the 119th Congress should continue and build off this work, there is more information to find and honest actions to be taken,”&nbsp;wrote Chairman Wenstrup in a letter to Congress. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a distrust in leadership. Trust is earned. Accountability, transparency, honesty, and integrity will regain this trust. A future pandemic requires a whole of America response managed by those without personal benefit or bias. We can always do better, and for the sake of future generations of Americans, we must. It can be done.”

On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 10:30am, the Select Subcommittee will hold a markup of the final report and officially submit the report to the Congressional record.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733226536127.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic concluded its two-year investigation into the COVID-19 pandemic and released a final report titled “After Action Review of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward.” <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12.04.2024-SSCP-FINAL-REPORT.pdf">Click here to read</a> the reportThe final report will serve as a road map for Congress, the Executive Branch, and the private sector to prepare for and respond to future pandemics. Since February 2023, the Select Subcommittee has sent more than 100 investigative letters, conducted more than 30 transcribed interviews and depositions, held 25 hearings and meetings, and reviewed more than one million pages of documents. Members and staff have exposed high-level corruption in America’s public health system, confirmed the most likely origin of the pandemic, held COVID-19 bad actors publicly accountable, fostered bipartisan consensus on consequential pandemic-era issues, and more. This 520-page final report details all findings of the Select Subcommittee’s investigation.“This work will help the United States, and the world, predict the next pandemic, prepare for the next pandemic, protect ourselves from the next pandemic, and hopefully prevent the next pandemic. Members of the 119th Congress should continue and build off this work, there is more information to find and honest actions to be taken,”&nbsp;wrote Chairman Wenstrup in a letter to Congress. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a distrust in leadership. Trust is earned. Accountability, transparency, honesty, and integrity will regain this trust. A future pandemic requires a whole of America response managed by those without personal benefit or bias. We can always do better, and for the sake of future generations of Americans, we must. It can be done.”On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 10:30am, the Select Subcommittee will hold a markup of the final report and officially submit the report to the Congressional record.&nbsp;

Read the U.S. House COVID-19 pandemic panel’s final report

Washington, D.C. -&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall will be a key founding member of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, which will work closely with President Trump’s newly formed DOGE led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.&nbsp;

“The Federal Government’s waste, fraud, and abuse has left America as a shell of what she once was, and in a historic national debt crisis,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;“The American people gave us a mandate. They are tired of the status quo bureaucracy that strangles businesses in unnecessary regulations, abuses taxpayer monies on pet projects and beltway priorities over the heartland's needs, all while facing ZERO transparency or accountability for its gross mismanagement. Enough is enough; it’s past time for three letter agencies and unelected D.C. bureaucrats to come down to reality and remember&nbsp;‘We the People’&nbsp;sign their checks. DOGE has our work cut out for us, but it’s honorable work that will restore power back to the American people.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) will chair the Senate DOGE Caucus, with Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rick Scott (R-FL), and James Lankford (R-OK) also holding membership in the caucus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706630950527.png" alt="Elon Musk will lead the DOGE along with Vivek Ramaswamy-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Elon Musk will lead the DOGE along with Vivek Ramaswamy-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C. -&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall will be a key founding member of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, which will work closely with President Trump’s newly formed DOGE led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.&nbsp;“The Federal Government’s waste, fraud, and abuse has left America as a shell of what she once was, and in a historic national debt crisis,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;“The American people gave us a mandate. They are tired of the status quo bureaucracy that strangles businesses in unnecessary regulations, abuses taxpayer monies on pet projects and beltway priorities over the heartland's needs, all while facing ZERO transparency or accountability for its gross mismanagement. Enough is enough; it’s past time for three letter agencies and unelected D.C. bureaucrats to come down to reality and remember&nbsp;‘We the People’&nbsp;sign their checks. DOGE has our work cut out for us, but it’s honorable work that will restore power back to the American people.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) will chair the Senate DOGE Caucus, with Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rick Scott (R-FL), and James Lankford (R-OK) also holding membership in the caucus.

Kan. U.S. Senator named to DOGE caucus to eliminate government waste, inefficiency

KANSAS CITY (AP)—The U.S. government said Tuesday it has closed its investigation into an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-outbreak-onions-05c6b6c2461a35c29b774dcd2c20d4d5">E. coli outbreak</a>&nbsp;tied to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers after determining there is no longer a safety risk.

The outbreak, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-outbreak-422c4687cc9218efda03cae73b01f473">began in late October</a>, sickened at least 104 people in 14 states, including 34 who were hospitalized, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. One person in Colorado died and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-investment-franchises-837b91490d833ed17c2a852baacb267e">four people developed a potentially life-threatening kidney disease complication.</a>

The FDA, which conducted the investigation along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments, linked the outbreak to yellow onions distributed by California-based&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-outbreak-e-coli-onions-2bc3fc2d4198d9a5bad52c0028316165">Taylor Farms</a>&nbsp;and served raw on Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and other states. Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of yellow onions on Oct. 22.

Federal and state health officials in Colorado didn’t find the strain of E. coli that caused the illnesses in onions it tested or in any samples from the environment. But they concluded that evidence showed that recalled yellow onions were the likely source of the outbreak.

“McDonald’s is no longer serving recalled onions and there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak,” the FDA said Tuesday in a statement.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mcdonalds-corp">McDonald's</a>&nbsp;briefly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-meal-deal-fast-food-f8bff378ff06140cdb5a9e519c33184c">pulled Quarter Pounders</a>&nbsp;from one-fifth of its U.S. stores as a result of the outbreak. The company found an alternate supplier and resumed selling Quarter Pounders with slivered onions at all U.S. stores last month.

But the outbreak has hurt demand. In mid-November, McDonald's said it planned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-investment-franchises-837b91490d833ed17c2a852baacb267e">spend $100 million</a>&nbsp;to bring customers back to stores, including $65 million that will go directly to the hardest-hit franchisees.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729872051879.png" alt="Photo CDC" />
 <figcaption>Photo CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)—The U.S. government said Tuesday it has closed its investigation into an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-outbreak-onions-05c6b6c2461a35c29b774dcd2c20d4d5">E. coli outbreak</a>&nbsp;tied to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers after determining there is no longer a safety risk.The outbreak, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-outbreak-422c4687cc9218efda03cae73b01f473">began in late October</a>, sickened at least 104 people in 14 states, including 34 who were hospitalized, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. One person in Colorado died and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-investment-franchises-837b91490d833ed17c2a852baacb267e">four people developed a potentially life-threatening kidney disease complication.</a>The FDA, which conducted the investigation along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments, linked the outbreak to yellow onions distributed by California-based&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-outbreak-e-coli-onions-2bc3fc2d4198d9a5bad52c0028316165">Taylor Farms</a>&nbsp;and served raw on Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and other states. Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of yellow onions on Oct. 22.Federal and state health officials in Colorado didn’t find the strain of E. coli that caused the illnesses in onions it tested or in any samples from the environment. But they concluded that evidence showed that recalled yellow onions were the likely source of the outbreak.“McDonald’s is no longer serving recalled onions and there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak,” the FDA said Tuesday in a statement.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mcdonalds-corp">McDonald's</a>&nbsp;briefly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-meal-deal-fast-food-f8bff378ff06140cdb5a9e519c33184c">pulled Quarter Pounders</a>&nbsp;from one-fifth of its U.S. stores as a result of the outbreak. The company found an alternate supplier and resumed selling Quarter Pounders with slivered onions at all U.S. stores last month.But the outbreak has hurt demand. In mid-November, McDonald's said it planned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-investment-franchises-837b91490d833ed17c2a852baacb267e">spend $100 million</a>&nbsp;to bring customers back to stores, including $65 million that will go directly to the hardest-hit franchisees.

US closes investigation of E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders

KANSAS CITY —A judge sentenced a Kansas City man to 40 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Shayla Curts, 22, and her unborn child, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.&nbsp;

In June. Emmett C. Williams, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of Murder 2nd Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action charges.

Last week, the judge sentenced Williams to 25 years on the murder convictions and 15 years on the Armed Criminal Action convictions.&nbsp;

According to court records, on Dec. 6, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to the 4900 block of Bellefontaine Avenue on a reported shooting.

Officers found Curts deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound. Witnesses placed the defendant at the scene at the time of the shooting. One reported hearing a gunshot when the victim and "EW" were in residence.

A shell casing was located in the residence. Williams told police Curtis often antagonized him with her words and normally he ignored them. This time, she was on the living room couch as he was walking past her when he made the decision to pull a 9mm handgun and shoot her in the head. Police located the weapon later in a wooded area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670585057057.png" alt="Williams photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A judge sentenced a Kansas City man to 40 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Shayla Curts, 22, and her unborn child, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.&nbsp;In June. Emmett C. Williams, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of Murder 2nd Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action charges.Last week, the judge sentenced Williams to 25 years on the murder convictions and 15 years on the Armed Criminal Action convictions.&nbsp;According to court records, on Dec. 6, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to the 4900 block of Bellefontaine Avenue on a reported shooting.Officers found Curts deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound. Witnesses placed the defendant at the scene at the time of the shooting. One reported hearing a gunshot when the victim and "EW" were in residence.A shell casing was located in the residence. Williams told police Curtis often antagonized him with her words and normally he ignored them. This time, she was on the living room couch as he was walking past her when he made the decision to pull a 9mm handgun and shoot her in the head. Police located the weapon later in a wooded area.

Prison for murder of pregnant Kansas City woman

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is demanding the immediate release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office for a second term there will be “HELL TO PAY."

“Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity," Trump wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113584730902816413">a post on his Truth Social site</a>.

He added that, "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!”

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening to directly involve the U.S. military in Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Trump allies have said he hopes there will be a ceasefire and hostage release deal before he returns to office early next year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined comment. But the country's president, Isaac Herzog, welcomed Trump's comments in a social media post.

"Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>,"&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Isaac_Herzog">he wrote on X</a>. "We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home!"

The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-gaza-tunnels-hamas-israel-war-d8ecb415268e911cea09518acdaf7ba2">and taking around 250 people hostage</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 7, 2023. Some 100&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-hostages-trump-biden-7e3cd6a6f0b9cd70cced92225a31e66c">are still held inside Gaza</a>, around two-thirds believed to be alive.

Trump’s threat came hours after the Israeli government confirmed the death of Omer Neutra, a dual US--Israeli citizen, whose body is still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, according to the Israeli government.

Days earlier, Hamas released a hostage video of Edan Alexander, who was serving in the Israeli military when he was taken by Hamas to Gaza. Filmed under apparent duress, Alexander calls on Trump to work to negotiate for his freedom and that of the remaining Hamas hostages.

The Biden administration is mounting a last-ditch effort to try to restart talks between Israel and Hamas now that it has brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. But the administration has said that Hamas has yet to show a willingness to reengage in negotiations and that the group isn’t concerned for its own lives or the lives of Gaza civilians.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive for the attack has left at least 44,429 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/scars-of-war-0000019256a2d640a5fef6ba634b0000">has destroyed vast areas of the coastal enclave</a>&nbsp;and displaced 90% of its population of 2.3 million people — often multiple times.

___ Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is demanding the immediate release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office for a second term there will be “HELL TO PAY."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733242099340.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity," Trump wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113584730902816413">a post on his Truth Social site</a>.He added that, "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!”It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening to directly involve the U.S. military in Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Trump allies have said he hopes there will be a ceasefire and hostage release deal before he returns to office early next year.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined comment. But the country's president, Isaac Herzog, welcomed Trump's comments in a social media post."Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>,"&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Isaac_Herzog">he wrote on X</a>. "We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home!"The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-gaza-tunnels-hamas-israel-war-d8ecb415268e911cea09518acdaf7ba2">and taking around 250 people hostage</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 7, 2023. Some 100&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-hostages-trump-biden-7e3cd6a6f0b9cd70cced92225a31e66c">are still held inside Gaza</a>, around two-thirds believed to be alive.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728311216287.png" alt="Omer Neutra -photo Hostages and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Omer Neutra -photo Hostages and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump’s threat came hours after the Israeli government confirmed the death of Omer Neutra, a dual US--Israeli citizen, whose body is still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, according to the Israeli government.Days earlier, Hamas released a hostage video of Edan Alexander, who was serving in the Israeli military when he was taken by Hamas to Gaza. Filmed under apparent duress, Alexander calls on Trump to work to negotiate for his freedom and that of the remaining Hamas hostages.The Biden administration is mounting a last-ditch effort to try to restart talks between Israel and Hamas now that it has brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. But the administration has said that Hamas has yet to show a willingness to reengage in negotiations and that the group isn’t concerned for its own lives or the lives of Gaza civilians.Israel’s retaliatory offensive for the attack has left at least 44,429 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/scars-of-war-0000019256a2d640a5fef6ba634b0000">has destroyed vast areas of the coastal enclave</a>&nbsp;and displaced 90% of its population of 2.3 million people — often multiple times.___ Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

Trump threatens Hamas with 'all hell to pay' over hostages

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects in connection with&nbsp;two separate domestic disturbances over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Just after midnight November 29, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received notification regarding a domestic disturbance in the 3400 block of SE Skylark Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. A 36-year-old female victim was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Benjamin J. Garay-Astorga, 33, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Aggravated battery and Aggravated assault.

Just before 1 a.m. Nov. 29, deputies were dispatched to another domestic disturbance in the 7600 block of SW Oxfordshire Road. A 39-year-old female victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Rick C. Jackson II, 39, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of Aggravated domestic battery

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733177095417.png" alt="Jackson photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Jackson photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects in connection with&nbsp;two separate domestic disturbances over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.Just after midnight November 29, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received notification regarding a domestic disturbance in the 3400 block of SE Skylark Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. A 36-year-old female victim was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a local hospital with serious injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733177039703.png" alt="Garay-Astorga photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Garay-Astorga photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Benjamin J. Garay-Astorga, 33, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Aggravated battery and Aggravated assault.Just before 1 a.m. Nov. 29, deputies were dispatched to another domestic disturbance in the 7600 block of SW Oxfordshire Road. A 39-year-old female victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.Rick C. Jackson II, 39, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of Aggravated domestic battery

Two Kan. men accused of Thanksgiving weekend violence against women

Kansas had more than 2 million voters registered in last month’s election

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

TOPEKA — More Kansans voted in last month’s general election than in any in the state’s history, officials announced Monday.

The Kansas State Board of Canvassers met to certify the results of last month’s vote for U.S. president and a host of federal, state and local offices. President-elect Donald Trump won handily in Kansas over Vice President Kamala Harris.

Kansas elections director Bryan Caskey said the vote broke three records.

For the first time, more than 1.34 million Kansans voted, Caskey said. More than 2 million were registered for the election. And more people voted in person ahead of Election Day than ever before.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, thanked election workers and volunteers, noting that unfounded accusations of voter fraud have made their jobs difficult.

“It’s been hard for election workers the past several years,” Schwab said, “but they stand up every election cycle and do their work and they don’t complain.”

Trump won Kansas and its six Electoral College votes by 16 percentage points, widening his victory slightly compared to 2020. In 2020 when President Joe Biden won the election, conservatives claimed without evidence that widespread voter fraud helped lift him into office.

Caskey, who serves under Schwab, said he wasn’t aware of any allegations of fraud by any candidates in Kansas this year.&nbsp;

Schwab said he gets frustrated by claims of voter fraud and noted the vast majority of Kansans do not complain about elections.&nbsp;

“It’s a small group of people,” he said, “but when their person wins, then they don’t complain. When their person loses, they complain.”&nbsp;

Asked if he thought election workers could put allegations of fraud behind them, he said he lets the work of election officials speak for itself.

“Are there going to be people who say the world is flat?” Schwab said. “Are there going to be people (who) say we’ve never been to the moon?”

Schwab said his office was reviewing the election to see if the state needs any legislative fixes to help the vote run smoothly. The office may pursue bills when the Kansas Legislature returns in January “to make sure we continue to have secure elections,” he said, but he declined to say what sort of proposals he was considering, noting they are still under review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733234170388.png" alt="Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab chairs a meeting of the State Board of Canvassers on Monday as members certify the results of last month's election. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab chairs a meeting of the State Board of Canvassers on Monday as members certify the results of last month's election. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kansas had more than 2 million voters registered in last month’s election</h2>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — More Kansans voted in last month’s general election than in any in the state’s history, officials announced Monday.The Kansas State Board of Canvassers met to certify the results of last month’s vote for U.S. president and a host of federal, state and local offices. President-elect Donald Trump won handily in Kansas over Vice President Kamala Harris.Kansas elections director Bryan Caskey said the vote broke three records.For the first time, more than 1.34 million Kansans voted, Caskey said. More than 2 million were registered for the election. And more people voted in person ahead of Election Day than ever before.Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, thanked election workers and volunteers, noting that unfounded accusations of voter fraud have made their jobs difficult.“It’s been hard for election workers the past several years,” Schwab said, “but they stand up every election cycle and do their work and they don’t complain.”Trump won Kansas and its six Electoral College votes by 16 percentage points, widening his victory slightly compared to 2020. In 2020 when President Joe Biden won the election, conservatives claimed without evidence that widespread voter fraud helped lift him into office.Caskey, who serves under Schwab, said he wasn’t aware of any allegations of fraud by any candidates in Kansas this year.&nbsp;Schwab said he gets frustrated by claims of voter fraud and noted the vast majority of Kansans do not complain about elections.&nbsp;“It’s a small group of people,” he said, “but when their person wins, then they don’t complain. When their person loses, they complain.”&nbsp;Asked if he thought election workers could put allegations of fraud behind them, he said he lets the work of election officials speak for itself.“Are there going to be people who say the world is flat?” Schwab said. “Are there going to be people (who) say we’ve never been to the moon?”Schwab said his office was reviewing the election to see if the state needs any legislative fixes to help the vote run smoothly. The office may pursue bills when the Kansas Legislature returns in January “to make sure we continue to have secure elections,” he said, but he declined to say what sort of proposals he was considering, noting they are still under review.

Kansas officials certify November election with record-setting turnout

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is adding&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V894-9506.PDF">over 132,000 heavy-duty pickups</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. to a previous recall for tailgate release switches that can short circuit and open the gates while the trucks are in park.

The recall adds certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/silverado-sierra-heavy-duty-pickups-tailgate-switch-bc1cc539e1ad4a0be8d347ff80c0816f">February recall of 323,000 heavy duty pickups</a>. Only trucks with a manual gate and power lock and release are affected.

The company says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that water can get into the electronic gate release switches, causing the gates to unlatch. If that happens, cargo can fall into the road and become a hazard.

The trucks in the new recall were added after the company found 237 field reports of tailgates opening unexpectedly. Until repairs are made, GM says owners should check to make sure the gate is closed and latched before driving.

Dealers will replace the exterior touch pad switch assemblies with new ones that are more resistant to water.

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is adding&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V894-9506.PDF">over 132,000 heavy-duty pickups</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. to a previous recall for tailgate release switches that can short circuit and open the gates while the trucks are in park.The recall adds certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/silverado-sierra-heavy-duty-pickups-tailgate-switch-bc1cc539e1ad4a0be8d347ff80c0816f">February recall of 323,000 heavy duty pickups</a>. Only trucks with a manual gate and power lock and release are affected.The company says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that water can get into the electronic gate release switches, causing the gates to unlatch. If that happens, cargo can fall into the road and become a hazard.The trucks in the new recall were added after the company found 237 field reports of tailgates opening unexpectedly. Until repairs are made, GM says owners should check to make sure the gate is closed and latched before driving.Dealers will replace the exterior touch pad switch assemblies with new ones that are more resistant to water.

GM adds heavy duty pickups to recall for tailgates that can open unexpectedly

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a felony theft involving an ATM in the city of Olathe.

Just before 9:30a.m. Monday, two unknown subjects obtained money from an exterior ATM near the 15,000 Block of West 119th Street in Olathe, according to Olathe Police Sergeant&nbsp;John Moncayo. The suspects fled the area in a black Toyota passenger vehicle.

A thorough area search was conducted, and no contact was made with the suspects or vehicle.

The suspects were described as two man wearing hooded sweatshirts, black ski masks, and dark colored jeans. The suspects left with an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon was seen during this incident and no reported injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733177721302.png" alt="Photos Olathe Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Olathe Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a felony theft involving an ATM in the city of Olathe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733177699252.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 9:30a.m. Monday, two unknown subjects obtained money from an exterior ATM near the 15,000 Block of West 119th Street in Olathe, according to Olathe Police Sergeant&nbsp;John Moncayo. The suspects fled the area in a black Toyota passenger vehicle.A thorough area search was conducted, and no contact was made with the suspects or vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733177792018.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The suspects were described as two man wearing hooded sweatshirts, black ski masks, and dark colored jeans. The suspects left with an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon was seen during this incident and no reported injuries.

Police: Kansas suspects stole cash from ATM 

LYON COUNTY— The City of Emporia, along with Lyon County, the Regional Development Association, Emporia Main Street, Emporia Chamber of Commerce, Flint Hills Technical College, and Emporia State University in a media release on Monday acknowledged the announced closure of Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc, 2443 West 6th, set for February of 2025.&nbsp; &nbsp;Over 800 employees will be without jobs.

"Our thoughts are with the employees and families affected by this transition. Tyson has been a valuable corporate partner over the years, and we are grateful for their contributions to our community. "

"Our collective priority is to support impacted workers. We are collaborating with local organizations, state agencies, and workforce development partners to provide resources, job placement assistance, and training opportunities."

While we recognize the challenges this closure presents, Emporia’s economy remains stable and resilient. Community leaders will continue to work with key stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level to promote economic growth in Emporia. By working closely with business leaders and stakeholders, we aim to attract and retain strong and diversified industry that will provide growth and prosperity for our residents.&nbsp;

Emporia is a resilient community, and we are confident in our collective ability to navigate this transition. Our community is united and committed to building an even stronger future.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733175081207.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY— The City of Emporia, along with Lyon County, the Regional Development Association, Emporia Main Street, Emporia Chamber of Commerce, Flint Hills Technical College, and Emporia State University in a media release on Monday acknowledged the announced closure of Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc, 2443 West 6th, set for February of 2025.&nbsp; &nbsp;Over 800 employees will be without jobs."Our thoughts are with the employees and families affected by this transition. Tyson has been a valuable corporate partner over the years, and we are grateful for their contributions to our community. ""Our collective priority is to support impacted workers. We are collaborating with local organizations, state agencies, and workforce development partners to provide resources, job placement assistance, and training opportunities."While we recognize the challenges this closure presents, Emporia’s economy remains stable and resilient. Community leaders will continue to work with key stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level to promote economic growth in Emporia. By working closely with business leaders and stakeholders, we aim to attract and retain strong and diversified industry that will provide growth and prosperity for our residents.&nbsp;Emporia is a resilient community, and we are confident in our collective ability to navigate this transition. Our community is united and committed to building an even stronger future.&nbsp;

Community responds to Tyson Foods plan to close Emporia plant

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is preparing to send Ukraine an additional $725 million in military assistance, including counter-drone systems and munitions for its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which could indicate more of the longer-range missiles are headed to the battlefield.

It was unclear whether the munitions for the HIMARS are the coveted ATACMS — the Army Tactical Missile System — but Ukraine has been pressing for more of the longer-range missiles to strike additional targets inside Russia.

The package, announced Monday by the State Department, also includes more of the anti-personnel land mines that Ukraine is counting on to slow Russian and North Korean ground forces in Russia’s Kursk region.

President Joe Biden has pledged to spend all of the military assistance funds Congress approved this year for Ukraine before the end of his administration on Jan. 20, which before Monday’s announcement included about $7.1 billion in weapons that would be drawn from the Pentagon’s stockpiles.

There is widespread speculation about what the new Trump administration will mean for Ukraine as the incoming president has promised to end the conflict. In a major shift, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled on Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-nato-92069fae6a05fc03d6fb2643ecbb4b2a">an an offer of NATO membership</a>&nbsp;to territory under Kyiv’s control could end “the hot stage of the war.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732047530088.png" alt="Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy -courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy -courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is preparing to send Ukraine an additional $725 million in military assistance, including counter-drone systems and munitions for its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which could indicate more of the longer-range missiles are headed to the battlefield.It was unclear whether the munitions for the HIMARS are the coveted ATACMS — the Army Tactical Missile System — but Ukraine has been pressing for more of the longer-range missiles to strike additional targets inside Russia.The package, announced Monday by the State Department, also includes more of the anti-personnel land mines that Ukraine is counting on to slow Russian and North Korean ground forces in Russia’s Kursk region.President Joe Biden has pledged to spend all of the military assistance funds Congress approved this year for Ukraine before the end of his administration on Jan. 20, which before Monday’s announcement included about $7.1 billion in weapons that would be drawn from the Pentagon’s stockpiles.There is widespread speculation about what the new Trump administration will mean for Ukraine as the incoming president has promised to end the conflict. In a major shift, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled on Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-nato-92069fae6a05fc03d6fb2643ecbb4b2a">an an offer of NATO membership</a>&nbsp;to territory under Kyiv’s control could end “the hot stage of the war.”

U.S. will send Ukraine another $725 million in military assistance

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas ends November 2024 with total tax collections at $675.5 million. That is $25.4 million, or 3.6%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are up 4.0% from November 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2024%2F12%2F02%2Ffile_attachments%2F3087629%2F05_November_Revenue_FY2025_12-02-2024_Final.pdf/1/01010193884aac2f-a4a57d36-d129-421b-99d1-4f1ae61cea90-000000/2rO6tRUHkEOQ0gZWDKpjinutTzxSn5_6a9d0mWVZcCc=381">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view the November 2024 revenue numbers.

Individual income tax collections were $335.2 million. That is $15.3 million, or 4.4% below the estimate. Individual income tax collections are up 14.9% from November 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $24.5 million. That is $5.9 million, or 19.4% below the estimate, and down 31.1% from November 2023.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $287.3 million, which is $2.0 million, or 0.7% below the estimate, and down $3.7 million, or 1.3%, from November 2023.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas ends November 2024 with total tax collections at $675.5 million. That is $25.4 million, or 3.6%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are up 4.0% from November 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2024%2F12%2F02%2Ffile_attachments%2F3087629%2F05_November_Revenue_FY2025_12-02-2024_Final.pdf/1/01010193884aac2f-a4a57d36-d129-421b-99d1-4f1ae61cea90-000000/2rO6tRUHkEOQ0gZWDKpjinutTzxSn5_6a9d0mWVZcCc=381">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view the November 2024 revenue numbers.Individual income tax collections were $335.2 million. That is $15.3 million, or 4.4% below the estimate. Individual income tax collections are up 14.9% from November 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $24.5 million. That is $5.9 million, or 19.4% below the estimate, and down 31.1% from November 2023.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $287.3 million, which is $2.0 million, or 0.7% below the estimate, and down $3.7 million, or 1.3%, from November 2023.&nbsp;

Kansas November tax collections below the estimate 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri man is scheduled to be put to death Tuesday evening for sexually assaulting and strangling a 9-year-old girl whose body was thrown into a sinkhole.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-date-set-christopher-collings-e81def9fe66d34cab516b7945be057b5">Christopher Collings</a>, 49, is set to receive a single injection of the sedative pentobarbital at 6 p.m. CST for the 2007 murder of fourth-grader Rowan Ford.

The girl was assaulted and strangled with a length of rope in the tiny southwestern Missouri town of Stella, on Nov. 3, 2007, and her body was discovered six days later in the sinkhole outside town.

Collings' fate appeared to be sealed on Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal and Republican Gov. Mike Parson turned aside a clemency request. Parson, a former sheriff, has overseen 12 previous executions and never granted clemency.

Collings’ execution would be the 23rd in the U.S. this year and the fourth in Missouri —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-brian-dorsey-1a7801bb6fc42e666d95daa68a2b2ce1">Brian Dorsey</a>&nbsp;was executed on April 9,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/david-hosier-execution-missouri-angela-gilpin-901d8028e3b1f2ddd46b7503b9775966">David Hosier</a>&nbsp;on June 11 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-marcellus-williams-8be20e2f252992610a30fa0cfef4185a">Marcellus Williams</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 24. Only Alabama with six and Texas with five have performed more executions in 2024.

Rowan was a fourth-grader described by teachers at Collings' trial as a hard-working and happy student, a lover of Barbie dolls who had her room painted pink. Collings was a friend of Rowan's stepfather, David Spears, and lived for several months in 2007 at the home Rowan shared with Spears and Rowan's mother, Colleen Spears. The child called Collings “Uncle Chris.”

Collings told authorities that he drank heavily and smoked marijuana with Spears and another man in the hours before the attack on Rowan, according to court records. Collings said he picked up the still-sleeping child from her bed, took her to the camper where he lived, and assaulted her there.

Collings told police that he planned to take Rowan back home, leading her outside the camper facing away from him so that she couldn't identify who assaulted her. But when moonlight lit up the darkness, Rowan was able to see him, Collings told police. He said he “freaked out,” grabbed a rope from a nearby pickup truck and killed her.

Colleen Spears returned home from work at 9 a.m. on Nov. 3 and was alarmed when she couldn’t find Rowan. Court records said Spears insisted Rowan was at a friend’s house. But when Rowan failed to return home by the afternoon, Colleen Spears called police, prompting a massive search.

Collings, Spears and a third man became the focus of police attention because they were the last people seen at Rowan's home. Collings told police that after killing Rowan, he took the body to a sinkhole. He burned the rope used in the attack, along with the clothes he was wearing and his bloodstained mattress, prosecutors said.

Court documents and the clemency petition said Spears also implicated himself in the crimes. A transcript of Spears’ statement to police, cited in the clemency petition, said Spears told officers that Collings handed him a cord and Spears killed Rowan.

But Spears was allowed to plead to lesser charges. It wasn't clear why. Prosecutors at the original trial didn't respond to messages seeking comment.

Spears served more than seven years in prison before being released in 2015. No phone listing could be found for Spears.

The clemency petition said Collings suffered from a brain abnormality that created "functional deficits in awareness, judgment and deliberation, comportment, appropriate social inhibition, and emotional regulation.” It also noted that he was frequently abused and sexually abused as a child.

“The result was a damaged human being with no guidance on how to grow into a functioning adult,” the petition stated.

The clemency petition and the Supreme Court appeal both challenged the reliability of the key law enforcement witness at Collings’ trial, a police chief from a neighboring town who had four AWOL convictions while serving in the Army. Failure to disclose details about that criminal history at trial violated Collings’ right to due process, Collings' attorney, Jeremy Weis, contended.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723583895173.png" alt="Collings photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Collings photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri man is scheduled to be put to death Tuesday evening for sexually assaulting and strangling a 9-year-old girl whose body was thrown into a sinkhole.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-date-set-christopher-collings-e81def9fe66d34cab516b7945be057b5">Christopher Collings</a>, 49, is set to receive a single injection of the sedative pentobarbital at 6 p.m. CST for the 2007 murder of fourth-grader Rowan Ford.The girl was assaulted and strangled with a length of rope in the tiny southwestern Missouri town of Stella, on Nov. 3, 2007, and her body was discovered six days later in the sinkhole outside town.Collings' fate appeared to be sealed on Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal and Republican Gov. Mike Parson turned aside a clemency request. Parson, a former sheriff, has overseen 12 previous executions and never granted clemency.Collings’ execution would be the 23rd in the U.S. this year and the fourth in Missouri —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-brian-dorsey-1a7801bb6fc42e666d95daa68a2b2ce1">Brian Dorsey</a>&nbsp;was executed on April 9,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/david-hosier-execution-missouri-angela-gilpin-901d8028e3b1f2ddd46b7503b9775966">David Hosier</a>&nbsp;on June 11 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-marcellus-williams-8be20e2f252992610a30fa0cfef4185a">Marcellus Williams</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 24. Only Alabama with six and Texas with five have performed more executions in 2024.Rowan was a fourth-grader described by teachers at Collings' trial as a hard-working and happy student, a lover of Barbie dolls who had her room painted pink. Collings was a friend of Rowan's stepfather, David Spears, and lived for several months in 2007 at the home Rowan shared with Spears and Rowan's mother, Colleen Spears. The child called Collings “Uncle Chris.”Collings told authorities that he drank heavily and smoked marijuana with Spears and another man in the hours before the attack on Rowan, according to court records. Collings said he picked up the still-sleeping child from her bed, took her to the camper where he lived, and assaulted her there.Collings told police that he planned to take Rowan back home, leading her outside the camper facing away from him so that she couldn't identify who assaulted her. But when moonlight lit up the darkness, Rowan was able to see him, Collings told police. He said he “freaked out,” grabbed a rope from a nearby pickup truck and killed her.Colleen Spears returned home from work at 9 a.m. on Nov. 3 and was alarmed when she couldn’t find Rowan. Court records said Spears insisted Rowan was at a friend’s house. But when Rowan failed to return home by the afternoon, Colleen Spears called police, prompting a massive search.Collings, Spears and a third man became the focus of police attention because they were the last people seen at Rowan's home. Collings told police that after killing Rowan, he took the body to a sinkhole. He burned the rope used in the attack, along with the clothes he was wearing and his bloodstained mattress, prosecutors said.Court documents and the clemency petition said Spears also implicated himself in the crimes. A transcript of Spears’ statement to police, cited in the clemency petition, said Spears told officers that Collings handed him a cord and Spears killed Rowan.“I choke her with it. I realize she’s gone. She’s ... she’s really gone,” Spears said, according to the transcript. Meanwhile, court documents said it was Spears who led authorities to the sinkhole where the body was found.But Spears was allowed to plead to lesser charges. It wasn't clear why. Prosecutors at the original trial didn't respond to messages seeking comment.Spears served more than seven years in prison before being released in 2015. No phone listing could be found for Spears.The clemency petition said Collings suffered from a brain abnormality that created "functional deficits in awareness, judgment and deliberation, comportment, appropriate social inhibition, and emotional regulation.” It also noted that he was frequently abused and sexually abused as a child.“The result was a damaged human being with no guidance on how to grow into a functioning adult,” the petition stated.The clemency petition and the Supreme Court appeal both challenged the reliability of the key law enforcement witness at Collings’ trial, a police chief from a neighboring town who had four AWOL convictions while serving in the Army. Failure to disclose details about that criminal history at trial violated Collings’ right to due process, Collings' attorney, Jeremy Weis, contended.“His credibility was really at the heart of the entire case against Mr. Collings,” Weis said in an interview.-----------------KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri’s governor on Monday denied clemency for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-date-set-christopher-collings-e81def9fe66d34cab516b7945be057b5">Christopher Collings</a>, a death row inmate facing execution for sexually assaulting and killing a 9-year-old girl and leaving her body in a sinkhole.Collings, 49, is scheduled to receive a single injection of pentobarbital at 6 p.m. CST Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri, for the 2007 killing of fourth-grader Rowan Ford. It would be the 23rd execution in the U.S. this year and the fourth in Missouri.“Mr. Collings has received every protection afforded by the Missouri and United States Constitutions, and Mr. Collings’ conviction and sentence remain for his horrendous and callous crime,” Republican Gov. Mike Parson said in a statement.Parson’s decision likely sealed Collings’ fate. Earlier Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal on behalf of Collings, without comment. No additional appeals are planned, Collings' attorney, Jeremy Weis, said.Parson's decision was not unexpected — a former sheriff, Parson has overseen 12 previous executions without granting clemency. Weis said Parson has allowed other executions to proceed for inmates with innocence claims, intellectual disabilities and for men who were “reformed and remorseful” for their crimes.“In each case of redemption, the Governor has ignored the evidence and sought vengeance,” Weis said in a statement.Collings confessed to killing Rowan, a child who referred to him as “Uncle Chris” after Collings lived for several months with the girl’s family in tiny Stella, Missouri. Rowan was killed on Nov. 3, 2007. Her body was found in a sinkhole outside of town six days later. She had been strangled.The clemency petition said an abnormality of Collings’ brain causes him to suffer from “functional deficits in awareness, judgment and deliberation, comportment, appropriate social inhibition, and emotional regulation.” It also noted that he suffered from frequent and often violent abuse as a child.“The result was a damaged human being with no guidance on how to grow into a functioning adult,” the petition stated.The petition also challenged the fairness of executing Collings when another man charged in the crime, Rowan’s stepfather, David Spears, also confessed but was allowed to plead to lesser crimes. Spears served more than seven years in prison before his release in 2015.Collings told authorities that he drank heavily and smoked marijuana with Spears and another man in the hours before the attack on Rowan, according to court records. Collings said he picked up the sleeping child from her bed, took her to the camper where he lived and assaulted her there. He said he strangled the child with a rope when he realized she recognized him.Collings told investigators that he took the girl's body to a sinkhole. He burned the rope used in the attack, along with the clothes he was wearing and his bloodstained mattress, prosecutors said.Spears also implicated himself in the crimes, according to court documents and the clemency petition. A transcript of Spears’ statement to police, cited in the petition, said he told police that Collings handed him a cord and that he killed Rowan.“I choke her with it. I realize she’s gone. She’s ... she’s really gone,” Spears said, according to the transcript. It was Spears who led authorities to the sinkhole where her body was found, according to court documents.No phone listing could be found for Spears.The Supreme Court appeal challenged the reliability of the key law enforcement witness at Collings’ trial, a police chief from a neighboring town who had four AWOL convictions while serving in the Army. Failure to disclose details about that criminal history at trial violated Collings’ right to due process, Weis contended.“His credibility was really at the heart of the entire case against Mr. Collings," Weis said in an interview.Three men have been executed in Missouri this year —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-brian-dorsey-1a7801bb6fc42e666d95daa68a2b2ce1">Brian Dorsey</a>&nbsp;on April 9,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/david-hosier-execution-missouri-angela-gilpin-901d8028e3b1f2ddd46b7503b9775966">David Hosier</a>&nbsp;on June 11 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-marcellus-williams-8be20e2f252992610a30fa0cfef4185a">Marcellus Williams</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 24. Only Alabama, with six, and Texas, with five, have performed more executions than Missouri in 2024.