WASHINGTON (AP) — As he presided over his final Christmas tree lighting at the White House, President Joe Biden on Thursday said his wish for the nation now, and always, was that “we continue to seek the light of liberty and love, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lighting-christmas-tree-national-730fb9076756772a664162b3a87c6261">Biden spoke briefly to the crowd</a>&nbsp;who were decked out in heavy winter layers as frigid winds and chilly temperatures hit the nation's capital. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were also in attendance. The tree has been set up on the Ellipse outside the White House South Lawn, and it's visible on the streets.

The 30-foot red spruce tree came from Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Grayson County, Virginia. It was transferred to the White House on Nov. 15.

It’s the final holiday stretch for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>. His wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill</a>, has decked out the White House with whimsical decorations to evoke the “peace and light” of the season. She missed the lighting this year because she was in Doha, Qatar, where she was discussing her initiative on women’s health.

So Biden did the honors himself, counting down from five before the tree light up a cheery bright green from the tip-top to the bottom of the trunk. He wished the crowd a Merry Christmas before stepping down to take his seat for musical performances.

Biden said the theme reflects the “peace we feel as we pause and reflect our on blessings and the light we see as we gather with loved ones and cherish our time together.”

The tree lighting ceremony is an annual tradition. On Thursday, Trombone Shorty and Trisha Yearwood were among the performers.

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

That tree came from a farm in Newland, North Carolina, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;struck earlier this year.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-north-carolina-helene-e4868d6b13c65cd4944c5fe26fafb058">The Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm</a>, which had stood for decades, lost thousands of trees to a mudslide.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As he presided over his final Christmas tree lighting at the White House, President Joe Biden on Thursday said his wish for the nation now, and always, was that “we continue to seek the light of liberty and love, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency.”<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1032271605249841%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=124" width="560" height="314" 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><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lighting-christmas-tree-national-730fb9076756772a664162b3a87c6261">Biden spoke briefly to the crowd</a>&nbsp;who were decked out in heavy winter layers as frigid winds and chilly temperatures hit the nation's capital. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were also in attendance. The tree has been set up on the Ellipse outside the White House South Lawn, and it's visible on the streets.The 30-foot red spruce tree came from Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Grayson County, Virginia. It was transferred to the White House on Nov. 15.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733484870658.png" alt="Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff arrive at the event-" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff arrive at the event-</figcaption>
 </figure>It’s the final holiday stretch for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>. His wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill</a>, has decked out the White House with whimsical decorations to evoke the “peace and light” of the season. She missed the lighting this year because she was in Doha, Qatar, where she was discussing her initiative on women’s health.So Biden did the honors himself, counting down from five before the tree light up a cheery bright green from the tip-top to the bottom of the trunk. He wished the crowd a Merry Christmas before stepping down to take his seat for musical performances.Biden said the theme reflects the “peace we feel as we pause and reflect our on blessings and the light we see as we gather with loved ones and cherish our time together.”The tree lighting ceremony is an annual tradition. On Thursday, Trombone Shorty and Trisha Yearwood were among the performers.The White House Christmas display includes a towering tree surrounded by an amusement park-style carousel, brass-colored bells and sleigh bells lining a hallway, and a ceiling design that mimics snowfall.That tree came from a farm in Newland, North Carolina, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;struck earlier this year.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-north-carolina-helene-e4868d6b13c65cd4944c5fe26fafb058">The Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm</a>, which had stood for decades, lost thousands of trees to a mudslide.___

🎥President Biden, VP Harris attend National Christmas tree lighting

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug alegations.

Just after 12:30a.m. December 2, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Hyundai Sonata near 150th&nbsp;and Q. Roads, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the traffic stop, the deputy observed inside the vehicle what appeared to be LSD.&nbsp;

The driver, 28-year-old Ryan Michelle Laiku Schommer of Iola allegedly resisted arrest with a brief struggle. Deputies arrested and booked her into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of LSD, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement and driving while suspended.

The passenger, Jeffrey Scott Wilson, 35, of Grove, Oklahoma, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of LSD, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733179106675.png" alt="Wilson photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Wilson photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug alegations.Just after 12:30a.m. December 2, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Hyundai Sonata near 150th&nbsp;and Q. Roads, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733179066160.png" alt="Schommer-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Schommer-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> During the traffic stop, the deputy observed inside the vehicle what appeared to be LSD.&nbsp;The driver, 28-year-old Ryan Michelle Laiku Schommer of Iola allegedly resisted arrest with a brief struggle. Deputies arrested and booked her into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of LSD, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement and driving while suspended.The passenger, Jeffrey Scott Wilson, 35, of Grove, Oklahoma, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of LSD, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas woman caught with LSD resisted arrest

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man charged with second-degree murder in the fatal beating of a homeless man in Wichita was scheduled for sentencing Thursday. The case involving Abel Molina, 34, was delayed until next month, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;In February of 2022, police responded to a 911 call in the 600 block of N. Seneca in Wichita after a caller reported a person was being beaten on the Seneca Street bridge, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Officers and EMS responded and located 30-year-old Blake Barnes of Wichita. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and later pronounced deceased.

Officers contacted the witness who was able to direct them to a suspect – identified as&nbsp;64-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; who was reported to have struck Barnes several times with a metal pipe. Police took Chandler into custody while he was walking away from the crime scene.

The witness reported another suspect was also involved but left the scene on a bicycle prior to officers arriving. The second suspect, identified as 31-year-old Abel Molina, was located in the 400 block of N. Seneca, where he was taken into custody.

Sixty-three-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; and Molina, who are also homeless, assaulted 30-year-old Blake Barnes on Feb. 22, 2022 at a bridge near the Mid-America All-Indian Museum near downtown Wichita.

Witnesses reported Barnes was hit several times with a metal pipe, according to police.

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp; —A Kansas jury found 64-year-old David Chandler guilty of second-degree intentional murder for the beating death of a homeless man in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;In February, police responded to a 911 call in the 600 block of N. Seneca in Wichita after a caller reported a person was being beaten on the Seneca Street bridge, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Officers and EMS responded and located a 30-year-old male victim, identified as Blake Barnes of Wichita. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and later pronounced deceased, according to Macy.

Officers contacted the witness who was able to direct them to a suspect – identified as&nbsp;64-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; who was reported to have struck Barnes several times with a metal pipe.

Police took Chandler into custody while he was walking away from the crime scene..

&nbsp;Chandler has prior drug convictions and Molina has priors that include drug possession, theft, aggravated burglary and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

He is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 19, according to the district attorney's office. Monina is due back in court on Nov. 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645644748402.png" alt="Molina photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Molina photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man charged with second-degree murder in the fatal beating of a homeless man in Wichita was scheduled for sentencing Thursday. The case involving Abel Molina, 34, was delayed until next month, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;In February of 2022, police responded to a 911 call in the 600 block of N. Seneca in Wichita after a caller reported a person was being beaten on the Seneca Street bridge, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Officers and EMS responded and located 30-year-old Blake Barnes of Wichita. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and later pronounced deceased.Officers contacted the witness who was able to direct them to a suspect – identified as&nbsp;64-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; who was reported to have struck Barnes several times with a metal pipe. Police took Chandler into custody while he was walking away from the crime scene.The witness reported another suspect was also involved but left the scene on a bicycle prior to officers arriving. The second suspect, identified as 31-year-old Abel Molina, was located in the 400 block of N. Seneca, where he was taken into custody.Sixty-three-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; and Molina, who are also homeless, assaulted 30-year-old Blake Barnes on Feb. 22, 2022 at a bridge near the Mid-America All-Indian Museum near downtown Wichita.Witnesses reported Barnes was hit several times with a metal pipe, according to police.SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp; —A Kansas jury found 64-year-old David Chandler guilty of second-degree intentional murder for the beating death of a homeless man in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;In February, police responded to a 911 call in the 600 block of N. Seneca in Wichita after a caller reported a person was being beaten on the Seneca Street bridge, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Officers and EMS responded and located a 30-year-old male victim, identified as Blake Barnes of Wichita. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and later pronounced deceased, according to Macy.Officers contacted the witness who was able to direct them to a suspect – identified as&nbsp;64-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; who was reported to have struck Barnes several times with a metal pipe.Police took Chandler into custody while he was walking away from the crime scene..The witness reported another suspect was also involved but left the scene on a bicycle prior to officers arriving. The second suspect, identified as 31-year-old Abel Molina, was located in the 400 block of N. Seneca, where he was taken into custody.&nbsp;Chandler has prior drug convictions and Molina has priors that include drug possession, theft, aggravated burglary and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.He is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 19, according to the district attorney's office. Monina is due back in court on Nov. 16.

Sentencing delayed for deadly pipe attack on Kan. homeless man

WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting director of the Secret Service said Thursday that the agency is “reorganizing and reimagining” its culture and how it operates following an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-assassination-attempt-butler-pennsylvania/">assassination attempt against Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on the campaign trail.

Members of a bipartisan House task force investigating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump">attempt on Trump's life</a>&nbsp;pushed Ronald Rowe on how the agency’s staffers could have missed such blatant security vulnerabilities leading up to the July 13 shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At one point, the hearing devolved into a shouting match between Rowe and a Republican congressman.

Rowe promised accountability for what he called the agency’s “abject failure” to secure the rally in Butler, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-assassination-attempt-butler-pennsylvania/">a gunman opened fire</a>&nbsp;from a nearby building. Trump was wounded in the ear, one rallygoer was killed and two others were wounded.

<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/5-things-to-know-about-the-apparent-assassination-attempt-on-trump/">Another assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;two months later contributed to the agency’s troubles. That gunman waited for hours for Trump to appear at his golf course in Florida, but a Secret Service agent thwarted the attack by spotting the firearm poking through bushes.

The task force has been investigating both attempts, but it was the July shooting that dominated Thursday’s hearing. Its inquiry is one of a series of investigations and reports that have faulted the agency for planning and communications failures. The agency’s previous director resigned, and the Secret Service increased protections for Trump before the Republican won the November election.

Rowe was repeatedly asked by flabbergasted lawmakers how problems so obvious in hindsight were allowed to happen.

Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, said it was “just wild to me” that at a time of tech advances, the Secret Service was using text messages and emails to communicate in real time about threats.

He also asked Rowe why so many things went wrong that day “yet nobody said anything.”

Rowe said the agency used to have a culture where people felt comfortable speaking up.

“I don’t know where we lost that,” he said. “We have to get back to that.”

Rowe said the agency is putting a much stronger emphasis on training — something previous investigations found was lacking — and on doing more regular reviews of events to see what went right and where improvements can be made.

“We are reorganizing and reimaging this organization," Rowe told lawmakers. He said the agency needs to identify possible leaders much earlier in their careers instead of just promoting people to command positions because they have been around a long time.

The hearing was largely cordial, with members of Congress stressing the bipartisan nature of their work and praising Rowe for cooperating with their investigation even as they pushed him for explanations.

But at one point, Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon, a Texas Republican, faced off — shouting over each other as other members pleaded for order.

Fallon pulled out a photo of President Joe Biden, Trump and others at this year's Sept. 11 ceremony in New York and asked Rowe why he was at the event, suggesting it was to burnish his prospects at getting the director job permanently. Trump has not yet named his pick to lead the agency.

“I was there to show respect for a Secret Service member that died on 9/11. Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe shouted.

“You wanted to be visible because you were auditioning for this job that you’re not going to get!” Fallon later shot back.

Rowe roared back: "You are out of line, Congressman. You are out of line!”

This was the task force’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-081e812f3569b2bdb9f3ffe322ea1619">second public hearing</a>&nbsp;and the first time that Rowe has addressed its members in public. The panel has until Dec. 13 to release its final report.

Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, said the agency’s conduct during the July shooting seemed almost “lackadaisical.” He said some of the issues that went wrong that day were ”really basic things.”

“It speaks of an apathy or a complacency that is really unacceptable in an organization like the Secret Service,” Green said.

The task force conducted 46 transcribed interviews, attended over a dozen briefings and reviewed over 20,000 documents. Members also visited the site of both assassination attempts and went to the FBI’s laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, to look at evidence.

Rowe said Thursday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-f0e07ef8e86b7f0aa699fde3b7eee133">the agency's internal investigation</a>, whose findings were released last month, identified failures by multiple employees. He noted that the quality of the advance work — the people who scope out event locations ahead of time — did not meet agency standards. He vowed accountability for those who fell down on the job.

Many of the investigations have centered on why buildings near the rally with a clear line of sight to the stage where Trump was speaking were not secured in advance. The gunman, Thomas Crooks, climbed onto the roof of one of them and opened fire before being killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.

Rowe pointed to the failure to protect the building as the most glaring oversight that day.

He also was asked about the morale of agents and new hires. Rowe said applications are actually up this year — the agency made a net gain of about 200 agents during the past fiscal year, meaning both new agents were hired and veteran agents retained.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting director of the Secret Service said Thursday that the agency is “reorganizing and reimagining” its culture and how it operates following an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-assassination-attempt-butler-pennsylvania/">assassination attempt against Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on the campaign trail.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Heated exchange between <a href="https://twitter.com/RepPatFallon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepPatFallon</a> and U.S. Secret Service Acting Director Rowe. Rowe: &quot;Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!&quot; Fallon: &quot;I&#39;m not. I&#39;m invoking -&quot; Rowe: &quot;You are, sir. You are way out of line!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/LR28SDci5I">pic.twitter.com/LR28SDci5I</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1864708615694581942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Members of a bipartisan House task force investigating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump">attempt on Trump's life</a>&nbsp;pushed Ronald Rowe on how the agency’s staffers could have missed such blatant security vulnerabilities leading up to the July 13 shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At one point, the hearing devolved into a shouting match between Rowe and a Republican congressman.Rowe promised accountability for what he called the agency’s “abject failure” to secure the rally in Butler, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-assassination-attempt-butler-pennsylvania/">a gunman opened fire</a>&nbsp;from a nearby building. Trump was wounded in the ear, one rallygoer was killed and two others were wounded.<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/5-things-to-know-about-the-apparent-assassination-attempt-on-trump/">Another assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;two months later contributed to the agency’s troubles. That gunman waited for hours for Trump to appear at his golf course in Florida, but a Secret Service agent thwarted the attack by spotting the firearm poking through bushes.The task force has been investigating both attempts, but it was the July shooting that dominated Thursday’s hearing. Its inquiry is one of a series of investigations and reports that have faulted the agency for planning and communications failures. The agency’s previous director resigned, and the Secret Service increased protections for Trump before the Republican won the November election.Rowe was repeatedly asked by flabbergasted lawmakers how problems so obvious in hindsight were allowed to happen.Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, said it was “just wild to me” that at a time of tech advances, the Secret Service was using text messages and emails to communicate in real time about threats.He also asked Rowe why so many things went wrong that day “yet nobody said anything.”Rowe said the agency used to have a culture where people felt comfortable speaking up.“I don’t know where we lost that,” he said. “We have to get back to that.”Rowe said the agency is putting a much stronger emphasis on training — something previous investigations found was lacking — and on doing more regular reviews of events to see what went right and where improvements can be made.“We are reorganizing and reimaging this organization," Rowe told lawmakers. He said the agency needs to identify possible leaders much earlier in their careers instead of just promoting people to command positions because they have been around a long time.The hearing was largely cordial, with members of Congress stressing the bipartisan nature of their work and praising Rowe for cooperating with their investigation even as they pushed him for explanations.But at one point, Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon, a Texas Republican, faced off — shouting over each other as other members pleaded for order.Fallon pulled out a photo of President Joe Biden, Trump and others at this year's Sept. 11 ceremony in New York and asked Rowe why he was at the event, suggesting it was to burnish his prospects at getting the director job permanently. Trump has not yet named his pick to lead the agency.“I was there to show respect for a Secret Service member that died on 9/11. Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe shouted.“You wanted to be visible because you were auditioning for this job that you’re not going to get!” Fallon later shot back.Rowe roared back: "You are out of line, Congressman. You are out of line!”“You're a bully,” Fallon said.This was the task force’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-081e812f3569b2bdb9f3ffe322ea1619">second public hearing</a>&nbsp;and the first time that Rowe has addressed its members in public. The panel has until Dec. 13 to release its final report.Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, said the agency’s conduct during the July shooting seemed almost “lackadaisical.” He said some of the issues that went wrong that day were ”really basic things.”“It speaks of an apathy or a complacency that is really unacceptable in an organization like the Secret Service,” Green said.The task force conducted 46 transcribed interviews, attended over a dozen briefings and reviewed over 20,000 documents. Members also visited the site of both assassination attempts and went to the FBI’s laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, to look at evidence.Rowe said Thursday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-f0e07ef8e86b7f0aa699fde3b7eee133">the agency's internal investigation</a>, whose findings were released last month, identified failures by multiple employees. He noted that the quality of the advance work — the people who scope out event locations ahead of time — did not meet agency standards. He vowed accountability for those who fell down on the job.Many of the investigations have centered on why buildings near the rally with a clear line of sight to the stage where Trump was speaking were not secured in advance. The gunman, Thomas Crooks, climbed onto the roof of one of them and opened fire before being killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.Rowe pointed to the failure to protect the building as the most glaring oversight that day.He also was asked about the morale of agents and new hires. Rowe said applications are actually up this year — the agency made a net gain of about 200 agents during the past fiscal year, meaning both new agents were hired and veteran agents retained.

🎥Trump assassination attempt hearing turns into yelling match

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DEVNA%20BOSE%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DEVNA BOSE AP Health Writer</a>

KANSAS CITY (AP) —One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy.

“To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.”

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used "physician work time values," which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it's unclear how CMS derives those values.

In mid-November,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2024/11/anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield-will-not-pay-complete-duration-of-anesthesia-for-surgical-procedures">the American Society for Anesthesiologists</a>&nbsp;called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It's not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were&nbsp;<a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/virginia/articles/anesthesia-billed-time-units-update-beginning-february-2025-23141">posted in Virginia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/colorado/articles/anesthesia-services-update-23061">Colorado</a>.

People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged.

Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.”

“It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. "If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.”

Prior to Anthem's announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn't affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened.

The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">the CEO of UnitedHealthcare</a>, another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DEVNA%20BOSE%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DEVNA BOSE AP Health Writer</a>KANSAS CITY (AP) —One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia.Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy.“To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.”Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used "physician work time values," which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it's unclear how CMS derives those values.In mid-November,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2024/11/anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield-will-not-pay-complete-duration-of-anesthesia-for-surgical-procedures">the American Society for Anesthesiologists</a>&nbsp;called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It's not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were&nbsp;<a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/virginia/articles/anesthesia-billed-time-units-update-beginning-february-2025-23141">posted in Virginia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/colorado/articles/anesthesia-services-update-23061">Colorado</a>.People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged.Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.”“It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. "If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.”Prior to Anthem's announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn't affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened.The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">the CEO of UnitedHealthcare</a>, another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reverses anesthesia payment policy after backlash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal farming accident have identified the man who died as&nbsp;70-year-old&nbsp;David Humbolt of rural Mulvane, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.

Just after 2p.m. Wednesday, deputies were dispatched to&nbsp;10200 block of South 127th Street East near Mulvane.

A caller reported his father had been involved in an accident while working on a large John Deere combine. Emergency responders with Mulvane EMS arrived and pronounced Humbolt dead at the scene.

The sheriff's office released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733423844988.png" alt="First responders on the scene -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal farming accident have identified the man who died as&nbsp;70-year-old&nbsp;David Humbolt of rural Mulvane, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.Just after 2p.m. Wednesday, deputies were dispatched to&nbsp;10200 block of South 127th Street East near Mulvane.A caller reported his father had been involved in an accident while working on a large John Deere combine. Emergency responders with Mulvane EMS arrived and pronounced Humbolt dead at the scene.The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Sheriff IDs Kansas man who died in farming accident

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Station 1 at 2222 North Main officially dedicated the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Kansas on Thursday morning.

"Chris Cooper from the hospital lined up a meeting right away to get us kicked off and what we can do and look at some fundraising opportunities," said Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer. "Within the first few days, we had a donation for $25,000, I think it was, just with one organization, which was huge to get this project going. With that, numerous other meetings have happened, then finally we get to the point where we order the baby box, the Safe Haven Baby Box, it gets delivered here, and we have to install it into our brand new fire station. It would have been nice if we would have known this when we built this thing here a few years ago, but that was obviously not the case."

This is where another local business stepped in to help.

"Wiens Construction donated all their time and labor to install the baby box that you see now in the building," Beer said. "That was a huge cost savings of probably $7,000, $8,000 to do that. We want to thank them for stepping up and helping us, and really too, for the community, our citizens, the emails, the phone calls, the texts, the donations that we received from our community has been priceless too."

Monica Kelsey with Safe Haven Baby Boxes was complimentary of the way the box has been made ready to go.

"Getting to know these guys and working with them, they have crossed every T and that nothing has went outside of them making sure that it was done and done correctly," Kelsey said. "We did just test the box. It went off flawlessly. They've got it down to three minutes. Our protocol is five minutes or less, so they're well within that range and if a baby is surrendered here, this baby is going to be in great hands with these guys."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733419622838.jpeg" alt="Safe Haven Baby Box-Photo by Nick Gosnell" />
 <figcaption>Safe Haven Baby Box-Photo by Nick Gosnell</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Station 1 at 2222 North Main officially dedicated the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Kansas on Thursday morning.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0DeUjHZLue8?si=LJe5oHBIUk6GsdDA&amp;start=16" 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>"Chris Cooper from the hospital lined up a meeting right away to get us kicked off and what we can do and look at some fundraising opportunities," said Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer. "Within the first few days, we had a donation for $25,000, I think it was, just with one organization, which was huge to get this project going. With that, numerous other meetings have happened, then finally we get to the point where we order the baby box, the Safe Haven Baby Box, it gets delivered here, and we have to install it into our brand new fire station. It would have been nice if we would have known this when we built this thing here a few years ago, but that was obviously not the case."This is where another local business stepped in to help."Wiens Construction donated all their time and labor to install the baby box that you see now in the building," Beer said. "That was a huge cost savings of probably $7,000, $8,000 to do that. We want to thank them for stepping up and helping us, and really too, for the community, our citizens, the emails, the phone calls, the texts, the donations that we received from our community has been priceless too."Monica Kelsey with Safe Haven Baby Boxes was complimentary of the way the box has been made ready to go."Getting to know these guys and working with them, they have crossed every T and that nothing has went outside of them making sure that it was done and done correctly," Kelsey said. "We did just test the box. It went off flawlessly. They've got it down to three minutes. Our protocol is five minutes or less, so they're well within that range and if a baby is surrendered here, this baby is going to be in great hands with these guys."

🎥 Another Safe Haven baby box available at fire station in Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Fans in Missouri will be able to bet on sports next year as a result of a ballot measure that barely passed despite getting help from record-setting spending and the state's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-blues-royals-1c502d0382d8d29544b63e2c939b2f5e">professional teams</a>.

State election officials on Thursday certified that the sports betting measure passed with 50.05% support in the November election.

Although the constitutional amendment takes effect now, betting won't immediately begin. Under Missouri’s measure, state regulators must launch sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.

A total of 38 states and Washington, D.C., already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-ncaa-march-madness-states-bf37333b5cba5f96f1f2f910fcc6708d">allow sports betting</a>, which has expanded rapidly since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">cleared the way for it</a>&nbsp;in 2018.

Missouri allows recounts on ballot questions to be requested within seven days after certification when the winning margin is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-decision-notes-president-senate-abortion-acbb62ca56da2801ee28e0f9b8106906">less than 0.5% of the total votes cast</a>.

A spokesperson for Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said Thursday that a recount request would need to come from someone involved in one of the campaigns. A spokesperson for the opposition group, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, said Thursday that it does not plan to request a recount.

The $43 million supportive campaign — a record for a Missouri ballot measure — was funded almost entirely by DraftKings and FanDuel, which dominate the nationwide sports betting marketplace. Of the total raised, a combined $2 million was chipped in by the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-chiefs-royals-26b7c94ad2d96ad05c2f4a396ba4e795?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">six major professional sports teams</a>&nbsp;— the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams.

"Joining the 38 other states that already allow sports betting will allow us to further engage with our fans, while keeping tens of millions in Missouri for the benefit of our classrooms and communities,” St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III said in a statement Thursday.

The $14 million opposition campaign was funded entirely by Caesars Entertainment, which operates three of Missouri’s 13 casinos.

Missouri’s constitutional amendment will allow each of the state’s casinos and professional sports teams to offer on-site and mobile sports betting. Teams will control on-site betting and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums and arenas. The initiative also allows two mobile sports betting operators to be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-taxes-missouri-colorado-cd01cdc284d3be17227dab7d0b8b8606">Missouri will impose a 10% tax</a>&nbsp;on sports betting revenue, which is below the national average of 19% that sportsbooks paid to states last year.

Under the initiative, at least $5 million annually in licensing fees and taxes must go toward problem gambling programs, with remaining tax revenues going toward elementary, secondary and higher education.

Supporters turned to the initiative petition process to get the measure on the ballot after attempts to legalize sports betting repeatedly stalled in the state Senate.

Though available in most states, sports betting remains off-limits in some potentially lucrative markets, such as California and Texas. In 2022, California voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-sports-california-f4f4f87d391d31a18c781256b42c8133">defeated two rival proposals</a>&nbsp;to legalize sports betting after interest groups spent roughly $450 million promoting or opposing the measures.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707620687273.png" alt="Photo Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Fans in Missouri will be able to bet on sports next year as a result of a ballot measure that barely passed despite getting help from record-setting spending and the state's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-blues-royals-1c502d0382d8d29544b63e2c939b2f5e">professional teams</a>.State election officials on Thursday certified that the sports betting measure passed with 50.05% support in the November election.Although the constitutional amendment takes effect now, betting won't immediately begin. Under Missouri’s measure, state regulators must launch sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.A total of 38 states and Washington, D.C., already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-ncaa-march-madness-states-bf37333b5cba5f96f1f2f910fcc6708d">allow sports betting</a>, which has expanded rapidly since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">cleared the way for it</a>&nbsp;in 2018.Missouri allows recounts on ballot questions to be requested within seven days after certification when the winning margin is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-decision-notes-president-senate-abortion-acbb62ca56da2801ee28e0f9b8106906">less than 0.5% of the total votes cast</a>.A spokesperson for Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said Thursday that a recount request would need to come from someone involved in one of the campaigns. A spokesperson for the opposition group, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, said Thursday that it does not plan to request a recount.The $43 million supportive campaign — a record for a Missouri ballot measure — was funded almost entirely by DraftKings and FanDuel, which dominate the nationwide sports betting marketplace. Of the total raised, a combined $2 million was chipped in by the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-chiefs-royals-26b7c94ad2d96ad05c2f4a396ba4e795?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">six major professional sports teams</a>&nbsp;— the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams."Joining the 38 other states that already allow sports betting will allow us to further engage with our fans, while keeping tens of millions in Missouri for the benefit of our classrooms and communities,” St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III said in a statement Thursday.The $14 million opposition campaign was funded entirely by Caesars Entertainment, which operates three of Missouri’s 13 casinos.Missouri’s constitutional amendment will allow each of the state’s casinos and professional sports teams to offer on-site and mobile sports betting. Teams will control on-site betting and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums and arenas. The initiative also allows two mobile sports betting operators to be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-taxes-missouri-colorado-cd01cdc284d3be17227dab7d0b8b8606">Missouri will impose a 10% tax</a>&nbsp;on sports betting revenue, which is below the national average of 19% that sportsbooks paid to states last year.Under the initiative, at least $5 million annually in licensing fees and taxes must go toward problem gambling programs, with remaining tax revenues going toward elementary, secondary and higher education.Supporters turned to the initiative petition process to get the measure on the ballot after attempts to legalize sports betting repeatedly stalled in the state Senate.Though available in most states, sports betting remains off-limits in some potentially lucrative markets, such as California and Texas. In 2022, California voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-sports-california-f4f4f87d391d31a18c781256b42c8133">defeated two rival proposals</a>&nbsp;to legalize sports betting after interest groups spent roughly $450 million promoting or opposing the measures.

Sports betting wins narrow approval in Missouri after high-dollar campaign

EUREKA, Calif. (AP) — The National Weather Service has canceled its tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck early Thursday.

At least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning after the earthquake struck, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

It was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by smaller aftershocks.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or injury.

EUREKA, Calif. (AP) — A strong earthquake was felt widely across Northern California on Thursday and authorities have issued a tsunami warning.

The quake struck at 10:44 a.m. west of Ferndale, a small city in coastal Humboldt County near the Oregon border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, known as BART, has stopped traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland.

The San Francisco Zoo’s visitors have been evacuated as a result of the earthquake, the zoo said in a post on the social media platform X. The animals have been secured and staff has been moved to higher ground.

Throughout Northern California phones buzzed with a tsunami warning from the National Weather Service that said: “A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return.”

At least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a yellow alert, which predicts localized but minimal damage.

More than 1.3 million people lived close enough to the quake that they could have felt it, the USGS estimated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733427227971.png" alt="USGS image" />
 <figcaption>USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>EUREKA, Calif. (AP) — The National Weather Service has canceled its tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck early Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The tsunami Warning is canceled for the coastal areas of California and Oregon. No tsunami danger presently exists for this area. This will be the final U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center message for this event. Refer to <a href="https://t.co/npoUHxX900">https://t.co/npoUHxX900</a> for more information.&mdash; NWS Tsunami Alerts (@NWS_NTWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWS_NTWC/status/1864761274007240888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning after the earthquake struck, the U.S. Geological Survey said.It was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by smaller aftershocks.There were no immediate reports of major damage or injury.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733427249291.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>---------EUREKA, Calif. (AP) — A strong earthquake was felt widely across Northern California on Thursday and authorities have issued a tsunami warning.The quake struck at 10:44 a.m. west of Ferndale, a small city in coastal Humboldt County near the Oregon border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733427227971.png" alt="USGS image" />
 <figcaption>USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>It was felt as far south as San Francisco, where residents felt a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by smaller aftershocks.The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, known as BART, has stopped traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland.The San Francisco Zoo’s visitors have been evacuated as a result of the earthquake, the zoo said in a post on the social media platform X. The animals have been secured and staff has been moved to higher ground.Throughout Northern California phones buzzed with a tsunami warning from the National Weather Service that said: “A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return.”At least 5.3 million people in California were under a tsunami warning after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a yellow alert, which predicts localized but minimal damage.More than 1.3 million people lived close enough to the quake that they could have felt it, the USGS estimated.

Tsunami warning canceled: Powerful earthquake strikes off California 

NEW YORK (AP) — The masked gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-shooting-death-daa1e8c8c05606197a5bd2e0242f1683">stalked and killed</a>&nbsp;the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” a law enforcement official said Thursday.

The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>, 50, died in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked to the company’s annual investor conference at a Hilton hotel in Midtown, blocks from tourist draws like Radio City Music Hall and the Museum of Modern Art. The reason behind the killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">remained unknown.</a>

The words on the ammunition may have been a reference to strategies insurance companies allegedly use to try to avoid paying claims.

Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny had said earlier.

The killing and the shooter’s movements in the minutes before and afterward were captured on some of the multitudes of security cameras present in that part of the city.

The hunt for the shooter brought New York City police Thursday morning to at least two hostels on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, based on a tip that the suspected shooter may have stayed at one of the residences, according to a second law enforcement official briefed on the investigation, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing search.

Two detectives arrived at the Kama Central Park hostel with a photo of the shooter and asked staff if they recognized the man, an employee confirmed to the AP. They did not, the employee said, and the detectives left. An employee at the nearby HI New York City hostel also confirmed that police had visited the location Thursday, but declined to provide further information.

Also Thursday, police released photos of a person they said was wanted for question in connection with Thompson's shooting.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference Wednesday that while investigators had not yet established a motive, the shooting was no random act of violence. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” she said.

Investigators believe, judging from surveillance video and evidence collected from the scene, that the shooter had at least some prior firearms training and experience with guns and the weapon was equipped with a silencer, said one of the law enforcement officials who spoke with the AP.

Investigators are also looking into whether the suspect had pre-positioned a bike as part of an escape plan, the official said. The shooter fled on a bike and he was last seen riding into Central Park.

Authorities were running DNA and fingerprint analysis on items found nearby, including a water bottle, that they believe the suspect may have discarded, the official said.

Security camera video showed the killer approach Thompson from behind, level his pistol and fire several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the health executive tumbled to the pavement.

Other cameras captured the initial stages of the gunman's escape. He fled the block across a pedestrian plaza, then escaped on the bicycle. Police used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intensive search, but the killer's whereabouts remained unknown.

Police issued several surveillance images of the man, who wore a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face and wouldn't have attracted attention on a frigid day. Some of the photos were taken at a Starbucks coffee shop shortly before the shooting. Police offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years.

The insurer’s Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual meeting with investors in New York to update Wall Street on the company’s direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson’s death.

“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” UnitedHealth Group said in a statement. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.”

Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage.

Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive.

UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733324311684.png" alt="Brian Thompson courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Brian Thompson courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The masked gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-shooting-death-daa1e8c8c05606197a5bd2e0242f1683">stalked and killed</a>&nbsp;the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” a law enforcement official said Thursday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733418191516.png" alt="New image shows suspect inside hostel -Photo NYPD&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>New image shows suspect inside hostel -Photo NYPD&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>, 50, died in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked to the company’s annual investor conference at a Hilton hotel in Midtown, blocks from tourist draws like Radio City Music Hall and the Museum of Modern Art. The reason behind the killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">remained unknown.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733418156665.png" alt="New image shows suspect inside hostel -Photo NYPD&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>New image shows suspect inside hostel -Photo NYPD&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The words on the ammunition may have been a reference to strategies insurance companies allegedly use to try to avoid paying claims.Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny had said earlier.The killing and the shooter’s movements in the minutes before and afterward were captured on some of the multitudes of security cameras present in that part of the city.The hunt for the shooter brought New York City police Thursday morning to at least two hostels on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, based on a tip that the suspected shooter may have stayed at one of the residences, according to a second law enforcement official briefed on the investigation, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing search.Two detectives arrived at the Kama Central Park hostel with a photo of the shooter and asked staff if they recognized the man, an employee confirmed to the AP. They did not, the employee said, and the detectives left. An employee at the nearby HI New York City hostel also confirmed that police had visited the location Thursday, but declined to provide further information.Also Thursday, police released photos of a person they said was wanted for question in connection with Thompson's shooting.Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference Wednesday that while investigators had not yet established a motive, the shooting was no random act of violence. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” she said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733417735866.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators believe, judging from surveillance video and evidence collected from the scene, that the shooter had at least some prior firearms training and experience with guns and the weapon was equipped with a silencer, said one of the law enforcement officials who spoke with the AP.Investigators are also looking into whether the suspect had pre-positioned a bike as part of an escape plan, the official said. The shooter fled on a bike and he was last seen riding into Central Park.Authorities were running DNA and fingerprint analysis on items found nearby, including a water bottle, that they believe the suspect may have discarded, the official said.Security camera video showed the killer approach Thompson from behind, level his pistol and fire several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the health executive tumbled to the pavement.Other cameras captured the initial stages of the gunman's escape. He fled the block across a pedestrian plaza, then escaped on the bicycle. Police used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intensive search, but the killer's whereabouts remained unknown.Police issued several surveillance images of the man, who wore a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face and wouldn't have attracted attention on a frigid day. Some of the photos were taken at a Starbucks coffee shop shortly before the shooting. Police offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years.The insurer’s Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual meeting with investors in New York to update Wall Street on the company’s direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson’s death.“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” UnitedHealth Group said in a statement. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.”Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage.Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive.UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs.

New images show person of interest in killing of insurance CEO

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause a fire at a home in Kansas City.

Just after 2p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a reported fire in a single-story duplex located in the 3800 block of NW. 93rd street in Kanas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins

First responders reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the garage of the structure.&nbsp; Searches of the structure came back all clear. The occupants were able to self-evacuate prior to KCFD arrival.

Crews quickly were able to get the fire under control, and contain the fire to the one unit. No injuries were reported at this incident. Red Cross was ordered for two adults and three children.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733348902226.png" alt="Photo KC Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause a fire at a home in Kansas City.Just after 2p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a reported fire in a single-story duplex located in the 3800 block of NW. 93rd street in Kanas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael HopkinsFirst responders reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the garage of the structure.&nbsp; Searches of the structure came back all clear. The occupants were able to self-evacuate prior to KCFD arrival.Crews quickly were able to get the fire under control, and contain the fire to the one unit. No injuries were reported at this incident. Red Cross was ordered for two adults and three children.

2 adults, 3 children escape duplex fire in Kansas City

KINGMAN COUNTY—Law enforcement are&nbsp;investigating two incidents with missing calves and we are asking for the public's help with any information, according to a social media report from the Kingman County Sheriff.

The first incident in southeast Kingman County involved approximately 13 calves that were reported missing.&nbsp; The second incident, in northwest&nbsp; Kingman County involved approximately 37 calves reported missing. 

The Kansas Department of Agriculture Livestock Brand Program and Special Agent Jim Pinegar is assisting with the investigation. 

The sheriff's office encouraged the public to be on the look out and report any suspicious activity.&nbsp; Contact the Kingman County sheriff's office with any details to help with their investigation.

KINGMAN COUNTY—Law enforcement are&nbsp;investigating two incidents with missing calves and we are asking for the public's help with any information, according to a social media report from the Kingman County Sheriff.The first incident in southeast Kingman County involved approximately 13 calves that were reported missing.&nbsp; The second incident, in northwest&nbsp; Kingman County involved approximately 37 calves reported missing. The Kansas Department of Agriculture Livestock Brand Program and Special Agent Jim Pinegar is assisting with the investigation. The sheriff's office encouraged the public to be on the look out and report any suspicious activity.&nbsp; Contact the Kingman County sheriff's office with any details to help with their investigation.

Sheriff investigating alleged missing calves in Kansas

Washington, D.C. –&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall questioned executives from United Airlines and American Airlines over their misleading airline miles rewards programs and their lack of transparency over how these programs are funded.

Senator Marshall pointed out these two particular airlines routinely underdeliver on their rewards programs’ benefits for consumers, despite taking massive corporate profits from these programs as members of a U.S. Senate subcommittee took aim at airline executives Wednesday for using an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-fees-disclosure-judges-block-rule-c273957f46401eba023592a40aec79e9">expanding menu of fees</a>&nbsp;to charge customers for early boarding, better seats and other comforts that used to be part of the ticket price.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-travel-airlines-richard-blumenthal-9c0776bb9a4c57b2caaedac1cfc93ad1">Sen. Richard Blumenthal</a>, D-Conn., said he thinks the federal government should review and perhaps fine the airlines for their use of what he called junk fees.

Blumenthal, the chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said seat fees were pure profit for the airlines because they don't have to create new seats or incur other expenses by allowing customers to pick where to sit.

Some senators expressed frustration during Wednesday's hearing when airline executives could not explain how they set the amount of various fees. They said the vagaries of airline pricing make it hard for consumers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/budget-airlines-spirit-frontier-southwest-delta-8030d14c5fd8d3ffc53aacf0e9982cc6">budget for trips</a>.

“We’re all captives on your airplanes at a certain point. You just say, ‘You want to pick seat? We’re just going to charge you some random amount more,’” Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said. “It would be good if you guys could be transparent about what you do and why.”

The fees don't seem to be discouraging anybody. Americans are flying more than ever.

The Transportation Security Administration reported screening nearly 3.1 million travelers at airports around the country on Sunday, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/holiday-travel-record-tsa-airlines-thanksgiving-9b344c4b70c971d2851d184b6e192430">new single-day record</a>. The 15 busiest days in TSA history have all occurred this year, with traffic at airport checkpoints up 5% over 2023.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-sue-biden-administration-junk-fees-346ad8ad06335587ba8a67240c5cda32">Airline executives bristle</a>&nbsp;at the term “junk fees,” and argue they are merely giving consumers what they want: choices.

“Our customers who prioritize affordability have the option to choose a lower-fare product and, in doing so, opt out of paying for additional services that they do not want,” Andrew Nocella, the chief commercial officer of United Airlines, said in testimony prepared for the panel's hearing. “But we also have customers who seek more services, and they retain the ability to choose the services they value, for an incremental fee, like a seat with extra legroom or checked bags.”

Airlines have been adding fees on desirable seats to take advantage of increasing demand.

The airline executives took offense at the charge that they are gouging travelers.

“It has never been more affordable to fly," said Steve Johnson, chief strategy officer for American Airlines.

Transportation Department figures indicate that airfares have fallen by about one-third since 2000 when taking inflation into account. However, those figures do not include fees.

Senators said fees should be described clearly during the ticket-buying process. The executives said their airlines do that.

Some subcommittee members also criticized airlines for the way they enforce fees.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., sparred with executives of Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, which paid employees $26 million in bonuses for spotting customers whose carry-on bags were too big to fit under a seat. The passengers were forced to pay a fee — up to $77 on Spirit and $99 on Frontier — to use an overhead bin.

“If people want to know why it’s such a terrible experience to fly, this is news for them today,” Hawley told the airlines executives Wednesday. “Your airlines are paying millions of dollars to your employees to harass people who have already paid!”

Frontier Chief Commercial Officer Robert Schroeter and his counterpart at Spirit, Matthew Klein, said ensuring that people follow the rules was a matter of fairness to all passengers.

When Hawley asked why bag fees may vary from one customer to another, Schroeter said Frontier must cover its costs.

“Overall, our job is to generate the most revenue we can so we can keep profitable as an airline,” he said.

U.S. airlines raised more than $7 billion from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bts.gov/topics/airlines-and-airports/baggage-fees-airline-2023">fees on checked bags</a>&nbsp;last year, with American Airlines and United Airlines leading the pack. They scooped up another $1 billion in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bts.gov/topics/airlines-and-airports/reservation-cancellationchange-fees-airline-2023">ticket-change and cancellation fees</a>, although that was about one-third of what they raised before the coronavirus pandemic, when the biggest airlines dropped change fees.

Exact figures on other types of fees are hard to determine, but the Senate panel reported last week that United, American, Delta Air Lines, Frontier and Spirit collected a combined total of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024.11.25-Majority-Staff-Report-The-Skys-the-Limit-The-Rise-of-Junk-Fees-in-American-Travel-1.pdf">more than $12 billion in seat fees</a>&nbsp;between 2018 and 2023. That included charges for things such as more legroom or an aisle seat near the front of the plane.

Airline fees have been a frequent target of criticism by the Biden administration, all the way up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-3f1130fd2636587adfa1fccd809afe19">President Joe Biden</a>.

A Transportation Department rule that took effect in October requires airlines to make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-junk-fees-baggage-delays-c4a93f9ee9a2bf7d9ee07394183a0374">automatic cash refunds</a>&nbsp;for tickets and fees when flights are canceled.

The airline industry is suing to block another regulation requiring more prominent disclosure of baggage and cancellation fees. An appeals court has blocked that rule, and its fate is uncertain under President-elect Donald Trump. Blumenthal asked the five executives to drop the lawsuit. None agreed to do so.

The airline industry and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buttigieg-airlines-regulations-trump-delta-southwest-e597e66af74f945e51fe71dc990248eb">continued to fight</a>&nbsp;over fees and other regulations, even after the November election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733347278356.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C. –&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall questioned executives from United Airlines and American Airlines over their misleading airline miles rewards programs and their lack of transparency over how these programs are funded.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/myjkJW5Q9-U?si=-8LVFkZpLoWOa2sA" 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>Senator Marshall pointed out these two particular airlines routinely underdeliver on their rewards programs’ benefits for consumers, despite taking massive corporate profits from these programs as members of a U.S. Senate subcommittee took aim at airline executives Wednesday for using an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-fees-disclosure-judges-block-rule-c273957f46401eba023592a40aec79e9">expanding menu of fees</a>&nbsp;to charge customers for early boarding, better seats and other comforts that used to be part of the ticket price.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-travel-airlines-richard-blumenthal-9c0776bb9a4c57b2caaedac1cfc93ad1">Sen. Richard Blumenthal</a>, D-Conn., said he thinks the federal government should review and perhaps fine the airlines for their use of what he called junk fees.Blumenthal, the chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said seat fees were pure profit for the airlines because they don't have to create new seats or incur other expenses by allowing customers to pick where to sit.Some senators expressed frustration during Wednesday's hearing when airline executives could not explain how they set the amount of various fees. They said the vagaries of airline pricing make it hard for consumers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/budget-airlines-spirit-frontier-southwest-delta-8030d14c5fd8d3ffc53aacf0e9982cc6">budget for trips</a>.“We’re all captives on your airplanes at a certain point. You just say, ‘You want to pick seat? We’re just going to charge you some random amount more,’” Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said. “It would be good if you guys could be transparent about what you do and why.”The fees don't seem to be discouraging anybody. Americans are flying more than ever.The Transportation Security Administration reported screening nearly 3.1 million travelers at airports around the country on Sunday, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/holiday-travel-record-tsa-airlines-thanksgiving-9b344c4b70c971d2851d184b6e192430">new single-day record</a>. The 15 busiest days in TSA history have all occurred this year, with traffic at airport checkpoints up 5% over 2023.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-sue-biden-administration-junk-fees-346ad8ad06335587ba8a67240c5cda32">Airline executives bristle</a>&nbsp;at the term “junk fees,” and argue they are merely giving consumers what they want: choices.“Our customers who prioritize affordability have the option to choose a lower-fare product and, in doing so, opt out of paying for additional services that they do not want,” Andrew Nocella, the chief commercial officer of United Airlines, said in testimony prepared for the panel's hearing. “But we also have customers who seek more services, and they retain the ability to choose the services they value, for an incremental fee, like a seat with extra legroom or checked bags.”Airlines have been adding fees on desirable seats to take advantage of increasing demand.The airline executives took offense at the charge that they are gouging travelers.“It has never been more affordable to fly," said Steve Johnson, chief strategy officer for American Airlines.Transportation Department figures indicate that airfares have fallen by about one-third since 2000 when taking inflation into account. However, those figures do not include fees.Senators said fees should be described clearly during the ticket-buying process. The executives said their airlines do that.Some subcommittee members also criticized airlines for the way they enforce fees.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Sen. Josh Hawley to airline executives: &quot;You guys do appreciate that flying on your airlines is a disaster, don&#39;t you?...flying on your airlines is horrible. It&#39;s a terrible experience...Nobody enjoys flying on your airlines. It&#39;s a disaster.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/PopivOoyiR">pic.twitter.com/PopivOoyiR</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1864347738248265937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., sparred with executives of Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, which paid employees $26 million in bonuses for spotting customers whose carry-on bags were too big to fit under a seat. The passengers were forced to pay a fee — up to $77 on Spirit and $99 on Frontier — to use an overhead bin.“If people want to know why it’s such a terrible experience to fly, this is news for them today,” Hawley told the airlines executives Wednesday. “Your airlines are paying millions of dollars to your employees to harass people who have already paid!”Frontier Chief Commercial Officer Robert Schroeter and his counterpart at Spirit, Matthew Klein, said ensuring that people follow the rules was a matter of fairness to all passengers.When Hawley asked why bag fees may vary from one customer to another, Schroeter said Frontier must cover its costs.“Overall, our job is to generate the most revenue we can so we can keep profitable as an airline,” he said.U.S. airlines raised more than $7 billion from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bts.gov/topics/airlines-and-airports/baggage-fees-airline-2023">fees on checked bags</a>&nbsp;last year, with American Airlines and United Airlines leading the pack. They scooped up another $1 billion in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bts.gov/topics/airlines-and-airports/reservation-cancellationchange-fees-airline-2023">ticket-change and cancellation fees</a>, although that was about one-third of what they raised before the coronavirus pandemic, when the biggest airlines dropped change fees.Exact figures on other types of fees are hard to determine, but the Senate panel reported last week that United, American, Delta Air Lines, Frontier and Spirit collected a combined total of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024.11.25-Majority-Staff-Report-The-Skys-the-Limit-The-Rise-of-Junk-Fees-in-American-Travel-1.pdf">more than $12 billion in seat fees</a>&nbsp;between 2018 and 2023. That included charges for things such as more legroom or an aisle seat near the front of the plane.Airline fees have been a frequent target of criticism by the Biden administration, all the way up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-3f1130fd2636587adfa1fccd809afe19">President Joe Biden</a>.A Transportation Department rule that took effect in October requires airlines to make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-junk-fees-baggage-delays-c4a93f9ee9a2bf7d9ee07394183a0374">automatic cash refunds</a>&nbsp;for tickets and fees when flights are canceled.The airline industry is suing to block another regulation requiring more prominent disclosure of baggage and cancellation fees. An appeals court has blocked that rule, and its fate is uncertain under President-elect Donald Trump. Blumenthal asked the five executives to drop the lawsuit. None agreed to do so.The airline industry and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buttigieg-airlines-regulations-trump-delta-southwest-e597e66af74f945e51fe71dc990248eb">continued to fight</a>&nbsp;over fees and other regulations, even after the November election.

🎥 U.S. Senators grill airline execs for ripping off customers

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued that regulations like informed consent laws should remain because for most women, abortion is ‘against their moral beliefs’

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri’s trigger law banning nearly all abortions remains in place. But at 12:01 a.m. Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">Amendment 3&nbsp;</a>will go into effect.&nbsp;

The constitutional amendment, which received 51.6% of the nearly 3 million votes cast, prohibits the legislature from regulating abortion prior to the point of fetal viability — generally seen as the point at which a fetus can likely survive outside the womb without extraordinary measures.

Planned Parenthood officials said they have providers and staff prepared to start seeing patients for walk-in medication abortion appointments at three clinics — in Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia —&nbsp;beginning Friday, followed later by scheduled surgical abortions.&nbsp;

But whether that happens depends on the outcome of a lawsuit that had its first hearing before a Jackson County judge Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

“What we don’t have are the abilities to overcome state restrictions and hurdles that were intended to deny care,” Emily Wales, President and CEO with Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said Wednesday evening.

Less than 24 hours after voters narrowly approved Amendment 3, the ACLU of Missouri, Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers filed a lawsuit seeking to take down decades worth of overlapping restrictions and bans on abortion on the books in Missouri.&nbsp;

There was no disagreement between Planned Parenthood and the Missouri Attorney General’s office that Amendment 3 makes unconstitutional the trigger law that went into effect in June 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion.&nbsp;

The disagreement instead revolves around more than a dozen “targeted regulation of abortion providers” laws, also known as TRAP laws, that previously made abortions all but inaccessible in Missouri prior to the total ban taking effect.

Planned Parenthood is asking a Jackson County judge to grant a preliminary injunction which would immediately declare the current ban and the TRAP laws&nbsp;unconstitutional.&nbsp;

“Every single day that Missourians cannot access their constitutional rights, they’re being denied critical care,” Wales said.

Solicitor General Josh Divine, who argued Wednesday’s hearing on behalf of the state,&nbsp; characterized the lawsuit as “unusually aggressive,” saying it would be more appropriate for the plaintiffs to challenge each TRAP law individually rather than all together “on a very short fuse.”&nbsp;

He added that preliminary injunctions should only be granted in “drastic, extraordinary circumstances.” The lawsuit at hand, he contended, does not apply because Missourians are still able to access abortion in Illinois to the east and Kansas to the west.

“Nobody’s actually going to be materially affected by what this court does,” Divine added.

A decade ago, more than 5,000 abortions were performed in Missouri, according to data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.&nbsp;

By 2020, two years before the abortion ban went into effect, that number dropped to 167 as a result of the TRAP laws.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733401879071.png" alt=" Solicitor General Josh Divine called Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit seeking to unravel Missouri’s abortion restrictions “unusually aggressive” while speaking to media Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, outside the Jackson County Courthouse (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Solicitor General Josh Divine called Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit seeking to unravel Missouri’s abortion restrictions “unusually aggressive” while speaking to media Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, outside the Jackson County Courthouse (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argued that regulations like informed consent laws should remain because for most women, abortion is ‘against their moral beliefs’</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s trigger law banning nearly all abortions remains in place. But at 12:01 a.m. Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">Amendment 3&nbsp;</a>will go into effect.&nbsp;The constitutional amendment, which received 51.6% of the nearly 3 million votes cast, prohibits the legislature from regulating abortion prior to the point of fetal viability — generally seen as the point at which a fetus can likely survive outside the womb without extraordinary measures.Planned Parenthood officials said they have providers and staff prepared to start seeing patients for walk-in medication abortion appointments at three clinics — in Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia —&nbsp;beginning Friday, followed later by scheduled surgical abortions.&nbsp;But whether that happens depends on the outcome of a lawsuit that had its first hearing before a Jackson County judge Wednesday morning.&nbsp;“What we don’t have are the abilities to overcome state restrictions and hurdles that were intended to deny care,” Emily Wales, President and CEO with Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said Wednesday evening.Less than 24 hours after voters narrowly approved Amendment 3, the ACLU of Missouri, Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers filed a lawsuit seeking to take down decades worth of overlapping restrictions and bans on abortion on the books in Missouri.&nbsp;There was no disagreement between Planned Parenthood and the Missouri Attorney General’s office that Amendment 3 makes unconstitutional the trigger law that went into effect in June 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion.&nbsp;The disagreement instead revolves around more than a dozen “targeted regulation of abortion providers” laws, also known as TRAP laws, that previously made abortions all but inaccessible in Missouri prior to the total ban taking effect.Planned Parenthood is asking a Jackson County judge to grant a preliminary injunction which would immediately declare the current ban and the TRAP laws&nbsp;unconstitutional.&nbsp;“Every single day that Missourians cannot access their constitutional rights, they’re being denied critical care,” Wales said.Solicitor General Josh Divine, who argued Wednesday’s hearing on behalf of the state,&nbsp; characterized the lawsuit as “unusually aggressive,” saying it would be more appropriate for the plaintiffs to challenge each TRAP law individually rather than all together “on a very short fuse.”&nbsp;He added that preliminary injunctions should only be granted in “drastic, extraordinary circumstances.” The lawsuit at hand, he contended, does not apply because Missourians are still able to access abortion in Illinois to the east and Kansas to the west.“Nobody’s actually going to be materially affected by what this court does,” Divine added.A decade ago, more than 5,000 abortions were performed in Missouri, according to data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.&nbsp;By 2020, two years before the abortion ban went into effect, that number dropped to 167 as a result of the TRAP laws.&nbsp;Sam Lee, a longtime Missouri anti-abortion activist and lobbyist, said he’s been pleased by the attorney general’s defense of Missouri’s anti-abortion laws.If the TRAP laws remain in effect, as Lee is hoping, “it may severely affect Planned Parenthood’s ability to do abortions, because they weren’t doing abortions when those laws were in effect some years ago.”Judge Jerri Zhang, who is overseeing the case, did not immediately rule on the injunction when the hearing concluded late Wednesday evening.&nbsp;She did, however, deny the state’s request to remove Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker as a defendant and move the case to Cole County. Earlier this year, a Cole County judge&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/20/missouri-supreme-court-opinions-amendment-3-abortion/">struck Amendment 3 from the ballot,</a>&nbsp;a decision that was quickly overridden by the Missouri Court of Appeals.The attorney general’s office said they plan to appeal Zhang’s decisions, arguing that Peters Baker does not appropriately represent all statewide prosecutors because of her previous statements in support of abortion rights.The Missouri Attorney General’s Office also posed a court challenge to the Planned Parenthood suit.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Petition.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3370878" target="_blank">This latest lawsuit,</a>&nbsp;filed last week in Cole County, questions Planned Parenthood Great Plains’ ability to sue the state, claiming a 2010 settlement agreement prevents them from doing so.&nbsp;<h2>Missouri’s TRAP laws</h2>For decades, Missouri legislators have passed laws restricting abortion access and regulating the procedure.&nbsp;“The voters have now changed all of that,” Eleanor Spottswood, an attorney with Planned Parenthood, argued before the court Wednesday.Amendment 3 states, in part, that “the right to reproductive freedom shall not be denied, interfered with, delayed, or otherwise restricted unless the government demonstrates that such action is justifiable by a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”&nbsp;The litigation challenges numerous current laws, including a mandatory 72-hour waiting period between an initial appointment and the abortion procedure; requirements that abortion clinics must have admitting privileges at a hospital roughly 15 minutes away; and a requirement that the same physician who initially saw the patient also perform the abortion.&nbsp;The lawsuit is also challenging the current law criminalizing physicians who perform abortions.Spottswood argued that a failure to immediately strike down the TRAP laws would cause “irreparable harm” to Missourians because “patients and providers have to do twice the work to access abortion.”Meanwhile, the attorney general’s office argued that striking down such laws would cause more harm.&nbsp;Divine on multiple occasions cited an<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/020687Orig1s025Lbl.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;FDA label for mifepristone</a>, one of two medications used to induce a medication abortion, that shows that according to two U.S. studies of about 1,00 women, up to 5% of women who took mifepristone ended up in the emergency room. It did not specify if the emergency room visits were necessary.&nbsp;The same FDA label says that across three studies of more than 14,000 women who took mifepristone, fewer than 0.6% were admitted to the hospital as a result of the medication.Divine also noted that no individual women seeking abortions were named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, arguing that’s because women don’t actually want abortions once given more information. He said this is why the state’s requirements that those seeking abortions first be given the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/families/womenshealth/pregnancyassistance/pdf/Mo.InformedConsentBooklet-Revisedpgs.12-15August2019jkOGCReviewed.pdf" target="_blank">informed consent booklet&nbsp;</a>should remain.&nbsp;“It’s against their moral beliefs,” Divine said. “But they’re being pressured, often by an abusive partner, by parents, things of that nature, so what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to create a situation where those women can in fact make the choice that they want to do, and we know most of the time that’s childbirth.”&nbsp;About&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/induced-abortion-united-states#:~:text=Approximately%20one%20in%20four%20women,45%2C%20given%202020%20abortion%20rates.&amp;text=According%20to%20data%20from%20the,14%20weeks'%20gestation%20or%20later." target="_blank">one in four women in the United States have an abortion</a>&nbsp;before the age of 45, according to 2020 data. In 2021, around 94% of abortions occurred before 14 weeks gestation. Abortions later than 20 weeks&nbsp; account for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/abortions-later-in-pregnancy-in-a-post-dobbs-era/#:~:text=Abortions%20at%20or%20after%2021,require%20travel%20and%20lost%20wages." target="_blank">fewer than 1% of all abortions in the United States</a>, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Divine, in his final arguments Wednesday, characterized the state’s TRAP laws as incidental, much like speeding laws or road construction that could delay someone getting to an abortion. But he said the TRAP laws don’t fall under the strict scrutiny requirement and therefore don’t require an immediate ruling.Zhang asked if delaying an abortion through the required 72-hour waiting period would infringe on a patient’s autonomy, especially if the patient was a day or two shy of 10 weeks gestation, when procedures switch from medication to surgical abortions.Divine responded that the attorney general’s office believes Amendment 3 gives Missourians the right to an abortion, but doesn’t give them the right to a certain abortion procedure.&nbsp;He also noted that Amendment 3 doesn’t specifically mention the legalization of mifepristone, alluding to future attempts by the incoming GOP administration to enforce the Comstock Act, an 1873 law that bans mailing obscene material, including for the use of abortion.