MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before 10:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop on a 2021 blue Toyota RAV4 for a traffic violation&nbsp; southbound U.S. Highway 75, approximately four miles north of Independence, Kansas, according to Montgomery County Sheriff Ron Wade.

As the vehicle came to a stop, deputies observed a large object being thrown from the front passenger window. Upon investigation, deputies determined that the front passenger, identified as 45-year-old Cornelius Williams of Independence, Kansas, had discarded approximately one pound of suspected crystal methamphetamine.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of one ounce of suspected powder cocaine and one ounce of suspected crack cocaine. 

Both Williams and the driver 44-year-old Shequetta Dean of Independence, Kansas, were taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where they were booked on the following charges:

Cornelius Williams was booked on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement; conceal/alter/destroy evidence in a felony case• Littering from a vehicle; Transporting an open container; Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use; Possession of marijuana• Distribution of opiates/opium/narcotics/stimulants (100 grams to &lt;1 kilogram)

Shequetta Dean was booked on requested charges of Improper driving on a laned roadway; Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use• Possession of marijuana; Transporting an open container; Distribution of opiates/opium/narcotics/stimulants (100 grams to &lt;1 kilogram)

Following the arrests, deputies obtained a search warrant for the Apple Tree Inn, where Williams and Dean had been staying.

 The search resulted in the discovery of drug distribution paraphernalia, including scales, as well as additional drug-related items and over $6,000 in U.S. currency.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738676371751.png" alt="Williams photo Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just before 10:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop on a 2021 blue Toyota RAV4 for a traffic violation&nbsp; southbound U.S. Highway 75, approximately four miles north of Independence, Kansas, according to Montgomery County Sheriff Ron Wade.As the vehicle came to a stop, deputies observed a large object being thrown from the front passenger window. Upon investigation, deputies determined that the front passenger, identified as 45-year-old Cornelius Williams of Independence, Kansas, had discarded approximately one pound of suspected crystal methamphetamine.A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of one ounce of suspected powder cocaine and one ounce of suspected crack cocaine. Both Williams and the driver 44-year-old Shequetta Dean of Independence, Kansas, were taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where they were booked on the following charges:Cornelius Williams was booked on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement; conceal/alter/destroy evidence in a felony case• Littering from a vehicle; Transporting an open container; Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use; Possession of marijuana• Distribution of opiates/opium/narcotics/stimulants (100 grams to &lt;1 kilogram)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738676351120.png" alt="Dean photo Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Dean photo Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>Shequetta Dean was booked on requested charges of Improper driving on a laned roadway; Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use• Possession of marijuana; Transporting an open container; Distribution of opiates/opium/narcotics/stimulants (100 grams to &lt;1 kilogram)Following the arrests, deputies obtained a search warrant for the Apple Tree Inn, where Williams and Dean had been staying. The search resulted in the discovery of drug distribution paraphernalia, including scales, as well as additional drug-related items and over $6,000 in U.S. currency..

Suspected Kan. drug dealer threw a pound of crystal meth from SUV

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects in connection with an aggravated robbery.

Just after 7a.m. Monday, police responded to a residence in the 1300 block of SW Tyler in Topeka on a report of an aggravated robbery, according to Police LT Matt Danielson.

 Officers learned the victim’s vehicle was stolen while being robbed a gunpoint. Just before 12:30p.m., police were checking areas in South Topeka and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle associated with the aggravated robbery. 

The driver of that vehicle initiated a vehicle pursuit that ended near the intersection of SE 25th and SE California after the driver crashed into another moving vehicle. 

The victims involved in the crash were uninjured and three occupants inside the suspect vehicle ran. 

Police ultimately took 27-year-old Breylin Bakerf Topeka, along with two juveniles into custody a short time later and transported them to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning in connection with the robbery and vehicle pursuit.

One juvenile was released to a guardian and the second juvenile was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Breylin Baker was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and a&nbsp;Warrant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738794821817.png" alt="Baker photo Shawnee Coll" />
 <figcaption>Baker photo Shawnee Coll</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects in connection with an aggravated robbery.Just after 7a.m. Monday, police responded to a residence in the 1300 block of SW Tyler in Topeka on a report of an aggravated robbery, according to Police LT Matt Danielson. Officers learned the victim’s vehicle was stolen while being robbed a gunpoint. Just before 12:30p.m., police were checking areas in South Topeka and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle associated with the aggravated robbery. The driver of that vehicle initiated a vehicle pursuit that ended near the intersection of SE 25th and SE California after the driver crashed into another moving vehicle. The victims involved in the crash were uninjured and three occupants inside the suspect vehicle ran. Police ultimately took 27-year-old Breylin Bakerf Topeka, along with two juveniles into custody a short time later and transported them to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning in connection with the robbery and vehicle pursuit.One juvenile was released to a guardian and the second juvenile was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.Breylin Baker was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and a&nbsp;Warrant.

Kansas carjacking suspect crashed during police pursuit

DENVER (AP) — A tour guide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-former-gold-mine-death-3ff210f97a9c046bd09499c3c6ef8272">killed at a former Colorado gold mine</a>&nbsp;last year fell out of a crowded elevator taking tourists below ground after apparently not latching its door closed, documents obtained by The Associated Press show.

As the elevator descended, the door swung out and caught the side of the mine shaft, the guide fell out, was dragged and ended up landing on top of one of the tourists as the elevator continued its descent, investigators determined.

The harrowing account of the October accident that killed Patrick Weier, 46, at the Mollie Kathleen Mine in the mountains near Colorado Springs was included in an investigative report obtained by AP in response to a public records request.

The sheriff’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-former-gold-mine-death-mollie-kathleen-ad63ad21bc3e30cc626fc70fe3c48620">announced earlier this month</a>&nbsp;that Weier’s death was caused by “operator error” but did not explain how he died or what the error was. State mining regulators inspected the mine after the accident and did not find any problems with the equipment there.

Steve Schafrik, a University of Kentucky associate professor of mining engineering, said that at commercial mining operations, an elevator will not move if the safety systems are not in place and functioning. However, he said he did not have experience with operations in former mines that are now only used for tours.

Surveillance video showed that in the minutes prior to his death, Weier loaded the group of tourists onto the lower level of a double-decker, cage-like elevator for a 1,000-foot descent into the mine. But he had trouble squeezing in himself because it was so crowded, said the report by the Teller County Sheriff’s Office.

The tourists who were in the lower section with him told investigators that Weier had asked them to squeeze together more so he could fit inside, according to the report. A woman suggested that he ride in the upper level of the elevator since the people were smaller, but she said he didn’t respond.

Weier barely had enough room to reach his hand out to close the door, and he did not appear to have secured its latch, the report said.

Within a few seconds of starting the descent, passengers said the elevator started to hit the wall of the shaft. Weier cursed and said things like “I can’t stop this,” and debris was flying at the passengers in the dark. Some lost their hard hats and, without much light, they had to rely mostly on sounds to try to make out what was happening.

According to the report, about halfway down the shaft, the door opened, came off its track and bent as it scraped along the elevator shaft. Investigators believe Weier fell out after ringing the bell to tell the operator to stop the elevator. At first he was trapped between the shaft wall and the still-moving elevator and ultimately fell into the top elevator car.

When the elevator suddenly stopped, the group in the compartment above then said someone else was in their car — Weier. His body landed on top of a woman, who said it felt like she was being suffocated by it.

A woman in the lower car was pinned by the bent door until others could free her.

Two women in the top car decided to climb up a ladder seeking help. They said the ladder was breaking as they went, but both made it up safely.

The accident left a second group of tourists stuck for hours 1,000 feet (305 meters) below ground, as authorities worked to make sure the elevator could safely bring them back up.

No one answered the phone at the mine and its owner did not respond to telephone messages or an email. The mine's website says it is closed until further notice.

Weier had a 7-year-old son and was from the nearby town of Victor, Colorado. Some people who went on tours at the mine with him have donated to an online fundraiser for his son, saying his knowledge about the area's mining history left an impact on them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728611282995.png" alt="Photos Teller County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Teller County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — A tour guide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-former-gold-mine-death-3ff210f97a9c046bd09499c3c6ef8272">killed at a former Colorado gold mine</a>&nbsp;last year fell out of a crowded elevator taking tourists below ground after apparently not latching its door closed, documents obtained by The Associated Press show.As the elevator descended, the door swung out and caught the side of the mine shaft, the guide fell out, was dragged and ended up landing on top of one of the tourists as the elevator continued its descent, investigators determined.The harrowing account of the October accident that killed Patrick Weier, 46, at the Mollie Kathleen Mine in the mountains near Colorado Springs was included in an investigative report obtained by AP in response to a public records request.The sheriff’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-former-gold-mine-death-mollie-kathleen-ad63ad21bc3e30cc626fc70fe3c48620">announced earlier this month</a>&nbsp;that Weier’s death was caused by “operator error” but did not explain how he died or what the error was. State mining regulators inspected the mine after the accident and did not find any problems with the equipment there.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728611333630.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Steve Schafrik, a University of Kentucky associate professor of mining engineering, said that at commercial mining operations, an elevator will not move if the safety systems are not in place and functioning. However, he said he did not have experience with operations in former mines that are now only used for tours.Surveillance video showed that in the minutes prior to his death, Weier loaded the group of tourists onto the lower level of a double-decker, cage-like elevator for a 1,000-foot descent into the mine. But he had trouble squeezing in himself because it was so crowded, said the report by the Teller County Sheriff’s Office.The tourists who were in the lower section with him told investigators that Weier had asked them to squeeze together more so he could fit inside, according to the report. A woman suggested that he ride in the upper level of the elevator since the people were smaller, but she said he didn’t respond.Weier barely had enough room to reach his hand out to close the door, and he did not appear to have secured its latch, the report said.Within a few seconds of starting the descent, passengers said the elevator started to hit the wall of the shaft. Weier cursed and said things like “I can’t stop this,” and debris was flying at the passengers in the dark. Some lost their hard hats and, without much light, they had to rely mostly on sounds to try to make out what was happening.According to the report, about halfway down the shaft, the door opened, came off its track and bent as it scraped along the elevator shaft. Investigators believe Weier fell out after ringing the bell to tell the operator to stop the elevator. At first he was trapped between the shaft wall and the still-moving elevator and ultimately fell into the top elevator car.When the elevator suddenly stopped, the group in the compartment above then said someone else was in their car — Weier. His body landed on top of a woman, who said it felt like she was being suffocated by it.A woman in the lower car was pinned by the bent door until others could free her.Two women in the top car decided to climb up a ladder seeking help. They said the ladder was breaking as they went, but both made it up safely.The accident left a second group of tourists stuck for hours 1,000 feet (305 meters) below ground, as authorities worked to make sure the elevator could safely bring them back up.No one answered the phone at the mine and its owner did not respond to telephone messages or an email. The mine's website says it is closed until further notice.Weier had a 7-year-old son and was from the nearby town of Victor, Colorado. Some people who went on tours at the mine with him have donated to an online fundraiser for his son, saying his knowledge about the area's mining history left an impact on them.

Report details how guide was killed in tourist gold mine incident

WASHINGTON (AP)—President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday intended to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women’s sports.

The order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” gives federal agencies, including the Justice and Education departments, wide latitude to ensure entities that receive federal funding abide by Title IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth.

“With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over,” Trump said at a signing ceremony.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the order “upholds the promise of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">Title IX”</a>&nbsp;and will require “immediate action, including enforcement actions, against schools and athletic associations” that deny women single-sex sports and single-sex locker rooms.

The timing of the order coincided with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and is the latest in a string of executive actions from Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-order-passports-prisons-military-3c14ecbdd10f61618384e81624d090fb">aimed at transgender people</a>.

Trump found during the campaign that his pledge to “keep men out of women’s sports” resonated beyond the usual party lines. More than half the voters surveyed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/votecast/">AP VoteCast</a>&nbsp;said support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far.

He leaned into the rhetoric before the election, pledging to get rid of the “transgender insanity,” though his campaign offered little in the way of details.

The order offers some clarity. For example, it authorizes the Education Department to penalize schools that allow transgender athletes to compete, citing noncompliance with Title IX, which prohibits sexual discrimination in schools. Any school found in violation could potentially be ineligible for federal funding.

The order also calls for private sporting bodies to meet at the White House so the president can hear in person “the stories of female athletes who have suffered livelong injuries, who have been silenced and forced to shower with men and compete with men on athletic fields across the country.”

The move is the latest by the Trump administration to limit the rights of the transgender population.

Previous ones have sought to have the federal government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-passports-prisons-eggs-sperm-da1d1d280658a8c85c57cfec2f30cefb">reject the idea that people can transition</a>&nbsp;to a gender other than the one assigned at birth. That has implications for areas including passports and prisons. He’s also opened the door to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-tuskegee-airmen-dei-pentagon-480d932c8bcb4c6056abe78e34010982">barring transgender service members</a>&nbsp;from the military; called to end federal health insurance and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-transition-executive-order-301e4130233b411311978f66f455f1c4">funding for gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for transgender people under age 19 and restrict the way lessons on gender can be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-critical-race-theory-antisemitism-college-protests-18136b8c8f5adb9c75c47907e020268a">taught in schools</a>.

Already, transgender people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-gender-affirming-care-lawsuit-19-cf1467fd53ebb8a125a863c345508e4c">have sued</a>&nbsp;over several of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-troops-trump-pentagon-order-c92b17a47574d711efa11fb178ff6ae0">the policies</a>&nbsp;and are likely to challenge more of them in court.

Civil rights lawyers who are handling the cases have asserted that in some instances, Trump’s orders violate laws adopted by Congress and protections in the Constitution – and that they overstep the authority of the president.

There could be similar questions for this order, for instance: Can the president demand that the NCAA change its policies?

NCAA President Charlie Baker told Republican senators in December that the organization would follow federal law. The NCAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

The order came a day after three former teammates of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas filed a lawsuit accusing the NCAA, Ivy League, Harvard and their own school, Penn, of conspiring to allow Thomas to compete at conference and national championships.

The lawsuit, which makes similar allegations of that filed last year by Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and others, alleges the defendants violated Title IX by allowing Thomas to swim “and acted in bad faith.” Gaines joined Trump for the signing ceremony.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738791483165.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)—President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday intended to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women’s sports.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Signs No Men in Women&#39;s Sports Executive Order Into Law <a href="https://t.co/KBIiWOzmua">https://t.co/KBIiWOzmua</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1887239737724805520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” gives federal agencies, including the Justice and Education departments, wide latitude to ensure entities that receive federal funding abide by Title IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth.“With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over,” Trump said at a signing ceremony.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today’s victory would not have been possible without brave women like <a href="https://twitter.com/Riley_Gaines_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Riley_Gaines_</a> standing up and fighting for what’s right and true. The war on women’s sports is finally over thanks to President Trump! <a href="https://t.co/uEK9ZIFaKL">pic.twitter.com/uEK9ZIFaKL</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1887270630690885833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the order “upholds the promise of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">Title IX”</a>&nbsp;and will require “immediate action, including enforcement actions, against schools and athletic associations” that deny women single-sex sports and single-sex locker rooms.The timing of the order coincided with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and is the latest in a string of executive actions from Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-order-passports-prisons-military-3c14ecbdd10f61618384e81624d090fb">aimed at transgender people</a>.Trump found during the campaign that his pledge to “keep men out of women’s sports” resonated beyond the usual party lines. More than half the voters surveyed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/votecast/">AP VoteCast</a>&nbsp;said support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far.He leaned into the rhetoric before the election, pledging to get rid of the “transgender insanity,” though his campaign offered little in the way of details.The order offers some clarity. For example, it authorizes the Education Department to penalize schools that allow transgender athletes to compete, citing noncompliance with Title IX, which prohibits sexual discrimination in schools. Any school found in violation could potentially be ineligible for federal funding.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PRESIDENT TRUMP: &quot;We are putting every school receiving taxpayer dollars on notice: If you let men take over women&#39;s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/M7r8sXkEsF">pic.twitter.com/M7r8sXkEsF</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1887243033399177263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The order also calls for private sporting bodies to meet at the White House so the president can hear in person “the stories of female athletes who have suffered livelong injuries, who have been silenced and forced to shower with men and compete with men on athletic fields across the country.”The move is the latest by the Trump administration to limit the rights of the transgender population.Previous ones have sought to have the federal government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-passports-prisons-eggs-sperm-da1d1d280658a8c85c57cfec2f30cefb">reject the idea that people can transition</a>&nbsp;to a gender other than the one assigned at birth. That has implications for areas including passports and prisons. He’s also opened the door to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-tuskegee-airmen-dei-pentagon-480d932c8bcb4c6056abe78e34010982">barring transgender service members</a>&nbsp;from the military; called to end federal health insurance and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-transition-executive-order-301e4130233b411311978f66f455f1c4">funding for gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for transgender people under age 19 and restrict the way lessons on gender can be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-critical-race-theory-antisemitism-college-protests-18136b8c8f5adb9c75c47907e020268a">taught in schools</a>.Already, transgender people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-gender-affirming-care-lawsuit-19-cf1467fd53ebb8a125a863c345508e4c">have sued</a>&nbsp;over several of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-troops-trump-pentagon-order-c92b17a47574d711efa11fb178ff6ae0">the policies</a>&nbsp;and are likely to challenge more of them in court.Civil rights lawyers who are handling the cases have asserted that in some instances, Trump’s orders violate laws adopted by Congress and protections in the Constitution – and that they overstep the authority of the president.There could be similar questions for this order, for instance: Can the president demand that the NCAA change its policies?NCAA President Charlie Baker told Republican senators in December that the organization would follow federal law. The NCAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.The order came a day after three former teammates of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas filed a lawsuit accusing the NCAA, Ivy League, Harvard and their own school, Penn, of conspiring to allow Thomas to compete at conference and national championships.The lawsuit, which makes similar allegations of that filed last year by Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and others, alleges the defendants violated Title IX by allowing Thomas to swim “and acted in bad faith.” Gaines joined Trump for the signing ceremony.___

🎥Trump signs order to bar transgender athletes from women's sports

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are actively investigating a fatal shooting in Johnson County.

Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to an armed disturbance in the 15900 block of West 127th Street in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant John Moncayo.

First responders found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Police have identified and contacted all individual involved. Police have not reported an arrest or the name of the man who died.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are actively investigating a fatal shooting in Johnson County.Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to an armed disturbance in the 15900 block of West 127th Street in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant John Moncayo.First responders found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.Police have identified and contacted all individual involved. Police have not reported an arrest or the name of the man who died.

Police investigate deadly Kansas shooting

WILSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway&nbsp; Patrol reported a 2005 Saturn Ion driven by&nbsp; Leisa&nbsp;Snyder, 35, Altoona, was westbound on Kansas 47 four miles east of Altoona.

The car crossed the center line and struck the rear axle of an eastbound 2024 IHC semi driven by&nbsp; Dalano&nbsp; Hill, 35, Decatur, Georgia.

Snyder was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Countryside Funeral Home. Hill was not injured. Snyder was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

WILSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday in Wilson County.The Kansas Highway&nbsp; Patrol reported a 2005 Saturn Ion driven by&nbsp; Leisa&nbsp;Snyder, 35, Altoona, was westbound on Kansas 47 four miles east of Altoona.The car crossed the center line and struck the rear axle of an eastbound 2024 IHC semi driven by&nbsp; Dalano&nbsp; Hill, 35, Decatur, Georgia.Snyder was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Countryside Funeral Home. Hill was not injured. Snyder was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after car strikes rear axle of semi

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of an apartment fire in Lawrene.

Just before 3a.m. Wednesday, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical units were dispatched to a&nbsp; fire at 1821 W. 26th Street, according Interim Chief McKenzi Ezell

Initial reports to the Douglas County Emergency Communications Center indicated that a porch was on fire and that passersby could see flames from Iowa Street.

&nbsp;First crews arrived on scene and observed heavy smoke and fire on the exterior of the apartment building. The flames extended from the first floor to the third floor. At approximately 3:07a.m. two additional fire units were requested to assist in providing additional response support.

Residents of six apartment units were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Red Cross. The remainder of the residents that were evacuated were able to return to their apartments. No injuries were reported among residents or firefighters.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of an apartment fire in Lawrene.Just before 3a.m. Wednesday, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical units were dispatched to a&nbsp; fire at 1821 W. 26th Street, according Interim Chief McKenzi EzellInitial reports to the Douglas County Emergency Communications Center indicated that a porch was on fire and that passersby could see flames from Iowa Street.&nbsp;First crews arrived on scene and observed heavy smoke and fire on the exterior of the apartment building. The flames extended from the first floor to the third floor. At approximately 3:07a.m. two additional fire units were requested to assist in providing additional response support.Residents of six apartment units were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Red Cross. The remainder of the residents that were evacuated were able to return to their apartments. No injuries were reported among residents or firefighters.

Residents from 6 units displaced after Kansas apartment building fire

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — Two large unions and an alliance that together represent millions of government and retired workers are suing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for allowing a “massive and unprecedented” intrusion into Americans’ personal data, beginning last week when the newly confirmed secretary handed over the department’s payment system to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The American Federation of Government Employees, Service Employees International Union and Alliance for Retired Americans filed suit Monday arguing that members of Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency broke federal privacy laws by infiltrating the system that handles trillions in payments — including income taxes, Social Security benefits and veterans pay.

“Millions of people cannot avoid engaging in financial transactions with the federal government and, therefore, cannot avoid having their sensitive personal and financial information maintained in government records,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.citizen.org/wp-content/uploads/1-Complaint-7.pdf" target="_blank">complaint</a>&nbsp;filed in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.

The plaintiffs are represented by two legal aid groups, the Public Citizen Litigation Group and the State Democracy Defenders Fund.

“Secretary Bessent’s action granting DOGE-affiliated individuals full, continuous, and ongoing access to that information for an unspecified period of time means that retirees, taxpayers, federal employees, companies, and other individuals from all walks of life have no assurance that their information will receive the protection that federal law affords,” the complaint continued.

A rally was also scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon at the Treasury Department to protest Musk’s moves.

DOGE, an acronym for the Department of Government Efficiency, is not a government department. Agencies within the executive branch can only be created&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10158#:~:text=These%20orders%20and%20proposals%20have,various%20statutory%20functions%20and%20duties." target="_blank">by Congress</a>.

Trump convened DOGE, following a campaign promise to major campaign donor Musk, via an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;signed on his first day in office. The order renamed the U.S. Digital Service — the information technology arm of the federal government — to the U.S. DOGE Service.

The order also established an 18-month “U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization” for the purposes of “modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.”

Trump and Musk — and former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, who is no longer part of the temporary endeavor — touted on the campaign trail the creation of an entity that would cut $2 trillion in government spending.

Trump has since named Musk a temporary “special government employee,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-speaks-to-reporters/655306" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;reporters Monday, adding that she was “not sure” which security clearances Musk has.

The Washington Post first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/31/elon-musk-treasury-department-payment-systems/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Friday that a top Treasury official was placed on administrative leave by the Trump White House for refusing to allow personnel from so-called DOGE to access the federal payment system.

WIRED reported that Musk’s DOGE team is largely made up of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-government-young-engineers/" target="_blank">engineers ages 19 to 24</a>&nbsp;who have ties to Musk’s other companies.

WIRED further&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-associate-bfs-federal-payment-system/" target="_blank">uncovered</a>&nbsp;that one 25-year-old engineer, Marko Elez, now reportedly has the ability to read and write code for two of Treasury’s most sensitive systems — the Payment Automation Manager and the Secure Payment System, both managed by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.

States Newsroom reached out to the White House, the Department of the Treasury, and to representatives of DOGE for comment but did not receive responses.

Representatives from the U.S. DOGE Service continued accessing sensitive government files over the weekend when personnel demanded entry into computer systems at the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.

At least two USAID security officials were put on administrative leave after initially refusing to grant access, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/politics/usaid-washington-workers/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a>.

Democratic lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/members-congress-refused-entry-usaid-agency-shuttered-trump-administration" target="_blank">protested</a>&nbsp;outside the agency’s main office on Monday and vowed a legal fight. States Newsroom witnessed the lawmakers being denied entry into the USAID offices.

USAID employees who work in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center were told in emails and text blasts not to report to the office Monday.

The agency’s website,&nbsp;<a href="http://usaid.gov/" target="_blank">USAID.gov</a>, and its X social media&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/USAID" target="_blank">account</a>&nbsp;went dark Saturday. Musk owns X.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738775286116.png" alt="Elon Musk at an inauguration event - File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Elon Musk at an inauguration event - File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — Two large unions and an alliance that together represent millions of government and retired workers are suing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for allowing a “massive and unprecedented” intrusion into Americans’ personal data, beginning last week when the newly confirmed secretary handed over the department’s payment system to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738777717486.png" alt="U.S. Senator from Connecticut Chris Murphy during a rally against Musk on Tuessday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Senator from Connecticut Chris Murphy during a rally against Musk on Tuessday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The American Federation of Government Employees, Service Employees International Union and Alliance for Retired Americans filed suit Monday arguing that members of Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency broke federal privacy laws by infiltrating the system that handles trillions in payments — including income taxes, Social Security benefits and veterans pay.“Millions of people cannot avoid engaging in financial transactions with the federal government and, therefore, cannot avoid having their sensitive personal and financial information maintained in government records,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.citizen.org/wp-content/uploads/1-Complaint-7.pdf" target="_blank">complaint</a>&nbsp;filed in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.The plaintiffs are represented by two legal aid groups, the Public Citizen Litigation Group and the State Democracy Defenders Fund.“Secretary Bessent’s action granting DOGE-affiliated individuals full, continuous, and ongoing access to that information for an unspecified period of time means that retirees, taxpayers, federal employees, companies, and other individuals from all walks of life have no assurance that their information will receive the protection that federal law affords,” the complaint continued.A rally was also scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon at the Treasury Department to protest Musk’s moves.<h2>What is DOGE?</h2>DOGE, an acronym for the Department of Government Efficiency, is not a government department. Agencies within the executive branch can only be created&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10158#:~:text=These%20orders%20and%20proposals%20have,various%20statutory%20functions%20and%20duties." target="_blank">by Congress</a>.Trump convened DOGE, following a campaign promise to major campaign donor Musk, via an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;signed on his first day in office. The order renamed the U.S. Digital Service — the information technology arm of the federal government — to the U.S. DOGE Service.The order also established an 18-month “U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization” for the purposes of “modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.”Trump and Musk — and former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, who is no longer part of the temporary endeavor — touted on the campaign trail the creation of an entity that would cut $2 trillion in government spending.Trump has since named Musk a temporary “special government employee,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-speaks-to-reporters/655306" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;reporters Monday, adding that she was “not sure” which security clearances Musk has.<h2>Youthful engineers</h2>The Washington Post first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/31/elon-musk-treasury-department-payment-systems/" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;Friday that a top Treasury official was placed on administrative leave by the Trump White House for refusing to allow personnel from so-called DOGE to access the federal payment system.WIRED reported that Musk’s DOGE team is largely made up of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-government-young-engineers/" target="_blank">engineers ages 19 to 24</a>&nbsp;who have ties to Musk’s other companies.WIRED further&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-associate-bfs-federal-payment-system/" target="_blank">uncovered</a>&nbsp;that one 25-year-old engineer, Marko Elez, now reportedly has the ability to read and write code for two of Treasury’s most sensitive systems — the Payment Automation Manager and the Secure Payment System, both managed by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.States Newsroom reached out to the White House, the Department of the Treasury, and to representatives of DOGE for comment but did not receive responses.<h2>DOGE in USAID</h2>Representatives from the U.S. DOGE Service continued accessing sensitive government files over the weekend when personnel demanded entry into computer systems at the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.At least two USAID security officials were put on administrative leave after initially refusing to grant access, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/politics/usaid-washington-workers/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a>.Democratic lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/members-congress-refused-entry-usaid-agency-shuttered-trump-administration" target="_blank">protested</a>&nbsp;outside the agency’s main office on Monday and vowed a legal fight. States Newsroom witnessed the lawmakers being denied entry into the USAID offices.USAID employees who work in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center were told in emails and text blasts not to report to the office Monday.The agency’s website,&nbsp;<a href="http://usaid.gov/" target="_blank">USAID.gov</a>, and its X social media&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/USAID" target="_blank">account</a>&nbsp;went dark Saturday. Musk owns X.

Lawsuit Filed Over Attempts by Elon Musk’s DOGE to take Over U.S. Benefit Payment System

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is going to prison for murder.

A Jackson County judge sentenced 26-year-old Kequan Herring to 32-years in prison for a fatal shooting near 19th Street and Park Tower Drive in 2023, according to Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

The judge sentenced him to 22 years for 2nd Degree Murder, 15 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 10 years for each count of Armed Criminal Action. The murder charge will run consecutive to one Armed Criminal Action count. The other Armed Criminal Action count and Unlawful Use of a Weapon conviction will run concurrent with the murder count.&nbsp;

In December, Herring was convicted of 2nd Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2497/Kequan-Herring-PC-Statement-redacted">According to court records</a>, officers were dispatched to a residence on a shooting call on November 28, 2023, and located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.

Detectives found shell casings behind the residence and bullet holes through the back entrance wall of the residence. There were some apparent bullet holes in nearby residences as well.&nbsp;

Surveillance video from the area of the shooting captured the defendant shooting at the back of the victim’s residence, running out of camera view and then driving away. Detectives used cell tower mapping, which placed the defendant in the area of the homicide at the same time it took place. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702072810901.png" alt="Herring-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Herring-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is going to prison for murder.A Jackson County judge sentenced 26-year-old Kequan Herring to 32-years in prison for a fatal shooting near 19th Street and Park Tower Drive in 2023, according to Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.The judge sentenced him to 22 years for 2nd Degree Murder, 15 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 10 years for each count of Armed Criminal Action. The murder charge will run consecutive to one Armed Criminal Action count. The other Armed Criminal Action count and Unlawful Use of a Weapon conviction will run concurrent with the murder count.&nbsp;In December, Herring was convicted of 2nd Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2497/Kequan-Herring-PC-Statement-redacted">According to court records</a>, officers were dispatched to a residence on a shooting call on November 28, 2023, and located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.Detectives found shell casings behind the residence and bullet holes through the back entrance wall of the residence. There were some apparent bullet holes in nearby residences as well.&nbsp;Surveillance video from the area of the shooting captured the defendant shooting at the back of the victim’s residence, running out of camera view and then driving away. Detectives used cell tower mapping, which placed the defendant in the area of the homicide at the same time it took place. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Cell tower mapping helped convict KC man of murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first U.S. military flight deporting migrants from the United States to Guantanamo Bay landed in Cuba on Tuesday evening, according to a U.S. official. It was the first step in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-signs-laken-riley-act-immigration-crackdown-30a34248fa984d8d46b809c3e6d8731a">expected surge</a>&nbsp;in the number of migrants sent to the U.S. naval base, which for decades was primarily used to detain foreigners associated with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

President Donald Trump has eyed the facility as a holding center and said it has the capacity to hold as many as 30,000.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was assigned to Guantanamo Bay when he was on active duty, has called it a “perfect place” to house migrants.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-troops-border-guantanamo-7e667ff0ac0a483dae048e2d2de37997">Additional U.S. troops</a>&nbsp;have arrived at the facility in the past few days to help prepare.

Amy Fischer, director of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Program at Amnesty International USA, decried the use of Guantanamo.

“Sending immigrants to Guantanamo is a profoundly cruel, costly move. It will cut people off from lawyers, family and support systems, throwing them into a black hole so the U.S. government can continue to violate their human rights out of sight. Shut Gitmo down now and forever!" Fischer said in a statement.

In addition, the U.S. flew Indian immigrants back to India on Monday, a second U.S. official said. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.

There had previously been seven deportation flights, to Ecuador,&nbsp; Guatemala,  Honduras and Peru. In addition, Colombian officials flew to the U.S. and took two flights of migrants back to their country.

There are approximately 300 service members supporting the holding operations at Guantanamo Bay, and the numbers will fluctuate based on the requirements of the Department of Homeland Security, which is the lead federal agency. At least 230 of those service members are U.S. Marines from the 6th Marine Regiment, who began deploying on Friday.

There are more than 725,000 immigrants from India living in the U.S. without authorization, the third most of any country after Mexico and El Salvador, according to the Pew Research Center.

Recent years have also seen a jump in the number of Indians attempting to enter the country along&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-canada-us-india-deaths-smuggling-trial-16946bb01a1d1ca2978f29e902e550fc">the U.S.-Canada border</a>. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested more than 14,000 Indians on the Canadian border in the year ending Sept. 30, which amounted to 60% of all arrests along that border and more than 10 times the number two years ago.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first U.S. military flight to deport migrants from the United States to Guantanamo Bay has departed and is expected to land Tuesday evening, two U.S. officials said. It is the first step in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-signs-laken-riley-act-immigration-crackdown-30a34248fa984d8d46b809c3e6d8731a">expected surge</a>&nbsp;in the number of migrants sent to the Navy base in Cuba, which for decades was primarily used to detain foreigners associated with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Amy Fischer, director of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Program at Amnesty International USA, decried the use of Guantanamo to house migrants.

In addition, the U.S. flew Indian migrants back to India on Monday, and that flight was still in progress as of midday Tuesday, one of the officials said. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.

There had previously been seven deportation flights, to Ecuador, Guam, Honduras and Peru. In addition, Colombian officials flew to the U.S. and took two flights of migrants back to their country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738697688367.png" alt="U.S. military service members arrived at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay this weekend where they joined service members already at the base supporting illegal alien holding operations led by DHS.-Photo U.S. Southern Command" />
 <figcaption>U.S. military service members arrived at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay this weekend where they joined service members already at the base supporting illegal alien holding operations led by DHS.-Photo U.S. Southern Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The first U.S. military flight deporting migrants from the United States to Guantanamo Bay landed in Cuba on Tuesday evening, according to a U.S. official. It was the first step in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-signs-laken-riley-act-immigration-crackdown-30a34248fa984d8d46b809c3e6d8731a">expected surge</a>&nbsp;in the number of migrants sent to the U.S. naval base, which for decades was primarily used to detain foreigners associated with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.President Donald Trump has eyed the facility as a holding center and said it has the capacity to hold as many as 30,000.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was assigned to Guantanamo Bay when he was on active duty, has called it a “perfect place” to house migrants.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-troops-border-guantanamo-7e667ff0ac0a483dae048e2d2de37997">Additional U.S. troops</a>&nbsp;have arrived at the facility in the past few days to help prepare.Amy Fischer, director of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Program at Amnesty International USA, decried the use of Guantanamo.“Sending immigrants to Guantanamo is a profoundly cruel, costly move. It will cut people off from lawyers, family and support systems, throwing them into a black hole so the U.S. government can continue to violate their human rights out of sight. Shut Gitmo down now and forever!" Fischer said in a statement.In addition, the U.S. flew Indian immigrants back to India on Monday, a second U.S. official said. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.There had previously been seven deportation flights, to Ecuador,&nbsp; Guatemala, Honduras and Peru. In addition, Colombian officials flew to the U.S. and took two flights of migrants back to their country.There are approximately 300 service members supporting the holding operations at Guantanamo Bay, and the numbers will fluctuate based on the requirements of the Department of Homeland Security, which is the lead federal agency. At least 230 of those service members are U.S. Marines from the 6th Marine Regiment, who began deploying on Friday.There are more than 725,000 immigrants from India living in the U.S. without authorization, the third most of any country after Mexico and El Salvador, according to the Pew Research Center.Recent years have also seen a jump in the number of Indians attempting to enter the country along&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-canada-us-india-deaths-smuggling-trial-16946bb01a1d1ca2978f29e902e550fc">the U.S.-Canada border</a>. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested more than 14,000 Indians on the Canadian border in the year ending Sept. 30, which amounted to 60% of all arrests along that border and more than 10 times the number two years ago.WASHINGTON (AP) — The first U.S. military flight to deport migrants from the United States to Guantanamo Bay has departed and is expected to land Tuesday evening, two U.S. officials said. It is the first step in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-signs-laken-riley-act-immigration-crackdown-30a34248fa984d8d46b809c3e6d8731a">expected surge</a>&nbsp;in the number of migrants sent to the Navy base in Cuba, which for decades was primarily used to detain foreigners associated with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.President Donald Trump has eyed the facility as a holding center and said it has the capacity to hold as many as 30,000.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was assigned to Guantanamo Bay when he was on active duty, has called it a “perfect place” to house migrants.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-troops-border-guantanamo-7e667ff0ac0a483dae048e2d2de37997">Additional U.S. troops</a>&nbsp;have arrived at the facility in the past few days to help prepare.Amy Fischer, director of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Program at Amnesty International USA, decried the use of Guantanamo to house migrants.“Sending immigrants to Guantanamo is a profoundly cruel, costly move. It will cut people off from lawyers, family and support systems, throwing them into a black hole so the U.S. government can continue to violate their human rights out of sight. Shut Gitmo down now and forever!" Fischer said in a statement.In addition, the U.S. flew Indian migrants back to India on Monday, and that flight was still in progress as of midday Tuesday, one of the officials said. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.There had previously been seven deportation flights, to Ecuador, Guam, Honduras and Peru. In addition, Colombian officials flew to the U.S. and took two flights of migrants back to their country.There are approximately 300 service members supporting the holding operations at Guantanamo Bay, and the numbers will fluctuate based on the requirements of the Department of Homeland Security, which is the lead federal agency. At least 230 of those service members are U.S. Marines from the 6th Marine Regiment, who began deploying on Friday.There are more than 725,000 immigrants from India living in the U.S. without authorization, the third most of any country after Mexico and El Salvador, according to the Pew Research Center.Recent years have also seen a jump in the number of Indians attempting to enter the country along&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-canada-us-india-deaths-smuggling-trial-16946bb01a1d1ca2978f29e902e550fc">the U.S.-Canada border</a>. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested more than 14,000 Indians on the Canadian border in the year ending Sept. 30, which amounted to 60% of all arrests along that border and more than 10 times the number two years ago.

First military flight lands in Guantanamo with migrants deported from US

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County zoo shared a story on Tuesday of both joy and heartbreak with the birth of a maned wolf pup.

Layla, the zoo's female maned wolf, gave birth to a female pup, Amora.

"Tragically, despite expert care, Layla unexpectedly passed away, leaving Amora without a mother. Maned wolves are naturally solitary, but young pups need companionship to develop properly." 

"Without a mother or sibling, it is challenging for her to learn the natural behaviors she will need to thrive as a maned wolf.To ensure she had the right companionship, we found a unique solution - we turned to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshumanesociety?__cft__[0]=AZUfIgxV2tbFaPDj93_uPs2ndXWJuh7VYbK0j6UmnZTypWnXJUqL4b1Ct0tpC0uBhiyoE3ggwlO0PKOr_2iV25go4WXy3pn45FP5MKIGz6YYh50RNWYuX-BLbdBtv4V4aylol6NZB43gpRRNWjiNbh_fs07-IThHbuS4QTOsR14K78R2ncr92ajia39f4FKhWUE&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Humane Society</a> to adopt a puppy."

Slinky, a brindle mix, was taken in by the Kansas Humane Society on the very same day Amora was born, and adopted by the Zoo three weeks later."

"They have since been carefully introduced, and while Amora has quite the spicy personality, Slinky's playful nature is helping her grow into the wolf she is meant to be."

"Slinky has started the socialization process for Amora and has since been adopted by a member of our staff. As per the SSP (Species Survival Plan), Amora will eventually transition to living with other maned wolves, carrying on the legacy of her species. The zoo encouraged the public to "stay tuned for more updates on Amora as she continues to grow."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738707486702.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County zoo shared a story on Tuesday of both joy and heartbreak with the birth of a maned wolf pup.Layla, the zoo's female maned wolf, gave birth to a female pup, Amora.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738707442203.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Tragically, despite expert care, Layla unexpectedly passed away, leaving Amora without a mother. Maned wolves are naturally solitary, but young pups need companionship to develop properly." "Without a mother or sibling, it is challenging for her to learn the natural behaviors she will need to thrive as a maned wolf.To ensure she had the right companionship, we found a unique solution - we turned to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshumanesociety?__cft__[0]=AZUfIgxV2tbFaPDj93_uPs2ndXWJuh7VYbK0j6UmnZTypWnXJUqL4b1Ct0tpC0uBhiyoE3ggwlO0PKOr_2iV25go4WXy3pn45FP5MKIGz6YYh50RNWYuX-BLbdBtv4V4aylol6NZB43gpRRNWjiNbh_fs07-IThHbuS4QTOsR14K78R2ncr92ajia39f4FKhWUE&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Humane Society</a> to adopt a puppy."Slinky, a brindle mix, was taken in by the Kansas Humane Society on the very same day Amora was born, and adopted by the Zoo three weeks later.""They have since been carefully introduced, and while Amora has quite the spicy personality, Slinky's playful nature is helping her grow into the wolf she is meant to be.""Slinky has started the socialization process for Amora and has since been adopted by a member of our staff. As per the SSP (Species Survival Plan), Amora will eventually transition to living with other maned wolves, carrying on the legacy of her species. The zoo encouraged the public to "stay tuned for more updates on Amora as she continues to grow."

Orphaned wolf pup at Kansas zoo has a new companion 

On Tuesday night,&nbsp; members of the Kansas congressional delegation held a moment of silence on the House floor in honor of those who lost their lives in the Flight 5342 crash last week.

Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes said, "We grieve with the families and friends they left behind and pray for those in our districts who are still in shock at the loss of their loved ones."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738723460196.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday night,&nbsp; members of the Kansas congressional delegation held a moment of silence on the House floor in honor of those who lost their lives in the Flight 5342 crash last week.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Tonight, my colleagues and I held a moment of silence on the House floor in honor of those who lost their lives in the Flight 5342 crash last week. We grieve with the families and friends they left behind and pray for those in our districts who are still in shock at the loss of… <a href="https://t.co/pZoQq5dxto">pic.twitter.com/pZoQq5dxto</a>&mdash; Rep. Ron Estes (@RepRonEstes) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRonEstes/status/1886953683679588426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes said, "We grieve with the families and friends they left behind and pray for those in our districts who are still in shock at the loss of their loved ones."

Moment of silence: Kan. lawmakers honor victims of midair collision 

RENO COUNTY —Authorities investigating the cause of a fatal fire at a home in Hutchinson have made an arrest.

After first responders arrived on scene at 3:30a.m. Saturday, they located four individuals at the residence. Two of the individuals 32-year-old Kalsey M. Payton and one juvenile female were found deceased. The other two individuals 37-year-old Wendell Payton and one juvenile female, were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, and later to Saint Francis in Wichita. The girl has since been medically released from the hospital.

Since responding to the scene, Hutchinson police officers and detectives have been working around the clock to follow all leads. During the investigation, probable cause was established, and after being medically released, Wendell Payton was arrested and transported to the Reno County Correctional Facility on requested charges of one count of 1st degree murder for the death of Kalsey Payton and one count of 1st degree murder for the death of the juvenile female, one count of aggravated arson, one count of aggravated endangering a child, and two counts of felony interference with law enforcement.

These charges have been forwarded to the Reno County District Attorney’s Office.

RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal fire at a home in Hutchinson.&nbsp;

Just before 3:30a.m. crews were&nbsp;dispatched to a fire at a home in the 1000 block of East 3rd Street in Hutchinson with possible people trapped, according to a media release.

A neighbor notified authorities the house was on fire and there were people in the basement. Hutchinson Police Department arrived on scene and found one juvenile standing out front of the home and they transferred care directly to EMS who was on scene.

First arriving crews found smoke coming from the 900 square foot single family home.&nbsp; They initiated an aggressive interior fire attack and search operation and were immediately met with a hole in the first floor.

They were able to navigate to the interior stairwell and made entry into the basement where they found 3 victims and the fire. Crews worked diligently to remove all 3 victims from the basement as the stairwell had been compromised due to fire.

Fire was considered controlled shortly after.&nbsp; Two of the victims, one adult and one juvenile, were found deceased,&nbsp; EMS transported one adult and one juvenile to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Incident is still under investigation in collaboration with Kansas State Fire Marshals Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738434343322.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Authorities investigating the cause of a fatal fire at a home in Hutchinson have made an arrest.After first responders arrived on scene at 3:30a.m. Saturday, they located four individuals at the residence. Two of the individuals 32-year-old Kalsey M. Payton and one juvenile female were found deceased. The other two individuals 37-year-old Wendell Payton and one juvenile female, were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, and later to Saint Francis in Wichita. The girl has since been medically released from the hospital.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738764384897.png" alt="Payton photo Reno Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Payton photo Reno Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Since responding to the scene, Hutchinson police officers and detectives have been working around the clock to follow all leads. During the investigation, probable cause was established, and after being medically released, Wendell Payton was arrested and transported to the Reno County Correctional Facility on requested charges of one count of 1st degree murder for the death of Kalsey Payton and one count of 1st degree murder for the death of the juvenile female, one count of aggravated arson, one count of aggravated endangering a child, and two counts of felony interference with law enforcement.These charges have been forwarded to the Reno County District Attorney’s Office.-------------RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal fire at a home in Hutchinson.&nbsp;Just before 3:30a.m. crews were&nbsp;dispatched to a fire at a home in the 1000 block of East 3rd Street in Hutchinson with possible people trapped, according to a media release.A neighbor notified authorities the house was on fire and there were people in the basement. Hutchinson Police Department arrived on scene and found one juvenile standing out front of the home and they transferred care directly to EMS who was on scene.First arriving crews found smoke coming from the 900 square foot single family home.&nbsp; They initiated an aggressive interior fire attack and search operation and were immediately met with a hole in the first floor.They were able to navigate to the interior stairwell and made entry into the basement where they found 3 victims and the fire. Crews worked diligently to remove all 3 victims from the basement as the stairwell had been compromised due to fire.Fire was considered controlled shortly after.&nbsp; Two of the victims, one adult and one juvenile, were found deceased,&nbsp; EMS transported one adult and one juvenile to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Incident is still under investigation in collaboration with Kansas State Fire Marshals Office.

 Kansas man arrested for house fire that killed woman and child 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating a deadly stabbing at a Kansas City home have identified the victim as 23-year-old Darrell McKelby, according KCPD&nbsp; Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

&nbsp;Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 500 block of Quincy in Kanas City on a reported knife attack, according to Gonzalez.

At the scene, first responders observed a residence with an open door and several people outside summoning officers to the home.

Officers entered the residence to locate any potential victims and observed&nbsp; McKelby suffering from apparent stab wounds. Emergency medical aid was immediately given to the victim by responding officers until EMS arrived and transported him to an area hospital where he&nbsp; was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation indicates the incident may have started over a verbal argument that escalated to violence. A woman,&nbsp; McKelby's mother, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte' was identified as a suspect and taken into custody on scene for further questioning.

Detectives are not currently looking for any additional individuals responsible.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738679900796.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating a deadly stabbing at a Kansas City home have identified the victim as 23-year-old Darrell McKelby, according KCPD&nbsp; Officer Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp;Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 500 block of Quincy in Kanas City on a reported knife attack, according to Gonzalez.At the scene, first responders observed a residence with an open door and several people outside summoning officers to the home.Officers entered the residence to locate any potential victims and observed&nbsp; McKelby suffering from apparent stab wounds. Emergency medical aid was immediately given to the victim by responding officers until EMS arrived and transported him to an area hospital where he&nbsp; was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation indicates the incident may have started over a verbal argument that escalated to violence. A woman,&nbsp; McKelby's mother, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte' was identified as a suspect and taken into custody on scene for further questioning.Detectives are not currently looking for any additional individuals responsible.&nbsp;

Homicide: Police ID KC man stabbed by his mother

SHAWNEE COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary to a recently abandoned residence in Shawnee Countu.

On February 1, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a possible burglary in progress at a residence in southeast Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 This was the same residence as a recent incident where three individuals were located deceased. A pickup truck with a trailer full of items was seen leaving the residence.

 The driver quickly unhooked the trailer and left it on the roadway nearby.

Deputies responded and located the trailer with the stolen items. Deputies returned to residence and found it had been burglarized. Most items inside the residence had either been stolen or damaged, along with three missing vehicles.

Deputies located one stolen vehicle in the 1800 block of SE 72nd Terrace, one in the 1400 block of NW Logan Street and one in the 400 block of NE Lake Street.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to please contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (785-251-2200 or DetectiveLeads@snco.us) immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738063965850.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary to a recently abandoned residence in Shawnee Countu.On February 1, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a possible burglary in progress at a residence in southeast Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. This was the same residence as a recent incident where three individuals were located deceased. A pickup truck with a trailer full of items was seen leaving the residence. The driver quickly unhooked the trailer and left it on the roadway nearby.Deputies responded and located the trailer with the stolen items. Deputies returned to residence and found it had been burglarized. Most items inside the residence had either been stolen or damaged, along with three missing vehicles.Deputies located one stolen vehicle in the 1800 block of SE 72nd Terrace, one in the 1400 block of NW Logan Street and one in the 400 block of NE Lake Street.Anyone with information on this incident is asked to please contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (785-251-2200 or DetectiveLeads@snco.us) immediately.

Sheriff: Burglary at Kan. home where 3 were found dead 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump's proposal that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-washington-ceasefire-1c8deec4dd46177e08e07d669d595ed3">the United States “take over” the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;and permanently resettle its Palestinian residents was swiftly rejected and denounced on Wednesday by American allies and adversaries alike.

Trump's suggestion came at a White House news conference with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-02-2025-90db60e88f955a8bb57cb05e99d574d6">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>, who smiled several times as the president detailed a plan to build new settlements for Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip, and for the U.S. to take “ownership” in redeveloping the war-torn territory into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said. “We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs.”

The comments came amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-ceasefire-aid-war-e1657d315ccc5ba66d15f48100f7981b">fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas</a>, during which the militant group has been turning over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-hostages-images-chaos-6371eb106d6cebe7919f70ba208007ca">hostages in exchange for the release of prisoners</a>&nbsp;held by Israel.

Egypt, Jordan and other American allies in the Middle East have already rejected the idea of relocating more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza elsewhere in the region. Following Trump's remarks, Egypt's Foreign Ministry issued a statement stressing the need for rebuilding “without moving the Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.”

Saudi Arabia, an important American ally, weighed in quickly on Trump's expanded idea to take over the Gaza Strip in a sharply worded statement, noting that its long call for an independent Palestinian state was a “firm, steadfast and unwavering position.”

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia also stresses what it had previously announced regarding its absolute rejection of infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian lands or efforts to displace the Palestinian people from their land,” the statement said.

The prime ministers of Australia and Ireland, foreign ministries from China, New Zealand and Germany, and a Kremlin spokesman all reiterated support for a two-state solution.

“Australia's position is the same as it was this morning, as it was last year, as it was 10 years ago,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Trump has already made waves — and upset longtime allies — suggesting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-imperialism-canada-panama-greenland-b4b53445dee97398b498b79eab54d49b">purchase of Greenland, the annexation of Canada</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-offshore-drilling-gulf-of-america-fa66f8d072eb39c00a8128a8941ede75">possible takeover of the Panama Canal</a>. It was not immediately clear whether the idea of taking over the Gaza Strip was a well thought out plan, or an opening gambit in negotiations.

“The comments last night were, of course, very concerning," said Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. “I always adopt the approach when it comes to the U.S. administration of: judge them based on what they do and not what they say."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told state-run Anadolu Agency that Trump's proposal on "deportations from Gaza is not something that either the region or we would accept.”

“Even thinking about it, in my opinion, is wrong and absurd,” Fidan said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the United Nations to “protect the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights,” saying that what Trump wanted to do would be “a serious violation of international law.”

Hamas, which sparked the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, said Trump's proposal was a “recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region."

“Instead of holding the Zionist occupation accountable for the crime of genocide and displacement, it is being rewarded, not punished,” the militant group said in a statement.

In its attack on Israel, Hamas killed some 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and took about 250 hostages.

Israel's ensuing air and ground war has has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to local health authorities who do not say how many of the dead were fighters. The war has left large&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-aftermath-destruction-4c148d498f3d67a5d6de2107b6a1c966">parts of several cities in ruins</a>&nbsp;and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people.

In the U.S., opposition politicians quickly rejected Trump's idea, with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons calling his comments "offensive and insane and dangerous and foolish.”

The idea “risks the rest of the world thinking that we are an unbalanced and unreliable partner because our president makes insane proposals,” Coons said, noting the irony of the proposal coming shortly after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-layoffs-7e0a159d8a419c4c9388ab02e8259f23">had moved to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development</a>.

“Why on earth would we abandon decades of well-established humanitarian programs around the world, and now launch into one of the world’s greatest humanitarian challenges?” Coons said.

Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American member of Congress from Michigan, accused Trump in a social media post of “openly calling for ethnic cleansing” with the idea of resettling Gaza's entire population.

Rising reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington; Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; Simina Mistreanu in Taipei, Taiwan; Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Charlotte McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday suggested that displaced Palestinians in Gaza be permanently resettled outside the war-torn territory and proposed the U.S. take “ownership” in redeveloping the area into “the Riviera of the Middle East”

Trump’s brazen proposal appears certain to roil the next stage of talks meant to extend the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.

The provocative comments came as talks are ramping up this week with the promise of surging humanitarian aid and reconstruction supplies to help the people of Gaza recover after more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">15 months of devastating conflict</a>. Now Trump wants to push roughly 1.8 million people to leave the land they have called home and claim it for the U.S., perhaps with American troops.

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said at an evening news conference with Netanyahu by his side. The president who made his name as New York real estate developer added: “We’ll make sure that it’s done world class. It’ll be wonderful for the people — Palestinians, Palestinians mostly, we’re talking about.”

Trump outlined his thinking as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-palestinians-israel-trump-war-a5fd8e3eb4e50ed609c9f0aa100c51e6">held talks</a>&nbsp;with Israeli Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;at the White House, where the two leaders also discussed the fragile ceasefire and hostage deal in the Israeli-Hamas conflict and shared concerns about Iran.

Trump said the U.S. would redevelop the territory after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere and turn the territory into a place where the “world's people”— including Palestinians — would live. He offered no detail about what authority the U.S. would use to take the land and develop it.

Egypt, Jordan and other U.S. allies in the Mideast have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-egypt-jordan-palestinians-trump-51dc4d5225e6bc0a135b7bbafedb3d86">cautioned Trump</a>&nbsp;that relocating Palestinians from Gaza would threaten Mideast stability, risk expanding the conflict and undermine a decades-long push by the U.S. and allies for a two-state solution.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry issued a sharply worded reaction to Trump, noting their long call for an independent Palestinian state was a “firm, steadfast and unwavering position.” Saudi Arabia has been in negotiations with the U.S. over a deal to diplomatically recognize Israel in exchange for a security pact and other terms.

“The duty of the international community today is to work to alleviate the severe human suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain committed to their land and will not budge from it," the Saudi statement said.

Still, Trump insists the Palestinians “have no alternative” but to leave the "big pile of rubble” that is Gaza. He spoke out as his top aides stressed that a three-to-five-year timeline for reconstruction of the war-torn territory, as laid out in a temporary truce agreement, is not viable.

Last week, both Egyptian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/egypts-president-rejects-trumps-proposal-to-relocate-gaza-residents-to-egypt-and-jordan-9d4db035f56b4b25b490a20db33e81f9">Abdel Fattah el-Sissi</a>&nbsp;and Jordanian King Abdullah II dismissed Trump's calls to resettle Gazans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738708211203.png" alt="Photo by Margo Martin, Assistant to the President" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Margo Martin, Assistant to the President</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump's proposal that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-washington-ceasefire-1c8deec4dd46177e08e07d669d595ed3">the United States “take over” the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;and permanently resettle its Palestinian residents was swiftly rejected and denounced on Wednesday by American allies and adversaries alike.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KellyO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KellyO</a> on U.S. taking over Gaza strip: &quot;Are you talking about a permanent occupation there? Redevelopment?&quot; President Trump: &quot;I do see a long-term ownership position...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/AOvHSZZPFR">pic.twitter.com/AOvHSZZPFR</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886937349080105014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump's suggestion came at a White House news conference with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-02-2025-90db60e88f955a8bb57cb05e99d574d6">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>, who smiled several times as the president detailed a plan to build new settlements for Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip, and for the U.S. to take “ownership” in redeveloping the war-torn territory into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said. “We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again. Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people.&mdash; Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio/status/1886984908717085101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The comments came amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-ceasefire-aid-war-e1657d315ccc5ba66d15f48100f7981b">fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas</a>, during which the militant group has been turning over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-hostages-images-chaos-6371eb106d6cebe7919f70ba208007ca">hostages in exchange for the release of prisoners</a>&nbsp;held by Israel.Egypt, Jordan and other American allies in the Middle East have already rejected the idea of relocating more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza elsewhere in the region. Following Trump's remarks, Egypt's Foreign Ministry issued a statement stressing the need for rebuilding “without moving the Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.”Saudi Arabia, an important American ally, weighed in quickly on Trump's expanded idea to take over the Gaza Strip in a sharply worded statement, noting that its long call for an independent Palestinian state was a “firm, steadfast and unwavering position.”“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia also stresses what it had previously announced regarding its absolute rejection of infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian lands or efforts to displace the Palestinian people from their land,” the statement said.The prime ministers of Australia and Ireland, foreign ministries from China, New Zealand and Germany, and a Kremlin spokesman all reiterated support for a two-state solution.“Australia's position is the same as it was this morning, as it was last year, as it was 10 years ago,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.Trump has already made waves — and upset longtime allies — suggesting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-imperialism-canada-panama-greenland-b4b53445dee97398b498b79eab54d49b">purchase of Greenland, the annexation of Canada</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-offshore-drilling-gulf-of-america-fa66f8d072eb39c00a8128a8941ede75">possible takeover of the Panama Canal</a>. It was not immediately clear whether the idea of taking over the Gaza Strip was a well thought out plan, or an opening gambit in negotiations.“The comments last night were, of course, very concerning," said Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. “I always adopt the approach when it comes to the U.S. administration of: judge them based on what they do and not what they say."Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told state-run Anadolu Agency that Trump's proposal on "deportations from Gaza is not something that either the region or we would accept.”“Even thinking about it, in my opinion, is wrong and absurd,” Fidan said.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the United Nations to “protect the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights,” saying that what Trump wanted to do would be “a serious violation of international law.”Hamas, which sparked the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, said Trump's proposal was a “recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region."“Instead of holding the Zionist occupation accountable for the crime of genocide and displacement, it is being rewarded, not punished,” the militant group said in a statement.In its attack on Israel, Hamas killed some 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and took about 250 hostages.Israel's ensuing air and ground war has has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to local health authorities who do not say how many of the dead were fighters. The war has left large&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-aftermath-destruction-4c148d498f3d67a5d6de2107b6a1c966">parts of several cities in ruins</a>&nbsp;and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people.In the U.S., opposition politicians quickly rejected Trump's idea, with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons calling his comments "offensive and insane and dangerous and foolish.”The idea “risks the rest of the world thinking that we are an unbalanced and unreliable partner because our president makes insane proposals,” Coons said, noting the irony of the proposal coming shortly after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-layoffs-7e0a159d8a419c4c9388ab02e8259f23">had moved to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development</a>.“Why on earth would we abandon decades of well-established humanitarian programs around the world, and now launch into one of the world’s greatest humanitarian challenges?” Coons said.Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American member of Congress from Michigan, accused Trump in a social media post of “openly calling for ethnic cleansing” with the idea of resettling Gaza's entire population.___Rising reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington; Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; Simina Mistreanu in Taipei, Taiwan; Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Charlotte McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report.-----------------WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday suggested that displaced Palestinians in Gaza be permanently resettled outside the war-torn territory and proposed the U.S. take “ownership” in redeveloping the area into “the Riviera of the Middle East”Trump’s brazen proposal appears certain to roil the next stage of talks meant to extend the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.The provocative comments came as talks are ramping up this week with the promise of surging humanitarian aid and reconstruction supplies to help the people of Gaza recover after more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">15 months of devastating conflict</a>. Now Trump wants to push roughly 1.8 million people to leave the land they have called home and claim it for the U.S., perhaps with American troops.“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said at an evening news conference with Netanyahu by his side. The president who made his name as New York real estate developer added: “We’ll make sure that it’s done world class. It’ll be wonderful for the people — Palestinians, Palestinians mostly, we’re talking about.”Trump outlined his thinking as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-palestinians-israel-trump-war-a5fd8e3eb4e50ed609c9f0aa100c51e6">held talks</a>&nbsp;with Israeli Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;at the White House, where the two leaders also discussed the fragile ceasefire and hostage deal in the Israeli-Hamas conflict and shared concerns about Iran.Trump said the U.S. would redevelop the territory after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere and turn the territory into a place where the “world's people”— including Palestinians — would live. He offered no detail about what authority the U.S. would use to take the land and develop it.Egypt, Jordan and other U.S. allies in the Mideast have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-egypt-jordan-palestinians-trump-51dc4d5225e6bc0a135b7bbafedb3d86">cautioned Trump</a>&nbsp;that relocating Palestinians from Gaza would threaten Mideast stability, risk expanding the conflict and undermine a decades-long push by the U.S. and allies for a two-state solution.Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry issued a sharply worded reaction to Trump, noting their long call for an independent Palestinian state was a “firm, steadfast and unwavering position.” Saudi Arabia has been in negotiations with the U.S. over a deal to diplomatically recognize Israel in exchange for a security pact and other terms.“The duty of the international community today is to work to alleviate the severe human suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain committed to their land and will not budge from it," the Saudi statement said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Netanyahu</a> to the White House. <a href="https://t.co/LbQ1J0Edgs">pic.twitter.com/LbQ1J0Edgs</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1886890555994407215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Still, Trump insists the Palestinians “have no alternative” but to leave the "big pile of rubble” that is Gaza. He spoke out as his top aides stressed that a three-to-five-year timeline for reconstruction of the war-torn territory, as laid out in a temporary truce agreement, is not viable.Last week, both Egyptian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/egypts-president-rejects-trumps-proposal-to-relocate-gaza-residents-to-egypt-and-jordan-9d4db035f56b4b25b490a20db33e81f9">Abdel Fattah el-Sissi</a>&nbsp;and Jordanian King Abdullah II dismissed Trump's calls to resettle Gazans.But Trump said he believes Egypt and Jordan — as well as other countries, which he did not name — will ultimately agree to take in Palestinians.“You look over the decades, it’s all death in Gaza,” Trump said. "This has been happening for years. It’s all death. If we can get a beautiful area to resettle people, permanently, in nice homes where they can be happy and not be shot and not be killed and not be knifed to death like what’s happening in Gaza.”Trump also said he isn’t ruling out deploying U.S. troops to support reconstruction of Gaza. He envisions “long-term” U.S. ownership of a redevelopment of the territory.The president's proposal was greeted with alarm by Democrats and a measure of skepticism by his Republican allies.“He’s completely lost it,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. “He wants a U.S. invasion of Gaza, which would cost thousands of American lives and set the Middle East on fire for 20 years? It’s sick.”“We’ll see what our Arab friends say about that," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and a Trump ally. "And I think most South Carolinians are probably not excited about sending Americans to take over Gaza. I think that might be problematic, but I’ll keep an open mind.”The White House's focus on the future of Gaza comes as the nascent truce between Israel and Hamas hangs in the balance.Netanyahu is facing competing pressure from his right-wing coalition to end a temporary truce against Hamas militants in Gaza and from war-weary Israelis who want the remaining hostages home and for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">15-month conflict</a>&nbsp;to end.Trump may be betting he can persuade Egypt and Jordan to come around to accept displaced Palestinians because of the significant aid that the U.S. provides Cairo and Amman. Hard-line right-wing members of Netanyahu’s government have embraced the call to move displaced Palestinians out of Gaza.“To me, it is unfair to explain to Palestinians that they might be back in five years,” Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, said. “That’s just preposterous.”Trump also signaled that he may be reconsidering an independent Palestinian state as part of a broader two-state solution to the decades-long Israel-Palestinian conflict.“Well, a lot of plans change with time,” he told reporters when asked if he was still committed to a plan like the one he laid out in 2020 that called for a Palestinian state. “A lot of death has occurred since I left and now came back."Netanyahu's arrival in Washington for the first foreign leader visit of Trump's second term coincides with the prime minister's popular support&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-trump-ceasefire-gaza-f27c1dbbfba4bf268f5368aaceb47e29">sagging</a>.The prime minister is in the middle of weekslong testimony in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-corruption-trial-gaza-478c957c7749986d5b8b2d039f670d54">ongoing corruption trial</a>&nbsp;that centers on allegations he exchanged favors with media moguls and wealthy associates. He has decried the accusations and said he is the victim of a “witch hunt.”Being seen with Trump, who is popular in Israel, could help distract the public from the trial and boost Netanyahu’s standing.“We have the right leader of Israel who’s done a great job," Trump said of Netanyahu.Netanyahu praised Trump's leadership in getting the hostage and ceasefire deal. The prime minister also spoke glowingly of Trump thinking outside the box.“You say things others refuse to say. And after the jaws drop, people scratch their heads and they say, 'You know he’s right.'"Hamas in a statement decried Trump’s comments.“We reject Trump’s statements in which he said that the residents of the Gaza Strip have no choice but to leave, and we consider them a recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region," the group said.Netanyahu met with White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-middle-east-envoy-steve-witkoff-netanyahu-4dae21b4b6d029a5c7a8ab62d112c2d5">Witkoff</a>&nbsp;on Monday to begin the daunting work of brokering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-war-ceasefire-explainer-bf5dd840354d69432737314bb67e183f">the next phase of a ceasefire agreement</a>.The Israeli leader said he would send a delegation to Qatar to continue indirect talks with Hamas that are being mediated by the Gulf Arab country, the first confirmation that those negotiations would continue. Netanyahu also said he would convene his security Cabinet to discuss Israel’s demands for the next phase of the ceasefire when he returns to Israel at the end of the week.Witkoff, meanwhile, said he plans to meet with Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Florida on Thursday to discuss the next phase in the ceasefire. Qatar and Egypt have served as key intermediaries with Hamas throughout the conflict.Netanyahu is under intense pressure from hard-right members of his governing coalition to abandon the ceasefire and resume fighting in Gaza to eliminate Hamas. Bezalel Smotrich, one of Netanyahu’s key partners, vows to topple the government if the war isn’t relaunched, a step that could lead to early elections.Hamas, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-militants-rule-93da074c251d0fcaa395503749e2849e">has reasserted control over Gaza</a>&nbsp;since the ceasefire began last month, has said it will not release hostages in the second phase without an end to the war and Israeli forces’ full withdrawal. Netanyahu, meanwhile, maintains that Israel is committed to victory over Hamas and the return of all hostages captured in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.___Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, and Michelle L. Price, Stephen Groves and Lisa Mascaro contributed reporting.___