WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency.

The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">Trump said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added that the move would shock government systems.

It's not clear how the organization will operate. It could come under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which dictates how external groups that advise the government must operate and be accountable to the public.

Federal employees are generally required to disclose their assets and entanglements to ward off any potential conflicts of interest, and to divest significant holdings relating to their work. Because Musk and Ramaswamy would not be formal federal workers, they would not face those requirements or ethical limitations.

Musk posted on X: “Department of Government Efficiency. The merch will be (fire emojis).” Later he added: “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!”

Musk has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election.

The president-elect has often said he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-election-2024-28d023d2ea2d06a8be99add994feb4aa">give Musk a formal role</a>&nbsp;overseeing a group akin to a blue-ribbon commission that would recommend ways to slash spending and make the federal government more efficient. Musk at one point suggested he could find more than $2 trillion in savings — nearly a third of total annual government spending.

Trump had made clear that Musk would likely not hold any kind of full-time position, given his other commitments.

“I don’t think I can get him full-time because he’s a little bit busy sending rockets up and all the things he does,” Trump said at a rally in Michigan in September. “He said the waste in this country is crazy. And we’re going to get Elon Musk to be our cost cutter.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-ends-2024-presidential-campaign-4b794ed3fbb41cc7f2a6a95d20458843">Ramaswamy suspended his campaign</a>&nbsp;in January and threw his support behind Trump.

Trump said in his statement the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706630950527.png" alt="File image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/Vnk4MCAofY">pic.twitter.com/Vnk4MCAofY</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1856502787930050927?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">Trump said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added that the move would shock government systems.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">And yes, this means I’m withdrawing myself from consideration for the pending Senate appointment in Ohio. Whoever Governor DeWine appoints to JD’s seat has some big shoes to fill. I will help them however I can.&mdash; Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) <a href="https://twitter.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1856514211783794844?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It's not clear how the organization will operate. It could come under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which dictates how external groups that advise the government must operate and be accountable to the public.Federal employees are generally required to disclose their assets and entanglements to ward off any potential conflicts of interest, and to divest significant holdings relating to their work. Because Musk and Ramaswamy would not be formal federal workers, they would not face those requirements or ethical limitations.Musk posted on X: “Department of Government Efficiency. The merch will be (fire emojis).” Later he added: “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!”Musk has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election.The president-elect has often said he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-election-2024-28d023d2ea2d06a8be99add994feb4aa">give Musk a formal role</a>&nbsp;overseeing a group akin to a blue-ribbon commission that would recommend ways to slash spending and make the federal government more efficient. Musk at one point suggested he could find more than $2 trillion in savings — nearly a third of total annual government spending.Trump had made clear that Musk would likely not hold any kind of full-time position, given his other commitments.“I don’t think I can get him full-time because he’s a little bit busy sending rockets up and all the things he does,” Trump said at a rally in Michigan in September. “He said the waste in this country is crazy. And we’re going to get Elon Musk to be our cost cutter.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-ends-2024-presidential-campaign-4b794ed3fbb41cc7f2a6a95d20458843">Ramaswamy suspended his campaign</a>&nbsp;in January and threw his support behind Trump.Trump said in his statement the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”__

Trump: Musk, Ramaswamy will head dept. of government efficiency

KANSAS CITY – A&nbsp; man was indicted by a federal grand jury last week for robbing a Kansas City. area bank after a bank customer attempted to stop him from fleeing.

James K. Kerr, 54, Lee's Summit was charged with one count of bank robbery in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. The&nbsp; indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Kerr on Oct. 23, 2024.

The federal indictment alleges that Kerr robbed Hawthorn Bank, 17430 E. 39th&nbsp;Street in Independence, on Oct. 21, 2024.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Kerr was wearing a black hood over his head, a hooded sweatshirt with the hood down, a winter hat, sunglasses, a medical mask, and gloves when he walked into the bank at about 10:39 a.m. As Kerr walked behind the teller counter into the employee-only area, the affidavit says, he withdrew a black handgun, which appeared to be an air pistol, from the pocket of his sweatshirt and held it up in the air.

Kerr began yelling at the employees while hitting the counter, according to the affidavit. The victims reported hearing Kerr yell phrases to the effect of “Let’s do this!” and “100s and 50s no bait money!” Kerr went to all three of the victim tellers’ stations and obtained money while holding the handgun. Kerr then fled from the bank and got on a motorcycle parked nearby.

A customer, who was in the drive-through lane at the time of the robbery, followed Kerr as he ran toward the motorcycle. The witness got out of the car and pushed Kerr off the motorcycle. Kerr threatened the customer with a gun, the affidavit says, and fled from the scene on the motorcycle. Another witness was nearby during this altercation and filmed part of it with a cell phone.

Employees of the bank told FBI investigators they recognized Kerr as a customer of the bank.

The next day, investigators established surveillance at Kerr’s residence and saw him leave on his motorcycle. Investigators followed Kerr, whom the affidavit says was driving erratically, until he stopped at a gas station, where he was arrested. Investigators found a Daisy air pistol, which was consistent in appearance with the handgun displayed in the bank robbery, in a saddle bag of the motorcycle. Investigators also found articles of clothing that matched those worn during the bank robbery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730033811704.png" alt="Photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A&nbsp; man was indicted by a federal grand jury last week for robbing a Kansas City. area bank after a bank customer attempted to stop him from fleeing.James K. Kerr, 54, Lee's Summit was charged with one count of bank robbery in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. The&nbsp; indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Kerr on Oct. 23, 2024.The federal indictment alleges that Kerr robbed Hawthorn Bank, 17430 E. 39th&nbsp;Street in Independence, on Oct. 21, 2024.According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Kerr was wearing a black hood over his head, a hooded sweatshirt with the hood down, a winter hat, sunglasses, a medical mask, and gloves when he walked into the bank at about 10:39 a.m. As Kerr walked behind the teller counter into the employee-only area, the affidavit says, he withdrew a black handgun, which appeared to be an air pistol, from the pocket of his sweatshirt and held it up in the air.Kerr began yelling at the employees while hitting the counter, according to the affidavit. The victims reported hearing Kerr yell phrases to the effect of “Let’s do this!” and “100s and 50s no bait money!” Kerr went to all three of the victim tellers’ stations and obtained money while holding the handgun. Kerr then fled from the bank and got on a motorcycle parked nearby.A customer, who was in the drive-through lane at the time of the robbery, followed Kerr as he ran toward the motorcycle. The witness got out of the car and pushed Kerr off the motorcycle. Kerr threatened the customer with a gun, the affidavit says, and fled from the scene on the motorcycle. Another witness was nearby during this altercation and filmed part of it with a cell phone.Employees of the bank told FBI investigators they recognized Kerr as a customer of the bank.The next day, investigators established surveillance at Kerr’s residence and saw him leave on his motorcycle. Investigators followed Kerr, whom the affidavit says was driving erratically, until he stopped at a gas station, where he was arrested. Investigators found a Daisy air pistol, which was consistent in appearance with the handgun displayed in the bank robbery, in a saddle bag of the motorcycle. Investigators also found articles of clothing that matched those worn during the bank robbery.

Witness pushed KC area bank robber off his motorcycle

BARBER COUNTY —A Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese has been canceled. Searchers found his body in rural Barber County, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

On August 2, the Barber County Sheriff's Office was contacted in regards to an individual at a property in rural southwest Barber County. The reporting party described the individual to be a white male, approximately 65-75 years old, according to a statement from the Barber County Sheriff.

 Reporting party also stated the individual had a brown dog with him and he was driving a white newer model Chevrolet pickup truck with Harper County tags.

The reporting party stated they watched the vehicle leave headed eastbound away from the property. Reporting party believed the individual may have been intoxicated. Barber County Sheriff’s Office personnel were unable to locate the vehicle at the time. 

On August 3, 2024, the Harper Police Department in Harper, KS issued a silver alert for a David L Reese, of Harper, KS.&nbsp; Through an initial investigation, it was determined that Reese was the individual that arrived at the reporting party's property in rural Barber County. 

There were no reports of Reese making contact with anyone since August 2, 2024.&nbsp; &nbsp;The sheriff's office believe the reporting party may have been the last person to see Reese or speak to Reese.

On Monday, August 5, 2024, a large scale grid search was conducted of the property where Reese was last seen. &nbsp;This search covered over 700 square miles. Due to the fact that the reporting party witnessed Reese leave his property, this search was very large scale and widespread because no one had any indication where he may have gone after leaving the property. 

Unfortunately, there was no trace of Reese or his vehicle that he was last seen in.

On October 4, 2024, the same reporting party from the last known sighting of Reese contacted Barber County Dispatch and informed them that he believed the dog that was with Reese was back at the property. 

The Barber County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the scene and were able to positively identify the dog as being David Reese’s dog. Another, more narrow, search was conducted in the area. Again, there were, unfortunately, no signs of Reese or his vehicle during this search.

On the evening of November 10, Barber County Dispatch was notified that an employee of the initial reporting party had been working on a fence and noticed a white truck in a creek bed. Barber County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the scene and confirmed that the truck was owned by David L. Reese and was the same truck he was last seen in. 

During the time of the initial searches, this area would have been extremely hard to see into. This area is tree covered and not able to be seen by drones or by people unless very close to the location. The Barber County Sheriff's Office contacted a team with the Great Plains Search and Rescue Canines (GPSK9) and a plan was created to search the area near the truck on the morning of November 11, 2024

At approximately 9:57a.m.&nbsp; on the morning of November 11, the GPSK9 team began searching the area near the truck and at approximately 10:54 AM, a canine team with GPSK9 indicated to the presence of human remains approximately 80-100 yards from the truck location.

Later in the evening, with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, remains were collected from the scene. Through the collection, it was determined that the remains indicated the individual had a hip replacement. After a review of medical records and matching the serial number from the hip replacement, it was determined that the human remains that were located on November 11, were that of David L. Reese.

"Although this was not the outcome anyone had prayed for, we hope this can give Mr. Reese’s family the closure they deserve."

.If any more information is available, we will update the public as soon as possible.Thank you to all parties involved in this search and investigation and a special thank you to Great Plains Search and Rescue Canines (GPSK9) for their assistance in locating Mr. Reese

BARBER COUNTY —The Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese remains active, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

On November 10, the Barber County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a white Chevrolet pickup truck was located in a creek bed in rural Barber County near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut, according to a media release.

Deputies with the Barber County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the vehicle is owned by David Reese.

The Barber County Sheriff’s Office contacted Great Plains Search and Rescue K9 and they plan search of the area.&nbsp;

On October 4, the Harper Police Department reported that Reese’s chocolate lab, that had accompanied him when he disappeared, was found in good health. She was returned to his family. The dog was found not far from the last sighting of Reese near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut in Barber County. Police searched over 50 square miles again but still did not locate him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728310557814.png" alt="David Reese pickup -photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>David Reese pickup -photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>BARBER COUNTY —A Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese has been canceled. Searchers found his body in rural Barber County, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.On August 2, the Barber County Sheriff's Office was contacted in regards to an individual at a property in rural southwest Barber County. The reporting party described the individual to be a white male, approximately 65-75 years old, according to a statement from the Barber County Sheriff. Reporting party also stated the individual had a brown dog with him and he was driving a white newer model Chevrolet pickup truck with Harper County tags.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728310404447.png" alt="David Reese photo Barber County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>David Reese photo Barber County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The reporting party stated they watched the vehicle leave headed eastbound away from the property. Reporting party believed the individual may have been intoxicated. Barber County Sheriff’s Office personnel were unable to locate the vehicle at the time. On August 3, 2024, the Harper Police Department in Harper, KS issued a silver alert for a David L Reese, of Harper, KS.&nbsp; Through an initial investigation, it was determined that Reese was the individual that arrived at the reporting party's property in rural Barber County. There were no reports of Reese making contact with anyone since August 2, 2024.&nbsp; &nbsp;The sheriff's office believe the reporting party may have been the last person to see Reese or speak to Reese.On Monday, August 5, 2024, a large scale grid search was conducted of the property where Reese was last seen. &nbsp;This search covered over 700 square miles. Due to the fact that the reporting party witnessed Reese leave his property, this search was very large scale and widespread because no one had any indication where he may have gone after leaving the property. Unfortunately, there was no trace of Reese or his vehicle that he was last seen in.On October 4, 2024, the same reporting party from the last known sighting of Reese contacted Barber County Dispatch and informed them that he believed the dog that was with Reese was back at the property. The Barber County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the scene and were able to positively identify the dog as being David Reese’s dog. Another, more narrow, search was conducted in the area. Again, there were, unfortunately, no signs of Reese or his vehicle during this search.On the evening of November 10, Barber County Dispatch was notified that an employee of the initial reporting party had been working on a fence and noticed a white truck in a creek bed. Barber County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the scene and confirmed that the truck was owned by David L. Reese and was the same truck he was last seen in. During the time of the initial searches, this area would have been extremely hard to see into. This area is tree covered and not able to be seen by drones or by people unless very close to the location. The Barber County Sheriff's Office contacted a team with the Great Plains Search and Rescue Canines (GPSK9) and a plan was created to search the area near the truck on the morning of November 11, 2024At approximately 9:57a.m.&nbsp; on the morning of November 11, the GPSK9 team began searching the area near the truck and at approximately 10:54 AM, a canine team with GPSK9 indicated to the presence of human remains approximately 80-100 yards from the truck location.Later in the evening, with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, remains were collected from the scene. Through the collection, it was determined that the remains indicated the individual had a hip replacement. After a review of medical records and matching the serial number from the hip replacement, it was determined that the human remains that were located on November 11, were that of David L. Reese."Although this was not the outcome anyone had prayed for, we hope this can give Mr. Reese’s family the closure they deserve.".If any more information is available, we will update the public as soon as possible.Thank you to all parties involved in this search and investigation and a special thank you to Great Plains Search and Rescue Canines (GPSK9) for their assistance in locating Mr. Reese-------------BARBER COUNTY —The Silver Alert issued August 3, for 73-year-old David Reese remains active, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.On November 10, the Barber County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a white Chevrolet pickup truck was located in a creek bed in rural Barber County near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut, according to a media release.Deputies with the Barber County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the vehicle is owned by David Reese.The Barber County Sheriff’s Office contacted Great Plains Search and Rescue K9 and they plan search of the area.&nbsp;On October 4, the Harper Police Department reported that Reese’s chocolate lab, that had accompanied him when he disappeared, was found in good health. She was returned to his family. The dog was found not far from the last sighting of Reese near Little Mule and Hardtner Shortcut in Barber County. Police searched over 50 square miles again but still did not locate him.

Silver Alert canceled: Kan. man's remains found after 3 months

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police investigating the death of five men at three separate crime scenes in Wichita have released the names of those who died.

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a call from two individuals reporting that they had found a man with gunshot wounds in a residence located in the 1700 block of S. Santa Fe in Wichita, according to Police Captain Aaron Moses.

 Wichita Police and the Wichita Fire Department responded to the call. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered 67-year-old Anthony Stickney, who lived at that address. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

While conducting the investigation into this shooting, officers learned from the original calling party that the last person at this residence was likely Anthony’s son, 42-year-old Joshua Stickney, who lived in a residence located at 1900 S Laura. 

Officers responded to that location and found Stickney. When officers arrived, they could see two people inside the residence who were not moving or responding when officers knocked on the door. At 7:05 pm, officers forced entry into the residence on Laura and located three men suffering gunshot wounds. These males were identified as 66-year-old Donald Dodge; 55-year-old Terry Meyer and Stickney. 

Donald Dodge is a friend and neighbor of Joshua Stickney and Terry Meyer is Joshua Stickney's live-in Stepfather. 

At Joshua Stickney's feet, officers located a firearm. Joshua’s injury appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. All three men&nbsp;were pronounced deceased by Sedgwick County EMS. 

While attempting to locate someone to care for Joshua’s pet, officers were instructed to contact a neighbor at another residence on Laura. That neighbor was 39-year-old Alan Young. Officers went to Alan Young’s residence and saw him inside, unresponsive. Officers forced entry into the residence and located him suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

&nbsp;Preliminary ballistic examination has provided a presumptive conclusion that the firearm located near Joshua Stickney is the firearm used in all the shootings. Police investigators are continuing to conduct interviews, process scene evidence and process digital evidence to better understand what led to this shooting. This does not appear to be a random act of violence and no suspects are outstanding, according to Captain Moses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731324712086.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police investigating the death of five men at three separate crime scenes in Wichita have released the names of those who died.Just before 6p.m. Sunday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a call from two individuals reporting that they had found a man with gunshot wounds in a residence located in the 1700 block of S. Santa Fe in Wichita, according to Police Captain Aaron Moses. Wichita Police and the Wichita Fire Department responded to the call. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered 67-year-old Anthony Stickney, who lived at that address. He was pronounced dead at the scene. While conducting the investigation into this shooting, officers learned from the original calling party that the last person at this residence was likely Anthony’s son, 42-year-old Joshua Stickney, who lived in a residence located at 1900 S Laura. Officers responded to that location and found Stickney. When officers arrived, they could see two people inside the residence who were not moving or responding when officers knocked on the door. At 7:05 pm, officers forced entry into the residence on Laura and located three men suffering gunshot wounds. These males were identified as 66-year-old Donald Dodge; 55-year-old Terry Meyer and Stickney. Donald Dodge is a friend and neighbor of Joshua Stickney and Terry Meyer is Joshua Stickney's live-in Stepfather. At Joshua Stickney's feet, officers located a firearm. Joshua’s injury appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. All three men&nbsp;were pronounced deceased by Sedgwick County EMS. While attempting to locate someone to care for Joshua’s pet, officers were instructed to contact a neighbor at another residence on Laura. That neighbor was 39-year-old Alan Young. Officers went to Alan Young’s residence and saw him inside, unresponsive. Officers forced entry into the residence and located him suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Preliminary ballistic examination has provided a presumptive conclusion that the firearm located near Joshua Stickney is the firearm used in all the shootings. Police investigators are continuing to conduct interviews, process scene evidence and process digital evidence to better understand what led to this shooting. This does not appear to be a random act of violence and no suspects are outstanding, according to Captain Moses.

Police release names of 5 who died at 3 crime scenes in Wichita

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, Trump announced Tuesday.

Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”

Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years, frequently advertising the trips on conservative-leaning news outlets.

David Friedman, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Israel in his first term, said he was “thrilled” by Trump’s selection of Huckabee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731440764922.png" alt="Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee from his Twitter account" />
 <figcaption>Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee from his Twitter account</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, Trump announced Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Unbelievably proud that <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> nominated my dad <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovMikeHuckabee</a> to be US Ambassador to Israel! I went to Israel for the first time with my dad when I was eleven and it changed my life. There is no one President Trump could have picked with a greater love for the… <a href="https://t.co/x1zRvHVnF9">pic.twitter.com/x1zRvHVnF9</a>&mdash; Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahHuckabee/status/1856411607934611941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years, frequently advertising the trips on conservative-leaning news outlets.David Friedman, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Israel in his first term, said he was “thrilled” by Trump’s selection of Huckabee.

Trump wants former gov. Mike Huckabee for ambassador to Israel

GEARY COUNTY—One person was injured in a hit-and-run collision that occurred just before 6a.m. Tuesday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an unknown vehicle was westbound on Interstate 70 near the U.S. 77 exit.&nbsp; The vehicle, described as possibly a Nissan, rear-ended a 2005 Dodge Neon driven by 38-year-old Christina L. Murphy of Junction City.&nbsp; After impact the Dodge traveled off the road and struck a tree.

The other vehicle fled the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported Murphy to&nbsp;Stormont Vail Health-Flint Hills Campus.&nbsp; She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

GEARY COUNTY—One person was injured in a hit-and-run collision that occurred just before 6a.m. Tuesday in Geary County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an unknown vehicle was westbound on Interstate 70 near the U.S. 77 exit.&nbsp; The vehicle, described as possibly a Nissan, rear-ended a 2005 Dodge Neon driven by 38-year-old Christina L. Murphy of Junction City.&nbsp; After impact the Dodge traveled off the road and struck a tree.The other vehicle fled the scene.&nbsp; EMS transported Murphy to&nbsp;Stormont Vail Health-Flint Hills Campus.&nbsp; She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman injured after I-70 hit-and-run crash

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/11/04/advocates-of-imperiled-lesser-prairie-chicken-say-market-incentives-key-to-expanding-habitat/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has several choices to make in the coming months about whether his second administration will keep access to contraception and abortion as it is now or implement changes.

While Trump cannot on his own enact nationwide laws or abortion bans without Congress, he and the people he picks for key posts throughout the federal government will have significant influence on reproductive rights nationwide.

During Trump’s first term in office he barred health care organizations that perform or refer patients for abortions from receiving Title X family planning grants, even though there’s a moratorium on using federal funds for abortions unless it’s the result of rape or incest, or the life of the woman is at risk.

Alina Salganicoff, senior vice president and director for women’s health policy at the nonpartisan health research organization KFF, said on a call with reporters Friday that about a quarter of providers withdrew or were disqualified from receiving federal family planning grants as a result of that policy.

“The Title X program basically funds family planning services for low-income people,” Salganicoff explained. “It’s basically a small program, it’s around under $300 million — but it is a critical program to people who don’t otherwise have insurance.”

Trump will also have to decide whether to leave in place guidance from the Biden administration that says a federal law from the 1980s protects health care providers who perform abortions as stabilizing care during an emergency that would affect a woman’s health or life.

That law, known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, became one point of disagreement between the Biden administration and Republican states that implemented abortion bans or strict restrictions after the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to an abortion.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/state-bans-abortion-dont-apply-emergency-health-care-white-house-reminds-providers" target="_blank">wrote in a letter&nbsp;</a>released in July 2022 that under the federal “law, no matter where you live, women have the right to emergency care — including abortion care.”

EMTALA is at the center of an&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/federal-court-sets-date-for-emtala-oral-argument-hearing-in-idaho-based-case/" target="_blank">ongoing lawsuit&nbsp;</a>between the Biden administration and Idaho over that state’s abortion law. Oral arguments in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals are set for early December.

The future of medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation that’s used in about 63% of abortions nationwide, will be another area the Trump administration could alter without congressional approval.

Salganicoff said there’s no way to know just yet if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will seek to change prescribing guidelines for medication abortion or revoke the 2000 approval of mifepristone altogether.

“We don’t know whether they’re going to actually review the approval, but I will tell you that it is likely that they will revisit the conditions in which medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in this country, can be provided,” Salganicoff said.

The Trump administration, she said, is likely to focus on revisions made during the Biden administration that allow doctors or other qualified health care providers to prescribe the two-drug medication abortion regimen via telehealth and then have mifepristone and misoprostol mailed to the patient.

Salganicoff anticipates anti-abortion organizations will also encourage the Trump administration to address recent findings from the We Count Project, showing 1 in 10 abortions take place after medication abortion is mailed to people in states with bans or significant restrictions from states that have shield laws.

“This FDA protocol is legal to do that, but clearly this is going to be a target,” she said.

The Comstock Act,<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too" target="_blank">&nbsp;an anti-obscenity law from the late 19th century</a>&nbsp;that once banned the mailing of boxing photographs, pornography and contraception, will also be front and center after Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.

The law, which is still on the books despite not being enforced in decades, could potentially allow the U.S. Postal Service to prevent the mailing of abortion medications or any other instrument or tool used in abortions.

“The Biden administration’s Department of Justice did a review and said that they are not going to enforce Comstock,” Salganicoff said. “Project 2025 sees it very differently, and even though President-elect Trump has said that he is not going to enforce Comstock, it’s not clear, and there will likely be a lot of pressure to do that.”

Project 2025 is a policy map for a Trump presidency published by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has disavowed any connection with it, although former members of his first administration helped develop it.

Salganicoff said enforcing the Comstock Act would affect access to medication abortion throughout the country, even in states that have reinforced reproductive rights during the last two years.

“Clearly that’s going to tee up a lot of litigation and challenges,” Salganicoff said.

Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, said during the call that the Trump administration’s possible elevation of people who spread misinformation or disinformation could lead to more confusion about research-based health care.

“I think one thing, particularly with the rise in prominence of RFK Jr., you know, is the potential for misinformation,” Levitt said, referring to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a prominent vaccine opponent who endorsed Trump and campaigned extensively with him.

“We turn to the government for reliable data, public health information and scientific information,” Levitt said. “And there’s the potential now, for the government to be not only not an effective source for health information, but in fact, an accelerant for misinformation.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="Photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/11/04/advocates-of-imperiled-lesser-prairie-chicken-say-market-incentives-key-to-expanding-habitat/">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has several choices to make in the coming months about whether his second administration will keep access to contraception and abortion as it is now or implement changes.While Trump cannot on his own enact nationwide laws or abortion bans without Congress, he and the people he picks for key posts throughout the federal government will have significant influence on reproductive rights nationwide.During Trump’s first term in office he barred health care organizations that perform or refer patients for abortions from receiving Title X family planning grants, even though there’s a moratorium on using federal funds for abortions unless it’s the result of rape or incest, or the life of the woman is at risk.Alina Salganicoff, senior vice president and director for women’s health policy at the nonpartisan health research organization KFF, said on a call with reporters Friday that about a quarter of providers withdrew or were disqualified from receiving federal family planning grants as a result of that policy.“The Title X program basically funds family planning services for low-income people,” Salganicoff explained. “It’s basically a small program, it’s around under $300 million — but it is a critical program to people who don’t otherwise have insurance.”<h2>Abortions as stabilizing care</h2>Trump will also have to decide whether to leave in place guidance from the Biden administration that says a federal law from the 1980s protects health care providers who perform abortions as stabilizing care during an emergency that would affect a woman’s health or life.That law, known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, became one point of disagreement between the Biden administration and Republican states that implemented abortion bans or strict restrictions after the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to an abortion.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/state-bans-abortion-dont-apply-emergency-health-care-white-house-reminds-providers" target="_blank">wrote in a letter&nbsp;</a>released in July 2022 that under the federal “law, no matter where you live, women have the right to emergency care — including abortion care.”EMTALA is at the center of an&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/federal-court-sets-date-for-emtala-oral-argument-hearing-in-idaho-based-case/" target="_blank">ongoing lawsuit&nbsp;</a>between the Biden administration and Idaho over that state’s abortion law. Oral arguments in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals are set for early December.<h2>Abortion pill</h2>The future of medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation that’s used in about 63% of abortions nationwide, will be another area the Trump administration could alter without congressional approval.Salganicoff said there’s no way to know just yet if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will seek to change prescribing guidelines for medication abortion or revoke the 2000 approval of mifepristone altogether.“We don’t know whether they’re going to actually review the approval, but I will tell you that it is likely that they will revisit the conditions in which medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in this country, can be provided,” Salganicoff said.The Trump administration, she said, is likely to focus on revisions made during the Biden administration that allow doctors or other qualified health care providers to prescribe the two-drug medication abortion regimen via telehealth and then have mifepristone and misoprostol mailed to the patient.Salganicoff anticipates anti-abortion organizations will also encourage the Trump administration to address recent findings from the We Count Project, showing 1 in 10 abortions take place after medication abortion is mailed to people in states with bans or significant restrictions from states that have shield laws.“This FDA protocol is legal to do that, but clearly this is going to be a target,” she said.<h2>Mailing of abortion medication</h2>The Comstock Act,<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too" target="_blank">&nbsp;an anti-obscenity law from the late 19th century</a>&nbsp;that once banned the mailing of boxing photographs, pornography and contraception, will also be front and center after Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.The law, which is still on the books despite not being enforced in decades, could potentially allow the U.S. Postal Service to prevent the mailing of abortion medications or any other instrument or tool used in abortions.“The Biden administration’s Department of Justice did a review and said that they are not going to enforce Comstock,” Salganicoff said. “Project 2025 sees it very differently, and even though President-elect Trump has said that he is not going to enforce Comstock, it’s not clear, and there will likely be a lot of pressure to do that.”Project 2025 is a policy map for a Trump presidency published by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has disavowed any connection with it, although former members of his first administration helped develop it.Salganicoff said enforcing the Comstock Act would affect access to medication abortion throughout the country, even in states that have reinforced reproductive rights during the last two years.“Clearly that’s going to tee up a lot of litigation and challenges,” Salganicoff said.Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, said during the call that the Trump administration’s possible elevation of people who spread misinformation or disinformation could lead to more confusion about research-based health care.“I think one thing, particularly with the rise in prominence of RFK Jr., you know, is the potential for misinformation,” Levitt said, referring to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a prominent vaccine opponent who endorsed Trump and campaigned extensively with him.“We turn to the government for reliable data, public health information and scientific information,” Levitt said. “And there’s the potential now, for the government to be not only not an effective source for health information, but in fact, an accelerant for misinformation.”&nbsp;

Health experts outline how Trump admin. could affect abortion, contraception access

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka have identified the victim as 45-year-old Ricky R. Washington to Topeka.

Just after 9a.m. November 10, police responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of SW Huntoon Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.&nbsp; First responders found two individuals with life threatening injuries. Washington was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel, and the other was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

This is the city’s 17th homicide investigation of 2024, according to Nichols. Police have not reported an arrest or suspect details.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka have identified the victim as 45-year-old Ricky R. Washington to Topeka.Just after 9a.m. November 10, police responded to a shooting in the 1200 block of SW Huntoon Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.&nbsp; First responders found two individuals with life threatening injuries. Washington was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel, and the other was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.This is the city’s 17th homicide investigation of 2024, according to Nichols. Police have not reported an arrest or suspect details.

Homicide: Police ID 45-year-old Kansas shooting victim

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating three juveniles in connection with allegedly starting a building fire and recording it for social media.

At approximately 2:50 p.m. on November 9, 2024, officers responded to&nbsp; a fire at a large warehouse under construction in the 1200 block of Kretschmer Drive, according to a media release.

Witnesses reported seeing three male juveniles running from the scene toward businesses on McCall Road.

Officers quickly located three juveniles in the 400 block McCall Road. Officers detained 15-year-old Jakeem Coopwood Jr. and 15-year-old Jordan Ehret for their roles in the fire.

According to the investigation, Coopwood admitted to igniting cardboard boxes using a spray can and lighter and provided officers with a Snapchat video of the incident. Ehret was reported to have actively participated by filming Coopwood lighting the fire. A third juvenile, age 12, confirmed the account.

&nbsp;Both Coopwood and Ehret have been detained as juvenile offenders and face charges including Arson, Burglary, and Contributing to the Misconduct of a Minor. Coopwood was transported to the Southeast Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility in Girard, and Ehret was taken to the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility in Junction City. The 12-year-old juvenile was released to his guardian.

The Riley County Police Department extended their appreciation to the quick-acting witness and to Manhattan Fire Department members involved in this case for their swift and effective response.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating three juveniles in connection with allegedly starting a building fire and recording it for social media.At approximately 2:50 p.m. on November 9, 2024, officers responded to&nbsp; a fire at a large warehouse under construction in the 1200 block of Kretschmer Drive, according to a media release.Witnesses reported seeing three male juveniles running from the scene toward businesses on McCall Road.Officers quickly located three juveniles in the 400 block McCall Road. Officers detained 15-year-old Jakeem Coopwood Jr. and 15-year-old Jordan Ehret for their roles in the fire.According to the investigation, Coopwood admitted to igniting cardboard boxes using a spray can and lighter and provided officers with a Snapchat video of the incident. Ehret was reported to have actively participated by filming Coopwood lighting the fire. A third juvenile, age 12, confirmed the account.&nbsp;Both Coopwood and Ehret have been detained as juvenile offenders and face charges including Arson, Burglary, and Contributing to the Misconduct of a Minor. Coopwood was transported to the Southeast Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility in Girard, and Ehret was taken to the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility in Junction City. The 12-year-old juvenile was released to his guardian.The Riley County Police Department extended their appreciation to the quick-acting witness and to Manhattan Fire Department members involved in this case for their swift and effective response.

Arson: 3 juveniles accused of starting a fire for social media

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge postponed a decision on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-merchan-stormy-daniels-02e54baf65b233ad7f6875536fb998ea">whether to undo</a>&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction in his hush money case as prosecutors consider how to proceed in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">last week's election</a>&nbsp;and his lawyers argue for dismissal so he can run the country.

The postponement comes at a dramatic and dynamic point in the case, which focused on how Trump accounted for payments to a porn actor before the 2016 election and produced a first-ever&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">conviction</a>&nbsp;of a former commander-in-chief.

Sentencing had been set for Nov. 26. But prosecutors now say they're reassessing, and they appear open to the possibility that the proceedings can't go as planned.

“These are unprecedented circumstances,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote in an email to the court. He said prosecutors need to consider how to balance the “competing interests” of the jury’s verdict and the presidency.

Trump lawyer Emil Bove, meanwhile, argued the case must be thrown out altogether "to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern.”

The messages were part of an email chain released Tuesday, when New York Judge Juan M. Merchan had been set to rule on Trump lawyers' earlier request to toss his conviction for a different reason — because of a U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;this summer on presidential immunity.

Instead, Merchan told Trump's lawyers he'd halt proceedings and delay the ruling until at least Nov. 19 so that prosecutors can suggest a way forward. Both sides agreed to the one-week postponement.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung heralded the delay. He said in a statement that the president-elect's win makes it “abundantly clear that Americans want an immediate end to the weaponization of our justice system, including this case, which should have never been filed.”

A jury convicted Trump in May of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. The payout was to buy her silence about claims that she had sex with Trump.

Trump says they didn’t have sex, denies any wrongdoing and maintains the prosecution was a political tactic meant to harm his latest campaign. Trump is a Republican. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office brought the case, is a Democrat, as is Merchan.

Just over a month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for actions they took in the course of running the country, and prosecutors can’t cite those actions even to bolster a case centered on purely personal conduct.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-new-york-conviction-b67bafcb92b287933c6e6d54fc122117">Trump’s lawyers cited that ruling to</a>&nbsp;argue that the hush money jury got some evidence it shouldn't have, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form and testimony from some White House aides.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-new-york-immunity-a6662f61014a7f47400a4af163e01eb3">Prosecutors disagreed</a>&nbsp;and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case.

Trump's criminal conviction was a first for any ex-president. It left the 78-year-old facing the possibility of a fine, probation or up to four years in prison.

The case centered on how Trump accounted for reimbursing a personal attorney for the Daniels payment.

The then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, fronted the money. He later recouped it through a series of payments that Trump’s company logged as legal expenses. Trump, by then in the White House, signed most of the checks himself.

Prosecutors said the designation was meant to cloak the true purpose of the payments and help cover up a broader effort to keep voters from hearing unflattering claims about Trump during his first campaign.

Trump said that Cohen was legitimately paid for legal services, and that Daniels’ story was suppressed to avoid embarrassing Trump’s family, not to influence the electorate.

Trump was a private citizen, campaigning for president, when Cohen paid Daniels in October 2016. He was president when Cohen was reimbursed, and Cohen testified that they discussed the repayment arrangement in the Oval Office.

Trump has been fighting for months to overturn the verdict. While urging Merchan to nix the conviction, the president-elect also has been trying to move the case to federal court. Before the election, a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-sentencing-new-york-immunity-a905207c7db9fc48d022d68ac6cc12e1">repeatedly said no</a>&nbsp;to the move, but Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-appeal-immunity-sentencing-c143a098e633bbe8f624966806996fc2">has appealed</a>.

Trump faces three other unrelated indictments in various jurisdictions.

But Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has been evaluating how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case against Trump before he takes office, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, a Georgia election interference case against Trump is largely on hold while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fani-willis-georgia-election-indictment-31ca3234b244126cbe412dc279fd0562">he and other defendants appeal</a>&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-indictment-fani-willis-trump-60b7dd9642fc9ef7c03d75980692334c">judge’s ruling</a>&nbsp;allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717103382357.png" alt="File photo Donald Trump during the trial in May of 2024" />
 <figcaption>File photo Donald Trump during the trial in May of 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A judge postponed a decision on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-merchan-stormy-daniels-02e54baf65b233ad7f6875536fb998ea">whether to undo</a>&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction in his hush money case as prosecutors consider how to proceed in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">last week's election</a>&nbsp;and his lawyers argue for dismissal so he can run the country.The postponement comes at a dramatic and dynamic point in the case, which focused on how Trump accounted for payments to a porn actor before the 2016 election and produced a first-ever&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">conviction</a>&nbsp;of a former commander-in-chief.Sentencing had been set for Nov. 26. But prosecutors now say they're reassessing, and they appear open to the possibility that the proceedings can't go as planned.“These are unprecedented circumstances,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote in an email to the court. He said prosecutors need to consider how to balance the “competing interests” of the jury’s verdict and the presidency.Trump lawyer Emil Bove, meanwhile, argued the case must be thrown out altogether "to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trump’s ability to govern.”The messages were part of an email chain released Tuesday, when New York Judge Juan M. Merchan had been set to rule on Trump lawyers' earlier request to toss his conviction for a different reason — because of a U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;this summer on presidential immunity.Instead, Merchan told Trump's lawyers he'd halt proceedings and delay the ruling until at least Nov. 19 so that prosecutors can suggest a way forward. Both sides agreed to the one-week postponement.Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung heralded the delay. He said in a statement that the president-elect's win makes it “abundantly clear that Americans want an immediate end to the weaponization of our justice system, including this case, which should have never been filed.”Prosecutors declined to comment.A jury convicted Trump in May of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. The payout was to buy her silence about claims that she had sex with Trump.Trump says they didn’t have sex, denies any wrongdoing and maintains the prosecution was a political tactic meant to harm his latest campaign. Trump is a Republican. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office brought the case, is a Democrat, as is Merchan.Just over a month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for actions they took in the course of running the country, and prosecutors can’t cite those actions even to bolster a case centered on purely personal conduct.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-new-york-conviction-b67bafcb92b287933c6e6d54fc122117">Trump’s lawyers cited that ruling to</a>&nbsp;argue that the hush money jury got some evidence it shouldn't have, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form and testimony from some White House aides.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-new-york-immunity-a6662f61014a7f47400a4af163e01eb3">Prosecutors disagreed</a>&nbsp;and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case.Trump's criminal conviction was a first for any ex-president. It left the 78-year-old facing the possibility of a fine, probation or up to four years in prison.The case centered on how Trump accounted for reimbursing a personal attorney for the Daniels payment.The then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, fronted the money. He later recouped it through a series of payments that Trump’s company logged as legal expenses. Trump, by then in the White House, signed most of the checks himself.Prosecutors said the designation was meant to cloak the true purpose of the payments and help cover up a broader effort to keep voters from hearing unflattering claims about Trump during his first campaign.Trump said that Cohen was legitimately paid for legal services, and that Daniels’ story was suppressed to avoid embarrassing Trump’s family, not to influence the electorate.Trump was a private citizen, campaigning for president, when Cohen paid Daniels in October 2016. He was president when Cohen was reimbursed, and Cohen testified that they discussed the repayment arrangement in the Oval Office.Trump has been fighting for months to overturn the verdict. While urging Merchan to nix the conviction, the president-elect also has been trying to move the case to federal court. Before the election, a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-sentencing-new-york-immunity-a905207c7db9fc48d022d68ac6cc12e1">repeatedly said no</a>&nbsp;to the move, but Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-appeal-immunity-sentencing-c143a098e633bbe8f624966806996fc2">has appealed</a>.Trump faces three other unrelated indictments in various jurisdictions.But Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has been evaluating how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case against Trump before he takes office, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.Meanwhile, a Georgia election interference case against Trump is largely on hold while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fani-willis-georgia-election-indictment-31ca3234b244126cbe412dc279fd0562">he and other defendants appeal</a>&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-indictment-fani-willis-trump-60b7dd9642fc9ef7c03d75980692334c">judge’s ruling</a>&nbsp;allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting it.___

Judge delays ruling on President-elect Trump's criminal case

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress returns to a changed Washington as President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;hard-right agenda is quickly taking shape, buoyed by eager Republican allies eyeing a full&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/house-senate-trump-election-updates-11-11-24">sweep of power</a>&nbsp;on Capitol Hill while Democrats are sorting out what went wrong.

Even as final election results are still being tallied, the House and Senate leadership is pushing ahead toward a second-term Trump White House and what he's called a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-9a38fb935f94ac1e3f5cdcef621a39ca">“mandate”</a>&nbsp;for governing, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-day-1-priorities-deportations-drilling-ukraine-6747c6e64b0440978f59450b928f61d1">mass deportations, industry deregulation and wholesale gutting</a>&nbsp;of the federal government.

Trump is already testing the norms of governance during this presidential transition period — telling the Senate to forgo its advise-and-consent role and simply&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-senate-thune-cornyn-scott-republican-leadership-2a711f260887926676bb5d69866a1981">accept his Cabinet</a>&nbsp;nominees — and he is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">staffing his administration</a>&nbsp;and finding lawmakers willing to bend those civic traditions.

“Trump’s going to deliver his deportations, the drilling, the wall — it’s going to take all of us getting together,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus.

But first, the House and Senate leaders will hold internal party elections this week for their own jobs. Most of the top Republican leaders depend on Trump for their political livelihoods and have worked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mike-johnson-majority-trump-election-65d7217e4541cd314849c9a0da2b0081">draw closer to the president-elect</a>&nbsp;to shore up loyalty.

House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>, who is on the cusp of keeping a slim majority hold of the chamber with several House races still too early to call, will assemble his leadership team early Tuesday on the Capitol steps for a victory lap and agenda-setting.

In the Senate, where Republicans seized power from Democrats on election night, three Republican senators who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-republicans-leadership-mcconnell-thune-cornyn-scott-d17b341874cb6627f1d75d7051feebe4">vying to become the new GOP leader</a>&nbsp;have rushed to agree with Trump’s plan for quick confirmation of presidential nominees.

“As Congress returns to Washington, we must&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/senate">prepare the Senate</a>&nbsp;to advance that agenda legislatively and ensure that the president-elect can hit the ground running with his appointees confirmed as soon as possible,” GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, who is seeking the leadership job, wrote in a Fox News opinion piece.

All told, it’s a fundamental reshaping of not only the power centers in Washington, but the rules of governing, as Trump returns to the White House in January with a potential GOP-led Congress that is far less skeptical or wary of his approach than eight years ago, and much more willing to back him.

“This is going to be a very challenging time,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

She described the “horrific immigration policies” that Trump promised voters and she insisted the progressives in Congress will provide an “effective check” on the new White House, much the way Democrats did during his first term by fighting efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and other policies.

At the same time, Jayapal warned Trump will have “many fewer restrictions."

"Our members are ready to take up the fight again," she said, standing alongside a handful of newly elected progressive lawmakers she called the “bright lights” joining Congress.

First tests will come during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-judges-lame-duck-3084d5c362474ee9ddd9bf9e1cd7b812">“lame duck”</a>&nbsp;period of the remaining days of this Congress, the eight-week sprint until Jan. 3, 2025, when the new lawmakers are sworn into office.

As lawmakers return this week they will be joined by dozens of new names in the House and Senate who are in town for freshmen orientation weeks and the private leadership elections scheduled for Wednesday.

But Republican senators are protesting that one of their own, newly elected&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-senate-2024-election-david-mccormick-casey-866a8712dea0b52b5d8d6b4844968b53">Dave McCormick</a>&nbsp;of Pennsylvania, is being excluded from orientation week by Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer because there are still uncounted ballots in his race. Schumer's office has said it is custom to wait until all the ballots are counted.

The Senate leadership race to replace outgoing GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is turning into a test of Trump loyalties, with the president-elect's allies — including billionaire Elon Musk and Make America Great Again influencers — pushing the senators to elect Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.

But Scott has not been the most popular candidate for the leadership post, and senators had been rallying around the two “Johns” — Thune, the second-ranking GOP leader, and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. The outcome of Wednesday's private balloting behind closed doors is highly uncertain.

In the House, some conservative Republicans are quietly suggesting their own leadership elections should be postponed until the final results of the House races are resolved. Democrats will hold their House and Senate leadership elections later.

Johnson wants to retain the speaker's gavel and told colleagues in a letter last week he is ready to “take the field” with them to deliver on Trump's agenda. But he is expected to face detractors behind closed doors.

While Johnson only needs a simple majority during Wednesday's private voting to become the GOP nominee to be speaker, he will need a 218-member majority in January during a floor vote of the whole House.

A low vote total this week will show the leverage Freedom Caucus members and others have to pry concessions from Johnson, much as they forced then-Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;into a prolonged vote for the gavel in 2023.

And while Johnson predicts next year will launch the “most consequential” presidency and Congress in modern times, he has had difficulty this year leading Republicans who refused to go along with plans, forcing the speaker to often partner with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Johnson's troubles stem in part from his slim majority, but that could persist if Trump continues to tap House Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">fill his administration</a>. Trump has already asked Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-united-nations-elise-stefanik-ambassador-2b482fb39a8d6f03d389d27cc8820056">Elise Stefanik</a>, R-N.Y., to be ambassador to the United Nations and Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">Mike Waltz</a>, R-Fla., to be his national security adviser.

“We're pretty much maxed out,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas. “Everybody understands that.”

In the weeks ahead, Congress faces another deadline, Dec. 20, to fund the federal government or risk a shutdown, and conservatives are redoubling their pressure on Johnson not to cave on their demands to slash spending.

The House and Senate also will consider replenishing the Disaster Relief Fund to help provide aid in the aftermath of Hurricanes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">Helene</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milton">Milton.</a>

And with President Joe Biden preparing to exit and Democrats relinquishing their hold on the Senate, there will be pressure to confirm more judicial nominees and to usher out the door any other bills that could possibly become law before Trump takes over.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731417768351.png" alt="Image Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Image Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress returns to a changed Washington as President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;hard-right agenda is quickly taking shape, buoyed by eager Republican allies eyeing a full&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/house-senate-trump-election-updates-11-11-24">sweep of power</a>&nbsp;on Capitol Hill while Democrats are sorting out what went wrong.Even as final election results are still being tallied, the House and Senate leadership is pushing ahead toward a second-term Trump White House and what he's called a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-9a38fb935f94ac1e3f5cdcef621a39ca">“mandate”</a>&nbsp;for governing, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-day-1-priorities-deportations-drilling-ukraine-6747c6e64b0440978f59450b928f61d1">mass deportations, industry deregulation and wholesale gutting</a>&nbsp;of the federal government.Trump is already testing the norms of governance during this presidential transition period — telling the Senate to forgo its advise-and-consent role and simply&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-senate-thune-cornyn-scott-republican-leadership-2a711f260887926676bb5d69866a1981">accept his Cabinet</a>&nbsp;nominees — and he is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">staffing his administration</a>&nbsp;and finding lawmakers willing to bend those civic traditions.“Trump’s going to deliver his deportations, the drilling, the wall — it’s going to take all of us getting together,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus.But first, the House and Senate leaders will hold internal party elections this week for their own jobs. Most of the top Republican leaders depend on Trump for their political livelihoods and have worked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mike-johnson-majority-trump-election-65d7217e4541cd314849c9a0da2b0081">draw closer to the president-elect</a>&nbsp;to shore up loyalty.House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>, who is on the cusp of keeping a slim majority hold of the chamber with several House races still too early to call, will assemble his leadership team early Tuesday on the Capitol steps for a victory lap and agenda-setting.In the Senate, where Republicans seized power from Democrats on election night, three Republican senators who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-republicans-leadership-mcconnell-thune-cornyn-scott-d17b341874cb6627f1d75d7051feebe4">vying to become the new GOP leader</a>&nbsp;have rushed to agree with Trump’s plan for quick confirmation of presidential nominees.“As Congress returns to Washington, we must&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/senate">prepare the Senate</a>&nbsp;to advance that agenda legislatively and ensure that the president-elect can hit the ground running with his appointees confirmed as soon as possible,” GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, who is seeking the leadership job, wrote in a Fox News opinion piece.All told, it’s a fundamental reshaping of not only the power centers in Washington, but the rules of governing, as Trump returns to the White House in January with a potential GOP-led Congress that is far less skeptical or wary of his approach than eight years ago, and much more willing to back him.“This is going to be a very challenging time,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.She described the “horrific immigration policies” that Trump promised voters and she insisted the progressives in Congress will provide an “effective check” on the new White House, much the way Democrats did during his first term by fighting efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and other policies.At the same time, Jayapal warned Trump will have “many fewer restrictions.""Our members are ready to take up the fight again," she said, standing alongside a handful of newly elected progressive lawmakers she called the “bright lights” joining Congress.First tests will come during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-judges-lame-duck-3084d5c362474ee9ddd9bf9e1cd7b812">“lame duck”</a>&nbsp;period of the remaining days of this Congress, the eight-week sprint until Jan. 3, 2025, when the new lawmakers are sworn into office.As lawmakers return this week they will be joined by dozens of new names in the House and Senate who are in town for freshmen orientation weeks and the private leadership elections scheduled for Wednesday.But Republican senators are protesting that one of their own, newly elected&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-senate-2024-election-david-mccormick-casey-866a8712dea0b52b5d8d6b4844968b53">Dave McCormick</a>&nbsp;of Pennsylvania, is being excluded from orientation week by Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer because there are still uncounted ballots in his race. Schumer's office has said it is custom to wait until all the ballots are counted.The Senate leadership race to replace outgoing GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is turning into a test of Trump loyalties, with the president-elect's allies — including billionaire Elon Musk and Make America Great Again influencers — pushing the senators to elect Sen. Rick Scott of Florida.But Scott has not been the most popular candidate for the leadership post, and senators had been rallying around the two “Johns” — Thune, the second-ranking GOP leader, and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. The outcome of Wednesday's private balloting behind closed doors is highly uncertain.In the House, some conservative Republicans are quietly suggesting their own leadership elections should be postponed until the final results of the House races are resolved. Democrats will hold their House and Senate leadership elections later.Johnson wants to retain the speaker's gavel and told colleagues in a letter last week he is ready to “take the field” with them to deliver on Trump's agenda. But he is expected to face detractors behind closed doors.While Johnson only needs a simple majority during Wednesday's private voting to become the GOP nominee to be speaker, he will need a 218-member majority in January during a floor vote of the whole House.A low vote total this week will show the leverage Freedom Caucus members and others have to pry concessions from Johnson, much as they forced then-Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;into a prolonged vote for the gavel in 2023.And while Johnson predicts next year will launch the “most consequential” presidency and Congress in modern times, he has had difficulty this year leading Republicans who refused to go along with plans, forcing the speaker to often partner with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.Johnson's troubles stem in part from his slim majority, but that could persist if Trump continues to tap House Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-staff-picks-stefanik-wiles-stephen-miller-tom-homan-243d73610b03a3ee18c4d5f68756af7c">fill his administration</a>. Trump has already asked Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-united-nations-elise-stefanik-ambassador-2b482fb39a8d6f03d389d27cc8820056">Elise Stefanik</a>, R-N.Y., to be ambassador to the United Nations and Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">Mike Waltz</a>, R-Fla., to be his national security adviser.“We're pretty much maxed out,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas. “Everybody understands that.”In the weeks ahead, Congress faces another deadline, Dec. 20, to fund the federal government or risk a shutdown, and conservatives are redoubling their pressure on Johnson not to cave on their demands to slash spending.The House and Senate also will consider replenishing the Disaster Relief Fund to help provide aid in the aftermath of Hurricanes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">Helene</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milton">Milton.</a>And with President Joe Biden preparing to exit and Democrats relinquishing their hold on the Senate, there will be pressure to confirm more judicial nominees and to usher out the door any other bills that could possibly become law before Trump takes over.

More than a dozen races left to be called to determine control of Congress

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 4a.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy SUV driven by Thomas Reller, 78, Zumbrota, Minnesota, was northbound on Interstate 35 just south of Haysville.&nbsp;

The SUV rear-ended a 2025 International semi driven by Tasheba Peavy, 45, Houston, Texas, that had struck a deer and then the barrier wall. The impact pushed the International semi into the rear of another semi driven by Shanna Coleman, 47, The Woodlands, Texas.

Reller and a passenger in the SUV Octavia Reller, 27, Zumbrota, Minnesota, were pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the two&nbsp; &nbsp;semi drivers to a local hospital. All four were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 4a.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy SUV driven by Thomas Reller, 78, Zumbrota, Minnesota, was northbound on Interstate 35 just south of Haysville.&nbsp; The SUV rear-ended a 2025 International semi driven by Tasheba Peavy, 45, Houston, Texas, that had struck a deer and then the barrier wall. The impact pushed the International semi into the rear of another semi driven by Shanna Coleman, 47, The Woodlands, Texas.Reller and a passenger in the SUV Octavia Reller, 27, Zumbrota, Minnesota, were pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the two&nbsp; &nbsp;semi drivers to a local hospital. All four were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Patrol IDs two who died after 3-vehicle crash on the Kan. Turnpike

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A 34-year-old man is in custody following a fight&nbsp; that left a 40-year-old man unconscious and requiring transport to the hospital. Two other suspects are still a large.

Just after 3:30p.m. Saturday, police were called to the 700 block of Vermont Street in Lawrence, according to a media release.

&nbsp;Witnesses reported an unconscious man on the ground. Officers were on scene quickly and contacted several involved parties. Initially, the information provided indicated the injured man had started an altercation that involved several people physically fighting on the east sidewalk.

 The involved participants were interviewed and released pending further investigation. However, the injured man was later able to provide a statement at the hospital that contradicted the information officers received on scene. 

Additionally, officers were able to locate video and more witnesses that corroborated the injured man's version of events, which showed he was punched and kicked repeatedly, including after being knocked unconscious. 

Officers were able to track down one of the involved suspects and arrested him, but still seek to arrest two others. The arrested man was booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility on suspicion of Aggravated Battery.

 A 37-year-old man and a 36-year-old man remain at large. The hospitalized man was released after receiving care.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A 34-year-old man is in custody following a fight&nbsp; that left a 40-year-old man unconscious and requiring transport to the hospital. Two other suspects are still a large.Just after 3:30p.m. Saturday, police were called to the 700 block of Vermont Street in Lawrence, according to a media release.&nbsp;Witnesses reported an unconscious man on the ground. Officers were on scene quickly and contacted several involved parties. Initially, the information provided indicated the injured man had started an altercation that involved several people physically fighting on the east sidewalk. The involved participants were interviewed and released pending further investigation. However, the injured man was later able to provide a statement at the hospital that contradicted the information officers received on scene. Additionally, officers were able to locate video and more witnesses that corroborated the injured man's version of events, which showed he was punched and kicked repeatedly, including after being knocked unconscious. Officers were able to track down one of the involved suspects and arrested him, but still seek to arrest two others. The arrested man was booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility on suspicion of Aggravated Battery. A 37-year-old man and a 36-year-old man remain at large. The hospitalized man was released after receiving care.

3 accused of assaulting unconscious 40-year-old Kan. man

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. struck nine targets at two locations in Syria Monday to hit Iranian-aligned militias that had launched attacks on U.S. personnel over the last 24 hours, U.S. Central Command said.

No U.S. personnel were injured in the attacks, but as of late Monday the Pentagon did not provide further details on what U.S. sites in Syria had been attacked or what sites the U.S. struck in return.

The U.S. has about 900 personnel in Syria to assist partnered forces in conducting missions against Islamic State militants. In February it launched a massive attack on Iranian-backed militia sites in Syria in response to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-syria-strikes-hamas-militia-iran-us-62be7c7b500de1d0f1287a9b2c6f82dc">drone attack in Jordan</a>&nbsp;that killed three U.S. service members.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731379013172.png" alt="U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles -photo U.S. Central Command&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles -photo U.S. Central Command&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. struck nine targets at two locations in Syria Monday to hit Iranian-aligned militias that had launched attacks on U.S. personnel over the last 24 hours, U.S. Central Command said.No U.S. personnel were injured in the attacks, but as of late Monday the Pentagon did not provide further details on what U.S. sites in Syria had been attacked or what sites the U.S. struck in return.The U.S. has about 900 personnel in Syria to assist partnered forces in conducting missions against Islamic State militants. In February it launched a massive attack on Iranian-backed militia sites in Syria in response to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-syria-strikes-hamas-militia-iran-us-62be7c7b500de1d0f1287a9b2c6f82dc">drone attack in Jordan</a>&nbsp;that killed three U.S. service members.

U.S. forces strike Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3p.m. Monday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Trevor Duane&nbsp;White, 22, Leavenworth, was southbound on U.S. 73 at Fairlane Street.&nbsp;

The motorcycle struck the passenger side of a northbound 2009 Mercedes C-class driven by George&nbsp;Steger, 89, Leavenworth, was turning westbound onto Fairlane Street.&nbsp;

White was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Forensic Medical.&nbsp; EMS transported a passenger in the car identified as 73-year-old Karen&nbsp;Ferengel to Providence Hospital. Steger was not injured. White was not wearing a helmet and the occupants of the car were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3p.m. Monday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Trevor Duane&nbsp;White, 22, Leavenworth, was southbound on U.S. 73 at Fairlane Street.&nbsp;The motorcycle struck the passenger side of a northbound 2009 Mercedes C-class driven by George&nbsp;Steger, 89, Leavenworth, was turning westbound onto Fairlane Street.&nbsp;White was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Forensic Medical.&nbsp; EMS transported a passenger in the car identified as 73-year-old Karen&nbsp;Ferengel to Providence Hospital. Steger was not injured. White was not wearing a helmet and the occupants of the car were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle, car accident

PAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; – A contested Preliminary Hearing was conducted Friday in the Pawnee County District Court against Michael EG Reynolds, 68 of Larned, in connection with the shooting death of Dr. Tomas Garza, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

Senior District Judge Nancy Parrish of Topeka, Kansas, presided over the hearing. Pawnee County District Judge Bruce Gatterman recused himself from the case due to a possible conflict of interest.

Reynolds is charged with one count of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. 

The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Coroner Dr. Lyle Noordhoek into the shooting death of Garza on March 30. Reynolds was taken into custody at the scene without incident at the time of the alleged incident.

Prior to the hearing, Reynolds filed a claim for self-defense immunity from prosecution, commonly referred to as a Stand-Your-Ground immunity. Under Kansas law, a use of deadly force to defend oneself or another requires both the subjective belief that deadly force is necessary as well as an objective showing that “a reasonable person in the defendant’s circumstances would have perceived the use of deadly force as necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to the defendant or a third person.”

Following a full day of testimony, Judge Parrish found the State presented sufficient evidence to support all three charges. Additionally, Judge Parrish found that the State met its burden to overcome the immunity claim finding that based on the evidence presented Reynolds could not have subjectively believed he needed to use deadly force against Dr. Garza, nor would any reasonable person in Reynold’s circumstances perceive that the use of deadly force was necessary.

If convicted of the murder charge, under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines the defendant faces between 147 months and 653 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.

Following the hearing, Judge Parrish denied the request to reduce the bond for Reynolds. He had requested to be released on house arrest. Reynolds is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff with bond set at $250,000, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712009351520.png" alt="Reynolds photo Pawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Reynolds photo Pawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY&nbsp; – A contested Preliminary Hearing was conducted Friday in the Pawnee County District Court against Michael EG Reynolds, 68 of Larned, in connection with the shooting death of Dr. Tomas Garza, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.Senior District Judge Nancy Parrish of Topeka, Kansas, presided over the hearing. Pawnee County District Judge Bruce Gatterman recused himself from the case due to a possible conflict of interest.Reynolds is charged with one count of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Coroner Dr. Lyle Noordhoek into the shooting death of Garza on March 30. Reynolds was taken into custody at the scene without incident at the time of the alleged incident.Prior to the hearing, Reynolds filed a claim for self-defense immunity from prosecution, commonly referred to as a Stand-Your-Ground immunity. Under Kansas law, a use of deadly force to defend oneself or another requires both the subjective belief that deadly force is necessary as well as an objective showing that “a reasonable person in the defendant’s circumstances would have perceived the use of deadly force as necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to the defendant or a third person.”Following a full day of testimony, Judge Parrish found the State presented sufficient evidence to support all three charges. Additionally, Judge Parrish found that the State met its burden to overcome the immunity claim finding that based on the evidence presented Reynolds could not have subjectively believed he needed to use deadly force against Dr. Garza, nor would any reasonable person in Reynold’s circumstances perceive that the use of deadly force was necessary.If convicted of the murder charge, under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines the defendant faces between 147 months and 653 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.Following the hearing, Judge Parrish denied the request to reduce the bond for Reynolds. He had requested to be released on house arrest. Reynolds is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff with bond set at $250,000, according to McNett.