WASHINGTON (AP) — Hormone-based drugs used to treat hot flashes and other menopause symptoms will no longer carry a bold warning label about stroke, heart attack, dementia and other serious risks, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-food-and-drug-administration">Food and Drug Administration</a>&nbsp;announced Monday.

U.S. health officials said they will remove the boxed warning from more than 20 pills, patches and creams containing hormones like estrogen and progestin, which are approved to ease disruptive symptoms like night sweats.

The change has been supported by some doctors — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-trump-makary-vaccines-ultraprocessed-food-safety-ce9df8eb4bba5c950e500c62d975afe2">FDA Commissioner Marty Makary</a>, who has called the current label outdated and unnecessary.

Health officials explained the move by pointing to studies suggesting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hormone-therapy-estrogen-hot-flashes-fda-5b1f29a73553c142f67b1f88b6656428">hormone therapy</a>&nbsp;has few risks when started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause symptoms.

“We’re challenging outdated thinking and recommitting to evidence-based medicine that empowers rather than restricts,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;said in introducing the update.

The 22-year-old FDA warning advised doctors that hormone therapy can increase the risk of blood clots, heart problems and other health issues, citing data published more than 20 years ago.

Many doctors — and pharmaceutical companies — have called for removing or revising the label, which they say discourages prescriptions and scares off women who could benefit.

Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the warnings have created a lot of hesitancy among patients.

“I can spend 30 minutes counseling someone about hormone-replacement therapy— tell them everything — but when they fill the prescription and see that warning they just get scared,” Fleischman said.

Other experts have opposed making changes to the label without a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-kennedy-antidepressants-hormones-meetings-experts-afbd525b29ca5e2585b79548a075be75">careful, transparent process</a>.

Medical guidelines generally recommend the drugs for a limited duration in younger women going through menopause who don’t have complicating risks, such as breast cancer. FDA’s updated prescribing information mostly matches that approach.

But Makary and some other doctors have suggested that hormone therapy’s benefits can go far beyond managing uncomfortable mid-life symptoms. Before becoming FDA commissioner, Makary dedicated a chapter of his most recent book to extolling the overall benefits of hormone therapy and criticizing doctors unwilling to prescribe it.

On Monday he reiterated that viewpoint, citing figures suggesting hormone-therapy reduces heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other age-related conditions.

“With few exceptions, there may be no other medication in the modern era that can improve the health outcomes of women at a population level more than hormone replacement therapy,” Makary told reporters.

The veracity of those benefits remains the subject of ongoing research and debate— including among experts whose work led to the original warning.

Dr. JoAnn Manson of Harvard Medical School said the evidence for overall health benefits is not “as conclusive or definitive” as what Makary described. Still, removing the warning is a good step because it could lead to physicians and patients making more personalized decisions, she said.

“The black box is really one size fits all. It scares everyone away,” Manson said. “Without the black box warning there may be more focus on the actual findings, how they differ by age and underlying health factors.”

In the 1990s, more than 1 in 4 U.S. women took estrogen alone or in combination with progestin on the assumption that — in addition to treating menopause — it would reduce rates of heart disease, dementia and other issues.

But a landmark study of more than 26,000 women upended that idea, linking two different types of hormone pills to higher rates of stroke, blood clots, breast cancer and other serious risks. After the initial findings were published in 2002, prescriptions plummeted among women of all age groups, including those in earlier stages of menopause.

Since then, all estrogen drugs have carried the FDA’s boxed warning — the most serious type.

“That study was misrepresented and created a fear machine that lingers to this day,” Makary said.

Continuing analysis has shown a more nuanced picture of the risks.

A new analysis of the 2002 data published in September found that women in their 50s taking estrogen-based drugs faced no increased risk of heart problems, whereas women in their 70s did. The data was unclear for women in their 60s, and the authors advised caution.

Additionally, many newer forms of the drugs have been introduced since the early 2000s, including vaginal creams and tablets that deliver lower hormone doses than pills, patches and other drugs that circulate throughout the bloodstream.

The original language contained in the boxed warning will still be available to prescribers, but it will appear lower down on the label. The label will retain a boxed warning that women who have not had a hysterectomy should receive a combination of estrogen-progestin due to risks of cancer in the lining of the uterus.

Hanging over Monday’s announcement was the way the agency laid the groundwork for the decision.

Rather than convening a standing advisory committees on women’s health or drug safety, Makary earlier this year invited a dozen doctors and researchers who overwhelmingly supported the health benefits of hormone-replacement drugs.

Many of the panelists invited to the July meeting consult for drugmakers or prescribe the medications in their private practices. Two of the experts also spoke at Monday’s FDA news conference.

Nearly 80 researchers later sent a letter to the FDA calling for an official advisory committee meeting.

Diana Zuckerman of the nonprofit National Center for Health Research, which analyzes medical research, accused Makary of undermining the FDA’s credibility by announcing the change “rather than having scientists scrutinize the research at an FDA scientific meeting.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hormone-based drugs used to treat hot flashes and other menopause symptoms will no longer carry a bold warning label about stroke, heart attack, dementia and other serious risks, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-food-and-drug-administration">Food and Drug Administration</a>&nbsp;announced Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (<a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecKennedy</a>): &quot;The FDA is initiating the removal of broad black box warnings from hormone replacement therapy products for menopause.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xcqVHCpn4E">pic.twitter.com/xcqVHCpn4E</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1987920133160141115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. health officials said they will remove the boxed warning from more than 20 pills, patches and creams containing hormones like estrogen and progestin, which are approved to ease disruptive symptoms like night sweats.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DrMakaryFDA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrMakaryFDA</a>: “50 million women since that study 23 years ago have been denied, or never offered, or talked out of the life-changing, life-saving benefits of hormone replacement therapy.” <a href="https://t.co/q5cr82jsDM">pic.twitter.com/q5cr82jsDM</a>&mdash; HHS Rapid Response (@HHSResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/HHSResponse/status/1987923777498288585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The change has been supported by some doctors — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-trump-makary-vaccines-ultraprocessed-food-safety-ce9df8eb4bba5c950e500c62d975afe2">FDA Commissioner Marty Makary</a>, who has called the current label outdated and unnecessary.Health officials explained the move by pointing to studies suggesting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hormone-therapy-estrogen-hot-flashes-fda-5b1f29a73553c142f67b1f88b6656428">hormone therapy</a>&nbsp;has few risks when started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause symptoms.“We’re challenging outdated thinking and recommitting to evidence-based medicine that empowers rather than restricts,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;said in introducing the update.The 22-year-old FDA warning advised doctors that hormone therapy can increase the risk of blood clots, heart problems and other health issues, citing data published more than 20 years ago.Many doctors — and pharmaceutical companies — have called for removing or revising the label, which they say discourages prescriptions and scares off women who could benefit.Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the warnings have created a lot of hesitancy among patients.“I can spend 30 minutes counseling someone about hormone-replacement therapy— tell them everything — but when they fill the prescription and see that warning they just get scared,” Fleischman said.Other experts have opposed making changes to the label without a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-kennedy-antidepressants-hormones-meetings-experts-afbd525b29ca5e2585b79548a075be75">careful, transparent process</a>.Medical guidelines generally recommend the drugs for a limited duration in younger women going through menopause who don’t have complicating risks, such as breast cancer. FDA’s updated prescribing information mostly matches that approach.But Makary and some other doctors have suggested that hormone therapy’s benefits can go far beyond managing uncomfortable mid-life symptoms. Before becoming FDA commissioner, Makary dedicated a chapter of his most recent book to extolling the overall benefits of hormone therapy and criticizing doctors unwilling to prescribe it.On Monday he reiterated that viewpoint, citing figures suggesting hormone-therapy reduces heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other age-related conditions.“With few exceptions, there may be no other medication in the modern era that can improve the health outcomes of women at a population level more than hormone replacement therapy,” Makary told reporters.The veracity of those benefits remains the subject of ongoing research and debate— including among experts whose work led to the original warning.Dr. JoAnn Manson of Harvard Medical School said the evidence for overall health benefits is not “as conclusive or definitive” as what Makary described. Still, removing the warning is a good step because it could lead to physicians and patients making more personalized decisions, she said.“The black box is really one size fits all. It scares everyone away,” Manson said. “Without the black box warning there may be more focus on the actual findings, how they differ by age and underlying health factors.”In the 1990s, more than 1 in 4 U.S. women took estrogen alone or in combination with progestin on the assumption that — in addition to treating menopause — it would reduce rates of heart disease, dementia and other issues.But a landmark study of more than 26,000 women upended that idea, linking two different types of hormone pills to higher rates of stroke, blood clots, breast cancer and other serious risks. After the initial findings were published in 2002, prescriptions plummeted among women of all age groups, including those in earlier stages of menopause.Since then, all estrogen drugs have carried the FDA’s boxed warning — the most serious type.“That study was misrepresented and created a fear machine that lingers to this day,” Makary said.Continuing analysis has shown a more nuanced picture of the risks.A new analysis of the 2002 data published in September found that women in their 50s taking estrogen-based drugs faced no increased risk of heart problems, whereas women in their 70s did. The data was unclear for women in their 60s, and the authors advised caution.Additionally, many newer forms of the drugs have been introduced since the early 2000s, including vaginal creams and tablets that deliver lower hormone doses than pills, patches and other drugs that circulate throughout the bloodstream.The original language contained in the boxed warning will still be available to prescribers, but it will appear lower down on the label. The label will retain a boxed warning that women who have not had a hysterectomy should receive a combination of estrogen-progestin due to risks of cancer in the lining of the uterus.Hanging over Monday’s announcement was the way the agency laid the groundwork for the decision.Rather than convening a standing advisory committees on women’s health or drug safety, Makary earlier this year invited a dozen doctors and researchers who overwhelmingly supported the health benefits of hormone-replacement drugs.Many of the panelists invited to the July meeting consult for drugmakers or prescribe the medications in their private practices. Two of the experts also spoke at Monday’s FDA news conference.Nearly 80 researchers later sent a letter to the FDA calling for an official advisory committee meeting.Diana Zuckerman of the nonprofit National Center for Health Research, which analyzes medical research, accused Makary of undermining the FDA’s credibility by announcing the change “rather than having scientists scrutinize the research at an FDA scientific meeting.”___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

🎥FDA will lift warnings on hormone therapy for menopause 

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have made an arrest.

After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver, identified as 36-year-old William Klinger, involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence.&nbsp;

The crash killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.

Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene.&nbsp;

Deputies later found her early Friday morning. A passerby spotted her on the side of the road around 3:35 a.m., according to Diepenbrock.

According to the sheriff's department Klingler was arrested around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday. He is being held on requested charges of reckless involuntary homicide. He has a previous conviction for Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Equipment: Knowingly and without authorization removing or disabling in the case of a Felony, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;

McGrain, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, was a pre-med student at KU.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762637573361.png" alt="Elsa McGrain-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Elsa McGrain-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have made an arrest.After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver, identified as 36-year-old William Klinger, involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762795144309.png" alt="Klingler photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Klingler photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>The crash killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene.&nbsp;Deputies later found her early Friday morning. A passerby spotted her on the side of the road around 3:35 a.m., according to Diepenbrock.According to the sheriff's department Klingler was arrested around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday. He is being held on requested charges of reckless involuntary homicide. He has a previous conviction for Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Equipment: Knowingly and without authorization removing or disabling in the case of a Felony, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;McGrain, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, was a pre-med student at KU.

Driver accused in hit-and -run that killed KU student has history of crime

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted of a violent attack on a teen, later identified as his girlfriend, will have to wait to learn his fate.

Sentenced for Dominic Thomas in Judge William Wollen's courtroom was delayed until December 12,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November of 2024, a jury convicted Thomas, who was 19 at the time of the crime, of attempted first-degree murder.

Just after 10 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2020 police responded to an assault report at a home in the 3900 block of North Litchfield in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 17-year-old girl who was visibly shaken and wet. The investigation revealed 19-year-old Dominic Thomas and the victim were talking near a pond at 37th Street North and Sullivan when a disturbance occurred.

During the disturbance, Thomas battered the girl, drug her to a nearby pond and held her head under the water. Thomas then released her and fled. Officers later located Thomas, and he was arrested without further incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600793705943.png" alt="Thomas-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man convicted of a violent attack on a teen, later identified as his girlfriend, will have to wait to learn his fate.Sentenced for Dominic Thomas in Judge William Wollen's courtroom was delayed until December 12,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In November of 2024, a jury convicted Thomas, who was 19 at the time of the crime, of attempted first-degree murder.Just after 10 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2020 police responded to an assault report at a home in the 3900 block of North Litchfield in Wichita, according to officer Charley DavidsonUpon arrival, officers contacted a 17-year-old girl who was visibly shaken and wet. The investigation revealed 19-year-old Dominic Thomas and the victim were talking near a pond at 37th Street North and Sullivan when a disturbance occurred.During the disturbance, Thomas battered the girl, drug her to a nearby pond and held her head under the water. Thomas then released her and fled. Officers later located Thomas, and he was arrested without further incident.

Sentencing delayed for Kan. man who tried to drown pregnant girlfriend

WILSON COUNTY —Two adults and a child died in an accident just before 6a.m. Monday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Hyundia Sonata driven by Adam Lane&nbsp;Brooks, 21, Fredonia, was westbound on Granby Avenue at U.S. 400.&nbsp; The driver failed to stop at the stop sign. A northbound Peterbilt semi driven by Marvin Leroy&nbsp; Lea, 59, El Dorado struck the car.

A passenger identified as Kylie Michelle&nbsp;Brooks, 21, Neodesha, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was transported to&nbsp;Country Side Funeral Home. EMS transported a 2-year-old male passenger to Wesley Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;EMS transported the driver to Wilson Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Lea was not injured. The occupants of the Hyundai were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

WILSON COUNTY —Two adults and a child died in an accident just before 6a.m. Monday in Wilson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Hyundia Sonata driven by Adam Lane&nbsp;Brooks, 21, Fredonia, was westbound on Granby Avenue at U.S. 400.&nbsp; The driver failed to stop at the stop sign. A northbound Peterbilt semi driven by Marvin Leroy&nbsp; Lea, 59, El Dorado struck the car.A passenger identified as Kylie Michelle&nbsp;Brooks, 21, Neodesha, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was transported to&nbsp;Country Side Funeral Home. EMS transported a 2-year-old male passenger to Wesley Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;EMS transported the driver to Wilson Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.Lea was not injured. The occupants of the Hyundai were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kan. man, woman and 2-year-old killed in car, semi crash

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/lisa-mascaro">LISA MASCARO</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — A legislative package to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">the government shutdown</a>&nbsp;appears on track Monday after a handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to break the impasse in what has become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-air-traffic-shutdown-delays-ae216380cdf694c518bd2a4b0830eaea">a deepening disruption</a>&nbsp;of federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-food-benefits-trump-government-shutdown-c633d646f08f395e7d157d1145eaf727">programs and services</a>, the longest in history.

What’s in and out of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-641e7e2324f261da72395b604d9540e8">the bipartisan deal</a>&nbsp;drew sharp criticism and leaves few senators fully satisfied. The legislation provides funding to reopen the government, including for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-benefits-trump-administration-demands-undo-states-d433f20df4d461db506e0d327a58d3c1">SNAP food aid</a>&nbsp;and other programs, while also ensuring backpay for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/furloughed-federal-workers-blames-every-voting-american-for-the-government-shutdown-76fc8ae169014e30a834d51c2aca851a">furloughed federal workers</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-back-bay-shutdown-785eb776d2312d1f68f7e91961d0a93a">left in doubt</a>.

But notably lacking is any clear resolution to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aca-credits-health-care-subsidies-government-shutdown-7f7a3609bf78dd7e43be9a041a090220">expiring health care subsidies</a>&nbsp;that Democrats have been fighting for as millions of Americans stare down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aca-credits-health-care-subsidies-government-shutdown-7f7a3609bf78dd7e43be9a041a090220">rising insurance premiums</a>. That debate was pushed off for a vote next month, weeks before the subsidies are set to expire.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;noted the deal as he arrived at the White House after watching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-nfl-lions-commanders-c2c6e511052653e74be0ad77eb51cd64">the Washington Commanders’ game</a>&nbsp;on Sunday evening against the Detroit Lions, on the 40th day of the funding lapse. “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending,” he said.

The Senate could wrap up passage as soon as Monday. The bill cleared a procedural hurdle, 60-40, late Sunday, with eight Democrats joining most Republicans. In a rare dissent, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against because it failed to fully address the health care funds.

Government shutdownThe AP has journalists around the country covering the shutdown of the federal government.&nbsp;<a href="https://modules.wearehearken.com/associated-press/embed/12545/share" target="_blank">What questions do you have for them?</a>

It would next go to the House, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-government-shutdown-grijalva-526647b57faa2710382674646dfd2b37">lawmakers have been away</a>&nbsp;since September but were being told to prepare to return to Washington this week. Then, it’s to Trump’s desk for his signature.

Here’s a look at the deal as it’s moving through Congress:

Funding to reopen the government, for now

Included is funding to keep much of the federal government running for the next couple of months, to Jan. 30, with a stopgap measure. It largely funds government operations at their current rates.

Yet in a breakthrough for what’s considered a more normal appropriations process, the package also includes several bills to fully fund other government operations including agricultural programs and military construction along with veterans’ affairs for the full fiscal year, through September 2026.

Additionally, the package ensures states would be reimbursed for money they spent to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and the Women, Infants and Children program, or WIC, running during the shutdown.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the chair of the Appropriations Committee, said she was “relieved.”

“This shutdown has gone on far too long,” she said. “And I also think it’s highly significant that we’ll have three yearlong appropriations bills attached. Veterans Day is coming very soon, and it would be wonderful if we get the full-year Veterans Affairs bill signed into law.”

The Democrats failed to secure their main demand during the shutdown, which was an extension of the health care subsidies that many of the 24 million people who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act rely on to help defray costs.

Instead, the package guarantees a vote on the issue in December — which was not enough for most of the Democrats, who rejected the deal and voted against it.

“The American people want us to stand and fight for health care,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

The package seeks to roll back some of the Trump administration’s shutdown-related hits to the federal workforce. Employees have faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-layoffs-judge-trump-fdcb16f91c94d7bf73977e8968210b0e">repeated threats of firings and mass layoffs</a>&nbsp;this year.

The stopgap measure reinstates federal workers who had received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-federal-workers-shutdown-layoffs-5bef57b6c431830a9af84fbfcc59b324">reductions in force, or layoff, notices</a>&nbsp;and protects against such future actions.

It also would provide back pay for federal workers who were furloughed or working without pay during the shutdown — something that’s traditionally provided but that the Trump administration had threatened was not guaranteed.

Getting the bill to the president’s desk

Political and procedural hurdles remain as Congress, which is controlled by Republicans, slogs through more voting and the shutdown entered its 41st day Monday.

Senators hope to skip past a series of steps that could drag voting out all week if the dissenters put up a prolonged fight.

One Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted against advancing the package Sunday, and he is said to have concerns over a hemp industry provision. And three ultra-conservative GOP senators held up voting for more than two hours as they demanded consideration of their ideas. It is unclear if any of them plans to stage further protests.

Democrats, who have fought for the past month in their hopes of preserving the health care subsidies, also could delay final passage, and their next steps are uncertain.

And the package faces fresh scrutiny once it goes to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana holds a slim GOP majority and would likely need almost all Republicans to support the bill in the face of objections from Democrats who are holding out for the health care funds.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said the party will fight the bill, forcing the Republicans in the House to pass it largely on their own.

“We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits” Jeffries said. “Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they have created.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609336667005.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/lisa-mascaro">LISA MASCARO</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — A legislative package to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">the government shutdown</a>&nbsp;appears on track Monday after a handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to break the impasse in what has become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-air-traffic-shutdown-delays-ae216380cdf694c518bd2a4b0830eaea">a deepening disruption</a>&nbsp;of federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-food-benefits-trump-government-shutdown-c633d646f08f395e7d157d1145eaf727">programs and services</a>, the longest in history.What’s in and out of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-641e7e2324f261da72395b604d9540e8">the bipartisan deal</a>&nbsp;drew sharp criticism and leaves few senators fully satisfied. The legislation provides funding to reopen the government, including for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-benefits-trump-administration-demands-undo-states-d433f20df4d461db506e0d327a58d3c1">SNAP food aid</a>&nbsp;and other programs, while also ensuring backpay for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/furloughed-federal-workers-blames-every-voting-american-for-the-government-shutdown-76fc8ae169014e30a834d51c2aca851a">furloughed federal workers</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-back-bay-shutdown-785eb776d2312d1f68f7e91961d0a93a">left in doubt</a>.But notably lacking is any clear resolution to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aca-credits-health-care-subsidies-government-shutdown-7f7a3609bf78dd7e43be9a041a090220">expiring health care subsidies</a>&nbsp;that Democrats have been fighting for as millions of Americans stare down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aca-credits-health-care-subsidies-government-shutdown-7f7a3609bf78dd7e43be9a041a090220">rising insurance premiums</a>. That debate was pushed off for a vote next month, weeks before the subsidies are set to expire.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;noted the deal as he arrived at the White House after watching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-nfl-lions-commanders-c2c6e511052653e74be0ad77eb51cd64">the Washington Commanders’ game</a>&nbsp;on Sunday evening against the Detroit Lions, on the 40th day of the funding lapse. “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending,” he said.The Senate could wrap up passage as soon as Monday. The bill cleared a procedural hurdle, 60-40, late Sunday, with eight Democrats joining most Republicans. In a rare dissent, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against because it failed to fully address the health care funds.Government shutdownThe AP has journalists around the country covering the shutdown of the federal government.&nbsp;<a href="https://modules.wearehearken.com/associated-press/embed/12545/share" target="_blank">What questions do you have for them?</a>It would next go to the House, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-government-shutdown-grijalva-526647b57faa2710382674646dfd2b37">lawmakers have been away</a>&nbsp;since September but were being told to prepare to return to Washington this week. Then, it’s to Trump’s desk for his signature.Here’s a look at the deal as it’s moving through Congress:<h2>Funding to reopen the government, for now</h2>Included is funding to keep much of the federal government running for the next couple of months, to Jan. 30, with a stopgap measure. It largely funds government operations at their current rates.Yet in a breakthrough for what’s considered a more normal appropriations process, the package also includes several bills to fully fund other government operations including agricultural programs and military construction along with veterans’ affairs for the full fiscal year, through September 2026.Additionally, the package ensures states would be reimbursed for money they spent to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and the Women, Infants and Children program, or WIC, running during the shutdown.Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the chair of the Appropriations Committee, said she was “relieved.”“This shutdown has gone on far too long,” she said. “And I also think it’s highly significant that we’ll have three yearlong appropriations bills attached. Veterans Day is coming very soon, and it would be wonderful if we get the full-year Veterans Affairs bill signed into law.”<h2>Health care funding still up for debate</h2>The Democrats failed to secure their main demand during the shutdown, which was an extension of the health care subsidies that many of the 24 million people who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act rely on to help defray costs.Instead, the package guarantees a vote on the issue in December — which was not enough for most of the Democrats, who rejected the deal and voted against it.“The American people want us to stand and fight for health care,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.<h2>Federal workers get a reprieve</h2>The package seeks to roll back some of the Trump administration’s shutdown-related hits to the federal workforce. Employees have faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-layoffs-judge-trump-fdcb16f91c94d7bf73977e8968210b0e">repeated threats of firings and mass layoffs</a>&nbsp;this year.The stopgap measure reinstates federal workers who had received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-federal-workers-shutdown-layoffs-5bef57b6c431830a9af84fbfcc59b324">reductions in force, or layoff, notices</a>&nbsp;and protects against such future actions.It also would provide back pay for federal workers who were furloughed or working without pay during the shutdown — something that’s traditionally provided but that the Trump administration had threatened was not guaranteed.<h2>Getting the bill to the president’s desk</h2>Political and procedural hurdles remain as Congress, which is controlled by Republicans, slogs through more voting and the shutdown entered its 41st day Monday.Senators hope to skip past a series of steps that could drag voting out all week if the dissenters put up a prolonged fight.One Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted against advancing the package Sunday, and he is said to have concerns over a hemp industry provision. And three ultra-conservative GOP senators held up voting for more than two hours as they demanded consideration of their ideas. It is unclear if any of them plans to stage further protests.Democrats, who have fought for the past month in their hopes of preserving the health care subsidies, also could delay final passage, and their next steps are uncertain.And the package faces fresh scrutiny once it goes to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana holds a slim GOP majority and would likely need almost all Republicans to support the bill in the face of objections from Democrats who are holding out for the health care funds.House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said the party will fight the bill, forcing the Republicans in the House to pass it largely on their own.“We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits” Jeffries said. “Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they have created.”

What’s in the legislation to end the federal government shutdown

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Colorado man accused in connection with a crash that killed an 82-year-old Kansas woman was back in court last week for a plea hearing in&nbsp; Judge Quentin Pittman's courtroom.

Austin Hedges, 26, pleaded guilty to charges of reckless involuntary manslaughter in the death of Kathy Knorr, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On March 16, 2024, a vehicle driven by Hedges was northbound on Rock Road in Wichita and struck a vehicle driven by Knorr who was turning from Killarney Court onto southbound Rock Road, according to Wichita Police.

EMS transported Knorr to a local hospital. She died on March 30.&nbsp; The Weld County Colorado Sheriff arrested Hedges on April 19 and he was returned to Kansas to face charges.

&nbsp; Hedges met the conditions of bond and will be sentenced at a later date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714590780723.png" alt="Hedges photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hedges photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Colorado man accused in connection with a crash that killed an 82-year-old Kansas woman was back in court last week for a plea hearing in&nbsp; Judge Quentin Pittman's courtroom.Austin Hedges, 26, pleaded guilty to charges of reckless involuntary manslaughter in the death of Kathy Knorr, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762796790240.png" alt="Kathy Knorr photo Corzine Memorial Group" />
 <figcaption>Kathy Knorr photo Corzine Memorial Group</figcaption>
 </figure>On March 16, 2024, a vehicle driven by Hedges was northbound on Rock Road in Wichita and struck a vehicle driven by Knorr who was turning from Killarney Court onto southbound Rock Road, according to Wichita Police.EMS transported Knorr to a local hospital. She died on March 30.&nbsp; The Weld County Colorado Sheriff arrested Hedges on April 19 and he was returned to Kansas to face charges.&nbsp; Hedges met the conditions of bond and will be sentenced at a later date.

Man enters plea deal for crash that killed 82-year-old Kan. woman

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marriage-anthony-kennedy-ohio-state-government-united-states-tennessee-9dc57b83f3ae2fc7d2e007aa80bf33a3">same-sex marriage</a>&nbsp;nationwide.

The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kim-davis-clerk-samesex-marriage-supreme-court-8a914cc0563aeb5b7c360a9264ce50ce">Kim Davis</a>, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Davis had been trying to get the court to overturn a lower-court order for her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to a couple denied a marriage license.

Her lawyers repeatedly invoked the words of Justice Clarence Thomas, who alone among the nine justices has called for erasing the same-sex marriage ruling.

Thomas was among four dissenting justices in 2015. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito are the other dissenters who are on the court today.

Roberts has been silent on the subject since he wrote a dissenting opinion in the case. Alito has continued to criticize the decision, but he said recently he was not advocating that it be overturned.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was not on the court in 2015, has said that there are times when the court should correct mistakes and overturn decisions, as it did in the 2022 case that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">ended a constitutional right to abortion</a>.

But Barrett has suggested recently that same-sex marriage might be in a different category than abortion because people have relied on the decision when they married and had children.

Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson praised the justices’ decision not to intervene. “The Supreme Court made clear today that refusing to respect the constitutional rights of others does not come without consequences,” Robinson said in a statement.

Davis drew national attention to eastern Kentucky’s Rowan County when she turned away same-sex couples, saying her faith prevented her from complying with the high court ruling. She defied court orders to issue the licenses until a federal judge jailed her for contempt of court in September 2015.

She was released after her staff issued the licenses on her behalf but removed her name from the form. The Kentucky legislature later enacted a law removing the names of all county clerks from state marriage licenses.

Davis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0ebc64933444438b828c2bba7d91c401">lost a reelection bid</a>&nbsp;in 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745333128428.png" alt="A pride flag is seen in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Oct. 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)" />
 <figcaption>A pride flag is seen in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Oct. 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marriage-anthony-kennedy-ohio-state-government-united-states-tennessee-9dc57b83f3ae2fc7d2e007aa80bf33a3">same-sex marriage</a>&nbsp;nationwide.The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kim-davis-clerk-samesex-marriage-supreme-court-8a914cc0563aeb5b7c360a9264ce50ce">Kim Davis</a>, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.Davis had been trying to get the court to overturn a lower-court order for her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to a couple denied a marriage license.Her lawyers repeatedly invoked the words of Justice Clarence Thomas, who alone among the nine justices has called for erasing the same-sex marriage ruling.Thomas was among four dissenting justices in 2015. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito are the other dissenters who are on the court today.Roberts has been silent on the subject since he wrote a dissenting opinion in the case. Alito has continued to criticize the decision, but he said recently he was not advocating that it be overturned.Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was not on the court in 2015, has said that there are times when the court should correct mistakes and overturn decisions, as it did in the 2022 case that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">ended a constitutional right to abortion</a>.But Barrett has suggested recently that same-sex marriage might be in a different category than abortion because people have relied on the decision when they married and had children.Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson praised the justices’ decision not to intervene. “The Supreme Court made clear today that refusing to respect the constitutional rights of others does not come without consequences,” Robinson said in a statement.Davis drew national attention to eastern Kentucky’s Rowan County when she turned away same-sex couples, saying her faith prevented her from complying with the high court ruling. She defied court orders to issue the licenses until a federal judge jailed her for contempt of court in September 2015.She was released after her staff issued the licenses on her behalf but removed her name from the form. The Kentucky legislature later enacted a law removing the names of all county clerks from state marriage licenses.Davis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0ebc64933444438b828c2bba7d91c401">lost a reelection bid</a>&nbsp;in 2018.

Supreme Court silent on call to overturn same-sex marriage ruling

&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP)—Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the latest in a series of strikes on boats accusing of ferrying drugs killed six people two vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The dual strikes on Sunday bring the total number of known attacks to 19 and the death toll to at least 75 people since the Trump administration launched a campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters that many see as a pressure tactic on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

“These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route,” Hegseth posted Monday on social media.

&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP)—Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the latest in a series of strikes on boats accusing of ferrying drugs killed six people two vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and… <a href="https://t.co/ocUoGzwwDO">pic.twitter.com/ocUoGzwwDO</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1987863821868732447?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The dual strikes on Sunday bring the total number of known attacks to 19 and the death toll to at least 75 people since the Trump administration launched a campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters that many see as a pressure tactic on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.“These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route,” Hegseth posted Monday on social media.

🎥US military kills 6 in new attacks on drug-running boats

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned his former personal lawyer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rudy-giuliani">Rudy Giuliani</a>, his former chief of staff&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mark-meadows">Mark Meadows</a>&nbsp;and others accused of backing the Republican's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, a Justice Department official says.

Ed Martin, the government's pardon attorney, posted on social media a signed proclamation of the “full, complete, and unconditional" pardon, which also names conservative attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sidney-powell-plea-deal-georgia-election-indictment-ec7dc601ad78d756643aa2544028e9f5">Sidney Powell</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-fake-electors-charges-john-eastman-2020-1d6df9ac00b810a0d54d6fc4ae97ec57">John Eastman</a>. The proclamation, posted online late Sunday, explicitly says the pardon does not apply to Trump.

Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, and none of the Trump allies named were charged in federal cases over the 2020 election. But the move underscores President Donald Trump's continued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-special-prosecutor-2020-biden-election-194b3d49f49b0345f77873fc34b4dcc5">efforts to rewrite the history of the election</a>&nbsp;he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. It follows the sweeping pardons of the hundreds of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-trump-pardons-jan-6-f6e23bcd84eaed672318c88f05286767">Trump supporters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot</a>&nbsp;at the U.S. Capitol, including those convicted of attacking law enforcement.

The proclamation described efforts to prosecute those accused of aiding Trump's efforts to cling to power “as a grave national injustice perpetrated on the American people” and said the pardons were designed to continue “the process of national reconciliation.”

The White House didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday.

Also pardoned were Republicans who acted as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-fake-electors-michigan-e96dd694562a4b5903201ff538eca989">fake electors</a>&nbsp;for Trump in 2020 and were charged in state cases of submitting false certificates that confirmed they were legitimate electors despite Biden's victory in those states.

Trump himself was indicted on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">felony charges</a>&nbsp;accusing him of working overturn his 2020 election defeat, but the case brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-justice-department-jack-smith-d6172cf98d8e03e099571c908267456c">was abandoned</a>&nbsp;in November after Trump's victory over Democrat Kamala Harris because of the department's policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.

Giuliani, Meadows and others who were named in the proclamation had been charged by state prosecutors over the 2020 election, but the cases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-fake-electors-michigan-e96dd694562a4b5903201ff538eca989">have hit a dead end or are just limping along</a>. A judge in September dismissed the Michigan case against 15 Republicans accused of attempting to falsely certify Trump as the winner of the election in that battleground state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692827609455.png" alt="Giuliani's Fulton County booking photo after his indictment in August 2023" />
 <figcaption>Giuliani's Fulton County booking photo after his indictment in August 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned his former personal lawyer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rudy-giuliani">Rudy Giuliani</a>, his former chief of staff&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mark-meadows">Mark Meadows</a>&nbsp;and others accused of backing the Republican's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, a Justice Department official says.Ed Martin, the government's pardon attorney, posted on social media a signed proclamation of the “full, complete, and unconditional" pardon, which also names conservative attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sidney-powell-plea-deal-georgia-election-indictment-ec7dc601ad78d756643aa2544028e9f5">Sidney Powell</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-fake-electors-charges-john-eastman-2020-1d6df9ac00b810a0d54d6fc4ae97ec57">John Eastman</a>. The proclamation, posted online late Sunday, explicitly says the pardon does not apply to Trump.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762779205689.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762779097007.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762779002591.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762778970374.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, and none of the Trump allies named were charged in federal cases over the 2020 election. But the move underscores President Donald Trump's continued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-special-prosecutor-2020-biden-election-194b3d49f49b0345f77873fc34b4dcc5">efforts to rewrite the history of the election</a>&nbsp;he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. It follows the sweeping pardons of the hundreds of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-trump-pardons-jan-6-f6e23bcd84eaed672318c88f05286767">Trump supporters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot</a>&nbsp;at the U.S. Capitol, including those convicted of attacking law enforcement.The proclamation described efforts to prosecute those accused of aiding Trump's efforts to cling to power “as a grave national injustice perpetrated on the American people” and said the pardons were designed to continue “the process of national reconciliation.”The White House didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday.Also pardoned were Republicans who acted as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-fake-electors-michigan-e96dd694562a4b5903201ff538eca989">fake electors</a>&nbsp;for Trump in 2020 and were charged in state cases of submitting false certificates that confirmed they were legitimate electors despite Biden's victory in those states.Trump himself was indicted on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">felony charges</a>&nbsp;accusing him of working overturn his 2020 election defeat, but the case brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-justice-department-jack-smith-d6172cf98d8e03e099571c908267456c">was abandoned</a>&nbsp;in November after Trump's victory over Democrat Kamala Harris because of the department's policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.Giuliani, Meadows and others who were named in the proclamation had been charged by state prosecutors over the 2020 election, but the cases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-fake-electors-michigan-e96dd694562a4b5903201ff538eca989">have hit a dead end or are just limping along</a>. A judge in September dismissed the Michigan case against 15 Republicans accused of attempting to falsely certify Trump as the winner of the election in that battleground state.

See the list: Trump pardons those tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a Thursday afternoon shooting in Wichita.

Just after 1 p.m.,&nbsp; police were alerted by a Raven gunshot detection system to a possible shooting in the 900 Block of North Terrace in Wichita, according to a media release.

 Responding officers determined that a disturbance had occurred between two individuals who were known to each other. During the altercation, one of the individuals was shot and left the scene in a private vehicle.&nbsp;

About an hour later, the victim’s girlfriend called 911. Officers and EMS responded to the 2400 block of South Minnesota, where they located a 47-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his lower leg. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Police took the 53-year-old suspect, according to county arrest records as Darrick D. Reed, into custody. He was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of of aggravated battery and two counts of aggravated assault. 

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762606543255.png" alt="Reed photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Reed photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a Thursday afternoon shooting in Wichita.Just after 1 p.m.,&nbsp; police were alerted by a Raven gunshot detection system to a possible shooting in the 900 Block of North Terrace in Wichita, according to a media release. Responding officers determined that a disturbance had occurred between two individuals who were known to each other. During the altercation, one of the individuals was shot and left the scene in a private vehicle.&nbsp;About an hour later, the victim’s girlfriend called 911. Officers and EMS responded to the 2400 block of South Minnesota, where they located a 47-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his lower leg. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.Police took the 53-year-old suspect, according to county arrest records as Darrick D. Reed, into custody. He was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of of aggravated battery and two counts of aggravated assault. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Suspect arrested after Kan. shooting victim's girlfriend called 911

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate took the first step to end the government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">shutdown</a>&nbsp;on Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who say Americans want them to continue the fight.

In a test vote that is the first in a series of required procedural maneuvers, the Senate voted 60-40 to move toward passing compromise legislation to fund the government and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire Jan. 1. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

 Final passage could be several days away if Democrats object and delay the process.

The agreement does not guarantee the health care subsidies will be extended, as Democrats have demanded for almost six weeks. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues.

A group of three former governors — New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine — broke the six-week stalemate on Sunday when they agreed to vote to advance three bipartisan annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January in exchange for a mid-December vote on extending the health care tax credits.

The agreement also includes a reversal of the mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on Oct. 1 and would ensure that federal workers receive back pay.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly endorsed the deal and called an immediate vote to begin the process of approving it as the shutdown continued to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-cancellations-government-shutdown-what-to-know-dea56ba97690b43397a96289f5f949e8">disrupt flights nationwide</a>, threaten&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-food-government-shutdown-trump-4a6edf5a6dbdf18049f1585bf7b61687">food assistance</a>&nbsp;for millions of Americans and leave federal workers without pay.

“The time to act is now,” Thune said.

Returning to the White House on Sunday evening after attending a football game, President Donald Trump did not say whether he endorsed the deal. But he said, “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending.”

In addition to Shaheen, King and Hassan, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, home to tens of thousands of federal workers, also voted in favor of moving forward on the agreement. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen also voted yes.

The moderates had expected a larger number of Democrats to vote with them as 10-12 Democratic senators had been part of the negotiations. But in the end, only five Democrats switched their votes — the exact number that Republicans needed. King, Cortez Masto and Fetterman had already been voting to open the government since Oct. 1.

The vote was temporarily delayed on Sunday evening as three conservatives who often criticize spending bills, Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, withheld their votes and huddled with Thune at the back of the chamber. They eventually voted yes after speaking to Trump, Lee said.

Another Republican, Sen John Cornyn of Texas, had to fly back from Texas to deliver the crucial 60th vote.

After Democrats met for over two hours to discuss the proposal, Schumer said he could not “in good faith” support it.

Schumer, who received blowback from his party in March when he voted to keep the government open, said that Democrats have now “sounded the alarm” on health care.

“We will not give up the fight,” he said.

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucuses with the Democrats, said giving up the fight was a “horrific mistake.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., agreed, saying that in last week's elections people voted overwhelmingly Democratic “to urge Democrats to hold firm.”

Democrats had voted 14 times not to reopen the government as they demanded the extension of tax credits that make coverage more affordable under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans said they would not negotiate on health care, but GOP leaders have been quietly working with the group of moderates as the contours of an agreement began to emerge.

The agreement includes bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government — food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things. All other funding would be extended until the end of January, giving lawmakers more than two months to finish additional spending bills.

The deal would reinstate federal workers who had received reduction in force, or layoff, notices and reimburse states that spent their own funds to keep federal programs running during the shutdown. It would also protect against future reductions in force through January and guarantee federal workers would be paid once the shutdown is over.

House Democrats swiftly criticized the Senate.

Texas Rep. Greg Casar, the chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said a deal that doesn't reduce health care costs is a “betrayal” of millions of Americans who are counting on Democrats to fight.

“Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn’t a compromise — it’s capitulation,” Casar said in a post on X. "Millions of families would pay the price.”

Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota posted that “if people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you.”

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans and said Democrats will continue to fight.

“Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they have created in our country and the American people know it,” Jeffries said.

It's unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the health care subsidies before a promised December vote in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said he will not commit to bring it up in his chamber.

Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19-era tax credits as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies and argue that the tax dollars for the plans should be routed through individuals.

Other Republicans, including Trump, have used the debate to renew their yearslong criticism of the law and called for it to be scrapped or overhauled.

Meanwhile, the consequences of the shutdown have been compounding. U.S. airlines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-air-traffic-shutdown-delays-ae216380cdf694c518bd2a4b0830eaea">canceled more than 2,000 flights</a>&nbsp;on Sunday for the first time since the shutdown began, and there were more than 7,000 flight delays, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.

Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy said on CNN’s “State of the Union" that air travel ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday will be “reduced to a trickle” if the government doesn't reopen.

At the same time, food aid was delayed for tens of millions of people as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-how-it-works-cards-e061c2af0f3cc997b69a24296238783c">benefits</a>&nbsp;were caught up in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-benefits-trump-administration-demands-undo-states-d433f20df4d461db506e0d327a58d3c1">legal battles</a>&nbsp;related to the shutdown.

And in Washington, home to tens of thousands of federal workers who have gone unpaid, the Capital Area Food Bank said it is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-washington-economy-trump-food-bank-0f54be181fcaca70161a12b869cb619b">providing 8 million more meals</a>&nbsp;ahead of the holidays than it had prepared for this budget year — a nearly 20% increase.

Associated Press writers Stephen Groves and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762738475745.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (bottom left) after casting his vote in favor of the bill Sunday evening-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (bottom left) after casting his vote in favor of the bill Sunday evening-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate took the first step to end the government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">shutdown</a>&nbsp;on Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who say Americans want them to continue the fight.In a test vote that is the first in a series of required procedural maneuvers, the Senate voted 60-40 to move toward passing compromise legislation to fund the government and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire Jan. 1. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762740314871.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (center) during the Sunday night vote count -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (center) during the Sunday night vote count -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure> Final passage could be several days away if Democrats object and delay the process.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. Senate advances bill to reopen the government, 60-40. <a href="https://t.co/r2CfPUReJV">pic.twitter.com/r2CfPUReJV</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1987730780114817278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The agreement does not guarantee the health care subsidies will be extended, as Democrats have demanded for almost six weeks. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues.A group of three former governors — New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine — broke the six-week stalemate on Sunday when they agreed to vote to advance three bipartisan annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January in exchange for a mid-December vote on extending the health care tax credits.The agreement also includes a reversal of the mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on Oct. 1 and would ensure that federal workers receive back pay.Senate Majority Leader John Thune quickly endorsed the deal and called an immediate vote to begin the process of approving it as the shutdown continued to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-cancellations-government-shutdown-what-to-know-dea56ba97690b43397a96289f5f949e8">disrupt flights nationwide</a>, threaten&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-food-government-shutdown-trump-4a6edf5a6dbdf18049f1585bf7b61687">food assistance</a>&nbsp;for millions of Americans and leave federal workers without pay.“The time to act is now,” Thune said.Returning to the White House on Sunday evening after attending a football game, President Donald Trump did not say whether he endorsed the deal. But he said, “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending.”<h2>Five Democrats switch votes</h2>In addition to Shaheen, King and Hassan, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, home to tens of thousands of federal workers, also voted in favor of moving forward on the agreement. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen also voted yes.The moderates had expected a larger number of Democrats to vote with them as 10-12 Democratic senators had been part of the negotiations. But in the end, only five Democrats switched their votes — the exact number that Republicans needed. King, Cortez Masto and Fetterman had already been voting to open the government since Oct. 1.The vote was temporarily delayed on Sunday evening as three conservatives who often criticize spending bills, Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, withheld their votes and huddled with Thune at the back of the chamber. They eventually voted yes after speaking to Trump, Lee said.Another Republican, Sen John Cornyn of Texas, had to fly back from Texas to deliver the crucial 60th vote.<h2>Schumer votes no</h2>After Democrats met for over two hours to discuss the proposal, Schumer said he could not “in good faith” support it.Schumer, who received blowback from his party in March when he voted to keep the government open, said that Democrats have now “sounded the alarm” on health care.“We will not give up the fight,” he said.Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucuses with the Democrats, said giving up the fight was a “horrific mistake.”Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., agreed, saying that in last week's elections people voted overwhelmingly Democratic “to urge Democrats to hold firm.”<h2>A bipartisan agreement</h2>Democrats had voted 14 times not to reopen the government as they demanded the extension of tax credits that make coverage more affordable under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans said they would not negotiate on health care, but GOP leaders have been quietly working with the group of moderates as the contours of an agreement began to emerge.The agreement includes bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government — food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things. All other funding would be extended until the end of January, giving lawmakers more than two months to finish additional spending bills.The deal would reinstate federal workers who had received reduction in force, or layoff, notices and reimburse states that spent their own funds to keep federal programs running during the shutdown. It would also protect against future reductions in force through January and guarantee federal workers would be paid once the shutdown is over.<h2>House Democrats push back</h2>House Democrats swiftly criticized the Senate.Texas Rep. Greg Casar, the chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said a deal that doesn't reduce health care costs is a “betrayal” of millions of Americans who are counting on Democrats to fight.“Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isn’t a compromise — it’s capitulation,” Casar said in a post on X. "Millions of families would pay the price.”Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota posted that “if people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you.”House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans and said Democrats will continue to fight.“Donald Trump and the Republican Party own the toxic mess they have created in our country and the American people know it,” Jeffries said.<h2>Health care debate ahead</h2>It's unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the health care subsidies before a promised December vote in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said he will not commit to bring it up in his chamber.Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19-era tax credits as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies and argue that the tax dollars for the plans should be routed through individuals.Other Republicans, including Trump, have used the debate to renew their yearslong criticism of the law and called for it to be scrapped or overhauled.<h2>Shutdown effects worsen</h2>Meanwhile, the consequences of the shutdown have been compounding. U.S. airlines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-air-traffic-shutdown-delays-ae216380cdf694c518bd2a4b0830eaea">canceled more than 2,000 flights</a>&nbsp;on Sunday for the first time since the shutdown began, and there were more than 7,000 flight delays, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy said on CNN’s “State of the Union" that air travel ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday will be “reduced to a trickle” if the government doesn't reopen.At the same time, food aid was delayed for tens of millions of people as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-how-it-works-cards-e061c2af0f3cc997b69a24296238783c">benefits</a>&nbsp;were caught up in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-benefits-trump-administration-demands-undo-states-d433f20df4d461db506e0d327a58d3c1">legal battles</a>&nbsp;related to the shutdown.And in Washington, home to tens of thousands of federal workers who have gone unpaid, the Capital Area Food Bank said it is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-washington-economy-trump-food-bank-0f54be181fcaca70161a12b869cb619b">providing 8 million more meals</a>&nbsp;ahead of the holidays than it had prepared for this budget year — a nearly 20% increase.___Associated Press writers Stephen Groves and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.

Moran, Marshall help Senate take first step to end gov't shutdown

HENRY COUNTY —A Kansas woman was injured just after 3p.m. Saturday when her kayak capsized on Truman Lake.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 45-year-old Olathe woman&nbsp; &nbsp;was overcome by wind and waves&nbsp;about two miles south of the Sparrow Foot Boat Ramp. The boat capsized and she fell into the water. She swam to the nearest shoreline. EMS transported her to Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton.&nbsp;

She was not wearing a safety device, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

HENRY COUNTY —A Kansas woman was injured just after 3p.m. Saturday when her kayak capsized on Truman Lake.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 45-year-old Olathe woman&nbsp; &nbsp;was overcome by wind and waves&nbsp;about two miles south of the Sparrow Foot Boat Ramp. The boat capsized and she fell into the water. She swam to the nearest shoreline. EMS transported her to Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton.&nbsp;She was not wearing a safety device, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Kan. woman hospitalized after kayak capsized on lake

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A cause of a weekend fire that slowed traffic on the Kansas Turnpike is under investigation.

Just after 7a.m. Saturday, fire units were dispatched to a reported Semi Truck on fire on Interstate 35 just north of the Belle Plaine service area, according to Mulvate Fire and Rescue.

Crews found a Cement Mixer truck heavily involved in fire. There were no injuries were reported.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762739935917.png" alt="Photo Mulvane Fire and EMS" />
 <figcaption>Photo Mulvane Fire and EMS</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A cause of a weekend fire that slowed traffic on the Kansas Turnpike is under investigation.Just after 7a.m. Saturday, fire units were dispatched to a reported Semi Truck on fire on Interstate 35 just north of the Belle Plaine service area, according to Mulvate Fire and Rescue.Crews found a Cement Mixer truck heavily involved in fire. There were no injuries were reported.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

Cement mixer fire on Kansas highway

Preliminary tests showed that ByHeart baby formula contained the type of bacteria that produces the toxin linked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infant-botulism-formula-byheart-recall-fda-cdc-91019e385a98a2fceb26a12005ea3fbb">a botulism outbreak</a>, California health officials said.

The outbreak has sickened at least 13 infants in 10 states. No deaths have been reported.

“Consumers in possession of this product should stop using it immediately,” the California Department of Public Health said in a statement late Saturday.

More tests of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula are pending as state and federal health officials investigate the outbreak that started in mid-August. The New York-based company this weekend recalled two lots of the powdered product.

Here’s what to know about the outbreak and infant botulism.

The outbreak of infant botulism has sickened babies aged 2 weeks to 5 months since mid-August. All were hospitalized after consuming ByHeart powdered formula, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The cases occurred in Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.

ByHeart officials agreed to recall two lots of the company's Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The formula has a best-by date of December 2026.

California health officials tested a can of the powdered formula that was fed to a baby who fell ill. The results “suggest the presence” of the type of bacteria that produces the botulism toxin confirmed in other cases. It can take several days to confirm the results.

ByHeart officials said that “more testing is needed” to know whether the type of bacteria that causes botulism is present. It comes from a large family of bacteria, many of which are found naturally in the environment and don't cause illness, the company said.

“We take this very seriously,” it said in a statement Sunday.

The FDA is investigating reports of 83 cases of infant botulism reported since August including the cases linked to Byheart baby formula.

Infant botulism typically affects fewer than 200 babies in the U.S. each year. It is caused by a type of bacteria that produces toxins in the large intestine. The bacterium is spread through hardy spores present in the environment that can cause serious illness, including paralysis.

Infants younger than 1 are particularly vulnerable and can be sickened after exposure to the spores in dust, dirt or water or by eating contaminated honey.

Symptoms can take weeks to develop and can include poor feeding, loss of head control, drooping eyelids and a flat facial expression. Babies may feel “floppy” and can have problems swallowing or breathing.

No known outbreaks of infant botulism tied to powdered formula have previously been confirmed, said Dr. Steven Abrams, a University of Texas nutrition expert.

“This would be extremely rare,” he said.

The only treatment is known as BabyBIG, an IV medication made from the pooled blood plasma of adults immunized against botulism. California's Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program developed the product and is the sole source worldwide.

BabyBIG works to shorten hospital stays and decrease the severity of illness in babies with botulism. Because the infection can affect the ability to breathe, infants often need to be placed on ventilators.

All of the children in the ByHeart outbreak have received the medication, the CDC said.

Potential impact on U.S. formula supplies

There is no danger of infant formula shortages because of this outbreak. ByHeart, which was founded in 2016, accounts for an estimated 1% of national formula sales, according to the CDC. The company sells formula through its website and in retail stores nationwide.

That's different from the crisis caused when formula produced by Abbott was linked to infant deaths and illnesses in 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762681537657.png" alt="Photo FDA" />
 <figcaption>Photo FDA</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONEL ALECCIA AP Health WriterPreliminary tests showed that ByHeart baby formula contained the type of bacteria that produces the toxin linked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infant-botulism-formula-byheart-recall-fda-cdc-91019e385a98a2fceb26a12005ea3fbb">a botulism outbreak</a>, California health officials said.The outbreak has sickened at least 13 infants in 10 states. No deaths have been reported.“Consumers in possession of this product should stop using it immediately,” the California Department of Public Health said in a statement late Saturday.More tests of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula are pending as state and federal health officials investigate the outbreak that started in mid-August. The New York-based company this weekend recalled two lots of the powdered product.Here’s what to know about the outbreak and infant botulism.<h2>Infant botulism outbreak</h2>The outbreak of infant botulism has sickened babies aged 2 weeks to 5 months since mid-August. All were hospitalized after consuming ByHeart powdered formula, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The cases occurred in Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.ByHeart officials agreed to recall two lots of the company's Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The formula has a best-by date of December 2026.California health officials tested a can of the powdered formula that was fed to a baby who fell ill. The results “suggest the presence” of the type of bacteria that produces the botulism toxin confirmed in other cases. It can take several days to confirm the results.ByHeart officials said that “more testing is needed” to know whether the type of bacteria that causes botulism is present. It comes from a large family of bacteria, many of which are found naturally in the environment and don't cause illness, the company said.“We take this very seriously,” it said in a statement Sunday.The FDA is investigating reports of 83 cases of infant botulism reported since August including the cases linked to Byheart baby formula.<h2>Causes of infant botulism</h2>Infant botulism typically affects fewer than 200 babies in the U.S. each year. It is caused by a type of bacteria that produces toxins in the large intestine. The bacterium is spread through hardy spores present in the environment that can cause serious illness, including paralysis.Infants younger than 1 are particularly vulnerable and can be sickened after exposure to the spores in dust, dirt or water or by eating contaminated honey.Symptoms can take weeks to develop and can include poor feeding, loss of head control, drooping eyelids and a flat facial expression. Babies may feel “floppy” and can have problems swallowing or breathing.No known outbreaks of infant botulism tied to powdered formula have previously been confirmed, said Dr. Steven Abrams, a University of Texas nutrition expert.“This would be extremely rare,” he said.<h2>Infant botulism treatment</h2>The only treatment is known as BabyBIG, an IV medication made from the pooled blood plasma of adults immunized against botulism. California's Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program developed the product and is the sole source worldwide.BabyBIG works to shorten hospital stays and decrease the severity of illness in babies with botulism. Because the infection can affect the ability to breathe, infants often need to be placed on ventilators.All of the children in the ByHeart outbreak have received the medication, the CDC said.<h2>Potential impact on U.S. formula supplies</h2>There is no danger of infant formula shortages because of this outbreak. ByHeart, which was founded in 2016, accounts for an estimated 1% of national formula sales, according to the CDC. The company sells formula through its website and in retail stores nationwide.That's different from the crisis caused when formula produced by Abbott was linked to infant deaths and illnesses in 2022.That product was contaminated with a different germ that can cause severe illness and death in babies. Because Abbott is one of the top manufacturers of infant formula in the U.S., the closure of its manufacturing plant in Michigan triggered massive shortages of formula across the U.S.In 2022, ByHeart recalled five batches of infant formula after a sample at the company's packaging plant tested positive for cronobacter sakazakii, the germ at the heart of the Abbott crisis. In 2023, the FDA sent a warning letter to the company detailing “areas that still require corrective actions.”<h2>Reviewing infant formula ingredients</h2>Federal health officials have vowed to overhaul&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-synthetic-food-dyes-natural-fda-sensient-ad9611b1235f2097469508e711e71094">the U.S. food supply</a>&nbsp;and are taking a new look at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-breastfeeding-1a666d5da95ef605b0a71c48c63e9461">infant formula</a>.Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed the Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infant-formula-fda-review-4df7d47ed0d8bb2a16df119e16c5f96d">to review</a>&nbsp;the nutrients and other ingredients in infant formula, which fills the bottles of millions of American babies.The effort, dubbed “Operation Stork Speed,” is the first deep look at the ingredients since 1998.FDA officials are reviewing comments from industry, health experts and public to decide next steps.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.