Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Halliman, Jared Michael

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Contempt of Court; Direct

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Herwig, Jacqueline Loraine

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Theft of prop/serv;&lt;$1500 3 business in 72 hrs and Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Hoffman, Dylan Dean

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Magenheimer, Maredith Ann

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor and Criminal trespass; Unknown circumstance

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Parrish, Elizabeth Ashley

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Abuse of a child; knowingly impede breathingCriminal discharge of firearm; Recklessly at occupied dwellingCriminal restraintDomestic Battery: rude physical contact

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738759249042.png" alt="Bell, Kelsi Marie" />
 <figcaption>Bell, Kelsi Marie</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Bell, Kelsi MarieREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738759294308.png" alt="Bishop, Anthony Clark" />
 <figcaption>Bishop, Anthony Clark</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; Bishop, Anthony Clark&nbsp;REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738759341592.png" alt="Halliman, Jared Michael" />
 <figcaption>Halliman, Jared Michael</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Halliman, Jared MichaelREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Contempt of Court; Direct<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738759379892.png" alt="Herwig, Jacqueline Loraine" />
 <figcaption>Herwig, Jacqueline Loraine</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Herwig, Jacqueline LoraineREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Theft of prop/serv;&lt;$1500 3 business in 72 hrs and Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738759427974.png" alt="Hoffman, Dylan Dean" />
 <figcaption>Hoffman, Dylan Dean</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Hoffman, Dylan DeanREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738759471985.png" alt="Magenheimer, Maredith Ann" />
 <figcaption>Magenheimer, Maredith Ann</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Magenheimer, Maredith AnnREQUESTED CHARGE(S):Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor and Criminal trespass; Unknown circumstance<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738759527869.png" alt="Parrish, Elizabeth Ashley" />
 <figcaption>Parrish, Elizabeth Ashley</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Parrish, Elizabeth AshleyREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738774600100.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Soper, Darrin A" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Soper, Darrin A</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Soper, Darrin AREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Abuse of a child; knowingly impede breathingCriminal discharge of firearm; Recklessly at occupied dwellingCriminal restraintDomestic Battery: rude physical contact

Saline County Jail Bookings, Feb. 5

WASHINGTON — Two employees of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have been charged after authorities say they leaked a video of the&nbsp;American Airlines Flight 5342 crash with an Army Black Hawk helicopter&nbsp;to CNN, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority.

The employees made an "unauthorized copy" of the video and gave it to the media outlet.

Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, was charged with computer trespass. He was booked into the Arlington County Adult Detention Center and later released on his own recognizance. &nbsp;&nbsp;

 Jonathan Savoy, 45,&nbsp; Upper Marlboro, was also charged with computer trespass. He was released on a summons by a magistrate.

No one survived the Wednesday night collision. Crews are still searching for remains.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738667971605.png" alt="Mbengue photo Arlington County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Mbengue photo Arlington County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — Two employees of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have been charged after authorities say they leaked a video of the&nbsp;American Airlines Flight 5342 crash with an Army Black Hawk helicopter&nbsp;to CNN, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority.The employees made an "unauthorized copy" of the video and gave it to the media outlet.Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, was charged with computer trespass. He was booked into the Arlington County Adult Detention Center and later released on his own recognizance. &nbsp;&nbsp; Jonathan Savoy, 45,&nbsp; Upper Marlboro, was also charged with computer trespass. He was released on a summons by a magistrate.No one survived the Wednesday night collision. Crews are still searching for remains.

Airport workers arrested for leaking mid-air plane crash video to media

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor and Domestic Battery: rude physical contact

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Theft of prop/services;Value $1,500 to $25,000

NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Linaweaver, Amberlee June

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear and Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Unsafe speed for prevailing conditions and Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738678838854.png" alt="Ashbaugh, Catina Louise" />
 <figcaption>Ashbaugh, Catina Louise</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashbaugh, Catina LouiseREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor and Domestic Battery: rude physical contact<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738678896419.png" alt="Barrett, Dennis Lee" />
 <figcaption>Barrett, Dennis Lee</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Barrett, Dennis LeeREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Theft of prop/services;Value $1,500 to $25,000<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738678948886.png" alt="Hall, Shane Albert" />
 <figcaption>Hall, Shane Albert</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Hall, Shane AlbertREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738678996786.png" alt="Linaweaver, Amberlee June " />
 <figcaption>Linaweaver, Amberlee June </figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Linaweaver, Amberlee JuneREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738679035868.png" alt="McCann, Braeden Paul" />
 <figcaption>McCann, Braeden Paul</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;McCann, Braeden PaulREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear and Outside warrant/NCIC hit<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738679082870.png" alt="Meyer, Jason William" />
 <figcaption>Meyer, Jason William</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Meyer, Jason WilliamREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738679218193.png" alt="Moss, Wyatt Benjamin" />
 <figcaption>Moss, Wyatt Benjamin</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Moss, Wyatt BenjaminREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738679155191.png" alt="Meyer, Joshua Robert" />
 <figcaption>Meyer, Joshua Robert</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Meyer, Joshua RobertREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Unsafe speed for prevailing conditions and Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738679271161.png" alt="Rothfuss, Amanda Renee" />
 <figcaption>Rothfuss, Amanda Renee</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Rothfuss, Amanda ReneeREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738679321461.png" alt="Schnurr, Tanner Dee" />
 <figcaption>Schnurr, Tanner Dee</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Schnurr, Tanner DeeREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear and Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Saline County Jail Bookings, Feb. 4

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects in connection with a shots fired at police after a traffic stop.

Just before 12a.m. Sunday, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white Chrysler 300 in the area of 24th and Rosenthal in Wichita, according to Office Kris Gupilan. During the stop, the occupants of the Chrysler fired shots at the officers, prompting the officers to initiate a pursuit as the vehicle fled at high speed.

The chase ended after a brief pursuit when the driver lost control of the car the 300 block of N. Piatt in Wichita.

The occupants of the vehicle then fled on foot, and officers quickly established a perimeter. Patrol officers, K9 units, and the WPD Drone team responded to the scene and successfully apprehended four individuals. During the investigation, officers located a Draco AK-style pistol.

Investigators interviewed the suspects, leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Jose Alfonso Morones and a 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Torres as identified in Sedgwick County arrest reports and a 17-year-old boy all from Wichita. 

All three were booked into jail on requested charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and criminal damage to property.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738600967020.png" alt="Morones photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Morones photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects in connection with a shots fired at police after a traffic stop.Just before 12a.m. Sunday, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white Chrysler 300 in the area of 24th and Rosenthal in Wichita, according to Office Kris Gupilan. During the stop, the occupants of the Chrysler fired shots at the officers, prompting the officers to initiate a pursuit as the vehicle fled at high speed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738600883637.png" alt="RODRIGUEZ-TORRES photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>RODRIGUEZ-TORRES photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>The chase ended after a brief pursuit when the driver lost control of the car the 300 block of N. Piatt in Wichita.The occupants of the vehicle then fled on foot, and officers quickly established a perimeter. Patrol officers, K9 units, and the WPD Drone team responded to the scene and successfully apprehended four individuals. During the investigation, officers located a Draco AK-style pistol.Investigators interviewed the suspects, leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Jose Alfonso Morones and a 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Torres as identified in Sedgwick County arrest reports and a 17-year-old boy all from Wichita. All three were booked into jail on requested charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and criminal damage to property.&nbsp;

Suspects fired shots at Kansas officers during traffic stop

DICKINSON COUNTY —Sheriff's deputies in central Kansas are investigating a woman on multiple drug allegations.

On January 31, deputies responded to a call of suspicious activity on W 1st Avenue in Hope, Kansas, according to a media release from the Dickinson County Sheriff.&nbsp; 

Deputies made contact with woman at the residence and began investigating the suspicious activity. During the investigation, deputies developed probable cause that illegal drugs were present in the residence.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit was contacted to assist. Investigators applied for a search warrant which was granted and executed at the residence. While conducting the search, deputies located Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia.

As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested 48-year-old Beverly Lynette Hall and booked her into the Dickinson County Detention Facility on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738610022383.png" alt="Hall photo Dickinson County" />
 <figcaption>Hall photo Dickinson County</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY —Sheriff's deputies in central Kansas are investigating a woman on multiple drug allegations.On January 31, deputies responded to a call of suspicious activity on W 1st Avenue in Hope, Kansas, according to a media release from the Dickinson County Sheriff.&nbsp; Deputies made contact with woman at the residence and began investigating the suspicious activity. During the investigation, deputies developed probable cause that illegal drugs were present in the residence.The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit was contacted to assist. Investigators applied for a search warrant which was granted and executed at the residence. While conducting the search, deputies located Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia.As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested 48-year-old Beverly Lynette Hall and booked her into the Dickinson County Detention Facility on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Search warrant led to drug bust at Kansas home

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Unlawful abuse of toxic vapors

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738467864240.png" alt="Ferguson, Errick Joseph" />
 <figcaption>Ferguson, Errick Joseph</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Ferguson, Errick JosephREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Unlawful abuse of toxic vapors

Saline County Jail Bookings, Feb. 3

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 11p.m. January 30, a sheriff's deputy with the Shawnee County conducted a traffic stop on a white 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck in the 1300 block of NW Van Buren Street, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.

It was discovered that the driver had a revoked driver’s license and a warrant for his arrest. The driver ran from the deputy and was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit.

Trever J. Fanshier, 33, of Hoyt, Kan., was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Interference with law enforcement. Fanshier also had a misdemeanor warrant for a probation violation through Shawnee County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738360669392.png" alt="Fanshier-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Fanshier-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 11p.m. January 30, a sheriff's deputy with the Shawnee County conducted a traffic stop on a white 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck in the 1300 block of NW Van Buren Street, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.It was discovered that the driver had a revoked driver’s license and a warrant for his arrest. The driver ran from the deputy and was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit.Trever J. Fanshier, 33, of Hoyt, Kan., was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Interference with law enforcement. Fanshier also had a misdemeanor warrant for a probation violation through Shawnee County.

Wanted Kansas drug suspect ran from traffic stop

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Cardona Rodriguez, Hector

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Aggravated kidnapping, Flee or attempt to elude; drive into opposing lane, Interfere w/ LEO; unknown circ; felony, Operate a MV w/o a valid license, Outside warrant/NCIC hit and Reckless Driving

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Failure to stop at accident; Injury or damage over $1000, Flee or attempt to elude;five or more moving violations, Drive w/o lights when needed, Reckless Driving and Speeding; maximum limits

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738523017450.png" alt="Cardona Rodriguez, Hector" />
 <figcaption>Cardona Rodriguez, Hector</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Cardona Rodriguez, HectorREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738523057114.png" alt="Marohl, Branden Allen" />
 <figcaption>Marohl, Branden Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Marohl, Branden AllenREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Aggravated kidnapping, Flee or attempt to elude; drive into opposing lane, Interfere w/ LEO; unknown circ; felony, Operate a MV w/o a valid license, Outside warrant/NCIC hit and Reckless Driving<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738523125732.png" alt="Porter, Samuel Earl" />
 <figcaption>Porter, Samuel Earl</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Porter, Samuel EarlREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Failure to stop at accident; Injury or damage over $1000, Flee or attempt to elude;five or more moving violations, Drive w/o lights when needed, Reckless Driving and Speeding; maximum limitsNAME:&nbsp;REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;NAME:&nbsp;REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County Jail Bookings, Feb. 2

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Sunday and predicted six more weeks of wintry weather, his top-hatted handlers announced to a raucus, record-sized crowd at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania.

Phil was welcomed with chants of “Phil, Phil, Phil,” and pulled from a hatch on his tree stump shortly after sunrise before a member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club read from a scroll in which he boasted: “Only I know — you can't trust A.I.”

The woodchuck’s weather forecast is an annual ritual that goes back more than a century in western Pennsylvania, with far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-pennsylvania-phil-winter-b037d58615f7b5f0007a7153a888e263">older roots</a>&nbsp;in European folklore, but it took Bill Murray’s 1993 “Groundhog Day” movie to transform the event into what it is today, with tens of thousands of revelers at the scene and imitators scattered around the United States and beyond.

When Phil is deemed to have not seen his shadow, that is said to usher in an early spring. When he does see it, there will be six more weeks of winter.

The crowd was treated to a fireworks show, confetti and live music that ranged from the Ramones to “Pennsylvania Polka” as they awaited sunrise and Phil's emergence. Gov. Josh Shapiro, local and state elected officials and a pair of pageant winners were among the dignitaries at the scene.

Self-employed New York gingerbread artist Jon Lovitch has attended the event for 33 years.

“I like the cold, you know, and this is probably the best and biggest midwinter party in the entire world,” Lovitch said in Punxsutawney. “And it’s just a really good time.”

Phil has predicted a longer winter far more often than an early spring, and one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/groundhog-day-forecasts-and-climate-history">effort to track his accuracy</a>&nbsp;concluded he was right less than half the time. What six more weeks of winter means is subjective.

Tom Dunkel, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, says there are two types of people who make the trek to Gobbler's Knob: the faithful seeking to validate their beliefs and the doubters who want to confirm their skepticism.

Phil communicated his forecast to Dunkel through “Groundhog-ese” with the help of a special cane that Dunkel has inherited as the club's leader. It's not as if he speaks in English words.

“He’ll like wink, he’ll purr, he’ll chatter, he’ll — you know — nod,” Dunkel said.

Attendance is free but it cost $5 to take a bus and avoid a 1 mile (1.6 kilometer) trek from the middle of town to the stage where the prediction was made, some 80 miles (123 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh. The need for so many buses is why the local schools, where the sports mascot is the Chucks, close when Groundhog Day falls on a weekday.

Keith Post, his wife and a friend have watched the “Groundhog Day” movie in each of the past five years and decided this was the time to make the trip from Ohio to witness the event.

“We booked rooms almost a year in advance and we’re here,” Post said. “We’re doing it.”

A new welcome center opened four years ago and the club is working on an elaborate second living space for Phil and family so they can split time between Gobbler's Knob and Phil's longtime home at the town library. The club also put up large video screens and more powerful speakers this year to help attendees in the back of the crowd follow the proceedings.

"It’s a holiday where you don’t really owe anyone anything,” said A.J. Dereume, who among the club's 15-member inner circle serves as Phil's handler and held him up to loud cheers on Sunday. “You’re grasping onto the belief, you know, in something that’s just fun to believe in.”

Jackie Handley agreed a year ago to visit Punxsutawney for the first time to help a friend check off an item on their bucket list. They were ready for the subfreezing temperatures.

“It’s once in a lifetime — we’re probably not going to come back. And we have tons of warm clothes," said Handley, who lives in Falls Church, Virginia.

After the forecast was made, club members and Phil posed for photos with people from the crowd.

Phil has a wife, Punxsutawney Phyllis, and two pups born this spring, Shadow and Sunny, although his family did not join him on stage for the big event. The groundhog family eats fruits and vegetables, get daily visits from Dereume and sees a veterinarian at least once a year.

The club's lore is that Phil is the same woodchuck who has been issuing weather forecasts for the past century, thanks to an “elixir of life” that keeps him immortal.

“There's only one Phil, and it's not something that can be handed down,” Dunkel said. “Just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, there's only one.”

Groundhog Day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/groundhog-day-history-punxsutawney-phil-0fc9e31dccbddeab5a6cb5608f23d47a">celebrations</a>, formal and informal, were being held in many Pennsylvania towns and elsewhere on Sunday. There have been Groundhog Day events in at least 28 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Vejpongsa reported from Punxsutawney. Scolforo reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738500732773.png" alt=" Punxsutawney Phil&nbsp; image via Associated Press video" />
 <figcaption> Punxsutawney Phil&nbsp; image via Associated Press video</figcaption>
 </figure>PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Sunday and predicted six more weeks of wintry weather, his top-hatted handlers announced to a raucus, record-sized crowd at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Io374gxgT6E?si=rksIdt-7sv6C8HAR&amp;start=456" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Phil was welcomed with chants of “Phil, Phil, Phil,” and pulled from a hatch on his tree stump shortly after sunrise before a member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club read from a scroll in which he boasted: “Only I know — you can't trust A.I.”The woodchuck’s weather forecast is an annual ritual that goes back more than a century in western Pennsylvania, with far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-pennsylvania-phil-winter-b037d58615f7b5f0007a7153a888e263">older roots</a>&nbsp;in European folklore, but it took Bill Murray’s 1993 “Groundhog Day” movie to transform the event into what it is today, with tens of thousands of revelers at the scene and imitators scattered around the United States and beyond.When Phil is deemed to have not seen his shadow, that is said to usher in an early spring. When he does see it, there will be six more weeks of winter.The crowd was treated to a fireworks show, confetti and live music that ranged from the Ramones to “Pennsylvania Polka” as they awaited sunrise and Phil's emergence. Gov. Josh Shapiro, local and state elected officials and a pair of pageant winners were among the dignitaries at the scene.Self-employed New York gingerbread artist Jon Lovitch has attended the event for 33 years.“I like the cold, you know, and this is probably the best and biggest midwinter party in the entire world,” Lovitch said in Punxsutawney. “And it’s just a really good time.”Phil has predicted a longer winter far more often than an early spring, and one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/groundhog-day-forecasts-and-climate-history">effort to track his accuracy</a>&nbsp;concluded he was right less than half the time. What six more weeks of winter means is subjective.Tom Dunkel, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, says there are two types of people who make the trek to Gobbler's Knob: the faithful seeking to validate their beliefs and the doubters who want to confirm their skepticism.Phil communicated his forecast to Dunkel through “Groundhog-ese” with the help of a special cane that Dunkel has inherited as the club's leader. It's not as if he speaks in English words.“He’ll like wink, he’ll purr, he’ll chatter, he’ll — you know — nod,” Dunkel said.Attendance is free but it cost $5 to take a bus and avoid a 1 mile (1.6 kilometer) trek from the middle of town to the stage where the prediction was made, some 80 miles (123 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh. The need for so many buses is why the local schools, where the sports mascot is the Chucks, close when Groundhog Day falls on a weekday.Keith Post, his wife and a friend have watched the “Groundhog Day” movie in each of the past five years and decided this was the time to make the trip from Ohio to witness the event.“We booked rooms almost a year in advance and we’re here,” Post said. “We’re doing it.”A new welcome center opened four years ago and the club is working on an elaborate second living space for Phil and family so they can split time between Gobbler's Knob and Phil's longtime home at the town library. The club also put up large video screens and more powerful speakers this year to help attendees in the back of the crowd follow the proceedings."It’s a holiday where you don’t really owe anyone anything,” said A.J. Dereume, who among the club's 15-member inner circle serves as Phil's handler and held him up to loud cheers on Sunday. “You’re grasping onto the belief, you know, in something that’s just fun to believe in.”Jackie Handley agreed a year ago to visit Punxsutawney for the first time to help a friend check off an item on their bucket list. They were ready for the subfreezing temperatures.“It’s once in a lifetime — we’re probably not going to come back. And we have tons of warm clothes," said Handley, who lives in Falls Church, Virginia.After the forecast was made, club members and Phil posed for photos with people from the crowd.Phil has a wife, Punxsutawney Phyllis, and two pups born this spring, Shadow and Sunny, although his family did not join him on stage for the big event. The groundhog family eats fruits and vegetables, get daily visits from Dereume and sees a veterinarian at least once a year.The club's lore is that Phil is the same woodchuck who has been issuing weather forecasts for the past century, thanks to an “elixir of life” that keeps him immortal.“There's only one Phil, and it's not something that can be handed down,” Dunkel said. “Just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, there's only one.”Groundhog Day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/groundhog-day-history-punxsutawney-phil-0fc9e31dccbddeab5a6cb5608f23d47a">celebrations</a>, formal and informal, were being held in many Pennsylvania towns and elsewhere on Sunday. There have been Groundhog Day events in at least 28 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.___Vejpongsa reported from Punxsutawney. Scolforo reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

🎥Groundhog Day 2025: Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegaions.

Just before midnight January 25, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2000 Toyota Corolla on U.S. Hwy 75, near 118th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp; During the traffic stop, a Police Service Dog (PSD) Duke was deployed to conduct a free-air sniff of the vehicle.&nbsp; Duke alerted and indicated to the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.&nbsp; During a search of the vehicle, methamphetamine, THC, &amp; drug paraphernalia were located.

The driver, Kaley Rae Lindberg, 32, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia and violations of driver’s license restrictions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738165796421.png" alt="Lindberg photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Lindberg photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegaions.Just before midnight January 25, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2000 Toyota Corolla on U.S. Hwy 75, near 118th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; During the traffic stop, a Police Service Dog (PSD) Duke was deployed to conduct a free-air sniff of the vehicle.&nbsp; Duke alerted and indicated to the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.&nbsp; During a search of the vehicle, methamphetamine, THC, &amp; drug paraphernalia were located.The driver, Kaley Rae Lindberg, 32, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia and violations of driver’s license restrictions.

Sheriff's K9 helped catch Kansas woman transporting drugs

By SALINA POST Dickinson County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a drug bust at a residence in Dickinson County.

On Thursday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant in relation to a narcotics investigation, at a residence in the 200 Block of West 6th Street in Chapman, according to a media release from the sheriff.

The Chapman Police Department and Junction City Police Department assisted in the execution of the search warrant. While conducting the search warrant, deputies located Methamphetamine, Drug Paraphernalia and firearms.

As a result of the investigation, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 40-year-old James Angelo Demaroney III of Milford and booked him into the Dickinson County Detention Facility on requested charges Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Criminal Possession of Weapon by Convicted Felon and Defacing Identification Marks on Firearm.&nbsp; He has four previous drug convictions in Geary County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738352660216.png" alt="Demaroney photo Dickinson County" />
 <figcaption>Demaroney photo Dickinson County</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POST Dickinson County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a drug bust at a residence in Dickinson County.On Thursday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant in relation to a narcotics investigation, at a residence in the 200 Block of West 6th Street in Chapman, according to a media release from the sheriff.The Chapman Police Department and Junction City Police Department assisted in the execution of the search warrant. While conducting the search warrant, deputies located Methamphetamine, Drug Paraphernalia and firearms.As a result of the investigation, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 40-year-old James Angelo Demaroney III of Milford and booked him into the Dickinson County Detention Facility on requested charges Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Criminal Possession of Weapon by Convicted Felon and Defacing Identification Marks on Firearm.&nbsp; He has four previous drug convictions in Geary County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. man with previous drug conviction accused of selling meth

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Poss of marijuana and Failure to appear

 REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Domestic Battery: rude physical contact

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner and Unlawful abuse of toxic vapors

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Moro-Motta,Diego Fernando

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;No Proof Of Insurance, Operate a MV w/o a valid license and Unlawful acts: vehicle registration violation

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor and License carried/exhibited

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738467737108.png" alt="Carmichael, Adrian Fred" />
 <figcaption>Carmichael, Adrian Fred</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Carmichael, Adrian FredREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Poss of marijuana and Failure to appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738467810523.png" alt="Crissman, Todd Matthew" />
 <figcaption>Crissman, Todd Matthew</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Crissman, Todd Matthew REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Domestic Battery: rude physical contact<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738467864240.png" alt="Ferguson, Errick Joseph" />
 <figcaption>Ferguson, Errick Joseph</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Ferguson, Errick JosephREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner and Unlawful abuse of toxic vapors<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738467908339.png" alt="Hull, Patrick Mark" />
 <figcaption>Hull, Patrick Mark</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Hull, Patrick MarkREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738467947638.png" alt="Lathan, Lyle Randall" />
 <figcaption>Lathan, Lyle Randall</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Lathan, Lyle RandallREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738467989705.png" alt="Moro-Motta, Diego Fernando" />
 <figcaption>Moro-Motta, Diego Fernando</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Moro-Motta,Diego FernandoREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;No Proof Of Insurance, Operate a MV w/o a valid license and Unlawful acts: vehicle registration violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738468044855.png" alt="Morton, Ariel Colleen" />
 <figcaption>Morton, Ariel Colleen</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Morton, Ariel ColleenREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor and License carried/exhibited<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738468105906.png" alt="Pfannenstiel, Alex J" />
 <figcaption>Pfannenstiel, Alex J</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Pfannenstiel, Alex JREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity

Saline County Jail Bookings, Feb. 1

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop arrest.

Just after 8a.m. January 28, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a rolling domestic incident traveling northbound on S. Road near 142nd Road in a Chevy Impala, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies located the vehicle headed westbound on 150th Road west of Q.4 Road. The passenger of the vehicle, Feliciano Jose Anguiano III, 41, of Mayetta, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for aggravated domestic battery; choke in rude manner; family member/dating relationship and criminal damage to property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738166011351.png" alt="Anguiano-photo Jackson County." />
 <figcaption>Anguiano-photo Jackson County.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop arrest.Just after 8a.m. January 28, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a rolling domestic incident traveling northbound on S. Road near 142nd Road in a Chevy Impala, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Deputies located the vehicle headed westbound on 150th Road west of Q.4 Road. The passenger of the vehicle, Feliciano Jose Anguiano III, 41, of Mayetta, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for aggravated domestic battery; choke in rude manner; family member/dating relationship and criminal damage to property.

Kan. man accused of violence while passenger in vehicle 

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Driving While SuspendedUnsafe turning or stopping - Fail to SignalFailure to appearNo Proof Of Insurance

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738329747562.jpeg" alt="Forrester,Quentin Kay" />
 <figcaption>Forrester,Quentin Kay</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Forrester,Quentin KayREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738329807111.jpeg" alt="Jones,Tatyana Lynn" />
 <figcaption>Jones,Tatyana Lynn</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:Jones,Tatyana LynnREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Driving While SuspendedUnsafe turning or stopping - Fail to SignalFailure to appearNo Proof Of Insurance<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738329868634.jpeg" alt="McConnell,Jacky Wayne" />
 <figcaption>McConnell,Jacky Wayne</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appearFailure to appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738329929601.jpeg" alt="Russell,Kevin Joe" />
 <figcaption>Russell,Kevin Joe</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Russell,Kevin JoeREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738329987828.jpeg" alt="Williams,Christine Nickole" />
 <figcaption>Williams,Christine Nickole</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Williams,Christine NickoleREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation

Saline County Jail Bookings, Jan. 31

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, no injuries to give you here. (We) look forward to the challenge of playing the Eagles, (they’re) a heck of a football team. (They’re) very well run from ownership on down through. (Eagles Head Coach) Nick’s (Sirianni) done a heck of a job there with the football team (and Eagles Executive Vice President/General Manager) Howie Roseman bringing the players in that they have and they’re very talented – well coached and very talented. Anyways, with that, time’s yours.”

Q: You’ve faced the Eagles in back-to-back seasons. How has Eagles RB Saquon Barkley helped the Eagles improve this season?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Eagles RB Saquon Barkley) a great player and a potential future hall of famer. He’s been – he was tremendous at New York and he had a great year this year with the Eagles. So, he’s helped them – he’s helped them, especially in the rush game but he can catch the ball. They have a quarterback that can throw the ball and two wide receivers out there that are tremendous and a couple tight ends, too. They’re fully loaded on the offensive side of the ball but to answer your question he’s been a great addition for them.”

Q: Did you watch Super Bowl IV when it happened as a kid?

REID:&nbsp;“Nope (laughs). Yeah, I remember. I watched all of them.”

Q: That goes back even before your punt, pass and kick episode, I guess?

Q: Would you ever consent to being mic’d up during a game?

REID:&nbsp;“I’m not big on that.”

Q: Have you ever run 65 Toss Power Trap?

REID:&nbsp;“We did last week, yeah. We ran it last week. The one that (Isiah) Pacheco caught. (We) tried to score – we didn’t quite score though. It wasn’t as good as the one they ran.”

Q: You’ve done the Super Bowl in New Orleans before. What do you remember about that?

REID:&nbsp;“It’s a great city and the hospitality was unreal back then – as I’m sure it will be now. They know how to put on a show but as coaches and players, you don’t get into too much of that, but it’s a great city. For the fans, I think it’s great.”

Q: Former NFL Coach Mike Holmgren is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In what ways did he influence you as a head coach?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, (former NFL Coach) Mike Holmgren, yeah. I felt like when I worked for him nobody did it better. I still feel that way after being a head coach for all these years. He’s a tremendous teacher – I mean, (a) great teacher so (I) took a ton from him in all areas. How he dealt with the players and also the football part, he’s got a great mind.”

Q: You’ve had great success in your 60’s and so did former NFL Coach Bill Belichick. Is that the new sweet spot for coaches?

REID:&nbsp;“I think they put something in the Geritol. Listen, it’s – I don’t know. It’s probably the experience, I guess if you had to – and you have good players, which helps and good coaches – good organization. We’re fortunate to have all of those things if there’s something in common with that.”

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think you’re probably more patient. You’ve seen a lot to get to that point, so I know I’m more patient than when I was a younger head coach.”

Q: You’re a finalist for AP Coach of the Year. Would it be an honor to win this award?

REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I think it’s great for everybody involved, everybody’s got a piece of that. If that happens, it’s great. I look at those (award) more of a – really a team honor because it’s not a one man show. You’re really saying that your coaches did good, your players have done well, the organization’s done well. I mean, if it happens, it happens. I wasn’t even sure that was going on, but you could’ve just made that up.”

Q: When you ran 65 Toss Power Trap last week was that the first time and is that also what it’s called in your playbook too?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, that’s what we call it. It’s a tribute to the old guys.”

REID:&nbsp;“No, that was the first time.”

Q: Have you seen Patrick Mahomes’ ability to lock in in the postseason evolve over the years that you’ve worked with him or has he always been able to maintain that consistent focus?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Patrick Mahomes) been good with that. I’d say that’s been a consistency. You can really see as the season builds up (that) he’s even more focused and more focused and then you get to this time of the year (and) he’s really locked in.”

Q: Have you heard any of the reactions calling Patrick Mahomes Michael Jordan?

REID:&nbsp;“I haven’t – listen, I haven’t heard anything, I try not to listen to anything. I had to do my media things, but I don’t tune in during the season.”

Q: On allegations of the Chiefs getting friendly whistles.

REID:&nbsp;“I mean, I think they (the refs) balance – everything balances out. You have a human element there with the officials. These guys are trying to do the best job they possibly can out there. They take a lot of heat one way or the other. Coaches take a lot of heat one way or the other. I don’t pay much attention to it.”

Q: Some people are tired of the Chiefs winning, do you use this as motivation?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I don’t care. Honestly, I don’t get into that; I don’t use that with the guys. I just want to make sure we get prepped. As coaches, our responsibility is to give them everything we can give them to be even greater than they already are and then make sure we’re digging in on plays to help them with that. Then, for them to focus in on learning it and keeping themselves physically fit and mentally fit to go play. There’s enough to do just with that where you don’t even have to pay attention to the other stuff.”

REID:&nbsp;“It’ll probably be the same. Again, we’ll rotate them (Joe Thuney and D.J. Humphries) all in there, but I think (it’ll) probably end up being the same when it’s all said and done.”

Q: What is it about Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s blitz package that you find most compelling?

REID:&nbsp;“He (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) doesn’t do it every down. Sometimes you become – you have the stigma of being a blitz guy. It’s when he does it and then how he knows the protections or the run scheme, you know for the run blitzes. How he understands the scheme and when to go ahead about using it. I think that’s what makes him so unique and why they’re successful. You can blitz, they know the blitz is coming, they pick it up and it’s one of those deals. The offensive guy calls the right play for that time. His objective is to find when that’s not happening.”

<a>Q</a>: What is your favorite meal in New Orleans?

REID:&nbsp;“I’ll tell you, there is one. Emerils, not that I turn any of them (meals) down but when I was with the Eagles, the chef there, the head chef, tremendous chef, he was a huge Eagles fan. He invited me over and he said, ‘I’m going to start at the ocean and finish in the mountains.’ He put me in the kitchen and said, ‘Have at it.’ He said, ‘I’ll stop when you’re full,’ so four hours later, we were done.”

Q: Are you worried that he would poison your food this time since he is an Eagles fan?

REID:&nbsp;“I probably won’t go there (laughter).”

Q: Did you ever foresee that Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach would eventually become the General Manager of the team you coach after he worked for you early on in your career in Philadelphia?

REID:&nbsp;“You can see right from the get-go his (Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach) energy and how smart he was. Then, his passion for the players side of it, so those guys that came in, I gave them the opportunity to either go personnel or to the football side. He was so passionate about the personnel side and just digging in with it and finding guys. You look at (former NFL WR and Delaware State University Head Coach) DeSean Jackson and (former NFL RB LeSean) McCoy and (former NFL DT Fletcher) Cox, all those guys, he’s throwing those guys on my desk saying, ‘You have to get these guys.’ He just had an eye and a knack for it and that hasn’t changed.”

Q: What is your advice to the rookies and the players who have not experienced opening night before?

REID:&nbsp;“You know what’s kind of neat about that is you get people from all over the world that show up. Now, some of the questions are a little bizarre, so (Vice President of Football Communications) Brad Gee talks to them (the players) just about how you handle those, that’s important. It might be a joke for them but what you say is what you say so you have to be careful with how you present it and present yourself. For the rookies, that’s all new. The veteran guys kind of know that but for the rookies, it’s kind of a wild event.”

Q: What’s the key to calming the nerves in the beginning of the game?

REID:&nbsp;“I think it’s – first of all, it’s (the) preparation before you get there. You have to make sure that you have everything going. You know your juices are going to be flowing so you’ve got to make sure you get in there and prep so you’re not thinking about things while your juices are going as much as you’re just going out and playing. You get excited, it’s an exciting game but you don’t want to hide that either and then you kind of settle down as you go through.”

Q: When you got your 300th&nbsp;win, did Bill Belichick reach out to you?

REID:&nbsp;“I believe he (former NFL HC Bill Belichick) did, yeah. I mean, he’s a good friend, so he’s great with all that. He’s the guy, this is all – an old hat for him. I have a ton of respect for him as a coach but he’s also a friend.”

Q: Was it like “Welcome to 300” or anything like that?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s never going to really reach the real 300 (lb.). There’s a lot of cheeseburgers that went into that (laughter).”

Q:&nbsp;On the people calling the Chiefs “Villains.”

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I try not to listen to it too much. I think more than anything, I just try to embrace who we have in this locker room and the personalities and how we enjoy playing football. I believe (that) if we play football the right way and we compete and go out there and play our best football that I’ll always have my guy’s backs. We have a lot of good dudes in this locker room and all we’re going to do is compete and try to win football games.”

Q:&nbsp;How much is potentially completing the three-peat to join legends like Michael Jordan, the late Kobe Bryant or Derek Jeter a motivating factor to win this game?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I mean, I think you always want to leave a legacy and kind of make your imprint on history but more than anything, you just want to accomplish a goal that you have with your teammates. When you start in St. Joe your goal is to win the Super Bowl. We know that’s a hard process, we know it’s a hard week-in and week-out, but I’m proud of how our guys have kind of went about that process. We know it’s not going to be easy, this team we’re playing is a really good football team, but we’re going to go out there and put our best effort out there and play as a team and hopefully that’s enough to get a win.”

Q:&nbsp;How much have athletes like the late Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan influenced you in your career?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think more than anything is you see the competitors that they are (Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan) is that they’re going to do whatever it takes to win. That’s what you have to be in order to have success in professional sports is a competitor, someone that’s going to put in the work every single week and watching them and listening to the things that they talk about, that’s helped shape my career on how I have to work. Obviously, it’s a long way still for me to go to be mentioned with those guys but I’ll try to do whatever I can to be close enough as I can be.”

Q:&nbsp;Is there something that stands out about this year that makes this year different?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think just – to me, this team’s been special because it’s been everybody. If you look at our entire season it’s like someone that makes a big play at the biggest moment to go out there and win a football game if that’s offense, defense or special teams. I think that fact that it’s been everybody – it’s not just offense, it’s not just defense, it’s everybody on the entire team (and) it’s something that I’ll remember this season by and hopefully we can do it the right way and get this final win.”

Q:&nbsp;On NFL Films capturing the moment when he said he wanted a third Super Bowl after winning Super Bowl LVIII.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I don’t know if it was just this one in particular, it’s just when you’re on that stage and you’re celebrating you start thinking about the guys that are coming back, you think about how young that football team was last year and you knew that we had a chance to be in this position. Even though you’re winning, you’re enjoying that moment, you enjoy it, but at the same time, you have a bigger picture of your entire career, and I want to have as many chances as I can to be in the Super Bowl. It’s cool to have guys like Chris (Jones) and Trav (Travis Kelce) that I’ve kind of spent my entire career with and won all these games with. There’s a few others with James Winchester and Harrison (Butker), I’m probably forgetting someone here or there but it’s cool to have these guys because we’ve built such a great friendship and almost become a family and I think that’s really cool.”

Q:&nbsp;On the fourth quarter and overtime success in the past Super Bowls.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I mean, not just start fast but just be consistent throughout the game. I think there’s been games where we’ve started fast and we have lolls, but you have to be able to deal with adversity and whenever you have those moments, just being able to respond. We’ve played a lot of good teams in the Super Bowls (and) a lot of good defenses and we’ve done a good job of kind of figuring out, but if we can start fast, obviously, it would help out and make it to where we don’t have to necessarily have a fourth quarter comeback every time, but however you find a way to win, you find a way to get a win.”

Q:&nbsp;What was it like calling 65 Toss Power Trap in the huddle and what kind of appreciation do you have for the history of that play?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I wish we would’ve scored; it got close. The history of that play – the history of this organization, it runs through this entire team. Just like last week getting that Lamar Hunt Trophy back at home, I mean, it’s special for us. That’s one of our goals is to get that trophy and to win it at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, it’s a special moment. Being able to run that play, one that I’ve watched and one that we have a room named after, next time we’ll just try to find a way to get it into the end zone.”

Q:&nbsp;What do you know about that play?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I know what’s cool about this organization is that we always go back and look at the history of it. If you look at (PFHOF Head Coach) Hank Stram and (PFHOF QB) Len Dawson and all the Hall of Famer’s – I think there’s like six or seven Hall of Famer’s on that football team.&nbsp; We go and we have museums and we learn, and I talked to other guys and other quarterbacks whenever they come in our room like Carson (Wentz) or Chris (Oladokun) or whoever that is about the history of the Chiefs. I think that’s the cool thing about the NFL is that you can look back at these special moments in organizations and really what defines organizations. That was a huge moment for this organization.”

Q:&nbsp;Who makes you guys aware of those things?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“It starts with (Chairman &amp; CEO) Clark (Hunt). We talk about it before every single training camp, then it goes down through the line. When you’re with (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid, you hear the best stories of all time. I meet with him every single Friday when we talk about the gameplan, but that becomes like a story time where I hear these stories about the great untold stories about the history of the NFL. One day, he’s going to have to write a book because there are some great ones in there.”

Q:&nbsp;What is Chairman &amp; CEO Clark Hunt like as an owner?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think (Chairman &amp; CEO) Clark (Hunt) does a great job of being there and showing his support and showing that he is invested. You can tell (that) he loves it and not only for his family but for all of us. Then, at the same time, letting (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid help run the organization – the football side of it. He has huge impact on this organization. The way that he comes to work every single day and he’s there and he’s always there. I mean, it is really cool to see. (He’s a) Texas guy so all the best are from Texas.”

Q:&nbsp;What do you think drives Head Coach Andy Reid?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think what drives (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid is just the greatness and becoming better people every single day. I think that’s something that is special about this is he doesn’t care if he’s playing Week 18 or Week 1 or Super Bowl or a preseason game, he’s the same. He’s the same (and) he’s going to expect greatness out of you and when you leave the building, he wants you to be a better person than when you got in the building. I think that makes you want to be better every single day that you’re in the building. When people talk about three-peat and everything like that, we’re focused on how we can be better today to prepare ourselves for the next day and it starts with him.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you ever hear him say something like “three-peat?”

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think the only time I’ve heard him (Head Coach Andy Reid) say it is like to the media whenever y’all ask him about it. He’s very locked in on just, ‘How can we be great with our cadence today at practice?’ so that’s just the stuff that Coach Reid focuses on.”

Q:&nbsp;What do you appreciate most about what Kareem Hunt has done this season and why did you choose to invite him to your wedding?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think first off – I mean, with Kareem (Hunt), obviously he made his mistakes, but I knew the person before, and I knew the person after and I knew that he had a good heart and he had to learn from his mistakes and become a better person because of it and he did that. He dealt with the consequences and he’s kind of tried to rebound and just be a better person for the community more than anything. Just knowing him and how close he was to me but also how he treated Brittany (Mahomes) and how he treated my family has always been special, so I wanted to have him at my wedding. I didn’t think anything of having any –&nbsp; all of my coaches – I was just having all the people that I love at my wedding. Obviously, I think (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid talked to him there and they were able to talk about just things. We never knew that was going to be coming back to the Chiefs, but getting him back now, you can tell that he appreciates the moment, he appreciates being out there on the practice field and being in the building and it’s been fun. For him to have the impact on this team that he’s had, and it’s been a big impact – to get to the Super Bowl with him, because as someone that was one of the first people I met when I got to Kansas City and not to be able to enjoy the Super Bowls with and finally getting to enjoy one with him will be a special moment and hopefully we can get a win and he can enjoy that too.”

Q:&nbsp;Does Head Coach Andy Reid encourage trash talking on the field and showing your personality?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Well, for me, I’m pretty good – I don’t really talk trash unless I get trash talked to me, so I’m usually pretty calm. (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid is great about showing your personality and we want you to go out there and play with fire and we want you to show how much you care about the game, but we have respect for the game as well. We respect the guys on the other side of the football because we know how hard it is to get to this point and how great of a football team and great football players you have to be. That’s why it’s just genuine. You’re just honest and you respect the guys on the other side of the football. When you’re in between the lines, you show your fire, you show your love for the game, but when you’re off the field, you show respect for the game, and I think that’s important, and I think that’s why we’re in the position that we’re in.”

Q:&nbsp;On playing against former Kansas State Head Coach Bill Snyder.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“First off, playing against him (former Kansas State Head Coach Bill Snyder) and then getting those letters after the game, I’ve kept those letters. Just a true, great person and iconic coach and iconic leader and just made his imprint in football forever, especially at K-State (Kansas State), but just throughout the Big 12 and football in general. (I) played a lot of games, I think I only won one of them, I came into the fourth quarter I believe of one of them. Then, (I) played at Texas Tech (and) we lost – I mean, we won at Texas Tech in Lubbock, (Texas). Then, (we) went to K-State and I came off and injury and we ended up losing that game. I tried to do a Hail Mary at the end of the game and got hit. I think I threw a pick to (New York Jets CB) D.J. Reed who’s in the NFL. It’s always cool when you play against the greats and you get to see their impact and why they’re so great. It was some fun moments for me in college.”

Q:&nbsp;Did you get a letter after every game?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I got two of them. The first one, I didn’t get one because I came in at the fourth quarter probably, but then the second one and the third one, I got one.”

Q:&nbsp;How did Alex Smith leave an impact on you to get you to where you are now?

Chiefs Quotes: 1-30-25

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/patel-fbi-trump-maralago-january-6-2db2b3a27adb295df30a9ffa72208688">Kash Patel</a>, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, insisted to deeply skeptical Democrats on Thursday that he did not have an “enemies list" and that the bureau under his leadership would not seek retribution against the president's adversaries or launch investigations for political purposes.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/patel-fbi-trump-maralago-january-6-2db2b3a27adb295df30a9ffa72208688">Kash Patel</a>, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, insisted to deeply skeptical Democrats on Thursday that he did not have an “enemies list" and that the bureau under his leadership would not seek retribution against the president's adversaries or launch investigations for political purposes.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/senate-committee/fbi-director-nominee-kash-patel-testifies-at-confirmation-hearing/430428">Click here to&nbsp;</a>watch the entire hearing<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel Opening Statement <a href="https://t.co/Lra1iFA88L">pic.twitter.com/Lra1iFA88L</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1884990719540027736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenAmyKlobuchar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenAmyKlobuchar</a>: &quot;I would love to have five hours of questions and then I could read the whole transcript.: Kash Patel: &quot;You&#39;ve got two minutes.&quot; Sen. Klobuchar: &quot;Wow.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/I7IyFWtbwd">pic.twitter.com/I7IyFWtbwd</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1885050475315114234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Could he just answer the question? If he said that the FBI headquarters...should be shut down and opened as a deep state as a museum.&quot; Heated exchange between <a href="https://twitter.com/SenAmyKlobuchar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenAmyKlobuchar</a> (D-MN) and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel over his previous comments on various subjects. <a href="https://t.co/hpbeuQnbtA">pic.twitter.com/hpbeuQnbtA</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1885069786062766474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenThomTillis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenThomTillis</a>: &quot;I thought that the pardons of people who did harm to police officers sucked.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/W8dlix5jpi">pic.twitter.com/W8dlix5jpi</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1885045857558393160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sen. Schiff on Capitol Police: Take a look at them right now. Turn around. Kash Patel: I&#39;m looking at you. You&#39;re talking to me. Schiff: No, look at them...tell them you&#39;re proud that you raised money off of people that assaulted their colleagues. That pepper sprayed them. <a href="https://t.co/Uz0cPccq2V">pic.twitter.com/Uz0cPccq2V</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1885039971276386449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sen. <a href="https://twitter.com/CoryBooker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoryBooker</a>: &quot;Have you discussed specific investigations or targets you would pursue as FBI Director with the president of the United States? Kash Patel: &quot;To the best of my recollection, no.&quot; Booker: &quot;Are you certain?&quot; Kash Patel: &quot;To the best of my recollection, no.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/dsTkPPeA9G">pic.twitter.com/dsTkPPeA9G</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1885035060992020875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I have no interest nor desire and will not, if confirmed, go backwards,” Patel told a contentious Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing at which support for the nominee broke along starkly partisan lines. “There will be no politicization at the FBI. There will be no retributive actions taken by the FBI.”The reassurances were aimed at blunting a persistent line of attack from Democrats, who throughout the hearing confronted Patel with a vast catalog of prior incendiary statements on topics that they said made him unfit for the director's job and raised alarming questions about his belief in conspiracy theories and loyalty to the president. Patel, for his part, sought to distance himself from his own words, accusing Democrats of taking them out of context, highlighting only snippets or misunderstanding his point.The focus by Democrats on Patel's rhetoric, at a time when the FBI is facing urgent national security concerns&nbsp;<a href="https://speaker%202:%20[11:14:08]%20the%20best%20attacks%20on%20me%20are%20going%20to%20be%20false%20accusations.%20[11:14:09][1.7]%20speaker%207:%20[11:14:10]%20grotesque.%20mischaracterizations.%20the%20only%20thing%20this%20body%20is%20doing%20is%20defeating%20the%20credibility%20of%20the%20men%20and%20women%20at%20the%20fbi.%20[11:14:16][6.2]%20[7.9]/">including Chinese espionage</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-fbi-terrorism-new-orleans-745d8f70ed0b7b984b0788d4f6c69f18">heightened terrorism threat</a>, underscored the extent of their fears that his own words could foreshadow destabilizing upheaval inside the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency.“There is an unfathomable difference between a seeming facade being constructed around this nominee here today, and what he has actually done and said in real life when left to his own devices,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat. His colleague, Sen. Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota, later added: “It is his own words. It is not some conspiracy. It is what Mr. Patel actually said himself.”Republicans control the Senate, and GOP members made clear their broad support for Patel and determination to get him confirmed over a Democratic minority that appeared united in its opposition but face a mathematically uphill battle to block it.“We want to be the Senate that confirms an FBI director that rights the ship, shows consistent respect for the rule of law and the Constitution, consistent respect for all law enforcement officers, and I absolutely believe you're up to the task," said Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.A steadfast Trump ally, Patel was picked in November to replace Christopher Wray,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chris-wray-fbi-farewell-trump-patel-partisanship-afe159a6e112e68dd5319ceac905d517">who served for more than seven years</a>&nbsp;but was forced out of the job Trump had appointed him to after being seen as insufficiently loyal to him. Patel has worked as both a federal prosecutor and defense lawyer and ascended within Trump's orbit when, as a Republican staffer on the House intelligence committee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/af8b27485d7a42ad86b8bf7ad1d554bb">he worked to bring to light flaws in the FBI's investigation into ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.</a>Patel has said his experience as a public defender, as well as surveillance errors in the Trump-Russia investigation, have made him unusually attuned to law enforcement overreach.But he's also alarmed critics with rhetoric — in dozens of podcasts and a 2023 book he authored — in which he has demonstrated fealty to Trump and assailed the decision-making of the agency he’s now been asked to lead. He complained that Democrats were twisting his words to smear him and putting his comments and social media posts in a “grotesque context.”He was reminded, for instance, that he had previously called for a purge of anti-Trump “conspirators” in the federal government and news media, though he insisted Thursday that the FBI under his leadership would not launch any investigation without a legitimate purpose or basis. And though he's advocated for closing down the FBI headquarters in Washington, and transforming the building into a so-called museum of the “deep state,” he testified that what he really meant was that he wanted the bureau's Washington operation slimmed down so that agents were sent out into the “interior of the country.”He said the suggestion that he had an “enemies list” — his book identified by name a lengthy list of former government officials he says are part of the so-called deep state — was a “total mischaracterization.”“The only thing that will matter if I’m confirmed as a director of the FBI is a de-weaponized, de-politicized system of law enforcement completely devoted to rigorous obedience to the Constitution and a singular standard of justice,” Patel said.Patel found himself repeatedly besieged by Democrats over his view of the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters at the U.S. Capitol. Democrats highlighted a social post about Jan. 6 that referred to “cowards in uniform exposed" to accuse him of disparaging police who were defending the Capitol from the violent mob. But Patel insisted he was referring to military leaders he claims failed to mobilize the National Guard to protect the building.Patel sought to distance himself from a song he promoted featuring Trump and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/j6-choir-trump-national-anthem-capitol-riot-79618f1f2a689c308dfdc34d54d327ea">choir of jailed Jan. 6 defendants</a>&nbsp;to help raise money for the families of those charged in the Capitol riot. He repeatedly insisted he was unaware that some of the defendants featured in the song were accused of attacks on law enforcement.“I did not know about the violent offenders. And I did not participate in any of the violence in and around Jan. 6,” Patel said.In one confrontational moment, Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff urged Patel to turn around and face Capitol police officers in the committee room.“If you have the courage to look them in the eye, Mr. Patel, and tell them you’re proud of what you did. Tell them you’re proud that you raised money off of people that assaulted their colleagues, that pepper sprayed them, that beat them with poles,” Schiff said.Patel fired back: “That’s an abject lie, you know it. I never, never, ever accepted violence against law enforcement.”Patel sought on multiple occasions to reassure Democrats that his FBI would be independent from the White House. He would not acknowledge that Trump had lost the 2020 election, conceding only that Joe Biden was sworn in as president. But he did not endorse Trump's sweeping pardon of supporters, including violent rioters, charged in connection with Jan. 6.“I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement,” Patel said in response to a question from Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee.Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Republican chairman of the committee, sought to blunt attacks on Patel preemptively by focusing on the need to reform an FBI that he said had become weaponized.The FBI in recent years has become entangled in numerous politically explosive investigations, including not just&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-court-classified-documents-2020-election-302f87960dbd84d7be5daedaf03328d8">the two federal inquiries into Trump</a>&nbsp;that resulted in indictments but also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/classified-documents-biden-hur-special-counsel-122526da6d89d7bf4d6ccfc54590312b">probes of Biden</a>&nbsp;and his son,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-son-hunter-charges-pardon-pledge-24f3007c2d2f467fa48e21bbc7262525">Hunter</a>.“It’s no surprise that public trust has declined in an institution that has been plagued by abuse, a lack of transparency, and the weaponization of law enforcement," Grassley said.He later added, “Mr. Patel, should you be confirmed, you will take charge of an FBI that is in crisis.”-----------------WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/patel-fbi-trump-maralago-january-6-2db2b3a27adb295df30a9ffa72208688">Kash Patel</a>, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, will encounter deeply skeptical questioning from Democratic senators Thursday about his loyalty to the president and stated desire to overhaul the bureau as he faces a high-stakes hearing that will help determine his path toward confirmation.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/senate-committee/fbi-director-nominee-kash-patel-testifies-at-confirmation-hearing/430428">Click here to </a>watch the hearingPatel is a Trump loyalist who before being nominated to lead the FBI railed against the bureau over its investigations into the president and claimed that Jan. 6 rioters were mistreated by the Justice Department. He was picked in November to replace Christopher Wray,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chris-wray-fbi-farewell-trump-patel-partisanship-afe159a6e112e68dd5319ceac905d517">who led the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency for more than seven years.</a>A former aide to the House Intelligence Committee and an ex-federal prosecutor who served in Trump's first administration, Patel has alarmed critics with rhetoric — in dozens of podcasts and books he has authored — in which he has demonstrated fealty to Trump and assailed the decision-making of the agency he's now been asked to lead. He's also identified by name officials he believes should be investigated.In one such podcast interview last year, he said that if he were in charge of the FBI, he would “shut down” the bureau’s headquarters building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington and “reopen it the next day as a museum of the ‘deep state.’”“And I’d take the 7,000 employees that work in that building and send them across America to go chase down criminals. Go be cops," he added.In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece published Wednesday night, Patel did not address some of his more incendiary comments or criticism of the FBI, except to say that his time as a House staffer investigating flaws in the FBI's Trump-Russia investigation had shown him how "the FBI’s immense powers can be abused."“I spearheaded the investigation that found the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act — a tool I had previously used to hunt down terrorists — had been unlawfully used to spy on political opponents," he wrote. “Such misconduct is unacceptable and undermines public trust.”Patel has for years been a loyal ally to Trump, finding common cause over their shared skepticism of government surveillance and the “deep state” — a pejorative catchall used by Trump to refer to government bureaucracy.He was part of a small group of supporters during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">Trump’s recent criminal trial</a>&nbsp;in New York who accompanied him to the courthouse, where he told reporters that Trump was the victim of an “unconstitutional circus.”That close bond would depart from the modern-day precedent of FBI directors looking to keep presidents at arm’s length.Several Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee who have met with Patel, including Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, have issued statements sounding the alarm and signaling their opposition to the pick. The lawmakers foreshadowed their interest in Patel by directing numerous questions about him to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-bondi-garland-01edf039f8102271943da4fb85d56fa7">Pam Bondi, Trump's pick for attorney general,</a>&nbsp;when she had her own confirmation hearing this month.“I’m deeply concerned about his fitness to serve as FBI Director," Durbin said in a statement. “He has neither the experience, the judgment, nor the temperament to head this critical agency.”Republican allies of Trump, who share the president's belief that the FBI has become politicized, have rallied around Patel and pledged to support him, seeing him as someone who can shake up the bureau and provide needed change.Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who will introduce Patel on Thursday, said he had spent hours with him “pinning down every single thing I expect to see in the hearing.”“So much so,” he added, “that I've created a bingo card for all the things that I know the Democrats are going to say about him that I believe are unfair, and I think he's ready to respond to.”Tillis said Patel is ready to respond to questions about the book that has his enemies list and the people he names in its glossary.