WASHINGTON (AP) — President Jimmy Carter will continue to lie in state Wednesday after his remains arrived in Washington a day earlier as part of state funeral rites.

The Georgia Democrat and 39th president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-dies-18c198c20352c835bca3eec276020dd7">died Dec. 29 at the age of 100</a>.

Carter served as president from 1977-81, winning office as an outsider in the wake of the Vietnam War and Watergate. He endured a rocky four years of economic unrest and international crises that ended with his defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. But he also lived long enough to see historians reassess his presidency more charitably than voters did in 1980.

He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-funeral-lie-state-9200a643ca205719d94895c9a5deb36f">remembered Tuesday at the Capitol</a>&nbsp;for his deep religious faith, long public service and decades of humanitarian work beyond what he accomplished in politics.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Mike Johnson were among those who offered bipartisan tributes to Carter in the Capitol Rotunda, where his flag-draped casket remains atop the Lincoln catafalque for members of the public to pay their respects.

Carter will remain at the Capitol until Thursday morning, when he is transported to Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral. President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, a longtime Carter ally, will deliver a eulogy. Other living former presidents, including President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, are expected to attend.

After the funeral, the Boeing 747 that is Air Force One when a sitting president is aboard will carry Carter and his family back to Georgia. An invitation-only funeral will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in tiny Plains, where Carter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-plains-georgia-maranatha-sunday-school-a1a692079be175cf2e882176fc343344">taught Sunday School</a>&nbsp;for decades after leaving office.

Carter will be buried next to his wife, former first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rosalynn-carter-dead-69fadff26354d26bdda94c5d52558a7f">Rosalynn Carter</a>, in a plot near the home they built before his first state Senate campaign in 1962 and where they lived out their lives with the exception of four years in the Georgia Governor's Mansion and four years in the White House.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 44 years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jimmy-carter">Jimmy Carter</a>&nbsp;left the nation's capital in humbling defeat, the 39th president returned to the Washington area for three days of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-jimmy-carter-funeral-services-d8ec9471cda40e8e0e377850f64c9905">state funeral</a>&nbsp;rites.

Carter’s remains, which had been lying in repose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-funeral-plains-georgia-39d9be789f75b477b34fccdc2531238c">at the Carter Presidential Center since Saturday</a>, left the Atlanta campus Tuesday morning, accompanied by his children and extended family. Special Air Mission 39 departed Dobbins Air Reserve Base north of Atlanta and arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. A motorcade will carry the casket into Washington and the Capitol, where members of Congress will pay their respects.

In Georgia, eight military pallbearers held Carter's casket as cannons fired on the tarmac nearby. They carried it to a vehicle that lifted it to the passenger compartment of the aircraft, the iconic blue and white Boeing 747 variant that is known as Air Force One when the sitting president is on board. Carter never traveled as president on the jet, which first flew as Air Force One in 1990 with President George H.W. Bush.

The scene repeated outside Washington. The former president's casket was removed from the plane, cannons fired and a military band played. A hearse emblazoned with the seal of the president joined a motorcade that steered toward Washington.

A bipartisan delegation of members of Congress were led into the Capitol Rotunda by Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, Democrats who represent Carter’s home state. Vice President Kamala Harris, members of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;cabinet and three of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices — John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan — also were present.

The U.S. Army Band Brass Quintet played as people awaited the casket. The room fell silent as three knocks on the rotunda door marked Carter's arrival. The casket was placed in the middle of the room on the Lincoln catafalque, a platform built in 1865 to hold slain president Abraham Lincoln's casket in the same place.

Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered eulogies celebrating Carter's faith, military service and devotion to service, including his hands-on contributions to building homes for those in need through Habitat for Humanity.

“Jimmy Carter was that all too rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace,” Harris said, recalling his unpretentious approach to campaigning. He slept in the homes of his supporters to “share a meal with them at their table and listen to what was on their minds,” she said.

The U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club performed the patriotic hymn “My Country, 'Tis of Thee” before bipartisan congressional leaders and Harris, accompanied by her husband Doug Emhoff, placed wreaths beside the casket. Members of Carter's family, including some of his grandchildren, wiped tears.

Carter, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-dies-18c198c20352c835bca3eec276020dd7">died Dec. 29 at the age of 100</a>, will lie in state Tuesday night and again Wednesday. He receives a state funeral Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. Biden will deliver a eulogy.

There are the familiar rituals that follow a president’s death — the Air Force ride back to the Beltway, a military honor guard carrying a flag-draped casket up the Capitol steps, the Lincoln catafalque in the rotunda.

There also will be symbolism unique to Carter. As he was carried from his presidential center, a military band played hymns — “Amazing Grace” and “Blessed Assurance” for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-baptist-faith-93343181bb9fac49723470c7e10561d1">outspoken Baptist evangelical</a>&nbsp;who called himself a “born-again Christian” when he sought and won the presidency in 1976. In Washington, his hearse stopped at the U.S. Navy Memorial, where his remains were transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for the rest of his trip to the Capitol. The location nods to Carter’s place as the lone U.S. Naval Academy graduate to become commander in chief.

All of the pomp carries some irony for the Democrat who went from his family peanut warehouse to the Governor’s Mansion and eventually the White House. Carter won the presidency as the smiling Southerner and technocratic engineer who promised to change the ways of Washington — and eschewed many of those unwritten rules when he got there.

From 1977 to 1981, Carter was Washington's highest-ranking resident. But he never mastered it.

“He could be prickly and a not very appealing personality” in a town that thrives on relationships, said biographer Jonathan Alter, describing a president who struggled with schmoozing lawmakers and reporters.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-habitat-for-humanity-carter-center-eae94114f97acec388f8e32b9202f782">Carter</a>&nbsp;often flouted the ceremonial trappings that have been on display in Georgia and will continue in Washington.

As president, he wanted to keep the Marine Band from playing “Hail to the Chief,” thinking it elevated the president too much. His advisers convinced him to accept it as part of the job. The song played Saturday as he arrived at his presidential center after a motorcade through his hometown of Plains and past his boyhood farm. It played again as his remains were carried out on their way to Washington.

He also never used his full name, James Earl Carter Jr., even taking the oath of office. His full name was printed on memorial cards given to all mourners who paid their respects in Atlanta.

He once addressed the nation from the White House residence wearing a cardigan, now on display at his museum and library. His remains now rest in a wooden casket being carried and guarded by military pallbearers in their impeccable dress uniforms.

As Carter's remains left Georgia, President-elect Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carter-trump-contradictory-relationship-e82074628e4faa974d8263017c8b5b3a">criticized</a>&nbsp;the late former president during a news conference in Florida for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-panama-canal-turning-point-unity-97cba0d41f043dd9f156dc8355ee3f44">ceding control of the Panama Canal</a>&nbsp;to its home country.

Pressed on if criticism of Carter was appropriate during the solemn funeral rites, Trump responded, “I liked him as a man. I disagreed with his policies. He thought giving away the Panama Canal was a good thing.”

“I didn’t want to bring up the Panama Canal because of Jimmy Carter’s death,” he added, even though he had first mentioned it unprompted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736283143560.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Jimmy Carter will continue to lie in state Wednesday after his remains arrived in Washington a day earlier as part of state funeral rites.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Jimmy Carter&#39;s casket arrives in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. <a href="https://t.co/t1YMjvbLHt">pic.twitter.com/t1YMjvbLHt</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876754969094758700?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Georgia Democrat and 39th president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-dies-18c198c20352c835bca3eec276020dd7">died Dec. 29 at the age of 100</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. <a href="https://twitter.com/NavalAcademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NavalAcademy</a> Glee Club performs &#39;My Country, &#39;Tis of Thee&#39; at President Jimmy Carter Memorial Service. <a href="https://t.co/PVd51SHLwp">pic.twitter.com/PVd51SHLwp</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876762661955760293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Carter served as president from 1977-81, winning office as an outsider in the wake of the Vietnam War and Watergate. He endured a rocky four years of economic unrest and international crises that ended with his defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. But he also lived long enough to see historians reassess his presidency more charitably than voters did in 1980.He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-funeral-lie-state-9200a643ca205719d94895c9a5deb36f">remembered Tuesday at the Capitol</a>&nbsp;for his deep religious faith, long public service and decades of humanitarian work beyond what he accomplished in politics.Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Mike Johnson were among those who offered bipartisan tributes to Carter in the Capitol Rotunda, where his flag-draped casket remains atop the Lincoln catafalque for members of the public to pay their respects.Carter will remain at the Capitol until Thursday morning, when he is transported to Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral. President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, a longtime Carter ally, will deliver a eulogy. Other living former presidents, including President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, are expected to attend.After the funeral, the Boeing 747 that is Air Force One when a sitting president is aboard will carry Carter and his family back to Georgia. An invitation-only funeral will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in tiny Plains, where Carter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-plains-georgia-maranatha-sunday-school-a1a692079be175cf2e882176fc343344">taught Sunday School</a>&nbsp;for decades after leaving office.Carter will be buried next to his wife, former first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rosalynn-carter-dead-69fadff26354d26bdda94c5d52558a7f">Rosalynn Carter</a>, in a plot near the home they built before his first state Senate campaign in 1962 and where they lived out their lives with the exception of four years in the Georgia Governor's Mansion and four years in the White House.----------WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 44 years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jimmy-carter">Jimmy Carter</a>&nbsp;left the nation's capital in humbling defeat, the 39th president returned to the Washington area for three days of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-jimmy-carter-funeral-services-d8ec9471cda40e8e0e377850f64c9905">state funeral</a>&nbsp;rites.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Jimmy Carter arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (<a href="https://twitter.com/Andrews_JBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Andrews_JBA</a>). <a href="https://t.co/iO2fnY7zvl">pic.twitter.com/iO2fnY7zvl</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876718862659465265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Jimmy Carter procession from the U.S. Naval Memorial to U.S. Capitol. <a href="https://t.co/sb2PkfYIcI">pic.twitter.com/sb2PkfYIcI</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876736917779169666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Jimmy Carter&#39;s casket arrives at the U.S. Capitol. <a href="https://t.co/hSc7alh0lj">pic.twitter.com/hSc7alh0lj</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876754915273441546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/41Z7eoQkiY">pic.twitter.com/41Z7eoQkiY</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1876752331242406185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Carter’s remains, which had been lying in repose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-funeral-plains-georgia-39d9be789f75b477b34fccdc2531238c">at the Carter Presidential Center since Saturday</a>, left the Atlanta campus Tuesday morning, accompanied by his children and extended family. Special Air Mission 39 departed Dobbins Air Reserve Base north of Atlanta and arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. A motorcade will carry the casket into Washington and the Capitol, where members of Congress will pay their respects.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736285862827.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>In Georgia, eight military pallbearers held Carter's casket as cannons fired on the tarmac nearby. They carried it to a vehicle that lifted it to the passenger compartment of the aircraft, the iconic blue and white Boeing 747 variant that is known as Air Force One when the sitting president is on board. Carter never traveled as president on the jet, which first flew as Air Force One in 1990 with President George H.W. Bush.The scene repeated outside Washington. The former president's casket was removed from the plane, cannons fired and a military band played. A hearse emblazoned with the seal of the president joined a motorcade that steered toward Washington.A bipartisan delegation of members of Congress were led into the Capitol Rotunda by Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, Democrats who represent Carter’s home state. Vice President Kamala Harris, members of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;cabinet and three of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices — John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan — also were present.The U.S. Army Band Brass Quintet played as people awaited the casket. The room fell silent as three knocks on the rotunda door marked Carter's arrival. The casket was placed in the middle of the room on the Lincoln catafalque, a platform built in 1865 to hold slain president Abraham Lincoln's casket in the same place.Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered eulogies celebrating Carter's faith, military service and devotion to service, including his hands-on contributions to building homes for those in need through Habitat for Humanity.“Jimmy Carter was that all too rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace,” Harris said, recalling his unpretentious approach to campaigning. He slept in the homes of his supporters to “share a meal with them at their table and listen to what was on their minds,” she said.The U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club performed the patriotic hymn “My Country, 'Tis of Thee” before bipartisan congressional leaders and Harris, accompanied by her husband Doug Emhoff, placed wreaths beside the casket. Members of Carter's family, including some of his grandchildren, wiped tears.Carter, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-dies-18c198c20352c835bca3eec276020dd7">died Dec. 29 at the age of 100</a>, will lie in state Tuesday night and again Wednesday. He receives a state funeral Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. Biden will deliver a eulogy.There are the familiar rituals that follow a president’s death — the Air Force ride back to the Beltway, a military honor guard carrying a flag-draped casket up the Capitol steps, the Lincoln catafalque in the rotunda.There also will be symbolism unique to Carter. As he was carried from his presidential center, a military band played hymns — “Amazing Grace” and “Blessed Assurance” for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-baptist-faith-93343181bb9fac49723470c7e10561d1">outspoken Baptist evangelical</a>&nbsp;who called himself a “born-again Christian” when he sought and won the presidency in 1976. In Washington, his hearse stopped at the U.S. Navy Memorial, where his remains were transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for the rest of his trip to the Capitol. The location nods to Carter’s place as the lone U.S. Naval Academy graduate to become commander in chief.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736283662446.png" alt="Procession to the Capitol-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Procession to the Capitol-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>All of the pomp carries some irony for the Democrat who went from his family peanut warehouse to the Governor’s Mansion and eventually the White House. Carter won the presidency as the smiling Southerner and technocratic engineer who promised to change the ways of Washington — and eschewed many of those unwritten rules when he got there.From 1977 to 1981, Carter was Washington's highest-ranking resident. But he never mastered it.“He could be prickly and a not very appealing personality” in a town that thrives on relationships, said biographer Jonathan Alter, describing a president who struggled with schmoozing lawmakers and reporters.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-habitat-for-humanity-carter-center-eae94114f97acec388f8e32b9202f782">Carter</a>&nbsp;often flouted the ceremonial trappings that have been on display in Georgia and will continue in Washington.As president, he wanted to keep the Marine Band from playing “Hail to the Chief,” thinking it elevated the president too much. His advisers convinced him to accept it as part of the job. The song played Saturday as he arrived at his presidential center after a motorcade through his hometown of Plains and past his boyhood farm. It played again as his remains were carried out on their way to Washington.He also never used his full name, James Earl Carter Jr., even taking the oath of office. His full name was printed on memorial cards given to all mourners who paid their respects in Atlanta.He once addressed the nation from the White House residence wearing a cardigan, now on display at his museum and library. His remains now rest in a wooden casket being carried and guarded by military pallbearers in their impeccable dress uniforms.As Carter's remains left Georgia, President-elect Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carter-trump-contradictory-relationship-e82074628e4faa974d8263017c8b5b3a">criticized</a>&nbsp;the late former president during a news conference in Florida for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-panama-canal-turning-point-unity-97cba0d41f043dd9f156dc8355ee3f44">ceding control of the Panama Canal</a>&nbsp;to its home country.Pressed on if criticism of Carter was appropriate during the solemn funeral rites, Trump responded, “I liked him as a man. I disagreed with his policies. He thought giving away the Panama Canal was a good thing.”“I didn’t want to bring up the Panama Canal because of Jimmy Carter’s death,” he added, even though he had first mentioned it unprompted.___

🎥Jimmy Carter continues to lie in state at Capitol Rotunda ahead of state funeral

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of turning its virtual assistant Siri into a snoop that eavesdropped on the users of iPhones and other trendy devices in a betrayal to its long-standing commitment to personal privacy.

The proposed settlement filed in federal court earlier this week still needs to be approved by a judge, but here are a few things to know about the case and the privacy issues that it raised.

The Wood Law Firm, which specializes in class-action lawsuits, filed the complaint against Apple in August 2019, shortly after The Guardian newspaper published an article alleging that Siri's microphone had been surreptitiously turned on to record conversations occurring without the users' knowledge.

Apple issued a September 2014 software update that was supposed to activate the virtual assistant only with the triggering words "Hey, Siri," but The Guardian story alleged Siri was listening and recording conversations at other times to help improve the company's technology.

The story led to the lawsuit, which later raised allegations that Apple shared some of the conversations that Siri secretly recorded with advertisers looking to connect with consumers who were more likely to buy their products and services.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COVERED BY THE SETTLEMENT?

Tens of millions of U.S consumers who owned or purchased iPhones and other devices equipped with Siri from September 17, 2014, through the end of last year will be eligible to file claims.

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL EACH ELIGIBLE CONSUMER RECEIVE?

It's far too early to tell for certain, but the settlement currently envisions paying out up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, with each consumer limited to a maximum. The final amount could be affected by two factors: the number of claims and how much of the settlement fund is reduced to cover legal fees and costs.

A claims administrator estimates only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers will file claims. The lawyers in the case currently are seeking nearly $30 million in fees and expenses, but that figure could still be lowered by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, who is overseeing the case in Oakland, California. A proposed Feb. 14 court hearing has been proposed to review the settlement terms.

If the allegations were true, Apple may have violated federal wiretapping laws and other statutes designed to protect people's privacy. But Apple adamantly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that it would have been cleared of any misconduct had the case gone to trial. Lawyers representing the consumers asserted that Apple's misbehavior was so egregious that the company could have been liable for $1.5 billion in damages if it lost the case.

Although Apple hasn't explained the reasons for making the settlement, major companies often decide it makes more sense to resolve class-action cases rather than to continue to run up legal costs and risk the chance of potentially bad publicity. The lawsuit also targeted one of Apple's core values framing privacy as a "fundamental human right."

Although $95 million sounds like a lot of money, it's a pittance for Apple. Since September 2014, the company's total profits have exceeded $700 billion — a streak of prosperity that has helped propel the company's market value to about $3.7 trillion.

DO I NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THE MICROPHONES ON OTHER DEVICES SPYING ON ME?

Perhaps. A case similar to the one filed against Siri is still active in a San Jose, California, federal court against Google and the virtual assistant in its Android software, which has been widely used in smartphones for years.

You can turn Apple's virtual assistant off by following these simple steps:

1. Navigate to Settings Siri &amp; Search.

2. Toggle off Listen for 'Hey Siri' and press the Side button for Siri.

3. Tap Turn Off Siri when a pop-up window appears.

You can also disable individual apps' access to your iPhone's mic by doing the following: Navigate to Settings (select the app) then toggle off Microphone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736086913375.png" alt="Apple issued a September 2014 software update that was supposed to activate the virtual assistant only with the triggering words "Hey, Siri,"" />
 <figcaption>Apple issued a September 2014 software update that was supposed to activate the virtual assistant only with the triggering words "Hey, Siri,"</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology WriterApple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of turning its virtual assistant Siri into a snoop that eavesdropped on the users of iPhones and other trendy devices in a betrayal to its long-standing commitment to personal privacy.The proposed settlement filed in federal court earlier this week still needs to be approved by a judge, but here are a few things to know about the case and the privacy issues that it raised.WHAT WAS THE LAWSUIT ABOUT?The Wood Law Firm, which specializes in class-action lawsuits, filed the complaint against Apple in August 2019, shortly after The Guardian newspaper published an article alleging that Siri's microphone had been surreptitiously turned on to record conversations occurring without the users' knowledge.Apple issued a September 2014 software update that was supposed to activate the virtual assistant only with the triggering words "Hey, Siri," but The Guardian story alleged Siri was listening and recording conversations at other times to help improve the company's technology.The story led to the lawsuit, which later raised allegations that Apple shared some of the conversations that Siri secretly recorded with advertisers looking to connect with consumers who were more likely to buy their products and services.HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COVERED BY THE SETTLEMENT?Tens of millions of U.S consumers who owned or purchased iPhones and other devices equipped with Siri from September 17, 2014, through the end of last year will be eligible to file claims.HOW MUCH MONEY WILL EACH ELIGIBLE CONSUMER RECEIVE?It's far too early to tell for certain, but the settlement currently envisions paying out up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, with each consumer limited to a maximum. The final amount could be affected by two factors: the number of claims and how much of the settlement fund is reduced to cover legal fees and costs.A claims administrator estimates only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers will file claims. The lawyers in the case currently are seeking nearly $30 million in fees and expenses, but that figure could still be lowered by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, who is overseeing the case in Oakland, California. A proposed Feb. 14 court hearing has been proposed to review the settlement terms.DID APPLE BREAK ANY LAWS?If the allegations were true, Apple may have violated federal wiretapping laws and other statutes designed to protect people's privacy. But Apple adamantly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that it would have been cleared of any misconduct had the case gone to trial. Lawyers representing the consumers asserted that Apple's misbehavior was so egregious that the company could have been liable for $1.5 billion in damages if it lost the case.Although Apple hasn't explained the reasons for making the settlement, major companies often decide it makes more sense to resolve class-action cases rather than to continue to run up legal costs and risk the chance of potentially bad publicity. The lawsuit also targeted one of Apple's core values framing privacy as a "fundamental human right."Although $95 million sounds like a lot of money, it's a pittance for Apple. Since September 2014, the company's total profits have exceeded $700 billion — a streak of prosperity that has helped propel the company's market value to about $3.7 trillion.DO I NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THE MICROPHONES ON OTHER DEVICES SPYING ON ME?Perhaps. A case similar to the one filed against Siri is still active in a San Jose, California, federal court against Google and the virtual assistant in its Android software, which has been widely used in smartphones for years.JUST IN CASE, HOW DO I DISABLE SIRI?You can turn Apple's virtual assistant off by following these simple steps:1. Navigate to Settings Siri &amp; Search.2. Toggle off Listen for 'Hey Siri' and press the Side button for Siri.3. Tap Turn Off Siri when a pop-up window appears.You can also disable individual apps' access to your iPhone's mic by doing the following: Navigate to Settings (select the app) then toggle off Microphone.

Apple to pay $95 million settlement in the snooping Siri case

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, as far as the injuries go today, Chris Jones didn’t practice, (Isiah) Pacheco didn’t practice and Jawaan (Taylor) didn’t practice, so other than that everybody was out there and going. I mentioned to you that Pat’s (Patrick Mahomes) not playing, and we’ll just kind of see where things go from there. We look forward to the challenge of playing Denver, (they’re) a good football team, we know that. (Broncos Head Coach) Sean (Payton) has done a nice job, as his coordinators have, of putting that together. I think our guys have had a good week of practice. They’ve all kind of rotated in there and done some part of that, which is good. We’ll just see how it goes on Sunday there. Anyways, with that, time’s yours.”

Q: What has happened in the last week that’s allowed Jaylen Watson to be able to practice today?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Jaylen Watson) really done well – coming back. I’m curious to see how he did today and how he felt, but he was out there until the end and moving around pretty good from what I saw.”

Q: Will Jawaan Taylor, Chris Jones and Isiah Pacheco be listed as out?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah. Most likely, yes.”

Q: What have you seen from Nikko Remigio as a developmental player this year?

REID:&nbsp;“He (Nikko Remigio) got a couple snaps in last week. Then, he’s been doing the return stuff, (he’s) doing a nice job with it. He’s reliable, he knows everything – all the positions, he’s quick, smart, fast, he can do all that stuff so – (he’s a) good catcher.”

Q: What have you liked about the way Carson Wentz went about the week?

REID:&nbsp;“You can tell that he’s (Carson Wentz) done it before and gone through the whole week process that it takes to put the gameplan in storage there in your mind and be able to see it and then execute it. I think he’s done a good job there. I think the guys have confidence in him which probably tells you the whole story, but he’s done well.”

Q: Do you anticipate D.J. Humphries starting at left tackle on Sunday?

REID:&nbsp;“There’s a good chance, yeah, with that, yeah. Again, he’s (D.J. Humphries) one that I’m kind of checking (on) every day here as we go, but he – looked like he did good today.”

Q: Is Steven Nelson someone that you want to see play in Denver on Sunday?

REID:&nbsp;“Well, you only have a couple of elevations (that) you can do, so I don’t think you’re probably going to see him (Steven Nelson).”

Q: Did you expect to see Jaylen Watson back on the field so fast?

REID:&nbsp;“The way he (Jaylen Watson) was going about it – I get to see it every day, the progress that he’s making or at least get an update on it, and he’d been doing so well that I figured that he’d be out there to give a whirl. I didn’t know what I would see out there and I’m still not sure exactly other than the times I’ve looked at him, he was doing – he was moving around pretty good. (I’ll) be curious to see how he feels here after this practice and into tomorrow.”

Q: On the Dolphins playoff scenario and how they beat the Patriots in 2019.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I didn’t think of that – different head coach. I like both guys but that’s a – I’m not trying to help anybody out, I’m just trying to go up and do well in the game, but I haven’t thought of that. I appreciate what they did. I sent them some great Kansas City steaks for doing that, yeah.”

Q: On DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick getting head coaching jobs.

REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I’m proud of them (DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick). Michael’s – both of them have been kind of into that. DeSean, you know he came up kind of close where I grew up and so I know a lot of people that worked with him. His dad was real involved at that time, so I think it’s great to see him have an opportunity to do it. I knew somewhere that was in his plan. Both of them are very smart, innately very smart, just they’ve been blessed that way. They don’t forget anything; they could handle a gameplan like that (snaps), and I think they’ll do great as a head coach. They have good people skills and recruiting is a big part of that.”

Q: What advice would you give them?

REID:&nbsp;“I’ve been fortunate to stay in touch with both of them (DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick). I’ve had a chance to talk to the people that were hiring them, so it was – they have my full support. I know they’re going to do great. The university is supporting them right now which is a beautiful thing. They obviously went in there and impressed them, so that’s about half the battle. This whole recruiting thing, I don’t understand all that, but I know it’ll be a great challenge for all these guys, all these head coaches at the college level.”

Q: How long did it take you to say “Bundle-Rooski” on the State Farm commercial without laughing?

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesJanuary 3, 2025OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, as far as the injuries go today, Chris Jones didn’t practice, (Isiah) Pacheco didn’t practice and Jawaan (Taylor) didn’t practice, so other than that everybody was out there and going. I mentioned to you that Pat’s (Patrick Mahomes) not playing, and we’ll just kind of see where things go from there. We look forward to the challenge of playing Denver, (they’re) a good football team, we know that. (Broncos Head Coach) Sean (Payton) has done a nice job, as his coordinators have, of putting that together. I think our guys have had a good week of practice. They’ve all kind of rotated in there and done some part of that, which is good. We’ll just see how it goes on Sunday there. Anyways, with that, time’s yours.”Q: What has happened in the last week that’s allowed Jaylen Watson to be able to practice today?REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Jaylen Watson) really done well – coming back. I’m curious to see how he did today and how he felt, but he was out there until the end and moving around pretty good from what I saw.”Q: Will Jawaan Taylor, Chris Jones and Isiah Pacheco be listed as out?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah. Most likely, yes.”Q: What have you seen from Nikko Remigio as a developmental player this year?REID:&nbsp;“He (Nikko Remigio) got a couple snaps in last week. Then, he’s been doing the return stuff, (he’s) doing a nice job with it. He’s reliable, he knows everything – all the positions, he’s quick, smart, fast, he can do all that stuff so – (he’s a) good catcher.”Q: What have you liked about the way Carson Wentz went about the week?REID:&nbsp;“You can tell that he’s (Carson Wentz) done it before and gone through the whole week process that it takes to put the gameplan in storage there in your mind and be able to see it and then execute it. I think he’s done a good job there. I think the guys have confidence in him which probably tells you the whole story, but he’s done well.”Q: Do you anticipate D.J. Humphries starting at left tackle on Sunday?REID:&nbsp;“There’s a good chance, yeah, with that, yeah. Again, he’s (D.J. Humphries) one that I’m kind of checking (on) every day here as we go, but he – looked like he did good today.”Q: Is Steven Nelson someone that you want to see play in Denver on Sunday?REID:&nbsp;“Well, you only have a couple of elevations (that) you can do, so I don’t think you’re probably going to see him (Steven Nelson).”Q: Did you expect to see Jaylen Watson back on the field so fast?REID:&nbsp;“The way he (Jaylen Watson) was going about it – I get to see it every day, the progress that he’s making or at least get an update on it, and he’d been doing so well that I figured that he’d be out there to give a whirl. I didn’t know what I would see out there and I’m still not sure exactly other than the times I’ve looked at him, he was doing – he was moving around pretty good. (I’ll) be curious to see how he feels here after this practice and into tomorrow.”Q: On the Dolphins playoff scenario and how they beat the Patriots in 2019.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I didn’t think of that – different head coach. I like both guys but that’s a – I’m not trying to help anybody out, I’m just trying to go up and do well in the game, but I haven’t thought of that. I appreciate what they did. I sent them some great Kansas City steaks for doing that, yeah.”Q: On DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick getting head coaching jobs.REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I’m proud of them (DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick). Michael’s – both of them have been kind of into that. DeSean, you know he came up kind of close where I grew up and so I know a lot of people that worked with him. His dad was real involved at that time, so I think it’s great to see him have an opportunity to do it. I knew somewhere that was in his plan. Both of them are very smart, innately very smart, just they’ve been blessed that way. They don’t forget anything; they could handle a gameplan like that (snaps), and I think they’ll do great as a head coach. They have good people skills and recruiting is a big part of that.”Q: What advice would you give them?REID:&nbsp;“I’ve been fortunate to stay in touch with both of them (DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick). I’ve had a chance to talk to the people that were hiring them, so it was – they have my full support. I know they’re going to do great. The university is supporting them right now which is a beautiful thing. They obviously went in there and impressed them, so that’s about half the battle. This whole recruiting thing, I don’t understand all that, but I know it’ll be a great challenge for all these guys, all these head coaches at the college level.”Q: How long did it take you to say “Bundle-Rooski” on the State Farm commercial without laughing?

Chiefs Quotes: 1-3-25

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Mike Johnson won reelection to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/mike-johnson-speaker-congress-updates">the House speakership</a>&nbsp;on a first ballot Friday, pushing past GOP hard-right holdouts and buoyed with a nod of support from President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

A collection of hardline Republicans convened in the back of the House chamber during a tense roll call on the first day of the new Congress, one by one declining to vote or choosing another lawmaker. The standoff sparked fresh turmoil signaling trouble ahead under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-republicans-congress-spending-immigration-e4aebdcc9955f5d663208aec08778442">unified GOP control of Washington</a>.

In the end, however, Johnson was able to flip two remaining holdouts who switched to support him, drawing applause from Republicans.&nbsp; &nbsp;Members of the Kansas GOP delegation cast votes for Johnson. Kansas Democrat House member Sharice Davids voted for Hakeem Jeffries.&nbsp; Mike Johnson received 218 votes to Jeffries 215.&nbsp; Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted for&nbsp;Tom Emmer of Minnesota.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">As the most recent speaker, Johnson’s</a>&nbsp;weak grip on the gavel threatens not only his own survival but President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump’s</a>&nbsp;ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-republicans-congress-spending-immigration-e4aebdcc9955f5d663208aec08778442">Republicans sweep to power</a>.

Newly-elected House lawmakers started casting votes as Johnson's name was put forward for nomination by the GOP Conference Chair Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich.

“No speaker's perfect,” she said. But the goal is to make progress toward shared priorities for the country, she said. “None of us will get exactly what we want.”

Democrats put forward their own leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, as the only one with a track record of compromise and achievement in the face of “chaos and dysfunction” under the GOP majority.

“House Democrats are united behind the most powerful legislative leader in this chamber,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., of Jeffries, recounting the many times their votes bailed out Johnson to ensure passage of important legislation.

With opposition from his own GOP colleagues, Johnson arrived with outward confidence after working into the night to sway hardline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-elon-budget-house-republican-05481374b154949c3fe1270141a02918">holdouts</a>. A flop by Johnson could throw Monday's congressional certification of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 election</a>&nbsp;victory into turmoil without a House speaker. Even backing from Trump himself, usually a sure bet for Republicans, was no guarantee Johnson will stay in power.

"We don’t have time for drama,” Johnson said as he walked into the Capitol.

The Louisiana Republican received a renewed nod of support from Trump. “A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party,” Trump posted on social media.

What was once a ceremonial day with newly elected lawmakers arriving to be sworn into office, often with family, friends and children in tow, has evolved into a high-stakes vote for the office of House speaker, among the most powerful elected positions in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris was swearing in the senators.

While the Senate is able to convene on its own and has already elected party leaders — Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/john-thune-is-striving-to-be-the-next-republican-senate-leader-but-can-he-rise-in-trumps-gop/">John Thune</a>&nbsp;as the Republican majority leader and Sen. Chuck Schumer for the Democratic minority — the House must first elect its speaker, a role required by the Constitution, second in the line of succession to the president.

Congress has been here before, when it took Republicans nearly a week and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">15 rounds of voting</a>&nbsp;to elect Kevin McCarthy as speaker in 2023, a spectacle unseen in modern times. McCarthy was then dumped by his party, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">historic first</a>, but he was also part of a long list of GOP speakers chased to early exits.

The stakes are higher this year as Trump prepares to return to the White House with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-house-elections-e3754a684a7b96b129841d4b207c15e9">House</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-94b49277db2a5c21f23236794a36afa6">Senate</a>&nbsp;in GOP control and promising to deliver big on a 100-day agenda.

Johnson has been working diligently to prevent defeat, spending New Year's Day at Mar-a-Lago as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-house-speaker-johnson-madison-square-garden-995a7ee3324e04ec6da680c826136655">positions himself alongside Trump</a>. The speaker often portrays himself as the “quarterback” who will be executing the political plays called by the “coach,” the president-elect.

But Johnson also warned that without a House speaker there would be a "constitutional crisis" heading into Jan. 6, when Congress by law is required to count the electoral votes for president, weeks before Trump is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20.

“We don't have any time to waste, and I think that everybody recognizes that,” he said.

Johnson commands one of the slimmest majorities in modern times, having lost seats in the November election. With the sudden resignation of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the tally dropped to 219-215. That leaves Johnson relying on almost every Republican for support in the face of Democratic opposition, though the typical 218 majority of 435 members needed could shift with absences and others voting only "present."

Heading into Friday he did not have the full support needed.

Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy was among the most notable holdouts, an unflinching member of the Freedom Caucus who lashed into Republican leadership’s handling of the year-end spending bill for failing to cut spending and adhere to House rules.

“Something MUST change,” Roy posted on social media. He eventually voted for Johnson.

One hard no was Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who voted for a different GOP Leader, as did other far-right Republicans, including some who helped topple McCarthy.

What's unclear is what other concessions Johnson can make to win support. Two years ago, McCarthy handed out prime favors that appeared to only weaken his hold on power.

Already, Johnson has clawed back one of those changes, with a new House rule pushed by centrist conservatives that would require at least nine members of the majority party on any resolution to oust the speaker — raising the threshold McCarthy had lowered to just one.

“I think the holdouts are going to have to realize that, listen, Trump is right all the time," said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, exiting the speaker's office late Thursday. “Just know that Trump is right all the time, it’ll help you make a decision real simple.”

In many ways, Johnson has no choice but to endure political hazing by his colleagues, as they remind him who has leverage in their lopsided relationship. He was a last-ditch choice for the office, rising from the back bench once other leaders failed in the aftermath of McCarthy's ouster.

Democrats under Jeffries are not expected not help save Johnson, as they have in the past with their votes when he faced a threat of removal.

The speaker's election is set to dominate the opening of the new Congress, which also brings a roster of history-making members, as the Senate expects to quickly begin hearings on Trump's nominees for top Cabinet and administrative positions.

In the Senate, two Black women — Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland — were being sworn in, both wearing suits in white of the suffragettes, the first time in the nation's history two Black women senators will serve at the same time.

Sen.-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey also is making history as the first Korean American to join the chamber.

In the House, Sarah McBride is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sarah-mcbride-congress-transgender-lgbtq-delaware-9cce7f778e6b57dfdb08986d7410404e">the first openly transgender person</a>&nbsp;in the Congress.

And Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who recently suffered a fall overseas and underwent hip replacement surgery, will make her own return to Washington, a reminder of the power she wielded when Democrats last held the majority.

Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon and Matt Brown contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735934939377.png" alt="Speaker Mike Johnson with the gavel after the vote-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Speaker Mike Johnson with the gavel after the vote-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Mike Johnson won reelection to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/mike-johnson-speaker-congress-updates">the House speakership</a>&nbsp;on a first ballot Friday, pushing past GOP hard-right holdouts and buoyed with a nod of support from President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.A collection of hardline Republicans convened in the back of the House chamber during a tense roll call on the first day of the new Congress, one by one declining to vote or choosing another lawmaker. The standoff sparked fresh turmoil signaling trouble ahead under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-republicans-congress-spending-immigration-e4aebdcc9955f5d663208aec08778442">unified GOP control of Washington</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735933273794.png" alt="Rep. Mike Johnson celebrates his re-election Friday afternoon -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Mike Johnson celebrates his re-election Friday afternoon -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>In the end, however, Johnson was able to flip two remaining holdouts who switched to support him, drawing applause from Republicans.&nbsp; &nbsp;Members of the Kansas GOP delegation cast votes for Johnson. Kansas Democrat House member Sharice Davids voted for Hakeem Jeffries.&nbsp; Mike Johnson received 218 votes to Jeffries 215.&nbsp; Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted for&nbsp;Tom Emmer of Minnesota.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735930475874.png" alt="Rep. Mike Johnson during the tense moments of the Speaker vote-image courtesy" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Mike Johnson during the tense moments of the Speaker vote-image courtesy</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations to my friend, <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a>, on being re-elected Speaker of the House! I look forward to the great work we will do for America. 🇺🇸&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1875267029193970111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">As the most recent speaker, Johnson’s</a>&nbsp;weak grip on the gavel threatens not only his own survival but President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump’s</a>&nbsp;ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-republicans-congress-spending-immigration-e4aebdcc9955f5d663208aec08778442">Republicans sweep to power</a>.Newly-elected House lawmakers started casting votes as Johnson's name was put forward for nomination by the GOP Conference Chair Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735924221635.png" alt="Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann in the House Chamber ahead of the vote on Friday- image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann in the House Chamber ahead of the vote on Friday- image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>“No speaker's perfect,” she said. But the goal is to make progress toward shared priorities for the country, she said. “None of us will get exactly what we want.”Democrats put forward their own leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, as the only one with a track record of compromise and achievement in the face of “chaos and dysfunction” under the GOP majority.“House Democrats are united behind the most powerful legislative leader in this chamber,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., of Jeffries, recounting the many times their votes bailed out Johnson to ensure passage of important legislation.With opposition from his own GOP colleagues, Johnson arrived with outward confidence after working into the night to sway hardline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-elon-budget-house-republican-05481374b154949c3fe1270141a02918">holdouts</a>. A flop by Johnson could throw Monday's congressional certification of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 election</a>&nbsp;victory into turmoil without a House speaker. Even backing from Trump himself, usually a sure bet for Republicans, was no guarantee Johnson will stay in power."We don’t have time for drama,” Johnson said as he walked into the Capitol.The Louisiana Republican received a renewed nod of support from Trump. “A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party,” Trump posted on social media.What was once a ceremonial day with newly elected lawmakers arriving to be sworn into office, often with family, friends and children in tow, has evolved into a high-stakes vote for the office of House speaker, among the most powerful elected positions in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris was swearing in the senators.While the Senate is able to convene on its own and has already elected party leaders — Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/john-thune-is-striving-to-be-the-next-republican-senate-leader-but-can-he-rise-in-trumps-gop/">John Thune</a>&nbsp;as the Republican majority leader and Sen. Chuck Schumer for the Democratic minority — the House must first elect its speaker, a role required by the Constitution, second in the line of succession to the president.Congress has been here before, when it took Republicans nearly a week and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">15 rounds of voting</a>&nbsp;to elect Kevin McCarthy as speaker in 2023, a spectacle unseen in modern times. McCarthy was then dumped by his party, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">historic first</a>, but he was also part of a long list of GOP speakers chased to early exits.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you, President Trump! Today is a new day in America. Congressional Republicans must stay united to quickly deliver President Trump’s America First agenda. Let’s get it done. <a href="https://t.co/I0tjr7nMhE">pic.twitter.com/I0tjr7nMhE</a>&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1875175393176735768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The stakes are higher this year as Trump prepares to return to the White House with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-house-elections-e3754a684a7b96b129841d4b207c15e9">House</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-elections-house-senate-harris-trump-94b49277db2a5c21f23236794a36afa6">Senate</a>&nbsp;in GOP control and promising to deliver big on a 100-day agenda.Johnson has been working diligently to prevent defeat, spending New Year's Day at Mar-a-Lago as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-house-speaker-johnson-madison-square-garden-995a7ee3324e04ec6da680c826136655">positions himself alongside Trump</a>. The speaker often portrays himself as the “quarterback” who will be executing the political plays called by the “coach,” the president-elect.But Johnson also warned that without a House speaker there would be a "constitutional crisis" heading into Jan. 6, when Congress by law is required to count the electoral votes for president, weeks before Trump is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20.“We don't have any time to waste, and I think that everybody recognizes that,” he said.Johnson commands one of the slimmest majorities in modern times, having lost seats in the November election. With the sudden resignation of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the tally dropped to 219-215. That leaves Johnson relying on almost every Republican for support in the face of Democratic opposition, though the typical 218 majority of 435 members needed could shift with absences and others voting only "present."Heading into Friday he did not have the full support needed.Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy was among the most notable holdouts, an unflinching member of the Freedom Caucus who lashed into Republican leadership’s handling of the year-end spending bill for failing to cut spending and adhere to House rules.“Something MUST change,” Roy posted on social media. He eventually voted for Johnson.One hard no was Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who voted for a different GOP Leader, as did other far-right Republicans, including some who helped topple McCarthy.What's unclear is what other concessions Johnson can make to win support. Two years ago, McCarthy handed out prime favors that appeared to only weaken his hold on power.Already, Johnson has clawed back one of those changes, with a new House rule pushed by centrist conservatives that would require at least nine members of the majority party on any resolution to oust the speaker — raising the threshold McCarthy had lowered to just one.“I think the holdouts are going to have to realize that, listen, Trump is right all the time," said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, exiting the speaker's office late Thursday. “Just know that Trump is right all the time, it’ll help you make a decision real simple.”In many ways, Johnson has no choice but to endure political hazing by his colleagues, as they remind him who has leverage in their lopsided relationship. He was a last-ditch choice for the office, rising from the back bench once other leaders failed in the aftermath of McCarthy's ouster.Democrats under Jeffries are not expected not help save Johnson, as they have in the past with their votes when he faced a threat of removal.The speaker's election is set to dominate the opening of the new Congress, which also brings a roster of history-making members, as the Senate expects to quickly begin hearings on Trump's nominees for top Cabinet and administrative positions.In the Senate, two Black women — Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland — were being sworn in, both wearing suits in white of the suffragettes, the first time in the nation's history two Black women senators will serve at the same time.Sen.-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey also is making history as the first Korean American to join the chamber.In the House, Sarah McBride is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sarah-mcbride-congress-transgender-lgbtq-delaware-9cce7f778e6b57dfdb08986d7410404e">the first openly transgender person</a>&nbsp;in the Congress.And Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who recently suffered a fall overseas and underwent hip replacement surgery, will make her own return to Washington, a reminder of the power she wielded when Democrats last held the majority.___Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon and Matt Brown contributed to this report.

Despite drama House Speaker re-elected: Kan. GOP lawmakers fall in line

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLO

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, I’m just fired up to play another game. We’ve had a little bit of time off here. It feels like forever that we’ve been here, right? Those extra days in there help, but with that I’ll just kind of open it up and let you guys (the media) fire away.”

Q:&nbsp;On the impact that the defense has on the offense.

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Yeah, it’s a team thing, right? You win the turnover ratio, you have a pretty good chance – I mean, your percentages go way up of winning the game. You know, that and fourth-down stops (and) big special teams plays, right? Those kind – those seem to tip the game in your favor so the more of those (that) we can get, the better.”

Q:&nbsp;What’s the process of keeping the guys who won’t play on Sunday sharp for the playoffs?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“The first PowerPoint that I put up on Tuesday was, ‘Do Not Lose Your Edge.’ We’ve went two-and-a-half months of offseason work. We went, whatever it’s been, five-and-a-half months since July of all this work to get to this point. Why would we backoff, why would we lose our edge? I’m talking about it in preparation and how the guys practice, what they might do with their bodies physically, rest, all those things. That was an emphasis at the beginning. We’ve also challenged our guys – look, depending on where this all goes and we have this Week 18 to figure out who the playoff team – there’s a chance we play this team (Denver Broncos) again, so if I’m sitting there listening to all the information about Denver’s offense, I want to accumulate that for – you know, to be ready for this – not only this game but in the chance that we end up playing them again.”

Q:&nbsp;What’s the line when you’re trying to give the Broncos your best but you’re also resting your starters?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“That’s the head coach’s – you have to go back to (Head Coach) Andy (Reid), I mean, he makes that decision. Listen, we’re in our meetings with everybody getting ready to play against Denver’s offense – all hands-on deck. Getting – Chris (Jones) may be a little bit different because of the injury he’s dealing with and all those guys, to a man, are working that way in the meetings that we’ve had, in these walkthroughs and now getting ready to have another practice. That’s not going to change and it’s a really good point – we’re going to get their best. It’s not – they’re not experimenting with getting ready for the future or anything. They’re getting ready for a playoff run, so whoever we put out there has to play their best.”

Q: What’s the process of trying to keep the guys who aren’t playing sharp over this long break?

NAGY:&nbsp;“They know that it’s their job, number one. Number two, they have to stay prepared whichever way it goes, and they do a good job with that, it’s important. I mean, this entire time as they go through this process, they know that, too if they’re not playing, it’s their role too to become another coach and be there. Then also, you have to be ready, too. You never know how things go in the game and if you’re up and you’re suited and ready to – that’s why I think like sometimes as you go through this process, the mental challenge and the hurdles of preparing all week, you can’t let that slip. You’ve got to prepare and keep it the same and I think that’s very important for these guys.”

Q: On Xavier Worthy hitting his stride and Hollywood Brown returning.

NAGY:&nbsp;“I love it. Again, you’ve heard me relate it to Rashee (Rice) but that’s real. Xavier’s (Worthy) done a great job of staying patient the entire season, he’s been great with the players – it’s been a fun process for him. Now, as we continue to kind of go into these moments and these games things he’s going to realize that when we get to the playoffs it steps up even more and things get even faster. It’s been really fun to see this offense start to come together and getting Hollywood (Brown) back too certainly helps out.”

Q: What has led to you guys being able to take care of the ball offensively, especially recently?

Chiefs Coordinator QuotesJanuary 2, 2025DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLOOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, I’m just fired up to play another game. We’ve had a little bit of time off here. It feels like forever that we’ve been here, right? Those extra days in there help, but with that I’ll just kind of open it up and let you guys (the media) fire away.”Q:&nbsp;On the impact that the defense has on the offense.SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Yeah, it’s a team thing, right? You win the turnover ratio, you have a pretty good chance – I mean, your percentages go way up of winning the game. You know, that and fourth-down stops (and) big special teams plays, right? Those kind – those seem to tip the game in your favor so the more of those (that) we can get, the better.”Q:&nbsp;What’s the process of keeping the guys who won’t play on Sunday sharp for the playoffs?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“The first PowerPoint that I put up on Tuesday was, ‘Do Not Lose Your Edge.’ We’ve went two-and-a-half months of offseason work. We went, whatever it’s been, five-and-a-half months since July of all this work to get to this point. Why would we backoff, why would we lose our edge? I’m talking about it in preparation and how the guys practice, what they might do with their bodies physically, rest, all those things. That was an emphasis at the beginning. We’ve also challenged our guys – look, depending on where this all goes and we have this Week 18 to figure out who the playoff team – there’s a chance we play this team (Denver Broncos) again, so if I’m sitting there listening to all the information about Denver’s offense, I want to accumulate that for – you know, to be ready for this – not only this game but in the chance that we end up playing them again.”Q:&nbsp;What’s the line when you’re trying to give the Broncos your best but you’re also resting your starters?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“That’s the head coach’s – you have to go back to (Head Coach) Andy (Reid), I mean, he makes that decision. Listen, we’re in our meetings with everybody getting ready to play against Denver’s offense – all hands-on deck. Getting – Chris (Jones) may be a little bit different because of the injury he’s dealing with and all those guys, to a man, are working that way in the meetings that we’ve had, in these walkthroughs and now getting ready to have another practice. That’s not going to change and it’s a really good point – we’re going to get their best. It’s not – they’re not experimenting with getting ready for the future or anything. They’re getting ready for a playoff run, so whoever we put out there has to play their best.”OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MATT NAGYQ: What’s the process of trying to keep the guys who aren’t playing sharp over this long break?NAGY:&nbsp;“They know that it’s their job, number one. Number two, they have to stay prepared whichever way it goes, and they do a good job with that, it’s important. I mean, this entire time as they go through this process, they know that, too if they’re not playing, it’s their role too to become another coach and be there. Then also, you have to be ready, too. You never know how things go in the game and if you’re up and you’re suited and ready to – that’s why I think like sometimes as you go through this process, the mental challenge and the hurdles of preparing all week, you can’t let that slip. You’ve got to prepare and keep it the same and I think that’s very important for these guys.”Q: On Xavier Worthy hitting his stride and Hollywood Brown returning.NAGY:&nbsp;“I love it. Again, you’ve heard me relate it to Rashee (Rice) but that’s real. Xavier’s (Worthy) done a great job of staying patient the entire season, he’s been great with the players – it’s been a fun process for him. Now, as we continue to kind of go into these moments and these games things he’s going to realize that when we get to the playoffs it steps up even more and things get even faster. It’s been really fun to see this offense start to come together and getting Hollywood (Brown) back too certainly helps out.”Q: What has led to you guys being able to take care of the ball offensively, especially recently?

Chiefs Quotes: 12-2-24

Glenn Brunkow, Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

The circle of life is moving from one season to the next. For instance, we are moving from the holiday season to the legislative season. OK, that is a bit of a stretch but it does the job to illustrate my point.

January starts a new session in both our state legislature in Topeka and our national legislature in Washington, D.C. In both cases we have a lot of new faces filling seats in both the statehouse and Congress. We also know on the federal side the balance of power has shifted to the Republicans.

What does that mean? Your guess is as good as mine, but regardless of who is in power Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) will be working to help guide future legislation to improve the lives of farmers and ranchers.

This is where the policy we carefully crafted over the past year comes into play. Our policy book at the state and national levels is the playbook our staff use as a guide. The policy members brought forward at issue surfacing meetings, then honed at the listening post meetings and finally adopted at both the KFB and American Farm Bureau Federation annual meetings. This process informs those who are lobbying on your behalf.

However, just because we have our policy fine tuned that doesn’t mean our work, as members, is done. No, our work has just started. Kansas Farm Bureau has an incredible staff working for us in Topeka and Washington, D.C., but the real strength of our organization is the grassroots muscle we can flex.

The most important thing I have learned over the years is that as good as our staff is, the opinions that carry the most weight are those of the voters. Our lobby team is very well respected and they carry a great deal of influence but when it gets really critical nothing moves the needle like our members’ voices.

That is why it is so important for each of us to create relationships with our elected officials. We need attend events in the districts and our county Farm Bureaus need to host legislative events. It is important when critical votes come up, our elected officials know their constituents back home and seek out their opinions.

It is also important for each of us to be informed about the current issues and legislation being proposed. We need to understand how it fits into Farm Bureau policy. We also need to be signed up for action alerts and be ready to respond when a call is sent out. Nothing is more powerful than a loud response from Farm Bureau members. Never underestimate how much influence your voice has especially when it is magnified by the grassroots nature of Farm Bureau.

Yes, we are entering the legislative season. I know it is not nearly as much fun as the holiday season but it is not one we can ignore either. Please make sure you take an active role in Kansas Farm Bureau’s efforts and have a Merry or at least a Happy Legislative Season.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Glenn Brunkow, Pottawatomie County farmer and rancherThe circle of life is moving from one season to the next. For instance, we are moving from the holiday season to the legislative season. OK, that is a bit of a stretch but it does the job to illustrate my point.January starts a new session in both our state legislature in Topeka and our national legislature in Washington, D.C. In both cases we have a lot of new faces filling seats in both the statehouse and Congress. We also know on the federal side the balance of power has shifted to the Republicans.What does that mean? Your guess is as good as mine, but regardless of who is in power Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) will be working to help guide future legislation to improve the lives of farmers and ranchers.This is where the policy we carefully crafted over the past year comes into play. Our policy book at the state and national levels is the playbook our staff use as a guide. The policy members brought forward at issue surfacing meetings, then honed at the listening post meetings and finally adopted at both the KFB and American Farm Bureau Federation annual meetings. This process informs those who are lobbying on your behalf.However, just because we have our policy fine tuned that doesn’t mean our work, as members, is done. No, our work has just started. Kansas Farm Bureau has an incredible staff working for us in Topeka and Washington, D.C., but the real strength of our organization is the grassroots muscle we can flex.The most important thing I have learned over the years is that as good as our staff is, the opinions that carry the most weight are those of the voters. Our lobby team is very well respected and they carry a great deal of influence but when it gets really critical nothing moves the needle like our members’ voices.That is why it is so important for each of us to create relationships with our elected officials. We need attend events in the districts and our county Farm Bureaus need to host legislative events. It is important when critical votes come up, our elected officials know their constituents back home and seek out their opinions.It is also important for each of us to be informed about the current issues and legislation being proposed. We need to understand how it fits into Farm Bureau policy. We also need to be signed up for action alerts and be ready to respond when a call is sent out. Nothing is more powerful than a loud response from Farm Bureau members. Never underestimate how much influence your voice has especially when it is magnified by the grassroots nature of Farm Bureau.Yes, we are entering the legislative season. I know it is not nearly as much fun as the holiday season but it is not one we can ignore either. Please make sure you take an active role in Kansas Farm Bureau’s efforts and have a Merry or at least a Happy Legislative Season."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service. Copyright © 2024 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

Insight: The legislative season

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, I don’t really have a whole lot for you today. The players have been off, so they’ll be coming back in tomorrow and I’ll be able to talk to them about play times and all (of) those things and how we’re going to go about it. For right now, I’m not going to address that today until I have a chance to talk to the team. As far as the injuries go, we’re really looking halfway decent here in that area. I’ll have to report to you from the last game. Everything’s kind of status quo right now. With that, time’s yours.”

Q: What has your experience taught you about situations like this regarding play time against Denver?

REID:&nbsp;“When I first became a head coach and the first time I had a chance to get into the playoffs – I’ve learned some things since then. I know that you have to keep yourself relative with practices and make sure that you stay sharp. You don’t want to get too far away from it in the playoffs because everything gets a little bit faster in the playoffs every level that you go up, so you’ve got to make sure that you – and it’s single elimination – you have to make sure that your game’s at the peak each time you play.”

Q: What kind of toll do you think playing three games in 11 days took on your players? Will that factor into your decision on who is playing against Denver?

REID:&nbsp;“Well, I mean, they were able to get some rest, which I thought was important – yes. I mean, that’s not – I’m not recommending that you do that every year, but I don’t think – down the road, I think we’ll be okay from it because of the rest that we gained here. We also have the bye coming up where there’s a chance (that) the guys get a day or two off.”

Q: Any update on D.J. Humphries and his injury status?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (D.J. Humphries) doing good, Jesse (Newell). I can’t make you any promises – I want to get him out to practice and kind of see where we’re at. He is doing good in his rehab part (but) that’s different than being on the field, so I’d like to just see how he does there.”

Q: Is moving Joe Thuney back at left guard the ideal move?

REID:&nbsp;“I’ll just – I’m going to play it kind of by ear as we go here. I’ve been happy with (Mike) Caliendo and how he’s played. I’ve been happy with Joe (Thuney) and how he’s played, I appreciate them jumping in and keeping the level of play up. I’m curious to see where D.J.’s (Humphries) at and if he can do anything. I just want to see where we’re at, and I’ll evaluate that as we go down the stretch here, you know.”

Q:&nbsp;Is there any chance that you could get anyone back from IR during the playoff run?

REID:&nbsp;“There’s a chance with Mecole (Hardman) and potentially (Jaylen) Watson – I mean, potentially. That would be stretching it though, I think, but the other two (Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice), no.”

Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from the AFC competition this year and the improvement in the AFC West?

REID:&nbsp;“I think it’s great. I mean, it’s – the level of this division is, I think, incredible. We’ve got really all four teams playing hard and aggressive football and good solid football. I know the Raiders are not in, I get that, but I know the other two are as deserving as anybody to be in the playoffs. It’s good to see that. I think that this is all about competition. We’re in it for the competition and both Denver and the Chargers, they’re both really good football teams.”

Q:&nbsp;Is it almost too early to prepare for any of the playoff possibilities or are you guys just focusing on Denver?

REID:&nbsp;“Well, we’re focused on Denver right now and making sure we have a good gameplan together for them. There’ll be a time when we look at the other group – we’ll have time to do that, but right now, we’re preparing for Denver. We’ll hit all (of) that other stuff later here in another day.”

Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Carson Wentz and what are your thoughts on him being a potential starter in this league in 2025?

REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I’m one of his (Carson Wentz) biggest fans, so I liked him coming out, I liked what he did before he was banged up there in Philly (Philadelphia) and I liked what I saw last year from him for sure with his start with the Rams. I like what I’ve seen here which is – I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to see him here. Selfishly, I’d like to keep him, but I don’t think that’s going to be possible. He should be starting in the league somewhere. That’s what he should be doing by his ability and the way he goes about his business. He’s so structured and disciplined that – his study habits and work (ethic), you know, all of those things are just top notch.”

Q: During Xavier Worthy’s celebration, what was the penalty for?

REID:&nbsp;“I think that’s out there Todd (Leabo), but I guess it’s pulling your shirt up to show a weapon or something, I don’t know. I don’t really know about all of that. I know they were like shoveling snow and doing that or whatever. I don’t know where the other part came in, I don’t know that. The officials obviously knew or were coached up on that, they didn’t hesitate on it.”

Q: Since the Broncos need to beat you to get into the playoffs, does that change your gameplan at all?

REID:&nbsp;“No. We’re going to do what we have to do or will do – but most of all, we want to play well, that’s what we want to do against a good football team.”

Q: On Isiah Pacheco’s rib injury.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, he’ll (Isiah Pacheco) be available playoff-wise. He is tender, I probably should’ve mentioned that, but he is tender and we’ll just – I’ll probably hold him back here this week in practice just a bit so he can be fresh and ready to go.”

Q: What benefit will it be that you will have more than likely played all of the AFC playoff opponents?

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesDecember 30, 2024OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, I don’t really have a whole lot for you today. The players have been off, so they’ll be coming back in tomorrow and I’ll be able to talk to them about play times and all (of) those things and how we’re going to go about it. For right now, I’m not going to address that today until I have a chance to talk to the team. As far as the injuries go, we’re really looking halfway decent here in that area. I’ll have to report to you from the last game. Everything’s kind of status quo right now. With that, time’s yours.”Q: What has your experience taught you about situations like this regarding play time against Denver?REID:&nbsp;“When I first became a head coach and the first time I had a chance to get into the playoffs – I’ve learned some things since then. I know that you have to keep yourself relative with practices and make sure that you stay sharp. You don’t want to get too far away from it in the playoffs because everything gets a little bit faster in the playoffs every level that you go up, so you’ve got to make sure that you – and it’s single elimination – you have to make sure that your game’s at the peak each time you play.”Q: What kind of toll do you think playing three games in 11 days took on your players? Will that factor into your decision on who is playing against Denver?REID:&nbsp;“Well, I mean, they were able to get some rest, which I thought was important – yes. I mean, that’s not – I’m not recommending that you do that every year, but I don’t think – down the road, I think we’ll be okay from it because of the rest that we gained here. We also have the bye coming up where there’s a chance (that) the guys get a day or two off.”Q: Any update on D.J. Humphries and his injury status?REID:&nbsp;“He’s (D.J. Humphries) doing good, Jesse (Newell). I can’t make you any promises – I want to get him out to practice and kind of see where we’re at. He is doing good in his rehab part (but) that’s different than being on the field, so I’d like to just see how he does there.”Q: Is moving Joe Thuney back at left guard the ideal move?REID:&nbsp;“I’ll just – I’m going to play it kind of by ear as we go here. I’ve been happy with (Mike) Caliendo and how he’s played. I’ve been happy with Joe (Thuney) and how he’s played, I appreciate them jumping in and keeping the level of play up. I’m curious to see where D.J.’s (Humphries) at and if he can do anything. I just want to see where we’re at, and I’ll evaluate that as we go down the stretch here, you know.”Q:&nbsp;Is there any chance that you could get anyone back from IR during the playoff run?REID:&nbsp;“There’s a chance with Mecole (Hardman) and potentially (Jaylen) Watson – I mean, potentially. That would be stretching it though, I think, but the other two (Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice), no.”Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from the AFC competition this year and the improvement in the AFC West?REID:&nbsp;“I think it’s great. I mean, it’s – the level of this division is, I think, incredible. We’ve got really all four teams playing hard and aggressive football and good solid football. I know the Raiders are not in, I get that, but I know the other two are as deserving as anybody to be in the playoffs. It’s good to see that. I think that this is all about competition. We’re in it for the competition and both Denver and the Chargers, they’re both really good football teams.”Q:&nbsp;Is it almost too early to prepare for any of the playoff possibilities or are you guys just focusing on Denver?REID:&nbsp;“Well, we’re focused on Denver right now and making sure we have a good gameplan together for them. There’ll be a time when we look at the other group – we’ll have time to do that, but right now, we’re preparing for Denver. We’ll hit all (of) that other stuff later here in another day.”Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Carson Wentz and what are your thoughts on him being a potential starter in this league in 2025?REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I’m one of his (Carson Wentz) biggest fans, so I liked him coming out, I liked what he did before he was banged up there in Philly (Philadelphia) and I liked what I saw last year from him for sure with his start with the Rams. I like what I’ve seen here which is – I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to see him here. Selfishly, I’d like to keep him, but I don’t think that’s going to be possible. He should be starting in the league somewhere. That’s what he should be doing by his ability and the way he goes about his business. He’s so structured and disciplined that – his study habits and work (ethic), you know, all of those things are just top notch.”Q: During Xavier Worthy’s celebration, what was the penalty for?REID:&nbsp;“I think that’s out there Todd (Leabo), but I guess it’s pulling your shirt up to show a weapon or something, I don’t know. I don’t really know about all of that. I know they were like shoveling snow and doing that or whatever. I don’t know where the other part came in, I don’t know that. The officials obviously knew or were coached up on that, they didn’t hesitate on it.”Q: Since the Broncos need to beat you to get into the playoffs, does that change your gameplan at all?REID:&nbsp;“No. We’re going to do what we have to do or will do – but most of all, we want to play well, that’s what we want to do against a good football team.”Q: On Isiah Pacheco’s rib injury.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, he’ll (Isiah Pacheco) be available playoff-wise. He is tender, I probably should’ve mentioned that, but he is tender and we’ll just – I’ll probably hold him back here this week in practice just a bit so he can be fresh and ready to go.”Q: What benefit will it be that you will have more than likely played all of the AFC playoff opponents?

Chiefs Quotes: 12-30-24

DAYTON, Ohio – A former Kansas doctor was arrested by federal agents this week and charged with making false statements related to a 1989 rape, according to the United State's Attorney.

 Officials ask anyone with information regarding this or any other similar rape to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

It is alleged that Frederick Louis Tanzer, 66, knowingly made a false statement to FBI agents. His current home on Kenwood Road in&nbsp;Sycamore Township, Ohio and vehicles were searched and Tanzer appeared in federal court in Dayton following his arrest.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Tanzer was recently identified as the prime suspect in the cold-case rape. In recent months, agents collected DNA evidence from a Starbucks cup that Tanzer discarded at a local BMV. The DNA extracted from Tanzer’s coffee cup was confirmed by a forensic laboratory as a match to the DNA the rapist had left at the 1989 crime scene.

It is alleged that Tanzer made several materially false statements to federal investigators when approached today, including denying having seen or interacted with the victim on the date she was raped.

Tanzer is a medical doctor who has lived and practiced medicine in Kansas, Colorado and Ohio.

The affidavit details that on Aug. 1, 1989, the victim was violently raped in her condominium on Creighton Place in Cincinnati after arriving home from work.

Federal law enforcement officials ask the public to consider these circumstances of the rape and to contact the FBI with any similar information:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734724913138.png" alt="Tanzer photo Shelby County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Tanzer photo Shelby County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>DAYTON, Ohio – A former Kansas doctor was arrested by federal agents this week and charged with making false statements related to a 1989 rape, according to the United State's Attorney. Officials ask anyone with information regarding this or any other similar rape to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.It is alleged that Frederick Louis Tanzer, 66, knowingly made a false statement to FBI agents. His current home on Kenwood Road in&nbsp;Sycamore Township, Ohio and vehicles were searched and Tanzer appeared in federal court in Dayton following his arrest.According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Tanzer was recently identified as the prime suspect in the cold-case rape. In recent months, agents collected DNA evidence from a Starbucks cup that Tanzer discarded at a local BMV. The DNA extracted from Tanzer’s coffee cup was confirmed by a forensic laboratory as a match to the DNA the rapist had left at the 1989 crime scene.It is alleged that Tanzer made several materially false statements to federal investigators when approached today, including denying having seen or interacted with the victim on the date she was raped.Tanzer is a medical doctor who has lived and practiced medicine in Kansas, Colorado and Ohio.The affidavit details that on Aug. 1, 1989, the victim was violently raped in her condominium on Creighton Place in Cincinnati after arriving home from work.Federal law enforcement officials ask the public to consider these circumstances of the rape and to contact the FBI with any similar information:<ul>
 <li>When the victim arrived home, she noticed an odor that smelled to her like brewed tea or burnt marijuana.</li><li>The rapist was dressed from head to toe in black Lycra, including black gloves and a face mask. He had a black gym bag with him.</li><li>The assailant held a knife to the victim’s throat.</li><li>The rapist used white surgical tape from the gym bag to wrap around the victim’s eyes and head. He used stockings and panty hose from the victim’s dresser to bind her hands and feet to the headboard and footboard of her bed.</li><li>The rapist cut or tore the victim’s clothing and used Vaseline.</li><li>The rapist assaulted the victim vaginally, orally and anally. In between bouts of sexual conduct, the assailant used a cloth to wipe the victim’s mouth and genital areas.</li><li>The rapist said nothing during the entire encounter. He occasionally took breaks from sexually assaulting the victim while the victim remained tied to her bed.</li><li>The rapist listened to and erased answering machine messages. He looked through papers in the victim’s living room and rummaged through her purse. He unplugged and/or disconnected telephones.</li><li>On the handset of the telephone in the bedroom, the rapist taped a piece of newspaper that had been cut from the paper on the couch in the victim’s living room and wrote, “No police or I’ll be back Mis [sic] [name of victim’s employer]”</li><li>The victim described the rapist as white, with dark brown hair, approximately six feet tall with a thin or athletic build.</li><li>The assault took place over the course of more than five and a half hours.</li>
 </ul>

Search continues for victims of former Kan. doctor accused of rape

The former Missouri Congressman and auctioneer advertises his credential as a certified tax and business advisor

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jeremy-kohler/">JEREMY KOHLER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/alexmierjeski/">ALEX MIERJESKI</a>&nbsp;

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.propublica.org/newsletters/the-big-story?source=reprint&amp;placement=top-note" target="_blank">The Big Story newsletter</a>&nbsp;to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri, whom President-elect Donald Trump has named his nominee to head the IRS, touts his expertise in tax matters.

He advertises his credential as a certified tax and business advisor, and he adds CTBA to his name on his X profile. That profile encourages people to message him to “save 40% on your taxes.”

But tax experts told ProPublica that they have never heard of CTBA as a credential in the tax profession. The designation is offered by a small Florida firm, Excel Empire, which was established just two years ago and only requires attendance at a three-day seminar. That is in stark contrast to the 150 credit hours and the rigorous exams required to become a certified public accountant, a standard certification for tax accountants.

In most tax cases, only lawyers, CPAs and enrolled agents — federally authorized tax practitioners — can represent taxpayers at the IRS.

“The cost of relying on tax advice from somebody that is solely focused on minimizing the tax liabilities that you have — as opposed to somebody that’s focused on both minimizing the tax liabilities and complying with the tax law — can be extraordinarily high if you are found to be in violation of the standards,” said Nathan Goldman, an associate professor of accounting at North Carolina State University.

Excel Empire’s three-day certification course has been advertised for as much as $30,000;&nbsp;<a href="https://ctba.excelempire.com/live-sales" target="_blank">its upcoming session is advertised at $4,997</a>. Matthew Pearson, one of its founders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUy-3pcse8I" target="_blank">said this summer in a podcast</a>&nbsp;that about 135 people have earned the CTBA designation, which the firm designed to help people without tax backgrounds to become advisors.

Nina Olson, a prominent taxpayer advocate, said that the modern tax industry has seen “a proliferation of different groups and entities that are providing tax advice” and that consumers have no way of knowing who is competent.

“It could just be that you’ve taken a very short course, and paid a large fee for that course, and that gives you the ability to put some initials after your name,” said Olson, who served as the IRS’ national taxpayer advocate from 2001 to 2019. She is now executive director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights, a Washington-based nonprofit that promotes fairness and access to justice in tax systems.

Tax experts said that Long’s years of experience as a real estate agent and as an auctioneer — before spending a dozen years in Congress — pales next to the deep experience in tax policy or management of the people who have held the job. For instance, the current IRS commissioner, Danny Werfel, previously served as acting IRS commissioner and held leadership roles at the Office of Management and Budget. He also worked in the private sector as a managing director at Boston Consulting Group.

Long’s experience in the tax world has been more narrowly focused. In the two years since he left Congress, he worked to bring in customers for at least two firms that marketed the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/employee-retention-credit" target="_blank">employee retention credit</a>&nbsp;— a pandemic-era benefit designed to support businesses that kept workers despite revenue losses or disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The credit also attracted fraud, eventually landing on the IRS’ “<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen" target="_blank">worst of the worst</a>” list for tax scams. Two Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday announced an investigation into the firms, noting Long had neither a “background in tax preparation nor any credential as a licensed accountant, attorney or enrolled agent.”

<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/ERC-COVID-Snapshot-5.7.21_full-text.pdf" target="_blank">Worth up to $28,000 per employee</a>, the credit was available for the 2020 and 2021 tax years and has been widely used by both for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations across the country. However, the IRS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-beware-of-aggressive-promoters-who-dupe-taxpayers-into-making-questionable-employee-retention-credit-claims-risks-continue-for-small-businesses-special-withdrawal-program-remains-available" target="_blank">raised significant concerns</a>&nbsp;about aggressive promoters pushing ineligible businesses to file questionable claims. Red flags included inflated payroll numbers, claims for all quarters without proper eligibility or citing minor government orders that did not directly impact business operations.

The IRS says it has recovered over $1 billion from businesses that voluntarily reported improper claims. And it has launched hundreds of criminal investigations to try to recoup what it says could be billions of dollars more.

In a prepared statement in November, Werfel said businesses should review their claims and see if they were misled by firms marketing the tax credit.

“They should listen to trusted tax professionals, not promoters,” he said.

In a 2023 podcast discussing his work for the two firms, Long joked that he had a hat bearing the name of the credit glued to his head. He said his work marketing the tax credit had caused some clients to question their CPAs’ advice.

“Hey, this auctioneer, real estate broker, former congressman told me I’m going to get $1.2 million back,” he said. “Uh, you’re my CPA. Why didn’t you tell me that?” And he said the response of CPAs would be: “That’s a joke. That’s a fake deal. That’s not true. You’re going to have to pay all that money back. You’ll get audited.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734986359615.png" alt=" Billy Long speaks during a press conference before filing for election during the Missouri Senate primary on Feb. 22, 2022, in Jefferson City (Madeline Carter/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Billy Long speaks during a press conference before filing for election during the Missouri Senate primary on Feb. 22, 2022, in Jefferson City (Madeline Carter/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The former Missouri Congressman and auctioneer advertises his credential as a certified tax and business advisor</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jeremy-kohler/">JEREMY KOHLER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/alexmierjeski/">ALEX MIERJESKI</a>&nbsp;ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.propublica.org/newsletters/the-big-story?source=reprint&amp;placement=top-note" target="_blank">The Big Story newsletter</a>&nbsp;to receive stories like this one in your inbox.Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri, whom President-elect Donald Trump has named his nominee to head the IRS, touts his expertise in tax matters.He advertises his credential as a certified tax and business advisor, and he adds CTBA to his name on his X profile. That profile encourages people to message him to “save 40% on your taxes.”But tax experts told ProPublica that they have never heard of CTBA as a credential in the tax profession. The designation is offered by a small Florida firm, Excel Empire, which was established just two years ago and only requires attendance at a three-day seminar. That is in stark contrast to the 150 credit hours and the rigorous exams required to become a certified public accountant, a standard certification for tax accountants.In most tax cases, only lawyers, CPAs and enrolled agents — federally authorized tax practitioners — can represent taxpayers at the IRS.“The cost of relying on tax advice from somebody that is solely focused on minimizing the tax liabilities that you have — as opposed to somebody that’s focused on both minimizing the tax liabilities and complying with the tax law — can be extraordinarily high if you are found to be in violation of the standards,” said Nathan Goldman, an associate professor of accounting at North Carolina State University.Excel Empire’s three-day certification course has been advertised for as much as $30,000;&nbsp;<a href="https://ctba.excelempire.com/live-sales" target="_blank">its upcoming session is advertised at $4,997</a>. Matthew Pearson, one of its founders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUy-3pcse8I" target="_blank">said this summer in a podcast</a>&nbsp;that about 135 people have earned the CTBA designation, which the firm designed to help people without tax backgrounds to become advisors.Nina Olson, a prominent taxpayer advocate, said that the modern tax industry has seen “a proliferation of different groups and entities that are providing tax advice” and that consumers have no way of knowing who is competent.“It could just be that you’ve taken a very short course, and paid a large fee for that course, and that gives you the ability to put some initials after your name,” said Olson, who served as the IRS’ national taxpayer advocate from 2001 to 2019. She is now executive director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights, a Washington-based nonprofit that promotes fairness and access to justice in tax systems.Tax experts said that Long’s years of experience as a real estate agent and as an auctioneer — before spending a dozen years in Congress — pales next to the deep experience in tax policy or management of the people who have held the job. For instance, the current IRS commissioner, Danny Werfel, previously served as acting IRS commissioner and held leadership roles at the Office of Management and Budget. He also worked in the private sector as a managing director at Boston Consulting Group.Long’s experience in the tax world has been more narrowly focused. In the two years since he left Congress, he worked to bring in customers for at least two firms that marketed the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/employee-retention-credit" target="_blank">employee retention credit</a>&nbsp;— a pandemic-era benefit designed to support businesses that kept workers despite revenue losses or disruptions caused by COVID-19.The credit also attracted fraud, eventually landing on the IRS’ “<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen" target="_blank">worst of the worst</a>” list for tax scams. Two Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday announced an investigation into the firms, noting Long had neither a “background in tax preparation nor any credential as a licensed accountant, attorney or enrolled agent.”<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/ERC-COVID-Snapshot-5.7.21_full-text.pdf" target="_blank">Worth up to $28,000 per employee</a>, the credit was available for the 2020 and 2021 tax years and has been widely used by both for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations across the country. However, the IRS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-beware-of-aggressive-promoters-who-dupe-taxpayers-into-making-questionable-employee-retention-credit-claims-risks-continue-for-small-businesses-special-withdrawal-program-remains-available" target="_blank">raised significant concerns</a>&nbsp;about aggressive promoters pushing ineligible businesses to file questionable claims. Red flags included inflated payroll numbers, claims for all quarters without proper eligibility or citing minor government orders that did not directly impact business operations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734986435081.png" alt=" A photo hanging up in U.S. Rep. Billy Long’s former office in Washington, D.C., shows him departing Air Force One with former President Donald Trump (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption> A photo hanging up in U.S. Rep. Billy Long’s former office in Washington, D.C., shows him departing Air Force One with former President Donald Trump (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>The IRS says it has recovered over $1 billion from businesses that voluntarily reported improper claims. And it has launched hundreds of criminal investigations to try to recoup what it says could be billions of dollars more.In a prepared statement in November, Werfel said businesses should review their claims and see if they were misled by firms marketing the tax credit.“They should listen to trusted tax professionals, not promoters,” he said.In a 2023 podcast discussing his work for the two firms, Long joked that he had a hat bearing the name of the credit glued to his head. He said his work marketing the tax credit had caused some clients to question their CPAs’ advice.“Hey, this auctioneer, real estate broker, former congressman told me I’m going to get $1.2 million back,” he said. “Uh, you’re my CPA. Why didn’t you tell me that?” And he said the response of CPAs would be: “That’s a joke. That’s a fake deal. That’s not true. You’re going to have to pay all that money back. You’ll get audited.”But he said the firms he worked for had never seen the IRS turn down one of their claims.There is no evidence that either Excel Empire, Long or the firms that he worked for — Lifetime Advisors of Hudson, Wisconsin, and Commerce Terrace Consulting of Springfield, Missouri — engaged in wrongdoing. In the same 2023 podcast, Long emphasized he and his colleagues had helped only taxpayers who were entitled to the benefit.Neither Long, Lifetime Advisors nor Commerce Terrace Consulting responded to requests for comment.If Long is confirmed and succeeds Werfel, he’ll have the power to influence how Americans pay their taxes and how the federal government collects revenue. Trump has promised to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-trumps-plan-to-end-irs-overstepping-could-mean-for-audits-of-rich-people-and-call-hold-times-for-everyone-else-67e4231e?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">end IRS “overstepping,”</a>&nbsp;while Republicans have said that they would slash billions of dollars in funding passed under the Biden administration to modernize the IRS and enhance tax enforcement.The IRS and the Trump transition team did not respond to requests for comment.During his time representing Southwest Missouri in Congress, Long pursued legislation to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-159/issue-78/house-section/article/H3106-4?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22%5C%22billy+long%5C%22+%5C%22fair+tax%5C%22%22%7D&amp;s=3&amp;r=3" target="_blank">abolish the IRS</a>&nbsp;and establish a national sales tax. Billionaire Elon Musk, a Trump advisor, recently asked on X&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-its-funding-deleted-poll-1992953" target="_blank">if the agency’s budget should be “deleted.”</a>Like Long, members of Excel Empire suggest that accountants don’t feel it is their role to save their clients money because they prioritize compliance over planning and are too busy during tax season to discuss strategies. The company’s website claims the firm has saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.Edward Lyon, who is listed on Excel Empire’s website as chief tax planner and tax attorney, writes on his personal website that the seven most expensive words in the English language are “<a href="https://edwardalyon.com/about" target="_blank">My CPA takes care of my taxes</a>.”Lyon elaborated on a podcast last year, noting that accountants “generally are rule followers,” but when it comes to lawyers, “we are trained to understand the rules but we’re trained to stretch the rules and bend the rules and poke at the rules and do an end run around the rules. It’s a much more proactive focus.” Still, he has consistently emphasized that his company acts “legally, ethically and morally.”The company’s co-founder, Pearson, once described Lyon on a podcast as the “preeminent proactive tax attorney in the country.” Lyon and Pearson declined to comment.The Ohio Supreme Court suspended Lyon’s law license in 2005 for failing to meet registration and fee requirements on time, and he hasn’t regained it. He also does not appear to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment advisor.Despite this, Lyon says he has trained tens of thousands of tax and finance professionals. As the author of several books and a column, he claims to be one of the country’s most widely read tax strategists and commands speaking fees of $15,000 and first-class travel arrangements.Lyon has also developed several tax certification programs. On the Excel Empire website, some officers, including Pearson, use a title created by Lyon: tax master.Appearing on another podcast, Lyon discussed how small businesses can be used as tax shelters. As an example, he asked the host,&nbsp;<a href="https://excelempire.com/our-leadership-team-2/" target="_blank">Heather Wagenhals</a>&nbsp;— who also carries the CTBA title — if she had a swimming pool at her home, where she records her show.“I do,” Wagenhals said. “That’s why I picked this one.”Lyon responded: “All right, so I’m gonna rock your world in five words, ready? On-premises employee athletic facility.”“Oh my God!” Wagenhals said.Lyon added: “It’s really there in the tax code, and nobody’s told you that.”In another podcast, Pearson brags about firing an accountant who balked at his request for advice about how to use a new Corvette “to keep from paying taxes.”Olson said that attitude was disturbing and that simplistic answers can create problems for taxpayers in IRS audits and in the courts. “A swimming pool in someone’s home, even if employees are working in the home and using it, still would require the court to look at the percentage of employee use versus personal use — and they would look really closely at that,” she said.