TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — Donald Wildmon, the founder of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian advocacy group, has died, the organization announced Thursday.

The 85-year-old Mississippi native died on Thursday from complications related to Lewy body dementia, an obituary published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wtva.com/donald-wildmon-obituary/pdf_2ef075aa-a5bc-11ee-bb6c-b796ddf3dbe1.html">WTVA-TV</a>&nbsp;said. Wildmon died in Tupelo, Mississippi, the city where the American Family Association is based. The obituary referred to Wildmon as “one of the legendary leaders of American conservatism.”

“His impressive legacy of Christian ministry will live on for many years to come,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Wildmon founded the AFA, first known as the National Federation for Decency, in 1977 after working as a pastor for the United Methodist Church.

Since its inception, the conservative advocacy group has launched campaigns and boycotts to pressure corporations to avoid supporting causes the group opposed, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-2bb49cfbc4c14c208269d24267b5b943">LGBT anti-discrimination measures</a>.

In 1991, Wildmon launched American Family Radio, which set up radio stations across the U.S. to spread the AFA's message. Wildmon led the AFA for 33 years, the obituary said. He stepped down in 2010, and his son, Tim Wildmon, now leads the organization.

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — Donald Wildmon, the founder of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian advocacy group, has died, the organization announced Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Brother Don Wildmon, founder of the American Family Association, has been called home. Today, we reflect on a life well-lived, a journey marked by unwavering faith, profound dedication, and an unyielding commitment to the values he held dear. <a href="https://t.co/k9ijMdT2sO">pic.twitter.com/k9ijMdT2sO</a>&mdash; American Family Assc (@AmericanFamAssc) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmericanFamAssc/status/1740467203797893260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The 85-year-old Mississippi native died on Thursday from complications related to Lewy body dementia, an obituary published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wtva.com/donald-wildmon-obituary/pdf_2ef075aa-a5bc-11ee-bb6c-b796ddf3dbe1.html">WTVA-TV</a>&nbsp;said. Wildmon died in Tupelo, Mississippi, the city where the American Family Association is based. The obituary referred to Wildmon as “one of the legendary leaders of American conservatism.”“His impressive legacy of Christian ministry will live on for many years to come,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.Wildmon founded the AFA, first known as the National Federation for Decency, in 1977 after working as a pastor for the United Methodist Church.Since its inception, the conservative advocacy group has launched campaigns and boycotts to pressure corporations to avoid supporting causes the group opposed, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-2bb49cfbc4c14c208269d24267b5b943">LGBT anti-discrimination measures</a>.In 1991, Wildmon launched American Family Radio, which set up radio stations across the U.S. to spread the AFA's message. Wildmon led the AFA for 33 years, the obituary said. He stepped down in 2010, and his son, Tim Wildmon, now leads the organization.

Founder of the American Family Association has died

SPRINGFIELD (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/e795ae26127748f2802aa74f938d0536">Gypsy Rose Blanchard</a>, the Missouri woman who persuaded an online boyfriend to kill her mother after she had forced her to pretend for years that she was suffering from leukemia, muscular dystrophy and other serious illnesses, was released Thursday from prison on parole.

Blanchard was released early in the day from the Chillicothe Correctional Center, said Karen Pojmann, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections. Blanchard was granted parole after serving 85% of her original sentence, Pojmann said.

Blanchard's case sparked national tabloid interest after reports emerged that her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who was slain in 2015, had essentially kept her daughter prisoner, forcing her to use a wheelchair and feeding tube.

It turned out that Gypsy Blanchard, now 32, was perfectly healthy, not developmentally delayed as her friends had always believed. Her mother had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which parents or caregivers seek sympathy through the exaggerated or made-up illnesses of their children, said her trial attorney, Michael Stanfield.

“People were constantly telling Dee Dee what a wonderful mother she was, and Dee Dee was getting all of this attention,” he said.

Through the ruse, the mother and daughter met country star Miranda Lambert and received charitable donations, a trip to Disney World and even a home near Springfield from Habitat for Humanity.

Stanfield said Gypsy Blanchard's mother was able to dupe doctors by telling them her daughter's medical records had been lost in Hurricane Katrina. If they asked too many questions, she just found a new physician, shaving the girl's head to back up her story. Among the unnecessary procedures Gypsy Blanchard underwent was the removal of her salivary glands. Her mother convinced doctors it was necessary by using topical anesthetic to cause drooling.

Gypsy Blanchard, who had little schooling or contact with anyone but her mother, also was misled, especially when she was younger, Stanfield said.

“The doctors seem to confirm everything that you’re being told. The outside world is telling you that your mother is a wonderful, loving, caring person. What other idea can you have?” Stanfield said.

But then the abuse became more physical, Stanfield said. Gypsy testified that her mother beat her and chained her to a bed. Slowly, Gypsy also was beginning to understand that she wasn’t as sick as her mom said.

“I wanted to be free of her hold on me,” Gypsy testified at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-33d132f8495c4444aed3a4094444a06e">the 2018 trial of her former boyfriend,</a>&nbsp;Nicholas Godejohn of Big Bend, Wisconsin, who is serving a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-406c475f13654a588dc300afc3c43236">life sentence</a>&nbsp;in the killing. She went on to add: “I talked him into it.”

When she took the stand at his trial, prosecutors already had cut her a deal because of the abuse she had endured. In exchange for pleading guilty in 2016 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e795ae26127748f2802aa74f938d0536">second-degree murder</a>, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The first-degree murder charge she initially faced would have meant a life term.

“Nick was so in love with her and so obsessed with her that he would do anything,” Godejohn’s trial attorney Dewayne Perry argued in court, saying his client has autism and was manipulated.

Prosecutors, however,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-0ef7b4ba5c274c9490258c44f6fe4c02">argued that he was motivated by sex</a>&nbsp;and a desire to be with Gypsy Blanchard, whom he met on a Christian dating website.

According to the probable cause statement, Gypsy Blanchard supplied the knife and hid in a bathroom while Godejohn repeatedly stabbed her mother. The two ultimately made their way by bus to Wisconsin, where they were arrested.

“Things are not always as they appear,” said Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-0ef7b4ba5c274c9490258c44f6fe4c02">as the strange revelations began to emerge</a>.

Even Gypsy's age was a lie. Her mother had said she was younger to make it easier to perpetuate the fraud, and got away with it because Gypsy was so small: just 4 feet, 11 inches (150 centimeters) tall.

Law enforcement was initially so confused that the original court documents listed three different ages for her, with the youngest being 19. She was 23.

Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson described it as “one of the most extraordinary and unusual cases we have seen.”

Stanfield recalled that the first time he met Gypsy, she got out of breath walking the 75 yards (69 meters) from the elevator to the room where he talked to her. He described her as malnourished and physically frail.

“I can honestly say I’ve rarely had a client who looks exceedingly better after doing a fairly long prison sentence," Stanfield said. "Prison is generally not a place where you become happy and healthy. And I say that because, to me, that’s kind of the evidence to the rest of the world as to just how bad what Gypsy was going through really was.”

Gypsy Blanchard later said it wasn’t until her arrest that she realized how healthy she was. But it took time. Eventually, she got married while behind bars to Ryan Scott Anderson, now 37, of Saint Charles, Louisiana.

The bizarre case was the subject of the 2017 HBO documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest,” the 2019 Hulu miniseries “The Act" and an upcoming Lifetime docuseries “The Prison Confession of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.” Daytime television psychologist “Dr. Phil” McGraw interviewed her from prison. The novel “Darling Rose Gold" draws upon the story for its premise and Blanchard's own account, “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom” is set for publication next month.

Amid the media storm, Pojmann, of the corrections department, said no in-person coverage of her release was allowed “in the interest of protecting safety, security and privacy.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703793229204.png" alt="Blanchard -photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Blanchard -photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/e795ae26127748f2802aa74f938d0536">Gypsy Rose Blanchard</a>, the Missouri woman who persuaded an online boyfriend to kill her mother after she had forced her to pretend for years that she was suffering from leukemia, muscular dystrophy and other serious illnesses, was released Thursday from prison on parole.Blanchard was released early in the day from the Chillicothe Correctional Center, said Karen Pojmann, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections. Blanchard was granted parole after serving 85% of her original sentence, Pojmann said.Blanchard's case sparked national tabloid interest after reports emerged that her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who was slain in 2015, had essentially kept her daughter prisoner, forcing her to use a wheelchair and feeding tube.It turned out that Gypsy Blanchard, now 32, was perfectly healthy, not developmentally delayed as her friends had always believed. Her mother had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which parents or caregivers seek sympathy through the exaggerated or made-up illnesses of their children, said her trial attorney, Michael Stanfield.“People were constantly telling Dee Dee what a wonderful mother she was, and Dee Dee was getting all of this attention,” he said.Through the ruse, the mother and daughter met country star Miranda Lambert and received charitable donations, a trip to Disney World and even a home near Springfield from Habitat for Humanity.Stanfield said Gypsy Blanchard's mother was able to dupe doctors by telling them her daughter's medical records had been lost in Hurricane Katrina. If they asked too many questions, she just found a new physician, shaving the girl's head to back up her story. Among the unnecessary procedures Gypsy Blanchard underwent was the removal of her salivary glands. Her mother convinced doctors it was necessary by using topical anesthetic to cause drooling.Gypsy Blanchard, who had little schooling or contact with anyone but her mother, also was misled, especially when she was younger, Stanfield said.“The doctors seem to confirm everything that you’re being told. The outside world is telling you that your mother is a wonderful, loving, caring person. What other idea can you have?” Stanfield said.But then the abuse became more physical, Stanfield said. Gypsy testified that her mother beat her and chained her to a bed. Slowly, Gypsy also was beginning to understand that she wasn’t as sick as her mom said.“I wanted to be free of her hold on me,” Gypsy testified at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-33d132f8495c4444aed3a4094444a06e">the 2018 trial of her former boyfriend,</a>&nbsp;Nicholas Godejohn of Big Bend, Wisconsin, who is serving a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-406c475f13654a588dc300afc3c43236">life sentence</a>&nbsp;in the killing. She went on to add: “I talked him into it.”When she took the stand at his trial, prosecutors already had cut her a deal because of the abuse she had endured. In exchange for pleading guilty in 2016 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e795ae26127748f2802aa74f938d0536">second-degree murder</a>, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The first-degree murder charge she initially faced would have meant a life term.“Nick was so in love with her and so obsessed with her that he would do anything,” Godejohn’s trial attorney Dewayne Perry argued in court, saying his client has autism and was manipulated.Prosecutors, however,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-0ef7b4ba5c274c9490258c44f6fe4c02">argued that he was motivated by sex</a>&nbsp;and a desire to be with Gypsy Blanchard, whom he met on a Christian dating website.According to the probable cause statement, Gypsy Blanchard supplied the knife and hid in a bathroom while Godejohn repeatedly stabbed her mother. The two ultimately made their way by bus to Wisconsin, where they were arrested.“Things are not always as they appear,” said Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-0ef7b4ba5c274c9490258c44f6fe4c02">as the strange revelations began to emerge</a>.Even Gypsy's age was a lie. Her mother had said she was younger to make it easier to perpetuate the fraud, and got away with it because Gypsy was so small: just 4 feet, 11 inches (150 centimeters) tall.Law enforcement was initially so confused that the original court documents listed three different ages for her, with the youngest being 19. She was 23.Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson described it as “one of the most extraordinary and unusual cases we have seen.”Stanfield recalled that the first time he met Gypsy, she got out of breath walking the 75 yards (69 meters) from the elevator to the room where he talked to her. He described her as malnourished and physically frail.“I can honestly say I’ve rarely had a client who looks exceedingly better after doing a fairly long prison sentence," Stanfield said. "Prison is generally not a place where you become happy and healthy. And I say that because, to me, that’s kind of the evidence to the rest of the world as to just how bad what Gypsy was going through really was.”Gypsy Blanchard later said it wasn’t until her arrest that she realized how healthy she was. But it took time. Eventually, she got married while behind bars to Ryan Scott Anderson, now 37, of Saint Charles, Louisiana.The bizarre case was the subject of the 2017 HBO documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest,” the 2019 Hulu miniseries “The Act" and an upcoming Lifetime docuseries “The Prison Confession of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.” Daytime television psychologist “Dr. Phil” McGraw interviewed her from prison. The novel “Darling Rose Gold" draws upon the story for its premise and Blanchard's own account, “Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom” is set for publication next month.Amid the media storm, Pojmann, of the corrections department, said no in-person coverage of her release was allowed “in the interest of protecting safety, security and privacy.”

Mo. woman out of prison after murder of abusive mother

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Democratic secretary of state on Thursday removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause, becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally in a decision that has potential Electoral College consequences.

While Maine has just four electoral votes, it’s one of two states to split them. Trump won one of Maine’s electors in 2020, so having him off the ballot there should he emerge as the Republican general election candidate could have outsized implications in a race that is expected to be narrowly decided.

The decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows follows a December ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Colorado is a Democratic-leaning state that is not expected to be competitive for Republicans in November.

Bellows found that Trump could no longer run for his prior job because his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol violated Section 3, which bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection.” Bellows made the ruling after some state residents, including a bipartisan group of former lawmakers, challenged Trump’s position on the ballot.

Her decision came one day after Trump’s lawyers asked her to disqualify herself over tweets that they said showed bias. She called the U.S. Capitol attack an “insurrection” and bemoaned that Trump wasn’t convicted by the U.S. Senate after being impeached by the U.S. House.

Bellows won’t have the final word on Trump’s political career. Her decision can be appealed to Maine’s courts. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make a final decision on whether Trump can still run for president early next year.

Activists have asked state election officials across the country to remove Trump from their states’ primary ballots under Section 3. Until Bellows’ ruling, all of them rejected the request, often saying they were waiting for courts to give direction on how to interpret the clause, which has been used only a handful of times since the years following the Civil War.

Maine law mandated that Bellows hold a public hearing over the issue, which she did in December. A lawyer and former executive director of the Maine chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Bellows allowed each side to submit additional arguments after the Colorado Supreme Court’s historic Dec. 19 decision that Section 3 barred Trump from the ballot.

Trump’s campaign has said it will appeal that court’s 4-3 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has never ruled on Section 3. Whatever the high court decides will apply to every state, including Maine.

The Maine decision shows the potential perils to Trump if the issue is decided on a state-by-state basis. He lost Colorado by 13 percentage points in 2020 and does not need it to win the presidency. But Maine divides its electoral votes by congressional districts, and Trump has twice won the state’s second congressional district.

If he’s not on the ballot there, he would start his 2024 campaign down one Electoral College vote.

The secretary of state’s office said it’s not aware of the office previously striking a presidential candidate from the ballot, but other candidates for lower offices have been removed that way.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703030684419.png" alt="Trump’s campaign has said it will appeal that court’s 4-3 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Trump’s campaign has said it will appeal that court’s 4-3 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Democratic secretary of state on Thursday removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause, becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally in a decision that has potential Electoral College consequences.While Maine has just four electoral votes, it’s one of two states to split them. Trump won one of Maine’s electors in 2020, so having him off the ballot there should he emerge as the Republican general election candidate could have outsized implications in a race that is expected to be narrowly decided.The decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows follows a December ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Colorado is a Democratic-leaning state that is not expected to be competitive for Republicans in November.Bellows found that Trump could no longer run for his prior job because his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol violated Section 3, which bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection.” Bellows made the ruling after some state residents, including a bipartisan group of former lawmakers, challenged Trump’s position on the ballot.Her decision came one day after Trump’s lawyers asked her to disqualify herself over tweets that they said showed bias. She called the U.S. Capitol attack an “insurrection” and bemoaned that Trump wasn’t convicted by the U.S. Senate after being impeached by the U.S. House.Bellows won’t have the final word on Trump’s political career. Her decision can be appealed to Maine’s courts. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make a final decision on whether Trump can still run for president early next year.Activists have asked state election officials across the country to remove Trump from their states’ primary ballots under Section 3. Until Bellows’ ruling, all of them rejected the request, often saying they were waiting for courts to give direction on how to interpret the clause, which has been used only a handful of times since the years following the Civil War.Maine law mandated that Bellows hold a public hearing over the issue, which she did in December. A lawyer and former executive director of the Maine chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Bellows allowed each side to submit additional arguments after the Colorado Supreme Court’s historic Dec. 19 decision that Section 3 barred Trump from the ballot.Trump’s campaign has said it will appeal that court’s 4-3 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has never ruled on Section 3. Whatever the high court decides will apply to every state, including Maine.The Maine decision shows the potential perils to Trump if the issue is decided on a state-by-state basis. He lost Colorado by 13 percentage points in 2020 and does not need it to win the presidency. But Maine divides its electoral votes by congressional districts, and Trump has twice won the state’s second congressional district.If he’s not on the ballot there, he would start his 2024 campaign down one Electoral College vote.The secretary of state’s office said it’s not aware of the office previously striking a presidential candidate from the ballot, but other candidates for lower offices have been removed that way.

Another state bars Trump from presidential primary ballot 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois suspended basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. on Thursday after he was charged with rape for an alleged incident that happened when the football team played at Kansas in September.

The school suspended Shannon from “all team activities, effective immediately,” a day after the Douglas (Kansas) County District Attorney issued a warrant for his arrest. The alleged incident happened when he attended the Illini's football game at Kansas on Sept. 8. He was not part of the school's traveling party.

Illinois said Shannon traveled to Lawrence, Kansas, on Thursday and turned himself in to authorities. He posted bail and was returning to Champaign.

"The University and DIA (Division of Intercollegiate Athletics) have shown time and again that we have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct,” athletic director Josh Whitman said in a statement. “At the same time, DIA policy affords student-athletes appropriate levels of due process based on the nature and severity of the allegations. We will rely on that policy and our prior experiences to manage this situation appropriately for the University and the involved parties.”

The school said it has been aware since late September that police in Lawrence were investigating Shannon but had “yet to receive actionable information” until Wednesday.

In his second season at Illinois after three years at Texas Tech, Shannon is second in the Big Ten in scoring at 21.7 points per game. Only Purdue's Zach Edey is averaging more.

No. 11 Illinois has a home game against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday. Whitman is scheduled to address the media prior to the game. Coach Brad Underwood's availability with reporters on Thursday was canceled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703798657514.png" alt="Shannon-photo University of Illinois Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Shannon-photo University of Illinois Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois suspended basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. on Thursday after he was charged with rape for an alleged incident that happened when the football team played at Kansas in September.The school suspended Shannon from “all team activities, effective immediately,” a day after the Douglas (Kansas) County District Attorney issued a warrant for his arrest. The alleged incident happened when he attended the Illini's football game at Kansas on Sept. 8. He was not part of the school's traveling party.Illinois said Shannon traveled to Lawrence, Kansas, on Thursday and turned himself in to authorities. He posted bail and was returning to Champaign."The University and DIA (Division of Intercollegiate Athletics) have shown time and again that we have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct,” athletic director Josh Whitman said in a statement. “At the same time, DIA policy affords student-athletes appropriate levels of due process based on the nature and severity of the allegations. We will rely on that policy and our prior experiences to manage this situation appropriately for the University and the involved parties.”The school said it has been aware since late September that police in Lawrence were investigating Shannon but had “yet to receive actionable information” until Wednesday.In his second season at Illinois after three years at Texas Tech, Shannon is second in the Big Ten in scoring at 21.7 points per game. Only Purdue's Zach Edey is averaging more.No. 11 Illinois has a home game against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday. Whitman is scheduled to address the media prior to the game. Coach Brad Underwood's availability with reporters on Thursday was canceled.

Illinois basketball player charged in Kansas for alleged rape

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged drug death and have a suspect in custody.

On Christmas Eve, police arrested&nbsp;&nbsp;19-year-old Zahkye Rouse as part of an investigation of a fatal fentanyl related overdose that occurred in Hutchinson in June of 2023, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.

Rouse is being held on requested charge that includes distribution of a controlled substance causing death.&nbsp;

If you have information regarding this case, #2023-20694, please contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2828.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703781998684.png" alt="Rouse-photo Reno County" />
 <figcaption>Rouse-photo Reno County</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged drug death and have a suspect in custody.On Christmas Eve, police arrested&nbsp;&nbsp;19-year-old Zahkye Rouse as part of an investigation of a fatal fentanyl related overdose that occurred in Hutchinson in June of 2023, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.Rouse is being held on requested charge that includes distribution of a controlled substance causing death.&nbsp;If you have information regarding this case, #2023-20694, please contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2828.&nbsp;

Christmas Eve arrest for Kansas fentanyl overdose death

TOPEKA — On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly attended a Kwanzaa celebration at the Kansas Statehouse.

"The rich traditions and shared values of Kwanzaa remind us of our strength when we come together. As we light the kinara, we celebrate and reflect on the seven principles that guide us to strive for unity," the governor wrote on social media.

&nbsp;The Kansas African American Affairs Commission helped host the event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703787216413.png" alt="Courtesy photos" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photos</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly attended a Kwanzaa celebration at the Kansas Statehouse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703787135020.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"The rich traditions and shared values of Kwanzaa remind us of our strength when we come together. As we light the kinara, we celebrate and reflect on the seven principles that guide us to strive for unity," the governor wrote on social media.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKAAAC%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0bn4aw583rGfXybr39oDejRewbQryFUNxf5kAvy7Njsx81rT2xp1e2EhqFXFNo6sGl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="693" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>&nbsp;The Kansas African American Affairs Commission helped host the event.

Gov. Kelly attends Kwanzaa celebration at the Kansas Statehouse

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. said that the border crisis continues despite the meeting in Mexico between Mexican leaders and U.S. cabinet members.

"Under Joe Biden, we've had ten million people cross the border illegally," Marshall said. "Ten million, including 1.7 million got-aways. We have no idea who they are, where they are, what they are doing. Certainly, we know some of them are terrorists, many of them are aliens of interest. This is our number one national security threat that we face. All along, Joe Biden's had the ability to stop this, to slow it down, with simple policies."

Marshall has a simple question for the administration.

"Why do we have to beg the President of the United States to secure our border?" Marshall asked, rhetorically. "That's his job. He took an oath to protect us from enemies, both domestic and foreign. He's not doing it."

There is literally no way to know the background of those that Border Patrol has not caught, but the cross section of those captured is concerning.

"We've caught 24,000 Chinese nationals, young men of military age," Marshall said. "You would think, if we caught 24,000, how many more are there in the got-aways? Tens of thousands of people from countries of concern, like Iran and Iraq, as well. Known terrorists, we've caught over 100 known terrorists. We've known these aren't good people."

That's setting aside the flood of fentanyl that is still crossing the border, as well. Marshall said he doesn't understand the President's motivations, but he asks constituents to watch his actions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703784440657.png" alt="Sec. of State Antony Blinken during meeting Wednesday in Mexico-photo U.S. Department of State" />
 <figcaption>Sec. of State Antony Blinken during meeting Wednesday in Mexico-photo U.S. Department of State</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL&nbsp;Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. said that the border crisis continues despite the meeting in Mexico between Mexican leaders and U.S. cabinet members."Under Joe Biden, we've had ten million people cross the border illegally," Marshall said. "Ten million, including 1.7 million got-aways. We have no idea who they are, where they are, what they are doing. Certainly, we know some of them are terrorists, many of them are aliens of interest. This is our number one national security threat that we face. All along, Joe Biden's had the ability to stop this, to slow it down, with simple policies."Marshall has a simple question for the administration."Why do we have to beg the President of the United States to secure our border?" Marshall asked, rhetorically. "That's his job. He took an oath to protect us from enemies, both domestic and foreign. He's not doing it."There is literally no way to know the background of those that Border Patrol has not caught, but the cross section of those captured is concerning."We've caught 24,000 Chinese nationals, young men of military age," Marshall said. "You would think, if we caught 24,000, how many more are there in the got-aways? Tens of thousands of people from countries of concern, like Iran and Iraq, as well. Known terrorists, we've caught over 100 known terrorists. We've known these aren't good people."That's setting aside the flood of fentanyl that is still crossing the border, as well. Marshall said he doesn't understand the President's motivations, but he asks constituents to watch his actions.

Marshall: Biden Administration border response is lacking

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an alleged carjacking asked the public for help to identify a suspect. On Thursday, Wichita police reported they have identified, located and arrested the suspect thanks to tips from the community.

The carjacking took place just after 8p.m. December 20 at Dillons, 640 N. West Street in Wichita, according to a media release.

The victim was leaving the Dillons when the suspect approached them with a knife in one hand and a hammer in the other hand and demanded the keys to the car.

Once the victim handed over the keys, the suspect got into the car and drove south on West Street from the Dillons location.

Police have not identified the suspect or possible charges in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703263515745.png" alt="Photo Wichita police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an alleged carjacking asked the public for help to identify a suspect. On Thursday, Wichita police reported they have identified, located and arrested the suspect thanks to tips from the community.The carjacking took place just after 8p.m. December 20 at Dillons, 640 N. West Street in Wichita, according to a media release.The victim was leaving the Dillons when the suspect approached them with a knife in one hand and a hammer in the other hand and demanded the keys to the car.Once the victim handed over the keys, the suspect got into the car and drove south on West Street from the Dillons location.Police have not identified the suspect or possible charges in the case.

Tips from public help police catch Kansas carjacking suspect 

BARTON COUNTY —Six people were injured in an accident just after 7p.m. Wednesday in Barton County

A 2004 Toyota Prius driven by 32-year-old Matthew Burg of Claflin was southbound on Northeast 130 Avenue at Kansas 156, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign crossing K156.

 An easbound 2018 Ford F150 driven by 55-year-old Laura Trinkle of Manhattan&nbsp; struck the Prius. Upon impact, both vehicles traveled northeast before coming to rest in a field.

EMS transported Burg, as well as two juvenile occupants of the Prius, ages one and three, to the hospital in Great Bend. Burg and the one-year-old were later transferred to a Wichita-area hospital with serious injuries, according Bellendir.

Trinkle, as well as two passengers, ages 82 and 59, were transported to the hospital in Great Bend with non-life-threatening injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703781337843.jpeg" alt="Photo Barton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Barton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Six people were injured in an accident just after 7p.m. Wednesday in Barton CountyA 2004 Toyota Prius driven by 32-year-old Matthew Burg of Claflin was southbound on Northeast 130 Avenue at Kansas 156, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The driver failed to stop at the stop sign crossing K156. An easbound 2018 Ford F150 driven by 55-year-old Laura Trinkle of Manhattan&nbsp; struck the Prius. Upon impact, both vehicles traveled northeast before coming to rest in a field.EMS transported Burg, as well as two juvenile occupants of the Prius, ages one and three, to the hospital in Great Bend. Burg and the one-year-old were later transferred to a Wichita-area hospital with serious injuries, according Bellendir.Trinkle, as well as two passengers, ages 82 and 59, were transported to the hospital in Great Bend with non-life-threatening injuries.

4 adults, 2 children hospitalized after 2-vehicle Kan. crash

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.

Just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to the report of a house fire in the 8400 block of Flora in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews reported smoke and fire showing from the residence. A&nbsp;search of the structure was conducted and came back all clear. After several minutes of interior operations Incident Command ordered an evacuation of the home. Defensive operations on the exterior of the structure were established. 

One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and was released early Thursday. Authorities released no damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703776611485.png" alt="Photo KCMO Fire" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCMO Fire</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.Just before 11 p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to the report of a house fire in the 8400 block of Flora in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.Crews reported smoke and fire showing from the residence. A&nbsp;search of the structure was conducted and came back all clear. After several minutes of interior operations Incident Command ordered an evacuation of the home. Defensive operations on the exterior of the structure were established. One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and was released early Thursday. Authorities released no damage estimate.

Kansas City firefighter injured fighting house fire

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Republican Party on Wednesday appealed that state's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-d16dd8f354eeaf450558378c65fd79a2">supreme court decision</a>&nbsp;that found former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is ineligible for the presidency, the potential first step to a showdown at the nation's highest court over the meaning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-79373b5043976588b599fc00ede049e8">a 155-year-old constitutional provision</a>&nbsp;that bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection.”

The first impact of the appeal is to extend the stay of the 4-3 ruling from Colorado's highest court, which put its decision on pause until Jan. 4, the day before the state's primary ballots are due at the printer, or until an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is finished. Trump himself has said he still plans to appeal the ruling to the nation's highest court as well.

The U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was added after the Civil War to prevent former Confederates from returning to government. It says that anyone who swore an oath to “support” the constitution and then “engaged in insurrection” against it cannot hold government office.

The Colorado high court ruled that applies to Trump in the wake of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, intended to stop the certification of President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. It was the first time in history that the provision was used to block a presidential contender's campaign.

“The Colorado Supreme Court has removed the leading Republican candidate from the primary and general ballots, fundamentally changing the course of American democracy,” the party's attorneys wrote. The filing was posted on the website of a group run by Jay Sekulow, a former attorney for Trump representing the Colorado Republican Party who announced he was filing the appeal Wednesday. Colorado Republican Party chairman Dave Williams also said the appeal was filed Wednesday.

The attorneys added: “Unless the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision is overturned, any voter will have the power to sue to disqualify any political candidate, in Colorado or in any other jurisdiction that follows its lead. This will not only distort the 2024 presidential election but will also mire courts henceforth in political controversies over nebulous accusations of insurrection.”

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take the case, either after the Colorado GOP's appeal or Trump's own appeal. If Trump ends up off the ballot in Colorado, it would have minimal effect on his campaign because he doesn't need the state, which he lost by 13 percentage points in 2020, to win the Electoral College in the presidential election. But it could open the door to courts or election officials striking him from the ballot in other must-win states.

Sean Grimsley, an attorney for the plaintiffs seeking to disqualify Trump in Colorado, said on a legal podcast last week that he hopes the nation's highest court hurries once it accepts the case, as he expects it will. “We obviously are going to ask for an extremely accelerated timeline because of all the reasons I’ve stated, we have a primary coming up on Super Tuesday and we need to know the answer,” Grimsley said.

More than a dozen states, including Colorado, are scheduled to hold primaries March 5 — Super Tuesday.

To date, no other court has sided with those who have filed dozens of lawsuits to disqualify Trump under Section 3, nor has any election official been willing to remove him from the ballot unilaterally without a court order.

The Colorado case was considered the one with the greatest chance of success, however, because it was filed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-2024-election-ballot-9c5f79203109ba221b35a48e708ad725">a Washington D.C.-based liberal group</a>&nbsp;with ample legal resources. All seven of the Colorado high court justices were appointed by Democrats.

However, the unprecedented constitutional questions in the case haven't split on neatly partisan lines. Several prominent conservative legal theorists are among the most vocal advocates of disqualifying Trump under Section 3. They argue the plain meaning of the constitutional language bars him from running again, just as clearly as if he didn't meet the document's minimum age of 35 for the presidency.

The half-dozen plaintiffs in the Colorado case are all Republican or unaffiliated voters.

Trump has been scathing about the cases, calling them “election interference.” He continued that on Wednesday as he cheered a ruling earlier that day by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-ballot-michigan-colorado-b5a5d9ffa75efa63ab4780b04329e2a2">Michigan Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;leaving him on the ballot, at least for the primary, in that state.

“The Colorado people have embarrassed our nation with what they did," Trump said on Sean Hannity's radio show.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703040304815.png" alt="“The Colorado people have embarrassed our nation with what they did," Trump said on Sean Hannity's radio show-File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“The Colorado people have embarrassed our nation with what they did," Trump said on Sean Hannity's radio show-File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Republican Party on Wednesday appealed that state's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-d16dd8f354eeaf450558378c65fd79a2">supreme court decision</a>&nbsp;that found former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is ineligible for the presidency, the potential first step to a showdown at the nation's highest court over the meaning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-79373b5043976588b599fc00ede049e8">a 155-year-old constitutional provision</a>&nbsp;that bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection.”The first impact of the appeal is to extend the stay of the 4-3 ruling from Colorado's highest court, which put its decision on pause until Jan. 4, the day before the state's primary ballots are due at the printer, or until an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is finished. Trump himself has said he still plans to appeal the ruling to the nation's highest court as well.The U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was added after the Civil War to prevent former Confederates from returning to government. It says that anyone who swore an oath to “support” the constitution and then “engaged in insurrection” against it cannot hold government office.The Colorado high court ruled that applies to Trump in the wake of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, intended to stop the certification of President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. It was the first time in history that the provision was used to block a presidential contender's campaign.“The Colorado Supreme Court has removed the leading Republican candidate from the primary and general ballots, fundamentally changing the course of American democracy,” the party's attorneys wrote. The filing was posted on the website of a group run by Jay Sekulow, a former attorney for Trump representing the Colorado Republican Party who announced he was filing the appeal Wednesday. Colorado Republican Party chairman Dave Williams also said the appeal was filed Wednesday.The attorneys added: “Unless the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision is overturned, any voter will have the power to sue to disqualify any political candidate, in Colorado or in any other jurisdiction that follows its lead. This will not only distort the 2024 presidential election but will also mire courts henceforth in political controversies over nebulous accusations of insurrection.”The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take the case, either after the Colorado GOP's appeal or Trump's own appeal. If Trump ends up off the ballot in Colorado, it would have minimal effect on his campaign because he doesn't need the state, which he lost by 13 percentage points in 2020, to win the Electoral College in the presidential election. But it could open the door to courts or election officials striking him from the ballot in other must-win states.Sean Grimsley, an attorney for the plaintiffs seeking to disqualify Trump in Colorado, said on a legal podcast last week that he hopes the nation's highest court hurries once it accepts the case, as he expects it will. “We obviously are going to ask for an extremely accelerated timeline because of all the reasons I’ve stated, we have a primary coming up on Super Tuesday and we need to know the answer,” Grimsley said.More than a dozen states, including Colorado, are scheduled to hold primaries March 5 — Super Tuesday.To date, no other court has sided with those who have filed dozens of lawsuits to disqualify Trump under Section 3, nor has any election official been willing to remove him from the ballot unilaterally without a court order.The Colorado case was considered the one with the greatest chance of success, however, because it was filed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-2024-election-ballot-9c5f79203109ba221b35a48e708ad725">a Washington D.C.-based liberal group</a>&nbsp;with ample legal resources. All seven of the Colorado high court justices were appointed by Democrats.However, the unprecedented constitutional questions in the case haven't split on neatly partisan lines. Several prominent conservative legal theorists are among the most vocal advocates of disqualifying Trump under Section 3. They argue the plain meaning of the constitutional language bars him from running again, just as clearly as if he didn't meet the document's minimum age of 35 for the presidency.The half-dozen plaintiffs in the Colorado case are all Republican or unaffiliated voters.Trump has been scathing about the cases, calling them “election interference.” He continued that on Wednesday as he cheered a ruling earlier that day by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-ballot-michigan-colorado-b5a5d9ffa75efa63ab4780b04329e2a2">Michigan Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;leaving him on the ballot, at least for the primary, in that state.“The Colorado people have embarrassed our nation with what they did," Trump said on Sean Hannity's radio show.

US Supreme Court asked to consider Trump's ballot ban in Colorado

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in the shooting death of a woman in Wichita last week made his first court appearance Wednesday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Larry Ingram</a>, 42, Wichita was charged with 2nd degree murder and violation of a protection order, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 22, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 7700 block of E. 32nd Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located 23-year-old Deniq Ingram of Wichita with a gunshot wound to her upper torso area. She was transported to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The suspect, identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Ingram, </a>according to sheriff's booking records, was on the scene and taken into custody. He is being held on a one-million dollar bond, according to district attorney's office.

Police have not released details of the circumstances leading up to this homicide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703256698806.png" alt="Ingram-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Ingram-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in the shooting death of a woman in Wichita last week made his first court appearance Wednesday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Larry Ingram</a>, 42, Wichita was charged with 2nd degree murder and violation of a protection order, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 22, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 7700 block of E. 32nd Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders located 23-year-old Deniq Ingram of Wichita with a gunshot wound to her upper torso area. She was transported to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.The suspect, identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Ingram, </a>according to sheriff's booking records, was on the scene and taken into custody. He is being held on a one-million dollar bond, according to district attorney's office.Police have not released details of the circumstances leading up to this homicide.

Suspect held on $1 million dollar bond for murder of Kan. woman

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;was asked Wednesday by a New Hampshire voter about the reason for the Civil War, and she didn’t mention slavery in her response — leading the voter to say he was “astonished” by her omission.

Asked during a town hall in Berlin, New Hampshire, what she believed had caused the war — the first shots of which were fired in her home state of South Carolina — Haley talked about the role of government, replying that it involved “the freedoms of what people could and couldn't do.”

She then turned the question back to the man who had asked it, who replied that he was not the one running for president and wished instead to know her answer.

After Haley went into a lengthier explanation about the role of government, individual freedom and capitalism, the questioner seemed to admonish Haley, saying, “In the year 2023, it’s astonishing to me that you answer that question without mentioning the word slavery.”

“What do you want me to say about slavery?" Haley retorted, before abruptly moving on to the next question.

Haley, who served six years as South Carolina's governor, has been competing for a distant second place to Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. She has frequently said during her campaign that she would compete in the first three states before returning “to the sweet state of South Carolina, and we’ll finish it” in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-donald-trump-south-carolina-56c0ceb5b1b93a46df87e9e88342f7f2">Feb. 24 primary</a>.

Haley's campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment on her response. The campaign of Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis,</a>&nbsp;another of Haley's GOP foes, recirculated video of the exchange on social media, adding the comment, “Yikes.”

Issues surrounding the origins of the Civil War and its heritage are still much of the fabric of Haley’s home state, and she has been pressed on the war’s origins before. As she ran for governor in 2010, Haley, in an interview with a now-defunct activist group then known as The Palmetto Patriots, described the war as between two disparate sides fighting for “tradition” and “change” and said the Confederate flag was “not something that is racist.”

During that same campaign, she dismissed the need for the flag to come down from the Statehouse grounds, portraying her Democratic rival’s push for its removal as a desperate political stunt.

Five years later, Haley urged lawmakers to remove the flag from its perch near a Confederate soldier monument following a mass shooting in which a white gunman killed eight Black church members who were attending Bible study. At the time, Haley said the flag had been “hijacked” by the shooter from those who saw the flag as symbolizing “sacrifice and heritage.”

South Carolina’s Ordinance of Secession — the 1860 proclamation by the state government outlining its reasons for seceding from the Union — mentions slavery in its opening sentence and points to the “increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the institution of slavery” as a reason for the state removing itself from the Union.

On Wednesday night, Christale Spain — elected this year as the first Black woman to chair South Carolina’s Democratic Party — said Haley’s response was “vile, but unsurprising.”

“The same person who refused to take down the Confederate Flag until the tragedy in Charleston, and tried to justify a Confederate History Month," Spain said in a post on X, of Haley. “She’s just as MAGA as Trump,” Spain added, referring to Trump's ”Make America Great Again" slogan.

Jaime Harrison, current chairman of the Democratic National Committee and South Carolina's party chairman during part of Haley's tenure as governor, said her response was “not stunning if you were a Black resident in SC when she was Governor."

“Same person who said the confederate flag was about tradition &amp; heritage and as a minority woman she was the right person to defend keeping it on state house grounds,” Harrison posted Wednesday night on X. “Some may have forgotten but I haven’t. Time to take off the rose colored Nikki Haley glasses folks.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703768720495.png" alt="Photo Nikki Haley campaign" />
 <figcaption>Photo Nikki Haley campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;was asked Wednesday by a New Hampshire voter about the reason for the Civil War, and she didn’t mention slavery in her response — leading the voter to say he was “astonished” by her omission.Asked during a town hall in Berlin, New Hampshire, what she believed had caused the war — the first shots of which were fired in her home state of South Carolina — Haley talked about the role of government, replying that it involved “the freedoms of what people could and couldn't do.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Asked what caused the Civil War, Nikki Haley refuses to mention slavery: “What do you want me to say about slavery? Next question.” <a href="https://t.co/cEMW3Cn9ku">pic.twitter.com/cEMW3Cn9ku</a>&mdash; Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/BidenHQ/status/1740199494380118313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>She then turned the question back to the man who had asked it, who replied that he was not the one running for president and wished instead to know her answer.After Haley went into a lengthier explanation about the role of government, individual freedom and capitalism, the questioner seemed to admonish Haley, saying, “In the year 2023, it’s astonishing to me that you answer that question without mentioning the word slavery.”“What do you want me to say about slavery?" Haley retorted, before abruptly moving on to the next question.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703774281490.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Haley, who served six years as South Carolina's governor, has been competing for a distant second place to Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. She has frequently said during her campaign that she would compete in the first three states before returning “to the sweet state of South Carolina, and we’ll finish it” in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-donald-trump-south-carolina-56c0ceb5b1b93a46df87e9e88342f7f2">Feb. 24 primary</a>.Haley's campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment on her response. The campaign of Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis,</a>&nbsp;another of Haley's GOP foes, recirculated video of the exchange on social media, adding the comment, “Yikes.”Issues surrounding the origins of the Civil War and its heritage are still much of the fabric of Haley’s home state, and she has been pressed on the war’s origins before. As she ran for governor in 2010, Haley, in an interview with a now-defunct activist group then known as The Palmetto Patriots, described the war as between two disparate sides fighting for “tradition” and “change” and said the Confederate flag was “not something that is racist.”During that same campaign, she dismissed the need for the flag to come down from the Statehouse grounds, portraying her Democratic rival’s push for its removal as a desperate political stunt.Five years later, Haley urged lawmakers to remove the flag from its perch near a Confederate soldier monument following a mass shooting in which a white gunman killed eight Black church members who were attending Bible study. At the time, Haley said the flag had been “hijacked” by the shooter from those who saw the flag as symbolizing “sacrifice and heritage.”South Carolina’s Ordinance of Secession — the 1860 proclamation by the state government outlining its reasons for seceding from the Union — mentions slavery in its opening sentence and points to the “increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the institution of slavery” as a reason for the state removing itself from the Union.On Wednesday night, Christale Spain — elected this year as the first Black woman to chair South Carolina’s Democratic Party — said Haley’s response was “vile, but unsurprising.”“The same person who refused to take down the Confederate Flag until the tragedy in Charleston, and tried to justify a Confederate History Month," Spain said in a post on X, of Haley. “She’s just as MAGA as Trump,” Spain added, referring to Trump's ”Make America Great Again" slogan.Jaime Harrison, current chairman of the Democratic National Committee and South Carolina's party chairman during part of Haley's tenure as governor, said her response was “not stunning if you were a Black resident in SC when she was Governor."“Same person who said the confederate flag was about tradition &amp; heritage and as a minority woman she was the right person to defend keeping it on state house grounds,” Harrison posted Wednesday night on X. “Some may have forgotten but I haven’t. Time to take off the rose colored Nikki Haley glasses folks.”___

🎥Presidential candidate flubbed simple question about the Civil War

COWLEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Wednesday in Cowley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Nissan Frontier driven by&nbsp;Bonewell, Bruce&nbsp;Bonewell, 64, Udall, was westbound on 102nd Road at 100th Road.

The driver attempted to cross an uncontrolled railroad tracks. A southbound&nbsp; South Kansas &amp; Oklahoma train struck the pickup.

EMS transported Bonewell to Wesley Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703775736624.png" alt="Photo Cowley County Fire District IV" />
 <figcaption>Photo Cowley County Fire District IV</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Wednesday in Cowley County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Nissan Frontier driven by&nbsp;Bonewell, Bruce&nbsp;Bonewell, 64, Udall, was westbound on 102nd Road at 100th Road.The driver attempted to cross an uncontrolled railroad tracks. A southbound&nbsp; South Kansas &amp; Oklahoma train struck the pickup.EMS transported Bonewell to Wesley Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man critically injured in train, pickup crash

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A judge has ordered a woman who set fire to Wyoming's only full-service abortion clinic to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution, the full amount sought by prosecutors.

Lorna Green is serving five years in prison for burning Wellspring Health Access weeks before the clinic was set to open in Casper in 2022. The fire gutted the building while it was being renovated for the new clinic and delayed its opening by almost a year.

After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-clinic-arson-opens-f149c165fdaa0956fecdbff75488f7cb">opening</a>&nbsp;this past April, Wellspring is now the only abortion clinic in Wyoming. A clinic in Jackson that provided pill abortions closed Dec. 15 due to rising costs.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson ordered Green, 22, to pay about $298,000 in restitution including $240,000 to Nationwide General Insurance Company, the clinic's insurer.

Green must also pay $33,500 to the building's owner, Christine Lichtenfels, and $24,500 to Julie Burkhart, founder and president of Wellspring Health Access. Burkhart expressed satisfaction with the restitution.

“Not only did we have the emotional struggle and that trauma from the arson but also it was quite challenging for us financially. So I’m glad this is the final piece and it has been put to rest,” Burkhart said Wednesday.

The restitution was identical to the amounts sought by prosecutors and unopposed by Green's attorney, Ryan Semerad, who in an emailed statement said Wednesday that Green “looks forward to a productive and peaceful life after her term of incarceration."

Green has expressed remorse for the crime, which she said was driven by anxiety and nightmares about the planned clinic. The Casper College mechanical engineering student had shown no sign of anti-abortion views on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-clinic-wyoming-fire-arrest-6796b5c4ed39f858c1694a01ea06f985">social media</a>&nbsp;but told investigators she opposed abortion.

She admitted driving from Laramie to Casper, breaking into the clinic through a door and lighting gasoline she poured in trays and splashed on the floor. After months of little progress, investigators increased the reward to $15,000 and got tips leading to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-clinic-fire-arrest-4524825ae149b37a677fbfe72ce76400">Green's arrest</a>&nbsp;in March.

Green pleaded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-clinic-fire-bf23a8e3bd37c429a274b4e16cf2607f">guilty</a>&nbsp;in June to arson and in September&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-clinic-fire-woman-sentenced-88a92fca874acca5b781c99ac0ba9b6d">received</a>&nbsp;the minimum prison sentence. She had faced up to 20 years in prison.

The arson and eventual opening of the clinic happened as new laws in Wyoming seek to ban abortion in nearly all cases. The laws, including the nation's first explicit ban on abortion pills, have been put on hold by a judge amid a lawsuit filed by four women and two nonprofits including Wellspring Health Access.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703715096976.png" alt="Green photo following her initial arrest - Natrona County Sheriff's " />
 <figcaption>Green photo following her initial arrest - Natrona County Sheriff's </figcaption>
 </figure>CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A judge has ordered a woman who set fire to Wyoming's only full-service abortion clinic to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution, the full amount sought by prosecutors.Lorna Green is serving five years in prison for burning Wellspring Health Access weeks before the clinic was set to open in Casper in 2022. The fire gutted the building while it was being renovated for the new clinic and delayed its opening by almost a year.After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-clinic-arson-opens-f149c165fdaa0956fecdbff75488f7cb">opening</a>&nbsp;this past April, Wellspring is now the only abortion clinic in Wyoming. A clinic in Jackson that provided pill abortions closed Dec. 15 due to rising costs.On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson ordered Green, 22, to pay about $298,000 in restitution including $240,000 to Nationwide General Insurance Company, the clinic's insurer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703715255058.png" alt="Green as seen on security camera -image Casper Police" />
 <figcaption>Green as seen on security camera -image Casper Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Green must also pay $33,500 to the building's owner, Christine Lichtenfels, and $24,500 to Julie Burkhart, founder and president of Wellspring Health Access. Burkhart expressed satisfaction with the restitution.“Not only did we have the emotional struggle and that trauma from the arson but also it was quite challenging for us financially. So I’m glad this is the final piece and it has been put to rest,” Burkhart said Wednesday.The restitution was identical to the amounts sought by prosecutors and unopposed by Green's attorney, Ryan Semerad, who in an emailed statement said Wednesday that Green “looks forward to a productive and peaceful life after her term of incarceration."Green has expressed remorse for the crime, which she said was driven by anxiety and nightmares about the planned clinic. The Casper College mechanical engineering student had shown no sign of anti-abortion views on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-clinic-wyoming-fire-arrest-6796b5c4ed39f858c1694a01ea06f985">social media</a>&nbsp;but told investigators she opposed abortion.She admitted driving from Laramie to Casper, breaking into the clinic through a door and lighting gasoline she poured in trays and splashed on the floor. After months of little progress, investigators increased the reward to $15,000 and got tips leading to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-clinic-fire-arrest-4524825ae149b37a677fbfe72ce76400">Green's arrest</a>&nbsp;in March.Green pleaded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-clinic-fire-bf23a8e3bd37c429a274b4e16cf2607f">guilty</a>&nbsp;in June to arson and in September&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wyoming-abortion-clinic-fire-woman-sentenced-88a92fca874acca5b781c99ac0ba9b6d">received</a>&nbsp;the minimum prison sentence. She had faced up to 20 years in prison.The arson and eventual opening of the clinic happened as new laws in Wyoming seek to ban abortion in nearly all cases. The laws, including the nation's first explicit ban on abortion pills, have been put on hold by a judge amid a lawsuit filed by four women and two nonprofits including Wellspring Health Access.

Woman who burned abortion clinic fined nearly $300K

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Christmas Eve homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 20-year-old Nicholas West, according to Police Sergeant Jacob Becchina.

Just before 10a.m. police were dispatched to 8th and Olive on a reported sound of shots.

First responders made contact with an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; Officers were then directed to a second shooting victim inside a vehicle parked on the street. Officers checked for signs of life which were met with negative results, according to Carlisle.&nbsp; EMS arrived on scene and subsequently pronounced the victim later identified as West deceased.

The circumstances leading up to these homicide are unknown.&nbsp; 

There is no one in custody at this time and police have no reason to believe there is an immediate risk to the public.

Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to process each scene to recover any evidence and speak to any potential witnesses.

This is homicide # 178 in Kansas City in 2023, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703447390066.png" alt="Photos courtesy Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Christmas Eve homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 20-year-old Nicholas West, according to Police Sergeant Jacob Becchina.Just before 10a.m. police were dispatched to 8th and Olive on a reported sound of shots.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703447540249.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders made contact with an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; Officers were then directed to a second shooting victim inside a vehicle parked on the street. Officers checked for signs of life which were met with negative results, according to Carlisle.&nbsp; EMS arrived on scene and subsequently pronounced the victim later identified as West deceased.The circumstances leading up to these homicide are unknown.&nbsp; There is no one in custody at this time and police have no reason to believe there is an immediate risk to the public.Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to process each scene to recover any evidence and speak to any potential witnesses.This is homicide # 178 in Kansas City in 2023, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

Homicide: Police ID KC man found dead in car Christmas Eve

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A new Hays food truck is promising to offer sweet treats to tickle the tongue and warm the belly.

Curtis and Brooke Deines of Hays will be opening Suck It Up Bubble Cup after the first of the year.

They will be serving bubble teas, milk teas, hot teas and a variety of other sweet and savory treats. Bubble tea is a sweet treat that started in Taiwan in the late '70s and early '80s, Curtis said.&nbsp; It is just now becoming popular in the U.S.

You can have tea hot, cold over ice or in a smoothie or slushie.

The bubble teas have flavor balls added. Traditional bubble tea has tapioca balls or "pearls" in the bottom, but now you can also get popping or crystal pearls.

Fruit syrup is added to a tea base for a fruit tea to which pearls can also be added.&nbsp;

The couple said they want customers to be able to experiment with new flavors, such as rose, lavender, papya or matcha.

"We got some rose in, and I was surprised," Brooke said. "I didn't think I would like it because I typically don't like floral-tasting things. My mouth felt like a rose smells."

Kids might want to try bubble gum or cookies and cream.

In the beginning, Bubble Cup will offer flights so customers can sample new flavors.

"I want people to come to us with ideas," Brooke said. "That's part of the fun of doing this is trying to create new flavors and not just have the plain, basic, ordinary things.

"We want to encompass that we are fun and want to try things. We want people to have fun when they come and order."

Another special treat the food truck will offer is&nbsp;Hong Kong egg waffles. They are cake-like round treats on a stick.

The business will offer 12-, 16- and 24-ounce drinks. A mid-range drink will cost between $5.50 and $6. The business will be offering gift cards.

The couple is waiting for the last of their equipment to arrive.&nbsp;

They don't have a schedule yet, but they plan on attending special events and festivals in Hays. A property owner near campus has promised them space to park the food truck. They hope to be accessible to Fort Hays students in the coming semester.

Several downtown businesses have expressed interest in partnering with the Bubble Cup for events. The Deines' also said they are interested in participating in the Hays Downtown Market.

"Our downtown is thriving, and there's always people there," Curtis said. "We want to be a part of that."

They have also considered setting up at Big Creek Crossing. The couple also said they would be willing to do private parties.

The Deines' are trying as much as possible to source materials from the local area, including honey and coffee.

Neither Brooke nor Curtis have owned a food business before. Brooke worked in food service when she was in school, and both have been volunteers for local concession stands.

"I love [working concessions]. You're working and making people happy because everybody's happy when they are getting food and drinks," Brooke said.

Both Brooke and Curtis plan to keep their day jobs. Curtis works for the city of Hays, and Brooke is a child care provider.

Curtis said this new business is their second wind.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553810372503">You can follow Suck It Up Bubble Cup on Facebook.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703024023872.jpeg" alt="Curtis Deines and his wife, Brooke, are opening a bubble tea truck in mid-January. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Curtis Deines and his wife, Brooke, are opening a bubble tea truck in mid-January. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA new Hays food truck is promising to offer sweet treats to tickle the tongue and warm the belly.Curtis and Brooke Deines of Hays will be opening Suck It Up Bubble Cup after the first of the year.They will be serving bubble teas, milk teas, hot teas and a variety of other sweet and savory treats. Bubble tea is a sweet treat that started in Taiwan in the late '70s and early '80s, Curtis said.&nbsp; It is just now becoming popular in the U.S.You can have tea hot, cold over ice or in a smoothie or slushie.The bubble teas have flavor balls added. Traditional bubble tea has tapioca balls or "pearls" in the bottom, but now you can also get popping or crystal pearls.Fruit syrup is added to a tea base for a fruit tea to which pearls can also be added.&nbsp;The couple said they want customers to be able to experiment with new flavors, such as rose, lavender, papya or matcha."We got some rose in, and I was surprised," Brooke said. "I didn't think I would like it because I typically don't like floral-tasting things. My mouth felt like a rose smells."Kids might want to try bubble gum or cookies and cream.In the beginning, Bubble Cup will offer flights so customers can sample new flavors."I want people to come to us with ideas," Brooke said. "That's part of the fun of doing this is trying to create new flavors and not just have the plain, basic, ordinary things."We want to encompass that we are fun and want to try things. We want people to have fun when they come and order."Another special treat the food truck will offer is&nbsp;Hong Kong egg waffles. They are cake-like round treats on a stick.The business will offer 12-, 16- and 24-ounce drinks. A mid-range drink will cost between $5.50 and $6. The business will be offering gift cards.The couple is waiting for the last of their equipment to arrive.&nbsp;They don't have a schedule yet, but they plan on attending special events and festivals in Hays. A property owner near campus has promised them space to park the food truck. They hope to be accessible to Fort Hays students in the coming semester.Several downtown businesses have expressed interest in partnering with the Bubble Cup for events. The Deines' also said they are interested in participating in the Hays Downtown Market."Our downtown is thriving, and there's always people there," Curtis said. "We want to be a part of that."They have also considered setting up at Big Creek Crossing. The couple also said they would be willing to do private parties.The Deines' are trying as much as possible to source materials from the local area, including honey and coffee.Neither Brooke nor Curtis have owned a food business before. Brooke worked in food service when she was in school, and both have been volunteers for local concession stands."I love [working concessions]. You're working and making people happy because everybody's happy when they are getting food and drinks," Brooke said.Both Brooke and Curtis plan to keep their day jobs. Curtis works for the city of Hays, and Brooke is a child care provider.Curtis said this new business is their second wind.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553810372503">You can follow Suck It Up Bubble Cup on Facebook.</a>

Hays couple's Suck It Up Bubble Cup food truck to offer bubble teas

By&nbsp;Joseph Clark&nbsp;, Department of Defense&nbsp;

The Defense Department on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3627179/biden-administration-announces-new-security-assistance-for-ukraine/">announced a security assistance package for Ukraine</a>&nbsp;valued at up to $250 million.&nbsp;

The package includes air defense capabilities, artillery and antitank weapons and other equipment to help Ukraine in its continued fight to counter Russia's unprovoked invasion. &nbsp;

The latest round of assistance marks the 54th drawdown of military equipment for Ukraine from DOD inventories since August 2021.&nbsp;

It comes amid negotiations on Capitol Hill over President Joe Biden's supplemental request to Congress to continue critical funding for military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702427915109.png" alt="President Joe Biden shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House on Dec. 13-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House on Dec. 13-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;Joseph Clark&nbsp;, Department of Defense&nbsp;The Defense Department on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3627179/biden-administration-announces-new-security-assistance-for-ukraine/">announced a security assistance package for Ukraine</a>&nbsp;valued at up to $250 million.&nbsp;The package includes air defense capabilities, artillery and antitank weapons and other equipment to help Ukraine in its continued fight to counter Russia's unprovoked invasion. &nbsp;The latest round of assistance marks the 54th drawdown of military equipment for Ukraine from DOD inventories since August 2021.&nbsp;It comes amid negotiations on Capitol Hill over President Joe Biden's supplemental request to Congress to continue critical funding for military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703760951484.png" alt="An airman attached to the 436th Aerial Port Squadron loads cargo during a Ukraine security assistance mission at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Jan. 13, 2023.Air Force Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez" />
 <figcaption>An airman attached to the 436th Aerial Port Squadron loads cargo during a Ukraine security assistance mission at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Jan. 13, 2023.Air Force Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez</figcaption>
 </figure>Defense officials have warned that, without action from Congress, further U.S. assistance for Ukraine could be in jeopardy at a critical time as Russia's war approaches the two-year mark.&nbsp;"We would, again, continue to urge the passage of the supplemental that we've submitted," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a briefing last week.&nbsp;"As you look at the situation that Ukraine finds itself in, we will obviously continue to support them," Ryder said. "But it is imperative that we have the funds needed to ensure that they get the most urgent battlefield capabilities that they require."&nbsp;In a recent letter to lawmakers, DOD comptroller Michael J. McCord said the department would be obligating the remaining $1 billion in funds authorized by Congress to replace U.S. inventories of weapons provided to Ukraine by the end of this month.&nbsp;The security assistance package announced today is likely the last until Congress authorizes additional funds.&nbsp;Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Washington to meet with Biden, defense officials and lawmakers. During those talks, Zelenskyy extended his gratitude for the United States' support and underscored his country's urgent need for that support to continue.&nbsp;After meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House, Biden pledged that the U.S. "will not walk away from Ukraine," as he implored lawmakers to authorize additional funding.&nbsp;"The brave people in Ukraine have defied [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's will at every turn, backed by the strong and unwavering support of the United States and our allies and partners in more than 50 nations in Europe and the Indo-Pacific," Biden said. "Ukraine will emerge from this war proud, free and firmly rooted in the West unless we walk away."&nbsp;He said he would continue to provide U.S. military assistance for as long as congressionally approved funds are available. &nbsp;"Without supplemental funding, we are rapidly coming to an end of our ability to help Ukraine respond to the urgent operational demands that it has," he said.&nbsp;"Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine," he continued. "We must prove him wrong." &nbsp;&nbsp;In introductory remarks ahead of Zelenskyy's address at National Defense University in Washington, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III also underscored the United States' "unshakable" commitment to supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression.&nbsp;"Ukraine matters profoundly to America's security and to the trajectory of global security in the 21st century," Austin said. "That's why the United States has committed more than $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine's brave defenders." He added that the U.S.-led coalition of allies and partners have also contributed more than $37 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. &nbsp;Austin said those contributions include capabilities that "are making a crucial difference on the battlefield" and have helped Ukraine retake more than half of the territory seized by Russia since February 2022.&nbsp;He said the U.S. and its allies and partners remain "determined to help Ukraine consolidate and extend its battlefield gains and to build a future force that can ward off Russian aggression in the years ahead."