MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects who were captured after a SWAT team standoff in Kansas.

Just after 10p.m. December 11, Sheriff's Deputies received an anonymous tip, that two wanted suspects identified as 41-year-old Theodeous Armstrong and 46-year-old William Little were at a residence at 224 S. 15th Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

 Theodeous Armstrong had four outstanding warrants, three for contempt of court and one for aggravated escape from custody.  William Little had five outstanding warrants, four for failure to appear.

Deputies were successful in confirming both subjects were inside the residence, however they refused to exit the residence.  The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team was activated, and Coffeyville Police Department’s SWAT team was requested. 

 The Independence Police Department and Independence Emergency services responded by providing additional support.    Deputies continuously gave announcements using a loudspeaker, requesting both subjects to exit the residence peacefully, eventually gaining compliance from both men. Theodeous and William were taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Jail without incident. Armstrong remains in custody on the warrants and for the aggravated escape from custody.&nbsp; Little is no longer in custody.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703350649408.png" alt="Armstrong-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Armstrong-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects who were captured after a SWAT team standoff in Kansas.Just after 10p.m. December 11, Sheriff's Deputies received an anonymous tip, that two wanted suspects identified as 41-year-old Theodeous Armstrong and 46-year-old William Little were at a residence at 224 S. 15th Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade. Theodeous Armstrong had four outstanding warrants, three for contempt of court and one for aggravated escape from custody. William Little had five outstanding warrants, four for failure to appear.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703350170650.png" alt="Little-photo Montgomer Co." />
 <figcaption>Little-photo Montgomer Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies were successful in confirming both subjects were inside the residence, however they refused to exit the residence. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team was activated, and Coffeyville Police Department’s SWAT team was requested. The Independence Police Department and Independence Emergency services responded by providing additional support. Deputies continuously gave announcements using a loudspeaker, requesting both subjects to exit the residence peacefully, eventually gaining compliance from both men. Theodeous and William were taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Jail without incident. Armstrong remains in custody on the warrants and for the aggravated escape from custody.&nbsp; Little is no longer in custody.&nbsp;

Two wanted suspects captured after SWAT standoff at Kan. home

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Texas man who was part of a romance scam that bilked a Missouri woman out of $1.2 million was sentenced on Tuesday to three years in federal prison and ordered to repay part of the money.

Rotimi Oladimeji, 38, of Richardson, Texas, was sentenced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-st-louis-fraud-89f683110221a05e40734eae5e327c71">one year after he pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to two counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's office said in a news release.

Oladimeji and two others spotted the victim on the “Silver Singles” online dating site, prosecutors said. Posing as a Belgian national who was a veterinarian and animal behaviorist living in St. Louis, they made plans to meet with her but never followed through.

The scammers claimed the man needed money because he was not being allowed to leave the United Arab Emirates, where he had gone for a business deal. Federal prosecutors said the victim lost nearly $1.2 million. Oladimeji had received about 20% of the money and is being ordered to pay that amount back, they said.

Oladimeji was born in Nigeria and could be deported after his release from prison, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Texas man who was part of a romance scam that bilked a Missouri woman out of $1.2 million was sentenced on Tuesday to three years in federal prison and ordered to repay part of the money.Rotimi Oladimeji, 38, of Richardson, Texas, was sentenced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-st-louis-fraud-89f683110221a05e40734eae5e327c71">one year after he pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to two counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's office said in a news release.Oladimeji and two others spotted the victim on the “Silver Singles” online dating site, prosecutors said. Posing as a Belgian national who was a veterinarian and animal behaviorist living in St. Louis, they made plans to meet with her but never followed through.The scammers claimed the man needed money because he was not being allowed to leave the United Arab Emirates, where he had gone for a business deal. Federal prosecutors said the victim lost nearly $1.2 million. Oladimeji had received about 20% of the money and is being ordered to pay that amount back, they said.Oladimeji was born in Nigeria and could be deported after his release from prison, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Romance Scam: Man bilked woman out of $1.2 million 

KANSAS CITY —Critical Incident Response Team K9 Lola is now the subject of a new children’s book.&nbsp; Pawsitively Lola, A Service Dog’s Adventures by author Mike Dickerson.

The book became available from Friesen Press on December 19. It’s the third in a series about service dogs in the Kansas City area. It’s available on Amazon and all other book-selling platforms as a soft cover, hard cover or e-book. 

Dickerson, of Lathrop, Missouri., tells the story of how K9 Lola went from rescue dog to a rescuer who helps people when they are in crisis, in partnership with her handler, Kim Hunter. 

The book features pictures of a day in the life of K9 Lola.“Through word of mouth, I had heard about Lola’s impact on people around Kansas City,” Dickerson said. “I wanted to show people what she does.”Dickerson is donating all proceeds from the book’s sales to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office HALO (Helping All Live Optimally) Team. The HALO Team is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that assists Sheriff’s Office employees experiencing financial crisis.

Dickerson's other book titles include Pawsitively Dax and Pawsitively Rasta.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703112322410.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Critical Incident Response Team K9 Lola is now the subject of a new children’s book.&nbsp; Pawsitively Lola, A Service Dog’s Adventures by author Mike Dickerson.The book became available from Friesen Press on December 19. It’s the third in a series about service dogs in the Kansas City area. It’s available on Amazon and all other book-selling platforms as a soft cover, hard cover or e-book. Dickerson, of Lathrop, Missouri., tells the story of how K9 Lola went from rescue dog to a rescuer who helps people when they are in crisis, in partnership with her handler, Kim Hunter. The book features pictures of a day in the life of K9 Lola.“Through word of mouth, I had heard about Lola’s impact on people around Kansas City,” Dickerson said. “I wanted to show people what she does.”Dickerson is donating all proceeds from the book’s sales to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office HALO (Helping All Live Optimally) Team. The HALO Team is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that assists Sheriff’s Office employees experiencing financial crisis.Dickerson's other book titles include Pawsitively Dax and Pawsitively Rasta.

Another KC-area sheriff's K9 featured in new children’s book

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two separate homicides that occurred in Kansas City on Christmas Eve.

Just after midnight Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 1st Street and Holmes in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

Officers conducted an area canvassing in the wooded area of an unhoused camp and located a man suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp;

 EMS arrived on scene and subsequently pronounced the victim deceased.&nbsp; It was later discovered by the medical examiner on scene, the victim suffered from apparent gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, 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 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.

These are homicide #177 and 178 in Kansas City in 2023, according to Carlisle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703430112733.png" alt="Investigation Sunday near 1st and Holmes photo courtesy Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Investigation Sunday near 1st and Holmes photo courtesy Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two separate homicides that occurred in Kansas City on Christmas Eve.Just after midnight Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 1st Street and Holmes in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.Officers conducted an area canvassing in the wooded area of an unhoused camp and located a man suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp; EMS arrived on scene and subsequently pronounced the victim deceased.&nbsp; It was later discovered by the medical examiner on scene, the victim suffered from apparent gunshot wounds.Meanwhile, 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="8th and Olive Crime scene photo Sheriff Daryl Forte;" />
 <figcaption>8th and Olive Crime scene photo Sheriff Daryl Forte;</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 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.These are homicide #177 and 178 in Kansas City in 2023, according to Carlisle.

KCPD investigates 2 homicides on Christmas Eve

By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and pastor, pointed to a parable from the Gospel of Matthew to question why his fellow Christian lawmakers aren’t working to expand Medicaid.&nbsp;

Schlingensiepen said the parable describes the importance of charity. He said he uses the gospel when navigating legislative decisions but is not sure his colleagues do the same.&nbsp;

“One of the things that one learns rather crassly in the statehouse, is that there is no paucity of Christian believers who support their faith in all kinds of ways while turning around and supporting policies, egregiously supporting policies without any explanation, that fly in the face of this most solemn criterion,” Schlingensiepen said during a Tuesday event on Medicaid expansion.&nbsp;

He joined several other faith leaders from different religions, covering different areas of the state, to voice support for Medicaid expansion.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/22/kansas-clergy-place-faith-in-state-legislators-embracing-moral-truth-of-medicaid-expansion/">Other clergy members</a>&nbsp;have previously advocated for expansion ahead of the upcoming legislative session.&nbsp;

As the session approaches, Medicaid expansion has become the subject of renewed political debate, especially&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/14/kansas-governor-unveils-revenue-neutral-medicaid-expansion-plan-with-work-requirement-2/">due to Gov. Laura Kelly’s months-long efforts</a>&nbsp;in touring the state to advocate for it.

Medicaid expansion would allow an estimated 150,000 Kansans with low incomes to gain access to medical care and unlock $700 million in annual federal funding. The federal funding could also help support&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/12/kansas-unrivaled-rural-hospital-crisis-58-at-risk-of-closing-82-lost-money-on-patient-care/">59 of the state’s rural hospitals</a>&nbsp;that are at risk of closure.&nbsp;

To qualify for the current state-run Medicaid program, called KanCare, a person must be either under 19 or over 64, pregnant, or mentally or physically disabled. Caregivers are also eligible. Besides these requirements, the individual must be below a certain income level. A single mother with a child at home would have to make at or below $7,493.60 a year to qualify.&nbsp;

Republican leadership in the Legislature have said they will not support expansion, as it would&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/15/gop-leaders-reject-kansas-governors-proposal-for-medicaid-expansion/">“expand the welfare state</a>.”&nbsp;

During Tuesday’s event, Sister Therese Bangert, from the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, emphasized the importance of human dignity, saying that “having health care is part of that dignity.”

She asked attendees to pray for lawmakers.&nbsp;

“Please raise your voices with us and pray for these legislators on their journey ahead,” Bangert said. “On this issue and all the issues.”&nbsp;

Saaliha Khan of Kansas Interfaith Action called continued inaction on Medicaid expansion an “injustice.”&nbsp;

“Our faith traditions, including Islam, teaches us to help alleviate suffering, not to contribute to suffering,” Khan said. “To help care for those who are the most vulnerable among us and not the other way around.”

The Rev. Bobby Love, a pastor at the Second Baptist Church of Olathe, mentioned ongoing efforts in the faith community to advocate for Medicaid expansion. A candlelight vigil at the Statehouse is set for late January, and several bike ride awareness events are also in the works, among other plans.&nbsp;

“Let us be continuous with our care, compassion and concern for those of our Kansans who fall in this gap,” Love said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703169544734.png" alt=" Religious leaders in Kansas want legislators to work toward Medicaid expansion. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Religious leaders in Kansas want legislators to work toward Medicaid expansion. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat and pastor, pointed to a parable from the Gospel of Matthew to question why his fellow Christian lawmakers aren’t working to expand Medicaid.&nbsp;Schlingensiepen said the parable describes the importance of charity. He said he uses the gospel when navigating legislative decisions but is not sure his colleagues do the same.&nbsp;“One of the things that one learns rather crassly in the statehouse, is that there is no paucity of Christian believers who support their faith in all kinds of ways while turning around and supporting policies, egregiously supporting policies without any explanation, that fly in the face of this most solemn criterion,” Schlingensiepen said during a Tuesday event on Medicaid expansion.&nbsp;He joined several other faith leaders from different religions, covering different areas of the state, to voice support for Medicaid expansion.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/22/kansas-clergy-place-faith-in-state-legislators-embracing-moral-truth-of-medicaid-expansion/">Other clergy members</a>&nbsp;have previously advocated for expansion ahead of the upcoming legislative session.&nbsp;As the session approaches, Medicaid expansion has become the subject of renewed political debate, especially&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/14/kansas-governor-unveils-revenue-neutral-medicaid-expansion-plan-with-work-requirement-2/">due to Gov. Laura Kelly’s months-long efforts</a>&nbsp;in touring the state to advocate for it.Medicaid expansion would allow an estimated 150,000 Kansans with low incomes to gain access to medical care and unlock $700 million in annual federal funding. The federal funding could also help support&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/12/kansas-unrivaled-rural-hospital-crisis-58-at-risk-of-closing-82-lost-money-on-patient-care/">59 of the state’s rural hospitals</a>&nbsp;that are at risk of closure.&nbsp;To qualify for the current state-run Medicaid program, called KanCare, a person must be either under 19 or over 64, pregnant, or mentally or physically disabled. Caregivers are also eligible. Besides these requirements, the individual must be below a certain income level. A single mother with a child at home would have to make at or below $7,493.60 a year to qualify.&nbsp;Republican leadership in the Legislature have said they will not support expansion, as it would&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/15/gop-leaders-reject-kansas-governors-proposal-for-medicaid-expansion/">“expand the welfare state</a>.”&nbsp;During Tuesday’s event, Sister Therese Bangert, from the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, emphasized the importance of human dignity, saying that “having health care is part of that dignity.”She asked attendees to pray for lawmakers.&nbsp;“Please raise your voices with us and pray for these legislators on their journey ahead,” Bangert said. “On this issue and all the issues.”&nbsp;Saaliha Khan of Kansas Interfaith Action called continued inaction on Medicaid expansion an “injustice.”&nbsp;“Our faith traditions, including Islam, teaches us to help alleviate suffering, not to contribute to suffering,” Khan said. “To help care for those who are the most vulnerable among us and not the other way around.”The Rev. Bobby Love, a pastor at the Second Baptist Church of Olathe, mentioned ongoing efforts in the faith community to advocate for Medicaid expansion. A candlelight vigil at the Statehouse is set for late January, and several bike ride awareness events are also in the works, among other plans.&nbsp;“Let us be continuous with our care, compassion and concern for those of our Kansans who fall in this gap,” Love said.

Kan. faith leaders point to religious beliefs as motivation for Medicaid expansion

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

Just after 1a.m. Thursday, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 35 in Osage County for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.

The driver of the vehicle, Christine E. Shear, 40, of Emporia was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on suspicion on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Driving while license suspended, Endangering a child and an arrest warrant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703174815749.png" alt="Shear-photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Shear-photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 1a.m. Thursday, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 35 in Osage County for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.The driver of the vehicle, Christine E. Shear, 40, of Emporia was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on suspicion on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Driving while license suspended, Endangering a child and an arrest warrant.

Sheriff: Kansas woman transporting meth with child in the car

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged theft and additional crimes.

Just after 3p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a package theft in the 1700 block of SW Shunga Drive in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

As a result of collaboration between patrol officers and community police officers, a suspect was identified as Edward L. Swarthout, 41, of Topeka.

Around 4 p.m., community police officers located Swarthout in the 700 block of SW Fairlawn Road. They also found&nbsp;the stolen items and narcotics. 

Police arrested Swarthout and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of theft, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana and Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703173196930.png" alt="Swarthout -photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Swarthout -photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged theft and additional crimes.Just after 3p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a package theft in the 1700 block of SW Shunga Drive in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.As a result of collaboration between patrol officers and community police officers, a suspect was identified as Edward L. Swarthout, 41, of Topeka.Around 4 p.m., community police officers located Swarthout in the 700 block of SW Fairlawn Road. They also found&nbsp;the stolen items and narcotics. Police arrested Swarthout and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of theft, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana and Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

Police capture Kansas porch pirate, recover stolen items

NEW YORK (AP) — Look for flu and COVID-19 infections to ramp up in the coming weeks, U.S. health officials say, with increases fueled by holiday gatherings, too many unvaccinated people and a new version of the coronavirus that may be spreading more easily.

High levels of flu-like illnesses were reported last week in 17 states — up from 14 the week before, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

“Folks are traveling a lot more this season. They want to see their families,” said the CDC's Dr. Manisha Patel. "And all of that sort of adds to the mix” in the spread of viruses.

Health officials are keeping an eye on a version of the ever-evolving coronavirus, known as JN.1. The omicron variant was first detected in the U.S. in September and now accounts for an estimated 20% of cases. The CDC expects it to reach 50% in the next two weeks, Patel said.

It may spread easier or be better at evading our immune systems, but there is no evidence that the strain causes more severe disease than other recent variants, health officials say. And current evidence indicates vaccines and antiviral medications work against it.

As for flu, early signs suggest current vaccines are well-matched to the strain that is causing the most illnesses, and that strain usually doesn't cause as many deaths and hospitalizations as some other versions.

But the bad news is vaccinations are down this year, officials say. About 42% of U.S. adults had gotten flu shots by the first week of December, down from about 45% at the same time last year, according to the CDC.

Americans have also been slow to get other vaccinations. Only about 18% have gotten an updated COVID-19 shot that became available in September. At nursing homes, about a third of residents are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

And only 17% of adults 60 and older had received new shots against another respiratory virus. RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, is a common cause of mild coldlike symptoms but it can be dangerous for infants and older people.

The CDC last week took the unusual step of sending a health alert to U.S. doctors urging them to immunize their patients against the trio of viruses.

The Carolinas are currently seeing the heaviest traffic for respiratory infections in emergency rooms, according to CDC data posted this week.

It's not as dire as some past winters, but some patients are still waiting days to get a hospital bed, noted Dr. Scott Curry, an infectious diseases specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

“We've barely been cold in South Carolina, and flu tends to hit us very hard when people actually get some cold weather to deal with,” he said. “We could get worse, very easily, in the next four to eight weeks.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703335286337.png" alt="A flu vaccine is readied at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans’ Community Resource Center in Lynwood, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)" />
 <figcaption>A flu vaccine is readied at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans’ Community Resource Center in Lynwood, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Look for flu and COVID-19 infections to ramp up in the coming weeks, U.S. health officials say, with increases fueled by holiday gatherings, too many unvaccinated people and a new version of the coronavirus that may be spreading more easily.High levels of flu-like illnesses were reported last week in 17 states — up from 14 the week before, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.“Folks are traveling a lot more this season. They want to see their families,” said the CDC's Dr. Manisha Patel. "And all of that sort of adds to the mix” in the spread of viruses.Health officials are keeping an eye on a version of the ever-evolving coronavirus, known as JN.1. The omicron variant was first detected in the U.S. in September and now accounts for an estimated 20% of cases. The CDC expects it to reach 50% in the next two weeks, Patel said.It may spread easier or be better at evading our immune systems, but there is no evidence that the strain causes more severe disease than other recent variants, health officials say. And current evidence indicates vaccines and antiviral medications work against it.As for flu, early signs suggest current vaccines are well-matched to the strain that is causing the most illnesses, and that strain usually doesn't cause as many deaths and hospitalizations as some other versions.But the bad news is vaccinations are down this year, officials say. About 42% of U.S. adults had gotten flu shots by the first week of December, down from about 45% at the same time last year, according to the CDC.Americans have also been slow to get other vaccinations. Only about 18% have gotten an updated COVID-19 shot that became available in September. At nursing homes, about a third of residents are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.And only 17% of adults 60 and older had received new shots against another respiratory virus. RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, is a common cause of mild coldlike symptoms but it can be dangerous for infants and older people.The CDC last week took the unusual step of sending a health alert to U.S. doctors urging them to immunize their patients against the trio of viruses.The Carolinas are currently seeing the heaviest traffic for respiratory infections in emergency rooms, according to CDC data posted this week.It's not as dire as some past winters, but some patients are still waiting days to get a hospital bed, noted Dr. Scott Curry, an infectious diseases specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.“We've barely been cold in South Carolina, and flu tends to hit us very hard when people actually get some cold weather to deal with,” he said. “We could get worse, very easily, in the next four to eight weeks.”___

CDC: Flu and COVID infections rising, could get worse over the holidays

WASHINGTON —On Friday, President Biden signed into law:H.R. 2670, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024,” which authorizes fiscal year 2024, according to a statement from the White House.The bill extends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; and other matters

Lawmakers have been negotiating a final defense policy bill for months after each chamber passed strikingly different versions in July. Some of the priorities championed by social conservatives were a no-go for Democrats. Negotiators dropped them from the final version to get it over the finish line.

That did not go over well with some Republican lawmakers, though most did end up voting for a bill that traditionally has broad, bipartisan support. About twice as many Republicans voted for the bill as voted against it.&nbsp;Kansas GOP Representatives Ron Estes and Tracey Man voted against the bill.

“You almost feel like a parent who's sent a child off to summer camp and they came back a monster,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said in opposing the bill. “That's what we've done. This bill came back in far worse shape.”

As an example, Gaetz said the House bill eliminated the position of the chief diversity officer at the Defense Department, but the final measure did not include that provision.

Washington Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, chided the bill's critics for what he described as an unwillingness to compromise.

“Apparently, you don't like democracy because that's what democracy is. You compromise and you work with people and you do it all the time,” Smith said.

Most notably, the bill does not include language sought by House Republicans to restrict gender-affirming health care for transgender service members and it does not block the Pentagon’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-lloyd-austin-government-and-politics-dc6a0317775596ffc7945acc79b7559e">abortion travel</a>&nbsp;policy, which allows reimbursement for travel expenses when a service member has to go out of state for an abortion or other reproductive care.

Republicans did win some concessions on diversity and inclusion training in the military. For example, the bill freezes hiring for such training until a full accounting of the programming and costs is completed and reported to Congress.

One of the most divisive aspects of the bill was a short-term extension of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-surveillance-fisa-702-congress-reform-7dc1b506b58ce74de0d7983dfba98909">surveillance program</a>&nbsp;aimed at preventing terrorism and catching spies. The program has detractors on both sides of the political aisle who view it as a threat to the privacy of ordinary Americans.

Some House Republicans were incensed that the extension was included in the defense policy bill and not voted upon separately through other legislation that included proposed changes to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA.

The extension continues a tool that permits the U.S. government to collect without a warrant the communications of non-Americans located outside the country, in an effort to gather foreign intelligence.

U.S. officials have said the tool, first authorized in 2008 and renewed several times since then, is crucial in disrupting terror attacks, cyber intrusions and other national security threats. It has produced vital intelligence that the U.S. has relied on for specific operations, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-ayman-al-zawahri-qaida-biden-united-states-171556fce4719d012726fb979a14cc81">killing last year</a>&nbsp;of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

But the administration’s efforts to secure reauthorization of the program have encountered strong bipartisan pushback. Lawmakers are demanding better privacy protections for those Americans caught up in the monitoring. They wanted a separate vote on legislation making changes to the program.

“The FBI under President Biden has been weaponized against the American people and major reform is needed,” said Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont. “FISA should not be combined with our national defense. And it is unacceptable that leadership is bypassing regular order to jam members by forcing them to vote on two unrelated bills with one vote.”

Matthew G. Olsen, an assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, praised the passage of the extension.

He said: “We cannot afford to be blinded to the many threats we face from foreign adversaries, including Iran and China, as well as terrorist organizations like Hamas and ISIS," or the Islamic State group.

Enough opposition to the bill had developed within the GOP ranks that it forced House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to tee up the defense policy bill for a vote through a process generally reserved for noncontroversial legislation.

Under that process, at least two-thirds of the House had to vote in favor of the legislation for it to pass, but going that route avoided the prospect of a small number of Republicans blocking it from the floor.

Consideration of the bill comes at a dangerous time for the world, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and as China increasingly flexes its military might in the South China Sea.

On Ukraine, the bill includes the creation of a special inspector general for Ukraine to address concerns about whether taxpayer dollars are being spent in Ukraine as intended. That’s on top of oversight work already being conducted by other agency watchdogs.

“We will continue to stay on top of this, but I want to assure my colleagues that there has been no evidence of diversion of weapons provided to Ukraine or any other assistance,” GOP Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told lawmakers this week in advocating for the bill.

On China, the bill establishes a new training program with Taiwan, requires a plan to accelerate deliveries of Harpoon anti-ship missiles to Taiwan, and approves&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-united-states-nuclear-submarines-biden-aukus-64a1d6c416ad9206153ad601c177869b">an agreement</a>&nbsp;that enables Australia to access nuclear-powered submarines, which are stealthier and more capable than conventionally powered vessels.

WASHINGTON —On Friday, President Biden signed into law:H.R. 2670, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024,” which authorizes fiscal year 2024, according to a statement from the White House.The bill extends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; and other mattersLawmakers have been negotiating a final defense policy bill for months after each chamber passed strikingly different versions in July. Some of the priorities championed by social conservatives were a no-go for Democrats. Negotiators dropped them from the final version to get it over the finish line.That did not go over well with some Republican lawmakers, though most did end up voting for a bill that traditionally has broad, bipartisan support. About twice as many Republicans voted for the bill as voted against it.&nbsp;Kansas GOP Representatives Ron Estes and Tracey Man voted against the bill.“You almost feel like a parent who's sent a child off to summer camp and they came back a monster,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said in opposing the bill. “That's what we've done. This bill came back in far worse shape.”As an example, Gaetz said the House bill eliminated the position of the chief diversity officer at the Defense Department, but the final measure did not include that provision.Washington Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, chided the bill's critics for what he described as an unwillingness to compromise.“Apparently, you don't like democracy because that's what democracy is. You compromise and you work with people and you do it all the time,” Smith said.Most notably, the bill does not include language sought by House Republicans to restrict gender-affirming health care for transgender service members and it does not block the Pentagon’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-lloyd-austin-government-and-politics-dc6a0317775596ffc7945acc79b7559e">abortion travel</a>&nbsp;policy, which allows reimbursement for travel expenses when a service member has to go out of state for an abortion or other reproductive care.Republicans did win some concessions on diversity and inclusion training in the military. For example, the bill freezes hiring for such training until a full accounting of the programming and costs is completed and reported to Congress.One of the most divisive aspects of the bill was a short-term extension of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-surveillance-fisa-702-congress-reform-7dc1b506b58ce74de0d7983dfba98909">surveillance program</a>&nbsp;aimed at preventing terrorism and catching spies. The program has detractors on both sides of the political aisle who view it as a threat to the privacy of ordinary Americans.Some House Republicans were incensed that the extension was included in the defense policy bill and not voted upon separately through other legislation that included proposed changes to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA.The extension continues a tool that permits the U.S. government to collect without a warrant the communications of non-Americans located outside the country, in an effort to gather foreign intelligence.U.S. officials have said the tool, first authorized in 2008 and renewed several times since then, is crucial in disrupting terror attacks, cyber intrusions and other national security threats. It has produced vital intelligence that the U.S. has relied on for specific operations, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-ayman-al-zawahri-qaida-biden-united-states-171556fce4719d012726fb979a14cc81">killing last year</a>&nbsp;of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri.But the administration’s efforts to secure reauthorization of the program have encountered strong bipartisan pushback. Lawmakers are demanding better privacy protections for those Americans caught up in the monitoring. They wanted a separate vote on legislation making changes to the program.“The FBI under President Biden has been weaponized against the American people and major reform is needed,” said Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont. “FISA should not be combined with our national defense. And it is unacceptable that leadership is bypassing regular order to jam members by forcing them to vote on two unrelated bills with one vote.”Matthew G. Olsen, an assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, praised the passage of the extension.He said: “We cannot afford to be blinded to the many threats we face from foreign adversaries, including Iran and China, as well as terrorist organizations like Hamas and ISIS," or the Islamic State group.Enough opposition to the bill had developed within the GOP ranks that it forced House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to tee up the defense policy bill for a vote through a process generally reserved for noncontroversial legislation.Under that process, at least two-thirds of the House had to vote in favor of the legislation for it to pass, but going that route avoided the prospect of a small number of Republicans blocking it from the floor.Consideration of the bill comes at a dangerous time for the world, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and as China increasingly flexes its military might in the South China Sea.On Ukraine, the bill includes the creation of a special inspector general for Ukraine to address concerns about whether taxpayer dollars are being spent in Ukraine as intended. That’s on top of oversight work already being conducted by other agency watchdogs.“We will continue to stay on top of this, but I want to assure my colleagues that there has been no evidence of diversion of weapons provided to Ukraine or any other assistance,” GOP Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told lawmakers this week in advocating for the bill.On China, the bill establishes a new training program with Taiwan, requires a plan to accelerate deliveries of Harpoon anti-ship missiles to Taiwan, and approves&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-united-states-nuclear-submarines-biden-aukus-64a1d6c416ad9206153ad601c177869b">an agreement</a>&nbsp;that enables Australia to access nuclear-powered submarines, which are stealthier and more capable than conventionally powered vessels.

Biden signs $886B defense bill, extending controversial spying program

COWLEY COUNTY —The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office along with the assistance of the Winfield Police Department continue their search for 69-year-old Janet Spoon, who was reported missing on Saturday.

 As of 1p.m. Sunday, the sheriff's office reported no new developments in the search, but the Sheriff’s Office continues to follow up on all leads coming into the Office, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.

If you have any information about Mrs. Spoon’s whereabouts, please contact Cowley County Emergency Communications at 620-221-5447.

COWLEY COUNTY —The search continued Sunday morning for a woman reported missing in Cowley County.&nbsp; Just after 7:30a.m. Sunday, Deputy Mosqueda with the Cowley County Sheriff's office reported Janet Spoon was still missing.

&nbsp;Spoon was last seen in the area of 121st Road and U.S. 160 Highway when her vehicle became disabled. 

It is believed she left on foot. She is 69-year-old, a white female with blonde hair and blue eyes, approximately 5-foot-6 and 103 pounds.

The Blue Line Trackers had been working an area near Wheat Road and 360 Bypass Highway. If you have any information on her location, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (620)221-5444.

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities were searching for a missing person on Saturday afternoon, according to Undersheriff Christina McDonald with the County County Sheriff's Office.

 Janet J. Spoon was last seen in the area of 121st Road and U.S. 160 Highway when her vehicle became disabled. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703371809808.png" alt="Janet Spoon-photo Cowley County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Janet Spoon-photo Cowley County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office along with the assistance of the Winfield Police Department continue their search for 69-year-old Janet Spoon, who was reported missing on Saturday. As of 1p.m. Sunday, the sheriff's office reported no new developments in the search, but the Sheriff’s Office continues to follow up on all leads coming into the Office, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.If you have any information about Mrs. Spoon’s whereabouts, please contact Cowley County Emergency Communications at 620-221-5447.------------COWLEY COUNTY —The search continued Sunday morning for a woman reported missing in Cowley County.&nbsp; Just after 7:30a.m. Sunday, Deputy Mosqueda with the Cowley County Sheriff's office reported Janet Spoon was still missing.&nbsp;Spoon was last seen in the area of 121st Road and U.S. 160 Highway when her vehicle became disabled. It is believed she left on foot. She is 69-year-old, a white female with blonde hair and blue eyes, approximately 5-foot-6 and 103 pounds.The Blue Line Trackers had been working an area near Wheat Road and 360 Bypass Highway. If you have any information on her location, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (620)221-5444.-------------------COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities were searching for a missing person on Saturday afternoon, according to Undersheriff Christina McDonald with the County County Sheriff's Office. Janet J. Spoon was last seen in the area of 121st Road and U.S. 160 Highway when her vehicle became disabled. It is believed she left on foot. She is 69-year-old, a white female with blonde hair and blue eyes, approximately 5-foot-6 and 103 pounds.The Blue Line Trackers had been working an area near Wheat Road and 360 Bypass Highway. If you have any information on her location, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (620)221-5444.

Still missing: Woman walked away from disabled car in Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting have made an arrest

Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 600 block of SW Fillmore in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Ron Ekis. First responders found&nbsp;45-year-old Jennifer Eisele of Topeka. suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

As a result of the investigation, police arrested Steven Hunter Jr., 46, of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

He is being held on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; intentional,&nbsp;&nbsp;Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Interference with law enforcement officer; knowingly flee by means other than a motor vehicle for felony case, according to&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703433514556.png" alt="Hunter-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hunter-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting have made an arrest<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703333783490.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 600 block of SW Fillmore in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Ron Ekis. First responders found&nbsp;45-year-old Jennifer Eisele of Topeka. suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;As a result of the investigation, police arrested Steven Hunter Jr., 46, of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.He is being held on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; intentional,&nbsp;&nbsp;Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Interference with law enforcement officer; knowingly flee by means other than a motor vehicle for felony case, according to&nbsp;

Police capture suspect wanted for murder of Kansas woman

NEW YORK (AP) — If anything about Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” annoys you, best to avoid shopping malls now. Or the radio. Maybe music altogether, for that matter.

Her 1994 carol dominates holiday music like nothing else.

The Christmas colossus has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart the past four years in a row — measuring the most popular songs each week by airplay, sales and streaming, not just the holiday-themed — and it’s reasonable to assume 2023 will be no different. One expert predicts it will soon exceed $100 million in earnings. Even its ringtone has sold millions.

“That song is just embedded in history now,” says&nbsp;<a href="https://davidfoster.com/">David Foster</a>, the 16-time Grammy-winning composer and producer. “It’s embedded in Christmas. When you think of Christmas right now, you think of that song.”

Yet the story behind “All I Want for Christmas is You” is not all holly and mistletoe.

The song’s co-authors, Carey and Walter Afanasieff, are in a mystifying feud. The authors of a different song with the same title have sued seeking $20 million in damages. While Carey calls herself the Queen of Christmas, her bid to trademark that title failed.

Every year on Nov. 1, the song’s hibernation ends when Carey posts on social media that “it’s time” to play it again. This year’s message depicted her being freed from a block of ice to make the declaration.

In both music and lyrics, the song was perfectly engineered for success, says&nbsp;<a href="https://college.berklee.edu/faculty/joe-bennett">Joe Bennett</a>, musicologist and professor at the Berklee College of Music. And it came from an artist who was at the top of her game at the time.

“All I Want for Christmas is You” works as a love and holiday song. Carey sets it up: She doesn’t care about all the holiday trappings, she has one thing — one person — on her mind. She sprinkles in specific holiday references, from Santa Claus to mistletoe.

The instruments and brisk arrangement recall Phil Spector’s 1965 album, “A Christmas Gift for You,” itself a holiday classic. To top it off, part of the melody slyly references “White Christmas,” Bennett says.

“That was my goal, to do something timeless,” Carey explained in a recent “Good Morning America” interview.

Billboard has produced lists of top seasonal hits since 2010, and “All I Want for Christmas is You” has been No. 1 for 57 of the 62 weeks it has run, said Gary Trust, chart director. Will Page, Spotify’s former chief economist and author of the book “Pivot,” estimates the song will exceed $100 million in earnings this holiday season.

“By most objective measures,” Bennett says, “it’s the most successful Christmas song of all time.”

As Afanasieff has told it, much of the work on “All I Want for Christmas is You” was done by him and Carey working in a rented house in the summer of 1994. The team had a history, working on Carey's albums “Emotions” and “Music Box.”

He started with a boogie-woogie piano, tossing out melodic ideas that Carey would respond to with lyrics, he said on&nbsp;<a href="https://wdrv.com/mariah-careys-co-writer-says-her-version-of-how-her-christmas-hit-was-written-is-a-tall-tale/">last year’s podcast</a>, “Hot Takes &amp; Deep Dives with Jess Rothschild” (Afanasieff did not return messages from The Associated Press). Later, Carey completed the lyrics herself and Afanasieff recorded all the instruments, he said.

Then things became complicated. Carey was married at the time to Tommy Mottola, head of Sony Music. They broke up in 1997 and her relationship with Afanasieff, who kept working for Mottola, became a casualty of that fractured marriage. Afanasieff said they've spoken once in more than 20 years, and it his contributions have been written out of Carey's telling of the song's creation.

On “Good Morning America” last month, she said, "I was working on it by myself so I was writing on this little Casio keyboard, writing down words and thinking about, ’What do I think about Christmas? What do I love? What do I want? What do I dream of?” she says. “And that’s what started it.”

Afanasieff sounds almost bewildered by the turn of events. He&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2019/music/news/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-co-writer-walter-afanasieff-interview-1203447527/">told Variety in 1999</a>&nbsp;that every holiday season he has to defend himself against people who don’t believe he co-wrote the song.

“Mariah has been very wonderful, positive and a force of nature,” he told Variety. “She’s the one that made the song a hit and she’s awesome. But she definitely does not share credit where credit is due."

Last month, songwriters Andy Stone and Troy Powers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/11/03/mariah-carey-is-being-sued-over-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-again/?sh=4d07dc9d2667">sued Carey and Afanasieff</a>&nbsp;in federal court in California, seeking $20 million in copyright infringement and citing their own 1989 country song, “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

Their song has a similar theme, with a narrator desiring a love interest before Christmas comforts. The writers cite an “overwhelming likelihood” that Carey and Afanasieff had heard their song.

The two songs have no musical similarities, Berklee’s Bennett says, and the theme is hardly unique. He pointed out Bing Crosby’s “You’re All I Want for Christmas,” Carla Thomas’ “All I Want for Christmas is You” and Buck Owens’ “All I Want for Christmas, Dear, is You.”

Says the musicologist: “It’s nonsense.”

In his podcast appearance, Afanasieff noted how Foster once told him that “All I Want for Christmas is You” was the last song to enter the Christmas canon and “that vault is sealed.”

Foster told AP he exaggerated a little, but not a lot. Writing a new holiday song is brutally hard, since you’re competing with not just current hits but hundreds of years of songs and memories. The old classics never go away.

“I just stay away from them, because they scare me,” Foster says. “Lyrically, it’s sort of all been done before — better than I can ever do.”

While he appreciates Foster’s compliment, Afanasieff told Rothschild that he hoped others don’t take it to heart.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703367567358.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — If anything about Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” annoys you, best to avoid shopping malls now. Or the radio. Maybe music altogether, for that matter.Her 1994 carol dominates holiday music like nothing else.The Christmas colossus has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart the past four years in a row — measuring the most popular songs each week by airplay, sales and streaming, not just the holiday-themed — and it’s reasonable to assume 2023 will be no different. One expert predicts it will soon exceed $100 million in earnings. Even its ringtone has sold millions.“That song is just embedded in history now,” says&nbsp;<a href="https://davidfoster.com/">David Foster</a>, the 16-time Grammy-winning composer and producer. “It’s embedded in Christmas. When you think of Christmas right now, you think of that song.”Yet the story behind “All I Want for Christmas is You” is not all holly and mistletoe.The song’s co-authors, Carey and Walter Afanasieff, are in a mystifying feud. The authors of a different song with the same title have sued seeking $20 million in damages. While Carey calls herself the Queen of Christmas, her bid to trademark that title failed.Every year on Nov. 1, the song’s hibernation ends when Carey posts on social media that “it’s time” to play it again. This year’s message depicted her being freed from a block of ice to make the declaration.In both music and lyrics, the song was perfectly engineered for success, says&nbsp;<a href="https://college.berklee.edu/faculty/joe-bennett">Joe Bennett</a>, musicologist and professor at the Berklee College of Music. And it came from an artist who was at the top of her game at the time.“All I Want for Christmas is You” works as a love and holiday song. Carey sets it up: She doesn’t care about all the holiday trappings, she has one thing — one person — on her mind. She sprinkles in specific holiday references, from Santa Claus to mistletoe.The instruments and brisk arrangement recall Phil Spector’s 1965 album, “A Christmas Gift for You,” itself a holiday classic. To top it off, part of the melody slyly references “White Christmas,” Bennett says.“That was my goal, to do something timeless,” Carey explained in a recent “Good Morning America” interview.Billboard has produced lists of top seasonal hits since 2010, and “All I Want for Christmas is You” has been No. 1 for 57 of the 62 weeks it has run, said Gary Trust, chart director. Will Page, Spotify’s former chief economist and author of the book “Pivot,” estimates the song will exceed $100 million in earnings this holiday season.“By most objective measures,” Bennett says, “it’s the most successful Christmas song of all time.”As Afanasieff has told it, much of the work on “All I Want for Christmas is You” was done by him and Carey working in a rented house in the summer of 1994. The team had a history, working on Carey's albums “Emotions” and “Music Box.”He started with a boogie-woogie piano, tossing out melodic ideas that Carey would respond to with lyrics, he said on&nbsp;<a href="https://wdrv.com/mariah-careys-co-writer-says-her-version-of-how-her-christmas-hit-was-written-is-a-tall-tale/">last year’s podcast</a>, “Hot Takes &amp; Deep Dives with Jess Rothschild” (Afanasieff did not return messages from The Associated Press). Later, Carey completed the lyrics herself and Afanasieff recorded all the instruments, he said.Then things became complicated. Carey was married at the time to Tommy Mottola, head of Sony Music. They broke up in 1997 and her relationship with Afanasieff, who kept working for Mottola, became a casualty of that fractured marriage. Afanasieff said they've spoken once in more than 20 years, and it his contributions have been written out of Carey's telling of the song's creation.On “Good Morning America” last month, she said, "I was working on it by myself so I was writing on this little Casio keyboard, writing down words and thinking about, ’What do I think about Christmas? What do I love? What do I want? What do I dream of?” she says. “And that’s what started it.”Afanasieff sounds almost bewildered by the turn of events. He&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2019/music/news/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-co-writer-walter-afanasieff-interview-1203447527/">told Variety in 1999</a>&nbsp;that every holiday season he has to defend himself against people who don’t believe he co-wrote the song.“Mariah has been very wonderful, positive and a force of nature,” he told Variety. “She’s the one that made the song a hit and she’s awesome. But she definitely does not share credit where credit is due."Last month, songwriters Andy Stone and Troy Powers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/11/03/mariah-carey-is-being-sued-over-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-again/?sh=4d07dc9d2667">sued Carey and Afanasieff</a>&nbsp;in federal court in California, seeking $20 million in copyright infringement and citing their own 1989 country song, “All I Want for Christmas is You.”Their song has a similar theme, with a narrator desiring a love interest before Christmas comforts. The writers cite an “overwhelming likelihood” that Carey and Afanasieff had heard their song.The two songs have no musical similarities, Berklee’s Bennett says, and the theme is hardly unique. He pointed out Bing Crosby’s “You’re All I Want for Christmas,” Carla Thomas’ “All I Want for Christmas is You” and Buck Owens’ “All I Want for Christmas, Dear, is You.”Says the musicologist: “It’s nonsense.”In his podcast appearance, Afanasieff noted how Foster once told him that “All I Want for Christmas is You” was the last song to enter the Christmas canon and “that vault is sealed.”Foster told AP he exaggerated a little, but not a lot. Writing a new holiday song is brutally hard, since you’re competing with not just current hits but hundreds of years of songs and memories. The old classics never go away.“I just stay away from them, because they scare me,” Foster says. “Lyrically, it’s sort of all been done before — better than I can ever do.”While he appreciates Foster’s compliment, Afanasieff told Rothschild that he hoped others don’t take it to heart.

Why Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You' became so popular

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with an incident that occurred on December 15,&nbsp; in the 1100 block of South West Washburn Ave, where a male subject struck a Shawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy with a vehicle.

Shortly before 3:30 Dec. 22, members of the Fugitive Warrants Unit, Uniformed Patrol Division, K-9 Unit, and Investigations Division, responded to the 1400 block of South West 72nd Terrace in Shawnee County to execute a felony arrest warrant for the subject wanted in connection with striking the deputy.

While at that location, deputies arrested 39-year-old James Rich of Topeka. During execution of the warrant, deputies also arrested the homeowner identified as 53-year-old James Allen Jr., of Topeka on an unrelated warrant.

Rich was booked into the Shawnee County Department of corrections on requested charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, felony criminal damage to property, felony interference with a law enforcement officer, felony theft, and a fugitive from justice charge in connection with a felony absconder charge from the Michigan Department of Corrections.&nbsp; &nbsp;The sheriff's office released no additional details on the deputy's condition or recovery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703355987542.png" alt="Rich-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rich-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with an incident that occurred on December 15,&nbsp; in the 1100 block of South West Washburn Ave, where a male subject struck a Shawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy with a vehicle.Shortly before 3:30 Dec. 22, members of the Fugitive Warrants Unit, Uniformed Patrol Division, K-9 Unit, and Investigations Division, responded to the 1400 block of South West 72nd Terrace in Shawnee County to execute a felony arrest warrant for the subject wanted in connection with striking the deputy.While at that location, deputies arrested 39-year-old James Rich of Topeka. During execution of the warrant, deputies also arrested the homeowner identified as 53-year-old James Allen Jr., of Topeka on an unrelated warrant.Rich was booked into the Shawnee County Department of corrections on requested charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, felony criminal damage to property, felony interference with a law enforcement officer, felony theft, and a fugitive from justice charge in connection with a felony absconder charge from the Michigan Department of Corrections.&nbsp; &nbsp;The sheriff's office released no additional details on the deputy's condition or recovery.

Suspect who struck Kansas deputy with a vehicle is in custody

JERUSALEM —On December 23 two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. No ships reported being impacted by the ballistic missiles.

Between 3 and 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), the USS LABOON (DDG 58) was patrolling in the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation Properity Guardian(OPG) and shot down four unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were inbound to the USS LABOON. There were no injuries or damage in this incident. 

At approximately 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Naval Forces Central Command received reports from two ships in the Southern Red Sea that they were under attack. 

The M/V BLAAMANEN, a Norwegian-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil tanker, reported a near miss of a Houthi one-way attack drone with no injuries or damage reported. A second vessel, the M/V SAIBABA, a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, reported that it was hit by a one-way attack drone with no injuries reported. 

The USS LABOON (DDG 58) responded to the distress calls from these attacks. These attacks represent&nbsp; the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since Oct. 17.

The United States said Friday that Iran was “deeply involved” in the planning of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, providing weapons as well as “tactical intelligence” to enable the strikes along a critical sea corridor.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement, citing newly declassified intelligence assessments, that “Iranian support throughout the Gaza crisis has enabled the Houthis to launch attacks against Israel and maritime targets, though Iran has often deferred operational decision-making authority to the Houthis.”

Watson said the U.S. believes that without ongoing Iranian support, “the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels.”

“Iranian support to these Houthi operations remains critical,” Watson said. “We know the intelligence picture which the Houthis use to operate in the maritime space is reliant on Iranian-provided monitoring systems.”

Iran, which has long backed the Yemen-based group, has provided unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles to the Houthis, including those used in recent strikes on commercial and military vessels and attempted attacks on Israel, according to the U.S. assessment.

Additionally, the U.S. believes Iran has provided financial, training and tactical support for attacks by the Houthis, who say their strikes aim to end Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

“We have no reason to believe that Iran is trying to dissuade the Houthis from this reckless behavior,” Watson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703418619283.png" alt="photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —On December 23 two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. No ships reported being impacted by the ballistic missiles.Between 3 and 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), the USS LABOON (DDG 58) was patrolling in the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation Properity Guardian(OPG) and shot down four unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were inbound to the USS LABOON. There were no injuries or damage in this incident. At approximately 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Naval Forces Central Command received reports from two ships in the Southern Red Sea that they were under attack. The M/V BLAAMANEN, a Norwegian-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil tanker, reported a near miss of a Houthi one-way attack drone with no injuries or damage reported. A second vessel, the M/V SAIBABA, a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, reported that it was hit by a one-way attack drone with no injuries reported. The USS LABOON (DDG 58) responded to the distress calls from these attacks. These attacks represent&nbsp; the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since Oct. 17.The United States said Friday that Iran was “deeply involved” in the planning of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, providing weapons as well as “tactical intelligence” to enable the strikes along a critical sea corridor.U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement, citing newly declassified intelligence assessments, that “Iranian support throughout the Gaza crisis has enabled the Houthis to launch attacks against Israel and maritime targets, though Iran has often deferred operational decision-making authority to the Houthis.”Watson said the U.S. believes that without ongoing Iranian support, “the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels.”“Iranian support to these Houthi operations remains critical,” Watson said. “We know the intelligence picture which the Houthis use to operate in the maritime space is reliant on Iranian-provided monitoring systems.”Iran, which has long backed the Yemen-based group, has provided unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles to the Houthis, including those used in recent strikes on commercial and military vessels and attempted attacks on Israel, according to the U.S. assessment.Additionally, the U.S. believes Iran has provided financial, training and tactical support for attacks by the Houthis, who say their strikes aim to end Israel’s offensive in Gaza.“We have no reason to believe that Iran is trying to dissuade the Houthis from this reckless behavior,” Watson said.

U.S. warship responds to ballistic missile attack in the Red Sea

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges in connection with the Nov. 18,&nbsp; fatal shooting of another man outside a KC residence following a conflict, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Gabriel B. Eredia, 45, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records, police responded on Nov. 18, to the sound of gunfire in Kansas City. They were unable initially to locate a crime scene. Several minutes later, officers were dispatched to a person who was found shot outside a residence. 

A witness identified the Eredia who was a federally convicted felon and prohibited from carrying a firearm, as the person who was in the yard with the victim when shots rang out. The defendant's DNA was found on spent shell casings at the crime scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703173719569.png" alt="Eredia-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Eredia-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges in connection with the Nov. 18,&nbsp; fatal shooting of another man outside a KC residence following a conflict, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Gabriel B. Eredia, 45, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Armed Criminal Action charges.According to court records, police responded on Nov. 18, to the sound of gunfire in Kansas City. They were unable initially to locate a crime scene. Several minutes later, officers were dispatched to a person who was found shot outside a residence. A witness identified the Eredia who was a federally convicted felon and prohibited from carrying a firearm, as the person who was in the yard with the victim when shots rang out. The defendant's DNA was found on spent shell casings at the crime scene.

Witness IDs convicted felon at scene of Kansas City murder

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas couple on drug allegations.

Just after 1 p.m. December 18, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the area of the 9800 block of US Highway 75 for a suspicious vehicle, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

  The deputy made contact with two occupants and discovered that the woman had an active protection order against the driver. 

A Jackson County Sheriff’ Office K-9 alerted to the presence of an illegal substance within the vehicle.  A search located a substance believed to be methamphetamine.&nbsp;

Deputies arrested the driver, Freedom Spirit Hood, 46, of Portland, Oregon on a requested charges of violation of a protection order and possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful vehicle registration.

  The passenger, Rosalie Marie Hood, 38, of Boise, Idaho was arrested on requested charge of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both subjects remain in the Jackson County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703174164827.png" alt="Hood-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hood-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas couple on drug allegations.Just after 1 p.m. December 18, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the area of the 9800 block of US Highway 75 for a suspicious vehicle, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The deputy made contact with two occupants and discovered that the woman had an active protection order against the driver. A Jackson County Sheriff’ Office K-9 alerted to the presence of an illegal substance within the vehicle. A search located a substance believed to be methamphetamine.&nbsp;Deputies arrested the driver, Freedom Spirit Hood, 46, of Portland, Oregon on a requested charges of violation of a protection order and possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful vehicle registration. The passenger, Rosalie Marie Hood, 38, of Boise, Idaho was arrested on requested charge of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both subjects remain in the Jackson County Jail.

Kan. traffic stop: Woman had protection order against the driver

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas man has been charged through a criminal complaint in Kansas City, Kansas, for allegedly robbing a bank.

According to court documents, Cesar Serrano, 46, of Overland Park is charged with one count of bank robbery.

On December 16, 2023, Serrano allegedly used a firearm to demand money from employees at Great Southern Bank in Prairie Village, Kansas. He was arrested and booked into jail late Sunday, according to online jail records.

The defendant was scheduled for his initial court appearance on December 20, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703025399081.png" alt="Serrano photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Serrano photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas man has been charged through a criminal complaint in Kansas City, Kansas, for allegedly robbing a bank.According to court documents, Cesar Serrano, 46, of Overland Park is charged with one count of bank robbery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702817029294.png" alt="photo Prairie Village Police" />
 <figcaption>photo Prairie Village Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On December 16, 2023, Serrano allegedly used a firearm to demand money from employees at Great Southern Bank in Prairie Village, Kansas. He was arrested and booked into jail late Sunday, according to online jail records.The defendant was scheduled for his initial court appearance on December 20, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

Suspect in December Kan. bank robbery is arrested and charged 

DICKINSON COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is busy keeping&nbsp; roads safe during the holidays.

On social media Saturday afternoon, Trooper Ben Gardner sent a big thank you to Trooper R. Davis for ensuring safety with a crucial traffic stop. Davis stopped a motorist for driving 119mph in a 75 zone on Interstate 70 eastbound in Dickinson County.&nbsp; The total fine for the speeding violatio is $513, according to Gardner. "Slow down and make our holiday travels safe for everyone."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703375189656.png" alt="photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is busy keeping&nbsp; roads safe during the holidays.On social media Saturday afternoon, Trooper Ben Gardner sent a big thank you to Trooper R. Davis for ensuring safety with a crucial traffic stop. Davis stopped a motorist for driving 119mph in a 75 zone on Interstate 70 eastbound in Dickinson County.&nbsp; The total fine for the speeding violatio is $513, according to Gardner. "Slow down and make our holiday travels safe for everyone."

KHP: Driver stopped for traveling 119mph on I-70

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a California law that would have banned carrying firearms in most public places, ruling that it violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and deprives people of their ability to defend themselves and their loved ones.

The law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-guns-ammunition-tax-school-safety-0870a673a3d4e85c78466897cfd7ff6f">in September</a>&nbsp;was set to take effect Jan. 1. It would have prohibited people from carrying concealed guns in 26 places including public parks and playgrounds, churches, banks and zoos. The ban would apply whether the person has a permit to carry a concealed weapon or not. One exception would be for privately owned businesses that put up signs saying people are allowed to bring guns on their premises.

U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney granted a preliminary injunction blocking the law, which he wrote was “sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court.”

The court case against the law will proceed while the law is blocked. The judge wrote that gun rights groups are likely to succeed in proving it unconstitutional, meaning it would be permanently overturned.

The decision is a victory for the California Rifle and Pistol Association, which sued to block the law. The measure overhauled the state’s rules for concealed carry permits in light of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-gun-politics-new-york-violence-kathy-hochul-ebe58ea297c154a25a62650dec935529">U.S. Supreme Court’s decision</a>&nbsp;in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, which set several states scrambling to react with their own laws. That decision said the constitutionality of gun laws must be assessed by whether they are “consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”

“California progressive politicians refuse to accept the Supreme Court’s mandate from the Bruen case and are trying every creative ploy they can imagine to get around it,” the California association's president, Chuck Michel, said in a statement. “The Court saw through the State’s gambit.”

Michel said under the law, gun permit holders “wouldn’t be able to drive across town without passing through a prohibited area and breaking the law.” He said the judge's decision makes Californians safer because criminals are deterred when law-abiding citizens can defend themselves.

State Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will appeal the decision, which he said if allowed to stand “would endanger communities by allowing guns in places where families and children gather.”

Newsom said he will keep pushing for stricter gun measures.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702505915425.png" alt="File photo Aristide Economopoulos" />
 <figcaption>File photo Aristide Economopoulos</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a California law that would have banned carrying firearms in most public places, ruling that it violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and deprives people of their ability to defend themselves and their loved ones.The law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-guns-ammunition-tax-school-safety-0870a673a3d4e85c78466897cfd7ff6f">in September</a>&nbsp;was set to take effect Jan. 1. It would have prohibited people from carrying concealed guns in 26 places including public parks and playgrounds, churches, banks and zoos. The ban would apply whether the person has a permit to carry a concealed weapon or not. One exception would be for privately owned businesses that put up signs saying people are allowed to bring guns on their premises.U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney granted a preliminary injunction blocking the law, which he wrote was “sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court.”The court case against the law will proceed while the law is blocked. The judge wrote that gun rights groups are likely to succeed in proving it unconstitutional, meaning it would be permanently overturned.The decision is a victory for the California Rifle and Pistol Association, which sued to block the law. The measure overhauled the state’s rules for concealed carry permits in light of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-gun-politics-new-york-violence-kathy-hochul-ebe58ea297c154a25a62650dec935529">U.S. Supreme Court’s decision</a>&nbsp;in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, which set several states scrambling to react with their own laws. That decision said the constitutionality of gun laws must be assessed by whether they are “consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”“California progressive politicians refuse to accept the Supreme Court’s mandate from the Bruen case and are trying every creative ploy they can imagine to get around it,” the California association's president, Chuck Michel, said in a statement. “The Court saw through the State’s gambit.”Michel said under the law, gun permit holders “wouldn’t be able to drive across town without passing through a prohibited area and breaking the law.” He said the judge's decision makes Californians safer because criminals are deterred when law-abiding citizens can defend themselves.State Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will appeal the decision, which he said if allowed to stand “would endanger communities by allowing guns in places where families and children gather.”Newsom said he will keep pushing for stricter gun measures.“Defying common sense, this ruling outrageously calls California’s data-backed gun safety efforts ‘repugnant.’ What is repugnant is this ruling, which greenlights the proliferation of guns in our hospitals, libraries, and children’s playgrounds — spaces, which should be safe for all," the governor said in a statement Wednesday evening.Newsom has positioned himself as a national leader on gun control while he is being increasingly eyed as a potential presidential candidate. He has called for and signed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-gun-politics-legislature-gavin-newsom-42081c0b5d0e0a65b73e3c0e846d1851">a variety of bills</a>, including measures targeting untraceable “ghost guns,” the marketing of firearms to children and allowing people to bring lawsuits over gun violence. That legislation was patterned on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-gun-violence-us-supreme-court-politics-gavin-newsom-fbb51411fcbb46276060db967e1d4680">a Texas anti-abortion law</a>.Carney is a former Orange County Superior Court judge who was appointed to the federal bench by President George W. Bush in 2003.