WASHINGTON — First lady Jill Biden shared a unique video on social media Wednesday featuring the Dorrance Dance talented tappers at the White House with "their playful interpretation of The Nutcracker Suite."

&nbsp;Viewers shared a variety of positive and negative reviews of the "bit of magic, wonder, and joy,”&nbsp; as described by the first lady.&nbsp; She hopes viewers enjoy it.

WASHINGTON — First lady Jill Biden shared a unique video on social media Wednesday featuring the Dorrance Dance talented tappers at the White House with "their playful interpretation of The Nutcracker Suite."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A bit of magic, wonder, and joy brought to you by the talented tappers of Dorrance Dance, performing their playful interpretation of The Nutcracker Suite. Enjoy! 💕 <a href="https://t.co/qXtCm4t37o">pic.twitter.com/qXtCm4t37o</a>&mdash; Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1735074586721468855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Viewers shared a variety of positive and negative reviews of the "bit of magic, wonder, and joy,”&nbsp; as described by the first lady.&nbsp; She hopes viewers enjoy it.

🎥First lady shares unusual White House Christmas video

GRAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8a.m. Thursday in Gray County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Kia Sportage driven by Angela C&nbsp;Rodriguez, 59, Dodge City, was westbound on U.S. 56 one half mile northeast of Copeland.

The driver lost control due to slush on the roadway. An eastbound 2015 Chevy Suburban driven by Margaretha Wiebe, 32, Sublette, struck the passenger side of Kia in the eastbound lane. After impact, the Kia came&nbsp;rest in the south ditch.&nbsp;

Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Wiebe to&nbsp;St. Catherine's in Dodge City. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702591141734.png" alt="Wet, slushy roads in western Kansas on Thursday-photo KanDrive" />
 <figcaption>Wet, slushy roads in western Kansas on Thursday-photo KanDrive</figcaption>
 </figure>GRAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8a.m. Thursday in Gray County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Kia Sportage driven by Angela C&nbsp;Rodriguez, 59, Dodge City, was westbound on U.S. 56 one half mile northeast of Copeland.The driver lost control due to slush on the roadway. An eastbound 2015 Chevy Suburban driven by Margaretha Wiebe, 32, Sublette, struck the passenger side of Kia in the eastbound lane. After impact, the Kia came&nbsp;rest in the south ditch.&nbsp;Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Wiebe to&nbsp;St. Catherine's in Dodge City. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after crash blamed for slush on the road

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed a defense policy bill Thursday that authorizes the biggest pay raise for troops in more than two decades, overcoming objections from some conservatives concerned the measure did not do enough to restrict the Pentagon's diversity initiatives, abortion travel policy and gender-affirming health care for transgender service members.

The $886 billion bill was approved by a vote of 310-118 and now goes to President Joe Biden after the Senate had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-bill-pay-raise-abortion-transgender-21616bf1fd228c84d8d0046d25a19b01#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Senate,what%20is%20traditionally%20a%20strongly">overwhelmingly passed</a>&nbsp;it Wednesday. Kansas Representatives Ron Estes and Tracey Man voted against the bill. The rest of the Kansas delegation including Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted for the bill.

It is likely the last piece of major legislation Congress will consider before leaving for the holiday break, though negotiations continue on a bill to aid Ukraine and Israel and boost border security.

The spending called for represents about a 3% increase from the prior year. The bill serves as a blueprint for programs Congress will seek to fund through follow-up spending bills.

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.

“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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702582014813.png" alt="Kansas congressman Jake LaTurner presided over the House Floor Thursday during the vote on the National Defense Authorization Act." />
 <figcaption>Kansas congressman Jake LaTurner presided over the House Floor Thursday during the vote on the National Defense Authorization Act.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed a defense policy bill Thursday that authorizes the biggest pay raise for troops in more than two decades, overcoming objections from some conservatives concerned the measure did not do enough to restrict the Pentagon's diversity initiatives, abortion travel policy and gender-affirming health care for transgender service members.The $886 billion bill was approved by a vote of 310-118 and now goes to President Joe Biden after the Senate had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-bill-pay-raise-abortion-transgender-21616bf1fd228c84d8d0046d25a19b01#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Senate,what%20is%20traditionally%20a%20strongly">overwhelmingly passed</a>&nbsp;it Wednesday. Kansas Representatives Ron Estes and Tracey Man voted against the bill. The rest of the Kansas delegation including Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted for the bill.It is likely the last piece of major legislation Congress will consider before leaving for the holiday break, though negotiations continue on a bill to aid Ukraine and Israel and boost border security.The spending called for represents about a 3% increase from the prior year. The bill serves as a blueprint for programs Congress will seek to fund through follow-up spending bills.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.“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.

2 Kan. Reps voted against $886 billion defense spending bill 

BY:&nbsp;ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention met Wednesday with nearly 100 Democratic state legislators in an effort to reduce gun violence and offer federal support.

As part of the meeting, known as the Safer States Initiative, the Biden administration will aim to provide states with more tools and federal support to protect their communities, such as investing in evidence-informed solutions to prevent and respond to gun violence and strengthening gun background checks.

Stefanie Feldman, who leads the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, said on a call with reporters Tuesday that the initiative will strengthen federal and state partnerships to combat gun violence.

“One thing we hear all the time is they want to do more to reduce gun violence,” Feldman said of state lawmakers.

The initiatives come as the United States continues to suffer from an epidemic of mass shootings. Firearm-related injuries are now the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2201761">leading cause of death</a>&nbsp;for children and adolescents in the United States, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

There have been several high-profile mass shootings this year,<a target="_blank" href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/03/27/three-children-and-shooter-dead-after-massing-shooting-at-covenant-school-in-green-hills/">&nbsp;including a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee</a>&nbsp;where three children and three teachers were killed and another in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mainemorningstar.com/2023/10/26/we-will-all-help-you-carry-this-grief-mills-confirms-18-killed-in-lewiston-shooting/">Lewiston, Maine where 18 people were killed</a>&nbsp;and another 13 were injured.

This year, nearly 41,000 people have died due to gun violence and there have been 636 mass shootings,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/">according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.&nbsp;</a>Last year, there were 647 mass shootings and in 2021 there were 690 mass shootings.

State legislators from Maine will also attend the meeting, Feldman said.

Only Democratic state legislators were invited, a White House spokesperson said.

Additionally, the Department of Justice is releasing two pieces of model gun safety legislation&nbsp; — storing firearms safely and reporting stolen or lost firearms. A senior Justice Department official said the legislation on reporting missing or stolen firearms is modeled on state laws in Hawaii, Virginia and Maryland.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/biden-administration-to-create-new-gun-violence-prevention-office/">established in September&nbsp;</a>as part of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2022/06/24/congress-sends-biden-historic-gun-safety-legislation-with-gop-support/">gun safety bipartisan legislation Congress passed last year.</a>

Feldman said Wednesday’s announcement outlines actions that states could take, such as establishing a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention, investing in evidence-based solutions to prevent gun violence, such as community violence interventions, and strengthening support for victims and survivors of gun violence.

The other actions include promoting responsible firearm ownership, such as the safe storage of firearms and reporting of lost and stolen firearms.

“We know that safe storage saves lives,” Feldman said. “The majority of K-12 shooters are obtaining firearms from the home or the home of a friend.”

Other actions that states could take, Feldman said, included strengthening background checks, as well as holding the gun industry accountable by banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines.

Feldman said the White House will not only address mass shootings but “daily acts of gun violence,” such as domestic violence and suicide by gun violence.

According to the White House, legislators invited came from Kansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

BY:&nbsp;ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention met Wednesday with nearly 100 Democratic state legislators in an effort to reduce gun violence and offer federal support.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, I met with more than 100 state legislators and gun safety advocates to share policy solutions in our continued work to prevent gun violence. We have the answers. We must continue to lead with courage and act to save lives. <a href="https://t.co/sEpYj0DRCj">pic.twitter.com/sEpYj0DRCj</a>&mdash; Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/1735061720874279322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>As part of the meeting, known as the Safer States Initiative, the Biden administration will aim to provide states with more tools and federal support to protect their communities, such as investing in evidence-informed solutions to prevent and respond to gun violence and strengthening gun background checks.Stefanie Feldman, who leads the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, said on a call with reporters Tuesday that the initiative will strengthen federal and state partnerships to combat gun violence.“One thing we hear all the time is they want to do more to reduce gun violence,” Feldman said of state lawmakers.The initiatives come as the United States continues to suffer from an epidemic of mass shootings. Firearm-related injuries are now the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2201761">leading cause of death</a>&nbsp;for children and adolescents in the United States, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.There have been several high-profile mass shootings this year,<a target="_blank" href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/03/27/three-children-and-shooter-dead-after-massing-shooting-at-covenant-school-in-green-hills/">&nbsp;including a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee</a>&nbsp;where three children and three teachers were killed and another in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mainemorningstar.com/2023/10/26/we-will-all-help-you-carry-this-grief-mills-confirms-18-killed-in-lewiston-shooting/">Lewiston, Maine where 18 people were killed</a>&nbsp;and another 13 were injured.This year, nearly 41,000 people have died due to gun violence and there have been 636 mass shootings,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/">according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.&nbsp;</a>Last year, there were 647 mass shootings and in 2021 there were 690 mass shootings.State legislators from Maine will also attend the meeting, Feldman said.Only Democratic state legislators were invited, a White House spokesperson said.Additionally, the Department of Justice is releasing two pieces of model gun safety legislation&nbsp; — storing firearms safely and reporting stolen or lost firearms. A senior Justice Department official said the legislation on reporting missing or stolen firearms is modeled on state laws in Hawaii, Virginia and Maryland.<h2>Office created in gun safety law</h2>The Office of Gun Violence Prevention was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/biden-administration-to-create-new-gun-violence-prevention-office/">established in September&nbsp;</a>as part of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2022/06/24/congress-sends-biden-historic-gun-safety-legislation-with-gop-support/">gun safety bipartisan legislation Congress passed last year.</a>Feldman said Wednesday’s announcement outlines actions that states could take, such as establishing a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention, investing in evidence-based solutions to prevent gun violence, such as community violence interventions, and strengthening support for victims and survivors of gun violence.The other actions include promoting responsible firearm ownership, such as the safe storage of firearms and reporting of lost and stolen firearms.“We know that safe storage saves lives,” Feldman said. “The majority of K-12 shooters are obtaining firearms from the home or the home of a friend.”Other actions that states could take, Feldman said, included strengthening background checks, as well as holding the gun industry accountable by banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines.Feldman said the White House will not only address mass shootings but “daily acts of gun violence,” such as domestic violence and suicide by gun violence.According to the White House, legislators invited came from Kansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

White House met with state legislators from Kan. on gun violence prevention

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a restaurant in Lawrence.

Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) crews were dispatched to a reported fire at a restaurant at 815 New Hampshire Street in Lawrence, according to a media release. This building houses Cielito Lindo, a Mexican restaurant that has operated at this location for nearly two decades.

First arriving crews made entry into the structure to confirm that no occupants remained and to initiate fire suppression operations. After completing a rapid search of the structure, deteriorating interior conditions necessitated a transition to a “defensive” strategy which limits fire suppression activities to exterior positions.

 Aerial apparatus were located on two sides of the building to provide elevated water streams. Additional handlines (hoses operated by firefighters) were placed into operation around the building, including in the alley.

815 New Hampshire shares a common wall with the building located at 811 New Hampshire and crews entered this structure to check for any fire extension. No extension was found, but some water from fire suppression efforts did seep through the wall. Several streets in downtown Lawrence were closed overnight due to both hose lines in the street and to provide for a safe working environment for crews.

The fire was extinguished by 7:00 a.m., but crews remained on the scene&nbsp; to suppress any remaining hotspots. Investigators from LDCFM’s Fire Investigation Unit will be conducting a fire origin and cause investigation. One LDCFM firefighter reported a minor injury related to this incident and there were no civilian injuries reported.

While fire operations were ongoing at 815 New Hampshire, a separate structure fire was reported at 3:35 a.m. in the 700 block of Illinois Street in Lawrence. An LDCFM crew arrived to find a working fire in a single-family residence. In addition to LDCFM personnel and equipment, an engine, quint (fire apparatus with an aerial ladder), and battalion chief from Overland Park Fire Department (OPFD) also responded to the scene as part of a mutual aid request that had been made to provide additional coverage in Lawrence. The OPFD resources had been staged at LDCFM’s Station 5 and arrived on the scene shortly after the first unit.

Though this fire was quickly extinguished, four residents were displaced from the building. An LDCFM investigator determined the cause of this fire to be electrical in nature. No civilians were injured, but one LDCFM firefighter was evaluated at the scene for minor injuries.

LDCFM would like to remind people to not drive past “road closed” signs and to never drive over fire hose. Unauthorized traffic in and around fire scenes is extraordinarily dangerous for firefighters and damaged hoses can both delay fire suppression and injure firefighters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702570469585.png" alt="Fire crews on the scene in Lawrence early Thursday -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Fire crews on the scene in Lawrence early Thursday -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a restaurant in Lawrence.Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) crews were dispatched to a reported fire at a restaurant at 815 New Hampshire Street in Lawrence, according to a media release. This building houses Cielito Lindo, a Mexican restaurant that has operated at this location for nearly two decades.First arriving crews made entry into the structure to confirm that no occupants remained and to initiate fire suppression operations. After completing a rapid search of the structure, deteriorating interior conditions necessitated a transition to a “defensive” strategy which limits fire suppression activities to exterior positions. Aerial apparatus were located on two sides of the building to provide elevated water streams. Additional handlines (hoses operated by firefighters) were placed into operation around the building, including in the alley.815 New Hampshire shares a common wall with the building located at 811 New Hampshire and crews entered this structure to check for any fire extension. No extension was found, but some water from fire suppression efforts did seep through the wall. Several streets in downtown Lawrence were closed overnight due to both hose lines in the street and to provide for a safe working environment for crews.The fire was extinguished by 7:00 a.m., but crews remained on the scene&nbsp; to suppress any remaining hotspots. Investigators from LDCFM’s Fire Investigation Unit will be conducting a fire origin and cause investigation. One LDCFM firefighter reported a minor injury related to this incident and there were no civilian injuries reported.While fire operations were ongoing at 815 New Hampshire, a separate structure fire was reported at 3:35 a.m. in the 700 block of Illinois Street in Lawrence. An LDCFM crew arrived to find a working fire in a single-family residence. In addition to LDCFM personnel and equipment, an engine, quint (fire apparatus with an aerial ladder), and battalion chief from Overland Park Fire Department (OPFD) also responded to the scene as part of a mutual aid request that had been made to provide additional coverage in Lawrence. The OPFD resources had been staged at LDCFM’s Station 5 and arrived on the scene shortly after the first unit.Though this fire was quickly extinguished, four residents were displaced from the building. An LDCFM investigator determined the cause of this fire to be electrical in nature. No civilians were injured, but one LDCFM firefighter was evaluated at the scene for minor injuries.LDCFM would like to remind people to not drive past “road closed” signs and to never drive over fire hose. Unauthorized traffic in and around fire scenes is extraordinarily dangerous for firefighters and damaged hoses can both delay fire suppression and injure firefighters.

Fire damages 20-year-old Kansas restaurant 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for attempted theft.

Just after 6a.m Wednesday, a home owner in the 4200 Block NW Rochester road in rural Shawnee County called the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center reporting that a vehicle had driven through their yard behind their home, according to Sheriff's Lt. Scott Wanamaker.

The vehicle drove through the tree line behind the reporting party’s home and into a field near the west fence line to Tarwater Farm and Home Supply, 4107 NW Topeka Blvd.

A deputy was close to the area of the call and responded to Tarwater Farm and Home Supply.&nbsp; The deputy observed a man&nbsp; walking through the parking lot, carrying a fence T-Post. When the man saw the deputy he turned and ran. The deputy caught the man in the 4200 block NW Sproatan Lane.

The subject was detained and identified as 58 -year-old Darrell E Hunter of Topeka. After further investigation at the scene he was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Criminal Trespass and Attempted Theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702500447602.png" alt="Hunter-photo Shawnee Countyu" />
 <figcaption>Hunter-photo Shawnee Countyu</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for attempted theft.Just after 6a.m Wednesday, a home owner in the 4200 Block NW Rochester road in rural Shawnee County called the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center reporting that a vehicle had driven through their yard behind their home, according to Sheriff's Lt. Scott Wanamaker.The vehicle drove through the tree line behind the reporting party’s home and into a field near the west fence line to Tarwater Farm and Home Supply, 4107 NW Topeka Blvd.A deputy was close to the area of the call and responded to Tarwater Farm and Home Supply.&nbsp; The deputy observed a man&nbsp; walking through the parking lot, carrying a fence T-Post. When the man saw the deputy he turned and ran. The deputy caught the man in the 4200 block NW Sproatan Lane.The subject was detained and identified as 58 -year-old Darrell E Hunter of Topeka. After further investigation at the scene he was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Criminal Trespass and Attempted Theft.

Man caught attempting to take items from Kan. farm and home store

WASHINGTON —The FBI and the Department of&nbsp;Homeland Security&nbsp;issued a warning to the public this week of heightened threats to public safety this holiday season and through winter associated with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a joint statement from the agencies.

The National Counterterrorism Center joins those portions of this Announcement that concern international terrorism; general terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures; and threats posed by foreign violent extremists and those violent extremists they inspire.

FBI, DHS, and NCTC assess that ongoing tensions related to the conflict between Israel and HAMAS likely heighten the threat of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings throughout the winter, including holiday-related, faith-based, New Year's Eve, and First Amendment protected events related to the conflict. 

Although this announcement is not in response to any specific plotting activity, these targets likely remain attractive to lone actors inspired by a range of ideologies due to their accessibility and symbolic nature.

Since the HAMAS attack on Israel on 7 October, various foreign terrorist media organizations have called for lone actor attacks in the United States. Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (RMVEs) have also increased calls for violence and celebrated attacks on the Jewish community. 

Lone actors may seek to disrupt or escalate violence at large gatherings, high profile events, or symbolic or religious locations throughout the winter. Such gatherings could become a convenient target for those inspired to commit violence against Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Arab communities. 

Hate crime perpetrators have also played a role in violence and threats of violence. There has been a spike in reporting on potential hate crimes or other criminal violations from the public, local law enforcement partners, and other private or public sector partners since 7 October. We have also observed an increase in hoax bomb and active shooter threats targeting synagogues across the United States, likely intended to disrupt services and intimidate congregants.

Calls for violence may increase in the days leading up to the holidays and before other notable events this winter. Factors that could further exacerbate the threat of violence include escalations in the conflict between Israel and HAMAS and notable instances of violence in the Homeland inspiring copycat or retaliatory attacks. We therefore urge everyone to remain vigilant and to report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement.

FBI and DHS are particularly attuned in this environment to the concerns of the Jewish, Arab American, and Muslim communities and will continue to engage directly with leaders in these communities to ensure that available resources are utilized.

To help mitigate potential risks in today's dynamic and rapidly evolving threat environment, DHS has compiled several resources for communities and faith leaders, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) compendium of resources for securing mass gatherings and public spaces.

Additionally, resources for law enforcement also are available to increase our nation's ability to prevent acts of violence and increase our resilience to evolving threats.

To report any leads, threats, or suspected criminal activity, FBI and DHS urge the public to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Home/Egress?url=https://tips.fbi.gov&amp;h=3B5447CBE68501BB8AE43C84FF9EE49983854F6FB8EA6201529B83F13768FB7E">tips.fbi.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact their local FBI Office:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Home/Egress?url=https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices&amp;h=6DDC52DF2049F96DACAD3C0D64DF610D1248D1F7728544240271B9025CB9383F">www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices</a>. For emergencies or an immediate threat to life, please call 911.

For tips on identifying concerning behavior which may be connected to violent extremism, the FBI, DHS, and NCTC published an updated U.S. Violent Extremist Mobilization Indicators booklet in 2021.

If You See Something, Say Something®&nbsp;- Report suspicious activity and threats of violence, including online threats, to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or your local Fusion Center.

WASHINGTON —The FBI and the Department of&nbsp;Homeland Security&nbsp;issued a warning to the public this week of heightened threats to public safety this holiday season and through winter associated with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a joint statement from the agencies.The National Counterterrorism Center joins those portions of this Announcement that concern international terrorism; general terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures; and threats posed by foreign violent extremists and those violent extremists they inspire.FBI, DHS, and NCTC assess that ongoing tensions related to the conflict between Israel and HAMAS likely heighten the threat of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings throughout the winter, including holiday-related, faith-based, New Year's Eve, and First Amendment protected events related to the conflict. Although this announcement is not in response to any specific plotting activity, these targets likely remain attractive to lone actors inspired by a range of ideologies due to their accessibility and symbolic nature.Since the HAMAS attack on Israel on 7 October, various foreign terrorist media organizations have called for lone actor attacks in the United States. Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (RMVEs) have also increased calls for violence and celebrated attacks on the Jewish community. Lone actors may seek to disrupt or escalate violence at large gatherings, high profile events, or symbolic or religious locations throughout the winter. Such gatherings could become a convenient target for those inspired to commit violence against Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Arab communities. Hate crime perpetrators have also played a role in violence and threats of violence. There has been a spike in reporting on potential hate crimes or other criminal violations from the public, local law enforcement partners, and other private or public sector partners since 7 October. We have also observed an increase in hoax bomb and active shooter threats targeting synagogues across the United States, likely intended to disrupt services and intimidate congregants.Calls for violence may increase in the days leading up to the holidays and before other notable events this winter. Factors that could further exacerbate the threat of violence include escalations in the conflict between Israel and HAMAS and notable instances of violence in the Homeland inspiring copycat or retaliatory attacks. We therefore urge everyone to remain vigilant and to report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement.FBI and DHS are particularly attuned in this environment to the concerns of the Jewish, Arab American, and Muslim communities and will continue to engage directly with leaders in these communities to ensure that available resources are utilized.To help mitigate potential risks in today's dynamic and rapidly evolving threat environment, DHS has compiled several resources for communities and faith leaders, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) compendium of resources for securing mass gatherings and public spaces.Additionally, resources for law enforcement also are available to increase our nation's ability to prevent acts of violence and increase our resilience to evolving threats.To report any leads, threats, or suspected criminal activity, FBI and DHS urge the public to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Home/Egress?url=https://tips.fbi.gov&amp;h=3B5447CBE68501BB8AE43C84FF9EE49983854F6FB8EA6201529B83F13768FB7E">tips.fbi.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact their local FBI Office:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Home/Egress?url=https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices&amp;h=6DDC52DF2049F96DACAD3C0D64DF610D1248D1F7728544240271B9025CB9383F">www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices</a>. For emergencies or an immediate threat to life, please call 911.For tips on identifying concerning behavior which may be connected to violent extremism, the FBI, DHS, and NCTC published an updated U.S. Violent Extremist Mobilization Indicators booklet in 2021.If You See Something, Say Something®&nbsp;- Report suspicious activity and threats of violence, including online threats, to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or your local Fusion Center.

Federal officials warn of threat to public safety during the holidays

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 15-year-old and a 14-year-old from Wichita.

just before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a shooting call at the intersection of 15th Street North and Poplar Avenue in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.&nbsp;

First responders located the 15-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and the 14-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his right upper leg. EMS transported both victims to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Both victims underwent surgery and are in stable condition.

Detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and have not reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702502344958.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation early Wednesday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation early Wednesday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 15-year-old and a 14-year-old from Wichita.just before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a shooting call at the intersection of 15th Street North and Poplar Avenue in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.&nbsp;First responders located the 15-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and the 14-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his right upper leg. EMS transported both victims to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Both victims underwent surgery and are in stable condition.Detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and have not reported an arrest.

Police search for Kan. suspect who shot 14 and 15-year-old

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden" target="_blank">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday held his first in-person meeting with families of some of the eight Americans still unaccounted for and presumed taken captive by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war" target="_blank">Hamas during its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel</a>, reassuring the families that his administration was committed to reuniting them with their loved ones.

The family members said in a statement following the meeting that they urged Biden to do “everything in his power to negotiate a swift and total release of the remaining hostages,” and they in turn offered to do “anything he needs” to win the hostages’ release.

“We felt before and we’re only reinforced in seeing and believing that we could have no better friend in Washington or in the White House than President Biden himself and his administration,” said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui is among the Americans believed to be held by Hamas.

The two-hour meeting came a day after Biden appeared to sharpen criticism of Israel’s execution of its retaliatory strikes in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-12-2023-b52ae70a89443728517f1d3d7508992c" target="_blank">warning that the Israelis were</a>&nbsp;losing international support because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-hamas-oct-7-44c4229d4c1270d9cfa484b664a22071" target="_blank">“indiscriminate bombing</a>.”

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden’s comments reflected “a concern that we have had for some time and will continue to have as this military operation proceeds about the need for reducing civilian harm and being as precise and careful and deliberate as possible.”

Israeli officials on Wednesday sought to play down the signs of strain between Biden and the Netanyahu government.

“I have great respect for President Biden, for Defense Secretary Austin and all the top American government officials. They are doing a lot,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yov Gallant. He added, ”Conversations are ongoing. I think we will find a way to help the Americans help us. That’s the key and the base. They want our success, and we are aware we must do so while taking their needs into account, and without giving up on the goals of the war.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer joined Biden for Wednesday’s meeting. Thirteen of the family members attended in person, while three others joined the conversation with the president and his advisers by phone, according to the White House.

The Democratic president has previously met with some family members virtually and spoken to others on the phone. White House officials said Wednesday’s engagement was emotional for the president.

“I reassured them that I will continue doing everything possible to secure the release of their family members,” Biden said in a posting on the social media site X. “And that we will not give up hope.”

Dekel-Chen declined to offer information on what, if any, details Biden and other administration officials offered the group about U.S. efforts to win their loved ones’ release. He said, however, that the administration made clear that it “is completely committed to getting the hostages out.”

Biden’s meeting with the families came as his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, was to head to Israel on Thursday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of his war cabinet, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The eight Americans remain unaccounted for after Hamas’ surprise air, sea and land incursion into Israeli towns, where the group killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took more than 240 people hostage. The White House has said that at least 31 Americans were killed by Hamas and other militant groups&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2" target="_blank">on Oct. 7</a>.

Kirby said Biden “was moved by their stories, by the love they feel, by the hope that they still harbor and he harbors that hope too.”

Liz Naftali, the great aunt of 4-year-old Abigail Edan, who was released late last month after spending weeks in Hamas captivity, took part in the White House meeting and said the families are hoping for a “Christmas miracle.” The child, who was taken hostage after her parents were killed, was released during last month’s temporary cease-fire to facilitate the swapping of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

The meeting came as Pope Francis on Wednesday renewed his call for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and for the return of hostages taken by Hamas.

“As we come to the Christmas holiday, I hope that the pope continues to speak and others around the world not only pray, but pray for us, pray for our families, pray for our leaders, pray for the president,” said Naftali.

Four Americans were released as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-27-2023-852065d35c4643f4c874fb5993313b13" target="_blank">a U.S.-negotiated cease-fire in Israel’s war against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in Gaza that was brokered with the assistance of Qatar and Egypt.

One American woman was supposed to be released by Hamas under the terms of last month’s cease-fire, but she remains unaccounted for — a development that contributed to the end of the temporary pause in the fighting.

“We know that they are working 24 hours a day, and they are going to work through the holidays and they are going to do everything they can to make sure that all of our loved ones—real people—come home to us and to the families across the world and Israel,” Naftali said.

While Dekel-Chen and Naftali expressed hope, the families in their statement also expressed concern about the mental and physical pain the hostages are enduring.

“Every day, we worry that they are dying a little bit more. We implore our government, the Israeli government, and governments around the world to find a way to bring them home before it is too late,” the families said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden" target="_blank">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday held his first in-person meeting with families of some of the eight Americans still unaccounted for and presumed taken captive by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war" target="_blank">Hamas during its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel</a>, reassuring the families that his administration was committed to reuniting them with their loved ones.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I just sat down with the loved ones of Americans taken hostage by Hamas to hear their stories. I reassured them that I will continue doing everything possible to secure the release of their family members. And that we will not give up hope. <a href="https://t.co/eZLrlW63LI">pic.twitter.com/eZLrlW63LI</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1735028071818801268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The family members said in a statement following the meeting that they urged Biden to do “everything in his power to negotiate a swift and total release of the remaining hostages,” and they in turn offered to do “anything he needs” to win the hostages’ release.“We felt before and we’re only reinforced in seeing and believing that we could have no better friend in Washington or in the White House than President Biden himself and his administration,” said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui is among the Americans believed to be held by Hamas.The two-hour meeting came a day after Biden appeared to sharpen criticism of Israel’s execution of its retaliatory strikes in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-12-2023-b52ae70a89443728517f1d3d7508992c" target="_blank">warning that the Israelis were</a>&nbsp;losing international support because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-hamas-oct-7-44c4229d4c1270d9cfa484b664a22071" target="_blank">“indiscriminate bombing</a>.”White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden’s comments reflected “a concern that we have had for some time and will continue to have as this military operation proceeds about the need for reducing civilian harm and being as precise and careful and deliberate as possible.”Israeli officials on Wednesday sought to play down the signs of strain between Biden and the Netanyahu government.“I have great respect for President Biden, for Defense Secretary Austin and all the top American government officials. They are doing a lot,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yov Gallant. He added, ”Conversations are ongoing. I think we will find a way to help the Americans help us. That’s the key and the base. They want our success, and we are aware we must do so while taking their needs into account, and without giving up on the goals of the war.”Secretary of State Antony Blinken and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer joined Biden for Wednesday’s meeting. Thirteen of the family members attended in person, while three others joined the conversation with the president and his advisers by phone, according to the White House.The Democratic president has previously met with some family members virtually and spoken to others on the phone. White House officials said Wednesday’s engagement was emotional for the president.“I reassured them that I will continue doing everything possible to secure the release of their family members,” Biden said in a posting on the social media site X. “And that we will not give up hope.”Dekel-Chen declined to offer information on what, if any, details Biden and other administration officials offered the group about U.S. efforts to win their loved ones’ release. He said, however, that the administration made clear that it “is completely committed to getting the hostages out.”Biden’s meeting with the families came as his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, was to head to Israel on Thursday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of his war cabinet, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.The eight Americans remain unaccounted for after Hamas’ surprise air, sea and land incursion into Israeli towns, where the group killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took more than 240 people hostage. The White House has said that at least 31 Americans were killed by Hamas and other militant groups&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2" target="_blank">on Oct. 7</a>.Kirby said Biden “was moved by their stories, by the love they feel, by the hope that they still harbor and he harbors that hope too.”Liz Naftali, the great aunt of 4-year-old Abigail Edan, who was released late last month after spending weeks in Hamas captivity, took part in the White House meeting and said the families are hoping for a “Christmas miracle.” The child, who was taken hostage after her parents were killed, was released during last month’s temporary cease-fire to facilitate the swapping of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.The meeting came as Pope Francis on Wednesday renewed his call for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and for the return of hostages taken by Hamas.“As we come to the Christmas holiday, I hope that the pope continues to speak and others around the world not only pray, but pray for us, pray for our families, pray for our leaders, pray for the president,” said Naftali.Four Americans were released as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-27-2023-852065d35c4643f4c874fb5993313b13" target="_blank">a U.S.-negotiated cease-fire in Israel’s war against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in Gaza that was brokered with the assistance of Qatar and Egypt.One American woman was supposed to be released by Hamas under the terms of last month’s cease-fire, but she remains unaccounted for — a development that contributed to the end of the temporary pause in the fighting.“We know that they are working 24 hours a day, and they are going to work through the holidays and they are going to do everything they can to make sure that all of our loved ones—real people—come home to us and to the families across the world and Israel,” Naftali said.While Dekel-Chen and Naftali expressed hope, the families in their statement also expressed concern about the mental and physical pain the hostages are enduring.“Every day, we worry that they are dying a little bit more. We implore our government, the Israeli government, and governments around the world to find a way to bring them home before it is too late,” the families said.

Biden reaffirms commitment to freeing American hostages in Gaza

JACKSON COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a rural Kansas home.

Just after 10p.m. Tuesday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received the report of a house fire at 13626 E. Road, north of the City of Delia, in southwestern Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Crews battled the fire throughout the night and finally cleared the scene around 4a.m. Wednesday. The house had been occupied prior to the fire being reported. All occupants were able to evacuate without injury.  The residence was deemed a total loss.

 The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire. Fire crews from Delia, Mayetta, Hoyt and the PBPN fire departments responded to the scene as well as Jackson County EMS. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702484719788.png" alt="Photos Jackson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Jackson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a rural Kansas home.Just after 10p.m. Tuesday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received the report of a house fire at 13626 E. Road, north of the City of Delia, in southwestern Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Crews battled the fire throughout the night and finally cleared the scene around 4a.m. Wednesday. The house had been occupied prior to the fire being reported. All occupants were able to evacuate without injury. The residence was deemed a total loss.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702484370832.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire. Fire crews from Delia, Mayetta, Hoyt and the PBPN fire departments responded to the scene as well as Jackson County EMS. There were no injuries reported.

Sheriff: Rural Kansas home destroyed in fire

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday set an April execution date for Brian Dorsey, a central Missouri man convicted of killing his cousin and her husband in 2006.

The execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 9 at the state prison in Bonne Terre. It would be the first in 2024 in Missouri. Four of the 24 executions in the U.S. this year were in Missouri.

Dorsey, formerly of Jefferson City, was convicted of killing his cousin, Sarah Bonnie, and her husband, Ben, on Dec. 23, 2006, at their home near New Bloomfield. Prosecutors said that earlier that day, Dorsey had called Sarah Bonnie seeking to borrow money to pay two drug dealers who were at his apartment.

Dorsey went to the Bonnies' home that night. After they went to bed, Dorsey took a shotgun from the garage and killed both of them before sexually assaulting Sarah Bonnie's body, prosecutors said.

Sarah Bonnie's parents found the bodies the next day. The couple's 4-year-old daughter was unhurt.

Dorsey pleaded guilty in 2008 but later appealed the death sentence, claiming he should have instead been sentenced to life in prison without parole. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the death sentence in 2010.

Another appeal filed on behalf of Dorsey alleged that he was suffering from mental illness at the time of the killings and that his lawyer was ineffective. The state Supreme Court again&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/318d3d3424124cb7ac956fa16a58f828">upheld the death sentence</a>&nbsp;in 2014.

Missouri was among just five states to perform executions this year. The others were Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Florida.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702497047087.png" alt="Dorsey-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Dorsey-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday set an April execution date for Brian Dorsey, a central Missouri man convicted of killing his cousin and her husband in 2006.The execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 9 at the state prison in Bonne Terre. It would be the first in 2024 in Missouri. Four of the 24 executions in the U.S. this year were in Missouri.Dorsey, formerly of Jefferson City, was convicted of killing his cousin, Sarah Bonnie, and her husband, Ben, on Dec. 23, 2006, at their home near New Bloomfield. Prosecutors said that earlier that day, Dorsey had called Sarah Bonnie seeking to borrow money to pay two drug dealers who were at his apartment.Dorsey went to the Bonnies' home that night. After they went to bed, Dorsey took a shotgun from the garage and killed both of them before sexually assaulting Sarah Bonnie's body, prosecutors said.Sarah Bonnie's parents found the bodies the next day. The couple's 4-year-old daughter was unhurt.Dorsey pleaded guilty in 2008 but later appealed the death sentence, claiming he should have instead been sentenced to life in prison without parole. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the death sentence in 2010.Another appeal filed on behalf of Dorsey alleged that he was suffering from mental illness at the time of the killings and that his lawyer was ineffective. The state Supreme Court again&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/318d3d3424124cb7ac956fa16a58f828">upheld the death sentence</a>&nbsp;in 2014.Missouri was among just five states to perform executions this year. The others were Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Florida.

Execution date set: Man used shotgun to kill cousin, her husband 

OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on a variety of allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before 11p.m. on December 11, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S.75 Highway near Lyndon, for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. Deputies made three arrests.

Marvin J. McWhorter Jr., 63, of Quenemo was arrested on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

·Dustin A. Smith, 36, of Richmond is in custody on requested charges of&nbsp;Interference with law enforcement and an Arrest warrant.

&nbsp;Philip J. Guyle Jr, 29, of Lyndon is jailed on requested charges in connection with two arrest warrants and traffic contraband in a correctional facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702419886768.png" alt="McWhorter-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>McWhorter-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on a variety of allegations after a traffic stop.Just before 11p.m. on December 11, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S.75 Highway near Lyndon, for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. Deputies made three arrests.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702420090968.png" alt="Smith-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Marvin J. McWhorter Jr., 63, of Quenemo was arrested on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702419825803.png" alt="Guyle-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Guyle-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>·Dustin A. Smith, 36, of Richmond is in custody on requested charges of&nbsp;Interference with law enforcement and an Arrest warrant.&nbsp;Philip J. Guyle Jr, 29, of Lyndon is jailed on requested charges in connection with two arrest warrants and traffic contraband in a correctional facility.

Traffic stop helps Kansas deputies catch 3 wanted suspects

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings. He insisted he would only testify in public.

The Democratic president’s son slammed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">the GOP-issued subpoena</a>&nbsp;for the closed-door testimony, arguing that information from those interviews can be selectively leaked and manipulated.

“Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say,” Biden said outside the Capitol in a rare public statement. “What are they afraid of? I am here.”

GOP Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, has said Republicans expect “full cooperation” with the private deposition. Comer and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who leads the House Judiciary Committee, told reporters later Wednesday that they will begin looking at contempt of Congress proceedings in response to Hunter Biden's lack of cooperation.

"He just got into more trouble today,” Comer said.

For months, Republicans have pursued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-biden-impeachment-shutdown-house-republicans-b187202be8814f7acbdd6e2e937e23d4">an impeachment inquiry</a>&nbsp;seeking to tie President Joe Biden to his son's business dealings. So far, GOP lawmakers have failed to uncover evidence directly implicating the elder Biden in any wrongdoing.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was familiar with what his son would say. “I think that what you saw was from the heart, from his son,” she said. “They are proud of their son.”

Democrats have been united against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">the Republican impeachment push</a>, saying it's “an illegitimate exercise” merely meant to distract from GOP chaos and dysfunction.

“We are at a remarkable juncture for the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight and Accountability Committee. “Because this is an impeachment inquiry where no one has been able to define what criminal or constitutional offense they’re looking for.”

But questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, and lawmakers insist their evidence paints a troubling picture of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-devon-archer-4b706443a04e0c40a80c65e24d7d69dc">“influence peddling” in their business dealings</a>, particularly with clients overseas.

“There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen," Hunter Biden said.

The White House has chalked up the whole process as a “partisan smear campaign” that Republicans are pushing ahead with “despite the fact that members of their own party have admitted there is no evidence to support impeaching President Biden.”

While Republicans have maintained that their impeachment inquiry is ultimately focused on the president himself, they have taken particular interest in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;and his overseas business dealings, from which they accuse the president of personally benefiting. Republicans have also focused a large part of their investigation on whistleblower allegations of interference in the long-running Justice Department investigation into the younger Biden’s taxes and his gun use.

Hunter Biden is currently facing criminal charges in two states from the special counsel investigation. He’s charged with firearm counts in Delaware, alleging he broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction. Special counsel David Weiss filed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-tax-charges-special-counsel-75b2aa05f247535677454ff2dfa7c71f">additional charges</a>&nbsp;last week, alleging he failed to pay about $1.4 million in taxes over a three-year period.

Later Wednesday, the House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">authorized the impeachment inquiry</a>. House Republicans hoped a vote to formalize their investigation would help their legal standing when enforcing subpoenas to Hunter Biden and other Biden family members.

“Mr. Biden’s counsel and the White House have both argued that the reason he couldn’t come for a deposition was because there wasn’t a formal vote for an impeachment inquiry,” Jordan told reporters. “Well, that’s going to happen in a few hours.”

He added, “And when that happens, we’ll see what their excuse is then.”

Democrats and the White House have defended the president and his administration’s cooperation with the investigation thus far, saying it has already made dozens of witnesses and a massive trove of documents available.

Congressional investigators have obtained nearly 40,000 pages of subpoenaed bank records, dozens of hours of testimony from key witnesses, including several high-ranking Justice Department officials currently tasked with investigating Hunter Biden.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings. He insisted he would only testify in public.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: Hunter Biden news conference. <a href="https://t.co/MovQT3qMLJ">pic.twitter.com/MovQT3qMLJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1735054990631125216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Democratic president’s son slammed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">the GOP-issued subpoena</a>&nbsp;for the closed-door testimony, arguing that information from those interviews can be selectively leaked and manipulated.“Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say,” Biden said outside the Capitol in a rare public statement. “What are they afraid of? I am here.”GOP Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, has said Republicans expect “full cooperation” with the private deposition. Comer and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who leads the House Judiciary Committee, told reporters later Wednesday that they will begin looking at contempt of Congress proceedings in response to Hunter Biden's lack of cooperation."He just got into more trouble today,” Comer said.For months, Republicans have pursued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-biden-impeachment-shutdown-house-republicans-b187202be8814f7acbdd6e2e937e23d4">an impeachment inquiry</a>&nbsp;seeking to tie President Joe Biden to his son's business dealings. So far, GOP lawmakers have failed to uncover evidence directly implicating the elder Biden in any wrongdoing.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was familiar with what his son would say. “I think that what you saw was from the heart, from his son,” she said. “They are proud of their son.”Democrats have been united against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">the Republican impeachment push</a>, saying it's “an illegitimate exercise” merely meant to distract from GOP chaos and dysfunction.“We are at a remarkable juncture for the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight and Accountability Committee. “Because this is an impeachment inquiry where no one has been able to define what criminal or constitutional offense they’re looking for.”But questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, and lawmakers insist their evidence paints a troubling picture of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-devon-archer-4b706443a04e0c40a80c65e24d7d69dc">“influence peddling” in their business dealings</a>, particularly with clients overseas.“There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen," Hunter Biden said.The White House has chalked up the whole process as a “partisan smear campaign” that Republicans are pushing ahead with “despite the fact that members of their own party have admitted there is no evidence to support impeaching President Biden.”While Republicans have maintained that their impeachment inquiry is ultimately focused on the president himself, they have taken particular interest in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;and his overseas business dealings, from which they accuse the president of personally benefiting. Republicans have also focused a large part of their investigation on whistleblower allegations of interference in the long-running Justice Department investigation into the younger Biden’s taxes and his gun use.Hunter Biden is currently facing criminal charges in two states from the special counsel investigation. He’s charged with firearm counts in Delaware, alleging he broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction. Special counsel David Weiss filed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-tax-charges-special-counsel-75b2aa05f247535677454ff2dfa7c71f">additional charges</a>&nbsp;last week, alleging he failed to pay about $1.4 million in taxes over a three-year period.Later Wednesday, the House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">authorized the impeachment inquiry</a>. House Republicans hoped a vote to formalize their investigation would help their legal standing when enforcing subpoenas to Hunter Biden and other Biden family members.“Mr. Biden’s counsel and the White House have both argued that the reason he couldn’t come for a deposition was because there wasn’t a formal vote for an impeachment inquiry,” Jordan told reporters. “Well, that’s going to happen in a few hours.”He added, “And when that happens, we’ll see what their excuse is then.”Democrats and the White House have defended the president and his administration’s cooperation with the investigation thus far, saying it has already made dozens of witnesses and a massive trove of documents available.Congressional investigators have obtained nearly 40,000 pages of subpoenaed bank records, dozens of hours of testimony from key witnesses, including several high-ranking Justice Department officials currently tasked with investigating Hunter Biden.

🎥 "I am here'; Hunter Biden’s defiant, unexpected appearance

MARION COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Marion County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Hyundia Elantra driven by&nbsp;Jessica R.&nbsp;Henson, 43, Wamego, was was eastbound on U.S. Highway 56 at 250th Street.

The driver failed to stop and rear-ended a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by Trevor L.&nbsp; Stevens, 21, Emporia, who was stopped at a KDOT work zone waiting on the flagger.

Henson and a child passenger were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Yazel-Megli Funeral Home. The KHP released no additional details on the child. Juvenile records are protected data, according to the KHP.

Stevens was not injured. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702508158489.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCh" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCh</figcaption>
 </figure>MARION COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Marion County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Hyundia Elantra driven by&nbsp;Jessica R.&nbsp;Henson, 43, Wamego, was was eastbound on U.S. Highway 56 at 250th Street.The driver failed to stop and rear-ended a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by Trevor L.&nbsp; Stevens, 21, Emporia, who was stopped at a KDOT work zone waiting on the flagger.Henson and a child passenger were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Yazel-Megli Funeral Home. The KHP released no additional details on the child. Juvenile records are protected data, according to the KHP.Stevens was not injured. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

Kansas woman, child die in construction zone crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday authorized the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/impeachment">impeachment</a>&nbsp;inquiry into President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden,</a>&nbsp;with every Republican rallying behind the politically charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president.

The 221-212 party-line vote put the entire House Republican conference on record in support of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-impeachment-57c5b1b40d19ede4ecf7fde08c027cee">impeachment process</a>&nbsp;that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a president: punishment for what the Constitution describes as “high crimes and misdemeanors,” which can lead to removal from office if convicted in a Senate trial.

Authorizing the monthslong inquiry ensures that the impeachment investigation extends well into 2024, when Biden will be running for reelection and seems likely to be squaring off against former President Donald Trump — who was twice impeached during his time in the White House. Trump has pushed his GOP allies in Congress to move swiftly on impeaching Biden, part of his broader calls for&nbsp;<a>vengeance and retribution</a>&nbsp;against his political enemies.

The decision to hold a vote came as House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;and his leadership team faced growing pressure to show progress in what has become a nearly yearlong probe centered around the business dealings of Biden's family members. While their investigation has raised ethical questions, no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president.

Ahead of the vote, Johnson called it “the next necessary step" and acknowledged there are “a lot of people who are frustrated this hasn’t moved faster.“

In a recent statement, the White House called the whole process a “baseless fishing expedition” that Republicans are pushing ahead with “despite the fact that members of their own party have admitted there is no evidence to support impeaching President Biden.”

House Democrats rose in opposition to the inquiry resolution Wednesday.

“This whole thing is an extreme political stunt. It has no credibility, no legitimacy, and no integrity. It is a sideshow," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said during a floor debate.

Some House Republicans, particularly those hailing from politically divided districts, had been hesitant in recent weeks to take any vote on Biden's impeachment, fearing a significant political cost. But GOP leaders have made the case in recent weeks that the resolution is only a step in the process, not a decision to impeach Biden. That message seems to have won over skeptics.

“As we have said numerous times before, voting in favor of an impeachment inquiry does not equal impeachment,” Rep. Tom Emmer, a member of the GOP leadership team, said at a news conference Tuesday.

Emmer said Republicans “will continue to follow the facts wherever they lead, and if they uncover evidence of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors, then and only then will the next steps towards impeachment proceedings be considered.”

Most of the Republicans reluctant to back the impeachment push have also been swayed by leadership's recent argument that authorizing the inquiry will give them better legal standing as the White House has questioned the legal and constitutional basis for their requests for information.

A letter last month from a top White House attorney to Republican committee leaders portrayed the GOP investigation as overzealous and illegitimate because the chamber had not yet authorized a formal impeachment inquiry by a vote of the full House. Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, also wrote that when Trump faced the prospect of impeachment by a Democratic-led House in 2019, Johnson had said at the time that any inquiry without a House vote would be a “sham.”

Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said this week that while there was no evidence to impeach the president, “that’s also not what the vote this week would be about.”

“We have had enough political impeachments in this country,” he said. “I don’t like the stonewalling the administration has done, but listen, if we don’t have the receipts, that should constrain what the House does long-term.”

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who has long been opposed to moving forward with impeachment, said that the White House questioning the legitimacy of the inquiry without a formal vote helped gain his support. “I can defend an inquiry right now,” he told reporters this week. "Let's see what they find out.”

House Democrats remained unified in their opposition to the impeachment process, saying it is a farce used by the GOP to take attention away from Trump and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-investigations-election-fraud-documents-1d8d88542e6257ad957cf2fc03e190ae">legal woes</a>.

“You don’t initiate an impeachment process unless there’s real evidence of impeachable offenses,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, who oversaw the two impeachments into Trump. “There is none here. None.”

Democrats and the White House have repeatedly defended the president and his administration's cooperation with the investigation thus far, saying it has already made a massive trove of documents available.

Congressional investigators have obtained nearly 40,000 pages of subpoenaed bank records and dozens of hours of testimony from key witnesses, including several high-ranking Justice Department officials currently tasked with investigating the president's son, Hunter Biden.

While Republicans say their inquiry is ultimately focused on the president himself, they have taken particular interest in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;and his overseas business dealings, from which they accuse the president of personally benefiting. Republicans have also focused a large part of their investigation on whistleblower allegations of interference in the long-running Justice Department investigation into the younger Biden's taxes and his gun use.

Democrats have conceded that while the president's son is not perfect, he is a private citizen who is already being held accountable by the justice system.

“I mean, there’s a lot of evidence that Hunter Biden did a lot of improper things. He’s been indicted, he’ll stand trial,” Nadler said. “There’s no evidence whatsoever that the president did anything improper.”

Hunter Biden arrived for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-investigation-impeachment-0226bb1041d7b5c10bc8c33e5d98b5e0">rare public statement</a>&nbsp;outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, saying he would not be appearing for his scheduled private deposition that morning. The president's son defended himself against years of GOP attacks and said his father has had no financial involvement in his business affairs.

His attorney has offered for Biden to testify publicly, citing concerns about Republicans manipulating any private testimony.

“Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say,” Biden said outside the Capitol. “What are they afraid of? I am here.”

GOP lawmakers said that since Hunter Biden did not appear, they will begin contempt of Congress proceedings against him. “He just got into more trouble today,” Rep. James Comer, the House Oversight Committee chairman, told reporters Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702488142386.png" alt="FILE - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 29, 2023. The House is pushing toward a vote to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden formally. This comes as Republicans rally behind the charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 29, 2023. The House is pushing toward a vote to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden formally. This comes as Republicans rally behind the charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday authorized the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/impeachment">impeachment</a>&nbsp;inquiry into President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden,</a>&nbsp;with every Republican rallying behind the politically charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president.The 221-212 party-line vote put the entire House Republican conference on record in support of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-impeachment-57c5b1b40d19ede4ecf7fde08c027cee">impeachment process</a>&nbsp;that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a president: punishment for what the Constitution describes as “high crimes and misdemeanors,” which can lead to removal from office if convicted in a Senate trial.Authorizing the monthslong inquiry ensures that the impeachment investigation extends well into 2024, when Biden will be running for reelection and seems likely to be squaring off against former President Donald Trump — who was twice impeached during his time in the White House. Trump has pushed his GOP allies in Congress to move swiftly on impeaching Biden, part of his broader calls for&nbsp;<a>vengeance and retribution</a>&nbsp;against his political enemies.The decision to hold a vote came as House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;and his leadership team faced growing pressure to show progress in what has become a nearly yearlong probe centered around the business dealings of Biden's family members. While their investigation has raised ethical questions, no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president.Ahead of the vote, Johnson called it “the next necessary step" and acknowledged there are “a lot of people who are frustrated this hasn’t moved faster.“In a recent statement, the White House called the whole process a “baseless fishing expedition” that Republicans are pushing ahead with “despite the fact that members of their own party have admitted there is no evidence to support impeaching President Biden.”House Democrats rose in opposition to the inquiry resolution Wednesday.“This whole thing is an extreme political stunt. It has no credibility, no legitimacy, and no integrity. It is a sideshow," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said during a floor debate.Some House Republicans, particularly those hailing from politically divided districts, had been hesitant in recent weeks to take any vote on Biden's impeachment, fearing a significant political cost. But GOP leaders have made the case in recent weeks that the resolution is only a step in the process, not a decision to impeach Biden. That message seems to have won over skeptics.“As we have said numerous times before, voting in favor of an impeachment inquiry does not equal impeachment,” Rep. Tom Emmer, a member of the GOP leadership team, said at a news conference Tuesday.Emmer said Republicans “will continue to follow the facts wherever they lead, and if they uncover evidence of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors, then and only then will the next steps towards impeachment proceedings be considered.”Most of the Republicans reluctant to back the impeachment push have also been swayed by leadership's recent argument that authorizing the inquiry will give them better legal standing as the White House has questioned the legal and constitutional basis for their requests for information.A letter last month from a top White House attorney to Republican committee leaders portrayed the GOP investigation as overzealous and illegitimate because the chamber had not yet authorized a formal impeachment inquiry by a vote of the full House. Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, also wrote that when Trump faced the prospect of impeachment by a Democratic-led House in 2019, Johnson had said at the time that any inquiry without a House vote would be a “sham.”Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said this week that while there was no evidence to impeach the president, “that’s also not what the vote this week would be about.”“We have had enough political impeachments in this country,” he said. “I don’t like the stonewalling the administration has done, but listen, if we don’t have the receipts, that should constrain what the House does long-term.”Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who has long been opposed to moving forward with impeachment, said that the White House questioning the legitimacy of the inquiry without a formal vote helped gain his support. “I can defend an inquiry right now,” he told reporters this week. "Let's see what they find out.”House Democrats remained unified in their opposition to the impeachment process, saying it is a farce used by the GOP to take attention away from Trump and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-investigations-election-fraud-documents-1d8d88542e6257ad957cf2fc03e190ae">legal woes</a>.“You don’t initiate an impeachment process unless there’s real evidence of impeachable offenses,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, who oversaw the two impeachments into Trump. “There is none here. None.”Democrats and the White House have repeatedly defended the president and his administration's cooperation with the investigation thus far, saying it has already made a massive trove of documents available.Congressional investigators have obtained nearly 40,000 pages of subpoenaed bank records and dozens of hours of testimony from key witnesses, including several high-ranking Justice Department officials currently tasked with investigating the president's son, Hunter Biden.While Republicans say their inquiry is ultimately focused on the president himself, they have taken particular interest in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;and his overseas business dealings, from which they accuse the president of personally benefiting. Republicans have also focused a large part of their investigation on whistleblower allegations of interference in the long-running Justice Department investigation into the younger Biden's taxes and his gun use.Hunter Biden is currently facing criminal charges in two states from the special counsel investigation. He’s charged with firearm counts in Delaware, alleging he broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction. Special counsel David Weiss filed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-tax-charges-special-counsel-75b2aa05f247535677454ff2dfa7c71f">additional charges</a>&nbsp;last week, alleging he failed to pay about $1.4 million in taxes over a three-year period.Democrats have conceded that while the president's son is not perfect, he is a private citizen who is already being held accountable by the justice system.“I mean, there’s a lot of evidence that Hunter Biden did a lot of improper things. He’s been indicted, he’ll stand trial,” Nadler said. “There’s no evidence whatsoever that the president did anything improper.”Hunter Biden arrived for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-investigation-impeachment-0226bb1041d7b5c10bc8c33e5d98b5e0">rare public statement</a>&nbsp;outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, saying he would not be appearing for his scheduled private deposition that morning. The president's son defended himself against years of GOP attacks and said his father has had no financial involvement in his business affairs.His attorney has offered for Biden to testify publicly, citing concerns about Republicans manipulating any private testimony.“Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say,” Biden said outside the Capitol. “What are they afraid of? I am here.”GOP lawmakers said that since Hunter Biden did not appear, they will begin contempt of Congress proceedings against him. “He just got into more trouble today,” Rep. James Comer, the House Oversight Committee chairman, told reporters Wednesday.___