BUTLER COUNTY — Two children injured in an accident Sunday that killed their mother continue their recovery. They were listed in stable condition late Monday, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

Just after 1a.m. on Monday, Butler County 911 received a report of a single vehicle, roll over crash close to the intersection of NW 30th and NW Tawakoni Road rural Benton, Kansas, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

All occupants of the Chevrolet Impala were reported to have been ejected. The driver, 27-year-old Harley R. Wright of Wichita, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported her two children, ages 5 and 6, to a Wichita area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Wright is reported to have left a family gathering around 7:30 pm to take the children to El Dorado but never arrived. Family members contacted the El Dorado police Department for a welfare check if they located her.&nbsp; Just after 1a.m. Monday, family members located the crash on NW 30th around NW Tawakoni Road. Wright and the children were located outside the vehicle, which appeared to have rolled several times.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office with assistance of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

BUTLER COUNTY — Two children injured in an accident Sunday that killed their mother continue their recovery. They were listed in stable condition late Monday, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.Just after 1a.m. on Monday, Butler County 911 received a report of a single vehicle, roll over crash close to the intersection of NW 30th and NW Tawakoni Road rural Benton, Kansas, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.All occupants of the Chevrolet Impala were reported to have been ejected. The driver, 27-year-old Harley R. Wright of Wichita, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported her two children, ages 5 and 6, to a Wichita area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.Wright is reported to have left a family gathering around 7:30 pm to take the children to El Dorado but never arrived. Family members contacted the El Dorado police Department for a welfare check if they located her.&nbsp; Just after 1a.m. Monday, family members located the crash on NW 30th around NW Tawakoni Road. Wright and the children were located outside the vehicle, which appeared to have rolled several times.The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office with assistance of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

2 Kan. children injured in crash that killed their mother continue recovery

WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 72-year-old male inmate who was found unresponsive Sunday morning in the clinic unit of the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.

Deputies found the inmate, identified from booking records as Neal Brady, shortly after 10 a.m. Detention staff and on-site medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures. Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department responded, and EMS transported Brady to a Wichita hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead shortly after 11 a.m.

Brady had a history of several chronic medical conditions, including a brain tumor and hypertension, among other ailments. On Nov. 8, he was taken to a local hospital for treatment of acute kidney failure. He remained hospitalized until his discharge on Nov. 11, when he was returned to the facility and admitted to the on-site medical observation unit under close clinical monitoring.

An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

The Sheriff’s Office notified the Kansas Bureau of Investigation per protocol, and detectives are conducting a full investigation. The inmate’s family has been notified. The sheriff's office did not release his identity at their request. He&nbsp;had been in custody since Nov. 6 on charges of criminal threat and domestic battery.

This is the sixth in-custody death at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility in 2025, according to sheriff's department spokesman Branden Stitt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763414241433.png" alt="Brady photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Brady photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 72-year-old male inmate who was found unresponsive Sunday morning in the clinic unit of the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.Deputies found the inmate, identified from booking records as Neal Brady, shortly after 10 a.m. Detention staff and on-site medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures. Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department responded, and EMS transported Brady to a Wichita hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead shortly after 11 a.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737476354827.jpeg" alt="Sedgwick-County-Jail&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick-County-Jail&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Brady had a history of several chronic medical conditions, including a brain tumor and hypertension, among other ailments. On Nov. 8, he was taken to a local hospital for treatment of acute kidney failure. He remained hospitalized until his discharge on Nov. 11, when he was returned to the facility and admitted to the on-site medical observation unit under close clinical monitoring.An autopsy will determine the cause of death.The Sheriff’s Office notified the Kansas Bureau of Investigation per protocol, and detectives are conducting a full investigation. The inmate’s family has been notified. The sheriff's office did not release his identity at their request. He&nbsp;had been in custody since Nov. 6 on charges of criminal threat and domestic battery.This is the sixth in-custody death at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility in 2025, according to sheriff's department spokesman Branden Stitt.

72-year-old inmate found unresponsive in clinic unit of Kan. jail

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Monday announced that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained 10 illegal aliens with serious criminal histories during targeted enforcement operations conducted in October and November, according to a media release from the Attorney General's office.

The individuals were identified and taken into federal custody pursuant to the KBI’s authority under the 287(g) program, an agreement that allows designated KBI personnel to perform immigration enforcement under ICE supervision.&nbsp;

“Had my office not obtained 287(g) authority and investigated these cases, these dangerous illegal aliens would have continued to live in Kansas communities hiding in plain sight,” Kobach said.&nbsp;

The individuals detained are illegal aliens convicted of serious offenses, including:

They are citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Somalia, and Ethiopia.&nbsp;

“Each of these offenders had been tried and convicted of a sex offense, a drug offense, or a violent offense. Anyone without citizenship who commits serious crimes against Kansans should not be allowed to stay in our communities,” KBI Director Tony Mattivi said.

The detentions occurred between Oct. 24 and Nov. 14 with KBI agents working in Hutchinson, Newton, Garden City, and Dodge City.

KBI transferred the detainees to ICE custody where they face federal immigration proceedings, including removal from the United States.&nbsp;

The KBI entered a 287(g) agreement – which refers to Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act – with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in February. Under the terms of the agreement, a limited number of KBI agents received ICE training authorizing the agents to serve and execute warrants for some immigration violations and to issue immigration detainers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763421696187.png" alt="Photos KBI" />
 <figcaption>Photos KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Monday announced that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained 10 illegal aliens with serious criminal histories during targeted enforcement operations conducted in October and November, according to a media release from the Attorney General's office.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKBIKansas%2Fvideos%2F1394147885562719%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The individuals were identified and taken into federal custody pursuant to the KBI’s authority under the 287(g) program, an agreement that allows designated KBI personnel to perform immigration enforcement under ICE supervision.&nbsp;“Had my office not obtained 287(g) authority and investigated these cases, these dangerous illegal aliens would have continued to live in Kansas communities hiding in plain sight,” Kobach said.&nbsp;The individuals detained are illegal aliens convicted of serious offenses, including:<ul>
 <li>Second-degree murder</li><li>Indecent liberties with a child (ages 14-16)</li><li>Annoying/molesting children under 18 (California Statute)</li><li>Aggravated battery</li><li>Distribution of narcotics (opiates, heroin, and other controlled substances)</li><li>Aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm</li><li>Cultivation and distribution of controlled substances&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>They are citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Somalia, and Ethiopia.&nbsp;“Each of these offenders had been tried and convicted of a sex offense, a drug offense, or a violent offense. Anyone without citizenship who commits serious crimes against Kansans should not be allowed to stay in our communities,” KBI Director Tony Mattivi said.The detentions occurred between Oct. 24 and Nov. 14 with KBI agents working in Hutchinson, Newton, Garden City, and Dodge City.KBI agents detained:<ol>
 <li>Jose Luis Gomez Sr. (Mexico) – Distribution of opiates/narcotics</li><li>Alonzo Mendez (Mexico) – Indecent liberties with a child 14–16</li><li>Gilberto Taracena Monte (Guatemala) – Annoy/molest child under 18</li><li>Diego Nevarez (Mexico) – Distribution/possession with intent to distribute heroin (multiple cases)</li><li>Jose Rivera-Avila (Mexico) – Aggravated assault, criminal discharge of firearm</li><li>Bashir Omar (Somalia) – Second-degree intentional murder</li><li>Nigisti Geberemedehni Beyene (Ethiopia) – Aggravated battery</li><li>Yuliesky Hernandez-Padron (Cuba) – Aggravated robbery</li><li>Jose Eduardo Garcia-Peralta (Mexico) – Distribution of opiates/narcotics</li><li>Ramiro Erik Flores-Hernandez (Mexico) – Cultivation/distribution of controlled substances&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>KBI transferred the detainees to ICE custody where they face federal immigration proceedings, including removal from the United States.&nbsp;The KBI entered a 287(g) agreement – which refers to Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act – with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in February. Under the terms of the agreement, a limited number of KBI agents received ICE training authorizing the agents to serve and execute warrants for some immigration violations and to issue immigration detainers.

Attorney General: 10 dangerous illegal aliens captured in Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend standoff.

Just before 4a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of SW Fillmore Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis.

The Topeka Police Department Response Team and Crisis Negotiators responded to the scene.&nbsp; The 1000 block of SW 5th Street along with the 500 block of SW Fillmore Street were blocked off for an extended period.

After a several hour stand-off, one person was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.&nbsp;

As a result of the investigation, Tevin Roberts, 33, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Felony Interference and Domestic Battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763391962443.png" alt="Roberts photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Roberts photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend standoff.Just before 4a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of SW Fillmore Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ron Ekis.The Topeka Police Department Response Team and Crisis Negotiators responded to the scene.&nbsp; The 1000 block of SW 5th Street along with the 500 block of SW Fillmore Street were blocked off for an extended period.After a several hour stand-off, one person was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.&nbsp;As a result of the investigation, Tevin Roberts, 33, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Felony Interference and Domestic Battery.

Suspect jailed after standoff at Kansas home

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department engaged in a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” in the process of securing an indictment against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/james-comey">former FBI Director James Comey</a>, a federal judge ruled Monday in directing prosecutors to produce to defense lawyers all grand jury materials from the case.

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136.191.0_1.pdf">Click here to read the Judge's statement</a>

Those problems, wrote Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, include “fundamental misstatements of the law” by a prosecutor to the grand jury that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/james-comey-charged-lying-congress-a2c72e1a5bb73d588f3af7fdb56caa82">indicted Comey in September</a>, the use of potentially privileged communications during the investigation and unexplained irregularities in the transcript of the grand jury proceedings.

“The Court recognizes that the relief sought by the defense is rarely granted,” Fitzpatrick wrote “However, the record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding.”

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136.191.0_1.pdf">The 24-page opinion</a>&nbsp;is the most blistering assessment yet by a judge of the Justice Department's actions leading up to the Comey indictment. That case, along with a separate prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James, have stirred concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponized to pursue President Donald Trump's political opponents.

Both defendants have filed multiple motions to dismiss the cases against them before trial, arguing that the prosecutions are improperly vindictive and that the prosecutor who filed the charges, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed.

Comey’s lawyers had sought the grand jury materials out of concerns that irregularities in the process may have tainted the case. The sole prosecutor who defense lawyers say presented the case to the grand jury was Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/letitia-james-eastern-district-of-virginia-trump-8c84bd8603a4b932f9cb2e451ef057a3">appointed just days earlier</a>&nbsp;to the job of interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Fitzpatrick had earlier this month directed prosecutors to give the defense grand jury materials, but was then directed by the trial court to examine the matter further. In his order Monday, Fitzpatrick said that after reviewing the grand jury proceedings himself, he had come away deeply concerned about the integrity of the case.

“Here, the procedural and substantive irregularities that occurred before the grand jury, and the manner in which evidence presented to the grand jury was collected and used, may rise to the level of government misconduct resulting in prejudice to Mr. Comey,” Fitzpatrick said.

Halligan did not immediately return a message seeking comment and a spokesman for the office declined to comment.

Fitzpatrick listed among the irregularities two different comments that a prosecutor — presumably, Halligan — made to the grand jury that he said represented “fundamental misstatements of the law.” The actual statements are blacked out, but Fitzpatrick said the prosecutor seems to have ignored the fact that grand jurors cannot make a negative inference about a person who, like Comey, exercised a constitutional right to not testify.

The judge also raised concerns that the transcript of the grand jury proceedings was incomplete.

The two-count indictment charges Comey with lying to Congress in September 2020 when he suggested under questioning that he had not authorized FBI leaks of information to the news media. His lawyers say the question he was responding to was vague and confusing but that the answer he gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee was true.

The line of questioning from Sen. Ted Cruz appeared to focus on whether Comey had authorized his former deputy director, Andrew McCabe, to speak with the news media. But since the indictment, prosecutors have made clear that their indictment centers on allegations that Comey permitted a separate person, a close friend and Columbia University law professor, Dan Richman to serve as an anonymous source in interactions with reporters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763410738545.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department engaged in a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” in the process of securing an indictment against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/james-comey">former FBI Director James Comey</a>, a federal judge ruled Monday in directing prosecutors to produce to defense lawyers all grand jury materials from the case.<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136.191.0_1.pdf">Click here to read the Judge's statement</a>Those problems, wrote Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, include “fundamental misstatements of the law” by a prosecutor to the grand jury that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/james-comey-charged-lying-congress-a2c72e1a5bb73d588f3af7fdb56caa82">indicted Comey in September</a>, the use of potentially privileged communications during the investigation and unexplained irregularities in the transcript of the grand jury proceedings.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758848907803.png" alt="Image from James Comey's response to the case on Instagram" />
 <figcaption>Image from James Comey's response to the case on Instagram</figcaption>
 </figure>“The Court recognizes that the relief sought by the defense is rarely granted,” Fitzpatrick wrote “However, the record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding.”<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136/gov.uscourts.vaed.582136.191.0_1.pdf">The 24-page opinion</a>&nbsp;is the most blistering assessment yet by a judge of the Justice Department's actions leading up to the Comey indictment. That case, along with a separate prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James, have stirred concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponized to pursue President Donald Trump's political opponents.Both defendants have filed multiple motions to dismiss the cases against them before trial, arguing that the prosecutions are improperly vindictive and that the prosecutor who filed the charges, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed.Comey’s lawyers had sought the grand jury materials out of concerns that irregularities in the process may have tainted the case. The sole prosecutor who defense lawyers say presented the case to the grand jury was Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/letitia-james-eastern-district-of-virginia-trump-8c84bd8603a4b932f9cb2e451ef057a3">appointed just days earlier</a>&nbsp;to the job of interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.Fitzpatrick had earlier this month directed prosecutors to give the defense grand jury materials, but was then directed by the trial court to examine the matter further. In his order Monday, Fitzpatrick said that after reviewing the grand jury proceedings himself, he had come away deeply concerned about the integrity of the case.“Here, the procedural and substantive irregularities that occurred before the grand jury, and the manner in which evidence presented to the grand jury was collected and used, may rise to the level of government misconduct resulting in prejudice to Mr. Comey,” Fitzpatrick said.Halligan did not immediately return a message seeking comment and a spokesman for the office declined to comment.Fitzpatrick listed among the irregularities two different comments that a prosecutor — presumably, Halligan — made to the grand jury that he said represented “fundamental misstatements of the law.” The actual statements are blacked out, but Fitzpatrick said the prosecutor seems to have ignored the fact that grand jurors cannot make a negative inference about a person who, like Comey, exercised a constitutional right to not testify.The judge also raised concerns that the transcript of the grand jury proceedings was incomplete.The two-count indictment charges Comey with lying to Congress in September 2020 when he suggested under questioning that he had not authorized FBI leaks of information to the news media. His lawyers say the question he was responding to was vague and confusing but that the answer he gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee was true.The line of questioning from Sen. Ted Cruz appeared to focus on whether Comey had authorized his former deputy director, Andrew McCabe, to speak with the news media. But since the indictment, prosecutors have made clear that their indictment centers on allegations that Comey permitted a separate person, a close friend and Columbia University law professor, Dan Richman to serve as an anonymous source in interactions with reporters.

Read the opinion: Judge scolds DOJ for 'profound missteps' in Comey case

COWLEY COUNTY —One person died in an accident Sunday afternoon in Cowley County.

Just before 2:30p.m. Sunday, Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of U.S. 160 and 151st Road following a report of a reckless driver, according to Cowley County Sheriff Dave Faletti. The reporting party stated the vehicle was failing to maintain its lane and was last seen traveling northbound on 151st Road.

Deputies traveling southbound on 151st Road observed the vehicle travel off the roadway to the right and collide with the bridge railing in the 12000 block of 151st Road. The vehicle sustained severe damage and came to rest teetering over the edge of the bridge.

Deputies immediately requested EMS and additional emergency personnel. A passing semi-truck driver stopped to assist and used chains to secure the vehicle, applying pressure in an effort to prevent it from falling over the bridge.

Emergency crews worked to stabilize the vehicle and began rescue efforts. First responders worked to treat and extricate the driver, later identified as Kyson Paschal Scott, 38,&nbsp;Geuda Springs, Kansas,&nbsp; who was trapped while the vehicle remained suspended over the bridge.

Despite extensive life-saving efforts, Scott was pronounced deceased at the scene. The accident remains under investigation by the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763377513230.png" alt="EagleMed 11 lands west of Burden to assist with the Sunday afternoon crash-Photo from Cowley County Fire Department video" />
 <figcaption>EagleMed 11 lands west of Burden to assist with the Sunday afternoon crash-Photo from Cowley County Fire Department video</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —One person died in an accident Sunday afternoon in Cowley County.Just before 2:30p.m. Sunday, Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of U.S. 160 and 151st Road following a report of a reckless driver, according to Cowley County Sheriff Dave Faletti. The reporting party stated the vehicle was failing to maintain its lane and was last seen traveling northbound on 151st Road.Deputies traveling southbound on 151st Road observed the vehicle travel off the roadway to the right and collide with the bridge railing in the 12000 block of 151st Road. The vehicle sustained severe damage and came to rest teetering over the edge of the bridge.Deputies immediately requested EMS and additional emergency personnel. A passing semi-truck driver stopped to assist and used chains to secure the vehicle, applying pressure in an effort to prevent it from falling over the bridge.Emergency crews worked to stabilize the vehicle and began rescue efforts. First responders worked to treat and extricate the driver, later identified as Kyson Paschal Scott, 38,&nbsp;Geuda Springs, Kansas,&nbsp; who was trapped while the vehicle remained suspended over the bridge.Despite extensive life-saving efforts, Scott was pronounced deceased at the scene. The accident remains under investigation by the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office.

Kansas man dies after trapped in vehicle that struck bridge rail

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A toddler is recovering from a near drowning at a home in Wichita.

Just after 7p.m. Sunday, police and other first responders were dispatched to a drowning call at a residence in the 1400 block of S. Shiloh in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

Police&nbsp; located a 2-year-old boy recovering from a potential drowning in the bathtub. The child may have suffered a medical emergency while taking a bath and was resuscitated by family in the home.

The child was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment, and, at this time, he is expected to survive, according to Moses.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A toddler is recovering from a near drowning at a home in Wichita.Just after 7p.m. Sunday, police and other first responders were dispatched to a drowning call at a residence in the 1400 block of S. Shiloh in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.Police&nbsp; located a 2-year-old boy recovering from a potential drowning in the bathtub. The child may have suffered a medical emergency while taking a bath and was resuscitated by family in the home.The child was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment, and, at this time, he is expected to survive, according to Moses.

Toddler hospitalized after near bathtub drowning at Kan. home

WASHINGTON (AP) The president’s voice was extremely hoarse on Monday, but he told reporters his health was fine and blamed his sore throat on having to yell at people over trade talks.

“I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade in a country,” Trump said. “And I straightened it out, but I blew my stack at those people,” Trump said.

The president declined to say which country he was yelling at, but he said a “country wanted to try and renegotiate the terms of their trade deal and I wasn’t happy about it.”

Trump said of his health that he feels “great.”

WASHINGTON (AP) The president’s voice was extremely hoarse on Monday, but he told reporters his health was fine and blamed his sore throat on having to yell at people over trade talks.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade and a country and I straightened it out — but I blew my stack at these people, they were so stupid.&quot; 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/GyVcwCq8Cj">https://t.co/GyVcwCq8Cj</a> <a href="https://t.co/DeXcS269zs">pic.twitter.com/DeXcS269zs</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1990515342209397051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade in a country,” Trump said. “And I straightened it out, but I blew my stack at those people,” Trump said.The president declined to say which country he was yelling at, but he said a “country wanted to try and renegotiate the terms of their trade deal and I wasn’t happy about it.”Trump said of his health that he feels “great.”

🎥Trump explains why he had a raspy voice on Monday

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal car-pedestrian crash that occurred early Sunday morning near Kansas 15 Highway and MacArthur Road in Sedgwick County have identified the victim as&nbsp;33-year-old Nicholas Wade Garcia of Newton, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.

Just after 12:30 a.m., Sunday a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy came upon a collision on southbound Kansas 15 Highway just south of MacArthur. The deputy located Garcia with critical injuries after being struck by a car. The deputy immediately began life-saving measures while Sedgwick County EMS and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 responded to the scene. Garcia was transported by EMS to a Wichita hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a Toyota Camry driven by a 22-year-old Wichita woman was traveling south on Kansas 15 when it struck Garcia, who was in the roadway. Garcia was not in a crosswalk, and the reason he was in the roadway remains under investigation.

The driver stopped immediately after the collision. Speed and impairment are not suspected on the part of the driver, according to Stitt.

This incident remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Team.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal car-pedestrian crash that occurred early Sunday morning near Kansas 15 Highway and MacArthur Road in Sedgwick County have identified the victim as&nbsp;33-year-old Nicholas Wade Garcia of Newton, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.Just after 12:30 a.m., Sunday a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy came upon a collision on southbound Kansas 15 Highway just south of MacArthur. The deputy located Garcia with critical injuries after being struck by a car. The deputy immediately began life-saving measures while Sedgwick County EMS and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 responded to the scene. Garcia was transported by EMS to a Wichita hospital, where he later died from his injuries.The preliminary investigation indicates that a Toyota Camry driven by a 22-year-old Wichita woman was traveling south on Kansas 15 when it struck Garcia, who was in the roadway. Garcia was not in a crosswalk, and the reason he was in the roadway remains under investigation.The driver stopped immediately after the collision. Speed and impairment are not suspected on the part of the driver, according to Stitt.This incident remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Team.

Sheriff IDs Kansas man who died in pedestrian accident

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/makiya-seminera">MAKIYA SEMINERA</a> Associated Press

Vital federal funding is on the way for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-government-shutdown-education-10b7ea5cfcc2ae10c37533a09a1d1d0f">Head Start</a>&nbsp;centers that were thrown into crisis by the government shutdown, but it could take time before some children who rely on the federal program can return to preschool.

Some centers that missed out on federal payments had to furlough staff. Others had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-closed-snap-government-shutdown-64504360d4d668d268b6eb314e6cb47a">shut down entirely</a>, destabilizing thousands of needy families around the country. And operators fear it could take weeks more for overdue payments to be processed.

Even when agencies receive long-delayed grant money, centers will have to rehire staff members and bring back families — both of which may have grown wary of instability in the program, which relies almost entirely on federal grants.

“The damage has been done in a lot of ways,” Massachusetts Head Start Association Executive Director Michelle Haimowitz said. “We know that it’s going to take some time to fill back up.”

About&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-snap-wic-head-start-e6176d2683f74b7011d861b48a47d3f1">140 Head Start programs</a>&nbsp;representing 65,000 slots didn’t receive their annual grants during the 43-day shutdown, which concluded when President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopen-update-house-returns-5771f2befb15f4ab45e327369f2e98d9">signed a government funding bill</a>&nbsp;Wednesday night.

Head Start serves children from low-income families from birth to age 5. The program offers a variety of services to families, such as early learning, support for children with disabilities, free meals and health screenings.

With the shutdown over, the federal Office of Head Start will expedite funding and contact affected Head Start programs to share when they can expect federal money, said Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the program.

Head Start operators anticipate that could take weeks.

Federal workers are returning to “a mountain of work” that will take time to process, Haimowitz said. That doesn’t just include sending out missed grant awards — other paperwork for a range of technical issues has been delayed since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-office-closures-hhs-trump-00b1a6b33ef918cb66e59b7ffb07ac13">layoffs at the Office of Head Start</a>&nbsp;earlier this year, she said.

“Those delays have just been piling up since April, with no fault to the existing civil servants at the Office of Head Start,” Haimowitz said. “They just have half the capacity that they had just a few months ago.”

Families prepare for the worst-case scenario

Depending on how quickly federal workers can send out funds, the backlog in grant renewals could spill over and affect Head Start agencies that are supposed to receive funding in December, operators said. Some of the families who attend those centers are already making preparations for that worst-case scenario.

Gena Storer, who works as a home health aide in Xenia, Ohio, is trying to “make as much money as I possibly can” in case her daughter’s Head Start center closes. The center staff told parents hours before the government reopened that they still expect to shutter temporarily on Dec. 1 if funding is delayed, Storer said.

If the center closes, Storer’s 4-year-old daughter, Zarina, will stay at home until it reopens. Storer will then need to adjust her work hours to make sure she can be home with Zarina while her fiance works 12-hour shifts at a Target distribution center.

Uncertainty about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-shutdown-reopening-food-aid-a11b6c83934d9c718cc413fc1f9435d3">SNAP federal food aid payments</a>&nbsp;has also added stress for Storer’s family. Storer had been working extra hours through the shutdown to help provide for her 72-year-old mother, who also uses SNAP benefits.

“If my mom didn’t have us to help her, what would she do?” the 31-year-old said.

For Storer, Head Start has been more than a reliable option for child care. Zarina used to receive speech therapy to address her lack of speaking. But since starting Head Start in September, Storer said she’s noticed her daughter becoming more talkative and outgoing because she learns from having conversations with her classmates.

Programs pay out-of-pocket to keep doors open

Programs that stayed open without a guarantee of reimbursement by the federal government could also face further financial strains. At Louis Russ’ home day care in Knox County, Indiana, he and his wife are planning a pop-up toy shop out of their garage to offset money they might lose by staying open.

Russ and his wife started operating a day care out of their home in April and partnered soon after with East Coast Migrant Head Start Project, a nonprofit that serves children of migrant farmworkers across 10 states. Six out of the eight children in Russ’ home day care are Head Start-funded.

East Coast Migrant Head Start Project was one of the programs affected by a funding lapse, which resulted in more than 1,000 children being shut out of their centers. Russ and his wife also stopped receiving their Head Start payments at the end of October, but the decision to keep their home open was a “no brainer,” Russ said. Offering the children consistency during an otherwise unpredictable time was important to them, he said.

“Staying open and keep taking the children we have, that was the easy part,” he said. “Figuring out how we’re going to stay open if this goes on too long, that’s the tricky part.”

It’s been tense operating the program without knowing when funding will be released. Russ and his wife already took a pay cut, and they have another employee on the payroll. About three-quarters of their budget is payroll, Russ said, but other expenses like groceries and maintenance needs can stack up quickly without an income.

“Our program, being so new, we were running pretty bare bones as is,” Russ said. “And especially in child care, which doesn’t have a huge profit margin, there’s only so much wiggle room when things like this happen.”

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/" target="_blank">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/" target="_blank">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/makiya-seminera">MAKIYA SEMINERA</a> Associated PressVital federal funding is on the way for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-government-shutdown-education-10b7ea5cfcc2ae10c37533a09a1d1d0f">Head Start</a>&nbsp;centers that were thrown into crisis by the government shutdown, but it could take time before some children who rely on the federal program can return to preschool.Some centers that missed out on federal payments had to furlough staff. Others had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-closed-snap-government-shutdown-64504360d4d668d268b6eb314e6cb47a">shut down entirely</a>, destabilizing thousands of needy families around the country. And operators fear it could take weeks more for overdue payments to be processed.Even when agencies receive long-delayed grant money, centers will have to rehire staff members and bring back families — both of which may have grown wary of instability in the program, which relies almost entirely on federal grants.“The damage has been done in a lot of ways,” Massachusetts Head Start Association Executive Director Michelle Haimowitz said. “We know that it’s going to take some time to fill back up.”About&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-snap-wic-head-start-e6176d2683f74b7011d861b48a47d3f1">140 Head Start programs</a>&nbsp;representing 65,000 slots didn’t receive their annual grants during the 43-day shutdown, which concluded when President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopen-update-house-returns-5771f2befb15f4ab45e327369f2e98d9">signed a government funding bill</a>&nbsp;Wednesday night.Head Start serves children from low-income families from birth to age 5. The program offers a variety of services to families, such as early learning, support for children with disabilities, free meals and health screenings.With the shutdown over, the federal Office of Head Start will expedite funding and contact affected Head Start programs to share when they can expect federal money, said Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the program.Head Start operators anticipate that could take weeks.Federal workers are returning to “a mountain of work” that will take time to process, Haimowitz said. That doesn’t just include sending out missed grant awards — other paperwork for a range of technical issues has been delayed since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/head-start-office-closures-hhs-trump-00b1a6b33ef918cb66e59b7ffb07ac13">layoffs at the Office of Head Start</a>&nbsp;earlier this year, she said.“Those delays have just been piling up since April, with no fault to the existing civil servants at the Office of Head Start,” Haimowitz said. “They just have half the capacity that they had just a few months ago.”<h2>Families prepare for the worst-case scenario</h2>Depending on how quickly federal workers can send out funds, the backlog in grant renewals could spill over and affect Head Start agencies that are supposed to receive funding in December, operators said. Some of the families who attend those centers are already making preparations for that worst-case scenario.Gena Storer, who works as a home health aide in Xenia, Ohio, is trying to “make as much money as I possibly can” in case her daughter’s Head Start center closes. The center staff told parents hours before the government reopened that they still expect to shutter temporarily on Dec. 1 if funding is delayed, Storer said.If the center closes, Storer’s 4-year-old daughter, Zarina, will stay at home until it reopens. Storer will then need to adjust her work hours to make sure she can be home with Zarina while her fiance works 12-hour shifts at a Target distribution center.Uncertainty about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-shutdown-reopening-food-aid-a11b6c83934d9c718cc413fc1f9435d3">SNAP federal food aid payments</a>&nbsp;has also added stress for Storer’s family. Storer had been working extra hours through the shutdown to help provide for her 72-year-old mother, who also uses SNAP benefits.“If my mom didn’t have us to help her, what would she do?” the 31-year-old said.For Storer, Head Start has been more than a reliable option for child care. Zarina used to receive speech therapy to address her lack of speaking. But since starting Head Start in September, Storer said she’s noticed her daughter becoming more talkative and outgoing because she learns from having conversations with her classmates.<h2>Programs pay out-of-pocket to keep doors open</h2>Programs that stayed open without a guarantee of reimbursement by the federal government could also face further financial strains. At Louis Russ’ home day care in Knox County, Indiana, he and his wife are planning a pop-up toy shop out of their garage to offset money they might lose by staying open.Russ and his wife started operating a day care out of their home in April and partnered soon after with East Coast Migrant Head Start Project, a nonprofit that serves children of migrant farmworkers across 10 states. Six out of the eight children in Russ’ home day care are Head Start-funded.East Coast Migrant Head Start Project was one of the programs affected by a funding lapse, which resulted in more than 1,000 children being shut out of their centers. Russ and his wife also stopped receiving their Head Start payments at the end of October, but the decision to keep their home open was a “no brainer,” Russ said. Offering the children consistency during an otherwise unpredictable time was important to them, he said.“Staying open and keep taking the children we have, that was the easy part,” he said. “Figuring out how we’re going to stay open if this goes on too long, that’s the tricky part.”It’s been tense operating the program without knowing when funding will be released. Russ and his wife already took a pay cut, and they have another employee on the payroll. About three-quarters of their budget is payroll, Russ said, but other expenses like groceries and maintenance needs can stack up quickly without an income.“Our program, being so new, we were running pretty bare bones as is,” Russ said. “And especially in child care, which doesn’t have a huge profit margin, there’s only so much wiggle room when things like this happen.”___The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/" target="_blank">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/" target="_blank">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Families brace for continued gaps in Head Start service despite government reopening

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Democratic leader favors candidate she labels ‘true middle-of-the-road’ politician

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly formally endorsed state Sen. Ethan Corson’s campaign for governor on Monday, favoring a “true middle-of-the-road” politician she believed capable of drawing enough votes from Kansas Republicans, Democrats and independents to prevail in 2026.

Kelly, a popular governor forbidden from seeking reelection to a third term, said the Democrat from Fairway was the candidate most capable of being a voice of reason in terms of the state budget, protecting K-12 public school funding, lowering taxes and delivering economic growth. These themes, and a relentless critique of former Gov. Sam Brownback, anchored Kelly’s gubernatorial victory over Republican nominee Kris Kobach in 2018 and narrow defeat of GOP candidate Derek Schmidt in 2022.

“Kansas is in good shape right now. And that is why I am enthusiastically endorsing Ethan&nbsp;Corson,” Kelly said in a statement. “Ethan will build on my work, but he will also bring visionary and bold new ideas to the job. His allegiance will be to Kansans, not party or politics. Ethan is a good man. He wants to be governor for the right reasons. He is a true public servant.”

Kelly’s endorsement of Corson wasn’t a surprise, given her statement in July that he would be a “very strong candidate” and pointing to Corson as “someone laser focused on the issues Kansans really care about.”

“Ethan is a true middle-of-the-road candidate who will attract that same broad base of support that is necessary to win but also to then govern effectively. He is the most qualified and most suited to be our next governor,” Kelly said.

In the Kansas Democratic Party’s primary set for August, Corson’s main rival would appear to be Democratic Sen. Cindy Holscher of Overland Park. Democrat Marty Tuley of Lawrence also declared his candidacy.

Corson, an attorney and former director of the Kansas Democratic Party, was elected to the Kansas Senate in 2020 and reelected in 2024 to serve a northeast Johnson County district. In the Senate, Corson said, he joined bipartisan efforts to cut property and income taxes, eliminate a state sales tax on groceries and end the state tax on Social Security benefits. He also sought to target tax relief for the benefit of seniors, veterans and working Kansans.

“I’m honored to have Gov. Kelly’s endorsement and grateful for her confidence in my ability to keep Kansas moving forward,” Corson said.

Corson entered the race for governor in July. He reported Nov. 5 the campaign raised $500,000 from nearly 2,000 donors in the initial 100 days of the campaign. During an 8,000-mile, crisscross journey of Kansas, Corson emphasized lowering the cost of living for working-class families, creating good-paying jobs and strengthening investment in public schools. He said his goal was to bring “both parties to the table to deliver results for all Kansans.”

“Our campaign is about creating a Kansas where the next generation can build a life right here,”&nbsp;he said. “That means lower costs for families, the best public schools in America, safer communities and a growing economy in all 105 counties.”

Corson, 43, earned a law degree at Washington University in St. Louis and worked seven years for a firm in Washington, D.C. He was employed by the U.S. Department of Commerce before returning to Kansas in 2019 to be executive director of the state Democratic Party.

Kansas candidates for governor must maneuver through an electorate that delivered double-digit victories in 2016, 2020 and 2024 for President Donald Trump.

In addition, no political party in Kansas has retained the governorship for more than eight consecutive years since the 1950s.

Candidates for the Republican Party’s nomination for governor include former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Senate President Ty Masterson, Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, businessman Philip Sarnecki, former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara and former Wichita school board member Joy Eakins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763397079432.png" alt="Kansas state Sen. Ethan Corson of Fairway, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2026, receives the endorsement of Gov. Laura Kelly. In this image from Jan. 13, 2025, Corson sits in the Kansas Senate chamber. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas state Sen. Ethan Corson of Fairway, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2026, receives the endorsement of Gov. Laura Kelly. In this image from Jan. 13, 2025, Corson sits in the Kansas Senate chamber. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Democratic leader favors candidate she labels ‘true middle-of-the-road’ politician</h2>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly formally endorsed state Sen. Ethan Corson’s campaign for governor on Monday, favoring a “true middle-of-the-road” politician she believed capable of drawing enough votes from Kansas Republicans, Democrats and independents to prevail in 2026.Kelly, a popular governor forbidden from seeking reelection to a third term, said the Democrat from Fairway was the candidate most capable of being a voice of reason in terms of the state budget, protecting K-12 public school funding, lowering taxes and delivering economic growth. These themes, and a relentless critique of former Gov. Sam Brownback, anchored Kelly’s gubernatorial victory over Republican nominee Kris Kobach in 2018 and narrow defeat of GOP candidate Derek Schmidt in 2022.“Kansas is in good shape right now. And that is why I am enthusiastically endorsing Ethan&nbsp;Corson,” Kelly said in a statement. “Ethan will build on my work, but he will also bring visionary and bold new ideas to the job. His allegiance will be to Kansans, not party or politics. Ethan is a good man. He wants to be governor for the right reasons. He is a true public servant.”Kelly’s endorsement of Corson wasn’t a surprise, given her statement in July that he would be a “very strong candidate” and pointing to Corson as “someone laser focused on the issues Kansans really care about.”“Ethan is a true middle-of-the-road candidate who will attract that same broad base of support that is necessary to win but also to then govern effectively. He is the most qualified and most suited to be our next governor,” Kelly said.In the Kansas Democratic Party’s primary set for August, Corson’s main rival would appear to be Democratic Sen. Cindy Holscher of Overland Park. Democrat Marty Tuley of Lawrence also declared his candidacy.Corson, an attorney and former director of the Kansas Democratic Party, was elected to the Kansas Senate in 2020 and reelected in 2024 to serve a northeast Johnson County district. In the Senate, Corson said, he joined bipartisan efforts to cut property and income taxes, eliminate a state sales tax on groceries and end the state tax on Social Security benefits. He also sought to target tax relief for the benefit of seniors, veterans and working Kansans.“I’m honored to have Gov. Kelly’s endorsement and grateful for her confidence in my ability to keep Kansas moving forward,” Corson said.Corson entered the race for governor in July. He reported Nov. 5 the campaign raised $500,000 from nearly 2,000 donors in the initial 100 days of the campaign. During an 8,000-mile, crisscross journey of Kansas, Corson emphasized lowering the cost of living for working-class families, creating good-paying jobs and strengthening investment in public schools. He said his goal was to bring “both parties to the table to deliver results for all Kansans.”“Our campaign is about creating a Kansas where the next generation can build a life right here,”&nbsp;he said. “That means lower costs for families, the best public schools in America, safer communities and a growing economy in all 105 counties.”Corson, 43, earned a law degree at Washington University in St. Louis and worked seven years for a firm in Washington, D.C. He was employed by the U.S. Department of Commerce before returning to Kansas in 2019 to be executive director of the state Democratic Party.Kansas candidates for governor must maneuver through an electorate that delivered double-digit victories in 2016, 2020 and 2024 for President Donald Trump.In addition, no political party in Kansas has retained the governorship for more than eight consecutive years since the 1950s.Candidates for the Republican Party’s nomination for governor include former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Senate President Ty Masterson, Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, businessman Philip Sarnecki, former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara and former Wichita school board member Joy Eakins.

Gov. Kelly offers formal endorsement of Democratic Sen. Ethan Corson for governor

BUTLER COUNTY —A Kansas woman died and two children were injured in an accident that occurred Sunday evening in Butler County.

All occupants of the Chevrolet Impala were reported to have been ejected. The driver, 27-year-old Harley R. Wright of Wichita, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported two children, ages 5 and 6, to a Wichita area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

BUTLER COUNTY —A Kansas woman died and two children were injured in an accident that occurred Sunday evening in Butler County.Just after 1a.m. on Monday, Butler County 911 received a report of a single vehicle, roll over crash close to the intersection of NW 30th and NW Tawakoni Road rural Benton, Kansas, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.All occupants of the Chevrolet Impala were reported to have been ejected. The driver, 27-year-old Harley R. Wright of Wichita, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported two children, ages 5 and 6, to a Wichita area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.Wright is reported to have left a family gathering around 7:30 pm to take the children to El Dorado but never arrived. Family members contacted the El Dorado police Department for a welfare check if they located her.&nbsp; Just after 1a.m. Monday, family members located the crash on NW 30th around NW Tawakoni Road. Wright and the children were located outside the vehicle, which appeared to have rolled several times.The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office with assistance of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Fatal crash: Kan. woman, 2 children ejected in rollover accident

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a fatal crash that killed a passenger in his vehicle.

This week, Charles Smith, Jr., 31, was&nbsp;&nbsp;sentenced to to 128 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In September, Smith pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery. He was&nbsp;originally charged with driving under the influence.&nbsp;

Just after 2:30a.m. December 14, 2024, police were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash in the 1700 block of S. Mosley in Wichita, according to a media release.

First responders located a white 4-door sedan that had collided with multiple trees.&nbsp; Lanashia Clay, 22, from Wichita was seated in the front passenger seat and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A 25-year-old woman from Wichita was the rear seat passenger. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

The 30-year-old driver later identified as Smith was also transported to a local hospital for treatment. After being medically cleared, he was taken into custody on requested charges of&nbsp;Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Battery-DUI, and Driving after suspended.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734260889156.png" alt="Smith photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a fatal crash that killed a passenger in his vehicle.This week, Charles Smith, Jr., 31, was&nbsp;&nbsp;sentenced to to 128 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In September, Smith pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery. He was&nbsp;originally charged with driving under the influence.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763257654414.png" alt="Lanashia Clay-photo Go FundMe" />
 <figcaption>Lanashia Clay-photo Go FundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 2:30a.m. December 14, 2024, police were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash in the 1700 block of S. Mosley in Wichita, according to a media release.First responders located a white 4-door sedan that had collided with multiple trees.&nbsp; Lanashia Clay, 22, from Wichita was seated in the front passenger seat and was pronounced deceased at the scene.A 25-year-old woman from Wichita was the rear seat passenger. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries.The 30-year-old driver later identified as Smith was also transported to a local hospital for treatment. After being medically cleared, he was taken into custody on requested charges of&nbsp;Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Battery-DUI, and Driving after suspended.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. man going to prison for crash that killed passenger

MITCHELL COUNTY —Investigators determined the cause of a home explosion in Mitchell County on Wednesday was an accidental gas leak inside the home, according to Mitchell County Sheriff Anthony Perez. An issue with a furnace may have contributed to the accident, according to the State Fire Marshal's office.

Just before 6:30pm, the Mitchell County Communication Center received calls of a house explosion had occurred at the corner of Elkhorn Street and Wisconsin Street in Simpson, Kansas.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene and located two adult victims with severe injuries. Both victims were transported to the Mitchell County Health Hospital Systems ER initially. The victims were then flown to a Wichita hospital burn unit. Authorities have not released an update on the two who were injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763033183062.png" alt="Photo Mitchell County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Mitchell County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MITCHELL COUNTY —Investigators determined the cause of a home explosion in Mitchell County on Wednesday was an accidental gas leak inside the home, according to Mitchell County Sheriff Anthony Perez. An issue with a furnace may have contributed to the accident, according to the State Fire Marshal's office.Just before 6:30pm, the Mitchell County Communication Center received calls of a house explosion had occurred at the corner of Elkhorn Street and Wisconsin Street in Simpson, Kansas.Emergency personnel responded to the scene and located two adult victims with severe injuries. Both victims were transported to the Mitchell County Health Hospital Systems ER initially. The victims were then flown to a Wichita hospital burn unit. Authorities have not released an update on the two who were injured.

Faulty furnace may have caused Kansas home explosion 

HOUSTON – A 50-year-old resident of Sedgwick County, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to lying to law enforcement, according to a media release from the office of U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

In July 2019, Summer Heather Worden alleged her estranged spouse, NASA Astronaut Anne McClain, had guessed the password and illegally accessed her bank account while McClain was deployed to the International Space Station. &nbsp;

However, Worden had actually opened the account in April 2018. Both parties had accessed it until January 2019 when Worden changed the credentials. &nbsp;

The investigation revealed Worden had granted McClain access to her bank records from at least 2015, including her login credentials.&nbsp;

U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett accepted the plea Nov. 13. He will impose sentencing&nbsp;Feb. 12, 2026. At that time, Worden faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.&nbsp;

Worden was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.&nbsp;

NASA-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard D. Hanes and Brandon Fyffe prosecuted the case.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763380295480.png" alt="Anne McClain Photo courtesy NASA" />
 <figcaption>Anne McClain Photo courtesy NASA</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON – A 50-year-old resident of Sedgwick County, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to lying to law enforcement, according to a media release from the office of U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.In July 2019, Summer Heather Worden alleged her estranged spouse, NASA Astronaut Anne McClain, had guessed the password and illegally accessed her bank account while McClain was deployed to the International Space Station. &nbsp;However, Worden had actually opened the account in April 2018. Both parties had accessed it until January 2019 when Worden changed the credentials. &nbsp;The investigation revealed Worden had granted McClain access to her bank records from at least 2015, including her login credentials.&nbsp;U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett accepted the plea Nov. 13. He will impose sentencing&nbsp;Feb. 12, 2026. At that time, Worden faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.&nbsp;Worden was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.&nbsp;NASA-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard D. Hanes and Brandon Fyffe prosecuted the case.&nbsp;

Kan. woman admits lying about astronaut wife accessing bank account from Space Station

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted to sex crimes involving a runaway teen learned his fate on Friday.

Judge Quentin Pittman sentenced 22-year-old Samuel Loredo to 174 months in prison with Lifetime Post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In October, Loredo pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sodomy and one count each of indecent liberties with a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and aggravated interference with parental custody, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just after noon November 18, 2024 law enforcement in Murray, Kentucky informed the Wichita Police Department that a 14-year-old runaway may be in Wichita based on their investigation, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

Wichita police responded to the area of 2300 N Woodlawn in Wichita where it was believed that the child may have been. Patrol and Investigations began working together to find additional information to locate the juvenile and determine the circumstances around their presence in Wichita.

Throughout the afternoon and the evening detectives with the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit worked to conduct additional interviews. Through those interviews, detectives determined that Loredo was communicating with the 14-year-old and arranged for the juvenile to travel to Wichita.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested&nbsp; Loredo, and booked him into Sedgwick County Jail.

Officers with the Wichita Police Department NET team located the juvenile wandering the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732189301713.png" alt="Loredo photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Loredo photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted to sex crimes involving a runaway teen learned his fate on Friday.Judge Quentin Pittman sentenced 22-year-old Samuel Loredo to 174 months in prison with Lifetime Post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In October, Loredo pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sodomy and one count each of indecent liberties with a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and aggravated interference with parental custody, according to the District Attorney's office.Just after noon November 18, 2024 law enforcement in Murray, Kentucky informed the Wichita Police Department that a 14-year-old runaway may be in Wichita based on their investigation, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.Wichita police responded to the area of 2300 N Woodlawn in Wichita where it was believed that the child may have been. Patrol and Investigations began working together to find additional information to locate the juvenile and determine the circumstances around their presence in Wichita.Throughout the afternoon and the evening detectives with the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit worked to conduct additional interviews. Through those interviews, detectives determined that Loredo was communicating with the 14-year-old and arranged for the juvenile to travel to Wichita.As a result of the investigation, police arrested&nbsp; Loredo, and booked him into Sedgwick County Jail.Officers with the Wichita Police Department NET team located the juvenile wandering the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Years in prison for Kan. man in sex assault of runaway 14-year-old

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 8:30a.m. Sunday, Kansas City Police responded to report of an armed robbery at a gas station in the 8200 Block of North Church Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The suspect allegedly threatened a store clerk with a handgun. the suspect fled before officers arrived. Through an on scene investigation, a suspect description and suspect vehicle description were obtained. This information led officers to the 1200 Block of Northeast Parvin Road.

Just after 10a.m. Sunday, one officer arrived at that location and saw the suspect vehicle and the suspect involved in the armed robbery. The officer confronted the suspect outside of an apartment building. The suspect presented a handgun. The officer fired shots and struck the suspect.&nbsp;

EMS transported the suspect to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The officer was not injured. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. The investigation will forward the details to the the Clay County Prosecuting attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763379610505.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 8:30a.m. Sunday, Kansas City Police responded to report of an armed robbery at a gas station in the 8200 Block of North Church Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.The suspect allegedly threatened a store clerk with a handgun. the suspect fled before officers arrived. Through an on scene investigation, a suspect description and suspect vehicle description were obtained. This information led officers to the 1200 Block of Northeast Parvin Road.Just after 10a.m. Sunday, one officer arrived at that location and saw the suspect vehicle and the suspect involved in the armed robbery. The officer confronted the suspect outside of an apartment building. The suspect presented a handgun. The officer fired shots and struck the suspect.&nbsp;EMS transported the suspect to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The officer was not injured. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. The investigation will forward the details to the the Clay County Prosecuting attorney's office.

Officer shot Kansas City armed robbery suspect 

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that the U.S. “may be having some discussions” with Venezuelan President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Nicolás Maduro</a>, a potential diplomatic avenue as the U.S. further builds up its military presence near the South American country with the arrival of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-ford-aircraft-carrier-drugs-military-trump-a86ddc6f5f51e12c87cbd9c55978c911">most advanced aircraft carrier</a>.

Trump didn't offer details about the possible discussions with Maduro, but he said “Venezuela would like to talk."

The development comes as the Trump administration has carried out a series of military strikes against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">vessels suspected of transporting drugs</a>. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-hegseth-drugs-boat-strikes-6c3316b2852723e26c39dc701bba9d52">arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford</a>&nbsp;and other warships, announced by the Navy in a statement, marks a major moment in what the administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-boat-strikes-drugs-cocaine-trafficking-95b54a3a5efec74f12f82396a79617ea">insists is a counterdrug operation</a>&nbsp;but has been seen as an escalating pressure tactic against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Maduro</a>.

When asked Sunday what he meant when he said Maduro wants to talk, Trump simply said: “What does it mean? You tell me, I don’t know.”

“I’ll talk to anybody," he added a few moments later. "We’ll see what happens.”

Venezuela’s government didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

The Ford rounds off the largest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-buildup-caribbean-venezuela-ships-troops-810f6181371f53536c723ea562c5277c">buildup of U.S. firepower</a>&nbsp;in the region in generations. With its arrival, the “Operation Southern Spear" mission includes nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines.

The carrier’s arrival came as the military announced its latest deadly strike on a small boat it claims was engaged in ferrying illegal drugs. The military’s Southern Command posted a video on X on Sunday showing the boat being blown up, an attack it said took place Saturday in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean and killed three men. The military did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

Since early September, such strikes by the U.S. in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strike-drugs-venezuela-military-trump-3a13baec2e07a75af9cd9eafb3cc99e7">killed at least 83 people in 21 attacks</a>.

The carrier strike group, which includes squadrons of fighter jets and guided-missile destroyers, transited the Anegada Passage near the British Virgin Islands on Sunday morning, the Navy said.

Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, who commands the strike group, said it will bolster an already large force of American warships to "protect our nation’s security and prosperity against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.”

Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander who oversees the Caribbean and Latin America, said in a statement that the American forces “stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilize our region.”

Holsey,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alvin-holsey-southern-command-boat-strikes-venezuela-7cf34c822b56945129baf7f0d2635f95">who will retire next month</a>&nbsp;after just a year on the job, said the strike group's deployment is "a critical step in reinforcing our resolve to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the safety of the American Homeland.”

In Trinidad and Tobago, which is only 7 miles from Venezuela at its closest point, government officials said troops have begun “training exercises” with the U.S. military that will run through much of the week.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sean Sobers described the joint exercises as the second in less than a month and said they are aimed at tackling violent crime on the island nation, which has become a stopover point for drug shipments headed to Europe and North America. The prime minister has been a vocal supporter of the U.S. military strikes.

The exercises will include Marines from the 22nd Expeditionary Unit who have been stationed aboard the Navy ships that have been looming off Venezuela's coast for months.

Venezuela’s government has described the training exercises as an act of aggression. It had no immediate comment Sunday on the arrival of the aircraft carrier.

Meanwhile, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said Sunday that U.S. troops have been training in Panama, underscoring the administration’s increasing focus on Latin America.

“We’re reactivating our jungle school in Panama. We would be ready to act on whatever” Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth needed, he told CBS’ “Face the Nation."

The administration has insisted that the buildup of American forces in the region is focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the U.S., but it has released no evidence to support its assertions that those killed in the boats were “narcoterrorists.” Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carriers-trump-venezuela-middle-east-a458b9c4f1a5690e19d7c532dd6b7fd7">indicated military action would expand beyond strikes by sea</a>, saying the U.S. would "stop the drugs coming in by land.”

On Friday, Trump was asked by reporters if he had made up his mind on what he intended to do about Venezuela. He did not offer details but said, “I sort of have made up my mind."

The U.S. has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carriers-trump-venezuela-middle-east-a458b9c4f1a5690e19d7c532dd6b7fd7">long used aircraft carriers</a>&nbsp;to pressure and deter aggression by other nations because their warplanes can strike targets deep inside another country. Some experts say the Ford is ill-suited to fighting cartels, but it could be an effective&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-ford-aircraft-carrier-drugs-military-trump-a86ddc6f5f51e12c87cbd9c55978c911">instrument of intimidation</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a push to get him to step down.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States does not recognize Maduro, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-election-tally-sheets-actas-oas-carter-center-41d1000926d0ab99e522e53bf6c2b916">widely accused of stealing last year’s election</a>, as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. Rubio has called Venezuela's government a “transshipment organization” that openly cooperates with those trafficking drugs.

Rubio said in a statement released Sunday evening that the State Department intends to designate Cartel de los Soles, or Cartel of the Suns, a foreign terrorist organization. Rubio said the cartel is headed by Maduro and other high-ranking members of his government and is among those “responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.” When the designation takes effect on Nov. 24, it will be a crime to provide “material support” to the cartel or its members.

Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S., has said the U.S. government is “fabricating” a war against him. On his Facebook page, Maduro wrote on Sunday that the “Venezuelan people are ready to defend their homeland against any criminal aggression.”

Venezuela’s government recently touted a “massive” mobilization of troops and civilians to defend against possible U.S. attacks. Maduro and other officials in Venezuela’s socialist party also have been attending rallies this weekend to back the creation of neighborhood committees that will be in charge of increasing membership in Venezuela’s socialist party, and promoting the party’s policies.

Trump has justified the attacks on drug boats by saying the U.S. is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">“armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>&nbsp;while claiming the boats are operated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-foreign-terrorist-organizations-eb35567b69fc66f13f7f79fb90906a50">foreign terrorist organizations</a>.

He has faced pushback from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colombia-trump-drug-strikes-intelligence-2424e84a97f3a584a491143627dfdaa7">leaders in the region</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-us-military-strikes-south-america-ed0ce092af5ad2c64b34ed51f8ab59cc">U.N. human rights chief</a>&nbsp;and U.S. lawmakers, including Republicans, who have pressed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-boat-strikes-trump-cartels-democrats-briefing-40cd5b30897ba97de824af7b76f22b46">more information on who is being targeted</a>&nbsp;and the legal justification for the boat strikes.

Senate Republicans, however, recently voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-strikes-congress-6c0061bf5a9c417e66f76fcc6ee57405">reject legislation that would have put a check</a>&nbsp;on Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela without congressional authorization.

Experts disagree on whether or not American warplanes may be used to strike land targets inside Venezuela. Either way, the 100,000-ton warship is sending a message.

“This is the anchor of what it means to have U.S. military power once again in Latin America,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for the Andes region. “And it has raised a lot of anxieties in Venezuela but also throughout the region. I think everyone is watching this with sort of bated breath to see just how willing the U.S. is to really use military force.”

Finley reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Anselm Gibbs in Port of Spain, Trinidad,, Gabriela Molina in Caracas, Venezuela, and Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763334754276.png" alt="Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gladjimi Basisage -U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet. " />
 <figcaption>Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gladjimi Basisage -U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet. </figcaption>
 </figure>WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that the U.S. “may be having some discussions” with Venezuelan President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Nicolás Maduro</a>, a potential diplomatic avenue as the U.S. further builds up its military presence near the South American country with the arrival of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-ford-aircraft-carrier-drugs-military-trump-a86ddc6f5f51e12c87cbd9c55978c911">most advanced aircraft carrier</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on Venezuela: &quot;We may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we&#39;ll see how that turns out — but they would like to talk.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ooeKngFUch">pic.twitter.com/ooeKngFUch</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1990207803374395800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump didn't offer details about the possible discussions with Maduro, but he said “Venezuela would like to talk."The development comes as the Trump administration has carried out a series of military strikes against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">vessels suspected of transporting drugs</a>. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-hegseth-drugs-boat-strikes-6c3316b2852723e26c39dc701bba9d52">arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford</a>&nbsp;and other warships, announced by the Navy in a statement, marks a major moment in what the administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-boat-strikes-drugs-cocaine-trafficking-95b54a3a5efec74f12f82396a79617ea">insists is a counterdrug operation</a>&nbsp;but has been seen as an escalating pressure tactic against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Maduro</a>.When asked Sunday what he meant when he said Maduro wants to talk, Trump simply said: “What does it mean? You tell me, I don’t know.”“I’ll talk to anybody," he added a few moments later. "We’ll see what happens.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755651756653.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Venezuela’s government didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.The Ford rounds off the largest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-buildup-caribbean-venezuela-ships-troops-810f6181371f53536c723ea562c5277c">buildup of U.S. firepower</a>&nbsp;in the region in generations. With its arrival, the “Operation Southern Spear" mission includes nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines.The carrier’s arrival came as the military announced its latest deadly strike on a small boat it claims was engaged in ferrying illegal drugs. The military’s Southern Command posted a video on X on Sunday showing the boat being blown up, an attack it said took place Saturday in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean and killed three men. The military did not immediately respond to a request for more information.Since early September, such strikes by the U.S. in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strike-drugs-venezuela-military-trump-3a13baec2e07a75af9cd9eafb3cc99e7">killed at least 83 people in 21 attacks</a>.The carrier strike group, which includes squadrons of fighter jets and guided-missile destroyers, transited the Anegada Passage near the British Virgin Islands on Sunday morning, the Navy said.Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, who commands the strike group, said it will bolster an already large force of American warships to "protect our nation’s security and prosperity against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.”Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander who oversees the Caribbean and Latin America, said in a statement that the American forces “stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilize our region.”Holsey,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alvin-holsey-southern-command-boat-strikes-venezuela-7cf34c822b56945129baf7f0d2635f95">who will retire next month</a>&nbsp;after just a year on the job, said the strike group's deployment is "a critical step in reinforcing our resolve to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the safety of the American Homeland.”In Trinidad and Tobago, which is only 7 miles from Venezuela at its closest point, government officials said troops have begun “training exercises” with the U.S. military that will run through much of the week.Minister of Foreign Affairs Sean Sobers described the joint exercises as the second in less than a month and said they are aimed at tackling violent crime on the island nation, which has become a stopover point for drug shipments headed to Europe and North America. The prime minister has been a vocal supporter of the U.S. military strikes.The exercises will include Marines from the 22nd Expeditionary Unit who have been stationed aboard the Navy ships that have been looming off Venezuela's coast for months.Venezuela’s government has described the training exercises as an act of aggression. It had no immediate comment Sunday on the arrival of the aircraft carrier.Meanwhile, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said Sunday that U.S. troops have been training in Panama, underscoring the administration’s increasing focus on Latin America.“We’re reactivating our jungle school in Panama. We would be ready to act on whatever” Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth needed, he told CBS’ “Face the Nation."The administration has insisted that the buildup of American forces in the region is focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the U.S., but it has released no evidence to support its assertions that those killed in the boats were “narcoterrorists.” Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carriers-trump-venezuela-middle-east-a458b9c4f1a5690e19d7c532dd6b7fd7">indicated military action would expand beyond strikes by sea</a>, saying the U.S. would "stop the drugs coming in by land.”On Friday, Trump was asked by reporters if he had made up his mind on what he intended to do about Venezuela. He did not offer details but said, “I sort of have made up my mind."The U.S. has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carriers-trump-venezuela-middle-east-a458b9c4f1a5690e19d7c532dd6b7fd7">long used aircraft carriers</a>&nbsp;to pressure and deter aggression by other nations because their warplanes can strike targets deep inside another country. Some experts say the Ford is ill-suited to fighting cartels, but it could be an effective&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-ford-aircraft-carrier-drugs-military-trump-a86ddc6f5f51e12c87cbd9c55978c911">instrument of intimidation</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a push to get him to step down.Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States does not recognize Maduro, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-election-tally-sheets-actas-oas-carter-center-41d1000926d0ab99e522e53bf6c2b916">widely accused of stealing last year’s election</a>, as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. Rubio has called Venezuela's government a “transshipment organization” that openly cooperates with those trafficking drugs.Rubio said in a statement released Sunday evening that the State Department intends to designate Cartel de los Soles, or Cartel of the Suns, a foreign terrorist organization. Rubio said the cartel is headed by Maduro and other high-ranking members of his government and is among those “responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.” When the designation takes effect on Nov. 24, it will be a crime to provide “material support” to the cartel or its members.Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S., has said the U.S. government is “fabricating” a war against him. On his Facebook page, Maduro wrote on Sunday that the “Venezuelan people are ready to defend their homeland against any criminal aggression.”Venezuela’s government recently touted a “massive” mobilization of troops and civilians to defend against possible U.S. attacks. Maduro and other officials in Venezuela’s socialist party also have been attending rallies this weekend to back the creation of neighborhood committees that will be in charge of increasing membership in Venezuela’s socialist party, and promoting the party’s policies.Trump has justified the attacks on drug boats by saying the U.S. is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">“armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>&nbsp;while claiming the boats are operated by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-foreign-terrorist-organizations-eb35567b69fc66f13f7f79fb90906a50">foreign terrorist organizations</a>.He has faced pushback from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colombia-trump-drug-strikes-intelligence-2424e84a97f3a584a491143627dfdaa7">leaders in the region</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-us-military-strikes-south-america-ed0ce092af5ad2c64b34ed51f8ab59cc">U.N. human rights chief</a>&nbsp;and U.S. lawmakers, including Republicans, who have pressed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-boat-strikes-trump-cartels-democrats-briefing-40cd5b30897ba97de824af7b76f22b46">more information on who is being targeted</a>&nbsp;and the legal justification for the boat strikes.Senate Republicans, however, recently voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-strikes-congress-6c0061bf5a9c417e66f76fcc6ee57405">reject legislation that would have put a check</a>&nbsp;on Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela without congressional authorization.Experts disagree on whether or not American warplanes may be used to strike land targets inside Venezuela. Either way, the 100,000-ton warship is sending a message.“This is the anchor of what it means to have U.S. military power once again in Latin America,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for the Andes region. “And it has raised a lot of anxieties in Venezuela but also throughout the region. I think everyone is watching this with sort of bated breath to see just how willing the U.S. is to really use military force.”___Finley reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Anselm Gibbs in Port of Spain, Trinidad,, Gabriela Molina in Caracas, Venezuela, and Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report.

US show of force: Venezuelan President may want to talk with Trump

NEMAHA COUNTY —The Nemaha County Sheriff on Sunday released the name of a Kansas teen who died in an accident over the weekend in Nemaha County.

NEMAHA COUNTY —The Nemaha County Sheriff on Sunday released the name of a Kansas teen who died in an accident over the weekend in Nemaha County.Just after 7a.m. Sunday Nemaha County Communications received a call to respond to the scene of a one vehicle crash, according to a media release.A 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by Kenton L. Farwell, 17, Sabetha was westbound on 192nd Road just east of V Road. The pickup traveled off the road, struck a culvert and overturned into a ditch. The exact time of the crash has not been determined.&nbsp;