On Saturday at approximately 4:15 p.m., officers with the Junction City Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of West 4th Street in Junction City for a subject reported to be suffering from possible gunshot wounds.

Upon arrival, officers located John Day, a 66-year-old white man and Junction City resident, suffering from what was believed to be a gunshot wound. Day was transported to Stormont Vail Flint Hills Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

This incident remains an active investigation. The Junction City Police Department has identified and interviewed all individuals present during the incident. At this time, no arrests have been made.

There is no ongoing threat to the community related to this incident.

Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the Geary County Attorney's Office for review to determine whether any charges are appropriate.

Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Junction City Police Department at (785) 762-5912 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (785) 762-8477.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further information will be released at this time.&nbsp;

Police conduct a homicide investigation in Junction City

By SUZANNE KING <a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/01/08/why-30-rural-hospitals-in-kansas-and-12-in-missouri-are-at-risk/">The Beacon</a>

Kansas has more hospitals in immediate danger of closing than any other state, according to a recent analysis of the financial health of the country’s most remote hospitals.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://chqpr.org/">Center for Healthcare Quality &amp; Payment Reform</a>, a national policy organization, found that 68 rural Kansas hospitals are at risk of closing, including 30 at immediate risk. Its&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralhospitals.chqpr.org/downloads/Rural_Hospitals_at_Risk_of_Closing.pdf">analysis</a>&nbsp;also put Missouri among the 10 worst states for rural closings, with 29 rural hospitals at risk of closing, including a dozen at immediate risk.

Nationwide, the analysis found that 756 hospitals — one-third of all rural hospitals — could be in jeopardy, including 323 that are at&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralhospitals.chqpr.org/Solutions.html#the-need-for-rapid-action-to-prevent-closures-and-sustain-rural-healthcare">immediate risk</a>&nbsp;of closure. Hospitals that are losing money on patient services and don’t have enough reserves to offset those losses for more than six or seven years are considered to be at immediate risk.

Harold D. Miller, the Center for Healthcare Quality’s president and CEO, said the problem boils down to simple economics. Rural hospitals spend more than they bring in.

Because they are located in remote parts of the country, rural hospitals have fewer patients. But operating costs — like necessary staff and equipment — are the same as for hospitals in more populated areas.

At the same time, the cost of health care continues to climb, workforce shortages&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/24/traveling-nurses-kansas-hospitals/">make it more expensive to fill jobs</a>&nbsp;at rural facilities and much of the financial support that helped them through the COVID pandemic has gone away.

“Costs have gone up and payers haven’t kept up,” Miller said. “The hospital isn’t being paid based on actual cost. More likely it gets underpaid.”

A pessimistic assessment of the financial health of rural hospitals is not new. For years, experts have warned about pending closures. And across the country almost 200 rural hospitals have shut down since 2005, including 19 across&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/08/08/rural-hospitals-missouri-medicaid-cuts-at-risk-2025-closures/">Missouri</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2026/01/07/derbys-rock-regional-hospital-eviction-process-cleared-proceed-judge-decides/">Kansas</a>.

The rural hospitals that have closed their doors since 2012,&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralhospitals.chqpr.org/Problems.html#the-magnitude-of-financial-losses-at-rural-hospitals">the Center for Healthcare Quality found</a>, had a median operating loss of 9%. Rural hospitals that stayed open had a median 5% profit margin.

Cindy Samuelson, spokeswoman for the Kansas Hospital Association, cautioned that the report’s dire predictions of 30 Kansas hospitals being on the brink of closing may be overblown. Many rural Kansas communities provide taxpayer support in the form of a city or county levy. Although that funding is not guaranteed, she said it is a good bet that it will continue.

“I really think you’re not going to see 30” hospitals close, Samuelson said. “Those people who live in those 30 areas are going to say, ‘We’ll pay the tax. Health care is important to us.’”&nbsp;

Kansas still has 100 rural hospitals — second only to Texas — while Missouri has 58. But many operate at a loss. And the challenges only seem to be growing.

Recent changes at the federal level are expected to dramatically increase the number of people without insurance&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/19/aca-expiring-tax-credits-health-insurance/">beginning this year</a>. That will likely add to the number of patients hospitals have to treat for free, and it is expected to ultimately lead to more expensive care since people who skip doctors’ appointments or medicine often end up sicker.

Hospitals also are watching what will happen at the state and federal levels to the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which helps many hospitals subsidize the cost of care across their operations. Some lawmakers would like to change the way the program works, which could leave hospitals with another big funding gap.

“It could impact essential services the hospitals provide,” Samuelson said.

While loss of the drug program or reduced government insurance coverage under Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace will likely mean problems for hospitals, Miller said many rural hospitals will face grim prospects even if none of those changes occurs. Already, he said, they are dealing with the reality that insurance plans aren’t paying them enough to cover their expenses.

Many people assume Medicare and Medicaid are the primary culprits for funding shortfalls, Miller said, but private insurance is actually a bigger factor for many small rural providers.

Private insurance is often the&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralhospitals.chqpr.org/Data4A.html">largest contributor</a>&nbsp;to rural hospital revenue — especially since private Medicare Advantage plans have become increasingly popular. But often hospitals are getting the smallest reimbursements from that sector.

Traditional Medicare plans are required to cover most of the cost of care for the patients they cover, but the same is not true of Medicare Advantage plans, which are sold through private insurance companies and work like any other private plan.

Rural hospitals may fall outside a Medicare Advantage plan’s network, or the plan will quibble about paying for certain procedures or services. That can leave patients without nearby care options and hospitals without funds to cover costs.

All of it contributes to rural hospitals’ funding gaps, Miller said.

“If those private insurers are paying half as much as it costs to deliver services in the hospital,” he said, “that hospital is not going to stay open.”

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kha-net.org/CriticalIssues/FinancialStability/FinanceResources/d175040.aspx?type=view">2024 study</a>&nbsp;from the Kansas Hospital Association found that private insurers, or commercial payers, in the state paid less than payers in neighboring states. That left Kansas hospitals with fewer private dollars to help cover the costs of care for uninsured or underinsured patients.&nbsp;

And because private plans were covering less, patients were left carrying more bad debt, the study found, because they couldn’t afford out-of-pocket costs. Or they were avoiding care when they needed it, which ultimately drives up cost.

The closure of any rural hospital puts people’s health at risk. Not only are patients left with long drives to hospitals in an emergency, they also lose affiliated physician practices, laboratories and imaging services, which often puts preventive care in jeopardy.

“The bottom line for patients if they lose their hospital is that there’s always going to be a larger barrier for them to go seek care,” said Tom Mueller, director of the Kansas Center for Rural Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center. “It’s important to point out that rural folks are happy to drive for the most part. … But, regardless, if you’re talking about a 20-minute drive versus a two-hour drive, you might not go get that thing checked out.”

As a result, chances at early detection are missed. Screenings are postponed or avoided. And people’s health suffers.

Hope for rural transformation funds

Kansas hospitals are waiting for details about the funds the state has been awarded through the new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, which is being dolled out to states across the country for the next five years.

Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/29/medicaid-missouri-rural-health-transformation-hr-1/">will receive</a>&nbsp;$216 million during the 2026 fiscal year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced, while Kansas will receive $222 million.&nbsp;

Samuelson said the details of exactly what was funded from the Kansas proposal will be announced in coming days. But she expects the programs funded will help hospitals. It won’t mean an immediate influx of money, but it will mean a chance for the state to invest in shoring up rural hospitals.&nbsp;

And the industry hopes the funds will bring structural changes, like addressing root causes of disease, which would make care less expensive. And investing in the rural health workforce.

“It’s going to be changes that will be impactful and hopefully long-lived with regards to transformative care in rural areas,” Samuelson said.

Lucretia Stargell, CEO of Goodland Regional Medical Center and Rawlins County Health Center in northwest Kansas, said she hopes the new transformation fund drives rural hospitals to be more collaborative.&nbsp;

In May, her hospital brought oncology care back to Goodland one day a week by sharing the cost with other rural hospitals. Now cancer patients can see a doctor close to home rather than driving to Hays or other faraway cities.

It’s an example of how rural hospitals can bring care to the patients, Stargell said, but also help patients navigate finding specialist care in other places when necessary.&nbsp;

“Our big audacious goal is to be a medical home for the region, she said. “We want to help coordinate your care. We want to get you to Hays or Salina or Kansas City, but we want you back. It’s a complex world to navigate, and that’s our duty as a hospital to be part of that.”

Hospitals haven’t gotten to the point of being on the brink of closure overnight, and getting back to health won’t be simple either, Stargell said. But taking deliberate steps to create long-term change seems like the best approach, she said.

“If there were a quick fix,” she said, “hospitals wouldn’t be closing.”

Why 30 hospitals in Kansas and 12 in Missouri are at risk of closure

The Junction City Blue Jay wrestling team won six duals and captured the championship of the Duwane Miller Invitational at Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel on Saturday.

Junction City defeated Wichita Northwest 56-18, KMCX 68-12, Andover 63-12, Salina South 59-18, Smith&nbsp; Center 58-21 and Kapaun Mt. Carmel 50-23.

The Blue Jays are 15-4 in duals this season.

Blue Jays capture the championship at Kapaun Mt. Carmel

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;

Riley County Arrest Report January 17, 18

The Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony in Junction City on Monday will focus on youth involvement. A goal is to keep the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. before the youth.

Event Coordinator Daphne Maxwell pointed to a need to resurrect a loss of history for young people. "Some don't know who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is, let alone what he stood for, the impact of his life and legacy, and freedoms they enjoy today."

With the youth-centered focus, the event will feature performances and presentations by local youth and serve as a day of learning, reflection, and historical enrichment. Students from the JAG program at Junction City High School will be among the participants.

The ceremony Monday begins at 10 a.m. at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

MLK Jr. Ceremony is set for Monday

&nbsp; Geary USD 475 will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 

The District announced that students will also be off Tuesday, Jan. 20 since the district is having a professional development day.&nbsp; &nbsp;

USD 475 will be closed Monday 

K-State Research and Extension will host a series of regional Local Food Producer Workshops in February and March, offering farmers and small food businesses practical guidance on expanding their reach in local markets.

The annual workshops are held in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture &amp; Alternative Crops. They are designed to help producers learn more about selling through farmers markets, direct-to-consumer channels, and other local food market opportunities, while also providing a forum to connect with peers and share best practices.

According to organizers, the workshops focus on improving business success for local food producers by combining educational sessions with networking opportunities. Each workshop location will offer free scale certification and lunch. Select locations will also include training for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; participants are encouraged to review the agenda for their chosen location to confirm available topics.

The workshops are organized through K-State Research and Extension, the statewide outreach arm of Kansas State University.

Additional details, including dates, locations, and agendas, are available online through K-State Research and Extension’s workshop page.

K-State Research and Extension to host local food producer workshops across Kansas

On Friday night inside the Blue Jay Event Center, Junction City High School hosted the Topeka Trojans in boys and girls action. Topeka swept the Blue Jays, winning big in the girls game and an overtime thriller in the boys game.

Girls recap – Topeka High 63, Junction City 29

Topeka High jumped out to an early lead and led 16–5 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, it was all T-High as well, as they extended their lead to 24 points, leading 35–11 at halftime. Junior Ahsieryrhuajh ("Shy") Rayton had 22 first-half points.

T-High continued to roll and went on to win the game 63–29. With the victory, Topeka earned its first win in Centennial League play and is 4-6 on the season. Junction City falls to 1-8 on the year.

For Junction City, the main highlight again was sophomore Aniyah Henry-Rivers. She finished the game with 17 points. *Aniyah Henry-Rivers was named the Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. For being selected as Player of the Game, she receives a $20 free meal coupon from Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 North Washington Street.

Boys recap - Topeka High 72, Junction City 69 (OT)

In boys action, Topeka High got out to a quick start, as they led Junction City early by a score of 13–2. Coach Easton Burgardt burned an early timeout to get his team fired up. The Trojans then led 18–7 at the end of the first quarter after a sluggish start from Junction City.

The Trojans expanded that lead to 27–11, leading by 16, which was their largest lead of the game. Junction City junior Trevon Briley then pulled down a big defensive rebound and scored on the offensive end, followed by another takeaway to spark the Blue Jays on both ends of the floor. Junction City ended the half on a 20–5 run and trailed the Trojans 32–31 at halftime.

Junction City started the second half with the ball and scored on the opening possession to take a 33–32 lead, completing the comeback. Topeka High quickly responded, as the Trojans went on a big run of their own and led 55–45 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, much like the second quarter, the Junction City Blue Jays responded and came back once more. They trailed by 13 points but ultimately tied the game late and then led 60–59 with under a minute to go. The Blue Jays had a chance to win it in regulation, but a straightaway three-pointer by Khaliel Walker was no good, sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, the Blue Jays fell behind but had a chance to tie the game with two free throws by senior Lovell Autry. He made one of two, and Junction City trailed by one with less than 10 seconds to go. The Blue Jays then fouled and Topeka hit both free throws. JC had a chance to tie it late, but Autry’s three-pointer was off the mark, and Topeka High won the game in overtime, 72–69. Autry finished the game with a career high 29 points.

The Blue Jays fall to 0–3 in Centennial League play and 5–5 overall. *Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game tonight was Brody Boeckman, who finished with 15 points. For being our Player of the Game, Boeckman receives a $20 free meal coupon from Blu Restaurant of Junction City, located at 602 North Washington Street.

Next up for Junction City, the Blue Jays will play three games in the Spring Hill Invitational Tournament on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Topeka High sweeps Junction City on Friday night in the Blue Jay Event Center

Centennial League play continues Friday night at Junction City High School. The Blue Jays and Lady Jays host the Topeka High Trojans. You can hear both games live on 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio. You can also <a href="https://streamdb9web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KJCKAM">listen live by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

Girls tip-off at 6:00 p.m. - You can listen live on the radio or watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/au_9mZyAMYc?si=9xxqptWSaMYoeAkk">livestream provided by BlueJayMedia by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

Boys tip-off around 7:30 p.m. - You can listen live on the radio or watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/Jb7-7i18tBA?si=qrL3a6ocLZctZPei">livestream provided by BlueJayMedia by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

🏀WATCH/LISTEN LIVE: Junction City hosts Topeka Trojans

RILEY COUNTY— An elementary school was briefly evacuated on Friday due a fire.

Just before noon Friday, crews responded to a small fire at Marlatt Elementary School,&nbsp;2715 Hobbs Drive in Manhattan, according to a social media report from the Manhattan Fire Department.. Before 1p.m. the fire was extinguished and students&nbsp; allowed back into the building. No injuries were reported.&nbsp; The fire department has not released details on what cause the fire ore additional information.

Manhattan elementary school evacuated due to fire

There will be no trash/garbage pick-up by the City of Junction City on Monday, January 19th due to the Martin Luther King Holiday.

However, trash/garbage pick-up will be picked up the next workday as follows:

Monday’s pickup day will be Tuesday, January 20th

Tuesday’s pickup day will be Wednesday, January 21st

Wednesday’s pickup day will be Thursday, January 22nd

Thursday’s pickup day will be Friday, January 23rd

Friday’s pickup day will be Saturday, January 24th

City sanitation schedule

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Police investigating a deadly shooting in Lawrence have released the name of the teen who died as 18-year-old Aidan Knowles, according to a social media report from Lawrence police and the victim's father.

Just after 2a.m. Saturday, police were called to a reported shooting at the Hawk, 1340 Ohio Street in Lawrence, according to an online report from Lawrence Police.

First responders found two victims with gunshot wounds and several potential witnesses who told officers the suspects took off. While officers on scene tended to the victims, others flooded the surrounding area. Soon after, officers found a group of people matching the suspects’ descriptions walking just blocks away.

They were taken to the Lawrence Police Department to be questioned by detectives. Through the course of the investigation, probable cause was developed to suggest requesting charges on one suspect for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated assault and requesting charges on a second suspect of felony murder and aggravated assault.

Both were booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility.

Aidan Knowles, 18, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second victim, a 16-year-old boy, was taken to an area trauma center for treatment of critical injuries.&nbsp;

Police ID teen who died in shooting outside bar near KU campus

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The mayor of Minneapolis said Sunday that sending active duty soldiers into Minnesota to help with an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-immigration-crackdown-protests-96888fbbf2b5939aa7abdc0380773e46">immigration crackdown</a>&nbsp;is a ridiculous and unconstitutional idea as he urged protesters to remain peaceful so the president won't see a need to send in the U.S. military.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-immigration-crackdown-51a05ca22098e07fa0499e59e49e6b22">Daily protests</a>&nbsp;have been ongoing throughout January since the Department of Homeland Security ramped up immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul by bringing in more than 2,000 federal officers.

Three hotels where protesters have said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were staying in the area stopped taking reservations Sunday.

In a diverse neighborhood where immigration officers have been frequently seen, U.S. postal workers marched through on Sunday, chanting: “Protect our routes. Get ICE out.”

Soldiers specialized in arctic duty told to be ready

The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers based in Alaska who specialize in operating in arctic conditions to be ready in case of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-deployment-minnesota-immigration-insurrection-act-31a28c23045bfdb31b27f68507a68ca8">a possible deployment</a>&nbsp;to Minnesota, two defense officials said Sunday.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans, said two infantry battalions of the Army’s 11th Airborne Division have been given prepare-to-deploy orders.

One defense official said the troops are standing by to deploy to Minnesota should President Donald Trump invoke the Insurrection Act.

The rarely used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-crackdown-minnesota-shootings-renee-good-a0c368079c106b599245996fded8c1b9">19th century law</a>&nbsp;would allow him to send military troops into Minnesota, where protesters have been confronting federal immigration agents for weeks. He has since backed off the threat, at least for now.

"It’s ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. “It is not fair, it’s not just, and it’s completely unconstitutional.”

Thousands of Minneapolis citizens are exercising their First Amendment rights and the protests have been peaceful, Frey said.

“We are not going to take the bait. We will not counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos here," Frey said.

Gov. Tim Walz has mobilized the Minnesota National Guard, although no units have been deployed to the streets.

Hotels protesters said are connected to ICE close

At least three hotels in Minneapolis-St. Paul that protesters said housed officers in the immigrant crackdown were not accepting reservations Sunday. Rooms could not be booked online before early February at the Hilton DoubleTree and IHG InterContinental hotels in downtown St. Paul and at the Hilton Canopy hotel in Minneapolis.

Over the phone, an InterContinental hotel front desk employee said it was closing for the safety of the staff, but declined to comment on the safety concerns. The DoubleTree and InterContinental hotels had empty lobbies with signs out front saying they were “temporarily closed for business until further notice.” The Canopy was open, but not accepting reservations

The three hotels have been the site of protests with demonstrators saying federal agents were staying there.

IHG did not immediately return requests for comment Sunday.

Peter Noble joined dozens of other U.S. Post Office workers Sunday on their only day off from their mail routes to march against the immigration crackdown. They passed by the place where an immigration officer shot and killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, during a Jan. 7 confrontation.

“I've seen them driving recklessly around the streets while I am on my route, putting lives in danger," Noble said.

Letter carrier Susan Becker said she came out to march on the coldest day since the crackdown started because it's important to keep telling the federal government she thinks what it is doing is wrong. She said people on her route have reported ICE breaking into apartment buildings and tackling people in the parking lot of shopping centers.

“These people are by and large citizens and immigrants. But they're citizens, and they deserve to be here; they've earned their place and they are good people,” Becker said.

Republican congressman asks governor to tone down comments

A Republican U.S. House member called for Walz to tone down his comments about fighting the federal government and instead start to help law enforcement.

Many of the officers in Minnesota are neighbors just doing the jobs they were sent to do, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer told WCCO-AM in Minneapolis.

“These are not mean spirited people. But right now, they feel like they’re under attack. They don’t know where the next attack is going to come from and who it is. So people need to keep in mind this starts at the top,” Emmer said.

Across social media, videos have been posted of federal officers spraying protesters with pepper spray, knocking down doors and forcibly taking people into custody. On Friday, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-immigration-operation-lawsuit-8805b301ff4a7bfb0058e085ffa8c034">federal judge ruled</a>&nbsp;that immigration officers can’t detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing authorities, including when they’re observing the officers during the Minnesota crackdown.

Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed.

Army has soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment

KANSAS CITY —A firefighter was injured fighting a house fire Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 11a.m., Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;companies were dispatched to a reported fire at Rochester and North Garland, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.&nbsp;&nbsp;Crews reported smoke and fire showing from what appeared to be a vacant house in the 2500 block of Rochester Avenue.

 An offensive attack fire attack was initiated with 3 hose lines. A house to the west was exposed, suffering some fire damage to its exterior.&nbsp;While advancing the hose line, a partial roof collapse occurred and companies evacuated, continuing to fight the fire from the exterior.&nbsp;The fire was placed under control at 11:21 a.m.

One KCFD firefighter was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a minor injury. The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCPD Bomb and Arson. &nbsp;City Planning and Dangerous Buildings have been requested to the scene. Red Cross has also been requested to assist with the occupants of the house to the west that was damaged.

Firefighter injured fighting Kansas City house fire

KANSAS CITY —Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced charges against a Kansas City man for his involvement in a fatal shooting that took place at a gas station last year.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2801/Ramel-Morgan-Complaint-Red">Ramel A. Morgan</a>,20,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2800/Morgan-PC-Red">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police responded to a shooting at a gas station on December 7, 2025, and canvassed the area, but could not locate a victim or suspect.&nbsp;

Detectives later learned the shooting victim from the gas station drove to a nearby hospital for treatment but died a short time later. The vehicle the victim arrived at the hospital in had multiple bullet strikes to the rear window frame, the rear windshield was shattered, and a bullet fragment was observed on the passenger-side spoiler. Officers recovered a handgun on the front passenger floorboard.&nbsp;

Surveillance footage from the gas station showed that a gray Hyundai Sonata arrived and parked at the gas pumps. Several individuals exited the vehicle and entered the store. A short time later, a silver Ford Mustang, the victim’s vehicle, drove through the parking lot.

While inside the store, the defendant was observed walking around holding a handgun. Eventually, he exited the store with a handgun visible in his left hand and approached the passenger side of the silver Mustang. The defendant and victim appeared to converse and after a brief exchange, the suspect pointed a firearm at the driver and fired multiple rounds into the vehicle before fleeing on foot. The silver Mustang left the parking lot.&nbsp;

A Jackson County judge set the defendant’s bond at $200,000 cash only.&nbsp;

KC gas station shooting victim drove to a hospital where he died

NEW YORK wit (AP) — What sounds like President Donald Trump narrating a new Fannie Mae ad actually is an AI-cloned voice reading text, according to a disclaimer in the video.

The voice in the ad, created with permission from the Trump administration, promises an “all new Fannie Mae” and calls the institution the “protector of the American Dream.” The ad comes as the administration is making a big push to show voters it is responding to their concerns about affordability, including in the housing market.

Trump plans to talk about housing at his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders and corporate executives meet this week.

This isn’t the first time a member of the Trump family has used AI to replicate their voice, First Lady Melania Trump recently employed AI technology firm ElevenLabs to help voice the audio version of her memoir. It’s not known who cloned President Trump’s voice for the Fannie Mae ad. But ElevenLabs said in an email to The Associated Press on Sunday that the audio of Trump's voice wasn't generated by the company.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Last month, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-address-economy-popularity-midterms-65d3b79a613cfb778432bcc719a313ab">pledged in a prime-time address</a>&nbsp;that he would roll out “some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history."

“For generations, home ownership meant security, independence, and stability,” Trump's digitized voice says in the one-minute ad aired Sunday. “But today, that dream feels out of reach for too many Americans not because they stopped working hard but because the system stopped working for them."

Fannie Mae and its counterpart Freddie Mac, which have been under government control since the Great Recession, buy mortgages that meet their risk criteria from banks, which helps provide liquidity for the housing market. The two firms guarantee roughly half of the $13 trillion U.S. home loan market and are a bedrock of the U.S. economy.

The ad says Fannie Mae will work with the banking industry to approve more would-be homebuyers for mortgages.

Trump, Bill Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and others have said they want to sell shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on a major stock exchange but no concrete plans have been set.

Trump and Pulte have also floated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/home-prices-50-year-mortgage-trump-56a931881ca6f6efeccf2de0333a83bd">extending the 30-year mortgage to 50 years</a>&nbsp;in order to lower monthly payments. Trump appeared to back off the proposal after critics said a longer-term loan would reduce people’s ability to create housing equity and increase their own wealth.

Trump also said on social media earlier this month that he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-housing-mortgage-rates-79294cf8eac1579b17430b4cd0708fcd">directing the federal government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds</a>, a move he said would help reduce mortgage rates at a time when Americans are anxious about home prices. Trump said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have $200 billion in cash that will be used to make the purchase.

Earlier this month, Trump also said he wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-housing-plan-investors-davos-6ec9f96c03d16c0714a6804c5f703db2">block large institutional investors f</a>&nbsp;rom buying houses, saying that a ban would make it easier for younger families to buy their first homes.

Trump's permission for the use of AI is interesting given that he has complained about aides in the Biden administration using autopen to apply the former president's signature to laws, pardons or executive orders. An autopen is a mechanical device that is used to replicate a person’s authentic signature.

However, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/autopen-joe-biden-house-republicans-report-dfee07747d5b3e81417f6416c771d833">report</a>&nbsp;issued by House Republicans does not include any concrete evidence that autopen was used to sign Biden's name without his knowledge.

🎥Trump's voice in a new Fannie Mae ad is AI generated 

KANSAS CITY – German Alvarez-Rubio, 28, of Kansas City, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, and psilocybin as well as firearms offenses.

Alvarez-Rubio made his first appearance in federal court after his arrest on January 12, 2026.

The indictment alleges that on July 22, 2025, the Alvarez-Rubio distributed cocaine.&nbsp; On July 29, 2025, Alvarez-Rubio distributed cocaine and methamphetamine and illegally sold ten firearms.&nbsp; On August 19, 2025, Alvarez-Rubio distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, and psilocybin (mushrooms) and illegally possessed a machinegun.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Siegele. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Indictment: KC drug dealer also illegally sold firearms

While some states are seeing more enrollees, there has been a drop nationwide.

By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/nhassanein/">Nada Hassanein</a>

Nationwide, the number of people buying health plans on Obamacare insurance marketplaces is down by about 833,000 compared with a year ago, according to federal data released this week.

Many states are reporting fewer new enrollees, more people dropping their coverage, and more people choosing cheaper and less generous health insurance plans with higher deductibles.

Across most states, Thursday was the last day to enroll for plans that start in February. But nine states and Washington, D.C., have deadlines later this month, so the numbers could change.

There are 21 states with state-run health insurance marketplaces, and the rest use the federal website. The vast majority of states have seen declines in enrollment&nbsp;so far, compared with around this time last year.

Preliminary data&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/marketplace-2026-open-enrollment-period-report-national-snapshot-0#AnchorFour" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;Monday by the federal Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services shows 22.8 million enrollees, down from a record total of 24.3 million last year.

Premiums have surged as a result of the expiration of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/issue-brief/inflation-reduction-act-health-insurance-subsidies-what-is-their-impact-and-what-would-happen-if-they-expire/#:~:text=The%20Inflation%20Reduction%20Act%20(IRA,three%20years%2C%20ending%20after%202025." target="_blank">enhanced federal subsidies</a>&nbsp;first made available by the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and later extended through the end of 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act. The availability of the subsidies spurred a sharp increase in the number of people buying health plans on the marketplaces. In 2020, 11.4 million people were enrolled in marketplaces through Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act. More than double that amount enrolled last year.

Congress failed to reach an agreement on extending the subsidies before the end of last year and still hasn’t reached one. As a result, premiums were expected to increase this year by 114% on average — from $888 last year to about $1,904, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/aca-marketplace-premium-payments-would-more-than-double-on-average-next-year-if-enhanced-premium-tax-credits-expire/" target="_blank">estimates</a>&nbsp;made in September by health policy research organization KFF.

The higher costs appear to be driving many people to forgo insurance or opt for cheaper, less generous plans this year, health officials and analysts say. Several states with state-based marketplaces — including Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Virginia and Washington — are reporting fewer enrollments this year in comparison with enrollments through early January 2025, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/state-indicator/marketplace-enrollment-snapshot-for-open-enrollment-2026/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">early data</a>. Other states, such as California, are reporting fewer new enrollees.

“It’s important to consider that this is preliminary data, so this represents people who have signed up and selected the plan — but they probably haven’t received their first premium bill,” said Elizabeth Lukanen, executive director of the health policy research organization State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota. “Once that happens, I think there’s concern — and it seems very possible — that people may decide to drop coverage. So, the decline could get bigger.

“On the other hand, open enrollment hasn’t closed, so you have two things sort of competing. It seems pretty likely that there will be a decline,” she said.

If the downward trend continues, the nation could see the first decline in enrollment since 2020, Lukanen said, adding that a full picture of income levels and demographics of people who have dropped coverage&nbsp;won’t be clear&nbsp;until the summer.

In Pennsylvania, data updated through Tuesday shows more than 15,000 previously enrolled adults between the ages of 55 and 64 have dropped coverage entirely — the most of any age bracket.

Pennsylvania’s state-based exchange, Pennie, has seen about 15% fewer new enrollments compared with last year. The state is also reporting 1,000 residents dropping coverage per day during open enrollment — with the most coverage losses among people with incomes 150% to 200% of the poverty level. These could include families of two adults and two children with an income between $48,225 and $64,300.

The state is seeing an “unprecedented” number of previously enrolled people dropping coverage, said Devon Trolley, executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority.

California is reporting 31% fewer new enrollees this year compared with last year, and more than a third of new enrollees are choosing bronze plans — the lowest, least generous coverage tier — up from less than a quarter at this time last year.

In Minnesota, data as of Dec. 3 shows more than half of active enrollees are opting to keep their coverage tier. But of those changing plans, more than a third — 37% — are going to cheaper plans. The state notes a full picture won’t be available until March.

Meanwhile, some states are seeing roughly the same number of enrollees or more. Texas, for example, is reporting about 4.1 million people enrolling this year compared with 4 million last year.

Charles&nbsp;Miller, health and economic mobility policy director at&nbsp;Texas 2036, a policy research nonprofit, said it’s unclear why enrollments are up, but pointed to some clues.

“Texas had a uniquely large population of uninsured individuals eligible for free and inexpensive plans that hadn’t enrolled previously … [and] has more affordable bronze and gold plans than many states,” he said.

He attributes that to a bipartisan state law, enacted in 2021, that had the effect of increasing subsidies for those plans, Miller said.

Nevada is seeing fewer enrollees overall. But compared with this time last year, the state is seeing 29% more people who are actively shopping the website to explore plans, said Katie Charleson, communications officer at the Nevada Health Authority Division of Consumer Health Services.

The state introduced a new public option, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2026/01/08/with-health-insurance-premiums-rising-nevadas-new-public-option-is-proving-popular/" target="_blank">Nevada Current</a>, and health officials told lawmakers last week that about 1 in 5 active shoppers are opting for that plan.

In addition to the expiration of the subsidies, the cost of coverage has risen because of other factors, according to insurers. They say&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-aca-marketplace-premiums-are-going-up-in-2026/#Distribution%20of%20proposed%202026%20rate%20changes%20among%20312%20ACA%20Marketplace%20insurers" target="_blank">they’ve had to raise premiums</a>&nbsp;because of rising prescription drug costs, inflation and workforce challenges, such as provider shortages.

But the enhanced premium tax credits were aimed at buffering those year-to-year changes for Americans with lower incomes, said Trolley, adding that the tax credit structure “helps make sure that [enrollees] don’t see those really larger drops that happen from time to time, sort of from those market forces.”

“When there are broader rate increases of … the total cost of the coverage, the tax credits are structured so that people who get a tax credit don’t feel a lot of that increase. They’re sort of sheltered from it on a year to year basis,” Trolley said. “The tax credit is tied to someone’s income and limits what they pay as part of their income, not necessarily tied to the cost of the coverage.”

She added that she’s also heard from some residents who say they are waiting to enroll in a plan to see if Congress takes action.

“People are leaving the ACA marketplace because the trade-offs have just become harder to justify,” Lukanen said. “What worries me is that when the coverage becomes unaffordable, it isn’t that people suddenly stop needing care. They just lose the protection that insurance offers, and those health care costs don’t go away.”

Lukanen added that if more people forgo coverage, health care services may end up costing the nation more overall.

“If people are going to the doctor and they don’t have insurance, these costs are then just shifted. They’re shifted to hospitals, ultimately to the community and the taxpayer.”

Trolley echoed that, saying she’s concerned about the overall burden on providers in rural counties, which are seeing the highest drops in Obamacare coverage in Pennsylvania.

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