Junction City Commisioners have elected&nbsp; Terry Butler to serve as the mayor of Junction City for the next&nbsp; year. Sam Yoskowitz was chosen to be the vice mayor. Both were recently elected to the city commission.

Butler, Yoskowitz and Kelly Niemczyk all took their oaths of office Tuesday night. They were elected to the commission by voters in November.

Running down appointments to local public boards and committees:

--Kelly Niemczyk will serve on both the Economic Development Commission and Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

--Terry Butler will be a member of the Military Affairs Council.

--Sam Yoskowitz will be on the Flint Hills Metropolitan Organization and the aTa Bus Board.

--Richard Pinaire will serve on the Flint Hills Regional Council with Terry Butler serving as a backup.

Junction City Commission reorganization

The Junction City High School boys and girls basketball teams are back in action following Christmas break. Both teams are hosting the Washburn Rural Junior Blues tonight at Junction City School. You can hear both games on KJCK Radio. 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio or by <a href="https://streamdb9web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KJCKAM">clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

Girls action -&nbsp; Junction City (1-4) hosts Washburn Rural (4-2).&nbsp; Tip-off at 6:00 p.m. You can watch the Livestream of the game put on by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/BCQb8bVC-6c?si=3gFJnr-G04B5ChDe">BlueJayMedia by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

Boys action - Junction City (4-2) hosts Washburn Rural (5-2). Tip-off will be around 7:30 p.m. following the girls game. You can watch the Livestream of the game put on by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/fbidPUMmlpk?si=EIdVOFyjlEisccJj">BlueJayMedia by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

🏀 WATCH/LISTEN Live - Junction City hosts Washburn Rural

Junction City Fire Department Release

&nbsp; The Junction City Fire Department has posted the following information on social media about the passing of Retired Fire Chief and former Junction City Commissioner Mike Ryan. 

"It is with deep respect and heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of our respected brother and retired Fire Chief Mike Ryan. Chief Ryan served our department and community with unwavering dedication and commitment for over 34 years, leaving an enduring legacy of excellence and leadership. Mike also served as the mayor of Junction City, as well as a city commissioner.   He was very involved in KS legislature and with Junction City Professional Firefighters Local 3309. "

Junction City Fire announces passing of Former Fire Chief and City Commissioner Mike Ryan

Geary County/Junction City United Way is accepting funding application requests for 2026 funding from viable 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations whose programming provides for health, education, or income needs in the region of Geary County and Chapman.

Applications will be accepted through January 31st at 4:00 pm. Applications can be found on their website at www.unitedwayjcgc.org under the Agencies tab. Look for the “Agency Application” tab. If you are a new agency, you will need to create a new account. Applications can only be filled out online.

All applications must be accompanied by the nonprofit organization’s most recent audit or review; compilations will not be accepted. New agencies must provide their 501c3 verification form.

Geary County/Junction City United Way is accepting Letters of Intent for 2026 funding

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program serves those with low to moderate income; during tax season (late January through mid-April). This past tax season, theye provided returns that put over $750,000 in tax refunds, and prepared more than 500 returns.&nbsp;

To learn more about VITA and how you can volunteer, call 785-238-2117, email director@unitedwayjcgc.org or visit online at www.unitedwayjcgc.org

--Greeter/Screener: Greets everyone visiting the site to create a pleasant atmosphere. Screens taxpayers to determine the type of assistance they need and confirm they have the necessary tax return documents. 

--Interpreter: Provides free language interpreter services to taxpayers who are not fluent in English. Basic tax knowledge is helpful, but is not required. 

--Computer Specialist/Troubleshooter: Has working knowledge of personal computers, software and communications systems.&nbsp;

--Tax Preparer: Provides free tax return preparation and electronic filing for eligible taxpayers. Must be fully tax law certified. 

--Quality Reviewer: Reviews tax returns completed by volunteer tax preparers, ensuring that tax returns are error-free. Must be tax law certified at the Intermediate level. 

Free Training Provided Visit: https://linklearncertification.com Click on the START LEARNING tab to get started.&nbsp;

United Way calls for volunteers for VITA

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged violent attack in Manhattan.

Just before 3:30a.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;filed a report for a stabbing at in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 A 23-year-old man was listed as the victim when it was reported a 20-year-old female suspect known to him stabbed him during an argument.

 Elysia Bowles, 20, of Randolph, was arrested at approximately 4:29 a.m. in Manhattan on requested charges of aggravated assault. Bowles met the condition of a $5,000 and is no longer in custody, according to the RCPD.

 RCPD: Woman accused of stabbing man during argument

(View or share the&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/now-leaving?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F9o-lFh0Asso&amp;back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconsumer.ftc.gov%2Fconsumer-alerts%2F2026%2F01%2Finfluencers-are-pushing-illegal-trick-fix-your-credit-report%3Futm_source%3Dgovdelivery">YouTube&nbsp;version</a>&nbsp;of this video.)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Looking for some life hacks or advice about managing money? There’s no shortage of online influencers ready to help. But not all advice is good advice (or truthful). And in some cases, what they’re telling you might be more than a bad idea — it might be illegal.

Credit matters. What’s in your&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/understanding-your-credit">credit report</a>&nbsp;can be used to decide things like whether someone will loan you money, give you credit, offer you insurance, rent or sell you a home, or even hire you. If there’s a lot of negative information in your credit report, you also might&nbsp; have to pay more in interest to borrow money.

Some online influencers are telling people they have a fix: file a false identity theft report about a debt they owe. That’s advice&nbsp;not&nbsp;to take. Filing a false identity theft report may leave you worse off — and it’s a crime that could get you a fine, imprisonment, or both.

The truth is, credit repair companies can’t legally remove information from your credit report if it’s accurate and current. But there are things you can do for free to improve your credit. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/creditrepair">ftc.gov/creditrepair</a>.

Not sure what’s in your credit report?&nbsp;All three nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) have permanently extended a program that lets everyone in the U.S. check their credit report from each once a week for free at&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/now-leaving?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.annualcreditreport.com%2Findex.action&amp;back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconsumer.ftc.gov%2Farticles%2Ffixing-your-credit-faqs">AnnualCreditReport.com</a>.

That’s in addition to the free copy each nationwide credit bureau is required to give you once every 12 months if you ask for it at&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/now-leaving?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.annualcreditreport.com%2Findex.action&amp;back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconsumer.ftc.gov%2Farticles%2Ffixing-your-credit-faqs">AnnualCreditReport.com</a>&nbsp;or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

Federal Trade Commission: Influencers push this illegal trick to “fix” your credit report

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Candi Blay, Failure to appear, arrested 01/02

Danny Schwarz, Criminal trespass, arrested 01/02

Jack Murphy, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, arrested 01/03

Alexxander Wilson, Violation of a protective order, arrested 01/03

Geary County Booking Photos Jan. 3-5, 2026

The Flint Hills Discovery Center (FHDC) has opened an exclusive temporary exhibit on Saturday, January 10. Grassland Mini-Golf&nbsp;invites guests to discover the rich ecology of the tallgrass prairie as they play through nine minigolf holes. Score a hole-in-one and discover a story about prairie plants, animals, and the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem.

Each of the nine minigolf holes is designed by the FHDC staff to introduce guests to a part of the endangered Flint Hills ecosystem and educate them about the importance of preserving the prairie.“What better way to introduce people to the Flint Hills ecosystem than with a fun-filled 9-hole minigolf course,” said Stephen Bridenstine, FHDC Director.&nbsp;“This exhibit will have you thinking on your feet as you aim for that hole-in-one. And when you combine it with our&nbsp;Stepping into the Prairie&nbsp;immersive exhibit, it is guaranteed fun for the whole family.”

Visitors can also solve several prairie puzzler brain teasers to improve their score.Thank you to our sponsors,&nbsp;The Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation, and Visit Manhattan.In addition to&nbsp;Grassland Mini-Golf, the Flint Hills Discovery Center is pleased to bring back&nbsp;Stepping into the Prairie. This one-of-a-kind exhibit uses high-definition projectors, surround sound speakers, and motion sensing devices to create a virtual Flint Hills environment that reacts to guests in the space. The exhibit features the sights and sounds of the tallgrass prairie, digitally recreated to produce an immersive educational experience.

Stepping into the Prairie&nbsp;is funded in part by Kansas Tourism, through the Tourism Attraction Sub-grants for Kansas (TASK), and the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation.

Grassland Mini-Golf&nbsp;with&nbsp;Stepping into the Prairie&nbsp;is open during regular hours January 10 through May 10. Regular admission&nbsp;rates apply.

Grassland Mini-Golf at the Flint Hills Discovery Center

According to discussion at the Geary County Commssion meeting:

--Work has begun on the I-70 - K-18 flyover road construction project, and also on the J-Hill Road bridge project. For the I-70 - K-18 project Boller Road has been closed.

--The next commission night meeting will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 20.

--The next joint city - county - school board meeting will be Feb. 23.

--Commissioners favor keeping the Montgomery Building open over the holiday period and not locked. The CVB is open much of that time for public business.

--The CVB has lined up three fishing tournaments including Bass Nation, Catfish Chasers and Milford Lake Blues.

--Longtime rural firefighters will be honored January 14 at 6 p.m. Clark Carroll and John Moyer have retired.

--The CVB will be seeking to fill a marketing position.

--The new Visitors's Guide is out. You can get&nbsp; one at the CVB offices at 222 W. 6th Street.

--County transient guest tax revenues decreased by 2% in 2025.

Geary County Commission news notes

Geary County rural firefighters responded to 126 calls in 2025, up 20 from the year before.

Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges provided the numbers.

Fire Types: 2025&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2024

Building Fires: 14&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8

Vehicle Fires: 20&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;19

Grass, Brush, Fires: 32&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 34

Cultivated grain or crop fire: 2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4

Other fires 2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2

Medical Assist: 20&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;5

Down Power Line: 9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10

Service Calls 7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8

Good Intent: (includes dispatched &amp; cancelled

enroute and controlled burns) 23&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;16

Severe Weather 4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7

Rural Fire Department calls in 2025

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/claudia-ciobanu">CLAUDIA CIOBANU</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/stefanie-dazio">STEFANIE DAZIO</a> Associated Press

The White House said Tuesday that “U.S. military is always an option,” even as a series of European leaders rejected President Donald Trump’s comments about seeking an American takeover of the world’s largest island.

Trump has floated since his first term the idea of purchasing Greenland, which is part of the kingdom of Denmark. But, after this weekend’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">U.S. military action in Venezuela</a>, he’s renewed calls for the U.S. to take over Greenland, citing strategic reasons.

“President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal.”

That’s notable since Trump’s newly appointed special envoy to Greenland, as well as deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller, had suggested that military action wouldn’t be necessary. And asked Tuesday if he felt comfortable taking military action in Greenland, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “No. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

Leavitt’s comments also followed the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom joining Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in issuing a statement reaffirming that the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island “belongs to its people.”

Their statement defended the sovereignty of Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark and thus part of the NATO military alliance.

“Greenland belongs to its people,” it said. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also expressed his support, and announced a visit to Greenland early next month by Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon, who is of Inuit descent, and Foreign Minister Anita Anand.

“The future of Greenland and Denmark are decided solely by the people of Denmark,” Carney said, standing next to Frederiksen at the Canadian Embassy in Paris.

Also Tuesday, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who Trump appointed last month as U.S. special envoy to Greenland, said when it comes to making a deal with Greenland, he isn’t interested in talking to people in Denmark who “absolutely have made their position clear.”

Nor does Landry want to talk to European diplomats. Instead, he said, he wants to have conversations directly with residents of Greenland.

“I want to talk to people who want an opportunity to improve the quality of life in Greenland,” the Republican said on a Fox News radio show.

Landry said he has already exchanged emails with Greenlanders who had reached out to him.

“They tell me they like to hunt, they like to fish, they like to have a good time. I’m like, y’all belong in Louisiana. I’m gonna call it culinary diplomacy,” Landry quipped.

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, said Monday that Greenland should be part of the United States in spite of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denmark-greenland-trump-2b12bb104faaaafda2ed270febfb0522">warning by Frederiksen</a>&nbsp;that a U.S. takeover would amount to the end of NATO.

“The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus,” Miller said during an interview with CNN on Monday.

The Danish leader, together with Greenland’s prime minister, has firmly rejected Trump’s renewed call for the island to come under U.S. control. Trump has argued the U.S. needs to control Greenland to ensure it security in the face of rising threats from China and Russia in the Arctic.

“It’s so strategic right now,” he told reporters Sunday.

“Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” Trump said. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”

Miller wondered during his interview on Monday whether Denmark can assert control over Greenland. “What is the basis of their territorial claim,” Miller said. “What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?”

But he also said it wasn’t necessary to consider whether the U.S. administration was contemplating an armed intervention. “There is no need to even think or talk about this in the context that you are asking, of a military operation. Nobody is going to fight the U.S. militarily over the future of Greenland,” Miller said.

Greenland had been a colony of the Danish kingdom for hundreds of years, becoming an integral part in 1953. The U.S. government recognized Denmark’s right to the whole of Greenland at the beginning of the 20th century.

Legislation in 2009 that extended self-government to Greenland also recognized a right to independence under international law, an option favored by a majority of Greenlanders.

Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle. That location has made it crucial to the defense of North America since World War II.

The U.S. Department of Defense operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland. Constructed after a 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the U.S., the base supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the U.S. and NATO.

Greenland also guards part of the GIUK Gap, named for the initials of Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.

Greenland has large deposits of rare earth minerals needed to make everything from computers and smartphones to the batteries, solar and wind technologies that will power a transition away from fossil fuels. The U.S. Geological Survey also has identified potential offshore deposits of oil and natural gas.

What started out as a social media post on Saturday by Miller’s wife over the weekend quickly turned into something that Denmark now perceives as a real threat.

Katie Miller, a former Trump administration official turned podcaster, posted an illustrated map of Greenland in the colors of the U.S. flag, accompanied by the caption: “SOON.”

Trump’s comments Sunday, including telling reporters “let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days,” deepened fears that the U.S. was planning a Greenland intervention in the near future.

Frederiksen said Monday that Trump’s comments about Greenland “should be taken seriously.”

“If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2. “That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.”

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen insisted on the need for good relations with the U.S. “We are not in a situation where we think that there might be a takeover of the country overnight and that is why we are insisting that we want good cooperation,” he said Monday night.

U.S. Reps. Steny H. Hoyer and Blake Moore, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus, issued a joint statement Monday urging calm.

“Sabre-rattling about annexing Greenland is needlessly dangerous,” they said. “An attack on Greenland — a crucial part of that alliance — would tragically be an attack on NATO.”

“We already have access to everything we could need from Greenland,” the congressmen said, noting Denmark has previously given the U.S. a green light to deploy more forces or build additional missile defense infrastructure in Greenland.

Ulrik Pram Gad, a global security expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, questioned Trump’s characterization of the Russian and Chinese presence in the region.

“There are indeed Russian and Chinese ships in the Arctic, but these vessels are too far away to see from Greenland with or without binoculars,” he wrote.

Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani and Will Weissert in Washington, Danica Kirka in London, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report.

Why President Trump says the US 'needs' to control Greenland 

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Tuesday announced his office filed election crimes charges against Jose Luis Gomez, Sr. of Hutchinson, according to a media release from the attorney's general's office.

Officials from Kobach's office filed the charges in Reno County. Gomez faces one count of voting without being qualified and two counts of election perjury. The charges are nonperson felonies.

Gomez is a convicted felon and is currently in custody in Oklahoma pending deportation, following federal immigration proceedings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Voting by noncitizens, including both legal and illegal aliens, is a very real problem.&nbsp;Every time a noncitizen votes, it cancels out a U.S. citizen’s vote. Unfortunately, there are likely to be more cases as we continue to discover these cases," Kobach said. "The claim that the ACLU has been making for years, namely, that this sort of illegal voting by aliens does not occur, is once again proven false. It's time to stop believing their lies."

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab referred the case to Kobach’s office. The Secretary of State’s office is utilizing the SAVE program to identify Kansas electors who are not U.S. citizens.&nbsp;

Prior to election as attorney general, Kobach served two terms as secretary of state. During that time, Kobach led the charge to stop noncitizens from illegally voting in Kansas elections. Eight states, including Kansas, have passed laws requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in at least some cases, but the laws have only been implemented in four of those states, including Arizona, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wyoming. A federal court struck down the Kansas proof-of-citizenship law in 2018.

Kobach remains committed to ensuring that only qualified electors cast votes in Kansas elections.

Special Agent in Charge Matt Simpson of Kobach’s office investigated the case. First Assistant Attorney General Stacy Edwards is prosecuting.

Kansas felon faces election crimes charges 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a shooting&nbsp; in Wichita continue asking the public for help to locate&nbsp;16-year-old Cesar Govea, according to a statement from Wichita Police.

Govea is wanted in connection with a shooting on August 24, that injured his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend and a 17-year-old boy. The victims were inside a vehicle near Wichita and Waterwalk when Govea opened fire.

Govea is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach him.

If you know his whereabouts, do not approach him and call 911 immediately. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Kan. teen accused of shooting ex-girlfriend is still at large

KANSAS CITY —A driver injured in a crash that occurred just after 5p.m. December 28, in Kansas City, Missouri has died.

A black Kia was eastbound on MLK Boulevard from Rockhill Road at an excessive speed, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 The driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a retaining wall at the Stowers Institute. EMS transported the driver was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. 

On Tuesday, KCPD Offier Alayna Gonzalez reported the driver died, according to the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office. EMS transported the passenger from the vehicle to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp;

KCPD: Driver injured after crash into retaining wall has died

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/regina-garcia-cano">REGINA GARCIA CANO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/aamer-madhani">AAMER MADHANI</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/megan-janetsky">MEGAN JANETSKY</a>

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday that Venezuela would be providing 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S., and he pledged to use proceeds from the sale of this oil “to benefit the people” of both countries.

The White House is organizing a meeting Friday with U.S. oil company executives to discuss Venezuela, which the Trump administration has been pressuring to open its vast-but-struggling oil industry more widely to American investment and know-how. Representatives of Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips are expected to attend the White House meeting, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss the plans.

Earlier Tuesday, officials in Caracas announced that at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the dead-of-night U.S. military operation to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-presidential-palace-blowtorches-7969152ae48510003fe9cbde92f3c102">capture Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;and spirit him to the United States to face drug charges. And the country’s acting president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-interim-president-rodriguez-maduro-chavez-b352b5af17deb0ab78684b8398045179">Delcy Rodriguez,</a>&nbsp;pushed back on Trump, who earlier this week warned she’d face an outcome worse than Maduro’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-american-imperialism-1a42ccc7036ce7add7a0ba402ac6f48e">if she does not “do what’s right”</a>&nbsp;and overhaul Venezuela into a country that aligns with U.S. interests, including by granting access to American energy companies.

Rodriguez, delivering an address Tuesday before government agricultural and industrial sector officials, said, “Personally, to those who threaten me: My destiny is not determined by them, but by God.”

Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab said overall “dozens” of officers and civilians were killed in the weekend strike in Caracas and said prosecutors would investigate the deaths in what he described as a “war crime.” He didn’t specify if the estimate was specifically referring to Venezuelans.

In addition to the Venezuelan security officials, Cuba’s government had previously confirmed that 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cuba-us-venezuela-maduro-e66899b41f0b84cf83f77a69d399b486">were killed in the raid</a>. The Cuban government says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cubans-killed-venezuela-strike-us-oas-a8d8fcbe3e825979c5d3171f9b076a85">the personnel killed</a>&nbsp;belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, the country’s two main security agencies.

Seven U.S. service members were also injured in the raid, according to the Pentagon. Five have already returned to duty, while two are still recovering from their injuries. The injuries included gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment on the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

A video tribute to the slain Venezuelan security officials posted to the military’s Instagram account features faces of the fallen over black-and-white videos of soldiers, American aircraft flying over Caracas and armored vehicles destroyed by the blasts. Meanwhile, the streets of Caracas, deserted for days following Maduro’s capture, briefly filled with masses of people waving Venezuelan flags and bouncing to patriotic music at a state-organized display of support for the government.

“Their spilled blood does not cry out for vengeance, but for justice and strength,” the military wrote in an Instagram post. “It reaffirms our unwavering oath not to rest until we rescue our legitimate President, completely dismantle the terrorist groups operating from abroad, and ensure that events such as these never again sully our sovereign soil.”

Questions about the future of Venezuelan oil

With oil trading at roughly $56 a barrel, the transaction Trump announced late Tuesday could be worth as much as $2.8 billion. The U.S. goes through an average of roughly 20 million barrels a day of oil and related products, so Venezuela’s transfer would be the equivalent of as much as two and a half days of supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Despite Venezuela having the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, it only produces on average about one million barrels day, significantly below the U.S. average daily production of 13.9 million barrels a day during October.

The press office for Venezuela’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s announcement.

ExxonMobil is developing a mammoth offshore oil deposit in the waters off Guyana, Venezuela’s neighbor to the east. The company’s major oil discovery in 2015 prompted Venezuela to revive a century-old territorial dispute with Guyana and take steps to annex the remote region known as Essequibo, which comprises about two-thirds of Guyana’s land mass.

The development has also led to wide-ranging accusations from Venezuela’s government, including Rodríguez, against Guyana’s leaders and ExxonMobil. Two years ago, Venezuelan lawmakers even considered banning any future operation in Venezuela of oil companies working in Guyana.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump pushed back against Democratic criticism of this weekend’s military operation, noting that his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden had also called for the arrest of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Venezuelan leader</a>&nbsp;on drug trafficking charges.

Trump in remarks before a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-house-republicans-meeting-kennedy-center-ad8705ea228a8a4591567fb51f87edb3">House Republican retreat</a>&nbsp;in Washington grumbled that Democrats were not giving him credit for a successful military operation, even though there was bipartisan agreement that Maduro was not the rightful president of Venezuela.

In 2020, Maduro was indicted in the United States, accused in a decades-long narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking conspiracy. White House officials have noted that Biden’s administration in his final days in office last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-fbi-bondi-justice-department-0e618369ca68b79b1a2143a95955344a">raised the award</a>&nbsp;for information leading to Maduro’s arrest after he assumed a third term in office despite evidence suggesting that he lost Venezuela’s most recent election. The Trump administration doubled the award to $50 million in August.

“You know, at some point, they should say, ‘You know, you did a great job. Thank you. Congratulations.’ Wouldn’t it be good?” Trump said. “I would say that if they did a good job, their philosophies are so different. But if they did a good job, I’d be happy for the country. They’ve been after this guy for years and years and years.”

Americans are split about the capture of Maduro — with many still forming opinions —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-venezuela-trump-foreign-policy-15c94665b41312f5613772726d710905">according to a poll</a>&nbsp;conducted by The Washington Post and SSRS using text messages over the weekend. About 4 in 10 approved of the U.S. military being sent to capture Maduro, while roughly the same share were opposed. About 2 in 10 were unsure.

Nearly half of Americans, 45%, were opposed to the U.S. taking control of Venezuela and choosing a new government for the country. About 9 in 10 Americans said the Venezuelan people should be the ones to decide the future leadership of their country.

Maduro&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maduro-venezuela-trump-criminal-case-131f59e517cc8314a53c8dace230d328">pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges</a>&nbsp;in a U.S. courtroom on Monday. U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife early Saturday in a raid on a compound where they were surrounded by Cuban guards.

In the days since Maduro’s ouster, Trump and top administration officials have raised anxiety around the globe that the operation could mark the beginning of a more expansionist U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. The president in recent days has renewed his calls for an American takeover of the Danish territory of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/greenland">Greenland</a>&nbsp;for the sake of U.S. security interests and threatened military action on Colombia for facilitating the global sale of cocaine, while his top diplomat declared the communist government in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cuba">Cuba</a>&nbsp;is “in a lot of trouble.”

Colombia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Rosa Villavicencio said Tuesday she’ll meet with the U.S. Embassy’s charge d’affaires in Bogota to present him with a formal complaint over the recent threats issued by the United States.

On Sunday, Trump said he wasn’t ruling out an attack on Colombia and described its president, who’s been an outspoken critic of the U.S. pressure campaign on Venezuela, as a “sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.”

Villavicencio said she’s hoping to strengthen relations with the United States and improve cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking.

“It is necessary for the Trump administration to know in more detail about all that we are doing in the fight against drug trafficking,” she said.

Meanwhile, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom on Tuesday joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-european-union-greenland-denmark-c5995b27ac8aee84d0064991c86d633e">defending Greenland’s sovereignty.</a>&nbsp;The island is a self-governing territory of the kingdom of Denmark and thus part of the NATO military alliance.

“Greenland belongs to its people,” the statement said. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

Madhani reported from Washington and Janetsky from Mexico City. AP writers Josh Boak, Konstantin Toropin, Sagar Meghani, Isabel DeBre, Linley Sanders and Manuel Rueda contributed reporting.

Trump: US to get up to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka.

Just after 2p.m. January 3, police responded to the 800 block of SW Tyler for a possible shooting. EMS transported one victim identified as 43-year-old Stella M. Mahkuk of Topeka to an area hospital for treatment of potentially life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; On Tuesday police reported she died of her injuries.

Police have not reported an arrest of any additional details.

Police: Kansas woman wounded in shooting died of her injuries

DOUGLAS COUNTY–&nbsp; A man who broke into City Hall in Lawrence early Monday and was fatally shot by a city employee has been identified as&nbsp;28-year-old Omar Dominguez Gavilan from Buffalo, Minnesota, according to Lawrence Police spokesperson Laura McCabe.

Investigators learned that Gavilan was traveling through Kansas on a Greyhound bus. Early Sunday evening he was at Lawrence’s Kansas Turnpike Authority service station on I-70, just east of town. The Kansas Highway Patrol was called to remove him from the service station area due to erratic behavior. KHP transported Gavilan to the Amtrak station in Lawrence.&nbsp; Police did not have contact with Gavilan Sunday evening nor into the morning hours on Monday.

Just before 8a.m. Monday, Gavilan entered the City Hall building through a locked back door, proceeded up a stairwell to the 4th&nbsp;floor where he broke out a window within another secure door to enter the office area.&nbsp; Employees encountered Gavilan along his route and notified authorities that an intruder was in the building and attempted to find a safe area for themselves.&nbsp; An on-duty court security officer ultimately approached the man, announced his authority, and asked him to put his hands behind his back.&nbsp; 

Gavilan did not comply and began fighting the security officer.&nbsp;Details of the physical fight that followed will not be released until the investigation is complete because detectives are still interviewing those involved and police don’t want to influence any witness accounts.&nbsp;Within seconds of the shots being fired, Lawrence police officers were on-scene and began rendering aid to Gavilan along with the initial security officer and a second security officer who had arrived at the scene. Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical quickly arrived, took over his care, then pronounced him deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

Detectives in the Lawrence Police Investigations Unit expect to have a full report of the events sent to&nbsp;the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review within 2-3 weeks.&nbsp; During this time, the City employee is on administrative leave, which is standard.

Police ID intruder shot by city employee at Lawrence City Hall

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 5:30p.m. January 4, a sheriff's&nbsp;deputy on routine patrol stopped a vehicle for speeding 101 mph in a 65 mph zone in the vicinity of U.S. 75 and&nbsp; 160th, according to Brown County Sheriff&nbsp; John Merchant.

While making contact with the driver&nbsp; of the vehicle identified as 71-year-old Clarence Riley of Minot, North&nbsp; Dakota, an odor of burnt marijuana was detected&nbsp; coming from the vehicle.&nbsp; 

The deputy arrested Riley on requested charges ofPossession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp.

Sheriff: Driver was transporting cocaine at 101mph on Kan. highway

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/bill-barrow">BILL BARROW</a> Associated Press

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday he wants Republicans to reach a deal on health care insurance assistance by being willing to bend on a 50-year-old budget policy that bars federal money from being spent on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion services</a>.

“You have to be a little flexible” on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-presidential-election-90e629ff016a4e3d98e7be9c149f5c73">the Hyde Amendment</a>, Trump told House Republicans as they gathered in Washington for a caucus retreat to open the midterm election year. “You gotta be a little flexible. You gotta work something. You gotta use ingenuity.”

With his suggestion, Trump, who supported abortion rights before he entered politics in 2015, is asking conservatives to abandon or at least ease up on decades of Republican orthodoxy on abortion and spending policy — something lawmakers and conservatives pushed back on immediately.

At the same time, he is demonstrating his long-standing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-abortion-election-2024-ivf-contraception-d91f0959087e803db390be11eb60975b">malleability on abortion</a>&nbsp;and acknowledging that Democrats have the political upper hand on health care after Republicans, who control the White House, the Senate and the House, allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/affordable-care-act-health-subsidies-expire-35060610e82ca3257821c53f2a34ecf6">the expiration of premium subsidies</a>&nbsp;for people buying Affordable Care Act insurance policies. As negotiations on Capitol Hill continue on the matter, some Democrats are pushing to end the Hyde restrictions as part of any new agreements on health care subsidies.

Trump’s road map on the Hyde Amendment came more than an hour into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-house-republicans-meeting-kennedy-center-ad8705ea228a8a4591567fb51f87edb3">a stem-winding speech</a>&nbsp;intended as a part strategy session and part pep rally as Republicans attempt to maintain their threadbare House majority in the November midterms.

The president touted the GOP proposal to replace ACA subsidies — which taxpayers typically steer directly to insurance companies after selecting their policies — with direct payments that taxpayers could use for a range of health care expenses, including insurance. The expanded ACA subsidies expired on Dec. 31, 2025, hitting millions of policy holders with steep premium increases.

“Let the money go directly to the people,” Trump said, before casually slipping in a reference to the Hyde Amendment.

“We’re all big fans of everything,” he said. “But you have to have flexibility.”

Turning directly to GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump added, “If you can do that, you’re going to have — this is going to be your issue.”

House Republicans did not visibly react to Trump’s argument. But Senate Republicans appeared unlikely to back off their demands that any new health care legislation maintain existing restrictions on government funding for abortion services.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterated his stance Tuesday afternoon that any legislation must ensure “that those dollars aren’t being used to go against the practice that has been in place for the last 50 years.”

Beyond Capitol Hill, Trump drew swift condemnation from parts of the GOP coalition that want absolute opposition to any policy that might ease abortion restrictions.

Local

Region

Sports