During a Dec. 16 ceremony held at King Field House on Fort Riley, soldiers representing the 5th Engineer Battalion “patched over” to the 1st Infantry Division. Patching ceremonies are held to welcome units to a new headquarters. The changing of patches symbolizes acknowledgement and acceptance into the new chain of command.

In compliance with the Army 2030 Design, the Army is restructuring to meet force requirements which necessitated the realignment of 5th Engineer Battalion from 36th Engineer Brigade to 1st Infantry Division. The addition of the “Fightin’ Fifth” to the “Big Red One” family adds combat power and lethality to the First Division.

The shoulder sleeve insignia, or unit patch, dates to World War I when units wanted to easily identify their members and show pride in their division. The 5th Engineer Battalion changed from the red and white of the engineer corps to the green and red of the 1st Infantry Division.&nbsp;

The 5th Engineer Battalion traces its history back to 1861, with the establishment of "Battalion of Engineer Troops" supporting the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Their lineage is inlaid in the history of the U.S. Army, serving in World War I, World War II, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.&nbsp;

Patching ceremony marks the addition of the 5th Engineer Battalion to the 1st Infantry Division

Due to the&nbsp;weather forecast of low temperatures near 20 degrees and winds up to 30mph, we have decided to open the Shelter up as a Warming Center again (today) Thursday, December 18.&nbsp;

Since we normally serve dinner at 4:00pm, we will allow guests to come in for intake and dinner starting at 4:00pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;They can exit the next morning by 9:00am, after we serve breakfast from 8:00am-9:00am.&nbsp;&nbsp;Friday’s hours will remain the same.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lunch&nbsp;served&nbsp;from 11:30-12:30, and dinner&nbsp;starting&nbsp;at 4:00pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other services will be available by appointment on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

As before, guests&nbsp;seeking shelter after 9:00pm or before&nbsp;8:00am will need an officer, deputy, or fire/EMS&nbsp;escort&nbsp;to the door of the&nbsp;Shelter.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, we&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;take anyone under the influence or&nbsp;intoxicated&nbsp;as per our policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is for the safety of our guests,&nbsp;staff&nbsp;and volunteers.&nbsp; They do need identification, unless they are known by&nbsp;Fresh Start,&nbsp;JCPD, SO or Fire/EMS, and we will accept them at your word.&nbsp;

If you need clarification or would like&nbsp;additional&nbsp;information about the Warming&nbsp;Center&nbsp;or Fresh Start Emergency Shelter, you may call us at 785-390-0102.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fresh Start Emergency Shelter hosting Warming Center Thursday-Friday

The Junction City Blue Jay boys basketball program hosted the St. Mary's Academy Crusaders in boys only action on Wednesday night at Junction City High School. The JCHS boys went 3-0 as a program, with the Freshman, JV, and Varsity all winning in their final action before Christmas break.&nbsp;

Varsity boys - Junction City 48, St. Mary's Academy 22

By no means was it a clean game, but the Junction City Blue Jays win their final game of 2025, 48-22. St. Mary's Academy scored the first basket of the game, and that's the only time the Crusaders led. Following that early basket and a sluggish start for JCHS, the Blue Jays went on an 11-0 run and then led 13-4 at the end of the first period.&nbsp;

The second quarter is when Junction City began to find their groove. Senior Lovell Autry and junior Brody Boeckman both got rolling in this period, and the Blue Jays went on a 13-0 run, capped off by a Boeckman right-wing three pointer with less than a minute to go in the first half. JC led 34-9 at the half.

Second half saw the Blue Jays get some of their younger players on the floor with a 30 plus point lead, and a continuous running clock in the fourth quarter. JC led 46-12 at the end of the third quarter and won the game 48-22.&nbsp;

With the win, Junction City improved to 3-2 on the season and heads into Christmas break with a winning record.&nbsp;

Senior Lovell Autry finished with a game high 17 points, and Brody Boeckman finished with 13 points.&nbsp;

*On our KJCK Radio broadcast, our Blu restaurant player of the game was Junior Brody Boeckman. (For being our player of the game, Brody receives a $20 free meal voucher from Blu Restaurant in Junction City).&nbsp;

🏀 Blue Jay boys basketball Wins big in Final game before Christmas Break

Republic-Washington-Marshall-Cloud-Clay-Riley-Pottawatomie-Ottawa-
Dickinson-Geary-Morris-Wabaunsee-Lyon-
Including the cities of McFarland, Junction City, Eskridge,
Concordia, Abilene, Blue Rapids, Paxico, Hanover, Minneapolis,
Clay Center, Clifton, Alma, Harveyville, Wamego, Frankfort,
Emporia, Alta Vista, Bennington, Marysville, Manhattan, Maple
Hill, St. Marys, Washington, Greenleaf, Belleville, Herington,
Linn, and Council Grove


443 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING...

* 

WHAT...Northwest winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* 

WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central, and
  northeast Kansas. 

IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult,
  especially for high profile vehicles.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and
avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution
if you must drive.&nbsp;

High wind warning is in effect Thursday

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.

Victor Miranda, Failure to appear, arrested 12/16

Timothy Avery, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of controlled substance, arrested 12/16

Traveunta Wilbourn,&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of controlled substance; Theft &lt; $1,500 pocket picking; Outside warrant, arrested 12/17

Julie Prince, Interference with LEO; Knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for misdemeanor case; Criminal trespass, arrested 12/17

Tawan Tatro, Driving while license cancelled, suspended, or revoked, arrested 12/17

Geary County Booking Photos Dec. 17-18

USD 475 Communications Coordinator

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - It was truly a night to remember in Geary County Schools USD 475 as nine H.D. Karns Alternative School students were recognized for completing their graduation requirements at the 2025-26 H.D. Karns&nbsp;Commencement Ceremony.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Courtney Adams, Shiloh Aloese, Travis Cavanaugh, Daniel Freeman, Olivia Morales, Paola Pagan Roman, Moira Regan, Aleric Rhodes and James Warner were honored in front of friends, family, district staff and others inside the H.D. Karns auditorium.&nbsp; &nbsp;

USD 475 - H.D. Karns Celebrates Graduates on Wednesday

The seventh annual Match Day in Geary County brought in $488,391 in public donations plus $165,000 in matching funds for a combined total of $653, 391. That total was up $48,000 from 2024.

The money supports local nonprofit and charitable organizations.

Calvin Pottberg updated city commissioners on the topic this week.

City gets Match Day results update

CSM Craig Erickson nominated Angelica Metcalf to receive the JC Breakfast Optimist Club's December Student of the Month.&nbsp; Angelica is the daughter of Cecelia and Chad McFall.&nbsp; After graduation&nbsp;in May of this&nbsp;year, Angelica plans to attend college with&nbsp;a focus on General Studies and then join the U.S. Army to become an Artillery Officer.&nbsp;

 CSM Erickson stated that Angelica is the epitome of Army Values and has demonstrated her skills on the twice recognized National Champion Raiders Team from Junction City High School.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Optimists name the Student of the Month

The Junction City Animal Shelter staff staff has been observing upper-respiratory symptoms in the Shelter's dog room. This could be the results of Kennel Cough. Out of SEVERE precaution, they have halted dog showings and adoptions until further notice. 

"Why halt viewings and adoptions?" Kennel Cough can be simple to treat, however it is highly contagious by droplets.They want to minimize the spread the best that they can.

Dog viewing and adoptions temporarily closed

&nbsp; The Army said that the Devil’s Den Dining Facility is officially back open on Fort Riley with refreshed spaces, improved service, and quality meals ready to fuel Soldiers

Devil's Den Dining Facility serves Soldiers

SkillsUSA is an extracurricular activity at Junction City High School "that fits well with the Career Pathway", Aaron Yoder, CTE Tech Instructor and sponsor of Skills USA&nbsp;said.&nbsp; "Leadership, personal skills, tech skills, public speaking, first aid and cpr, welding, building a shed and many other areas may be represented in the SkillsUSA&nbsp;competitions," he also stated.&nbsp; 

Kennedy Moreland told the Optimist Club members that she, Abigail Pankow and others competed at the district level recently held in Eudora, Kansas. Kennedy competed in public speaking and Abigail helped build a shed in two days. Yoder said that " JCHS students had 11 out of 12 qualify for state. Qualifiers are currently preparing for those state competitions, which will be held later this school year.&nbsp; &nbsp;

SkillsUSA Instructor and Students were guest speakers at the Optimist Club Meeting

Fire crews are working grass fires in many areas across Kansas as the National Weather Service issued high wind and red flag warnings for Thursday.

Early Thursday afternoon, Reno county emergency management was evacuating an area between Plum Street and K 61 and north of 68th Avenue and south of 82nd Avenue.

The Buhler USD 313 evacuated Plum Creek Elementary to Cross Point Church at 1410 East 30th Avenue. The district says parents will need to pick up their students at the church after 2:15pm today, the district says not to go to Plum Creek because of the evacuation process. If you have any questions, you can call the Buhler central office at 620-543-2258.&nbsp;

On his social media page, Trooper Tod Hileman shared video of the wildfire burning in southeast Russell County. He urged the public to avoid the area as firefighters work to contain it.

Due to the wildfire north of Hutchinson, the Kansas State Fairgrounds is accepting horses only for temporary emergency shelter, effective immediately and until further notice.

Horse owners needing shelter may bring animals to the Fairgrounds by entering through Gate 10. Upon arrival, owners must stop at the Stalling Office, located just inside Gate 10 next to the Big Red Barn, to provide contact information and receive directions.

Horses will be separated by travel history to protect animal health. Horses that have traveled within the past 15 days will be housed in Barn 1, while horses that have remained local will be placed in Barns 2 and 3.

The Kansas State Fair will provide water. Owners should bring feed, buckets, halters, medications, and any other necessary supplies. Trailers may park in the Midway area.

Kansas elementary school forced to evacuate due to fire

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>

Quest for November special session fell short, but Republicans may try again in January

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly predicted Tuesday the 2026 Legislature wouldn’t muster enough political support to implement a new congressional district map splitting Johnson County and making it easier to defeat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids in the midterm election.

Kelly, the two-term Democrat entering her final year as governor, said the political landscape in Kansas appeared unchanged since House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, conceded in November he lacked enough signatures from Kansas House members to trigger a special session on redistricting.

While Hawkins fell about 10 signatures short of the required supermajority needed to convene in special session, enough Kansas Senate Republicans signed a petition to authorize a special session devoted to congressional mapping. The GOP leadership’s objective has been to implement a Kansas map to oust Davids, the state’s lone Democrat in the federal delegation, without threatening the three incumbent Kansas Republicans in Congress.

The administration of President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to gerrymander enough districts so Republicans could remain in control of the U.S. House.

Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said their strategy would be to consider redistricting when the 2026 Legislature convened Jan. 12 for its regular session.

“In some ways, I’ll be surprised if they even really bring it up,” Kelly said in an interview with Kansas Reflector. “I don’t think a lot has changed in terms of where legislators stand on the issue.”

Kelly said it was interesting Hawkins couldn’t convince the minimum of 84 House members to sign a special session petition, because her years serving as a state senator demonstrated legislators were more inclined to authorize debate on a topic than to vote for an actual bill. While it would take simple majorities of 63 votes in the House and 21 votes in the Senate to pass a new map, a veto by Kelly would lead to a scramble for 84 votes in the House and 27 votes in the Senate to secure the supermajority required for a veto override of the governor.

“There are times when legislators will vote for a process and then turn around and vote against the action,” Kelly said. “I would be very surprised if they were able to get that passed with the veto-proof majority.”

The governor said the political appetite for mid-decade redistricting in Kansas resembled that of Indiana, where&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/11/repub/indiana-senate-republicans-reject-trumps-plea-for-gerrymandered-maps/">Republicans recently defeated</a>&nbsp;a push by Trump to change that state’s congressional map.

“The people spoke out very loudly there,” Kelly said. “While we haven’t had people in the rotunda discussing redistricting, all the polling has shown that it’s not popular in Kansas. It’s not something people are interested in. People really want the Legislature to deal with the issues that impact them day-to-day.”

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/08/kansas-legislative-leadership-wobbly-on-redistricting-as-january-session-draws-near/">In a recent interview</a>&nbsp;at a meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council, Masterson said he was confident the Legislature would work through redistricting challenges in the upcoming session.

“We’ll have no trouble for sure passing a new map with majorities,” said Masterson, who is a GOP candidate for governor.

Hawkins, who is seeking the GOP nomination for state insurance commissioner, said he was less confident the Legislature would cobble together the GOP coalition necessary to implement a new congressional map.

Davids, a four-term Democrat serving the Kansas City area, has condemned the attempt by Republicans to cave to special interests demanding mid-decade redistricting in Kansas. The current congressional district boundaries in Kansas were changed in 2022 to reflect population shifts and the GOP’s desire to undercut Davids, but the new approach would seek to weaken Davids’ reelection odds by cutting Johnson County in half.

In anticipation of the remapping battle, the Legislature spent $43,000 to acquire software and training to prepare for redrawing to congressional boundaries.

“It’s outrageous that politicians in Topeka secretly used Kansans’ hard-earned tax dollars to silence the very people footing the bill — all for a map folks haven’t seen and a process they’ve been cut out of,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansaspublicradio.org/daily-headlines/2025-12-08/headlines-for-monday-december-8-2025" target="_blank">told KMUW</a>&nbsp;the tradition of amending congressional maps once each decade to comply with population changes should be retained in Kansas.

“There’s a bit of fairness that I think ought to be preserved about this issue,” Moran told KMUW. “We have a practice that we’ve utilized for a long period of time. We reapportion at that census moment, and that makes sense to me.”

Kan. governor doubtful GOP legislators can pull off congressional redistricting

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A mother accused in the death of her 4-year-old son made her first court appearance on Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;A Sedgwick County judge charged 27-year-old Tyne Blunt with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On Tuesday, police arrested Blunt in connection with the death of 4-year-old&nbsp;Tirui Blunt-Porrata.

&nbsp;The arrest follows a Dec. 8 incident in the 2600 block of South Topeka in Wichita, where officers responded to a report of an unresponsive child at approximately 3:21 p.m. EMS transported the child to a local hospital in critical condition. The child was pronounced dead at 4:07 p.m.

&nbsp;A 34-year-old Daniel Martin was initially arrested and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail where he was charged with Felony Murder and Child Abuse and remains in custody.

&nbsp;Following further investigation, detectives presented the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. An arrest warrant was issued for the 27-year-old mother, who was taken into custody and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp; Blunt is being held on a&nbsp;&nbsp;a $750,000 bond and&nbsp;is scheduled to return to court on December 29, according to the district attorney's office.

Mom accused in 4-year-old son's death will spend Christmas in jail

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/elisha-brown/">Elisha Brown</a>

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning four major retailers about compliance with a recall of infant formula that has been linked to botulism.&nbsp;

Ann Oxenham, the FDA’s top compliance officer for the human foods program, sent letters to Albertsons, Kroger, Target and Walmart Friday about ByHeart Whole Nutrition formula products remaining on some store’s retail shelves as late as Nov. 26.&nbsp;

“These warning letters highlight the critical responsibility that retailers have in effectuating a recall, particularly when dealing with products that pose serious health risks to our most vulnerable populations, such as infants,” the agency said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;released Monday.&nbsp;

No infant deaths attributed to the outbreak have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-nov-2025/index.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. At least 51 cases across 19 states resulted in infant hospitalizations as of Dec. 10, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-cdcs-rapid-response-helps-solve-first-infant-botulism-outbreak-linked-to-formula.html" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.

ByHeart issued a recall of the formula on Nov. 8. The company expanded the recall three days later to include all of its products, including unexpired formula cans and single-serve “anywhere pack” sticks, according to an agency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">news release</a>.&nbsp;

When the agency’s state and local partners made 4,000 visits to retail stores in the weeks after the initial recall, they found the formula stocked at more than 175 locations across 36 states.&nbsp;

“Food safety is a shared responsibility, and it is of utmost importance that all parties in the supply chain act swiftly and vigilantly to protect our nation’s children from unsafe food,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-improve-recall-effectiveness-following-infant-botulism-outbreak-investigation" target="_blank">statement</a>.&nbsp;

Botulism in babies occurs when a baby swallows Clostridium botulinum bacteria, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-nov-2025/index.html" target="_blank">CDC</a>. Symptoms can take weeks to develop, but they include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control and difficulty swallowing.&nbsp;

The ByHeart formula products were found at Walmart stores in 21 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26, according to the FDA warning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/walmart-inc-720400-12122025" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to CEO Doug McMillon.&nbsp;

“As a participant in the supply chain, your firm should take prompt and effective action when notified of a product recall,” Oxenham wrote.&nbsp;

A Walmart spokesperson told States Newsroom that the health and safety of their customers is “always a top priority.”&nbsp;

“When notified of the recall, we moved swiftly to issue a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores and clubs and online. We take all reports of inaction seriously and will respond to the letter,” the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

Even though Target told the FDA that the big-box store put a block on bar codes for cans of ByHeart formula and the single-serve packs on Nov. 11, an investigator found the formula at a New Hampshire location five days later, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/target-corporation-720399-12122025" target="_blank">warning letter</a>.&nbsp;

A larger agency audit discovered the recalled formula was still on Target shelves across 20 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 20. Associates told state and local FDA partners that they were not aware of the recall or confused about the scope of which products were potentially affected by the contamination, among other explanations.&nbsp;

An auditor even found the single-serve formula packs marked down at an Arkansas Target with a $2 discount weeks after the nationwide recall, the letter states.&nbsp;

Target did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

The recalled formula was found at several Albertsons stores, including Acme and Safeway, across 11 states from Nov. 12 to Nov. 19, according to an FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/albertsons-companies-incorporated-720465-12122025" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;sent to CEO Susan Morris.

Agency officials had a call with the company’s leadership on Nov. 20 asking for a plan about the issue, but Oxenham wrote that the company did not deliver one.

In a statement provided to States Newsroom, a spokesperson for the company said “they are committed to the health and safety of our customers.”&nbsp;

“We have procedures to address product recalls, including working closely with suppliers and regulators to identify and remove affected items and communicate guidance to customers,” a spokesperson said. “ByHeart infant formula products have been removed from our store shelves.”&nbsp;

The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/kroger-company-720464-12122025" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;to Kroger interim CEO Ronald Sargent on Friday, too, saying that the formula was found at the company’s stores across 10 states “well after the recall was initiated and subsequently expanded.” Kroger did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

ByHeart is issuing refunds for all products purchased on or after Aug. 1 from their website, and parents or caregivers can also get their money back if they purchased the formula from retailers, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://byheart.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopkBi2iv35zHMHcBDwt-rPRyDbkPv4SGFQXfFmeRMyJNPDBwS-C" target="_blank">statement</a>.&nbsp;

The company has had safety issues recently: A Pennsylvania plant closed this year after inspectors found mold, dead insects and a leaking roof in a formula production area,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/health/infant-formula-botulism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E8.jBCf.M35fWHv5QoeC&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;reported last month.&nbsp;

Two years ago, a hazardous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cronobacter-sakazakii" target="_blank">bacterium that can cause sepsis and meningitis in infants</a>&nbsp;was found in a processing area of the same plant and in finished formula shortly after, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/health/infant-formula-botulism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9E8.jBCf.M35fWHv5QoeC&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">Times</a>.&nbsp;

Health officials in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/idaho-infant-hospitalized-suspected-botulism-after-baby-formula-recall" target="_blank">Idaho</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/louisiana-health-officials-say-stop-using-byhealth-baby-formula" target="_blank">Louisiana</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/byheart-baby-formula-linked-13-cases-infant-botulism-including-1-minnesota" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nm-health-department-issues-botulism-warning-over-infant-formula" target="_blank">New Mexico</a>&nbsp;and countless other states have issued warnings about the ByHeart formula recall.

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/major-retailers-slow-remove-recalled-infant-formula-shelves-fda-says" target="_blank">News From The States</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Nebraska Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

FDA: Major retailers slow to remove recalled infant formula from shelves

Officials are now looking for a person who walked by the person of interest in Brown University mass shooting

By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

Investigators are widening their search as the hunt for the man believed responsible for the Brown University mass shooting that&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">killed two students</a>&nbsp;and injured nine others enters its fifth day.

Providence Police on Wednesday released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.providenceri.gov/tips/" target="_blank">new images</a>&nbsp;of a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ID-4.png">second person</a>&nbsp;who was walking through the East Side neighborhood at the same time as the suspected shooter on Saturday, along with&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/map.png">a map</a>&nbsp;of a focus area stretching 10 blocks south of the Barus and Holley engineering building where the fatal shooting occurred.

Officials&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/16/investigators-are-counting-on-the-public-to-id-their-person-of-interest-so-far-theyre-getting-it/">are again</a>&nbsp;calling upon the public for help in identifying the second person, shown wearing a dark jacket with a tan sweatshirt underneath, hood pulled up, and carrying a tan bag, believed to have been close to the 5-foot-8 man with a stocky build previously identified as the main “person of interest” in the shooting.

“Videos don’t speak,” Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “I wish the video could speak, and then I’d have the answers I need.”

Perez declined to answer whether the second person was connected to the person of interest.&nbsp;

Nearly 100 hours have passed since the fatal shooting at the campus engineering building at 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 200 tips, including photo and video evidence from property security systems and vehicle dash cameras, have poured in as local, state, and federal investigators searched for physical evidence in the surrounding neighborhood.

“This is a very intensive investigation,” Perez said. “It’s going to take public assistance. It’s going to take 21st century policing involving technology, but it’s also going to take good old fashioned police work, which is knocking on doors, going through yards.”

Perez said later, “A person is going to get caught. We’re not going to stop until they do.”

The area of focus has expanded beyond the intersection of Ives and Pitman streets, where the gunman was last detected on video footage after the crime, stretching south into Fox Point, almost reaching the Washington Bridge, according to the new map.

“We want to make sure we don’t miss anything,” Perez said.

Concentric circles growing outward is standard practice for investigations, and Perez said the team is ready to follow tips and leads across and beyond state lines, too.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha offered new insight into officials’ decision to keep key details of the investigation under wraps, including videos from inside the building that show students fleeing after the gunman opened fire with what officials have said was a 9 millimeter gun. They have not confirmed whether the weapon has been found.

“These are not facts that advance the investigation,” Neronha said of the video recorded inside Barus and Holley showing students fleeing. “As we interview witnesses, we don’t want them to learn facts from these press conferences. We’re being careful about the facts that we are sharing for that reason.”

The collaboration of nine federal agencies and state and local investigators appears somewhat disjointed, with the FBI releasing videos and images separately from Providence police on Tuesday. Yet officials presented a united front, stressing teamwork and partnership, including with Brown University.

University officials faced more questions from reporters Wednesday about the lack of camera footage in the part of the academic building where the shooting took place at the end of a review session for an economics final. University Provost Francis Doyle in response said that all evidence had been turned over to law enforcement, while noting that it would be “counterproductive” to reveal the locations of the university’s 1,200 camera security system.

The vacuum of information and images has left the&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/a-community-in-grief-gathers-to-hold-light-in-one-of-providences-darkest-times/">capital city on edge</a>&nbsp;and fueled speculation and misinformation on social media. Brown in a statement Tuesday night warned about harmful doxxing activity toward at least one member of the university.

“Accusations, speculation and conspiracies we’re seeing on social media and in some news reports are irresponsible, harmful, and in some cases dangerous for the safety of individuals in our community” the university said. “It is not unusual as a safety measure to take steps to protect an individual’s safety when this kind of activity happens, including in regard to their online presence.

Mayor Brett Smiley cautioned against AI-generated images being circulated online. Officials have created an online repository of verified photos and videos of the suspect, the second person, and the map area, available on the&nbsp;<a href="http://providenceri.gov/tips" target="_blank">city website</a>.

No additional updates are expected until Thursday when another briefing is scheduled for 4 p.m., Smiley said.

Still no name, motive or weapon: Brown University manhunt continues

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government admitted Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Army played a role in causing the collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk helicopter near the nation's capital, killing 67 people in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest crash</a>&nbsp;on American soil in more than two decades.

The official response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-faa-lawsuit-american-d176654f92a412942c15eafbb7b13e32">first lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed by one of the victims’ families said that the government is liable in the crash partly because the air traffic controller violated procedures about when to rely on pilots to maintain visual separation that night. Plus, the filing said, the Army&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-national-airport-aircraft-crash-ntsb-3dec2686beb43ada10ce392c857751cc">helicopter pilots'</a>&nbsp;“failure to maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid” the airline jet makes the government liable.

But the filing suggested that others, including the pilots of the jet and the airlines, may also have played a role. The lawsuit also blamed American Airlines and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, for roles in the crash, but those airlines have filed motions to dismiss.

At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the American Airlines regional jet while it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in northern Virginia, just across the river from Washington, D.C., officials said. The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, and three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.

Robert Clifford, one of the attorneys for the family of victim Casey Crafton, said the government admitted “the Army’s responsibility for the needless loss of life” and the FAA’s failure to follow air traffic control procedures while “rightfully” acknowledging others –- American Airlines and PSA Airlines -– also contributed to the deaths.

The families of the victims “remain deeply saddened and anchored in the grief caused by this tragic loss of life,” he said.

The government's lawyers said in the filing that “the United States admits that it owed a duty of care to plaintiffs, which it breached, thereby proximately causing the tragic accident.”

An American spokesman declined to comment on the filing, but in the airlines motion to dismiss, the airline said "plaintiffs’ proper legal recourse is not against American. It is against the United States government ... The Court should therefore dismiss American from this lawsuit.” The airline said that since the crash it has focused on supporting the families of the victims.

The National Transportation Safety Board will release its report on the cause of the crash early next year, but investigators have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ntsb-dc-plane-crash-midair-collision-helicopter-a08cded88e1d7582fb8d242204d6aeff">already highlighted</a>&nbsp;a number of factors that contributed, including the helicopter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/midair-collision-ntsb-washington-dc-army-helicopter-e9f7b69fe01ff39dc8629d2999104683">flying 78 feet higher (24 meters) than the 200-foot (61-meter) limit</a>&nbsp;on a route that allowed only scant separation between planes landing on Reagan's secondary runway and helicopters passing below. Plus, the NTSB said, the FAA failed to recognize the dangers around the busy airport even after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-near-misses-53cc37d586a981c3382462a07b3d99ec">85 near misses</a>&nbsp;in the three years before the crash.

Before the collision, the controller twice asked the helicopter pilots whether they had the jet in sight, and the pilots said they did and asked for visual separation approval so they could use their own eyes to maintain distance. FAA officials acknowledged at the NTSB’s investigative hearings that the controllers at Reagan had become overly reliant on the use of visual separation. That’s a practice the agency has since ended.

Witnesses told the NTSB that they have serious questions about how well the helicopter crew could spot the plane while wearing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ntsb-hearings-army-helicopter-airplane-crash-potomac-984dc835b1cc63274768192a404bfa2c">night vision goggles</a>&nbsp;and whether the pilots were even looking in the right spot.

Investigators have said the helicopter pilots might not have realized how high they were because the barometric altimeter they were relying on was reading 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters) lower than the altitude registered by the flight data recorder.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fatal-washington-flight-passengers-ca062f03b729c130058d4f74393dfa31">crash victims</a>&nbsp;included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">a group of elite young figure skaters</a>, their parents and coaches who had just attended a competition in Wichita, Kansas, and four union steamfitters from the Washington area.

US gov't admits fault in deadly jet from Kansas, helicopter collision 

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for information regarding a road rage incident that occurred between approximately 7:05-7:15a.m. on December 16.

The incident began in Lenexa near K-10 and K-7 interchange, and then continued eastbound on K-10, and eventually onto eastbound Interstate 435 Highway, according to Overland Park Officer John Lacy.

 Multiple gunshots were fired at the victim on eastbound Interstate 435 Highway just west of the Quivira Road.

The suspect vehicle was described as a white Chevrolet Malibu, possibly a 2017-2018 model.  Two occupants were inside the Malibu, the driver was a black male. 

The Overland Park Police Criminal Investigations Division asks anyone with information regarding this incident to call 913-344-8750 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Police release details in Kansas road-rage shooting 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 39-year-old Anthony Alexander, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.

Just before 10:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 3100 block of Kensington, according to Becchina. 911 received a call to the location asking for help.

First responders contacted people in the area that heard the sound of a disturbance followed by what they thought was possible gunfire.&nbsp;Officers checked the area and located Alexander unresponsive on the ground next to a residence.&nbsp;

Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS took over treatment and declared Alexander deceased at the scene, according to Becchina.

Preliminary investigation indicates Alexander appears to have been shot. Investigation further appears he had an interaction at the location with unknown suspect(s) that led to gunfire that killed Alexander

Homicide: Police ID man found dead outside KC home

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Wednesday that it attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing four people on the same day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-congress-trump-war-powers-99b1f29e3501b2dfc0e0bd0e16164aea">the House rejected efforts</a>&nbsp;to limit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;power to use military force against drug cartels.

U.S. Southern Command stated on social media that the vessel was operated by narco-terrorists along a known trafficking route. The military didn’t provide evidence behind the allegations but posted a video of a boat moving through water before there was an explosion.

The attack brought&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">the total number of known boat strikes</a>&nbsp;to 26 while at least 99 people have been killed, according to numbers announced by the Trump administration. Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified the attacks</a>&nbsp;as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">“armed conflict” with drug cartels</a>.

The administration is facing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-pete-hegseth-venezuela-9f46a5f074b5b3c979ee41082949b196">increasing scrutiny from lawmakers</a>&nbsp;over the boat strike campaign. The first attack in early September involved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-strike-video-footage-boat-caribbean-3cf2ca9cbe4523978e935b99c2979caa">a follow-up strike that killed two survivors</a>&nbsp;clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit.

House Republicans rejected a pair of Democratic-backed resolutions Wednesday that would have forced the Trump administration to seek authorization from Congress before continuing attacks against cartels. They were the first votes in the House on Trump’s military campaign in Central and South America. A majority of Republicans in the Senate had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-war-power-congress-2c8c491f88836249801b6b15b19217b5">previously voted against similar resolutions</a>, and Trump would almost certainly veto them if they were to pass Congress.

U.S. military reports another deadly attack on a drug boat

The Powerball® jackpot has jumped to an estimated $1.5 billion for Saturday night’s drawing, extending the game’s holiday jackpot streak. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $686.5 million, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Saturday’s jackpot ranks as the fifth largest in the Powerball game and the seventh largest among U.S. lottery jackpots.

“This jackpot is set to deliver the ultimate windfall,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “The jackpot grows with every $2 ticket sold, and a portion of each ticket supports local public programs and services. We encourage everyone to have fun and play responsibly.”

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 25, 33, 53, 62, 66 and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.

Nationwide, six tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in Connecticut, New York (3), Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Two tickets, sold in Arizona and Massachusetts, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.

The drawing also produced 72 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

In the Double Play® drawing, a ticket in Florida won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>following the main Powerball drawing.

Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be the 45th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has produced back-to-back jackpots exceeding $1 billion. The only other occurrence was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won in California.

If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.5 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $686.5 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

Powerball jackpot climbs to fifth-largest in game’s history

Something global, exciting, and selfie-worthy is headed down Kansas I-70. The official FIFA World Cup Kansas City Countdown Clock will be on display outside the Abilene Visitors Center, 201 NW 2nd, at the historic Union Pacific Depot from December 22 through December 27, 2025.

Standing nearly 10 feet tall and weighing more than 450 pounds, the illuminated clock is traveling across Kansas as part of a statewide tour celebrating Kansas City’s role as a host location for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The clock counts down in real time to opening day and has already made appearances in Dodge City, &nbsp;Wichita, Colby and Hays as excitement builds across the state.“

This is an incredible opportunity for our community,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau. “The World Cup is one of the most-watched global events, and having the countdown clock in Abilene invites residents, visitors, and travelers along I-70 to join in the excitement.”

Kansas City will host six World Cup matches in June and July 2026, joining select cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico as part of the largest FIFA World Cup in history. With 48 teams and 104 matches, this tournament is expected to ignite record-setting tourism, international visibility, and celebration across North America.

The clock will be outside the Abilene Visitor Center and fully lit, making it ideal for daytime and nighttime photos. Visitors are invited to stop by anytime during the six-day display and share photos using the hashtags:#KCCountdown

“We’re excited to welcome this special attraction and encourage everyone to stop by, take a photo, and be part of World Cup history,” Roller Weeks added.

FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Display&nbsp;

Abilene to Host Official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock December 22–27

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Flory Bidunga had 18 points and 10 rebounds to spur No. 17 Kansas to a 73-49 victory over Towson on Tuesday night.

Tre White had 16 points and a career-high six assists for the Jayhawks (9-3). Melvin Council, coming off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-melvin-council-3fa0e92a24fea40c9d072d54ec3bb826">a career-best 36-point performance</a>&nbsp;in Saturday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-nc-state-score-c3e0319a94dd9632ac2f4d0108979da0">overtime win</a>&nbsp;over N.C. State, added 15 points.

Kansas improved to 273-9 at home against unranked opponents under coach Bill Self.

Sophomore guard Jamari McDowell started for preseason All-American Darryn Peterson, who missed an eighth game due to injury. Self said Peterson had quadriceps cramps.

Bidunga, who entered the night as the Big 12’s leading shot blocker, had two blocks in the first seven minutes and finished with three. He also scored KU’s first six points en route to his seventh career double-double.

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