This year, 33 members of law enforcement from 7 different agencies partnered with 60 local kids for a Saturday morning filled with holiday shopping, excitement, and meaningful connections with officers from across the community.

Each year, this program allows law enforcement to brighten the holiday season for local families who may be facing challenges. Working closely with USD 475, they identify children who would benefit from a little extra support and encouragement this time of year. Through this partnership, we ensure the event reaches families who will truly feel its impact, helping create a holiday experience that is joyful and memorable.

A huge thank you goes to the volunteers from Second Missionary Baptist Church for preparing breakfast for all of the kids and officers. They also thanked the team from RE/MAX Signature Properties for volunteering their time to help wrap gifts throughout the morning.&nbsp;

This event would not be possible without the generosity of our local businesses and community partners. Their donations throughout the year ensure that Shop With a Cop continues to grow and make a positive difference in the lives of children and families in Junction City.

Thank you to the following sponsors for your support:

Junction City Walmart, SVS, ADS, Geary Grain, Cook Family McDonalds, Highwind Brewing Co., Twin Valley Communications, Footlocker, American Legion Post #45, Lynn Devine with Fairway Home Mortgage, B and R Cleaning, Bayer Construction Co.,Voiture 1229 40 and 8, Lee Motors, Junction City Bowl, Jack and Dick's Pawn Shop, Geary County Attorney, Ronna Larson, Kaw Valley Engineering, Homestead Tow Service, Hess and Sons Salvage, Kiwanis South, Crimestoppers, Central National Bank, Street Rods, Walsh Customs and Collision, Bramlage Family Foundation, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Jim Clark Auto Center, Bird Dog LLC, Homefront Group LLC, Frontier Spirits, Performance Audio and Tint, Re/Max Signature Properties, Mathis Lueker Real Estate, Frames and Engraving Etc., Stagg Hill Golf Club, Golf USA, Indian Hills Golf Course, Rolling Meadows Golf Course, The Gun Junction, La Fiesta of Junction City, JCPOA, Honor Screen Printing and Embroidery.

To every volunteer, officer, partner agency, and local business who contributed, thank you. Your continued support is what makes Shop With a Cop such an impactful tradition for our community.

Shop With a Cop supports children during the holidays

Executive Director of United Way Junction City/Geary County

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 county region of Geary County and Chapman.

Applications will be accepted through January 31st&nbsp;at 4:00 pm. Applications can be found on our website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.unitedwayjcgc.org/">www.unitedwayjcgc.org</a>&nbsp;under the Agencies tab.&nbsp; Look for the “Agency Application” tab.&nbsp; If you are a new agency, you will need to create a new account.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;

For more information, please contact Geary County/Junction City United Way at (785) 238-2117.&nbsp;&nbsp;

United Way of JC/GC accepting Letters of Intent for 2026 Funding

Junction City hosted Atchison on Friday night for the home openers for JCHS. The Lady Jays won big, but the Blue Jays lost in a down-to-the-wire game.

Girls recap – Junction City 63, Atchison 43

Similar to their season-opening game on Tuesday night, the Lady Jays came ready to play in the opening quarter. The game was all about sophomore #10, Aniyah Henry-Rivers. She started the game off with 11 points in the first quarter and finished with a game high, 22 points. The highlight of the quarter, though, came at the end of it. Freshman Alexis Douglas banked in a half-court shot to give the Lady Jays a 16-9 lead after one.

Both teams tightened up with defense in the second quarter; not much scoring occurred, and JC led 22-13 at the half.

Third-quarter action featured an offensive explosion by the JCHS girls. The Lady Jays began the quarter on an 8-3 run, which forced a quick timeout by the Atchison Phoenix. The timeout only fueled the Lady Jays even more. They expanded their lead to 46-23 at the end of the third quarter, and at that time, it was the biggest lead of the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Jays continued to score, and a three-pointer by sophomore Laniyah Warmack gave the girls their largest lead of the game at 61-36. Junction City won by 20, beating the Phoenix 63-43. It is the first win for the Lady Jays this season and the first win for Coach Tim Testa in his second stint as head coach.

The JCHS girls go to 1-1 on the season and are in action next Friday night hosting Hays at Blue Jay Event Center.

On our KJCK radio broadcast, we named Aniyah Henry-Rivers the Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. (For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Aniyah Henry-Rivers receives a free meal coupon of up to $20 to Blu Restaurant in Junction City.)

Boys recap – Atchison 67, Junction City 59

The Atchison Phoenix jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, which forced a quick JC timeout. The Blue Jays quickly responded with an 11-2 run to take a 13-9 lead with a minute to go in the first quarter. Both teams then traded buckets, and the Phoenix hit a corner three to tie the game at 15 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, shots began to fall for both sides. It was a back-and-forth battle throughout. Similar to the first quarter, Junction City’s Khaliel Walker hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 31 at the half.

In the third quarter, the defenses buckled in for most of the period. Similar to the first two quarters, the third quarter also ended with a three-point make, this one by Atchison’s Javontae Kelley. The Phoenix led 48-44 after three.

To begin the fourth, JC cut the deficit to three at 52-49, but then freshman Trey’Von Gillum hit back-to-back threes, and Atchison led by nine with three minutes to go. The Phoenix held on to win 67-59. Atchison was led by head coach Pat Battle, who previously coached at Junction City from 2011-2016.

Throughout the game, it was the battle of the big guys on the inside. Junction City’s Brody Boeckman (6’7”), Jackson Hollie (6’6”), and Trevon Briley (6’3”) held their own against Atchison’s 6’7” Javontae Kelley and 6’4” Yogi Purdy.

Ultimately, though, it was the guards who pulled through for Atchison in the second half. Freshman Trey’Von Gillum had a game-high 22 points in his first high school game.

On our KJCK radio broadcast, we named Khaliel Walker the Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. (For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Walker receives a free meal coupon of up to $20 to Blu Restaurant in Junction City.)

Walker finished with 14 points and four made three-pointers. Lovell Autry led the team with 18 points, and Boeckman added 15 points.

The Blue Jays fall to 1-1 on the season and will now host Hays next Friday at Blue Jay Event Center.

Lady Jays pick up first win of the season, boys fall to Atchison

Collin Klein called it a "Dream Come True" as he was introduced to a cheering crowd as the new head football coach at Kansas State University on Friday.

Klein spoke in front of an audience at the Morgan Family Arena on the K-State campus. He praised the Kansas State football competitive spirit, touched on the physicality of the game., the need for resilience to adversity and steps necessary to excel. He was presented with a&nbsp; jersey bearing the number 7.

Klein pledged that K-State will be aggressive in moving the program forward, will play hard and with a schematic advantage.&nbsp; "I love challenges" and noted that&nbsp; he wants to take the program where it hasn't been before."

Collin Klein recruited many of the Wildcat players during an earlier stint as the offensive coordinator at Kansas State. He succeeds Chris Kleiman, who is retiring after seven years as the head coach.&nbsp;

Klein is the 36th head football coach in KSU history. He returns to Kansas State after two years as the offensive coordinator for Texas A&amp;M, and will continue to also serve in that capacity for the Aggies during the upcoming college football playoffs.

Collin Klein introduced as the new K-State head football coach

&nbsp; Junction City police have abbounced that the Tip-A-Cop event was a tremendous success. Thanks to the generosity of the Junction City community, more than one thousand dollars was raised for Special Olympics Kansas. The Geary County Sheriff's Deparment partnered with the JCPD during the event. 

The support directly benefits the athletes who inspiree with their dedication and determination.&nbsp; The event was hosted at High Wind Brewery.

Tip-A-Cop event is a success 

Home openers tonight for Junction City High School Boys and Girls basketball. Both teams are hosting the Atchison Phoenix.

Both games can be heard on 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio. You can also <a href="https://streamdb9web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KJCKAM">listen live by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

Girls Livestream -&nbsp; Clic<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXKKNovGSz8&amp;list=PLAq6WhKxcDUX6Q4BsF-Eiw4l1lcxH_jQT">k here to watch and listen live&nbsp;</a>

Boys Livestream - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRUMXeWWyCQ&amp;list=PLAq6WhKxcDUX6Q4BsF-Eiw4l1lcxH_jQT&amp;index=2">Click here to watch and listen live.&nbsp;</a>

The girls are 0-1, while the boys are 1-0.&nbsp;

🏀WATCH/LISTEN LIVE: Junction City hosts Atchison in boys and girls basketball

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– One of the greatest players in school history will return to lead the Wildcats on the sidelines, as Collin Klein has been named the next head football coach at Kansas State, athletics director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/staff-directory/gene-taylor/1">Gene Taylor</a>&nbsp;announced Thursday.

A 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist and member of K-State Football's Ring of Honor, Klein is now in his 12th year in coaching, nine of which have come at K-State.

Klein will be introduced to the public Friday in a welcome event at Morgan Family Arena. Doors open at 3 p.m., with the ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. It will also be streamed live on ESPN+."We are excited to welcome one of our all-time greats back home to Manhattan," Taylor said.

"Collin is a tremendous leader who cares deeply about his players. The grit, toughness and aggression he displayed as a player still fuels him today as a coach, and he is determined to carry on the tremendous success this program has achieved.

As we know, college football has changed, and I am confident that Collin is ready to embrace this new model while maintaining the culture that we know as K-State Football.

Welcome home, Collin, Shalin, Beric, Rhett, Trek and Briar."

Klein, the 36th head football coach in school history, has agreed to a five-year contract with an average base salary of $4.3 million to lead his alma mater.

He served as K-State's offensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023 and currently serves as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&amp;M, a role that he will continue in during the Aggies' postseason run."My family and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to come home," Klein said.

"Thank you to President Linton and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/staff-directory/gene-taylor/1">Gene Taylor</a>&nbsp;for believing in us to lead the Cats into a new era. The position of Head Coach at Kansas State has a long legacy of service, hard work, determination, and competitive greatness that I am honored to carry forward.

This is Family business, and we cannot wait to get to work!

"The first K-State alum to serve as head football coach since Ellis Rainsberger from 1975-77,&nbsp; Klein helped the Wildcats to 51 wins and five bowl appearances during his tenure as a full-time assistant coach.

He helped guide Kansas State to a 19-8 mark and a Big 12 Championship during his two-year run as offensive coordinator.His first full season as K-State offensive coordinator in 2022 was a success as he led an offense that ranked in the top 10 in school history in 11 categories, including ranking second in offensive yards (5,863) and plays (958), fourth in rushing yards (2,916) and fifth in yards per game (418.8).

The Wildcats finished the 2022 season with 421.6 total yards per game – their most since 2014 – while their 32.3 points per game were the most by the squad since 2017. K-State improved its production in Klein's second season at the offensive controls, as its 37.1 points per game ranked 10th nationally and sixth in school history, while it was the highest average by a K-State team since Klein's senior season of 2012 (38.9 points per game).

Kansas State produced 445.2 total yards per game in 2023 to rank second in school history.In Klein's offense, running back Deuce Vaughn became the second player in school history to twice earn Consensus All-America honors, while Cooper Beebe became the first offensive lineman in school history to earn Consensus All-America honors.

Prior to serving as K-State's offensive coordinator, Klein was the Wildcats' quarterbacks coach in 2017, 2019 and 2021, while he was a co-offensive coordinator in 2018.

He earned his first full-time coaching position tutoring the quarterbacks at Northern Iowa in 2016, which was just a year hiatus from Manhattan as he worked as an assistant director of recruiting and defensive quality control coach for the Wildcats in 2014 and an offensive graduate assistant in 2015.

The 2012 Johnny Unitas Award winner, Klein finished his K-State career ranking in the school's top 10 in 34 different game, season and career record categories. He was the first quarterback from a Power 5 school since 1998 to rush for at least 20 touchdowns and pass for 10 scores in consecutive seasons by doing so in 2011 and 2012.

Klein led the Wildcats to a combined 21-5 record as the starting quarterback in 2011 and 2012, which culminated with a No. 1 national ranking, Big 12 Championship and Fiesta Bowl berth in 2012.

Serving as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&amp;M the last two seasons, Klein has helped the Aggies to an 11-1 record this season and a possible berth into the College Football Playoff, which will be announced on Sunday.

This season, Texas A&amp;M holds an 11-1 record as the Aggies rank in the top 30 nationally in scoring offense (16th; 36.3 points per game), total offense (20th; 454.4 yards per game), rushing offense (26th; 192.7 yards per game), passing offense (32nd; 261.8 yards per game), tackles for loss allowed (1st; 2.83 per game), fourth down percentage (2nd; 75.0%), sacks allowed (11th; 1.00 per game), passing yards per completion (11th; 14.09), time of possession (15th; 32:24) and first downs (29th; 272).

Texas A&amp;M has hit the 400-yard mark in total offense 10 times in 12 games thus far in 2025.A 2025 Broyles Award Semifinalist, Klein has guided Aggie quarterback Marcel Reed to top-15 individual marks this season in passing yards per completion (7th; 14.03), points responsible for (13th; 186) and passing touchdowns (14th; 25).

In his first season at Texas A&amp;M in 2024, Klein helped guide the Aggies to a 5-0 start in SEC play, marking the program's best start in SEC action and its best conference start since 1998. Texas A&amp;M boasted the No. 2 rushing offense in the SEC, ranking 26th nationally (195.5 yards per game), and the offensive line ranked 10th in the country by allowing just 51.0 tackles for loss on the year.

Klein obtained his undergraduate degree from K-State in December 2011 in business financial services and controllership, while he received his master's degree in academic advising in December 2019. He is married to the former Shalin Spani, a former Wildcat women's basketball player. The couple has three sons, Beric, Rhett and Trek, and one daughter, Briar.

Back like he never left: Colin Klein and family arrive in Manhattan 

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Amber Cole’s journey to becoming a first-grade teacher at Westwood Elementary has been anything but traditional. Her impact though once she got into teaching has been nothing short of extraordinary.“Teaching at Westwood has opened my eyes to how deeply this staff is committed to students and their families. As a military family, we are familiar with constant change and the feeling of communities shifting around us. Yet at Westwood, there is a strong and steady sense of belonging that endures. The relationships, support and shared commitment here have created the consistent and caring community my family has longed for, and I am grateful to be part of it,” said Cole.

Although Cole wasn’t raised in a family of educators, her passion for working with children began early. Growing up in Omaha, Neb., Cole, whose family also farmed in Verdigre, Neb., watched as her mother opened their home to children as a foster parent, a powerful example that ultimately shaped her own desire to support and advocate for young people.

Fast forward to when Cole would become an adult herself and she and her husband, whom she met in high school, would go on to not only become a military family, moving all over the United States, but also licensed foster parents, which helped to deepen her belief that working with children is more than a career that it is a calling.“Watching my mom’s love, support and ability to advocate for children in need showed me what it truly means to care for the whole child. That experience shaped me in a profound way. Through every child who has come into our lives, I have learned that working with children is not simply something I can do; it is something I feel called to do. That same belief guides me as an educator today as I strive to create a classroom where every child feels valued, supported and seen,” said Cole, who has three boys of her own who all attend schools in USD 475.

Growing up, Cole was a competitive club gymnast who started training at the age of nine. She spent years traveling, competing, coaching and even judging gymnastics, while attending Westside High School in Omaha where she excelled in DECA and business marketing. Following her time as a Warrior, she would go on to graduate as a licensed cosmetologist in 2006, while also earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Southern New Hampshire University. Cole began her tenure in Geary County Schools USD 475 in 2017 in a moment she describes as almost accidental. As a stay-at-home mother, she found herself helping in her youngest son’s Pre-K class at Jefferson Elementary on Fort Riley when a teacher nonchalantly asked if she would like to be a lunchroom aide at the school. Her panicked response of, oh uh yeah, that sounds great, helped launch what would become nearly a decade of service to USD 475 in numerous roles, including being a lunchroom aide, early childhood instructional assistant and early childhood teaching assistant.

Despite having all those roles, she is currently in her first year of teaching at Westwood Elementary thanks to a teaching program at Kansas State University called Master of Arts in Teaching Program, which is designed for individuals who change careers and want to teach. Thanks to the program, Cole can now teach in a USD 475 classroom since she has a limited elementary residency license.“Teaching is truly the only career I have had that no matter what kind of day I had the day before that I get up in the morning and look forward to the day I get to spend in my classroom with my students,” said Cole.As you can see, Cole’s journey reminds us that educators don’t all start the same way, but once they discover where they’re meant to be, their impact is immeasurable.

Cole's Amazing Journey

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University will see more than 1,500 candidates for graduation this fall at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/graduation/">commencement ceremonies</a>&nbsp;set for Friday, Dec. 12, in Manhattan and Salina and Saturday, Dec. 13, in Manhattan.

Candidates from both the summer 2025 and fall 2025 semesters will be recognized.Ceremony information, including parking, accommodations and a livestream of the Manhattan campus ceremonies, will be available on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/graduation/">K-State graduation website.</a>The university will award approximately 1,050 bachelor's degrees, 350 master's degrees and 100 doctorates this fall. Seventy students will be earning multiple degrees and majors.

The graduates-to-be also include more than 300 students who are earning their degrees through a K-State Online program.As part of an effort to deliver and maximize a unified, student-centered graduation experience, undergraduate ceremonies on the Manhattan campus have been strategically combined this fall in a pilot structure.By hosting graduates from multiple academic colleges in three combined ceremonies on Saturday, in addition to an Army ROTC commissioning ceremony, the university aims to amplify the best of its commencement traditions.

Schedule and speakers for Friday, Dec. 12 ceremonies

K-State's fall 2025 commencement ceremonies celebrate Wildcat excellence

Geary County Public Works would like to share two new maps now found on the Geary County website. Navigate to the Public Works page, click on the Snow &amp; Ice Tab, and from here, you will find the following maps: 

The first map, Snow Removal Map, indicates which entities within Geary County are responsible for snow removal services. The map is searchable, so residents can search for a property, click on the highlighted road, and learn who is&nbsp; accountable. Associated phone numbers for each entity are included in the legend. 

The second map, Geary County Snow Plow Activity, provides a general&nbsp; representation of where the plow trucks are located. The intent for this map is for residents to see the areas in which the snow plow trucks are operating to inform the public of the areas traveled. 

If there are any questions regarding these maps, please feel free to contact the&nbsp; Geary County Public Works Office at publicworks@gearycounty.org or 785-238-3612.

Geary County Public Works announces new maps for Snow Plows and Removal

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a violent robbery in Manhattan have identified the teen suspects.

Just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of aggravated robbery in the 700 block of Allen Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 23-year-old man reported three unknown men battered him and stole a handgun.&nbsp;After additional investigation into the incident, officers identified the three male suspects.

Terrion Toliver, 18, of Manhattan was arrested on December 4, 2025, at approximately 11:56 p.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He is being held on a bond of $150,000.

Isaiah Ellis, 16, of Manhattan was arrested on December 4, 2025, at approximately 10:18 p.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He remains confined in the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility.

Noah McFadden, 17, of Manhattan was arrested on December 5, 2025, at approximately 12:48 a.m on a requested charge of Aggravated Robbery. He is being held in the North Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility.

The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $150.

RCPD: 3 teens arrested for violent robbery, gun theft

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men made their initial appearances before a federal judge following indictments in connection with a $4 million retail sales investment scheme.

According to court documents, Baha Ibrahim, 21, and Jawad Albadawi, 21, both of Overland Park, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy, nine counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, six counts of money laundering, and seven counts of transacting in criminal proceeds.&nbsp;

According to court documents, Ibrahim and Albadawi allegedly solicited money from investors by falsely claiming that their business would purchase merchandise wholesale and then sell the items online as individual retail sales, thereby yielding high returns. From March 2024 to August 2024, Ibrahim and Albadawi are accused of failing to purchase bulk items or sell them consistent with representations they made to investors. &nbsp;They are accused of misappropriating investors’ funds for their own personal benefit, including the purchase of luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and lavish trips to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and Las Vegas.&nbsp;

Ibrahim and Albadawi made their initial court appearances on November 24, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

2 Kan. men accused of using investors' money to take luxury trips

WASHINGTON (AP) — The publisher of the beloved children’s character Franklin the Turtle and Pop singer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sabrina-carpenter">Sabrina Carpenter</a>&nbsp;are disavowing the Trump administration’s use of their imagery and music to support its agenda.

Responding to the use of her song “Juno” in a video montage depicting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, Carpenter tweeted Tuesday: “this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”

In the caption for the clip, the White House quoted Carpenter’s lyrics “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.”

On Monday, Franklin the Turtle publisher Kids Can Press condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s post on X featuring a manipulated image showing Franklin aiming a bazooka at boats. Hegseth posted the image with the caption “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.”

“We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values,” the publisher said in a tweet.

The Trump administration has conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-drugs-25000-lives-c6e4c750b0dc6f15d397d598c9bd169f">multiple strikes</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean on small boats accused of ferrying drugs in the region. More than 80 people have been killed in such strikes since early September.

There is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ronald-reagan-hip-hop-and-rap-phil-collins-bruce-springsteen-394ddb622b30a718f1b4621a316a78c3">a long list of performers</a>&nbsp;and artists who have objected to the Trump administration using their songs and copyright material, including ABBA, Bruce Springsteen, Olivia Rodrigo, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, John Fogerty,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/semisonic-trump-cling-time-b9984c537f8aca5c68e80454aaa1cf22">Semisonic</a>, Neil Young, Eddy Grant, Panic! at the Disco, R.E.M., Guns N’ Roses,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-campaign-songs-celine-dion-objections-a6add3c61426768fa30fddb596db9797">Celine Dion</a>, Beyoncé and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/state-elections-music-general-news-gubernatorial-elections-fa03d5927b4b4f039ba97ced85c0b8ad">Adele</a>.

Pop singer, publisher condemn Trump admin.'s use of their work

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — An international body tasked with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">governing the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;under the next phase of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-un-us-plan-israel-45c3a49cf3c135821a7c1722354b5b94">U.S.-brokered ceasefire</a>&nbsp;is expected to be announced by the end of the year, an Arab official and a Western diplomat said Friday.

According to the ceasefire agreement, the authority — known as the Board of Peace and chaired by U.S. President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;— is to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-gaza-ceasefire-us-resolution-russia-107e44e276fe04a5365ff6d914545718">under a two-year, renewable U.N. mandate</a>.

It will include about a dozen other Middle Eastern and Western leaders, the Arab official and the Western diplomat told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/10/global-support-for-president-trumps-bold-vision-for-peace-in-gaza/">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;global support of the President's plan for peace in Gaza

Also to be announced is a committee of Palestinian technocrats who will run the day-to-day administration of post-war Gaza, they two said. The Western diplomat, who spoke to the AP over the phone from Cairo, said the announcement about this will likely happen when Trump and Israeli Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;meet later this month.

The ceasefire deal also calls for an armed International Stabilization Force to keep security and ensure the disarming of the militant Hamas group, a key demand of Israel.

The announcement would be a significant step forward in implementing Trump’s 20-point plan for the territory devastated by Israel’s two-year campaign against Hamas.

The shaky ceasefire, which came into effect on Oct. 10, has been tested by outbursts of violence and accusations by both sides of violations of the truce. The first phase of the ceasefire has neared completion, though Hamas is still to hand over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-netanyahu-ran-gvili-594f8faf7514f49750756de52f5c5f95">remains of a last Israel hostage called for under the deal</a>.

The Arab official said that talks are still ongoing over which countries will take part in the international force for Gaza but that he expects deployment will begin in the first quarter of 2026.

A U.S. official gave a similar timeline, saying that “boots on the ground” could be a reality in early 2026. The official spoke to the AP on the same condition of anonymity. Axios first reported the anticipated announcement on Thursday.

The Arab official said that “extensive talks” will start immediately with Hamas and Israel on the details of the second phase, which he expects to be tough.

Those talks are expected the tackle the issue of disarming Hamas, a step the militant group has not yet agreed to. The plan also calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from the roughly half of the Gaza Strip that they still control as the international force deploys.

Funding for a rebuilding plan for the Gaza Strip still has not been determined. Some Palestinians have expressed concern over the apparent lack of a Palestinian voice in the body and the lack of a firm promise in the plan that they will eventually gain statehood.

Netanyahu’s government rejects the creation of a Palestinian state, and the U.S.-brokered deal includes only a vague provision that a pathway toward statehood may be possible if certain conditions are met.

Israel’s plan to open a Gaza border crossing with Egypt

Israel announced on Wednesday that it plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinians-hamas-rafah-1e1f8a208a58c0bb671b52304e2d6afa">reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt</a>&nbsp;in the coming days, allowing Palestinians to leave the devastated strip as laid out by the ceasefire agreement. That could be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-war-rafah-crossing-egypt-09acfdacaa4cbc48b19aaade5a0e1d2c">a major development for residents</a>, for whom leaving has been extremely difficult — if not impossible — for most of the war.

However, the governments of Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar all expressed “deep concern” on Friday about the plan.

A dispute also emerged between Egypt and Israel — Cairo wants Palestinians to be able to return to Gaza through the crossing and says it would only be opened if movement is allowed both ways. Israel has said that Palestinians will not be able to return to Gaza through the crossing until the last hostages’ remains are returned from Gaza.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the eight countries said the Rafah crossing must be open in both directions to allow for “freedom of movement” for Palestinians. They also expressed concern that if Palestinians were to leave Gaza, they might not be allowed to return.

The ministers underscored “their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land,” they wrote.

On Friday, Israel’s military said it killed a man in northern Gaza who was approaching the troops with another man, both of whom were “carrying suspicious objects.”

Israeli forces also killed another man in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 38-year-old was shot by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank while the military said the man threw a rock at soldiers.

The killings mark the latest violence in the Palestinian territories, which has fueled concern that it could shake Gaza’s fragile truce.

The latest Israel-Hamas war started when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others hostage. Israel’s subsequent campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,100 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar, and Megan Janetsky in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

U.S. to reveal 'Board of Peace' for Gaza before Christmas

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a theft at a department store in Topeka.

Just before 10:30a.m. Friday, police responded to the report of a theft at TJ Maxx, 2170 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka, according to a media release from Topeka Police.

A woman reported her purse had been stolen from a shopping cart in the business.

A suspect grabbed the purse and ran from TJ Maxx into the nearby Target store where he was restrained by three citizens, prior to police arrival. The victim’s purse and contents were recovered. There were no reported injuries.

As a result of the on-scene investigation, Rakeem S. Grant, 26, Topeka, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary, Battery; simple, Theft; Purse Snatching; Unknown Value, Theft; &lt; $1,500 Shoplifting

The Topeka Police Department reminded shoppers this holiday season to stay aware and stay safe with these shopping safety tips:

Carry your purse in front of you, not behind. If it’s in a cart, place it nearest to you, keep it zipped or buttoned, and secure it to the cart using a carabiner or the built-in buckle strap.

Whenever possible, choose one method of payment—cash or card. ATMs can put you in a vulnerable spot, and skimmers remain a risk.

Visible bags and boxes in your vehicle can attract thieves. Place items in the trunk or out of sight under a blanket or sheet to reduce temptation for criminals.

4. Have your keys ready before walking to your car.

Locate and hold your keys while still inside the store or mall. Avoid looking down and fumbling through your purse in the parking lot—it makes you an easier target for crime.

5. Lock your doors immediately once inside your vehicle. This simple step can prevent someone from attempting to enter your car unexpectedly.

3 citizens hold Kansas purse theft suspect until police arrive

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Saturday presented the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-honorees-6c553c800ba334ad1ea47858b3dc271c">2025 Kennedy Center honorees</a>&nbsp;with their medals during a ceremony in the Oval Office, hailing the slate of artists he was deeply involved in choosing as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class” ever assembled.

This year's recipients are actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the rock band Kiss and actor-singer Michael Crawford.

Trump said they are a group of “incredible people” who represent the “very best in American arts and culture” and that, “I know most of them and I've been a fan of all of them.”

“This is a group of icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted and unified millions and millions of Americans,” said a tuxedo-clad Trump. "This is perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled.”

Trump ignored the Kennedy Center and its premier awards program during his first term as president. But the Republican has instituted a series of changes since returning to office in January, most notably&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-board-chairman-firings-21cd0018c6e9f591d59becea8573d8c0">ousting its board of trustees</a>&nbsp;and replacing them with GOP supporters who voted him in as chairman of the board.

Trump also has criticized the center's programming and its physical appearance, and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-board-meeting-remaking-arts-cab60e0d09dfa84c1eef44449624f541">vowed to overhaul both.</a>

The president placed around each honoree's neck a new medal that was designed, created and donated by jeweler Tiffany &amp; Co., according to the Kennedy Center and Trump.

It's a gold disc etched on one side with the Kennedy Center's image and rainbow colors. The honoree's name appears on the reverse side with the date of the ceremony. The medallion hangs from a navy blue ribbon and replaces a large rainbow ribbon decorated with three gold plates that rested on the honoree's shoulders and chest and had been used since the first honors program in 1978.

Strait, wearing a cowboy hat, was first to receive his medal. When the country singer started to take off the hat, Trump said, “If you want to leave it on, you can. I think we can get it through.” But Strait took it off.

The president said Crawford was a “great star of Broadway” for his lead role in the long-running “Phantom of the Opera.” Of Gaynor, he said, “We have the disco queen, and she was indeed, and nobody did it like Gloria Gaynor.”

Trump was effusive about his friend Stallone, calling him a “wonderful” and “spectacular” person and “one of the true, great movie stars” and "one of the great legends."

Kiss is an “incredible rock band," he said.

Songs by honorees Gaynor and Kiss played in the Rose Garden just outside the Oval Office as members of the White House press corps waited nearby for Trump to begin the ceremony.

The president president said in August that he was “about 98% involved” in choosing the 2025 honorees when he personally announced them at the Kennedy Center, the first slate chosen under his leadership. The honorees traditionally had been announced by press release.

It was unclear how they were chosen. Before Trump, it fell to a bipartisan selection committee.

“These are among the greatest artists, actors and performers of their generation. The greatest that we’ve seen,” Trump said. “We can hardly imagine the country music phenomena without its king of country, or American disco without its first lady, or Broadway without its phantom — and that was a phantom, let me tell you — or rock and roll without its hottest band in the world, and that’s what they are, or Hollywood without one of its greatest visionaries."

“Each of you has made an indelible mark on American life and together you have defined entire genres and set new standards for the performing arts,” Trump said.

Trump also attended an annual State Department dinner for the honorees on Saturday. In years past, the honorees received their medallions there but Trump moved the ceremony to the White House.

Meanwhile, the glitzy Kennedy Center Honors program and its series of tribute speeches and performances for each recipient is set to be taped on Sunday at the performing arts center for broadcast later in December on CBS and Paramount+. Trump is to attend the program for the first time as president, accompanied by his wife, first lady Melania Trump.

The president said in August that he had agreed to host the show, and he seemed to confirm on Saturday that he would do so, predicting that the broadcast would garner its highest ratings ever as a result. Presidents traditionally attend the program and sit with the honorees in the audience. None has ever served as host.

He said he looked forward to Sunday's celebration.

“It’s going to be something that I believe, and I’m going to make a prediction: this will be the highest-rated show that they’ve ever done and they’ve gotten some pretty good ratings, but there’s nothing like what’s going to happen tomorrow night,” Trump said.

The president also swiped at late-night TV show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose program was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-show-suspended-charlie-kirk-ae43c600bd0f2a4c7d3c12077e91b211">briefly suspended earlier this year by ABC</a>&nbsp;following criticism of his comments related to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September.

Kimmel and Trump are sharp critics of each other, with the president regularly deriding Kimmel's talent as a host. Kimmel has hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Academy Award multiple times.

Trump said he should be able to outdo Kimmel.

“I've watched some of the people that host. Jimmy Kimmel was horrible,” Trump said. “If I can't beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I don't think I should be president.”

🎥Trump awards medals to country music legend, other Kennedy Center honorees 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A driver accused in a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred in February finally made her first court appearance on Thursday.

Madelyn Walter, 24, Derby,&nbsp; was charged with with involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and leaving the scene of an accident, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Just after 5 p.m. February 6, deputies, Sedgwick County EMS and Sedgwick County Fire District #1 responded to a hit-and-run crash at 47th Street South and Clifton, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.

Witnesses reported that a red Dodge Nitro was traveling south on Clifton when it failed to yield to an eastbound Ford Fiesta and struck the vehicle in the intersection.&nbsp;

The impact caused the driver of the Fiesta, identified as&nbsp; Manolopoulos &nbsp;Panagiotis of Wichita, to be ejected and then struck by his own car.

Sedgwick County EMS transported Panagiotis to a Wichita hospital in extremely critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries at 10:46 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The driver of the Nitro, later identified as Walter, fled the scene following the collision.

Thanks to witness reports and information provided to 911 dispatchers, deputies utilized the Flock license plate reader system to locate the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the Walmart in Derby. With assistance from the Derby Police Department Walter was found at a nearby Derby residence.

She was arrested and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. As part of the investigation, it was determined that Walter’s 5-year-old child was in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Neither Walter nor the child was injured.

Walter met the requirement for bond and was released from custody Feb. 7, according to online jail records.&nbsp; &nbsp;She is scheduled to return to court Dec. 15, according to the district attorney's office.

5-year-old was in SUV during hit-and-run that killed Kan. man

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug allegations.

Just after 3a.m. Nov. 29,&nbsp; a sheriff's deputy with conducted a traffic stop on a blue 2008 Ford Taurus near SW Huntoon Street and SW Lincoln Street, according to Shawnee County Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, were located. Roger K. Kelley, 63, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections on requested charges, Criminal possession of a weapon by felon and Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body.

Kansas felon is back in jail on drug allegations

Company owner says the seized products were a small portion of the total inventory, and employees were allowed to continue production while feds were there

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Federal agents this week seized 73,000 products containing 7-hydroxymitragine, commonly known as 7-OH, from three Kansas City-area warehouses.

The seized products included things like power bars, pills and liquids shots that are made with a concentrate of 7-OH, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/16/fda-warns-kansas-city-manufacturer-of-illegal-marketing-pain-relieving-pills/">the main opioid-inducing element in kratom</a>.&nbsp;

The action came out of a partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Justice Department, according to the DOJ’s<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/justice-department-seizes-unlawful-7-oh-products-three-warehouses" target="_blank">&nbsp;press release issued Tuesday</a>.

“While 7-OH occurs naturally in trace amounts in the plant kratom, products containing 7-OH as an added ingredient can be dangerous,” states a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26338216-shaman-complaint/" target="_blank">civil forfeiture complaint filed on Nov. 21</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. “In the human body, 7-OH is able to bind to opioid receptors, raising concerns about its potential for abuse.”

7-OH products are advertised as improving chronic pain and “mental clarity,” and they are sold in Missouri smoke shops, gas stations, convenience stores and online shops.&nbsp;

The FDA sent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/16/fda-warns-kansas-city-manufacturer-of-illegal-marketing-pain-relieving-pills/">warning letters</a>&nbsp;in June to the facility owners, Shaman Botanicals LLC and Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, stating the 7-OH products were considered “adulterated” and their labels were illegal under federal food laws.

On Nov. 12 and 13, FDA officials did an unannounced inspection of the three facilities, where they tagged and detained 76,000 units. Vince Sanders, who owns Shaman Botanicals LLC, said the company had the opportunity to appeal the FDA’s action, which they did. Shaman was the first company to make 7-OH products, Sanders said.

The DOJ filed a complaint to seize the detained products on Nov. 21, and officials from the FDA and U.S. Marshal Service seized the tagged boxes on Tuesday.

“The 7-OH products seized are illegal under federal law and pose risks to consumers, including children,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “We are committed to helping American consumers protect themselves from dangerous chemicals posing as health products.”

Price said the department will continue to work with the FDA “to ensure illegal products never enter the stream of commerce and pursue all possible civil and criminal remedies against those who violate federal laws.”

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