We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the House of Ruth’s 5th Annual New Coat Drive for Kids. We are grateful not only to those who donated, but also to those who had the desire to give but were unable to—your encouraging words and thoughtfulness meant so much throughout this year’s drive.

This year’s winter coat drive came with many uncertainties due to the government shutdown. Still, our community came together and helped make this year’s drive a success. In 2025, we donated 218 new winter coats, along with hats and gloves, to five USD 475 elementary schools. In addition, all spring jackets were donated to the Konza Prairie Community Health Clinic Closet and the New Church of the Living God’s Shop for Free Program.

Since our first winter coat drive in 2021, the House of Ruth and the Junction City community have donated a total of 1,068 new coats to local elementary schools.

We extend our sincere appreciation to each school’s principal and staff for their dedication to educating and supporting the children in our community.

*Below are more photos from the Coat Drive.&nbsp;

House of Ruth – 5th Annual New Coat Drive for Kids  - Another big success

&nbsp; Saint Xavier School has offered congratulations to the students whose fundraising efforts brought in $3,160 for student academic and athletic activities through cookie dough sales. Top selling individuals were awarded gift cards while teams were rewarded with group parties. 

Thanks to everyone who helped make the fundraiser a success and new cross country/track uniforms possible for the student athletes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saint Xavier School student fundraiser a success

RILEY COUNTY —A suspect wanted in connection with alleged drug sales in Manhattan is in custody.

On April 23, officers filed a report for distribution of an opiate, narcotic, certain stimulant and the use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Just before 10a.m. Monday, police arrested 28-year-old David DeJesus Roman, 28, of Ogden, in connection with the alleged crime. He is being held on a $7,500 bond.

Riley County man jailed for allegedly selling drugs

Geary County Commissioners received information Monday on planning for a Veterans Parade in November of 2026 in Junction City. It will not be on Veterans Day but on a different date. A committee will begin meeting in February to plan the event. 

Manhattan already has a parade on Veterans Day.

--Commissioners learned that there were 53 Veterans Banners up this year in Junction City.

Veterans Parade planned in 2026

The Geary County Treasurer’s Office will be mailing the 2025 Tax Statements on Friday, November 21. Last year, after finding an issue with information getting to the mortgage companies, the Treasurer’s office spent two months entering information into the software system. Treasurer Sherri Childs said with this year’s tax statements, that they have discovered some of the mortgage company’s data did not roll into the 2025 tax year.

If you receive a tax statement that should have gone to your mortgage company, please ignore it. We are working with the mortgage companies directly to provide any tax statements they are missing. We have also reached out to the software provider for guidance in alleviating this issue going forward.

Childs sincerely apologized&nbsp; for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to sherri.childs@gearycounty.org or lisar@gearycounty.org.

Message for Geary County citizens

The Sutphen Mill Christian Church in Chapman will open its doors to the community this Saturday, November 22, for a special Turkey Dinner served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The dinner will be held at 3117 North Paint Rd., Chapman, and offers a variety of features for attendees, including:

The church welcomes everyone to come enjoy a warm meal and support this long-standing community event.

Community Invited to Turkey Dinner at Sutphen Mill Christian Church

The importance of the relationship with Fort Riley received attention duing a joint city - county - school district meeting at the C.L. Hoover Opera House on Monday.

County Commisioner Trish Giordano attended the recent ADC national conference where there was information on Army Town Hall communities&nbsp; pulling together.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Energy resilience was also a topic where reliable energy for installations was desired.

--The recent Geary County Foreclosure Tax Sale has so far collected $494,575. Administrative fees will have to be paid. A tax sale will be held every year.

--Approximately $120,000 remains in the city's opiod fund. There was some city discussion about using that money to possibly renovate a house for a homeless shelter. There was also school district discussion about turning the old Early Childhood Center buildings into homeless or recovery housing in the future. No final action has occurred but the conversations are gaining momentum.

--The new Early Childhood Center will begin serving students in the fall. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Reginald Eggleston announced that the ribbon cutting date for the facility wll be May 8.

City - County - USD 475 officials talk issues

The Geary County Sheriff’s Office announced that it has officially earned National Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and State Accreditation through the Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (KLEAP). The national accreditation was formally awarded on November 15, 2025, during the CALEA Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. The state accreditation was awarded on November 17, 2025.

With these achievements, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office becomes the first, and currently the only, sheriff’s office in the State of Kansas to receive dual accreditation at both the national and state levels. This accomplishment places the agency among a select group of public safety organizations recognized nationwide for excellence in professionalism, accountability, and community engagement.

Leadership and Commitment Behind the Achievement

The accreditation process was managed by Sergeant Steven Clarke, who served as the agency’s Accreditation Manager. Sergeant Clarke’s persistence, diligence, and unwavering determination were instrumental in navigating the rigorous, multi-year accreditation process.

During his first several months in office, newly elected Sheriff Nate Boeckman made accreditation a top priority. He held weekly meetings with command staff and Sergeant Clarke to review progress, address compliance requirements, and ensure the agency met all necessary standards. These focused efforts played a pivotal role in expediting and successfully completing the accreditation process.

“This achievement is a direct reflection of the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the Geary County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Boeckman. “I want to personally thank our hardworking staff, both current and former employees, who contributed to this effort over the years. I also want to recognize Sergeant Clarke for his persistence, leadership, and commitment as our Accreditation Manager.”

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), established in 1979, develops and maintains professional standards for public safety agencies across the United States. CALEA Accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard in law enforcement professionalism.

The Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (KLEAP), established in 2021, is a state-level program designed to help Kansas law enforcement agencies enhance their professionalism and performance by meeting state-specific standards.

To receive accreditation, agencies must demonstrate compliance with hundreds of nationally and state-recognized standards in areas such as:

· Leadership development and policy management

The national accreditation process includes an in-depth policy review, on-site assessments, public comment opportunities, and rigorous verification by CALEA assessors.

Accreditation is voluntary and requires regular renewal, ensuring accredited agencies remain committed to continuous improvement.

Benefits to the Community and the Sheriff’s Office

Achieving national and state accreditation demonstrates that the Geary County Sheriff’s Office is committed to:

· Enhancing transparency and accountability

· Strengthening public trust and community relationships

· Improving internal processes and consistency in decision-making

· Building a culture of ongoing excellence

As the first and only sheriff’s office in Kansas to achieve both national and state accreditation, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office has set a new benchmark for professional law enforcement standards within the state.

Geary County Sheriff’s Office Earns National CALEA Accreditation and State KLEAP Accreditation

FINNEY COUNTY—A Junction City man was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence following a crash that sent two people to the hospital in Finney County.

Shortly before 10 a.m., Sunday, first responders were dispatched to an injury crash at the intersection of E. Kansas Avenue and College Drive in Garden City, according to a media release from Garden City Police.

A&nbsp; Dodge Ram allegedly struck a Honda Pilot and fled the scene. After arriving, first responders assisted and evaluated two occupants of the Honda who were taken to the hospital by family for treatment.

Officers soon located the Dodge Ram in the area and made contact with Dakota Miller, 29. 

Further investigation revealed Miller was allegedly driving under the influence and found to have alcohol on him, and he was taken into custody. 

Miller was taken to the Finney County Jail on requested charges of DUI, Tampering with an Ignition Interlock Device, Transporting an Open Container, Criminal Carry of a Weapon when Intoxicated, Failure to Render Aid or Provide Info, and Failure to Yield at Stop or Yield Sign.

Miller met the requirement for bond and was released just before 4:30p.m. Sunday, according to online jail records.

Junction City man arrested after pickup, SUV crash

Main Street Monday | Downtown JC Happenings | Nov 17 - Nov 23, 2025 

● <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/event/hometown-christmas/">Hometown Christmas:</a> December 6 | 4–8 PM! Step into a winter wonderland at Junction City Main Street’s Hometown Christmas! Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, carolers, dance performances, a Christmas market, photos with Santa, and festive lights all throughout downtown. Warm up with hot cocoa, cider, s’mores, and sweet treats as you shop and celebrate the season. Bring the whole family and make it a night to remember, and don’t miss our Wine &amp; Wassail Walk happening the same evening and time, for extra holiday cheer!

● <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/event/wine-wassail-2/">Wine &amp; Wassail Walk</a> — Tickets on Sale! Join Junction City Main Street for a magical evening of wine, wassail, and holiday cheer. Ticket holders will receive a map of participating downtown businesses and enjoy festive samples as they shop and stroll. Held alongside our family-friendly, Hometown Christmas, the night will feature carriage rides, carolers, and sparkling lights downtown. 18+ event, get your tickets before they’re gone!

● <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/event/santas-downtown-dash-meet-mr-mrs-claus/">Santa’s Downtown Dash: Meet Mr. &amp; Mrs. Claus</a>: The Clauses are dashing through Downtown Junction City! On Wednesday, December 17, Mr. and Mrs. Claus are making special stops at your favorite local shops to find the perfect gifts for their hardworking elves — and they’d love to see you along the way!

○ From 2:45 to 5:00 p.m., follow their merry route and snap a photo, share a smile, and soak in the Christmas spirit as the Clauses spread holiday cheer through downtown. 

○ Stops include: Central National Bank, Military Outlet, Highwind, Key Office Products, Godfrey’s Tactical, Messengers, Blu, Simply 115, and the C.L. Hoover Opera House. 

○ Bring your Christmas list and join the fun — Santa’s on the move, and the magic is downtown!  

<a href="https://godfreystactical.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNHs4pleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3azdKYjl2RWk5ZmtmZXd1AR7vhwSejcARqGfdIgGQkNIKI-9W1f8wAp9LA6zYmUh9BA_zvjKanVPtC7NwRw_aem_f0i9mu0uejSZDFi2oo4DVA">Did you know?</a>: Every Wednesday is Ladies Night at Godfrey’s Indoor Ranges and Tactical Supply! And Fridays are Free Rental Friday!

This Week’s GEM Studios Art Classes - All classes are ticketed, reserve your spot here: <a href="https://www.gemstudiosjc.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1GoFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWQmZ3dXd5SFRZN0w5V3liAR6yL9DKCuye9j8rwYNE1-V9DvrlAFfYO7Kl5TOdQl03NGdjfkoLOL51j88qgQ_aem_ek-3Q1Cmqw4GBYC2nKW6Eg">https://www.gemstudiosjc.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1GoFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWQm Z3dXd5SFRZN0w5V3liAR6yL9DKCuye9j8rwYNE1-V9DvrlAFfYO7Kl5TOdQl03NGdjfkoL OL51j88qgQ_aem_ek-3Q1Cmqw4GBYC2nKW6Eg </a>

- Kids Pretty Turtles: Saturday, November 22nd at 10AM 

- Witch’s Stare: Saturday, November 22nd at 6PM  (Brushes and Booze event) 

- Paint Day: Sunday, November 23rd at 12PM 

<a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/flag-fundraiser/">Flags of Geary County: </a>“Proudly United, Community Ignited” 2026 is America’s 250th birthday! To celebrate, Junction City Main Street invites you to take part in the Flag Project supporting multiple local organizations. For a small donation, Main Street will place and remove a leased 3x5 ft U.S. flag on a 10 ft pole in front of your home or business on seven major holidays throughout the year. Flags will not be displayed in the event of rain.

Have you explored Downtown JC yet?! We’ve created a brand-new “Explore” page on our website so you can discover all the amazing businesses that make our downtown special. <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/explore/visit/">Check it out here! </a>

<a href="https://junctioncityartscouncil.org/art-classes-for-adults-and-kids-sept-oct-2025/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMq8eNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6R0RpUnMyYmtEZEtpeEhjAR6wLe3Ym7QmV2br47ww1BrEGTClZBwj82SITnHCGJalXDv-9zmg2sXkAULYdQ_aem_pmbLu49swjlam765416_xA">Junction City Arts Council Classes:</a> Reserve your spot today!

Saturday, November 22nd - Acrylic Galaxy Painting: Starry Pines at 2PM 

Saturday, December 7th - Silent Night on the Prairie - Adults ages 16+ at 2PM 

Saturday, December 13th - Holiday Clay Class - Adults at 2PM  

C.L. Hoover Opera House Upcoming Events: <a href="https://www.jcoperahouse.org/tickets?fbclid=IwY2xjawNsdoJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhWlFKR1A4NGlqVm9adUpqAR4ldTZ-IOPUxpOTPakoSF1QPhaed5auXzr6hdM6xgsmalacfj3P_opwb5tOng_aem_sO3_ymmqw5OTXwrGeIITdg">Buy Tickets Here! </a>

● Irving Berlin’s White Christmas - The Musical: Set in the wake of World War II, White Christmas follows song-and-dance duo Bob Wallace and Phil Davis. While pursuing romance and new show opportunities, they meet the talented Haynes sisters, Betty and Judy. The pair head to perform at a Vermont lodge only to discover that it’s owned by their former army commander, General Waverly—who’s unaware that the inn is facing serious financial trouble. Together, Bob, Phil, Betty, Judy—and even the General’s granddaughter Susan—conspire to stage a spectacular Christmas show, recruiting the General’s old soldiers to perform and revive the inn’s fortunes through holiday cheer and the power of music. Thursday, December 4th-Sunday, December 7th at 7:30PM.  

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555597640369&amp;sk=events">Blu Restaurant and Bar Weekly Events:</a> Margarita Monday, Taco ‘Bout a Tuesday, Wing Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Cheers to the Weekend on Fridays.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086549072848&amp;sk=events">Highwind events</a>: Taco Tuesday @ 4PM | Trivia Night, Wednesday @ 6:30PM | $5 Featured Pint Night, Thursday | Brunch, Sunday @ 9:30AM-2PM | Cheersgiving, Sunday @ 5PM

The karaoke bug is going around and The Spot Karaoke is the place to be! Pick from 4 private karaoke suites, all with different themes, and enjoy a private jam session with you + 11 other people per room. Check them out and reserve a karaoke suite here: <a href="https://thespot785.com/">https://thespot785.com/ </a>

D’z Lounge- Saturday, November 22nd @ 5PM 

Unedited Life/Root &amp; Bloom Mercantile- Thursday, November 27th @ 5PM 

The Magdalene Project at the Knights of Columbus Building- Sunday, November 30th @ 1PM 

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/holidayhamperjc">Holiday Hamper</a> is happening on Saturday December 13th from 9:30AM-1PM at the First Baptist Church located at 624 N Jefferson St. Holiday Hamper is a free giveaway of clothing, hygiene, baby products, etc. Free printed photos with Santa, soup/chili, cookies, childcare while "shopping', and free xmas stockings for children 12 and under!

Follow <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/">Junction City Main Street</a> for event updates and more.

Support local. Stay connected. Love where you live.

Main Street Monday | Downtown JC Happenings | Nov 17 - Nov 23, 2025

Final results are in for the November school board and city commission elections. The canvass of the votes was held Monday.

Geary County Clerk Courtney Gilbert released the final totals.

Elected to four year terms on the USD 475 Board of Education were Dr. Beth Hudson with 1,436, Thomas Wesoloski 1,277 and Mark Hatcher with 1,103 votes.

Elected to the Junction City Commission were Terry Butler with 1,052, Sam Yoskowitz 807 and Kelly Niemczyk with 726 votes. Butler and Yoskowitz were elected to four year terms while Niemczyk will serve a two year term.

Brad Roether received 56 votes and was reelected to be the mayor in Milford. For Milford City Council, William Noveroske received 55 votes while both Joey King and Tammy Himelick received 7 write in votes. The Board of County Commissioners broke the tie by coin toss. Tammy Himelick won and is elected.

Marvin Edison with 44 votes was elected to be the mayor of Grandview Plaza. Harlan Lofthus Jr. with 66 votes and Arthur Potter with 57 votes were elected to the city council in Grandview Plaza.

There 29 provisional ballots reviewed and 22 were accepted and counted. A total of 2,278 ballots were cast by registered voters. The turnout of registered voters was calculated at 12.32%.

Vote canvass is held in Geary County

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-shutdown-b1d25a2e1bdcd24cfde8ad8b655b9843">shut down the department</a>.

It represents a major step forward for the administration’s dismantling of the department, which has mainly involved cutting jobs since President Donald Trump called for its elimination with an executive action in March.

Six new agreements signed by the Education Department will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies. Most notable is one that will put the Department of Labor over some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools, including Title I money for schools serving low-income communities.

Opponents have urged against such a shake-up, saying it could disrupt programs that support some of the nation’s most&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-closure-c7cddd1dbf310dadcd70e003d62a6df0">vulnerable student populations</a>. Some argue that other agencies don’t have the expertise that schools and families rely on at the Education Department.

A union representing department workers said students, educators and families depend on the agency's support for schools.

“That national mission is weakened when its core functions are scattered across other federal or state agencies that are not equipped or positioned to provide the same support and services as ED staff,” AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman said.

Department officials said the programs will continue to be funded at levels set by Congress. They did not say whether the changes would bring further job cuts at the department, which has been thinned by waves of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-civil-rights-8cbf463cce765f497c10d688ab4d51e1">mass layoffs</a>&nbsp;and voluntary retirement offers.

“The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission.”

The action leaves in place the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dismantling-education-department-8b5d0961700f0fe69d18ea80b437c8b8">$1.6 trillion student loan portfolio</a>&nbsp;and its funding for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-iep-disability-civil-rights-trump-85a6687d9ef1f5236f2637924d66a560">students with disabilities</a>, though McMahon has suggested both would be better managed by other federal departments. Also unaffected is the department's Office for Civil Rights, which works with students and families who bring allegations of discrimination.

McMahon and her staff have spent months hammering out the deals, which allow the department to lop off large parts of its footprint without action from Congress. It’s being done through formal agreements that agencies often make with one another when their work overlaps.

The Education Department tested the idea in June with a deal that moved adult education programs to Labor. The new agreements take it a step further and lay the groundwork for more.

Under the new plan, Labor will oversee almost all grant programs that are now managed by the Education Department’s offices for K-12 and higher education. Along with the $18 billion Title I program, that includes smaller funding pools for teacher training, English instruction and TRIO, a program that helps steer low-income students to college degrees.

It will effectively outsource the department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and Office of Postsecondary Education, two of the agency’s largest units. Two major roles of the postsecondary office will remain with the Education Department: oversight of student loan policy and the accreditation of colleges for eligibility to receive students’ federal financial aid.

States and schools should not expect any disruptions in their funding, the department said, but their federal money will now come from the Department of Labor.

Another deal will put Health and Human Services in charge of a grant program for parents who are attending college, along with management of foreign medical school accreditation. The State Department will take on foreign language programs. Interior will oversee programs for Native American education.

McMahon has increasingly pointed to what she sees as failures of the department as she argues for its demise. In its 45 years, she says it has become a bloated bureaucracy while student outcomes continue to lag behind. She points to math and reading scores for the country’s K-12 students, which plummeted in the wake of pandemic restrictions.

Her vision would abolish the Education Department and give states wider flexibility in how they spend money that’s now earmarked for specific purposes, including literacy and education for homeless students. That, however, would require approval from Congress. The task is complicated by the fact that some of the department’s core work has long had bipartisan support.

The new deals are part of a broader plan to prove that America’s schools and colleges can operate without the department. As part of the plan, officials say McMahon will continue touring the country to highlight the successes of local schools — and she will also spend more time making her pitch to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

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

Kan. U.S. Senator applauds new steps to dismantle U.S. Dept. of Education

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill Tuesday to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>, a remarkable display of approval for an effort that had struggled for months to overcome opposition from President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Republican leadership.

When a small bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced a petition in July to maneuver around House Speaker Mike Johnson’s control of which bills reach the House floor, it appeared a longshot effort — especially as Trump urged his supporters to dismiss the matter as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/wh-backs-handwriting-review-of-epstein-birthday-book-signature-insists-trump-ties-a-democrat-hoax-0b360963ee534211b469e7dbb0323b81">“hoax.”</a>

But both Trump and Johnson failed in their efforts to prevent the vote. Now the president has bowed to the growing momentum behind the bill and even said he will sign it if it also passes the Senate.

The bill passed 427-1, with the only no vote coming from Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican who is a fervent supporter of Trump. He also chairs a subcommittee that initiated a subpoena on the Justice Department for the Epstein files.&nbsp; Kansas Representatives Ron Estes, Tracey Mann, Sharice Davids and Derek Schmidt voted in favor of the bill.

Tuesday’s vote further showed the pressure mounting on lawmakers and the Trump administration to meet long-held demands that the Justice Department release its case files on Epstein, a well-connected financier who killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges he sexually abused and trafficked underage girls.

“These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight. And they did it by banding together and never giving up," said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as she stood with some of the abuse survivors outside the Capitol Tuesday morning.

“That’s what we did by fighting so hard against the most powerful people in the world, even the president of the United States, in order to make this vote happen today,” added Greene, a Georgia Republican and longtime Trump loyalist.

A separate investigation conducted by the House Oversight Committee has released thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-emails-trump-house-democrats-db7df1042a73e610fb5deddf2f90bd3a">pages of emails</a>&nbsp;and other documents from Epstein's estate, showing his connections to global leaders, Wall Street powerbrokers, influential political figures and Trump himself. In the United Kingdom, King Charles III stripped his disgraced brother Prince Andrew of his remaining titles and evicted him from his royal residence after pressure to act over his relationship with Epstein.

Pushing for more accountability, the survivors of Epstein's abuse cast the current effort in Congress as a step towards accountability for Epstein's crimes after years of government failure under multiple presidential administrations.

Trump has said he cut ties with Epstein years ago, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-midterms-affordability-economy-c908847c586e635e26ecd5ee203df474">tried for months to move past the demands</a>&nbsp;for disclosure. On Monday, he told reporters that Epstein was connected to more Democrats and that he didn't want the Epstein files to “detract from the great success of the Republican Party.”

Still, many in the Republican base have continued to demand the release of the files. Adding to that pressure, several survivors of Epstein's abuse rallied outside the Capitol Tuesday morning. Bundled in jackets against the November chill and holding photos of themselves as teenagers, they recounted their stories of abuse.

“We are exhausted from surviving the trauma and then surviving the political conflicts that surround it,” said Jena-Lisa Jones, one of the survivors.

She added that she had voted for Trump, but had a message for the president: “I beg you Donald Trump, please stop making this political.”

The group of women also met with Johnson and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-survivors-congress-trump-5d980740245f935c994a90b8ce824642">rallied outside the Capitol in September</a>, but have had to wait months for the vote.

That's because Johnson kept the House closed for legislative business for nearly two months and also refused to swear-in Democratic Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adelita-grijalva-arizona-house-epstein-files-johnson-da75c9f0e362291f3d0edb1da99e019d">Adelita Grijalva</a>&nbsp;of Arizona during the government shutdown. After winning a special election on Sept. 23, Grijalva had pledged to provide the crucial 218th vote to the petition for the Epstein files bill. But only after she was sworn into office last week could she sign her name to the discharge petition to give it majority support in the 435-member House.

It quickly became apparent the bill would pass, and both Johnson and Trump began to fold. Trump on Sunday said Republicans should vote for the bill.

Yet Greene told reporters that Trump's decision to fight the bill had betrayed his Make America Great Again political movement.

"Watching this turn into a fight has ripped MAGA apart,” she said.

Rather than waiting until next week for the discharge position to officially take effect, Johnson is moving to hold the vote under a procedure that requires a two-thirds majority.

But Johnson also spent a morning news conference listing off problems that he sees with the legislation. He argued that the bill could have unintended consequences by disclosing parts of federal investigations that are usually kept private, including information on victims.

“This is a raw and obvious political exercise," Johnson said.

Still, he planned to vote for the bill. “None of us want to go on record and in any way be accused of not being for maximum transparency,” he added.

Meanwhile, House Democrats celebrated the vote as a rare win for the minority.

“It’s a complete and total surrender, because as Democrats we made clear from the very beginning, the survivors and the American people deserve full and complete transparency as it relates to the lives that were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

It's not clear how the Senate will handle the bill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has previously been circumspect when asked about the legislation and instead said he trusted the Justice Department to release information on the Epstein investigation.

But what the Justice Department has released so far under Trump was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-congress-justice-department-trump-3e0d2146ce0cd0f6cecaab0198402ac7">mostly already public</a>. The bill would go further, forcing the release within 30 days of all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in federal prison. Information about Epstein’s victims or continuing federal investigations would be allowed to be redacted, but not information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.”

Johnson also said he wants to see the Senate amend the bill to protect the information of “victims and whistleblowers.”

But the bipartisan pair who sponsored the bill, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., warned senators against doing anything that would “muck it up" and said they would face the same public uproar that forced both Trump and Johnson to back down.

“We've needlessly dragged this out for four months,” Massie said, adding that those raising problems with the bill “are afraid that people will be embarrassed. Well, that's the whole point here."

427-1: Kansas lawmakers vote to force release of Epstein files

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;welcomed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-saudi-arabia-israel-abraham-accords-mbs-24efae2972c9c4a488fcda5ff8c5ad1f">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>&nbsp;to Washington on Tuesday as the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia makes his first White House visit since the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jamal-khashoggi">Jamal Khashoggi</a>&nbsp;by Saudi agents.

Trump warmly received Prince Mohammed when he arrived at the White House Tuesday morning for a pomp-filled arrival ceremony that included a military flyover and a thundering greeting from the U.S. Marine band.

The U.S.-Saudi relationship had been sent into a tailspin by the operation targeting Khashoggi, a fierce critic of the kingdom, that U.S. intelligence agencies later determined Prince Mohammed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-saudi-crown-prince-khashoggi-killing-26c37f6d603737de7509f5ee09ae7f9d">likely directed the agents</a>&nbsp;to carry out.

But seven years later, the dark clouds over the relationship have been cleared away. And Trump has tightened his embrace of the 40-year-old crown prince he views as an indispensable player in shaping the Middle East in the decades to come. Prince Mohammed, for his part, denies involvement in the killing of Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen and Virginia resident.

Khashoggi was an afterthought as the two leaders unveil billions of dollars in deals and huddle with aides to discuss the tricky path ahead in a volatile Middle East. They'll end their day with an evening White House soiree, organized by first lady Melania Trump, to honor the prince.

The president dismissed questions to the crown prince about the journalist's killing.

“Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen,” Trump said of the international incident.

Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with the prince by his side, commended the Saudi leader for strides made by the kingdom on human rights without providing any specific detail.

“I’m very proud of the job he’s done,” Trump said. “What’s he done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else.”

The crown prince for his part announced Saudi Arabia was increasing its planned investments in the U.S. to $1 trillion, up from $600 billion that the Saudis said they planned to invest in the United States when Trump visited the kingdom in May.

Trump's family has a strong personal interest in the kingdom. In September, London real estate developer Dar Global announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-trump-organization-jeddah-dar-global-539989a563d8f7eb949be2e10ee18d0a">it plans to launch Trump Plaza</a>&nbsp;in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

It's Dar Global's second collaboration with the Trump Organization, the collection of companies controlled by the U.S. president's children, in Saudi Arabia. Last year, the two companies announced the launch of Trump Tower Jeddah.

Trump pushed back on the notion Tuesday that there was a conflict of interest.

“I have nothing to do with the family business,” said Trump on Tuesday, adding that his family has relatively little interest in the kingdom.

Technically, it's not a state visit, because the crown prince is not the head of state. But Prince Mohammed has taken charge of the day-to-day governing for his father, King Salman, 89, who has endured health problems in recent years.

Most foreign leaders who come to meet with Trump are driven up to the doors of the West Wing, where the president often greets them. But Prince Mohammed, accompanied by the Saudi prime minister, was welcomed with a formal arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.

Trump then showed the prince the newly-installed Presidential Walk of Fame that features gold-framed images of past presidents along the West Wing colonnade and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-presidential-portraits-biden-autopen-white-house-e8624154e72631e723930ea549bb8910">a photo of an autopen signing the name of former President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in place of the Democrat’s official portrait.

An Oval Office meeting and luncheon in the Cabinet Room will follow.

Trump will then see the crown prince off in the afternoon but he’s expected to return to the South Lawn, with the first lady, to welcome the crown prince when he returns for the evening East Room dinner.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese soccer great who is playing in the Saudi Pro League, is also expected to be at the White House on Tuesday during the crown prince's visit, according to a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

In addition to White House pomp, the two nations are also planning an investment summit at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday that will include the heads of Salesforce, Qualcomm, Pfizer, the Cleveland Clinic, Chevron and Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national oil and natural gas company, where even more deals with the Saudis could be announced.

Ahead of Prince Mohammed's arrival, Trump announced he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-saudi-arabia-crown-prince-f35-77edbfa2f257805d43a501cd4808648a">agreed to sell the Saudis F-35 fighter jets</a>&nbsp;despite some concerns within the administration that the sale could lead to China gaining access to the U.S. technology behind the advanced weapon system.

Trump's announcement is also surprising because some in the Republican administration have been wary about upsetting Israel’s qualitative military edge over its neighbors, especially at a time when Trump is depending on Israeli support for the success of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-israel-hamas-war-gaza-708a08671b8842d7a7a5e250ec51351c">Gaza peace plan</a>.

But the unexpected move comes at a moment when Trump is trying to nudge the Saudis toward normalizing relations with Israel.

The president in his first term had helped forge commercial and diplomatic ties between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates through an effort dubbed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bahrain-israel-united-arab-emirates-middle-east-elections-7544b322a254ebea1693e387d83d9d8b">Abraham Accords</a>.

Trump sees expansion of the accords as essential to his broader efforts to build stability in the Middle East after the two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

And getting Saudi Arabia — the largest Arab economy and the birthplace of Islam — to sign on would spur a domino effect, he argues. The president in recent weeks has even predicted that once Saudi Arabia signs on to the accords, “everybody” in the Arab world “goes in.”

But the Saudis have maintained that a clear path toward Palestinian statehood must first be established before normalizing relations with Israel can be considered. The Israelis, meanwhile, remain steadfastly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state.

The U.N. Security Council on Monday approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-israel-hamas-war-gaza-708a08671b8842d7a7a5e250ec51351c">U.S. plan for Gaza</a>&nbsp;that authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security in the devastated territory and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-ceasefire-un-trump-russia-e701750e61968110b873e90372b9f2e7">envisions a possible future path</a>&nbsp;to an independent Palestinian state.

The leaders certainly will have plenty to talk about including maintaining the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, mutual concerns about Iran’s malign behavior, and a brutal civil war in Sudan.

And the Saudis are looking to receive formal assurances from Trump defining the scope of U.S. military protection for the kingdom, even though anything not ratified by Congress can be undone by the next president.

Prince Mohammed, 40, who has stayed away from the West after the Khashoggi killing, is also looking to reestablish his position as a global player and a leader determined to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil by investing in sectors like mining, technology and tourism.

To that end, Saudi Arabia is expected to announce a multi-billion dollar investment in U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure, and the two countries will lay out details about new cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector, according to a senior Trump administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly ahead of the formal announcement.

A coalition of 11 human rights groups ahead of the crown prince’s visit called on the Trump administration to use its leverage to press Saudi authorities, who badly want to broaden its business and defense connections with the U.S., to make concrete commitments on human rights and press freedom during the visit.

The activists say Saudi authorities continue to harshly repress dissent, including by arresting human rights defenders, journalists, and political dissidents for criticism against the kingdom. Human rights organizations have also documented a surge in executions in Saudi Arabia that they connect to an effort to suppress internal dissent.

“Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is trying to rebrand himself as a global statesman, but the reality at home is mass repression, record numbers of executions, and zero tolerance for dissent," Sarah Yager, Washington director at the group Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. "U.S. officials should be pressing for change, not posing for photos.”

AP writers Josh Boak, Seung Min Kim, Michelle Price and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

President Trump hosts Saudi Crown Prince for controversial visit

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen died in an accident Monday in Wichita.

Just after 4 p.m., police and other emergency crews responded to an injury crash in the area of 21st Street and Burns, according to a media release from Wichita Police. The investigation revealed that a single vehicle driven by Alejandro M. Tran, 19, Wichita, crossed multiple lanes of traffic toward the river, struck the tree line and flipped down into the river.

Wichita Fire Department personnel extricated Tran from the vehicle and transported&nbsp; him to a local hospital. He was later pronounced deceased.

Kansas teen dies after car crash into river

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA —The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is expected to cut $145 million from Kansas’ coffers beginning next year, state officials said.

That’s on top of an impending state budget hole that has shrunk since the Kansas Legislature passed its budget this spring, but still threatens to put the state in the red.

Budget analysts released Friday consensus revenue estimates, predicting state general fund revenues, which can be used to inform the budget-crafting process.

All told, the estimates included modest forecast changes in the economy and state revenues, said Shirley Morrow, director of the Kansas Legislative Research Department, at a press conference in the Statehouse in Topeka.

Revenue in fiscal year 2025, which ended in June, exceeded analysts’ estimates by $130 million, and revenue in the first four months of fiscal year 2026 has exceeded previous predictions by about $100 million, she said.

“The most noteworthy change is the full incorporation of the impacts of the federal tax legislation that was passed over the summer,” Morrow said.

However, she added, most of the legislation’s provisions were continuations of previous policies and will result in small changes to state receipts.

As the state incorporates federal tax law, Kansans will not automatically see deductions for tips and overtime, said Adam Proffitt, state budget director and secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration.

Of the roughly $145 million effect in fiscal year 2027, which begins in July, Proffitt listed the largest costs: $85 million for full expensing of certain business property, $32 million for full expensing of domestic research and development, $7 million for increased limitations on property depreciations and about $6.5 million for enhanced child care tax credits for individuals.

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