SALINE COUNTY —Police are investigating after that a body was found and recovered in a wooded area near the YMCA building in Salina.

Just after 10:30a.m. on Thursday, police dispatch&nbsp;was contacted about a deceased individual located in the wooded area between The YMCA, 570 YMCA Drive and Kenwood Park Drive, according to Salina Police Lt. Andrew Ziegler.

Police officers and members of the Salina Fire Department responded and located the individual in the dry creek bed. The individual was evidently deceased and appeared to have been there for several days.

No indication of foul play has been found at this time, and an autopsy will be conducted.

Currently the decedent's name is not being released pending identification and notification of next of kin, according to Ziegler.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763669921157.png" alt="Google Map" />
 <figcaption>Google Map</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Police are investigating after that a body was found and recovered in a wooded area near the YMCA building in Salina.Just after 10:30a.m. on Thursday, police dispatch&nbsp;was contacted about a deceased individual located in the wooded area between The YMCA, 570 YMCA Drive and Kenwood Park Drive, according to Salina Police Lt. Andrew Ziegler.Police officers and members of the Salina Fire Department responded and located the individual in the dry creek bed. The individual was evidently deceased and appeared to have been there for several days.No indication of foul play has been found at this time, and an autopsy will be conducted.Currently the decedent's name is not being released pending identification and notification of next of kin, according to Ziegler.

Police: Body found in wooded area near Salina YMCA

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington National Cathedral on Thursday hosted a bipartisan show of respect and remembrance for Dick Cheney, the consequential and polarizing vice president who in later years became an acidic scold of fellow Republican President Donald Trump.

Trump, who has been publicly silent about&nbsp;<a href="https://079591b529f048489650e7569bc675d2/">Cheney’s death Nov. 3</a>, was not invited to the memorial service. <a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/funeral-of-vice-president-dick-cheney/669349">Click here to watch a replay of the service.</a>

Two ex-presidents came: Republican George W. Bush, who eulogized the man who served him as vice president, and Democrat Joe Biden, who once called Cheney “the most dangerous vice president we’ve had probably in American history” but now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dick-cheney-funeral-biden-trump-tradition-58afafb7fbf2a3d1f7380cdf1b9fd70d">honors his commitment</a>&nbsp;to his family and to his values.

“Solid and rare and reliable,” Bush said of his vice president, praising a man whose “talent and his restraint” exceeded his ego. “Smart and polished, without airs.”

Among the eulogists, Liz Cheney, his eldest daughter, only obliquely addressed what amounted to a father-daughter feud with the president — a man her dad had called a “coward” for trying to overturn his loss in the 2020 election.

She spoke of her father’s conviction that when confronted with a choice between defending the country and a political party, the country must come first. “Bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans,” she said.

A former high-ranking House member whose Republican political career was shredded by Trump’s MAGA movement, Liz Cheney chose not to speak directly of Trump. She spoke of seeing clouds in the shape of angels just before her father died.

A Who’s Who of Washington without President Trump

Moments before the service began, figures of recent but now receded power mingled: Bush and Biden and their wives sitting in a row together, former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Mike Pence chatting side by side in their pew with Al Gore and Dan Quayle together behind them.

Biden greeted Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former longtime Senate leader, and his wife, former labor and transportation secretary Elaine Chao. Behind them sat Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker. All gathered in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-church-religion-funeral-cheney-d11870c1ed3bef6a272cd394ca3d9308">grand cathedral</a>&nbsp;known as “a spiritual home for the nation.”

Others delivering tributes at Thursday’s funeral were Cheney’s longtime cardiologist, Jonathan Reiner; former NBC News correspondent Pete Williams, who was Cheney’s spokesman at the Pentagon; and the former vice president’s grandchildren. Six grandchildren were there — a seventh is about to give birth.

“I’m happy to report that I haven’t given many eulogies," Reiner said in his remarks. “Nobody wants a doctor who is great at funerals."

Reiner recalled doctors telling Cheney decades ago, after the first of multiple heart attacks, that he should abandon his political ambitions then. Yet he kept winning elections as a Wyoming congressman for years after that.

Cheney, he said, was always the “calmest person in the room."

Cheney had lived with heart disease for decades and, after the Bush administration, with a heart transplant. He died at age 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said.

Trump's vice president, JD Vance, on stage at another event in the morning, was asked about Cheney and said: “Obviously there’s some political disagreements there but he was a guy who served his country. We certainly wish his family all the best in this moment of grieving."

Vance was also not invited to the funeral, according to a person familiar with the details who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The White House lowered its flags to half-staff after Cheney's death, as it said the law calls for, but Trump did not issue the presidential proclamation that often accompanies the death of notable figures, nor has he commented publicly on his passing.

The deeply conservative Cheney's influence in the Bush administration was legendary and, to his critics, tragic.

He advocated for the U.S. invasion of Iraq on the basis of what proved to be faulty intelligence and consistently defended the extraordinary tools of surveillance, detention and inquisition employed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Bush credited him with helping to keep the country safe and stable in a perilous time.

After the 2020 election won by Biden, Liz Cheney served as vice chair of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-capitol-riot-hearings-live-updates-eefb79f2cffb705f04bf43ea164db20f">Democratic-led special House committee</a>&nbsp;that investigated the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol</a>. She accused Trump of summoning the violent mob and plunging the nation into “a moment of maximum danger.”

For that, she was stripped of her Republican leadership position and ultimately defeated in a 2022 Republican primary in Wyoming. In a campaign TV ad made for his daughter, Dick Cheney branded Trump a “coward” who “tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him.”

Last year, it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cheney-criticism-insurrection-capitol-election-cc4b74dcb34f1df516aa89169a8650d5">did not sit well</a>&nbsp;with Trump when Cheney said he would vote for the Democrat, Harris, in the presidential election.

Trump told Arab and Muslim voters that Dick Cheney’s support for Harris should give them pause, because he “killed more Arabs than any human being on Earth. He pushed Bush, and they went into the Middle East.”

Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763655211567.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington National Cathedral on Thursday hosted a bipartisan show of respect and remembrance for Dick Cheney, the consequential and polarizing vice president who in later years became an acidic scold of fellow Republican President Donald Trump.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush arrive at Dick Cheney&#39;s funeral. <a href="https://t.co/wMDlF0JItk">pic.twitter.com/wMDlF0JItk</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1991535529373102215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump, who has been publicly silent about&nbsp;<a href="https://079591b529f048489650e7569bc675d2/">Cheney’s death Nov. 3</a>, was not invited to the memorial service. <a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/funeral-of-vice-president-dick-cheney/669349">Click here to watch a replay of the service.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President George W. Bush: &quot;Twenty-five years ago, I had a big choice to make, a big job to fill. I wanted to know all my options, so I enlisted the help of a distinguished former White House chief of staff and secretary of defense to lead my search for a running mate. Dick… <a href="https://t.co/WNI9FcjEcR">pic.twitter.com/WNI9FcjEcR</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1991555031183606065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Two ex-presidents came: Republican George W. Bush, who eulogized the man who served him as vice president, and Democrat Joe Biden, who once called Cheney “the most dangerous vice president we’ve had probably in American history” but now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dick-cheney-funeral-biden-trump-tradition-58afafb7fbf2a3d1f7380cdf1b9fd70d">honors his commitment</a>&nbsp;to his family and to his values.“Solid and rare and reliable,” Bush said of his vice president, praising a man whose “talent and his restraint” exceeded his ego. “Smart and polished, without airs.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Pete Williams shares a story about a letter sent to then-Secretary Dick Cheney from a woman in Indianapolis who found his qualities to be attractive: &quot;I showed this letter to Secretary Cheney and he took it home to brag about it.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ikKreIsD63">pic.twitter.com/ikKreIsD63</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1991551925557297494?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Among the eulogists, Liz Cheney, his eldest daughter, only obliquely addressed what amounted to a father-daughter feud with the president — a man her dad had called a “coward” for trying to overturn his loss in the 2020 election.She spoke of her father’s conviction that when confronted with a choice between defending the country and a political party, the country must come first. “Bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans,” she said.A former high-ranking House member whose Republican political career was shredded by Trump’s MAGA movement, Liz Cheney chose not to speak directly of Trump. She spoke of seeing clouds in the shape of angels just before her father died.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763665031668.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A Who’s Who of Washington without President Trump</h2>Moments before the service began, figures of recent but now receded power mingled: Bush and Biden and their wives sitting in a row together, former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Mike Pence chatting side by side in their pew with Al Gore and Dan Quayle together behind them.Biden greeted Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former longtime Senate leader, and his wife, former labor and transportation secretary Elaine Chao. Behind them sat Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker. All gathered in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-church-religion-funeral-cheney-d11870c1ed3bef6a272cd394ca3d9308">grand cathedral</a>&nbsp;known as “a spiritual home for the nation.”Others delivering tributes at Thursday’s funeral were Cheney’s longtime cardiologist, Jonathan Reiner; former NBC News correspondent Pete Williams, who was Cheney’s spokesman at the Pentagon; and the former vice president’s grandchildren. Six grandchildren were there — a seventh is about to give birth.“I’m happy to report that I haven’t given many eulogies," Reiner said in his remarks. “Nobody wants a doctor who is great at funerals."Reiner recalled doctors telling Cheney decades ago, after the first of multiple heart attacks, that he should abandon his political ambitions then. Yet he kept winning elections as a Wyoming congressman for years after that.Cheney, he said, was always the “calmest person in the room."Cheney had lived with heart disease for decades and, after the Bush administration, with a heart transplant. He died at age 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said.Trump's vice president, JD Vance, on stage at another event in the morning, was asked about Cheney and said: “Obviously there’s some political disagreements there but he was a guy who served his country. We certainly wish his family all the best in this moment of grieving."Vance was also not invited to the funeral, according to a person familiar with the details who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.The White House lowered its flags to half-staff after Cheney's death, as it said the law calls for, but Trump did not issue the presidential proclamation that often accompanies the death of notable figures, nor has he commented publicly on his passing.The deeply conservative Cheney's influence in the Bush administration was legendary and, to his critics, tragic.He advocated for the U.S. invasion of Iraq on the basis of what proved to be faulty intelligence and consistently defended the extraordinary tools of surveillance, detention and inquisition employed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Bush credited him with helping to keep the country safe and stable in a perilous time.<h2>Bad blood between the Cheneys and Trump</h2>After the 2020 election won by Biden, Liz Cheney served as vice chair of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-capitol-riot-hearings-live-updates-eefb79f2cffb705f04bf43ea164db20f">Democratic-led special House committee</a>&nbsp;that investigated the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol</a>. She accused Trump of summoning the violent mob and plunging the nation into “a moment of maximum danger.”For that, she was stripped of her Republican leadership position and ultimately defeated in a 2022 Republican primary in Wyoming. In a campaign TV ad made for his daughter, Dick Cheney branded Trump a “coward” who “tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him.”Last year, it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cheney-criticism-insurrection-capitol-election-cc4b74dcb34f1df516aa89169a8650d5">did not sit well</a>&nbsp;with Trump when Cheney said he would vote for the Democrat, Harris, in the presidential election.Trump told Arab and Muslim voters that Dick Cheney’s support for Harris should give them pause, because he “killed more Arabs than any human being on Earth. He pushed Bush, and they went into the Middle East.”___Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.

🎥Bipartisan tributes at former Vice President Dick Cheney's funeral 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the child abuse death of his toddler stepson is due back in court Thursday.

Shawn D. Lewis, 33, is scheduled for an arraignment hearing in Judge Rodger Wood's courtroom, according to the Segwick County District Attorney's office.

Lewis was charged with first degree murder and child abuse in the death of 2-year-old John Landon Delano, according to the District Attorneys office.

On July 3, police responded to Wesley Medical Center after being notified of a two-year-old boy who was brought to the hospital with severe injuries after a reported fall, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

During the investigation, it was determined that the injuries sustained by the child were inconsistent with the facts provided by Lewis who was caring for the child at the time the boy was injured.&nbsp;

Patrol officers and investigators from the Exploited Missing Children’s Unit and the WPD Homicide Unit began investigating this case due to the severity of the injuries.&nbsp;

On July 3, police arrested Lewis, on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, head trauma/permanent and Child Abuse. Two days later, the boy died of his injuries.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751843575801.png" alt="Lewis photo Sedgwock County" />
 <figcaption>Lewis photo Sedgwock County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the child abuse death of his toddler stepson is due back in court Thursday.Shawn D. Lewis, 33, is scheduled for an arraignment hearing in Judge Rodger Wood's courtroom, according to the Segwick County District Attorney's office.Lewis was charged with first degree murder and child abuse in the death of 2-year-old John Landon Delano, according to the District Attorneys office.On July 3, police responded to Wesley Medical Center after being notified of a two-year-old boy who was brought to the hospital with severe injuries after a reported fall, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.During the investigation, it was determined that the injuries sustained by the child were inconsistent with the facts provided by Lewis who was caring for the child at the time the boy was injured.&nbsp;Patrol officers and investigators from the Exploited Missing Children’s Unit and the WPD Homicide Unit began investigating this case due to the severity of the injuries.&nbsp;On July 3, police arrested Lewis, on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, head trauma/permanent and Child Abuse. Two days later, the boy died of his injuries.&nbsp;

Arraignment hearing: Kan. man charged in 2-year-old stepson's death

BARTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 9p.m. Wednesday in Barton County.

A 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Mark DeWald, 72, of Great Bend was eastbound on K-96 highway three miles northwest of Great Bend, according to the Barton County Sheriff's office.

The car crossed left of center and struck a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup driven by Luke Krehbiel, 17, of Timken, head-on. After impact, the Dodge truck initially caught fire but was quickly extinguished by the Great Bend Fire Department.

The Barton County Coroner's Office pronounced DeWald dead at the scene&nbsp; Krehbiel was transported to the hospital in Great Bend for treatment of minor injuries.

The Sheriff's Office suspects Dewald may have had a medical incident prior to the collision causing him to cross the center line. The accident is still under investigation.

BARTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 9p.m. Wednesday in Barton County.A 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Mark DeWald, 72, of Great Bend was eastbound on K-96 highway three miles northwest of Great Bend, according to the Barton County Sheriff's office.The car crossed left of center and struck a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup driven by Luke Krehbiel, 17, of Timken, head-on. After impact, the Dodge truck initially caught fire but was quickly extinguished by the Great Bend Fire Department.The Barton County Coroner's Office pronounced DeWald dead at the scene&nbsp; Krehbiel was transported to the hospital in Great Bend for treatment of minor injuries.The Sheriff's Office suspects Dewald may have had a medical incident prior to the collision causing him to cross the center line. The accident is still under investigation.

Kansas man killed in head-on car, pickup crash and fire

Starbucks' union is expanding its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-strike-stores-union-6d9a5c8761fb7a251cb9bf7c13908877">week-old strike</a>&nbsp;against the company.

Starbucks Workers United said baristas from 30 more stores in 25 U.S. cities planned to join the strike Thursday, including stores in Cleveland; Memphis, Tennessee; Springfield, Missouri, and Albany, New York. That brings the total number of stores with striking workers to 95 in 65 cities, the union said.

The strike began last Thursday on Starbucks'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-red-cup-day-7c07617260ea1c4760410e29b4509b6b">Red Cup Day</a>, which is typically one of its busiest days of the year. Since 2018, Starbucks has given out free, reusable cups on that day to customers who buy a holiday drink.

Starbucks said the strike has caused minimal disruption to its operations, and noted that this year's Red Cup Day was the strongest in the company's history in terms of sales and store traffic. Placer.ai, a location data company, said Starbucks' foot traffic jumped 44.5% last Thursday compared to this year's daily average.

Starbucks said only 49 of the 65 stores that the union vowed to strike last week experienced any disruption, and 29 of those have reopened.

Around 550 of Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. stores are unionized. Starbucks also has 7,000 licensed locations in places like airports.

“As we’ve said, 99% of our 17,000 U.S. locations remain open and welcoming customers, including many the union publicly stated would strike but never closed or have since reopened,” Starbucks spokeswoman Jaci Anderson said.

Striking workers are protesting a lack of progress in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-coffee-05d3d30c2c7e100a07f5d74fefb2d556">labor negotiations</a>&nbsp;with the company. They say they are seeking better pay, improved staffing in stores and a resolution of hundreds of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-starbucks-union-fired-workers-tennessee-18547e128a14fae93a148383f48cb305">unfair labor practice</a>&nbsp;charges filed against the company.

There is no date set for the strike to end, and more stores are prepared to join if Starbucks doesn’t reach a contract agreement with the union, organizers said.

Starbucks said it is prepared to talk when the union is ready to return to the bargaining table. Negotiations between the two sides ended in April.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762459345358.png" alt="Photo Starbucks Union" />
 <figcaption>Photo Starbucks Union</figcaption>
 </figure>By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business WriterStarbucks' union is expanding its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-strike-stores-union-6d9a5c8761fb7a251cb9bf7c13908877">week-old strike</a>&nbsp;against the company.Starbucks Workers United said baristas from 30 more stores in 25 U.S. cities planned to join the strike Thursday, including stores in Cleveland; Memphis, Tennessee; Springfield, Missouri, and Albany, New York. That brings the total number of stores with striking workers to 95 in 65 cities, the union said.The strike began last Thursday on Starbucks'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-red-cup-day-7c07617260ea1c4760410e29b4509b6b">Red Cup Day</a>, which is typically one of its busiest days of the year. Since 2018, Starbucks has given out free, reusable cups on that day to customers who buy a holiday drink.Starbucks said the strike has caused minimal disruption to its operations, and noted that this year's Red Cup Day was the strongest in the company's history in terms of sales and store traffic. Placer.ai, a location data company, said Starbucks' foot traffic jumped 44.5% last Thursday compared to this year's daily average.Starbucks said only 49 of the 65 stores that the union vowed to strike last week experienced any disruption, and 29 of those have reopened.Around 550 of Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. stores are unionized. Starbucks also has 7,000 licensed locations in places like airports.“As we’ve said, 99% of our 17,000 U.S. locations remain open and welcoming customers, including many the union publicly stated would strike but never closed or have since reopened,” Starbucks spokeswoman Jaci Anderson said.Striking workers are protesting a lack of progress in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-coffee-05d3d30c2c7e100a07f5d74fefb2d556">labor negotiations</a>&nbsp;with the company. They say they are seeking better pay, improved staffing in stores and a resolution of hundreds of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-starbucks-union-fired-workers-tennessee-18547e128a14fae93a148383f48cb305">unfair labor practice</a>&nbsp;charges filed against the company.There is no date set for the strike to end, and more stores are prepared to join if Starbucks doesn’t reach a contract agreement with the union, organizers said.Starbucks said it is prepared to talk when the union is ready to return to the bargaining table. Negotiations between the two sides ended in April.

Starbucks union: More US stores are joining week-old strike

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect who admitted setting a fire near the historic Orpheum Theatre,&nbsp;200 N Broadway Street, in Wichita&nbsp; will learn his fate Thursday.

&nbsp;Jeremy Wycoff, 34, is scheduled for sentencing hearing before&nbsp;Judge Rodger Woods.&nbsp; In September, Wycoff pleaded guilty to aggravated arson according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

On the evening of April 10, crews responded to report of a fire near the 102-year-old theatre that is undergoing renovations.&nbsp;

"Thanks to the quick response of Wichita Fire Department, the situation was contained before it caused any major damage to our building or our neighbors along First Street," the theatre announced on their social media page.

Three days after the crime, police arrested Wycoff and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744830153415.png" alt="Wycoff - Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Wycoff - Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect who admitted setting a fire near the historic Orpheum Theatre,&nbsp;200 N Broadway Street, in Wichita&nbsp; will learn his fate Thursday.&nbsp;Jeremy Wycoff, 34, is scheduled for sentencing hearing before&nbsp;Judge Rodger Woods.&nbsp; In September, Wycoff pleaded guilty to aggravated arson according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;On the evening of April 10, crews responded to report of a fire near the 102-year-old theatre that is undergoing renovations.&nbsp;"Thanks to the quick response of Wichita Fire Department, the situation was contained before it caused any major damage to our building or our neighbors along First Street," the theatre announced on their social media page.Three days after the crime, police arrested Wycoff and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sentencing Day for suspect in arson fire near historic Kan. theatre 

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Idea is to initially forbid guidance from venturing into realm of legal advice

TOPEKA — The secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue offered to create within the state agency the job of ombudsman to provide information and guidance — not legal counsel — to Kansans interested in representing themselves in property tax appeal cases.

Secretary Mark Burghart said Tuesday during an interim tax committee meeting of the Kansas Legislature that the objective of the extra employee would be to better prepare individuals interested in contesting county property tax valuations that were heard by the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals.

The idea of an ombudsman was raised in September by Kristen Wheeler, chair of the state tax appeal board, in response to dramatic growth in the board’s caseload.

The concept received a positive response from several legislators, including Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who chairs the interim House and Senate tax committee. She urged Burghart to begin preliminary planning for the hiring of an ombudsman. She suggested the task might be done without the 2026 Legislature adopting a bill specifically granting the revenue department permission.

“It sounds to me like you could actually implement this without statute,” Tyson said. “I think that would be the ideal solution.”

Kansas has more than 2 million individual taxpayers, Burghart said. The Board of Tax Appeals, or BOTA, during the 2024 fiscal year reported an increase of 700 cases on its general appeal docket. There were 300 additional property tax appeals and 300 more appeals related to tax exemptions.

“This position is important. It think it’s needed. It does make sense to me that it live in the Department of Revenue,” said Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton. “Why do we have a large number of tax appeals right now? It’s because our taxpayers are surprised with very large, unexpected tax bills. So, they appeal.”

Burghart said the Department of Revenue currently had an individual responsible for general taxpayer advocacy. A person dedicated to property tax affairs should initially be limited to an educational role that involved assisting taxpayers with their understanding property valuation procedures and BOTA’s appellate process. The ombudsman could explain deadlines, required forms, evidentiary expectations and appeal options.

“The creation of this position, initially framed as an educational and navigational resource rather than a legal representative, would be one way to help expedite appeals before BOTA by improving the quality and completeness of taxpayer filings,” Burghart said. “That, in turn, supports the Legislature’s objective of addressing BOTA workforce and caseload concerns.”

“We would make it abundantly clear that we are not giving legal advice,” the revenue secretary said. “The ombudsman would not serve as the legal representative of any taxpayer … and would not advocate for specific valuation outcomes in individual cases.”

Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, questioned whether the Department of Revenue could unilaterally initiate an ombudsman program. Burghart said adding a new staff position to the agency could be worked into the budget, which already included personnel assigned duties associated with assisting taxpayers.

“It’s helpful for that to be part of the discussion so that people understand, when we’re talking about new employees, how that happens,” she said.

Burghart said the Legislature had options in terms of shaping the work of an ombudsman or advocate dedicated to property taxation. The person could be informally added to payroll in the Department of Revenue or the individual could be located in a newly created state office founded, which would require passage of a state law.

The ombudsman also could be established as a law school clinic led by students or as a nonprofit affiliated with the Kansas Bar Association, he said.

He said an ombudsman should be appointed by the state revenue secretary after consultation with the chair of the Board of Tax Appeals and the revenue department’s director of property evaluation. It’s not necessary to include the post among jobs requiring Kansas Senate confirmation, he said.

If the program proved beneficial in terms of BOTA’s case docket or processing times, Burghart said, the Legislature could consider broadening the ombudsman’s role into direct representation or formal advocacy of taxpayers in BOTA proceedings in which counties were involved in the cases.

If the Legislature chose to deepen the ombudsman’s role regarding property tax cases the personnel should no longer be based within the revenue department, he said.

Wheeler, the BOTA chair, said the taxpayer assistance position must be filled by a person with specialized expertise in taxation appeals.

She said BOTA was neutral on whether the position needed to be located at BOTA, but “parameters of the position and its location deserve further consideration and debate.”

She said it was unlikely the state could quickly implement a student-staffed taxation legal clinic at law schools at University of Kansas in Lawrence or Washburn University in Topeka.

“Even if there was interest in this type of clinic, it’s likely that creation of a clinic would take substantially more time than creating a staff position,” Wheeler said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763569534093.png" alt=" Mark Burghart, secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue, urges state legislators to consider establishing the position of state property tax ombudsman to help Kansans navigate the state’s property tax appeal process. His testimony came Nov. 18, 2025, at the Capitol. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature video)" />
 <figcaption> Mark Burghart, secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue, urges state legislators to consider establishing the position of state property tax ombudsman to help Kansans navigate the state’s property tax appeal process. His testimony came Nov. 18, 2025, at the Capitol. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature video)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Idea is to initially forbid guidance from venturing into realm of legal advice</h2>TOPEKA — The secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue offered to create within the state agency the job of ombudsman to provide information and guidance — not legal counsel — to Kansans interested in representing themselves in property tax appeal cases.Secretary Mark Burghart said Tuesday during an interim tax committee meeting of the Kansas Legislature that the objective of the extra employee would be to better prepare individuals interested in contesting county property tax valuations that were heard by the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals.The idea of an ombudsman was raised in September by Kristen Wheeler, chair of the state tax appeal board, in response to dramatic growth in the board’s caseload.The concept received a positive response from several legislators, including Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who chairs the interim House and Senate tax committee. She urged Burghart to begin preliminary planning for the hiring of an ombudsman. She suggested the task might be done without the 2026 Legislature adopting a bill specifically granting the revenue department permission.“It sounds to me like you could actually implement this without statute,” Tyson said. “I think that would be the ideal solution.”Kansas has more than 2 million individual taxpayers, Burghart said. The Board of Tax Appeals, or BOTA, during the 2024 fiscal year reported an increase of 700 cases on its general appeal docket. There were 300 additional property tax appeals and 300 more appeals related to tax exemptions.“This position is important. It think it’s needed. It does make sense to me that it live in the Department of Revenue,” said Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton. “Why do we have a large number of tax appeals right now? It’s because our taxpayers are surprised with very large, unexpected tax bills. So, they appeal.”Burghart said the Department of Revenue currently had an individual responsible for general taxpayer advocacy. A person dedicated to property tax affairs should initially be limited to an educational role that involved assisting taxpayers with their understanding property valuation procedures and BOTA’s appellate process. The ombudsman could explain deadlines, required forms, evidentiary expectations and appeal options.“The creation of this position, initially framed as an educational and navigational resource rather than a legal representative, would be one way to help expedite appeals before BOTA by improving the quality and completeness of taxpayer filings,” Burghart said. “That, in turn, supports the Legislature’s objective of addressing BOTA workforce and caseload concerns.”“We would make it abundantly clear that we are not giving legal advice,” the revenue secretary said. “The ombudsman would not serve as the legal representative of any taxpayer … and would not advocate for specific valuation outcomes in individual cases.”Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, questioned whether the Department of Revenue could unilaterally initiate an ombudsman program. Burghart said adding a new staff position to the agency could be worked into the budget, which already included personnel assigned duties associated with assisting taxpayers.“It’s helpful for that to be part of the discussion so that people understand, when we’re talking about new employees, how that happens,” she said.Burghart said the Legislature had options in terms of shaping the work of an ombudsman or advocate dedicated to property taxation. The person could be informally added to payroll in the Department of Revenue or the individual could be located in a newly created state office founded, which would require passage of a state law.The ombudsman also could be established as a law school clinic led by students or as a nonprofit affiliated with the Kansas Bar Association, he said.He said an ombudsman should be appointed by the state revenue secretary after consultation with the chair of the Board of Tax Appeals and the revenue department’s director of property evaluation. It’s not necessary to include the post among jobs requiring Kansas Senate confirmation, he said.If the program proved beneficial in terms of BOTA’s case docket or processing times, Burghart said, the Legislature could consider broadening the ombudsman’s role into direct representation or formal advocacy of taxpayers in BOTA proceedings in which counties were involved in the cases.If the Legislature chose to deepen the ombudsman’s role regarding property tax cases the personnel should no longer be based within the revenue department, he said.Wheeler, the BOTA chair, said the taxpayer assistance position must be filled by a person with specialized expertise in taxation appeals.She said BOTA was neutral on whether the position needed to be located at BOTA, but “parameters of the position and its location deserve further consideration and debate.”She said it was unlikely the state could quickly implement a student-staffed taxation legal clinic at law schools at University of Kansas in Lawrence or Washburn University in Topeka.“Even if there was interest in this type of clinic, it’s likely that creation of a clinic would take substantially more time than creating a staff position,” Wheeler said.

Kansas Legislature tinkers with hiring taxpayer ombudsman to smooth property tax appeals

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide at a Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as&nbsp;41-year-old Craig Washington, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 8:30p.m. Tuesday, police officers were dispatched to a shooting at a convenience store in the 7000 Block of Prospect, according to Becchina.

Officers were led inside the store where they located Washington unresponsive on the ground. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS to come to the scene. EMS pronounced Washington deceased at the scene.

&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates that there were numerous people inside the store when Washington and a suspect or suspects had an interaction that escalated, eventually to gunfire, which struck Washington.

Police are making progress in the  identifying a suspect, according to Becchina.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763552289360.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday evening -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday evening -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide at a Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as&nbsp;41-year-old Craig Washington, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 8:30p.m. Tuesday, police officers were dispatched to a shooting at a convenience store in the 7000 Block of Prospect, according to Becchina.Officers were led inside the store where they located Washington unresponsive on the ground. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS to come to the scene. EMS pronounced Washington deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates that there were numerous people inside the store when Washington and a suspect or suspects had an interaction that escalated, eventually to gunfire, which struck Washington.Police are making progress in the identifying a suspect, according to Becchina.

Police ID victim in Kansas City convenience store shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — The top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cma-award-nominations-2025-bd8fa2bc6a641fb6bfaa7e0ad0c86840">Country Music Association Awards</a>&nbsp;went to none other than Lainey Wilson, who hosted, performed and barely left the stage Wednesday night.

“It takes a village,” she said in her acceptance speech. “We about to party.” She beat out Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cma-awards-morgan-wallen-post-malone-32859c3a9f19a64df6fbffe1ff20b302">last year’s winner in the category</a>.

Earlier in the night, she won album of the year for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lainey-wilson-interview-whirlwind-9659b6919f25ff037f732e42a4ef0c74">“Whirlwind” —</a>&nbsp;marking her second career win in the category — and earned the trophy for female vocalist of the year. It was her fourth time winning that title.

She celebrated other women in country music — and had a few choice words for those who don’t.

“For the folks that are sitting at home, in your mama’s basement, eating your Cheetos, trying to pit women against each other,” she concluded her speech. “Y’all need to find something better to do.”

In some ways, it echoed 2023's award show, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cma-awards-2023-country-music-d1a3807afd13cd394cb41134dc7fbce8">Wilson took home five trophies</a>&nbsp;including entertainer of the year.

But it wasn't just Lainey celebrating at the 59th annual CMA Awards, which aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. It was also a big night for Ella Langley and Riley Green from the jump. The duo's retro radio hit, “You Look Like You Love Me,” took home both single and song of the year at the 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cma-award-nominations-2025-bd8fa2bc6a641fb6bfaa7e0ad0c86840">Country Music Association Awards</a>&nbsp;Wednesday night.

“This song is the gift that keeps on giving,” Langley said.

“How cool is it that a song with talking verses wins song of the year,” added Green.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vince-gill">legendary Vince Gill</a>&nbsp;was presented with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, serenaded with his classic “When I Call Your Name” by Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless.

“His guitar playing is amazing. His songwriting is amazing. His singing is amazing,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-strait">George Strait.</a>&nbsp;He handed the award to Gill, his friend, and said there was none more deserving. “He's just an immense talent. And oh, yeah, he plays with The Eagles."

Gill joked throughout his acceptance speech. First, about his high vocal tone, and later, that he might be the only person to win the award “that's never smoked any weed,” a nod to its namesake and his friend Nelson.

<a href="https://apnews.com/music-50f085c74a414b96ac31effe381f252a">Brooks &amp; Dunn</a>&nbsp;won vocal duo of the year, their 16th victory in the category. “I heard earlier tonight, ‘Man, y’all ever get sick of this?’” Kix Brooks said in his acceptance speech. “Hell no!”

Male vocalist of the year went to Cody Johnson, his first win in the category.

Combs opened the show with a fiery rendition of his single “Back in the Saddle,” setting the stage for Wilson to launch into a spirited medley. She was joined by a star-studded crew of surprise collaborators,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/little-big-town">Little Big Town</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://apnews.com/hub/keith-urban">Keith Urban</a>&nbsp;among them.

Performances arrived fast and fierce from there: Moroney, Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, The Red Clay Strays, Stephen Wilson, Jr. and Kenny Chesney shined, one after another. Old Dominion performed on a small stage in the middle of the audience, working their way through a medley of “Break Up with Him," “Memory Lane," “One Man Band," “Hotel Key” and “Snapback.”

Shaboozey brought some much needed depth; Wilson's funky “Ring Finger” further proved she can do it all. Langley, Green, Tucker Wetmore and rapper BigXThaPlug held it down for a new generation of country music fans. The latter was especially noteworthy: Combs joined the Texas MC for their duet “Pray Hard,” further confirmation of country and rap's crossover.

Zach Top, who performed his ode to six-strings, “Guitar,” early in the show, took home the trophy for new artist of the year. “I can't remember if I was supposed to put my beer down first or not,” he joked in his speech before taking a swig. It was his first CMA Award.

The CMA Awards are nominated and voted on by members of the Country Music Association, which includes music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals.

The CMA Awards were broadcast live on ABC and will be available to stream Thursday on Hulu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763636494601.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cma-award-nominations-2025-bd8fa2bc6a641fb6bfaa7e0ad0c86840">Country Music Association Awards</a>&nbsp;went to none other than Lainey Wilson, who hosted, performed and barely left the stage Wednesday night.“It takes a village,” she said in her acceptance speech. “We about to party.” She beat out Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cma-awards-morgan-wallen-post-malone-32859c3a9f19a64df6fbffe1ff20b302">last year’s winner in the category</a>.Earlier in the night, she won album of the year for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lainey-wilson-interview-whirlwind-9659b6919f25ff037f732e42a4ef0c74">“Whirlwind” —</a>&nbsp;marking her second career win in the category — and earned the trophy for female vocalist of the year. It was her fourth time winning that title.She celebrated other women in country music — and had a few choice words for those who don’t.“For the folks that are sitting at home, in your mama’s basement, eating your Cheetos, trying to pit women against each other,” she concluded her speech. “Y’all need to find something better to do.”In some ways, it echoed 2023's award show, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cma-awards-2023-country-music-d1a3807afd13cd394cb41134dc7fbce8">Wilson took home five trophies</a>&nbsp;including entertainer of the year.But it wasn't just Lainey celebrating at the 59th annual CMA Awards, which aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. It was also a big night for Ella Langley and Riley Green from the jump. The duo's retro radio hit, “You Look Like You Love Me,” took home both single and song of the year at the 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cma-award-nominations-2025-bd8fa2bc6a641fb6bfaa7e0ad0c86840">Country Music Association Awards</a>&nbsp;Wednesday night.“This song is the gift that keeps on giving,” Langley said.“How cool is it that a song with talking verses wins song of the year,” added Green.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vince-gill">legendary Vince Gill</a>&nbsp;was presented with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, serenaded with his classic “When I Call Your Name” by Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless.“His guitar playing is amazing. His songwriting is amazing. His singing is amazing,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-strait">George Strait.</a>&nbsp;He handed the award to Gill, his friend, and said there was none more deserving. “He's just an immense talent. And oh, yeah, he plays with The Eagles."Gill joked throughout his acceptance speech. First, about his high vocal tone, and later, that he might be the only person to win the award “that's never smoked any weed,” a nod to its namesake and his friend Nelson.<a href="https://apnews.com/music-50f085c74a414b96ac31effe381f252a">Brooks &amp; Dunn</a>&nbsp;won vocal duo of the year, their 16th victory in the category. “I heard earlier tonight, ‘Man, y’all ever get sick of this?’” Kix Brooks said in his acceptance speech. “Hell no!”Male vocalist of the year went to Cody Johnson, his first win in the category.Combs opened the show with a fiery rendition of his single “Back in the Saddle,” setting the stage for Wilson to launch into a spirited medley. She was joined by a star-studded crew of surprise collaborators,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/little-big-town">Little Big Town</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://apnews.com/hub/keith-urban">Keith Urban</a>&nbsp;among them.Performances arrived fast and fierce from there: Moroney, Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, The Red Clay Strays, Stephen Wilson, Jr. and Kenny Chesney shined, one after another. Old Dominion performed on a small stage in the middle of the audience, working their way through a medley of “Break Up with Him," “Memory Lane," “One Man Band," “Hotel Key” and “Snapback.”Shaboozey brought some much needed depth; Wilson's funky “Ring Finger” further proved she can do it all. Langley, Green, Tucker Wetmore and rapper BigXThaPlug held it down for a new generation of country music fans. The latter was especially noteworthy: Combs joined the Texas MC for their duet “Pray Hard,” further confirmation of country and rap's crossover.Zach Top, who performed his ode to six-strings, “Guitar,” early in the show, took home the trophy for new artist of the year. “I can't remember if I was supposed to put my beer down first or not,” he joked in his speech before taking a swig. It was his first CMA Award.The CMA Awards are nominated and voted on by members of the Country Music Association, which includes music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals.The CMA Awards were broadcast live on ABC and will be available to stream Thursday on Hulu.

Big night for Lainey Wilson at 2025 CMA Awards

NEW HAVEN, CT —&nbsp; Brian Baker, 48, of Scott City, Kansas, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking firearms into Connecticut, according to the United State's Attorney's office.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2023, members of the FBI Waterbury Safe Streets Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of a total of nine firearms, and one controlled purchase of cocaine, from Luis Perez in Waterbury.&nbsp; An expanded investigation revealed that Perez was acquiring numerous firearms, most of which were purchased, at Baker’s direction, by individuals from licensed gun dealers in Kansas and then shipped through the U.S. Mail to a stash location maintained by Perez’s associate, Algelly Diaz, in Hartford.&nbsp; Perez then sold the firearms, which included assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to others throughout Connecticut.

Perez coordinated the purchase of the firearms through Baker in Kansas and Fernando Soto, Jr. in California.&nbsp; Baker, a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, used straw purchasers to purchase the firearms and then shipped them to Connecticut, or to Soto, who then shipped them to Connecticut and elsewhere.

Between August 2020 and May 2023, one of Baker’s straw purchasers, Ramon Pichardo, purchased at least 73 firearms from a licensed gun dealer in Deerfield, Kansas.

Baker and others involved in the conspiracy were arrested on May 19, 2023.&nbsp; On that date, investigators executed search warrants at locations in Connecticut, Kansas, and California.&nbsp; A search of Perez’s residence and vehicle revealed nine firearms; more than 200 rounds of ammunition; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl/heroin; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale; and more than $7,000 in cash.&nbsp; In addition, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 90 rounds of ammunition, and a search of a package that was shipped to Diaz and seized from the mail stream revealed an additional three firearms.

To date, approximately 34 of the trafficked firearms have been recovered by law enforcement in Connecticut and elsewhere, including one that recovered on August 27, 2022, in San Bernardino, California, at the scene of the homicide of a juvenile.

Baker has been detained since his arrest.&nbsp; On March 26, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, two counts of firearms trafficking, and two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms.

On March 19, 2025, Perez pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, three counts of firearms trafficking, two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.&nbsp; On April 4, 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/waterbury-man-guilty-firearm-offense-related-gun-trafficking-operation">a jury found him guilty</a>&nbsp;of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.&nbsp; He awaits sentencing.

Diaz pleaded guilty and, on February 4, 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/hartford-man-sentenced-4-years-federal-prison-role-gun-trafficking-ring">was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to 48 months of imprisonment.

Soto and Pichardo have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Connecticut State Police; and the Waterbury, Meriden, Hartford, Manchester, East Hartford, West Hartford, and Chino (Calif.) Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Christopher J. Lembo through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

NEW HAVEN, CT —&nbsp; Brian Baker, 48, of Scott City, Kansas, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking firearms into Connecticut, according to the United State's Attorney's office.According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2023, members of the FBI Waterbury Safe Streets Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of a total of nine firearms, and one controlled purchase of cocaine, from Luis Perez in Waterbury.&nbsp; An expanded investigation revealed that Perez was acquiring numerous firearms, most of which were purchased, at Baker’s direction, by individuals from licensed gun dealers in Kansas and then shipped through the U.S. Mail to a stash location maintained by Perez’s associate, Algelly Diaz, in Hartford.&nbsp; Perez then sold the firearms, which included assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to others throughout Connecticut.Perez coordinated the purchase of the firearms through Baker in Kansas and Fernando Soto, Jr. in California.&nbsp; Baker, a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, used straw purchasers to purchase the firearms and then shipped them to Connecticut, or to Soto, who then shipped them to Connecticut and elsewhere.Between August 2020 and May 2023, one of Baker’s straw purchasers, Ramon Pichardo, purchased at least 73 firearms from a licensed gun dealer in Deerfield, Kansas.Baker and others involved in the conspiracy were arrested on May 19, 2023.&nbsp; On that date, investigators executed search warrants at locations in Connecticut, Kansas, and California.&nbsp; A search of Perez’s residence and vehicle revealed nine firearms; more than 200 rounds of ammunition; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl/heroin; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale; and more than $7,000 in cash.&nbsp; In addition, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 90 rounds of ammunition, and a search of a package that was shipped to Diaz and seized from the mail stream revealed an additional three firearms.To date, approximately 34 of the trafficked firearms have been recovered by law enforcement in Connecticut and elsewhere, including one that recovered on August 27, 2022, in San Bernardino, California, at the scene of the homicide of a juvenile.Baker has been detained since his arrest.&nbsp; On March 26, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, two counts of firearms trafficking, and two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms.On March 19, 2025, Perez pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, three counts of firearms trafficking, two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.&nbsp; On April 4, 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/waterbury-man-guilty-firearm-offense-related-gun-trafficking-operation">a jury found him guilty</a>&nbsp;of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.&nbsp; He awaits sentencing.Diaz pleaded guilty and, on February 4, 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/hartford-man-sentenced-4-years-federal-prison-role-gun-trafficking-ring">was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to 48 months of imprisonment.Soto and Pichardo have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Connecticut State Police; and the Waterbury, Meriden, Hartford, Manchester, East Hartford, West Hartford, and Chino (Calif.) Police Departments.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Christopher J. Lembo through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

Prison for Kansas man for role in nationwide gun trafficking ring

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon accused in the accidental shooting of his 1-year-old daughter is due back in court Thursday.

Michael Tejeda, 25 of Wichita, will appear in&nbsp;Judge Chrystal Krier's courtroom for an arraignment hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In March, he was charged with 1st degree murder, two counts of aggravated endangering a child and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just after 8:30p.m. Feb. 28, police responded to a shooting inside a home in the 2200 block of S Santa Fe in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford. First responders discovered a 1-year-old girl who had sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body.

EMS transported the child to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:27p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Following an investigation, police arrested&nbsp; Tejeda.

Another child in the home at the time of the incident was placed in police protective custody, according to Ford. Police interviewed the mother of the children and she was not home at the time of the incident and was released by police.&nbsp; Tejeda remains jailed on a $500,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740922571690.png" alt="Tejeda-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Tejeda-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon accused in the accidental shooting of his 1-year-old daughter is due back in court Thursday.Michael Tejeda, 25 of Wichita, will appear in&nbsp;Judge Chrystal Krier's courtroom for an arraignment hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In March, he was charged with 1st degree murder, two counts of aggravated endangering a child and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the District Attorney's office.Just after 8:30p.m. Feb. 28, police responded to a shooting inside a home in the 2200 block of S Santa Fe in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford. First responders discovered a 1-year-old girl who had sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body.EMS transported the child to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:27p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Following an investigation, police arrested&nbsp; Tejeda.Another child in the home at the time of the incident was placed in police protective custody, according to Ford. Police interviewed the mother of the children and she was not home at the time of the incident and was released by police.&nbsp; Tejeda remains jailed on a $500,000 bond.

 Kan. man due back in court for  death of 1-year-old daughter

MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida has been indicted on charges accusing her of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and using some of the money to aid her 2021 campaign, the Justice Department said Wednesday.

The Democrat is accused of stealing Federal Emergency Management Agency overpayments that her family health care company had received through a federally funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract, federal prosecutors said. A portion of the money was then funneled to support her campaign through candidate contributions, prosecutors allege.

“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.”

A phone message left at Cherfilus-McCormick’s Washington office was not immediately returned.

Cherfilus-McCormick was first elected to Congress in 2022 in the 20th District, representing parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, in a special election after Rep. Alcee Hastings died in 2021.

In December 2024, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-cherfilus-mccormick-congress-ethics-lawsuit-8a2226a13d6724d25c08b352c2a37c50">Florida state agency sued</a>&nbsp;a company owned by Cherfilus-McCormick’s family, saying it overcharged the state by nearly $5.8 million for work done during the pandemic and wouldn’t give the money back.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management said it made a series of overpayments to Trinity Healthcare Services after hiring it in 2021 to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations. The agency says it discovered the problem after a single $5 million overpayment drew attention.

Cherfilus-McCormick was the CEO of Trinity at the time.

The Office of Congressional Ethics said in&nbsp;<a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/OCE-Report-and-Findings.pdf" target="_blank">a January report</a>&nbsp;that Cherfilus-McCormick’s income in 2021 was more than $6 million higher than in 2020, driven by nearly $5.75 million in consulting and profit-sharing fees received from Trinity Healthcare Services.

In July, the House Ethics Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethics-ocasiocortez-kelly-cherfilusmccormick-cuellar-20e022c458f96af9ef46264e5f29104a">unanimously voted</a>&nbsp;to reauthorize an investigative subcommittee to examine allegations involving Cherfilus-McCormick.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763600220155.png" alt="Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida has been indicted on charges accusing her of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and using some of the money to aid her 2021 campaign, the Justice Department said Wednesday.The Democrat is accused of stealing Federal Emergency Management Agency overpayments that her family health care company had received through a federally funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract, federal prosecutors said. A portion of the money was then funneled to support her campaign through candidate contributions, prosecutors allege.“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.”A phone message left at Cherfilus-McCormick’s Washington office was not immediately returned.Cherfilus-McCormick was first elected to Congress in 2022 in the 20th District, representing parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, in a special election after Rep. Alcee Hastings died in 2021.In December 2024, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-cherfilus-mccormick-congress-ethics-lawsuit-8a2226a13d6724d25c08b352c2a37c50">Florida state agency sued</a>&nbsp;a company owned by Cherfilus-McCormick’s family, saying it overcharged the state by nearly $5.8 million for work done during the pandemic and wouldn’t give the money back.The Florida Division of Emergency Management said it made a series of overpayments to Trinity Healthcare Services after hiring it in 2021 to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations. The agency says it discovered the problem after a single $5 million overpayment drew attention.Cherfilus-McCormick was the CEO of Trinity at the time.The Office of Congressional Ethics said in&nbsp;<a href="https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/OCE-Report-and-Findings.pdf" target="_blank">a January report</a>&nbsp;that Cherfilus-McCormick’s income in 2021 was more than $6 million higher than in 2020, driven by nearly $5.75 million in consulting and profit-sharing fees received from Trinity Healthcare Services.In July, the House Ethics Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethics-ocasiocortez-kelly-cherfilusmccormick-cuellar-20e022c458f96af9ef46264e5f29104a">unanimously voted</a>&nbsp;to reauthorize an investigative subcommittee to examine allegations involving Cherfilus-McCormick.

Congresswoman accused of stealing $5M in disaster funds

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run pedestrian incident and continue looking for a black 2008-2014 Cadillac CTS with damage to the driver’s side.


 
On November 16, the Wichita police department responded to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident in the 700 block of North St. Paul Avenue, according to a social media report from Wichita Police.

First responders found a 42-year-old man in the street with head injuries, who was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He remains in critical condition.
 
Officers learned that the 42-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman were walking northbound on St. Paul Avenue when a vehicle struck the victim and left the scene.


 
Evidence indicates that the victim was struck by a 2008-2014 black Cadillac CTS. The vehicle will have damage to the driver’s side.


If you see or know this vehicle, don't hesitate to get in touch with Detectives at 316-350-3685 or submit an anonymous tip through <a href="https://x.com/crimestoppers">@crimestoppers</a> at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763581603532.png" alt="Security camera image from Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image from Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run pedestrian incident and continue looking for a black 2008-2014 Cadillac CTS with damage to the driver’s side.
 
On November 16, the Wichita police department responded to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident in the 700 block of North St. Paul Avenue, according to a social media report from Wichita Police.First responders found a 42-year-old man in the street with head injuries, who was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He remains in critical condition.
 
Officers learned that the 42-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman were walking northbound on St. Paul Avenue when a vehicle struck the victim and left the scene.
 
Evidence indicates that the victim was struck by a 2008-2014 black Cadillac CTS. The vehicle will have damage to the driver’s side.
 
If you see or know this vehicle, don't hesitate to get in touch with Detectives at 316-350-3685 or submit an anonymous tip through <a href="https://x.com/crimestoppers">@crimestoppers</a> at 316-267-2111.

Police: Kansas hit-and-run victim still in critical condition

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;signed legislation Wednesday that compels his administration to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure from his own party after initially resisting those efforts.

Trump could have chosen to release many of the files on his own months ago.

“Democrats have used the ‘Epstein’ issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories,” Trump said in a social media post as he announced he had signed the bill.

Now, the bill requires the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in a federal prison in 2019, within 30 days. It allows for redactions about Epstein’s victims for ongoing federal investigations, but DOJ cannot withhold information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”

It was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-congress-trump-house-297a66ce48bd2a67c571bc643e32ef71">remarkable turn of events</a>&nbsp;for what was once a farfetched effort to force the disclosure of case files from an odd congressional coalition of Democrats, one GOP antagonist of the president, and a handful of erstwhile Trump loyalists. As recently as last week, the Trump administration even summoned one Republican proponent of releasing the files, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, to the Situation Room to discuss the matter, although she did not change her mind.

But over the weekend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-trump-congress-c858fcd7d587bb61d1b73753487b0ee1">Trump did a sharp U-turn</a>&nbsp;on the files once it became clear that congressional action was inevitable. He insisted the Epstein matter had become a distraction to the GOP agenda and indicated he wanted to move on.

“I just don’t want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that we’ve had,” Trump said in a social media post Tuesday afternoon, explaining the rationale for his abrupt about-face.

The House passed the legislation on a 427-1 vote, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clay-higgins-epstein-files-124f8e8104f7d39b0b57d0e8b8305386">Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., being the sole dissenter</a>. He argued that the bill’s language could lead to the release of information on innocent people mentioned in the federal investigation. The Senate later approved it unanimously, skipping a formal vote.

It’s long been established that Trump had been friends with Epstein, the disgraced financier who was close to the world’s elite. But the president has consistently said he did not know of Epstein’s crimes and had cut ties with him long ago.

Before Trump returned to the White House for a second term, some of his closest political allies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-bondi-bongino-fbi-a143076353acbc1193cb9697e7fc4a90">helped fuel conspiracy theories</a>&nbsp;about the government’s handling of the Epstein case, asserting a cover-up of potentially incriminating information in those files.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704330351229.png" alt="Epstein photo New York Sex offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Epstein photo New York Sex offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;signed legislation Wednesday that compels his administration to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure from his own party after initially resisting those efforts.Trump could have chosen to release many of the files on his own months ago.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 <a href="https://t.co/1wOibgzIvg">pic.twitter.com/1wOibgzIvg</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1991315973425754570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Democrats have used the ‘Epstein’ issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories,” Trump said in a social media post as he announced he had signed the bill.Now, the bill requires the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in a federal prison in 2019, within 30 days. It allows for redactions about Epstein’s victims for ongoing federal investigations, but DOJ cannot withhold information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”It was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-congress-trump-house-297a66ce48bd2a67c571bc643e32ef71">remarkable turn of events</a>&nbsp;for what was once a farfetched effort to force the disclosure of case files from an odd congressional coalition of Democrats, one GOP antagonist of the president, and a handful of erstwhile Trump loyalists. As recently as last week, the Trump administration even summoned one Republican proponent of releasing the files, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, to the Situation Room to discuss the matter, although she did not change her mind.But over the weekend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-files-trump-congress-c858fcd7d587bb61d1b73753487b0ee1">Trump did a sharp U-turn</a>&nbsp;on the files once it became clear that congressional action was inevitable. He insisted the Epstein matter had become a distraction to the GOP agenda and indicated he wanted to move on.“I just don’t want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that we’ve had,” Trump said in a social media post Tuesday afternoon, explaining the rationale for his abrupt about-face.The House passed the legislation on a 427-1 vote, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clay-higgins-epstein-files-124f8e8104f7d39b0b57d0e8b8305386">Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., being the sole dissenter</a>. He argued that the bill’s language could lead to the release of information on innocent people mentioned in the federal investigation. The Senate later approved it unanimously, skipping a formal vote.It’s long been established that Trump had been friends with Epstein, the disgraced financier who was close to the world’s elite. But the president has consistently said he did not know of Epstein’s crimes and had cut ties with him long ago.Before Trump returned to the White House for a second term, some of his closest political allies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-bondi-bongino-fbi-a143076353acbc1193cb9697e7fc4a90">helped fuel conspiracy theories</a>&nbsp;about the government’s handling of the Epstein case, asserting a cover-up of potentially incriminating information in those files.

Trump rips Dems as he signs bill to release Jeffrey Epstein case files

JOHNSON COUNTY —A former school paraprofessional who admitted having a sexual relationship with a student was sentenced last week.

Judge Jacquelyn Rokusek sentenced 28-year-old Kassidy Alexander of De Soto to 34 months in prison for unlawful sexual relations. Alexander was later placed on probation for 36 months, according to court documents filed Thursday.&nbsp; She must also register as a sex offender, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In August, Alexander was charged with unlawful sexual relations, according to online jail records in Johnson County.&nbsp; She is a former USD 232 Desoto school district employee at&nbsp;Lexington Trails Middle School.

On September 11,&nbsp; Alexander pleaded guilty to a single count of unlawful sexual relations with a student, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. Two other counts of unlawful sexual relations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

The crime involved events occurring from July 25, 2022, to March 2024, involving someone 16 years or older, a student in the school, according to court documents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763086522044.png" alt="Alexander-photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Alexander-photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A former school paraprofessional who admitted having a sexual relationship with a student was sentenced last week.Judge Jacquelyn Rokusek sentenced 28-year-old Kassidy Alexander of De Soto to 34 months in prison for unlawful sexual relations. Alexander was later placed on probation for 36 months, according to court documents filed Thursday.&nbsp; She must also register as a sex offender, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In August, Alexander was charged with unlawful sexual relations, according to online jail records in Johnson County.&nbsp; She is a former USD 232 Desoto school district employee at&nbsp;Lexington Trails Middle School.On September 11,&nbsp; Alexander pleaded guilty to a single count of unlawful sexual relations with a student, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. Two other counts of unlawful sexual relations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.The crime involved events occurring from July 25, 2022, to March 2024, involving someone 16 years or older, a student in the school, according to court documents.

Plea deal kept Kan. school district para out of prison for sex crimes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The prosecution of former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/james-comey">FBI Director James Comey</a>&nbsp;hit another hurdle Wednesday as the Justice Department encountered mounting questions about how the case was presented to a grand jury for indictment.

The development risked further imperiling a politically charged prosecution already subject to multiple challenges and demands for its dismissal. It came during a hearing in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-justice-department-trump-russia-fbi-e28deb290bd8f65f411fa11b64b93bad">Comey's lawyers asked</a>&nbsp;U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff to throw out the case on grounds that the government was being vindictive and as a separate challenge to Lindsey Halligan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-letitia-james-justice-department-ff6435d7bdbcc9e9495844899c7e2c4e">the hastily appointed and inexperienced prosecutor</a>&nbsp;who secured the indictment, is pending.

The Justice Department's acknowledgment under questioning from a judge that the full grand jury did not review a copy of the final indictment is the latest indication of its seemingly disjointed pursuit of a criminal case against one of President Donald Trump's political enemies. Comey was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-4ff1ecb621884a728b25e62661257ef0">fired by Trump in May 2017</a>&nbsp;while overseeing an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign. The two have been publicly at odds ever since, with Trump deriding Comey as “a weak and untruthful slime ball” and calling for his prosecution.

Concerns about the legal process came into focus earlier in the week when a different judge in the case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-halligan-justice-department-d663148e16d042087210d4d266ea10ae">raised questions about what he said were “profound investigative missteps,”</a>&nbsp;including misstatements of law to the grand jury. The Justice Department denies that the process was tainted by irregularities.

Halligan initially asked the grand jury to return a three-count indictment against Comey. But after the grand jurors rejected one of the proposed counts, the Justice Department subsequently secured a second two-count indictment that accused Comey of making a false statement and obstructing Congress. Comey has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

In a blistering ruling Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, also handling parts of the case, said that after reviewing a transcript of the grand jury proceedings, he had questions about whether the full grand jury had reviewed the final two-count indictment that was returned.

Nachmanoff, the trial judge, pressed the Justice Department about Fitzpatrick's concerns during a court session Wednesday that chiefly focused on Comey's vindictiveness arguments. After conferring privately with Halligan, Tyler Lemons, one of the prosecutors, acknowledged that the revised indictment was not shown to all of the grand jurors.

“I was not there, but that is my understanding, your honor,” Lemons said.

Nachmanoff called Halligan to the lectern and asked her who was present when the final indictment was presented to a magistrate. She said only two grand jurors, including the foreperson, were there.

Comey lawyer Michael Dreeben called the government’s failure to present the final indictment to the entire grand jury grounds for dismissing the case. He also argued that the statute of limitations for the charged crimes has elapsed without a valid indictment.

“That would be tantamount to a bar of further prosecution in this case,” Dreeben said.

Nachmanoff did not issue an immediate decision, saying “the issues are too weighty and too complex” for a bench ruling.

The Justice Department dismissed the import of the revelation in a pair of Wednesday evening filings, saying that the two charges in the final indictment were identical to the two counts the grand jury approved when presented with the proposed indictment.

“Given that the grand jury was presented with the two counts on which it voted to return an indictment and in fact voted upon those counts,” prosecutors said, the case need not be dismissed.

Dreeben separately argued that the prosecution was improperly vindictive and rooted in Trump’s quest for retribution, circumstances requiring a dismissal.

“The president’s use of the Department of Justice to bring a criminal prosecution against a vocal and prominent critic in order to punish and deter those who would speak out against him violates the Constitution,” Dreeben said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758848907803.png" alt="Former FBI Director James Comey from his Instagram account" />
 <figcaption>Former FBI Director James Comey from his Instagram account</figcaption>
 </figure>ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The prosecution of former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/james-comey">FBI Director James Comey</a>&nbsp;hit another hurdle Wednesday as the Justice Department encountered mounting questions about how the case was presented to a grand jury for indictment.The development risked further imperiling a politically charged prosecution already subject to multiple challenges and demands for its dismissal. It came during a hearing in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-justice-department-trump-russia-fbi-e28deb290bd8f65f411fa11b64b93bad">Comey's lawyers asked</a>&nbsp;U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff to throw out the case on grounds that the government was being vindictive and as a separate challenge to Lindsey Halligan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-letitia-james-justice-department-ff6435d7bdbcc9e9495844899c7e2c4e">the hastily appointed and inexperienced prosecutor</a>&nbsp;who secured the indictment, is pending.The Justice Department's acknowledgment under questioning from a judge that the full grand jury did not review a copy of the final indictment is the latest indication of its seemingly disjointed pursuit of a criminal case against one of President Donald Trump's political enemies. Comey was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-4ff1ecb621884a728b25e62661257ef0">fired by Trump in May 2017</a>&nbsp;while overseeing an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign. The two have been publicly at odds ever since, with Trump deriding Comey as “a weak and untruthful slime ball” and calling for his prosecution.Concerns about the legal process came into focus earlier in the week when a different judge in the case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/comey-halligan-justice-department-d663148e16d042087210d4d266ea10ae">raised questions about what he said were “profound investigative missteps,”</a>&nbsp;including misstatements of law to the grand jury. The Justice Department denies that the process was tainted by irregularities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758884974711.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758885000026.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A story of two indictments</h2>Halligan initially asked the grand jury to return a three-count indictment against Comey. But after the grand jurors rejected one of the proposed counts, the Justice Department subsequently secured a second two-count indictment that accused Comey of making a false statement and obstructing Congress. Comey has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.In a blistering ruling Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, also handling parts of the case, said that after reviewing a transcript of the grand jury proceedings, he had questions about whether the full grand jury had reviewed the final two-count indictment that was returned.Nachmanoff, the trial judge, pressed the Justice Department about Fitzpatrick's concerns during a court session Wednesday that chiefly focused on Comey's vindictiveness arguments. After conferring privately with Halligan, Tyler Lemons, one of the prosecutors, acknowledged that the revised indictment was not shown to all of the grand jurors.“I was not there, but that is my understanding, your honor,” Lemons said.Nachmanoff called Halligan to the lectern and asked her who was present when the final indictment was presented to a magistrate. She said only two grand jurors, including the foreperson, were there.Comey lawyer Michael Dreeben called the government’s failure to present the final indictment to the entire grand jury grounds for dismissing the case. He also argued that the statute of limitations for the charged crimes has elapsed without a valid indictment.“That would be tantamount to a bar of further prosecution in this case,” Dreeben said.Nachmanoff did not issue an immediate decision, saying “the issues are too weighty and too complex” for a bench ruling.The Justice Department dismissed the import of the revelation in a pair of Wednesday evening filings, saying that the two charges in the final indictment were identical to the two counts the grand jury approved when presented with the proposed indictment.“Given that the grand jury was presented with the two counts on which it voted to return an indictment and in fact voted upon those counts,” prosecutors said, the case need not be dismissed.<h2>Claims of vindictiveness</h2>Dreeben separately argued that the prosecution was improperly vindictive and rooted in Trump’s quest for retribution, circumstances requiring a dismissal.“The president’s use of the Department of Justice to bring a criminal prosecution against a vocal and prominent critic in order to punish and deter those who would speak out against him violates the Constitution,” Dreeben said.Though vindictive prosecution motions are not often successful, Comey’s lawyers have laid out a laundry list of verbal attacks from Trump in hopes of establishing the case as an outgrowth of the president's personal animus.Trump amplified his long-running demands for a Comey prosecution with a September social media post&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/letitia-james-eastern-district-of-virginia-trump-8c84bd8603a4b932f9cb2e451ef057a3">in which he complained to Attorney General Pam Bondi</a>&nbsp;about the lack of action against his political opponents. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation,” Trump wrote, adding that “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”“If this is not a direction to prosecute,” Dreeben said in court, “I’d really be at a loss to say what is.”The night of that post, Trump said he would appoint Halligan, a White House aide without prior prosecutorial experience, as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, on an interim basis. She replaced a veteran prosecutor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-letitia-james-siebert-trump-9ec1a96c05fa77d8acc558bd803622a2">who was effectively forced from the job</a>&nbsp;after not charging Comey or another Trump foe,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/letitia-james">New York Attorney General Letitia James.</a>Halligan secured an indictment of Comey days later as the statute of limitations on the case was about to expire. The charges are related to sworn testimony about whether Comey had authorized an FBI colleague to serve as an anonymous source to the news media.Asked by Nachmanoff whether he considered Halligan to be a “stalking horse” or “puppet” for the administration, Dreeben demurred and opted against that characterization. But, he said, “She did what she was told to do."Presidents, Dreeben said, have other tools at their disposal to punish critics, but bringing the full weight of the Justice Department to bear is impermissible.“The government cannot use power of criminal prosecutions to attempt to silence a critic in violation of the First Amendment,” he said.Lemons, the Justice Department prosecutor, insisted that Comey was indicted by a “properly constituted” grand jury because he broke the law — not because Trump ordered it.“The defendant is not being put on trial for anything he said about the president,” Lemons said.Lemons said nobody directed Halligan to prosecute Comey or seek his indictment.“It was her decision and her decision only,” he added.But Nachmanoff noted that Trump appointed Halligan just days before she presented the Comey case to the grand jury.“What independent evaluation could she have done in that time period?” he asked Lemons.Nachmanoff asked Lemons whether he has seen a “declination memo” in which prosecutors had outlined reasons for not seeking an indictment against Comey. Lemons said the department had instructed him not to disclose that “privileged” information.