WASHINGTON (AP) —A &nbsp;federal appeals court panel on Friday upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's petition to overturn the law — which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — and rebuffed the company's challenge of the statute, which it argued had ran afoul of the First Amendment.

“The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” said the court's opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg. “Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.”

TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term and whose Justice Department would have to enforce the law, said during the presidential campaign that he is now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-congress-president-282d8df7b91dce270316509badd39978">against a TikTok ban</a>&nbsp;and would work to “save” the social media platform.

Friday’s ruling came after the appeals court panel, composed of two Republican and one Democrat appointed judges,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-when-bytedance-china-9bb5407c93b2ab99548db17b95dc2259">heard oral arguments</a>&nbsp;in September. The three judges all denied TikTok's petition. Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge on the court who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued a concurring opinion.

The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was the culmination of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">years-long saga in Washington</a>&nbsp;over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-shou-zi-chew-8d8a6a9694357040d484670b7f4833be">sees as a national security threat</a>&nbsp;due to its connections to China.

The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-censorship-us-data-240e11d9bb6212b0c9b1adab821e5005">sensitive information on viewing habits</a>, that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect — a concern&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/romania-tiktok-elections-european-union-4b5e5c544a1d20da838e7502d46bc8f7">mirrored by the European Union</a>&nbsp;on Friday as it scrutinizes the video-sharing app’s role in the Romanian elections.

However, a significant portion of the government’s information in the case has been redacted and hidden from the public as well as the two companies.

TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the U.S. hasn’t provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijing’s benefit in the U.S. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government.

After the September hearing, some legal experts had said it was challenging to read the tea leaves on how the three judges would rule.

In a court hearing that lasted more than two hours, the panel appeared to grapple with how TikTok’s foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform.

The judges pressed Daniel Tenny, a Department of Justice attorney, on the implications the case could have on the First Amendment. But they also expressed some skepticism at TikTok’s arguments, challenging the company’s attorney - Andrew Pincus - on whether any First Amendment rights preclude the government from curtailing a powerful company subject to the laws and influence of a foreign adversary.

In parts of their questions about TikTok’s ownership, the judges cited wartime precedent that allows the U.S. to restrict foreign ownership of broadcast licenses and asked if the arguments presented by TikTok would apply if the U.S. was engaged in war.

To assuage concerns about the company’s owners, TikTok says it has invested more than $2 billion to bolster protections around U.S. user data.

The company also argues the government’s broader concerns could have been resolved in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-lawsuit-ban-5fc3bb029141b314c1f9d54b2ea47e61">draft agreement it provided</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration more than two years ago during talks between the two sides. It has blamed the government for walking away from further negotiations on the agreement, which the Justice Department argues is insufficient.

Attorneys for the two companies have claimed it’s impossible to divest the platform commercially and technologically. They also say any sale of TikTok without the coveted algorithm - the platform’s secret sauce that Chinese authorities would likely block under any divesture plan - would turn the U.S. version of TikTok into an island disconnected from other global content.

Still, some investors, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-mnuchin-house-senate-ffdf37776e63a09bb6966d741df7093b">Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin</a>&nbsp;and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing the platform. Both men said earlier this year that they were launching a consortium to purchase TikTok’s U.S. business.

This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said unnamed participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital.

TikTok’s lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators - for which the company is covering legal costs - as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc.

If TikTok appeals and the courts continue to uphold the law, it would fall on Trump’s Justice Department to enforce it and punish any potential violations with fines. The penalties would apply to app stores that would be prohibited from offering TikTok, and internet hosting services that would be barred from supporting it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710340628892.png" alt="Image Kansas 2nd District Congressman Jake LaTurner" />
 <figcaption>Image Kansas 2nd District Congressman Jake LaTurner</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —A &nbsp;federal appeals court panel on Friday upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S.The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's petition to overturn the law — which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — and rebuffed the company's challenge of the statute, which it argued had ran afoul of the First Amendment.“The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” said the court's opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg. “Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.”TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term and whose Justice Department would have to enforce the law, said during the presidential campaign that he is now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-congress-president-282d8df7b91dce270316509badd39978">against a TikTok ban</a>&nbsp;and would work to “save” the social media platform.Friday’s ruling came after the appeals court panel, composed of two Republican and one Democrat appointed judges,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-when-bytedance-china-9bb5407c93b2ab99548db17b95dc2259">heard oral arguments</a>&nbsp;in September. The three judges all denied TikTok's petition. Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge on the court who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued a concurring opinion.The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was the culmination of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-timeline-ban-biden-india-d3219a32de913f8083612e71ecf1f428">years-long saga in Washington</a>&nbsp;over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-shou-zi-chew-8d8a6a9694357040d484670b7f4833be">sees as a national security threat</a>&nbsp;due to its connections to China.The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-censorship-us-data-240e11d9bb6212b0c9b1adab821e5005">sensitive information on viewing habits</a>, that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect — a concern&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/romania-tiktok-elections-european-union-4b5e5c544a1d20da838e7502d46bc8f7">mirrored by the European Union</a>&nbsp;on Friday as it scrutinizes the video-sharing app’s role in the Romanian elections.However, a significant portion of the government’s information in the case has been redacted and hidden from the public as well as the two companies.TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the U.S. hasn’t provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijing’s benefit in the U.S. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government.After the September hearing, some legal experts had said it was challenging to read the tea leaves on how the three judges would rule.In a court hearing that lasted more than two hours, the panel appeared to grapple with how TikTok’s foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform.The judges pressed Daniel Tenny, a Department of Justice attorney, on the implications the case could have on the First Amendment. But they also expressed some skepticism at TikTok’s arguments, challenging the company’s attorney - Andrew Pincus - on whether any First Amendment rights preclude the government from curtailing a powerful company subject to the laws and influence of a foreign adversary.In parts of their questions about TikTok’s ownership, the judges cited wartime precedent that allows the U.S. to restrict foreign ownership of broadcast licenses and asked if the arguments presented by TikTok would apply if the U.S. was engaged in war.To assuage concerns about the company’s owners, TikTok says it has invested more than $2 billion to bolster protections around U.S. user data.The company also argues the government’s broader concerns could have been resolved in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-lawsuit-ban-5fc3bb029141b314c1f9d54b2ea47e61">draft agreement it provided</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration more than two years ago during talks between the two sides. It has blamed the government for walking away from further negotiations on the agreement, which the Justice Department argues is insufficient.Attorneys for the two companies have claimed it’s impossible to divest the platform commercially and technologically. They also say any sale of TikTok without the coveted algorithm - the platform’s secret sauce that Chinese authorities would likely block under any divesture plan - would turn the U.S. version of TikTok into an island disconnected from other global content.Still, some investors, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-mnuchin-house-senate-ffdf37776e63a09bb6966d741df7093b">Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin</a>&nbsp;and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing the platform. Both men said earlier this year that they were launching a consortium to purchase TikTok’s U.S. business.This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said unnamed participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital.TikTok’s lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators - for which the company is covering legal costs - as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc.If TikTok appeals and the courts continue to uphold the law, it would fall on Trump’s Justice Department to enforce it and punish any potential violations with fines. The penalties would apply to app stores that would be prohibited from offering TikTok, and internet hosting services that would be barred from supporting it.

Court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just after 5p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 8700 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

First responders immediately began to canvas for a victim. There were several people in the area summoning officers to a nearby vehicle, where an adult male victim was reportedly shot. 

Officers located the victim unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS responded shortly after and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

Police do not have a person of interest identified or anyone in custody at this time.

Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to collect any evidence and gather witness statements. Detectives are working to determine what led up to the shooting. The name of the victim has not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733484217063.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 5p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 8700 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.First responders immediately began to canvas for a victim. There were several people in the area summoning officers to a nearby vehicle, where an adult male victim was reportedly shot. Officers located the victim unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. EMS responded shortly after and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.Police do not have a person of interest identified or anyone in custody at this time.Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to collect any evidence and gather witness statements. Detectives are working to determine what led up to the shooting. The name of the victim has not been released.

KCPD: Man found with gunshot wound in vehicle

GREENVALE, N.Y. (AP) — Not yet even in office,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Thursday he's already accomplished more than President Joe Biden did in his entire term, an outsized claim by the president-elect just a month out from the election.

Trump, who has been largely ensconced at his Mar-a-Lago club in recent weeks as he's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-peter-navarro-nasa-isaacman-2566b318a1f82ad17d8d1abf17e9d218">worked to staff</a>&nbsp;his new administration, made the comment as he ventured to New York's Long Island to be honored as part of Fox Nation’s annual&nbsp;<a href="https://nation.foxnews.com/fox-nation-patriot-awards-2024/">Patriot Awards</a>&nbsp;on Fox's streaming platform.

“I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than you have in the last four years,” Trump told the crowd at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.

“It was a tremendous day, a tremendous night,” he said, recalling his election victory in a 10-minute acceptance speech that sounded like a highlight reel of his campaign rally speeches. It came complete with a live performance of “God Bless the USA” by the singer Lee Greenwood, calls to “get the criminals out of our country” and an embrace of all-paper election ballots and mandatory voter ID.

Trump also pointed to the conversations he's had with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-claudia-sheinbaum-woman-president-aa24527fc05dafa9e30b28e4bb40ccbd">Claudia Sheinbaum</a>&nbsp;since he threatened two of the country's top trading partners with a 25% tariff on all imported goods unless they do more to tackle illegal border crossings and drug flows.

“Justin came flying right in,” Trump said in reference to Trudeau's trip to Mar-a-Lago. That prompted some in the audience to chant “51!” — a nod to Trump apparently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-trump-tariffs-trudeau-trade-opposition-border-5d3dbbb4a701bb1676ee588bfbf2396a">joking at his dinner with Trudeau</a>&nbsp;that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state.

The annual awards “honor and recognize America’s finest patriots, including military veterans, first responders and other inspirational everyday heroes,” according to Fox. The event was hosted by Fox host Sean Hannity, a longtime Trump friend who stepped in after the president-elect nominated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-pentagon-desantis-senate-allegations-3cb8c7d7bb555ed075cbbb4e8dad0741">Pete Hegseth</a>, the original host, as defense secretary.

Among those recognized Thursday night were conservative actor and evangelist Kirk Cameron; Gen. Dick Cody, who used his own helicopter to deliver supplies to people after Hurricane Helene; and Jonathan Diller,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nypd-officer-diller-funeral-20b4a15045757b0e479fe33598359348">the New York Police Department officer who was killed during a traffic stop</a>&nbsp;in Queens. His widow, Stephanie, received a standing ovation and thanked Trump for his support. Others invoked Trump as well.

The ceremony also honored Paws of War, an organization that provides service dogs to veterans and helps those serving overseas bring animals they meet in war zones to the U.S.

The heartfelt moments were juxtaposed against the kind of boisterous and incendiary political fare that loyal watchers of Fox hosts like Hannity expect.

The anchor used his introduction to take an election victory lap, boasting that Democrats “got their ass kicked." He played “YMCA” — the song Trump has long used to close out his rallies — and invited audience members to dance like the president-elect. And he offered a series of impressions, mimicking former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz’s enthusiasm and Biden appearing lost, complete with a backdrop of the rainforest where he spoke during a recent trip to the Amazon.

Later, he donned an orange safety vest — a nod to the one Trump wore when he delivered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-garbage-truck-wisconsin-1b9b2882b59639ba0dc898b0b45e395b">a press conference from a garbage truck</a>&nbsp;during the campaign after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-c7d5aadbe44e51012f6fcfde374fdcc5">suggested Trump’s supporters were garbage</a>.

Trump's award marks the culmination of Fox's reembrace of the president-elect, who has had an up-and-down relationship with the network in recent years.

Fox&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fox-news-dominion-lawsuit-trial-trump-2020-0ac71f75acfacc52ea80b3e747fb0afe">paid $787 million</a>&nbsp;in 2023 to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems over false claims by Fox personalities who echoed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-lies-debunked-4fc26546b07962fdbf9d66e739fbb50d">Trump's lies that the 2020 election was stolen</a>&nbsp;from him through mass voter fraud. For more than six months ending in spring 2023, Fox had what many considered a “soft ban” on Trump appearances, with its leaders looking to move on. But when it became clear that voters did not want to, Fox and its personalities were quick to embrace Trump again.

Individual personalities have undergone their own journeys: Former Fox host Megyn Kelly drew Trump’s ire in a 2015 debate for her sharp question about his treatment of women;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-megyn-kelly-rally-closing-message-11f88728b4ee24f8bfed59e68200805b">now she’s a popular podcast host</a>&nbsp;and Trump supporter. The Dominion lawsuit uncovered emails in which former Fox host Tucker Carlson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tucker-carlson-fox-news-murdoch-capitol-attack-96c305cf4046aaf373130876940fd06e">spoke disparagingly</a>&nbsp;of Trump, including saying he “truly can’t wait” for Trump to become an ex-president. They’ve since made amends.

Through it all, Trump has been quick to take to social media to criticize Fox for content he deems insufficiently loyal.

“You have incredible people at Fox," he said before quipping, “A couple I don’t like."

Trump has begun to emerge more in public since spending most of his transition so far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-election-week-transition-maralago-bee52b9b3a06c12741d9db2e2fc7bb78">behind closed doors</a>&nbsp;at his club in Palm Beach, Florida. This week, he made an unannounced appearance at a memorial service for three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were killed in a car crash last month.

This weekend, he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-paris-notre-dame-macron-32d9086e3d2f21ae871f5bb1120929be">travel to Paris</a>&nbsp;to join other world leaders and dignitaries for a ceremony to celebrate the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-cathedral-reopens-ceremony-security-fire-efc740d20cf91f5ba1eabf45eecfe8ad">reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral</a>, which was devastated by a fire five years ago.

AP Media Writer David Bauder contributed to this report.

GREENVALE, N.Y. (AP) — Not yet even in office,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Thursday he's already accomplished more than President Joe Biden did in his entire term, an outsized claim by the president-elect just a month out from the election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> receiving the Patriot of the Year Award 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/aFAFLo4vh1">pic.twitter.com/aFAFLo4vh1</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@margomartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/margomartin/status/1864877246944567419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump, who has been largely ensconced at his Mar-a-Lago club in recent weeks as he's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-peter-navarro-nasa-isaacman-2566b318a1f82ad17d8d1abf17e9d218">worked to staff</a>&nbsp;his new administration, made the comment as he ventured to New York's Long Island to be honored as part of Fox Nation’s annual&nbsp;<a href="https://nation.foxnews.com/fox-nation-patriot-awards-2024/">Patriot Awards</a>&nbsp;on Fox's streaming platform.“I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than you have in the last four years,” Trump told the crowd at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.“It was a tremendous day, a tremendous night,” he said, recalling his election victory in a 10-minute acceptance speech that sounded like a highlight reel of his campaign rally speeches. It came complete with a live performance of “God Bless the USA” by the singer Lee Greenwood, calls to “get the criminals out of our country” and an embrace of all-paper election ballots and mandatory voter ID.Trump also pointed to the conversations he's had with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-claudia-sheinbaum-woman-president-aa24527fc05dafa9e30b28e4bb40ccbd">Claudia Sheinbaum</a>&nbsp;since he threatened two of the country's top trading partners with a 25% tariff on all imported goods unless they do more to tackle illegal border crossings and drug flows.“Justin came flying right in,” Trump said in reference to Trudeau's trip to Mar-a-Lago. That prompted some in the audience to chant “51!” — a nod to Trump apparently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-trump-tariffs-trudeau-trade-opposition-border-5d3dbbb4a701bb1676ee588bfbf2396a">joking at his dinner with Trudeau</a>&nbsp;that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state.The annual awards “honor and recognize America’s finest patriots, including military veterans, first responders and other inspirational everyday heroes,” according to Fox. The event was hosted by Fox host Sean Hannity, a longtime Trump friend who stepped in after the president-elect nominated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-pentagon-desantis-senate-allegations-3cb8c7d7bb555ed075cbbb4e8dad0741">Pete Hegseth</a>, the original host, as defense secretary.Among those recognized Thursday night were conservative actor and evangelist Kirk Cameron; Gen. Dick Cody, who used his own helicopter to deliver supplies to people after Hurricane Helene; and Jonathan Diller,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nypd-officer-diller-funeral-20b4a15045757b0e479fe33598359348">the New York Police Department officer who was killed during a traffic stop</a>&nbsp;in Queens. His widow, Stephanie, received a standing ovation and thanked Trump for his support. Others invoked Trump as well.The ceremony also honored Paws of War, an organization that provides service dogs to veterans and helps those serving overseas bring animals they meet in war zones to the U.S.The heartfelt moments were juxtaposed against the kind of boisterous and incendiary political fare that loyal watchers of Fox hosts like Hannity expect.The anchor used his introduction to take an election victory lap, boasting that Democrats “got their ass kicked." He played “YMCA” — the song Trump has long used to close out his rallies — and invited audience members to dance like the president-elect. And he offered a series of impressions, mimicking former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz’s enthusiasm and Biden appearing lost, complete with a backdrop of the rainforest where he spoke during a recent trip to the Amazon.Later, he donned an orange safety vest — a nod to the one Trump wore when he delivered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-garbage-truck-wisconsin-1b9b2882b59639ba0dc898b0b45e395b">a press conference from a garbage truck</a>&nbsp;during the campaign after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-c7d5aadbe44e51012f6fcfde374fdcc5">suggested Trump’s supporters were garbage</a>.Trump's award marks the culmination of Fox's reembrace of the president-elect, who has had an up-and-down relationship with the network in recent years.Fox&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fox-news-dominion-lawsuit-trial-trump-2020-0ac71f75acfacc52ea80b3e747fb0afe">paid $787 million</a>&nbsp;in 2023 to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems over false claims by Fox personalities who echoed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-lies-debunked-4fc26546b07962fdbf9d66e739fbb50d">Trump's lies that the 2020 election was stolen</a>&nbsp;from him through mass voter fraud. For more than six months ending in spring 2023, Fox had what many considered a “soft ban” on Trump appearances, with its leaders looking to move on. But when it became clear that voters did not want to, Fox and its personalities were quick to embrace Trump again.Individual personalities have undergone their own journeys: Former Fox host Megyn Kelly drew Trump’s ire in a 2015 debate for her sharp question about his treatment of women;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-megyn-kelly-rally-closing-message-11f88728b4ee24f8bfed59e68200805b">now she’s a popular podcast host</a>&nbsp;and Trump supporter. The Dominion lawsuit uncovered emails in which former Fox host Tucker Carlson&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tucker-carlson-fox-news-murdoch-capitol-attack-96c305cf4046aaf373130876940fd06e">spoke disparagingly</a>&nbsp;of Trump, including saying he “truly can’t wait” for Trump to become an ex-president. They’ve since made amends.Through it all, Trump has been quick to take to social media to criticize Fox for content he deems insufficiently loyal.On Thursday, he was more magnanimous.“You have incredible people at Fox," he said before quipping, “A couple I don’t like."Trump has begun to emerge more in public since spending most of his transition so far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-election-week-transition-maralago-bee52b9b3a06c12741d9db2e2fc7bb78">behind closed doors</a>&nbsp;at his club in Palm Beach, Florida. This week, he made an unannounced appearance at a memorial service for three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were killed in a car crash last month.This weekend, he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-paris-notre-dame-macron-32d9086e3d2f21ae871f5bb1120929be">travel to Paris</a>&nbsp;to join other world leaders and dignitaries for a ceremony to celebrate the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-cathedral-reopens-ceremony-security-fire-efc740d20cf91f5ba1eabf45eecfe8ad">reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral</a>, which was devastated by a fire five years ago.___AP Media Writer David Bauder contributed to this report.

Trump talks up election victory as he receives Patriot of the Year Award 

MIAMI COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating the death of a juvenile in rural Miami County have identified the victim as a 15-year-old from Olathe, according to the Miami County Sheriff's office.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, the Miami County Sheriff's office received a 911 call requesting an ambulance for a death, according to a media release.

The caller indicated a juvenile had been injured inside a residence. First responders discovered the juvenile deceased inside the home.&nbsp; EMS transported a second juvenile, a 16-year-old Spring Hill boy, to the local hospital as a precautionary measure.

As the investigation unfolded, the death was deemed suspicious prompting the involvement of additional recourses. The sheriff's office reviewed the scene and a search warrant was executed at the home. The Johnson County Sheriff's office crime scene unit also assisted.

During the investigation, the 16-year-old at the hospital was taken into custody and later transported to the juvenile detention facility. Both juveniles were students in the Spring Hill USD 230&nbsp; and are not related.

Authorities have not released details on the cause of death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733398221816.png" alt="Law enforcement on the scene of the investigation on Wednesday-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement on the scene of the investigation on Wednesday-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating the death of a juvenile in rural Miami County have identified the victim as a 15-year-old from Olathe, according to the Miami County Sheriff's office.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, the Miami County Sheriff's office received a 911 call requesting an ambulance for a death, according to a media release.The caller indicated a juvenile had been injured inside a residence. First responders discovered the juvenile deceased inside the home.&nbsp; EMS transported a second juvenile, a 16-year-old Spring Hill boy, to the local hospital as a precautionary measure.As the investigation unfolded, the death was deemed suspicious prompting the involvement of additional recourses. The sheriff's office reviewed the scene and a search warrant was executed at the home. The Johnson County Sheriff's office crime scene unit also assisted.During the investigation, the 16-year-old at the hospital was taken into custody and later transported to the juvenile detention facility. Both juveniles were students in the Spring Hill USD 230&nbsp; and are not related.Authorities have not released details on the cause of death.

Rural Kan. homicide: 15-year-old victim, 16-year-old in custody

KANSAS CITY —One person injured in a November 21 three-vehicle crash in Kansas&nbsp; City has&nbsp; died, according to the Jackson County Medical Examiner's office.

Just before 8:30a.m. Nov. 21, a Volkswagen and a Volvo were southbound on Troost Avenue near East 83rd Street, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp;

A Chevrolet Malibu was facing east on East 83rd Street. The driver of the Chevrolet pulled out in front of the Volvo and Volkswagen. Both of those vehicles struck the Chevrolet in the left side.

EMS transported the rear passenger in the Chevrolet to an area hospital with critical injuries. He was pronounced dead just after 1:30p.m. Thursday from injuries&nbsp; in the crash. Police did not know if he was wearing his seatbelt.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY —One person injured in a November 21 three-vehicle crash in Kansas&nbsp; City has&nbsp; died, according to the Jackson County Medical Examiner's office.Just before 8:30a.m. Nov. 21, a Volkswagen and a Volvo were southbound on Troost Avenue near East 83rd Street, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.&nbsp;A Chevrolet Malibu was facing east on East 83rd Street. The driver of the Chevrolet pulled out in front of the Volvo and Volkswagen. Both of those vehicles struck the Chevrolet in the left side.EMS transported the rear passenger in the Chevrolet to an area hospital with critical injuries. He was pronounced dead just after 1:30p.m. Thursday from injuries&nbsp; in the crash. Police did not know if he was wearing his seatbelt.&nbsp;

KCPD: Man dies two weeks after 3-vehicle crash

NEW YORK (AP) — As the investigation into a masked gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-shooting-death-daa1e8c8c05606197a5bd2e0242f1683">stalked and killed</a>&nbsp;the head of one of the largest U.S. health insurers moved into its third day Friday, possible leads emerged about his travel before the shooting and a message scrawled on ammunition found at the crime scene.

UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;was killed in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked from his midtown hotel to the company’s annual investor conference across the street, blocks from tourist draws such as Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

But days later, the gunman was still at large and the reason for the killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">remained unknown</a>, with New York City police saying evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack.

Investigators worked to piece together more of the timeline of the gunman’s whereabouts before the shooting, examine security camera footage and even test a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper in a hunt for his DNA.

The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were found emblazoned on the ammunition, echoing a phrase used by insurance industry critics, two law enforcement officials said Thursday, speaking to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.

The messages mimic the phrase “delay, deny, defend,” which is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">commonly used</a>&nbsp;by lawyers and insurance industry critics to describe tactics used to avoid paying claims. It refers to insurers delaying payment, denying a claim and then defending their actions. Health insurers like UnitedHealthcare have become frequent targets of criticism from doctors and patients for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/als-ventilator-insurance-coverage-unitedhealthcare-fa9c90c675a8755dcf30ebde824268e4">denying claims</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cancer-nausea-zofran-ondansetron-coverage-limits-c73a6d1d8ad20108319473d083ee81d2">complicating access</a>&nbsp;to care.

Investigators also now believe the suspect may have traveled to New York last month on a bus that originated in Atlanta, one of the law enforcement officials said.

Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, the official said.

Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled.

A tip that the shooter may have stayed at a hostel brought police Thursday morning to at least two such establishments on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, according to one of the law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. The photos made public Thursday were taken in the lobby of the HI New York City hostel.

“We are fully cooperating with the NYPD and, as this is an active investigation, can not comment at this time,” hostel spokesperson Danielle Brumfitt said in an emailed statement.

Police released new photos Thursday of a person wanted for questioning in connection with Thompson’s killing.

The images, showing an unmasked man smiling in the lobby of a Manhattan hostel, add to a collection of photos and video that have circulated since the shooting — including footage of the attack itself, as well as still frames of the suspected gunman stopping at a Starbucks beforehand.

Investigators believe the suspect used a fake New Jersey identification card when he checked in at the hostel, said one of the officials who spoke with the AP.

Employees who work at the hostel told investigators they remembered a man who almost always wore a mask when interacting with them or passing by the front desk. That person wore a jacket that looked like the one worn by the man pictured in surveillance images released after the shooting, the official said.

After the shooting, police said the gunman fled on a bicycle and was last seen riding into Central Park.

Based on surveillance video and evidence from the scene, investigators believe the shooter had at least some firearms training and experience with guns and that the weapon was equipped with a silencer, one of the law enforcement officials told the AP.

Investigators were also looking into whether the suspect had pre-positioned a bike as part of an escape plan, the official said.

Security video shows the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the executive tumbled to the sidewalk. Cameras showed him fleeing the block across a pedestrian plaza before getting on the bicycle.

Police released several images of the man wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face — a look that would not have attracted attention on a chilly morning.

Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in a Minneapolis suburb, had been with Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years.

His wife, Paulette, told NBC News on Wednesday that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage.

The insurer’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual meeting in New York to update investors on its direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference after Thompson’s death.

UnitedHealthcare provides coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in more than $281 billion in revenue last year. It is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs.

In October, UnitedHealthcare was named along with Humana and CVS in a Senate report detailing how its denial rate for prior authorizations for some Medicare Advantage patients has surged in recent years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733418156665.png" alt="Photo NYPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo NYPD</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — As the investigation into a masked gunman who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-shooting-death-daa1e8c8c05606197a5bd2e0242f1683">stalked and killed</a>&nbsp;the head of one of the largest U.S. health insurers moved into its third day Friday, possible leads emerged about his travel before the shooting and a message scrawled on ammunition found at the crime scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733417735866.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>UnitedHealthcare CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-healthcare-ceo-new-york-shooting-brian-thompson-8a130e64bcab749d1a085f5a34ab8254">Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;was killed in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked from his midtown hotel to the company’s annual investor conference across the street, blocks from tourist draws such as Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733324311684.png" alt="Brian Thompson-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Brian Thompson-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>But days later, the gunman was still at large and the reason for the killing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d">remained unknown</a>, with New York City police saying evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733418191516.png" alt="Photo NYPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo NYPD</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators worked to piece together more of the timeline of the gunman’s whereabouts before the shooting, examine security camera footage and even test a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper in a hunt for his DNA.The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were found emblazoned on the ammunition, echoing a phrase used by insurance industry critics, two law enforcement officials said Thursday, speaking to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.The messages mimic the phrase “delay, deny, defend,” which is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">commonly used</a>&nbsp;by lawyers and insurance industry critics to describe tactics used to avoid paying claims. It refers to insurers delaying payment, denying a claim and then defending their actions. Health insurers like UnitedHealthcare have become frequent targets of criticism from doctors and patients for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/als-ventilator-insurance-coverage-unitedhealthcare-fa9c90c675a8755dcf30ebde824268e4">denying claims</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cancer-nausea-zofran-ondansetron-coverage-limits-c73a6d1d8ad20108319473d083ee81d2">complicating access</a>&nbsp;to care.Investigators also now believe the suspect may have traveled to New York last month on a bus that originated in Atlanta, one of the law enforcement officials said.Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, the official said.Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled.A tip that the shooter may have stayed at a hostel brought police Thursday morning to at least two such establishments on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, according to one of the law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. The photos made public Thursday were taken in the lobby of the HI New York City hostel.“We are fully cooperating with the NYPD and, as this is an active investigation, can not comment at this time,” hostel spokesperson Danielle Brumfitt said in an emailed statement.Police released new photos Thursday of a person wanted for questioning in connection with Thompson’s killing.The images, showing an unmasked man smiling in the lobby of a Manhattan hostel, add to a collection of photos and video that have circulated since the shooting — including footage of the attack itself, as well as still frames of the suspected gunman stopping at a Starbucks beforehand.Investigators believe the suspect used a fake New Jersey identification card when he checked in at the hostel, said one of the officials who spoke with the AP.Employees who work at the hostel told investigators they remembered a man who almost always wore a mask when interacting with them or passing by the front desk. That person wore a jacket that looked like the one worn by the man pictured in surveillance images released after the shooting, the official said.After the shooting, police said the gunman fled on a bicycle and was last seen riding into Central Park.Based on surveillance video and evidence from the scene, investigators believe the shooter had at least some firearms training and experience with guns and that the weapon was equipped with a silencer, one of the law enforcement officials told the AP.Investigators were also looking into whether the suspect had pre-positioned a bike as part of an escape plan, the official said.Security video shows the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the executive tumbled to the sidewalk. Cameras showed him fleeing the block across a pedestrian plaza before getting on the bicycle.Police released several images of the man wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face — a look that would not have attracted attention on a chilly morning.Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in a Minneapolis suburb, had been with Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years.His wife, Paulette, told NBC News on Wednesday that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage.The insurer’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual meeting in New York to update investors on its direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference after Thompson’s death.UnitedHealthcare provides coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in more than $281 billion in revenue last year. It is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs.In October, UnitedHealthcare was named along with Humana and CVS in a Senate report detailing how its denial rate for prior authorizations for some Medicare Advantage patients has surged in recent years.

New clues: Gunman who killed insurance CEO still at large

JOHNSON COUNTY —Firefighters battled a well-involved garage fire&nbsp;in Olathe on Wednesday. Crews responded just before 6p.m.

The blaze caused extensive damage to the home and two vehicles parked in the driveway. Thankfully, no injuries. A family of four is displaced. Investigators are working on a cause.

Fire officials reminded the public to "check your home smoke alarms by pressing the test button. Replace any alarm that is 10 years of age or older."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733397790498.jpeg" alt="Photos Olathe Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos Olathe Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Firefighters battled a well-involved garage fire&nbsp;in Olathe on Wednesday. Crews responded just before 6p.m.The blaze caused extensive damage to the home and two vehicles parked in the driveway. Thankfully, no injuries. A family of four is displaced. Investigators are working on a cause.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733397853229.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fire officials reminded the public to "check your home smoke alarms by pressing the test button. Replace any alarm that is 10 years of age or older."

Family displaced after fire at Kansas home

WASHINGTON (AP) — As he presided over his final Christmas tree lighting at the White House, President Joe Biden on Thursday said his wish for the nation now, and always, was that “we continue to seek the light of liberty and love, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lighting-christmas-tree-national-730fb9076756772a664162b3a87c6261">Biden spoke briefly to the crowd</a>&nbsp;who were decked out in heavy winter layers as frigid winds and chilly temperatures hit the nation's capital. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were also in attendance. The tree has been set up on the Ellipse outside the White House South Lawn, and it's visible on the streets.

The 30-foot red spruce tree came from Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Grayson County, Virginia. It was transferred to the White House on Nov. 15.

It’s the final holiday stretch for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>. His wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill</a>, has decked out the White House with whimsical decorations to evoke the “peace and light” of the season. She missed the lighting this year because she was in Doha, Qatar, where she was discussing her initiative on women’s health.

So Biden did the honors himself, counting down from five before the tree light up a cheery bright green from the tip-top to the bottom of the trunk. He wished the crowd a Merry Christmas before stepping down to take his seat for musical performances.

Biden said the theme reflects the “peace we feel as we pause and reflect our on blessings and the light we see as we gather with loved ones and cherish our time together.”

The tree lighting ceremony is an annual tradition. On Thursday, Trombone Shorty and Trisha Yearwood were among the performers.

The White House Christmas display includes a towering tree surrounded by an amusement park-style carousel, brass-colored bells and sleigh bells lining a hallway, and a ceiling design that mimics snowfall.

That tree came from a farm in Newland, North Carolina, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;struck earlier this year.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-north-carolina-helene-e4868d6b13c65cd4944c5fe26fafb058">The Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm</a>, which had stood for decades, lost thousands of trees to a mudslide.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As he presided over his final Christmas tree lighting at the White House, President Joe Biden on Thursday said his wish for the nation now, and always, was that “we continue to seek the light of liberty and love, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency.”<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1032271605249841%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=124" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lighting-christmas-tree-national-730fb9076756772a664162b3a87c6261">Biden spoke briefly to the crowd</a>&nbsp;who were decked out in heavy winter layers as frigid winds and chilly temperatures hit the nation's capital. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were also in attendance. The tree has been set up on the Ellipse outside the White House South Lawn, and it's visible on the streets.The 30-foot red spruce tree came from Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Grayson County, Virginia. It was transferred to the White House on Nov. 15.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733484870658.png" alt="Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff arrive at the event-" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff arrive at the event-</figcaption>
 </figure>It’s the final holiday stretch for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>. His wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill</a>, has decked out the White House with whimsical decorations to evoke the “peace and light” of the season. She missed the lighting this year because she was in Doha, Qatar, where she was discussing her initiative on women’s health.So Biden did the honors himself, counting down from five before the tree light up a cheery bright green from the tip-top to the bottom of the trunk. He wished the crowd a Merry Christmas before stepping down to take his seat for musical performances.Biden said the theme reflects the “peace we feel as we pause and reflect our on blessings and the light we see as we gather with loved ones and cherish our time together.”The tree lighting ceremony is an annual tradition. On Thursday, Trombone Shorty and Trisha Yearwood were among the performers.The White House Christmas display includes a towering tree surrounded by an amusement park-style carousel, brass-colored bells and sleigh bells lining a hallway, and a ceiling design that mimics snowfall.That tree came from a farm in Newland, North Carolina, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-helene">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;struck earlier this year.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-north-carolina-helene-e4868d6b13c65cd4944c5fe26fafb058">The Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm</a>, which had stood for decades, lost thousands of trees to a mudslide.___

🎥President Biden, VP Harris attend National Christmas tree lighting

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug alegations.

Just after 12:30a.m. December 2, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Hyundai Sonata near 150th&nbsp;and Q. Roads, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the traffic stop, the deputy observed inside the vehicle what appeared to be LSD.&nbsp;

The driver, 28-year-old Ryan Michelle Laiku Schommer of Iola allegedly resisted arrest with a brief struggle. Deputies arrested and booked her into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of LSD, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement and driving while suspended.

The passenger, Jeffrey Scott Wilson, 35, of Grove, Oklahoma, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of LSD, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733179106675.png" alt="Wilson photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Wilson photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug alegations.Just after 12:30a.m. December 2, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Hyundai Sonata near 150th&nbsp;and Q. Roads, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733179066160.png" alt="Schommer-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Schommer-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> During the traffic stop, the deputy observed inside the vehicle what appeared to be LSD.&nbsp;The driver, 28-year-old Ryan Michelle Laiku Schommer of Iola allegedly resisted arrest with a brief struggle. Deputies arrested and booked her into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of LSD, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement and driving while suspended.The passenger, Jeffrey Scott Wilson, 35, of Grove, Oklahoma, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of LSD, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas woman caught with LSD resisted arrest

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man charged with second-degree murder in the fatal beating of a homeless man in Wichita was scheduled for sentencing Thursday. The case involving Abel Molina, 34, was delayed until next month, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;In February of 2022, police responded to a 911 call in the 600 block of N. Seneca in Wichita after a caller reported a person was being beaten on the Seneca Street bridge, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Officers and EMS responded and located 30-year-old Blake Barnes of Wichita. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and later pronounced deceased.

Officers contacted the witness who was able to direct them to a suspect – identified as&nbsp;64-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; who was reported to have struck Barnes several times with a metal pipe. Police took Chandler into custody while he was walking away from the crime scene.

The witness reported another suspect was also involved but left the scene on a bicycle prior to officers arriving. The second suspect, identified as 31-year-old Abel Molina, was located in the 400 block of N. Seneca, where he was taken into custody.

Sixty-three-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; and Molina, who are also homeless, assaulted 30-year-old Blake Barnes on Feb. 22, 2022 at a bridge near the Mid-America All-Indian Museum near downtown Wichita.

Witnesses reported Barnes was hit several times with a metal pipe, according to police.

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp; —A Kansas jury found 64-year-old David Chandler guilty of second-degree intentional murder for the beating death of a homeless man in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;In February, police responded to a 911 call in the 600 block of N. Seneca in Wichita after a caller reported a person was being beaten on the Seneca Street bridge, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Officers and EMS responded and located a 30-year-old male victim, identified as Blake Barnes of Wichita. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and later pronounced deceased, according to Macy.

Officers contacted the witness who was able to direct them to a suspect – identified as&nbsp;64-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; who was reported to have struck Barnes several times with a metal pipe.

Police took Chandler into custody while he was walking away from the crime scene..

&nbsp;Chandler has prior drug convictions and Molina has priors that include drug possession, theft, aggravated burglary and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

He is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 19, according to the district attorney's office. Monina is due back in court on Nov. 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645644748402.png" alt="Molina photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Molina photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A man charged with second-degree murder in the fatal beating of a homeless man in Wichita was scheduled for sentencing Thursday. The case involving Abel Molina, 34, was delayed until next month, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;In February of 2022, police responded to a 911 call in the 600 block of N. Seneca in Wichita after a caller reported a person was being beaten on the Seneca Street bridge, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Officers and EMS responded and located 30-year-old Blake Barnes of Wichita. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and later pronounced deceased.Officers contacted the witness who was able to direct them to a suspect – identified as&nbsp;64-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; who was reported to have struck Barnes several times with a metal pipe. Police took Chandler into custody while he was walking away from the crime scene.The witness reported another suspect was also involved but left the scene on a bicycle prior to officers arriving. The second suspect, identified as 31-year-old Abel Molina, was located in the 400 block of N. Seneca, where he was taken into custody.Sixty-three-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; and Molina, who are also homeless, assaulted 30-year-old Blake Barnes on Feb. 22, 2022 at a bridge near the Mid-America All-Indian Museum near downtown Wichita.Witnesses reported Barnes was hit several times with a metal pipe, according to police.SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp; —A Kansas jury found 64-year-old David Chandler guilty of second-degree intentional murder for the beating death of a homeless man in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;In February, police responded to a 911 call in the 600 block of N. Seneca in Wichita after a caller reported a person was being beaten on the Seneca Street bridge, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Officers and EMS responded and located a 30-year-old male victim, identified as Blake Barnes of Wichita. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and later pronounced deceased, according to Macy.Officers contacted the witness who was able to direct them to a suspect – identified as&nbsp;64-year-old David Chandler&nbsp; who was reported to have struck Barnes several times with a metal pipe.Police took Chandler into custody while he was walking away from the crime scene..The witness reported another suspect was also involved but left the scene on a bicycle prior to officers arriving. The second suspect, identified as 31-year-old Abel Molina, was located in the 400 block of N. Seneca, where he was taken into custody.&nbsp;Chandler has prior drug convictions and Molina has priors that include drug possession, theft, aggravated burglary and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.He is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 19, according to the district attorney's office. Monina is due back in court on Nov. 16.

Sentencing delayed for deadly pipe attack on Kan. homeless man

SALINE COUNTY—A dispute allegedly over items changed in a bathroom put a Kansas woman in jail in Salina.

Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a disturbance at the apartments in the former Roosevelt-Lincoln Junior High School, 245 South Eighth Street in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

The 39-year-old victim told officers that while she was cleaning the apartment, the resident identified as 53-year-old Patania Sumners, became irate over changes made in the bathroom.

Sumners grabbed the victim by the hair and dragged her into the bathroom and struck her several times in the face with her fist, according to Feldman.&nbsp;

Police arrested Sumners at the scene and booked her into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping and battery. EMS treated the victim at the scene for scrapes and scratches.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733319179567.jpeg" alt="Sumners photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Sumners photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—A dispute allegedly over items changed in a bathroom put a Kansas woman in jail in Salina.Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a disturbance at the apartments in the former Roosevelt-Lincoln Junior High School, 245 South Eighth Street in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.The 39-year-old victim told officers that while she was cleaning the apartment, the resident identified as 53-year-old Patania Sumners, became irate over changes made in the bathroom.Sumners grabbed the victim by the hair and dragged her into the bathroom and struck her several times in the face with her fist, according to Feldman.&nbsp;Police arrested Sumners at the scene and booked her into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping and battery. EMS treated the victim at the scene for scrapes and scratches.

Kan. woman jailed after fight over items in the bathroom

WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting director of the Secret Service said Thursday that the agency is “reorganizing and reimagining” its culture and how it operates following an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-assassination-attempt-butler-pennsylvania/">assassination attempt against Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on the campaign trail.

Members of a bipartisan House task force investigating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump">attempt on Trump's life</a>&nbsp;pushed Ronald Rowe on how the agency’s staffers could have missed such blatant security vulnerabilities leading up to the July 13 shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At one point, the hearing devolved into a shouting match between Rowe and a Republican congressman.

Rowe promised accountability for what he called the agency’s “abject failure” to secure the rally in Butler, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-assassination-attempt-butler-pennsylvania/">a gunman opened fire</a>&nbsp;from a nearby building. Trump was wounded in the ear, one rallygoer was killed and two others were wounded.

<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/5-things-to-know-about-the-apparent-assassination-attempt-on-trump/">Another assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;two months later contributed to the agency’s troubles. That gunman waited for hours for Trump to appear at his golf course in Florida, but a Secret Service agent thwarted the attack by spotting the firearm poking through bushes.

The task force has been investigating both attempts, but it was the July shooting that dominated Thursday’s hearing. Its inquiry is one of a series of investigations and reports that have faulted the agency for planning and communications failures. The agency’s previous director resigned, and the Secret Service increased protections for Trump before the Republican won the November election.

Rowe was repeatedly asked by flabbergasted lawmakers how problems so obvious in hindsight were allowed to happen.

Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, said it was “just wild to me” that at a time of tech advances, the Secret Service was using text messages and emails to communicate in real time about threats.

He also asked Rowe why so many things went wrong that day “yet nobody said anything.”

Rowe said the agency used to have a culture where people felt comfortable speaking up.

“I don’t know where we lost that,” he said. “We have to get back to that.”

Rowe said the agency is putting a much stronger emphasis on training — something previous investigations found was lacking — and on doing more regular reviews of events to see what went right and where improvements can be made.

“We are reorganizing and reimaging this organization," Rowe told lawmakers. He said the agency needs to identify possible leaders much earlier in their careers instead of just promoting people to command positions because they have been around a long time.

The hearing was largely cordial, with members of Congress stressing the bipartisan nature of their work and praising Rowe for cooperating with their investigation even as they pushed him for explanations.

But at one point, Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon, a Texas Republican, faced off — shouting over each other as other members pleaded for order.

Fallon pulled out a photo of President Joe Biden, Trump and others at this year's Sept. 11 ceremony in New York and asked Rowe why he was at the event, suggesting it was to burnish his prospects at getting the director job permanently. Trump has not yet named his pick to lead the agency.

“I was there to show respect for a Secret Service member that died on 9/11. Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe shouted.

“You wanted to be visible because you were auditioning for this job that you’re not going to get!” Fallon later shot back.

Rowe roared back: "You are out of line, Congressman. You are out of line!”

This was the task force’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-081e812f3569b2bdb9f3ffe322ea1619">second public hearing</a>&nbsp;and the first time that Rowe has addressed its members in public. The panel has until Dec. 13 to release its final report.

Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, said the agency’s conduct during the July shooting seemed almost “lackadaisical.” He said some of the issues that went wrong that day were ”really basic things.”

“It speaks of an apathy or a complacency that is really unacceptable in an organization like the Secret Service,” Green said.

The task force conducted 46 transcribed interviews, attended over a dozen briefings and reviewed over 20,000 documents. Members also visited the site of both assassination attempts and went to the FBI’s laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, to look at evidence.

Rowe said Thursday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-f0e07ef8e86b7f0aa699fde3b7eee133">the agency's internal investigation</a>, whose findings were released last month, identified failures by multiple employees. He noted that the quality of the advance work — the people who scope out event locations ahead of time — did not meet agency standards. He vowed accountability for those who fell down on the job.

Many of the investigations have centered on why buildings near the rally with a clear line of sight to the stage where Trump was speaking were not secured in advance. The gunman, Thomas Crooks, climbed onto the roof of one of them and opened fire before being killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.

Rowe pointed to the failure to protect the building as the most glaring oversight that day.

He also was asked about the morale of agents and new hires. Rowe said applications are actually up this year — the agency made a net gain of about 200 agents during the past fiscal year, meaning both new agents were hired and veteran agents retained.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting director of the Secret Service said Thursday that the agency is “reorganizing and reimagining” its culture and how it operates following an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-assassination-attempt-butler-pennsylvania/">assassination attempt against Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on the campaign trail.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Heated exchange between <a href="https://twitter.com/RepPatFallon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepPatFallon</a> and U.S. Secret Service Acting Director Rowe. Rowe: &quot;Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!&quot; Fallon: &quot;I&#39;m not. I&#39;m invoking -&quot; Rowe: &quot;You are, sir. You are way out of line!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/LR28SDci5I">pic.twitter.com/LR28SDci5I</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1864708615694581942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Members of a bipartisan House task force investigating the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump">attempt on Trump's life</a>&nbsp;pushed Ronald Rowe on how the agency’s staffers could have missed such blatant security vulnerabilities leading up to the July 13 shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At one point, the hearing devolved into a shouting match between Rowe and a Republican congressman.Rowe promised accountability for what he called the agency’s “abject failure” to secure the rally in Butler, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-assassination-attempt-butler-pennsylvania/">a gunman opened fire</a>&nbsp;from a nearby building. Trump was wounded in the ear, one rallygoer was killed and two others were wounded.<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/5-things-to-know-about-the-apparent-assassination-attempt-on-trump/">Another assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;two months later contributed to the agency’s troubles. That gunman waited for hours for Trump to appear at his golf course in Florida, but a Secret Service agent thwarted the attack by spotting the firearm poking through bushes.The task force has been investigating both attempts, but it was the July shooting that dominated Thursday’s hearing. Its inquiry is one of a series of investigations and reports that have faulted the agency for planning and communications failures. The agency’s previous director resigned, and the Secret Service increased protections for Trump before the Republican won the November election.Rowe was repeatedly asked by flabbergasted lawmakers how problems so obvious in hindsight were allowed to happen.Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, said it was “just wild to me” that at a time of tech advances, the Secret Service was using text messages and emails to communicate in real time about threats.He also asked Rowe why so many things went wrong that day “yet nobody said anything.”Rowe said the agency used to have a culture where people felt comfortable speaking up.“I don’t know where we lost that,” he said. “We have to get back to that.”Rowe said the agency is putting a much stronger emphasis on training — something previous investigations found was lacking — and on doing more regular reviews of events to see what went right and where improvements can be made.“We are reorganizing and reimaging this organization," Rowe told lawmakers. He said the agency needs to identify possible leaders much earlier in their careers instead of just promoting people to command positions because they have been around a long time.The hearing was largely cordial, with members of Congress stressing the bipartisan nature of their work and praising Rowe for cooperating with their investigation even as they pushed him for explanations.But at one point, Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon, a Texas Republican, faced off — shouting over each other as other members pleaded for order.Fallon pulled out a photo of President Joe Biden, Trump and others at this year's Sept. 11 ceremony in New York and asked Rowe why he was at the event, suggesting it was to burnish his prospects at getting the director job permanently. Trump has not yet named his pick to lead the agency.“I was there to show respect for a Secret Service member that died on 9/11. Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe shouted.“You wanted to be visible because you were auditioning for this job that you’re not going to get!” Fallon later shot back.Rowe roared back: "You are out of line, Congressman. You are out of line!”“You're a bully,” Fallon said.This was the task force’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-081e812f3569b2bdb9f3ffe322ea1619">second public hearing</a>&nbsp;and the first time that Rowe has addressed its members in public. The panel has until Dec. 13 to release its final report.Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, said the agency’s conduct during the July shooting seemed almost “lackadaisical.” He said some of the issues that went wrong that day were ”really basic things.”“It speaks of an apathy or a complacency that is really unacceptable in an organization like the Secret Service,” Green said.The task force conducted 46 transcribed interviews, attended over a dozen briefings and reviewed over 20,000 documents. Members also visited the site of both assassination attempts and went to the FBI’s laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, to look at evidence.Rowe said Thursday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-f0e07ef8e86b7f0aa699fde3b7eee133">the agency's internal investigation</a>, whose findings were released last month, identified failures by multiple employees. He noted that the quality of the advance work — the people who scope out event locations ahead of time — did not meet agency standards. He vowed accountability for those who fell down on the job.Many of the investigations have centered on why buildings near the rally with a clear line of sight to the stage where Trump was speaking were not secured in advance. The gunman, Thomas Crooks, climbed onto the roof of one of them and opened fire before being killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.Rowe pointed to the failure to protect the building as the most glaring oversight that day.He also was asked about the morale of agents and new hires. Rowe said applications are actually up this year — the agency made a net gain of about 200 agents during the past fiscal year, meaning both new agents were hired and veteran agents retained.

🎥Trump assassination attempt hearing turns into yelling match

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DEVNA%20BOSE%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DEVNA BOSE AP Health Writer</a>

KANSAS CITY (AP) —One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy.

“To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.”

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used "physician work time values," which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it's unclear how CMS derives those values.

In mid-November,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2024/11/anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield-will-not-pay-complete-duration-of-anesthesia-for-surgical-procedures">the American Society for Anesthesiologists</a>&nbsp;called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It's not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were&nbsp;<a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/virginia/articles/anesthesia-billed-time-units-update-beginning-february-2025-23141">posted in Virginia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/colorado/articles/anesthesia-services-update-23061">Colorado</a>.

People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged.

Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.”

“It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. "If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.”

Prior to Anthem's announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn't affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened.

The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">the CEO of UnitedHealthcare</a>, another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DEVNA%20BOSE%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DEVNA BOSE AP Health Writer</a>KANSAS CITY (AP) —One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia.Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy.“To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.”Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used "physician work time values," which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it's unclear how CMS derives those values.In mid-November,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2024/11/anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield-will-not-pay-complete-duration-of-anesthesia-for-surgical-procedures">the American Society for Anesthesiologists</a>&nbsp;called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It's not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were&nbsp;<a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/virginia/articles/anesthesia-billed-time-units-update-beginning-february-2025-23141">posted in Virginia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/colorado/articles/anesthesia-services-update-23061">Colorado</a>.People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged.Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.”“It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. "If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.”Prior to Anthem's announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn't affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened.The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c">the CEO of UnitedHealthcare</a>, another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reverses anesthesia payment policy after backlash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal farming accident have identified the man who died as&nbsp;70-year-old&nbsp;David Humbolt of rural Mulvane, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.

Just after 2p.m. Wednesday, deputies were dispatched to&nbsp;10200 block of South 127th Street East near Mulvane.

A caller reported his father had been involved in an accident while working on a large John Deere combine. Emergency responders with Mulvane EMS arrived and pronounced Humbolt dead at the scene.

The sheriff's office released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733423844988.png" alt="First responders on the scene -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal farming accident have identified the man who died as&nbsp;70-year-old&nbsp;David Humbolt of rural Mulvane, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.Just after 2p.m. Wednesday, deputies were dispatched to&nbsp;10200 block of South 127th Street East near Mulvane.A caller reported his father had been involved in an accident while working on a large John Deere combine. Emergency responders with Mulvane EMS arrived and pronounced Humbolt dead at the scene.The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Sheriff IDs Kansas man who died in farming accident

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Station 1 at 2222 North Main officially dedicated the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Kansas on Thursday morning.

"Chris Cooper from the hospital lined up a meeting right away to get us kicked off and what we can do and look at some fundraising opportunities," said Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer. "Within the first few days, we had a donation for $25,000, I think it was, just with one organization, which was huge to get this project going. With that, numerous other meetings have happened, then finally we get to the point where we order the baby box, the Safe Haven Baby Box, it gets delivered here, and we have to install it into our brand new fire station. It would have been nice if we would have known this when we built this thing here a few years ago, but that was obviously not the case."

This is where another local business stepped in to help.

"Wiens Construction donated all their time and labor to install the baby box that you see now in the building," Beer said. "That was a huge cost savings of probably $7,000, $8,000 to do that. We want to thank them for stepping up and helping us, and really too, for the community, our citizens, the emails, the phone calls, the texts, the donations that we received from our community has been priceless too."

Monica Kelsey with Safe Haven Baby Boxes was complimentary of the way the box has been made ready to go.

"Getting to know these guys and working with them, they have crossed every T and that nothing has went outside of them making sure that it was done and done correctly," Kelsey said. "We did just test the box. It went off flawlessly. They've got it down to three minutes. Our protocol is five minutes or less, so they're well within that range and if a baby is surrendered here, this baby is going to be in great hands with these guys."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733419622838.jpeg" alt="Safe Haven Baby Box-Photo by Nick Gosnell" />
 <figcaption>Safe Haven Baby Box-Photo by Nick Gosnell</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Station 1 at 2222 North Main officially dedicated the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Kansas on Thursday morning.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0DeUjHZLue8?si=LJe5oHBIUk6GsdDA&amp;start=16" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>"Chris Cooper from the hospital lined up a meeting right away to get us kicked off and what we can do and look at some fundraising opportunities," said Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer. "Within the first few days, we had a donation for $25,000, I think it was, just with one organization, which was huge to get this project going. With that, numerous other meetings have happened, then finally we get to the point where we order the baby box, the Safe Haven Baby Box, it gets delivered here, and we have to install it into our brand new fire station. It would have been nice if we would have known this when we built this thing here a few years ago, but that was obviously not the case."This is where another local business stepped in to help."Wiens Construction donated all their time and labor to install the baby box that you see now in the building," Beer said. "That was a huge cost savings of probably $7,000, $8,000 to do that. We want to thank them for stepping up and helping us, and really too, for the community, our citizens, the emails, the phone calls, the texts, the donations that we received from our community has been priceless too."Monica Kelsey with Safe Haven Baby Boxes was complimentary of the way the box has been made ready to go."Getting to know these guys and working with them, they have crossed every T and that nothing has went outside of them making sure that it was done and done correctly," Kelsey said. "We did just test the box. It went off flawlessly. They've got it down to three minutes. Our protocol is five minutes or less, so they're well within that range and if a baby is surrendered here, this baby is going to be in great hands with these guys."

🎥 Another Safe Haven baby box available at fire station in Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Fans in Missouri will be able to bet on sports next year as a result of a ballot measure that barely passed despite getting help from record-setting spending and the state's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-blues-royals-1c502d0382d8d29544b63e2c939b2f5e">professional teams</a>.

State election officials on Thursday certified that the sports betting measure passed with 50.05% support in the November election.

Although the constitutional amendment takes effect now, betting won't immediately begin. Under Missouri’s measure, state regulators must launch sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.

A total of 38 states and Washington, D.C., already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-ncaa-march-madness-states-bf37333b5cba5f96f1f2f910fcc6708d">allow sports betting</a>, which has expanded rapidly since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">cleared the way for it</a>&nbsp;in 2018.

Missouri allows recounts on ballot questions to be requested within seven days after certification when the winning margin is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-decision-notes-president-senate-abortion-acbb62ca56da2801ee28e0f9b8106906">less than 0.5% of the total votes cast</a>.

A spokesperson for Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said Thursday that a recount request would need to come from someone involved in one of the campaigns. A spokesperson for the opposition group, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, said Thursday that it does not plan to request a recount.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707620687273.png" alt="Photo Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Fans in Missouri will be able to bet on sports next year as a result of a ballot measure that barely passed despite getting help from record-setting spending and the state's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-blues-royals-1c502d0382d8d29544b63e2c939b2f5e">professional teams</a>.State election officials on Thursday certified that the sports betting measure passed with 50.05% support in the November election.Although the constitutional amendment takes effect now, betting won't immediately begin. Under Missouri’s measure, state regulators must launch sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.A total of 38 states and Washington, D.C., already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-ncaa-march-madness-states-bf37333b5cba5f96f1f2f910fcc6708d">allow sports betting</a>, which has expanded rapidly since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">cleared the way for it</a>&nbsp;in 2018.Missouri allows recounts on ballot questions to be requested within seven days after certification when the winning margin is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-decision-notes-president-senate-abortion-acbb62ca56da2801ee28e0f9b8106906">less than 0.5% of the total votes cast</a>.A spokesperson for Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said Thursday that a recount request would need to come from someone involved in one of the campaigns. A spokesperson for the opposition group, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, said Thursday that it does not plan to request a recount.The $43 million supportive campaign — a record for a Missouri ballot measure — was funded almost entirely by DraftKings and FanDuel, which dominate the nationwide sports betting marketplace. Of the total raised, a combined $2 million was chipped in by the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-chiefs-royals-26b7c94ad2d96ad05c2f4a396ba4e795?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">six major professional sports teams</a>&nbsp;— the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams."Joining the 38 other states that already allow sports betting will allow us to further engage with our fans, while keeping tens of millions in Missouri for the benefit of our classrooms and communities,” St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III said in a statement Thursday.The $14 million opposition campaign was funded entirely by Caesars Entertainment, which operates three of Missouri’s 13 casinos.Missouri’s constitutional amendment will allow each of the state’s casinos and professional sports teams to offer on-site and mobile sports betting. Teams will control on-site betting and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums and arenas. The initiative also allows two mobile sports betting operators to be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-taxes-missouri-colorado-cd01cdc284d3be17227dab7d0b8b8606">Missouri will impose a 10% tax</a>&nbsp;on sports betting revenue, which is below the national average of 19% that sportsbooks paid to states last year.Under the initiative, at least $5 million annually in licensing fees and taxes must go toward problem gambling programs, with remaining tax revenues going toward elementary, secondary and higher education.Supporters turned to the initiative petition process to get the measure on the ballot after attempts to legalize sports betting repeatedly stalled in the state Senate.Though available in most states, sports betting remains off-limits in some potentially lucrative markets, such as California and Texas. In 2022, California voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-sports-california-f4f4f87d391d31a18c781256b42c8133">defeated two rival proposals</a>&nbsp;to legalize sports betting after interest groups spent roughly $450 million promoting or opposing the measures.