JOHNSON COUNTY —Three people were injured in a wrong-way crash just before 3a.m. Sunday in Johnson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Honda Civic driven by Cooper Douglas&nbsp;Gobin, 21, Shawnee, was southbound in the #1 lane on northbound Interstate 35 at 119th.

The Honda collided with a northbound 2015 Nissan Altima driven by&nbsp; Amy L . Taylor, 29, Parkville, Missouri and a northbound 2015 Nissan Versa driven by Alemtsehaye Tolesa&nbsp;Geleta, 59, Olathe.

EMS transported Geleta to Olathe Medical Center and&nbsp;Gobin to Overland Park Regional Health Center. Taylor was not transported for treatment of a minor injury. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

<p>JOHNSON COUNTY —Three people were injured in a wrong-way crash just before 3a.m. Sunday in Johnson County.</p><p>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Honda Civic driven by Cooper Douglas&nbsp;Gobin, 21, Shawnee, was southbound in the #1 lane on northbound Interstate 35 at 119th.</p><p>The Honda collided with a northbound 2015 Nissan Altima driven by&nbsp; Amy L . Taylor, 29, Parkville, Missouri and a northbound 2015 Nissan Versa driven by Alemtsehaye Tolesa&nbsp;Geleta, 59, Olathe.</p><p>EMS transported Geleta to Olathe Medical Center and&nbsp;Gobin to Overland Park Regional Health Center. Taylor was not transported for treatment of a minor injury. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.</p>

2 hospitalized after wrong-way Kansas crash

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Their faces stare down from every street corner in Israel on posters now sun-faded and ripped. Their stories, told by anguished family members, are almost as well-known as celebrities. They are civilians and soldiers, fathers and sons. Some were at the Nova music festival, where almost 400 people were killed and dozens kidnapped.

On Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-10-13-2025-9e4921406e846189c90144609c1a9530">Hamas released 20 hostages into the custody of the Red Cross</a>, which then brought them to Israel as part of a new ceasefire deal that many hope will signal an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-ceasefire-next-steps-israel-palestinians-9c2044da8a891e87aaa3b127d9fb9724">two years of war</a>&nbsp;in the devastated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Gaza Strip</a>. Under the agreement, all living hostages were to be released, as well as the bodies of the deceased.

Also Monday, two hostages previously thought to be living were confirmed dead.

The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when some 1,200 people were killed and 251 kidnapped.

The fighting has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the deaths were women and children, and displaced around 90% of the Gaza population of some 2 million. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the United Nations and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties in Gaza.

Prior to Monday's release, there were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-hostages-d37b0d5bb5ce4340f3a8a48533948da0">48 hostages held in Gaza</a>, including the body of one soldier from a previous war. Israel had determined that at least 25 of the hostages were killed on Oct. 7, 2023, or died while in captivity. Just before the release of the first hostages under the ceasefire, Hamas informed Israel that two additional hostages were no longer alive, Tamir Nimrodi and Bipin Joshi. Israel had previously expressed “grave concern” over their status.

There is only one remaining female hostage, who Israel believes was killed in captivity.

Under the ceasefire agreement that took effect last Friday, the remaining hostages were to be released within 72 hours. Israel is set to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

Here is a look at the 20 hostages released Monday:

The fraternal twins were taken from their homes in kibbutz Kfar Aza, on the border with Gaza, during the Oct. 7 attack. Seventeen others were also abducted from Kfar Aza, but the Berman twins were the only hostages from the kibbutz who remained in captivity. The family had heard from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-01-2025-bb560151db1437d0b35ac1d568457a46">hostages who returned in a previous deal</a>&nbsp;that, as of February, the brothers were alive but being held separately.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-iran-ceasefire-hostages-a54bb1fa663c33f4153a727ec1e396ee">Liran Berman, their older brother</a>, said it’s the longest the two have ever spent apart. In Kfar Aza, the twins lived in apartments across from each other. Gali is more outgoing, while Ziv is more reserved and shy with a sharp sense of humor, their brother said.

Omri Miran was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz kibbutz. During the attack, militants held his family, including his two daughters, ages 2 and 6 months, hostage in the kitchen of a neighbor’s house and then broadcast it on Facebook Live. Miran and the father of the other family, Tsachi Idan, were kidnapped.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-truce-hostages-netanyahu-4608f8d5c1d86be7249e0251c08d4bdd">Idan’s body was released</a>&nbsp;during the last hostage exchange after he was killed in captivity.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-passover-hostages-gaza-afc2e5c267a64cbd7bd8a0cd505534b8">Lishay Miran Lavi, Miran’s wife, said</a>&nbsp;their younger daughter knew “daddy Omri” only through photos and videos, and didn't really understand what a father is.

Matan Angrest, an Israeli soldier, was taken from his military tank in southern Israel. He is the oldest of four children from Kiryat Bialik, outside of Haifa. His family has been among the most vocal protesters and very critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Tuesday's two-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, his mother, Anat Angrest, addressed her son at a rally. “I know you’re in pain, and I can’t hug you. I hear you whisper, ‘Come for me, Mom,’ and I can’t protect you," she said.

Eitan Mor was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival, where he helped evacuate people injured in the attack. Mor’s parents helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-deal-prisoners-e886ead73905a1b88429d67705d03c47">found the Tikva Forum</a>, a loosely organized group of hostage families. They advocated for military pressure, not an immediate ceasefire or hostage release deal, as the best chance for bringing the hostages home. That stance has put Mor’s father at odds with many of the other families of hostages.

Alon Ohel, who also has German and Serbian citizenship, was kidnapped at the Nova music festival from a mobile bomb shelter along with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hersh-goldberg-polin-israel-palestinians-gaza-hostages-0be443e7ce616cbce3f2cb984e7971ca">Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli who was killed</a>&nbsp;in captivity in August 2024. A talented pianist, his family has placed pianos across Israel and several sites around the world to raise awareness of his plight. Three other hostages who had been held with Ohel for more than a year were released during the previous ceasefire, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-anniversary-hostages-dd57a453fee3212fcaa56ce23b36b36c">Eli Sharabi, who said Ohel was like his adopted son</a>. Sharabi said they were kept chained for the entire period of their captivity and subsisted on a moldy pita per day. Ohel has shrapnel in his eye from the attack on the bomb shelter and his family is worried he may be partially blind.

Guy Gilboa-Dalal was among those abducted from the Nova music festival, while his brother managed to escape. In the past year, he’s appeared in two videos released by Hamas. In one, he appears alongside his childhood friend, David, with militants filming them pleading for their freedom in a vehicle while they watch three other hostages on stage being released to the Red Cross.

Elkana Bohbot was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. In the past year, Hamas has published multiple videos of Bohbot, filmed under duress, including one where he has a fake telephone conversation with his wife, Rivka; their son, Reem; his mother and his brother — pleading with them to help him get out of Gaza. His son made binoculars in kindergarten which he often used to go out and “look for his father,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-hostages-trump-99529bfc998abe2c1851fbfbf2f728ab">according to Bohbot’s mother, Ruhama</a>.

Braslavski was working as a security guard at the Nova festival. He attempted to help festival goers evacuate and was wounded in both hands before being kidnapped, witnesses said. In August, the Islamic Jihad militant group released a video of a skeletal Braslavski sobbing and pleading for his life, adding that injuries to his foot prevent him from standing. The videos of Braslavski and Evyatar David digging his own grave horrified Israelis, sparking some of the largest attendance in months at weekly protests.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-hostages-hunger-videos-c9951a33a7f8d47d4ad77705d1267fbd">His father, Ofir, said</a>&nbsp;Rom is usually a strong, happy-go-lucky kid, and that video is the first time he’s seen his son cry.

Nimrod Cohen was taken from a tank where he was stationed as a soldier in southern Israel. Cohen is obsessed with Rubik's cubes, his family said, and a burned Rubik's cube was found in the tank he was abducted from. This year, his mother, Viki Cohen,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-passover-hostages-gaza-afc2e5c267a64cbd7bd8a0cd505534b8">illustrated a Passover haggadah</a>, the text laying out the rituals and story recited during the Passover holiday, in honor of hostages, partly because her family stopped celebrating holidays after the attack. “We don’t gather as a family, because it reminds us how much he is missing,” Cohen said. The only time the extended family would gather is at protests, she said.

The youngest of four Cunio brothers, Ariel was kidnapped from the Nir Oz kibbutz with his girlfriend, Arbel Yehoud, and her brother, Dolev, a married father of four who was later killed in captivity. According to news reports, Cunio and Yehoud had returned from an extended trip to South America weeks before the attack and had just adopted a puppy. Yehoud was released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-01-30-2025-3cc7131495a60ce2bda73ca691abb7c8">during the ceasefire in January</a>.

David Cunio, brother of Ariel Cunio, was kidnapped with his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-hostages-cunio-captivity-869241bb259b00a8f98817edf89b0bc8">Sharon, and their 3-year-old twins</a>&nbsp;from the Nir Oz kibbutz. Sharon’s sister Danielle and her 5-year-old daughter, who were visiting, also were kidnapped. All were released in November, except for David Cunio. In July, Sharon shared a photo of the twins marking their fifth birthday, their second without their father, writing on Facebook that the girls have changed so much while he’s been in captivity that “they’re not the same little girls he knew.”

Evyatar David was taken hostage at the Nova music festival along with his childhood friend, Guy Gilboa-Dalal. In August, Hamas released a video of David, gaunt and pale, who said he was digging his own grave. The condition of the hostages in the videos horrified Israelis and led tens of thousands of protesters to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-war-witkoff-hostage-tel-aviv-b90fe087e8254179667e0cd6094cd438">take to the streets</a>&nbsp;and demand a ceasefire deal, in one of the largest turnouts for the weekly hostage protests in months.

Maksym Harkin was abducted from Nova, which was the first festival he had ever attended, according to his family. Harkin was born in Ukraine and moved to Israel with his family, where he lived in Tirat HaCarmel in the north. He has a 3-year-old daughter and was the primary provider for his mother and 11-year-old brother. Just before he was taken, his mother said he sent a final text message that said, “I love you.” In July, Hamas released a video of him filmed under duress several months prior.

Eitan Horn, originally from Kfar Saba, was visiting his brother Iair at the Nir Oz kibbutz on Oct. 7. Both were kidnapped. For most of the war, the two were held with three other hostages in a filthy cell underground. In early February, militants filmed the emotional interaction between the brothers as they were told that Iair would be released and Eitan would stay in Gaza. Since his release,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinian-hamas-hostages-humanitarian-aid-b8d65cfaaabf7f747301bcdac1f5314f">Iair Horn has campaigned for his brother</a>&nbsp;and the other hostages, flying frequently to the United States and meeting with politicians.

Segev Kalfon was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was last seen attempting to flee militants along the highway. Before the attack, he worked at his family’s bakery in Dimona, in southern Israeli. The middle child of three, Kalfon had recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, a condition his family has highlighted in urging his release. Kalfon’s family received a sign of life from him after the last ceasefire, when some of the hostages said they were held with him for months. Kalfon’s family has focused on religious rituals in their fight for his release, including traveling to the grave of prominent rabbis and dedicating a Torah scroll in his honor.

Bar Kupershtein was working at the Nova festival as a security guard when he was abducted. Witnesses said Kupershtein stayed at the festival to try to provide first aid to people who had been shot and injured. Kupershtein was the main financial support for his family after his father was severely injured in an accident several years ago, his aunt, Ora Rubinstein, told reporters. She said that his father worked with a physical therapist to regain the ability to speak, so he could meet with politicians to advocate for his son’s release. He has told the family that he would walk again when his son came home, she said.

Yosef-Chaim Ohana was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was working as a bartender. Witnesses saw him attempting to help others escape before he was kidnapped. He is the oldest of three brothers, one of whom previously died from an illness.

Avinatan Or was kidnapped from the Nova music festival along with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-hostages-profiles-80b14cd4a796aa265ebfcc5bb5928477">rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024</a>. On Oct. 7, Hamas released a video of the pair that has become one of the most well-known videos from that day. It showed Argamani on an all-terrain vehicle crying, “Don’t kill me!” and reaching out her arms to Or, who is being marched away from her by militants. Or worked in hi-tech in Tel Aviv before his abduction.

Matan Zangauker was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz along with his girlfriend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-hostages-ceasefire-9875e2b5b8679b16106a9106bd37003c">Ilana Gritzewsky</a>. The two met while working on a medical cannabis farm there. Gritzewsky was released after 55 days and has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-freed-hostages-gaza-hamas-ceasefire-c320040046b7f37d46c2e75dd92656d8">advocated tirelessly for his release</a>, wearing a hat of Zangauker’s she rescued from their burned home. His mother, Einav, has been a constant presence at protests, giving impassioned speeches and even being hoisted in a cage above the crowd to draw attention to the hostages’ plight. Zangauker, who said she was previously a Netanyahu supporter, has emerged as one of his harshest critics.

Two hostages determined to be dead on Monday:

Bipin Joshi arrived in Israel from his native Nepal a month before the attack. He is the only non-Israeli hostage believed to be alive in Gaza. He came to Israel on a student exchange to work and study agriculture at kibbutz Alumim on the Gaza border. Ten of the 17 Nepali students in the program were killed during the attack. Joshi, who was able to throw a number of live grenades out of the bomb shelter where they were hiding, was injured and kidnapped. Joshi’s sister, 17-year-old Pushpa Joshi,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nepal-israel-hamas-hostage-db2badc65a3dcc8a7b61e22076aa6772">regularly travels eight hours each direction</a>&nbsp;on buses to Kathmandu from her home in western Nepal to lobby officials to secure her brother’s release. In August, his family traveled to Israel to meet with President Isaac Herzog and join families demonstrating in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. Last week, Joshi’s family released footage of him in captivity filmed under duress from around November 2023.

Tamir Nimrodi was taken from Erez, a crossing on the northern border of Gaza that had been the main route for people entering and leaving the territory. He had been serving with the Israeli defense body overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza. Nimrodi was taken with two other soldiers by militants who walked them to the Gaza gate and forced them to cross. Israel confirmed the deaths of the two soldiers who were taken with Nimrodi. There had been no sign of life from Nimrodi in the two years since he was seen in footage walking into Gaza in shorts and a T-shirt without his glasses.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-release-hamas-f47ee44c76ee172b39a4116c2cb42d18">Herut Nimrodi, his mother, said she didn't know</a>&nbsp;what was worse: to think he has been killed in captivity, or that he was alive but being held in terrible conditions. “I’m scared to even imagine,” she said. ___

Associated Press writer Sam Metz in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

<p>TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Their faces stare down from every street corner in Israel on posters now sun-faded and ripped. Their stories, told by anguished family members, are almost as well-known as celebrities. They are civilians and soldiers, fathers and sons. Some were at the Nova music festival, where almost 400 people were killed and dozens kidnapped.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">💛 Watch the moment Eitan Mor reunites with his parents: <a href="https://t.co/mKajWRBumU">pic.twitter.com/mKajWRBumU</a></p>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1977688830938693690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>On Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-10-13-2025-9e4921406e846189c90144609c1a9530">Hamas released 20 hostages into the custody of the Red Cross</a>, which then brought them to Israel as part of a new ceasefire deal that many hope will signal an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-ceasefire-next-steps-israel-palestinians-9c2044da8a891e87aaa3b127d9fb9724">two years of war</a>&nbsp;in the devastated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Gaza Strip</a>. Under the agreement, all living hostages were to be released, as well as the bodies of the deceased.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s official: There are no more living Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity. <a href="https://t.co/qa1Lh4vhhv">pic.twitter.com/qa1Lh4vhhv</a></p>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1977659327088599298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Also Monday, two hostages previously thought to be living were confirmed dead.</p><p>The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when some 1,200 people were killed and 251 kidnapped.</p><p>The fighting has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the deaths were women and children, and displaced around 90% of the Gaza population of some 2 million. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the United Nations and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties in Gaza.</p><p>Prior to Monday's release, there were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-hostages-d37b0d5bb5ce4340f3a8a48533948da0">48 hostages held in Gaza</a>, including the body of one soldier from a previous war. Israel had determined that at least 25 of the hostages were killed on Oct. 7, 2023, or died while in captivity. Just before the release of the first hostages under the ceasefire, Hamas informed Israel that two additional hostages were no longer alive, Tamir Nimrodi and Bipin Joshi. Israel had previously expressed “grave concern” over their status.</p><p>There is only one remaining female hostage, who Israel believes was killed in captivity.</p><p>Under the ceasefire agreement that took effect last Friday, the remaining hostages were to be released within 72 hours. Israel is set to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.</p><p>Here is a look at the 20 hostages released Monday:</p><h2>Gali Berman &amp; Ziv Berman, 28</h2><p>The fraternal twins were taken from their homes in kibbutz Kfar Aza, on the border with Gaza, during the Oct. 7 attack. Seventeen others were also abducted from Kfar Aza, but the Berman twins were the only hostages from the kibbutz who remained in captivity. The family had heard from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-01-2025-bb560151db1437d0b35ac1d568457a46">hostages who returned in a previous deal</a>&nbsp;that, as of February, the brothers were alive but being held separately.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-iran-ceasefire-hostages-a54bb1fa663c33f4153a727ec1e396ee">Liran Berman, their older brother</a>, said it’s the longest the two have ever spent apart. In Kfar Aza, the twins lived in apartments across from each other. Gali is more outgoing, while Ziv is more reserved and shy with a sharp sense of humor, their brother said.</p><h2>Omri Miran, 48</h2><p>Omri Miran was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz kibbutz. During the attack, militants held his family, including his two daughters, ages 2 and 6 months, hostage in the kitchen of a neighbor’s house and then broadcast it on Facebook Live. Miran and the father of the other family, Tsachi Idan, were kidnapped.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-truce-hostages-netanyahu-4608f8d5c1d86be7249e0251c08d4bdd">Idan’s body was released</a>&nbsp;during the last hostage exchange after he was killed in captivity.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-passover-hostages-gaza-afc2e5c267a64cbd7bd8a0cd505534b8">Lishay Miran Lavi, Miran’s wife, said</a>&nbsp;their younger daughter knew “daddy Omri” only through photos and videos, and didn't really understand what a father is.</p><h2>Matan Angrest, 22</h2><p>Matan Angrest, an Israeli soldier, was taken from his military tank in southern Israel. He is the oldest of four children from Kiryat Bialik, outside of Haifa. His family has been among the most vocal protesters and very critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Tuesday's two-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, his mother, Anat Angrest, addressed her son at a rally. “I know you’re in pain, and I can’t hug you. I hear you whisper, ‘Come for me, Mom,’ and I can’t protect you," she said.</p><h2>Eitan Mor, 25</h2><p>Eitan Mor was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival, where he helped evacuate people injured in the attack. Mor’s parents helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-deal-prisoners-e886ead73905a1b88429d67705d03c47">found the Tikva Forum</a>, a loosely organized group of hostage families. They advocated for military pressure, not an immediate ceasefire or hostage release deal, as the best chance for bringing the hostages home. That stance has put Mor’s father at odds with many of the other families of hostages.</p><h2>Alon Ohel, 24</h2><p>Alon Ohel, who also has German and Serbian citizenship, was kidnapped at the Nova music festival from a mobile bomb shelter along with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hersh-goldberg-polin-israel-palestinians-gaza-hostages-0be443e7ce616cbce3f2cb984e7971ca">Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli who was killed</a>&nbsp;in captivity in August 2024. A talented pianist, his family has placed pianos across Israel and several sites around the world to raise awareness of his plight. Three other hostages who had been held with Ohel for more than a year were released during the previous ceasefire, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-anniversary-hostages-dd57a453fee3212fcaa56ce23b36b36c">Eli Sharabi, who said Ohel was like his adopted son</a>. Sharabi said they were kept chained for the entire period of their captivity and subsisted on a moldy pita per day. Ohel has shrapnel in his eye from the attack on the bomb shelter and his family is worried he may be partially blind.</p><h2>Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24</h2><p>Guy Gilboa-Dalal was among those abducted from the Nova music festival, while his brother managed to escape. In the past year, he’s appeared in two videos released by Hamas. In one, he appears alongside his childhood friend, David, with militants filming them pleading for their freedom in a vehicle while they watch three other hostages on stage being released to the Red Cross.</p><h2>Elkana Bohbot, 36</h2><p>Elkana Bohbot was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. In the past year, Hamas has published multiple videos of Bohbot, filmed under duress, including one where he has a fake telephone conversation with his wife, Rivka; their son, Reem; his mother and his brother — pleading with them to help him get out of Gaza. His son made binoculars in kindergarten which he often used to go out and “look for his father,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-hostages-trump-99529bfc998abe2c1851fbfbf2f728ab">according to Bohbot’s mother, Ruhama</a>.</p><h2>Rom Braslavski, 21</h2><p>Braslavski was working as a security guard at the Nova festival. He attempted to help festival goers evacuate and was wounded in both hands before being kidnapped, witnesses said. In August, the Islamic Jihad militant group released a video of a skeletal Braslavski sobbing and pleading for his life, adding that injuries to his foot prevent him from standing. The videos of Braslavski and Evyatar David digging his own grave horrified Israelis, sparking some of the largest attendance in months at weekly protests.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-hostages-hunger-videos-c9951a33a7f8d47d4ad77705d1267fbd">His father, Ofir, said</a>&nbsp;Rom is usually a strong, happy-go-lucky kid, and that video is the first time he’s seen his son cry.</p><h2>Nimrod Cohen, 21</h2><p>Nimrod Cohen was taken from a tank where he was stationed as a soldier in southern Israel. Cohen is obsessed with Rubik's cubes, his family said, and a burned Rubik's cube was found in the tank he was abducted from. This year, his mother, Viki Cohen,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-passover-hostages-gaza-afc2e5c267a64cbd7bd8a0cd505534b8">illustrated a Passover haggadah</a>, the text laying out the rituals and story recited during the Passover holiday, in honor of hostages, partly because her family stopped celebrating holidays after the attack. “We don’t gather as a family, because it reminds us how much he is missing,” Cohen said. The only time the extended family would gather is at protests, she said.</p><h2>Ariel Cunio, 28</h2><p>The youngest of four Cunio brothers, Ariel was kidnapped from the Nir Oz kibbutz with his girlfriend, Arbel Yehoud, and her brother, Dolev, a married father of four who was later killed in captivity. According to news reports, Cunio and Yehoud had returned from an extended trip to South America weeks before the attack and had just adopted a puppy. Yehoud was released&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-01-30-2025-3cc7131495a60ce2bda73ca691abb7c8">during the ceasefire in January</a>.</p><h2>David Cunio, 35</h2><p>David Cunio, brother of Ariel Cunio, was kidnapped with his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-hostages-cunio-captivity-869241bb259b00a8f98817edf89b0bc8">Sharon, and their 3-year-old twins</a>&nbsp;from the Nir Oz kibbutz. Sharon’s sister Danielle and her 5-year-old daughter, who were visiting, also were kidnapped. All were released in November, except for David Cunio. In July, Sharon shared a photo of the twins marking their fifth birthday, their second without their father, writing on Facebook that the girls have changed so much while he’s been in captivity that “they’re not the same little girls he knew.”</p><h2>Evyatar David, 24</h2><p>Evyatar David was taken hostage at the Nova music festival along with his childhood friend, Guy Gilboa-Dalal. In August, Hamas released a video of David, gaunt and pale, who said he was digging his own grave. The condition of the hostages in the videos horrified Israelis and led tens of thousands of protesters to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-war-witkoff-hostage-tel-aviv-b90fe087e8254179667e0cd6094cd438">take to the streets</a>&nbsp;and demand a ceasefire deal, in one of the largest turnouts for the weekly hostage protests in months.</p><h2>Maksym Harkin, 37</h2><p>Maksym Harkin was abducted from Nova, which was the first festival he had ever attended, according to his family. Harkin was born in Ukraine and moved to Israel with his family, where he lived in Tirat HaCarmel in the north. He has a 3-year-old daughter and was the primary provider for his mother and 11-year-old brother. Just before he was taken, his mother said he sent a final text message that said, “I love you.” In July, Hamas released a video of him filmed under duress several months prior.</p><h2>Eitan Horn, 38</h2><p>Eitan Horn, originally from Kfar Saba, was visiting his brother Iair at the Nir Oz kibbutz on Oct. 7. Both were kidnapped. For most of the war, the two were held with three other hostages in a filthy cell underground. In early February, militants filmed the emotional interaction between the brothers as they were told that Iair would be released and Eitan would stay in Gaza. Since his release,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinian-hamas-hostages-humanitarian-aid-b8d65cfaaabf7f747301bcdac1f5314f">Iair Horn has campaigned for his brother</a>&nbsp;and the other hostages, flying frequently to the United States and meeting with politicians.</p><h2>Segev Kalfon, 27</h2><p>Segev Kalfon was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was last seen attempting to flee militants along the highway. Before the attack, he worked at his family’s bakery in Dimona, in southern Israeli. The middle child of three, Kalfon had recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, a condition his family has highlighted in urging his release. Kalfon’s family received a sign of life from him after the last ceasefire, when some of the hostages said they were held with him for months. Kalfon’s family has focused on religious rituals in their fight for his release, including traveling to the grave of prominent rabbis and dedicating a Torah scroll in his honor.</p><h2>Bar Kupershtein, 23</h2><p>Bar Kupershtein was working at the Nova festival as a security guard when he was abducted. Witnesses said Kupershtein stayed at the festival to try to provide first aid to people who had been shot and injured. Kupershtein was the main financial support for his family after his father was severely injured in an accident several years ago, his aunt, Ora Rubinstein, told reporters. She said that his father worked with a physical therapist to regain the ability to speak, so he could meet with politicians to advocate for his son’s release. He has told the family that he would walk again when his son came home, she said.</p><h2>Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25</h2><p>Yosef-Chaim Ohana was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was working as a bartender. Witnesses saw him attempting to help others escape before he was kidnapped. He is the oldest of three brothers, one of whom previously died from an illness.</p><h2>Avinatan Or, 32</h2><p>Avinatan Or was kidnapped from the Nova music festival along with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-hostages-profiles-80b14cd4a796aa265ebfcc5bb5928477">rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024</a>. On Oct. 7, Hamas released a video of the pair that has become one of the most well-known videos from that day. It showed Argamani on an all-terrain vehicle crying, “Don’t kill me!” and reaching out her arms to Or, who is being marched away from her by militants. Or worked in hi-tech in Tel Aviv before his abduction.</p><h2>Matan Zangauker, 25</h2><p>Matan Zangauker was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz along with his girlfriend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-hostages-ceasefire-9875e2b5b8679b16106a9106bd37003c">Ilana Gritzewsky</a>. The two met while working on a medical cannabis farm there. Gritzewsky was released after 55 days and has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-freed-hostages-gaza-hamas-ceasefire-c320040046b7f37d46c2e75dd92656d8">advocated tirelessly for his release</a>, wearing a hat of Zangauker’s she rescued from their burned home. His mother, Einav, has been a constant presence at protests, giving impassioned speeches and even being hoisted in a cage above the crowd to draw attention to the hostages’ plight. Zangauker, who said she was previously a Netanyahu supporter, has emerged as one of his harshest critics.</p><h2>Two hostages determined to be dead on Monday:</h2><h2>Bipin Joshi, 24</h2><p>Bipin Joshi arrived in Israel from his native Nepal a month before the attack. He is the only non-Israeli hostage believed to be alive in Gaza. He came to Israel on a student exchange to work and study agriculture at kibbutz Alumim on the Gaza border. Ten of the 17 Nepali students in the program were killed during the attack. Joshi, who was able to throw a number of live grenades out of the bomb shelter where they were hiding, was injured and kidnapped. Joshi’s sister, 17-year-old Pushpa Joshi,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nepal-israel-hamas-hostage-db2badc65a3dcc8a7b61e22076aa6772">regularly travels eight hours each direction</a>&nbsp;on buses to Kathmandu from her home in western Nepal to lobby officials to secure her brother’s release. In August, his family traveled to Israel to meet with President Isaac Herzog and join families demonstrating in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. Last week, Joshi’s family released footage of him in captivity filmed under duress from around November 2023.</p><h2>Tamir Nimrodi, 20</h2><p>Tamir Nimrodi was taken from Erez, a crossing on the northern border of Gaza that had been the main route for people entering and leaving the territory. He had been serving with the Israeli defense body overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza. Nimrodi was taken with two other soldiers by militants who walked them to the Gaza gate and forced them to cross. Israel confirmed the deaths of the two soldiers who were taken with Nimrodi. There had been no sign of life from Nimrodi in the two years since he was seen in footage walking into Gaza in shorts and a T-shirt without his glasses.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-release-hamas-f47ee44c76ee172b39a4116c2cb42d18">Herut Nimrodi, his mother, said she didn't know</a>&nbsp;what was worse: to think he has been killed in captivity, or that he was alive but being held in terrible conditions. “I’m scared to even imagine,” she said. ___</p><p>Associated Press writer Sam Metz in Jerusalem contributed to this report.</p>

A look at the living hostages released by Hamas under ceasefire deal

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of an ammonia leak Saturday at CVR Energy, 400 North Linden Street in Coffeyille.

At approximately 4 p.m. an ammonia release occurred at the fertilizer facility,&nbsp; according to a statement from Brandee Stephens,&nbsp;Senior Director, Corporate &amp; Governmental Affairs for CVR Partners based in Sugar Land Texas.

Several individuals were transported offsite for evaluation. The Company responded to the incident and and is investigating what occurred.&nbsp; The company on Sunday did not release the number of those transported for evaluation or additional details.

On Saturday night, the city of Coffeyville issue a statement, "The city is aware of the refinery situation. At this time, there are no threats to the public."

Check the Post for additional details expected on Monday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760351340029.png" alt="Google map" />
                        <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of an ammonia leak Saturday at CVR Energy, 400 North Linden Street in Coffeyille.</p><p>At approximately 4 p.m. an ammonia release occurred at the fertilizer facility,&nbsp; according to a statement from Brandee Stephens,&nbsp;Senior Director, Corporate &amp; Governmental Affairs for CVR Partners based in Sugar Land Texas.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid0TobdfrXFjL6qM1SFUGkTvruVF1LYeMr4skpCvyMBCk7dvP2jA3ERmEN32yoWiaTel%26id%3D100064393825253&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="258" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><p>Several individuals were transported offsite for evaluation. The Company responded to the incident and and is investigating what occurred.&nbsp; The company on Sunday did not release the number of those transported for evaluation or additional details.</p><p>On Saturday night, the city of Coffeyville issue a statement, "The city is aware of the refinery situation. At this time, there are no threats to the public."</p><p>Check the Post for additional details expected on Monday.</p>

Several hospitalized after ammonia leak at Kansas nitrogen plant

By STEVE PEOPLES <br>AP National Political Writer

Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said there will be deeper cuts to the federal workforce the longer the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;goes on, adding to the uncertainty facing hundreds of thousands who are already furloughed without pay amid the stubborn stalemate in Congress.

Vance warned that as the federal shutdown entered its 12th day, the new cuts would be “painful," even as he said the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-pay-troops-government-shutdown-8601ea092fe746cc35b88076e70c4598">worked to ensure</a>&nbsp;that the military is paid this week and some services would be preserved for low-income Americans,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-pay-troops-government-shutdown-8601ea092fe746cc35b88076e70c4598">including</a>&nbsp;food assistance.

Still, hundreds of thousands of government workers have been furloughed in recent days and, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.457131/gov.uscourts.cand.457131.40.0.pdf">court filing</a>&nbsp;on Friday, the Office of Management and Budget said well over 4,000 federal employees would soon be fired in conjunction with the shutdown. The effects of the shutdown also grew Sunday with the Smithsonian announcing its museums, research centers and the National Zoo are temporarily closed going forward for lack of funding.

“The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be,” Vance said on Fox News' “Sunday Morning Futures.” “To be clear, some of these cuts are going to be painful. This is not a situation that we relish. This is not something that we’re looking forward to, but the Democrats have dealt us a pretty difficult set of cards.”

Labor unions have already filed a lawsuit to stop the aggressive move by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s budget office, which goes far beyond what usually happens in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-9-30-2025">government shutdown</a>, further inflaming tensions between the Republicans who control Congress and the Democratic minority.

The shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Democrats rejected a short-term funding fix and demanded that the bill include an extension of federal subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The expiration of those subsidies at the end of the year will result in monthly cost increases for millions.

Trump and Republican leaders have said they are open to negotiations on the health subsidies, but insist the government must reopen first.

For now, negotiations are virtually nonexistent. Dug in as ever, House leaders from both parties pointed fingers at each other in rival Sunday appearances on “Fox News Sunday.”

“We have repeatedly made clear that we will sit down with anyone, anytime, anyplace,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. “Republicans control the House, the Senate and the presidency. It’s unfortunate they’ve taken a my-way-or-the-highway approach."

House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-government-shutdown-grijalva-526647b57faa2710382674646dfd2b37">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;blamed Democrats and said they “seem not to care” about the pain the shutdown is inflicting.

“They’re trying their best to distract the American people from the simple fact that they’ve chosen a partisan fight so that they can prove to their Marxist rising base in the Democratic Party that they’re willing to fight Trump and Republicans,” he said.

Progressive activists, meanwhile, expressed new support for the Democratic Party's position in the shutdown fight.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-democrats-republicans-trump-fight-c4949dace66c18d6099b5e23fd98b049">Ezra Levin</a>, co-founder of the leading progressive protest group Indivisible, said he is “feeling good about the strength of Dem position.” He pointed to fractures in the GOP, noting that Georgia Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-marjorie-taylor-greene-bffe84ad45cdb140ec81b353238b1242">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>&nbsp;publicly warned last week that health care insurance premiums would skyrocket for average Americans — including her own adult children — if nothing is done.

“Trump and GOP are rightfully taking the blame for the shutdown and for looming premium increases,” Levin said. “Their chickens are coming home to roost.”

And yet the Republican administration and its congressional allies are showing no signs of caving to Democratic demands or backing away from threats to use the opportunity to pursue deeper cuts to the federal workforce.

Thousands of employees at the departments of Education, Treasury, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, are set to receive layoff notices, according to spokespeople for the agencies and union representatives for federal workers.

“You hear a lot of Senate Democrats say, well, how can Donald Trump possibly lay off all of these federal workers?” Vance said. “Well, the Democrats have given us a choice between giving low-income women their food benefits and paying our troops on the one hand, and, on the other hand, paying federal bureaucrats.”

Democrats say the firings are illegal and unnecessary.

“They do not have to do this,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona on CNN's “State of the Union.” “They do not have to punish people that shouldn’t find themselves in this position.”

<p>By STEVE PEOPLES <br>AP National Political Writer</p><p>Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said there will be deeper cuts to the federal workforce the longer the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;goes on, adding to the uncertainty facing hundreds of thousands who are already furloughed without pay amid the stubborn stalemate in Congress.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> on the Democrat Shutdown: &quot;Unfortunately, what that does mean is that some federal bureaucrats are going to have to get laid off... Chuck Schumer and the Democrats decided to shut down the government and we have to deal with the consequences.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/C1EaJoS4We">pic.twitter.com/C1EaJoS4We</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977392271663235532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>: &quot;Why are we in this situation — all these conversations about whether it&#39;s a temporary layoff or a permanent layoff? We are dealing with a terrible, chaotic situation because Chuck Schumer and a few Far Left Democrats decided to shut down the government.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xSOTQJGgRe">pic.twitter.com/xSOTQJGgRe</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977391131659776205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;We&#39;re ending some programs that we never wanted and we&#39;re probably not going to allow them to come back... I think they made a big mistake,&quot; says <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>.<br><br>&quot;This is really a Schumer Shutdown because he&#39;s become sort of irrelevant and he wants to make himself relevant again.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/IX4Uz9er5i">pic.twitter.com/IX4Uz9er5i</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1977523552208207875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Vance warned that as the federal shutdown entered its 12th day, the new cuts would be “painful," even as he said the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-pay-troops-government-shutdown-8601ea092fe746cc35b88076e70c4598">worked to ensure</a>&nbsp;that the military is paid this week and some services would be preserved for low-income Americans,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-pay-troops-government-shutdown-8601ea092fe746cc35b88076e70c4598">including</a>&nbsp;food assistance.</p><p>Still, hundreds of thousands of government workers have been furloughed in recent days and, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.457131/gov.uscourts.cand.457131.40.0.pdf">court filing</a>&nbsp;on Friday, the Office of Management and Budget said well over 4,000 federal employees would soon be fired in conjunction with the shutdown. The effects of the shutdown also grew Sunday with the Smithsonian announcing its museums, research centers and the National Zoo are temporarily closed going forward for lack of funding.</p><p>“The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be,” Vance said on Fox News' “Sunday Morning Futures.” “To be clear, some of these cuts are going to be painful. This is not a situation that we relish. This is not something that we’re looking forward to, but the Democrats have dealt us a pretty difficult set of cards.”</p><p>Labor unions have already filed a lawsuit to stop the aggressive move by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s budget office, which goes far beyond what usually happens in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-9-30-2025">government shutdown</a>, further inflaming tensions between the Republicans who control Congress and the Democratic minority.</p><p>The shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Democrats rejected a short-term funding fix and demanded that the bill include an extension of federal subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The expiration of those subsidies at the end of the year will result in monthly cost increases for millions.</p><p>Trump and Republican leaders have said they are open to negotiations on the health subsidies, but insist the government must reopen first.</p><p>For now, negotiations are virtually nonexistent. Dug in as ever, House leaders from both parties pointed fingers at each other in rival Sunday appearances on “Fox News Sunday.”</p><p>“We have repeatedly made clear that we will sit down with anyone, anytime, anyplace,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. “Republicans control the House, the Senate and the presidency. It’s unfortunate they’ve taken a my-way-or-the-highway approach."</p><p>House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-government-shutdown-grijalva-526647b57faa2710382674646dfd2b37">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;blamed Democrats and said they “seem not to care” about the pain the shutdown is inflicting.</p><p>“They’re trying their best to distract the American people from the simple fact that they’ve chosen a partisan fight so that they can prove to their Marxist rising base in the Democratic Party that they’re willing to fight Trump and Republicans,” he said.</p><p>Progressive activists, meanwhile, expressed new support for the Democratic Party's position in the shutdown fight.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-democrats-republicans-trump-fight-c4949dace66c18d6099b5e23fd98b049">Ezra Levin</a>, co-founder of the leading progressive protest group Indivisible, said he is “feeling good about the strength of Dem position.” He pointed to fractures in the GOP, noting that Georgia Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-marjorie-taylor-greene-bffe84ad45cdb140ec81b353238b1242">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>&nbsp;publicly warned last week that health care insurance premiums would skyrocket for average Americans — including her own adult children — if nothing is done.</p><p>“Trump and GOP are rightfully taking the blame for the shutdown and for looming premium increases,” Levin said. “Their chickens are coming home to roost.”</p><p>And yet the Republican administration and its congressional allies are showing no signs of caving to Democratic demands or backing away from threats to use the opportunity to pursue deeper cuts to the federal workforce.</p><p>Thousands of employees at the departments of Education, Treasury, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, are set to receive layoff notices, according to spokespeople for the agencies and union representatives for federal workers.</p><p>“You hear a lot of Senate Democrats say, well, how can Donald Trump possibly lay off all of these federal workers?” Vance said. “Well, the Democrats have given us a choice between giving low-income women their food benefits and paying our troops on the one hand, and, on the other hand, paying federal bureaucrats.”</p><p>Democrats say the firings are illegal and unnecessary.</p><p>“They do not have to do this,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona on CNN's “State of the Union.” “They do not have to punish people that shouldn’t find themselves in this position.”</p>

Vance warns 'deeper' cuts ahead for federal workers as shutdown continues

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza on Monday, as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-ceasefire-next-steps-israel-palestinians-9c2044da8a891e87aaa3b127d9fb9724">ceasefire pausing two years of war</a>&nbsp;that pummeled the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">territory</a>, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and had left scores of captives in militant hands.

Palestinians, meanwhile, awaited the release of more than 1,900 of prisoners held by Israel, with the first two buses leaving Ofer Prison in the early afternoon.

The 20 hostages, all men, arrived back Israel, where they will reunite with their families and undergo medical checks. The bodies of the remaining 28 dead hostages are also expected to be handed over as part of the deal, although the exact timing remained unclear.

While major questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners raised hopes for ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group.

The ceasefire is also expected to be accompanied by a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza, parts of which are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-hunger-israel-ceasefire-a5f88e20db2a5c4f754117de9bdada69">experiencing famine</a>.

U.S. President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-egypt-6347e7da64f6c97b95109558096c0b6c">arrived in the region</a>, where he plans to discuss the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-peace-deal-trump-hostages-aid-3d994f7d482783da6fe7e18460ef06ab">U.S.-proposed deal</a>&nbsp;and postwar plans with other leaders.

The war began when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-hostages-2-years-10-07-2025-6f19cb2eee5e05091c74f0e6f1bc356a">Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 251 taken hostage.

In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the dead were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.

The toll is expected to grow as bodies are pulled from rubble previously made inaccessible by fighting.

The war has destroyed large swaths of Gaza and displaced about 90% of its some 2 million residents. It has also triggered other conflicts in the region, sparked worldwide protests and led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/un-commission-of-inquiry-accuses-israel-of-genocide-in-gaza-ap-explains-2688e01c38c144c3842e3d810ab14309">allegations of genocide</a>&nbsp;that Israel denies.

“Much of Gaza is a wasteland,” U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the AP on Sunday.

People gathered in a square in Tel Aviv sobbed as photos of the hostages reuniting with their families flashed up on the large screens. The hostages have become household names and their faces familiar across Israel over the past two years, and tens of thousands of Israelis watched the transfers at public screenings across the country.

Soon after the hostages arrived back — after being handed first to the Red Cross, then to the military — Israel released the first photos of hostages arriving home. They included one showing 28-year-old twins Gali and Ziv Berman embracing as they were reunited. Hostages previously released had said the twins from Kfar Aza were held separately.

The photos of the first seven hostages released Monday showed them looking pale but less gaunt than some of the hostages freed in January.

Palestinians, meanwhile, awaited the release of prisoners. An armored vehicle flying an Israeli flag fired tear gas and rubber bullets at a crowd. As drones buzzed overhead, the group scattered.

The tear gas followed the circulation of a flier warning that anyone supporting what it called “terrorist organizations” risked arrest. Israel’s military did not respond to questions about the flier, which The Associated Press obtained on site.

The prisoners slated for release include 250 people serving life sentences for convictions in attacks on Israelis, in addition to 1,700 seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge. They will be returned to the West Bank or Gaza or sent into exile.

The hostages' return caps a painful chapter for Israel. Since they were captured in the attack that ignited the war, newscasts have marked their days in captivity and Israelis have worn yellow pins and ribbons in solidarity. Tens of thousands have joined their families in weekly demonstrations calling for their release.

As the war dragged on, demonstrators accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging his feet for political purposes, even as he accused Hamas of intransigence. Last week, under heavy international pressure and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-netanyahu-pariah-sanctions-rights-16c2a6774d4cf68194f7ae331a585007">increasing isolation for Israel</a>, the bitter enemies agreed to the ceasefire.

It remains unclear when the remains of 28 dead hostages will be returned. An international task force will work to locate deceased hostages who are not returned within 72 hours, said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and the missing.

<p>DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza on Monday, as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-ceasefire-next-steps-israel-palestinians-9c2044da8a891e87aaa3b127d9fb9724">ceasefire pausing two years of war</a>&nbsp;that pummeled the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">territory</a>, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and had left scores of captives in militant hands.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’ve been waiting for this moment for so, so long. PURE JOY.<br><br>But it won’t be complete until the last hostage is home.<br><br>Credit: Danor Aharon <a href="https://t.co/P9I2Ebni0S">pic.twitter.com/P9I2Ebni0S</a></p>&mdash; Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) <a href="https://twitter.com/bringhomenow/status/1977614940270936376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Palestinians, meanwhile, awaited the release of more than 1,900 of prisoners held by Israel, with the first two buses leaving Ofer Prison in the early afternoon.</p><p>The 20 hostages, all men, arrived back Israel, where they will reunite with their families and undergo medical checks. The bodies of the remaining 28 dead hostages are also expected to be handed over as part of the deal, although the exact timing remained unclear.</p><p>While major questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners raised hopes for ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group.</p><p>The ceasefire is also expected to be accompanied by a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza, parts of which are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-hunger-israel-ceasefire-a5f88e20db2a5c4f754117de9bdada69">experiencing famine</a>.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I want to sincerely thank you” ❤️ <br><br>President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> meets with hostage families and listens to their stories <a href="https://t.co/SNQCpTVUU4">pic.twitter.com/SNQCpTVUU4</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1977668287258595604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>U.S. President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-egypt-6347e7da64f6c97b95109558096c0b6c">arrived in the region</a>, where he plans to discuss the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-peace-deal-trump-hostages-aid-3d994f7d482783da6fe7e18460ef06ab">U.S.-proposed deal</a>&nbsp;and postwar plans with other leaders.</p><p>The war began when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-hostages-2-years-10-07-2025-6f19cb2eee5e05091c74f0e6f1bc356a">Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 251 taken hostage.</p><p>In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the dead were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.</p><p>The toll is expected to grow as bodies are pulled from rubble previously made inaccessible by fighting.</p><p>The war has destroyed large swaths of Gaza and displaced about 90% of its some 2 million residents. It has also triggered other conflicts in the region, sparked worldwide protests and led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/un-commission-of-inquiry-accuses-israel-of-genocide-in-gaza-ap-explains-2688e01c38c144c3842e3d810ab14309">allegations of genocide</a>&nbsp;that Israel denies.</p><p>“Much of Gaza is a wasteland,” U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the AP on Sunday.</p><h2>Living hostages released first</h2><p>People gathered in a square in Tel Aviv sobbed as photos of the hostages reuniting with their families flashed up on the large screens. The hostages have become household names and their faces familiar across Israel over the past two years, and tens of thousands of Israelis watched the transfers at public screenings across the country.</p><p>Soon after the hostages arrived back — after being handed first to the Red Cross, then to the military — Israel released the first photos of hostages arriving home. They included one showing 28-year-old twins Gali and Ziv Berman embracing as they were reunited. Hostages previously released had said the twins from Kfar Aza were held separately.</p><p>The photos of the first seven hostages released Monday showed them looking pale but less gaunt than some of the hostages freed in January.</p><p>Palestinians, meanwhile, awaited the release of prisoners. An armored vehicle flying an Israeli flag fired tear gas and rubber bullets at a crowd. As drones buzzed overhead, the group scattered.</p><p>The tear gas followed the circulation of a flier warning that anyone supporting what it called “terrorist organizations” risked arrest. Israel’s military did not respond to questions about the flier, which The Associated Press obtained on site.</p><p>The prisoners slated for release include 250 people serving life sentences for convictions in attacks on Israelis, in addition to 1,700 seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge. They will be returned to the West Bank or Gaza or sent into exile.</p><h2>A painful chapter</h2><p>The hostages' return caps a painful chapter for Israel. Since they were captured in the attack that ignited the war, newscasts have marked their days in captivity and Israelis have worn yellow pins and ribbons in solidarity. Tens of thousands have joined their families in weekly demonstrations calling for their release.</p><p>As the war dragged on, demonstrators accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging his feet for political purposes, even as he accused Hamas of intransigence. Last week, under heavy international pressure and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-netanyahu-pariah-sanctions-rights-16c2a6774d4cf68194f7ae331a585007">increasing isolation for Israel</a>, the bitter enemies agreed to the ceasefire.</p><p>It remains unclear when the remains of 28 dead hostages will be returned. An international task force will work to locate deceased hostages who are not returned within 72 hours, said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and the missing.</p>

Hamas releases all 20 remaining living hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 12:30 a.m. Oct. 8, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a tan 1997 Chevrolet 1500 near NW Jay Street and North Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest through Shawnee County and illegal narcotics were located.

Frederick D. Anguish, 54, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and&nbsp;&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759849979752.png" alt="Anguish photo Shawnee County" />
                        <figcaption>Anguish photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.</p><p>Just before 12:30 a.m. Oct. 8, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a tan 1997 Chevrolet 1500 near NW Jay Street and North Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.</p><p> During the investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest through Shawnee County and illegal narcotics were located.</p><p>Frederick D. Anguish, 54, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and&nbsp;&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body.</p>

Passenger in Kansas traffic stop had a warrant for arrest

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Sunday warned Russia that he may send Ukraine long-range&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-tomahawk-missile-defense-0bcabfc4a87bf1a16beceec1b0c426fb">Tomahawk missiles</a>&nbsp;if Moscow doesn’t settle its war there soon — suggesting that he could be ready to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin's government using a key weapons system.

“I might say, ’Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-trump-b86ea472e290947b98976eb9b7ef6994">flew to Israel</a>. “The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that.”

Trump also said, "I might tell them that if the war is not settled -- that we may very well." He added, "We may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up.”

His comments came after Trump spoke with Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy,</a>&nbsp;and Trump said he mentioned possibly sending Tomahawks during that conversation.

“Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so,” Trump said of Russia. “I think I might speak to Russia about that.” He added that “Tomahawks are a new step of aggression.”

His suggestions followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia having attacked</a>&nbsp;Ukraine’s power grid overnight, part of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-energy-drones-zelenskyy-sanctions-tomahawks-95e542fb1030e7e89fc8ac45afe3307a">ongoing campaign</a>&nbsp;to cripple Ukrainian energy infrastructure before winter. Moscow also expressed “extreme concern” over the U.S. potentially providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Putin himself has previously suggested that the United States supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington.

For his part, Zelenskyy described his latest call with Trump as “very productive,” and said the pair had discussed strengthening Ukraine’s “air defense, resilience, and long-range capabilities,” along with “details related to the energy sector.”

In an interview with Fox News Channel’s “The Sunday Briefing” after his call with Trump, Zelenskyy was asked whether Trump had approved the Tomahawks and said, “we work on it.”

“I’m waiting for president to yes,” Zelenskyy said. “Of course we count on such decisions, but we will see. We will see.”

The Ukrainian president said Friday that he was in talks with U.S. officials about the possible provision of various long-range precision strike weapons, including Tomahawks and more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-1000-days-attack-06002c8c50bfb2fc622f446a8580bc0e">ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles.</a>

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in remarks published Sunday that “the topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern.”

Trump, who has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-europe-next-steps-527983fab40e58208e9e18c943de696a">frustrated by Russia in his efforts</a>&nbsp;to end the war, said last week that he has “sort of made a decision” on whether to send Tomahawks to Ukraine, without elaborating. A senior Ukrainian delegation is set to visit the U.S. this week.

The U.S. president in recent weeks has taken a notably tougher tact with Putin, after the Russian leader has declined to engage in direct talks with Zelenskyy about easing fighting.

Last month, Trump announced that he now believes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-un-zelenskyy-trump-f28942b3915e40226654548bb3ee7919">Ukraine could win back</a>&nbsp;all the territory lost to Russia — a dramatic shift from the Republican’s repeated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-trump-summit-zelenskyy-a01a6dbae85b10cc710c48f1558c1401">calls for Kyiv to make concessions</a>&nbsp;to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>.

But Trump, at least so far, has resisted Zelenskyy’s calls for Tomahawks. They would allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory and put the sort of pressure on Putin that Zelenskyy argues is needed to get the Russians to seriously engage in peace talks.

Trump said aboard Air Force One of the war: “I really think Putin would look great if he got this settled" and that “It’s not going to be good for him” if not.

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760318404384.png" alt="President Trump spoke to reporters on his way to Israel late Sunday -image from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>President Trump spoke to reporters on his way to Israel late Sunday -image from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Sunday warned Russia that he may send Ukraine long-range&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-tomahawk-missile-defense-0bcabfc4a87bf1a16beceec1b0c426fb">Tomahawk missiles</a>&nbsp;if Moscow doesn’t settle its war there soon — suggesting that he could be ready to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin's government using a key weapons system.</p><p>“I might say, ’Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-trump-b86ea472e290947b98976eb9b7ef6994">flew to Israel</a>. “The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that.”</p><p>Trump also said, "I might tell them that if the war is not settled -- that we may very well." He added, "We may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up.”</p><p>His comments came after Trump spoke with Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy,</a>&nbsp;and Trump said he mentioned possibly sending Tomahawks during that conversation.</p><p>“Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so,” Trump said of Russia. “I think I might speak to Russia about that.” He added that “Tomahawks are a new step of aggression.”</p><p>His suggestions followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia having attacked</a>&nbsp;Ukraine’s power grid overnight, part of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-energy-drones-zelenskyy-sanctions-tomahawks-95e542fb1030e7e89fc8ac45afe3307a">ongoing campaign</a>&nbsp;to cripple Ukrainian energy infrastructure before winter. Moscow also expressed “extreme concern” over the U.S. potentially providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.</p><p>Putin himself has previously suggested that the United States supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington.</p><p>For his part, Zelenskyy described his latest call with Trump as “very productive,” and said the pair had discussed strengthening Ukraine’s “air defense, resilience, and long-range capabilities,” along with “details related to the energy sector.”</p><p>In an interview with Fox News Channel’s “The Sunday Briefing” after his call with Trump, Zelenskyy was asked whether Trump had approved the Tomahawks and said, “we work on it.”</p><p>“I’m waiting for president to yes,” Zelenskyy said. “Of course we count on such decisions, but we will see. We will see.”</p><p>The Ukrainian president said Friday that he was in talks with U.S. officials about the possible provision of various long-range precision strike weapons, including Tomahawks and more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-1000-days-attack-06002c8c50bfb2fc622f446a8580bc0e">ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles.</a></p><p>Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in remarks published Sunday that “the topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern.”</p><p>Trump, who has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-europe-next-steps-527983fab40e58208e9e18c943de696a">frustrated by Russia in his efforts</a>&nbsp;to end the war, said last week that he has “sort of made a decision” on whether to send Tomahawks to Ukraine, without elaborating. A senior Ukrainian delegation is set to visit the U.S. this week.</p><p>The U.S. president in recent weeks has taken a notably tougher tact with Putin, after the Russian leader has declined to engage in direct talks with Zelenskyy about easing fighting.</p><p>Last month, Trump announced that he now believes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-un-zelenskyy-trump-f28942b3915e40226654548bb3ee7919">Ukraine could win back</a>&nbsp;all the territory lost to Russia — a dramatic shift from the Republican’s repeated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-trump-summit-zelenskyy-a01a6dbae85b10cc710c48f1558c1401">calls for Kyiv to make concessions</a>&nbsp;to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>.</p><p>But Trump, at least so far, has resisted Zelenskyy’s calls for Tomahawks. They would allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory and put the sort of pressure on Putin that Zelenskyy argues is needed to get the Russians to seriously engage in peace talks.</p><p>Trump said aboard Air Force One of the war: “I really think Putin would look great if he got this settled" and that “It’s not going to be good for him” if not.</p><p>___</p><p>Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.</p>

Trump issues new warning to Russia if Moscow doesn't settle war soon

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City woman was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for her leadership role in two cases that resulted in more than $500,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and more than $3,000,000 in stolen Treasury checks, according to the United State's Attorney.

Briauna Adams, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 11 years imprisonment based upon her guilty pleas to wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of government funds relating to a counterfeit check scheme and stolen United States Treasury checks.&nbsp; The defendant also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

According to court documents, Adams rented a townhome in Raymore, Mo., using the name and personal identification information of another person.&nbsp;On July 27, 2024, Adams opened an individual investment account from the Raymore residence.&nbsp; On Aug. 15, 2024, Adams deposited a Treasury check worth $1,445,443.69 in her name to the investment account. Fraud investigators with the investment account company determined the $1,445,443.69 Treasury check was fraudulent and&nbsp;reversed the deposit before suffering a financial&nbsp;loss.

On Nov. 14, 2024, a search warrant was executed on Adam’s rental townhome in Raymore.&nbsp; Approximately 253 stolen Treasury checks were found in the residence.&nbsp; The total value of the checks was approximately $700,000.

Finally, Adams conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf.&nbsp; Adams filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $540,302, which she was ordered to pay back in a restitution judgment.

<p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City woman was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for her leadership role in two cases that resulted in more than $500,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and more than $3,000,000 in stolen Treasury checks, according to the United State's Attorney.</p><p>Briauna Adams, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 11 years imprisonment based upon her guilty pleas to wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of government funds relating to a counterfeit check scheme and stolen United States Treasury checks.&nbsp; The defendant also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).</p><p>According to court documents, Adams rented a townhome in Raymore, Mo., using the name and personal identification information of another person.&nbsp;On July 27, 2024, Adams opened an individual investment account from the Raymore residence.&nbsp; On Aug. 15, 2024, Adams deposited a Treasury check worth $1,445,443.69 in her name to the investment account. Fraud investigators with the investment account company determined the $1,445,443.69 Treasury check was fraudulent and&nbsp;reversed the deposit before suffering a financial&nbsp;loss.</p><p>On Nov. 14, 2024, a search warrant was executed on Adam’s rental townhome in Raymore.&nbsp; Approximately 253 stolen Treasury checks were found in the residence.&nbsp; The total value of the checks was approximately $700,000.</p><p>Finally, Adams conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf.&nbsp; Adams filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $540,302, which she was ordered to pay back in a restitution judgment.</p>

Prison: Kansas City woman for Covid-19 fraud, ID theft

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-felony-779e3e7c8a746b6218dfda8fcdb8d153">NFL quarterback and sports analyst Mark Sanchez</a>&nbsp;was released from custody Sunday, about a week after police said he was stabbed during a fight with a truck driver outside an Indiana hotel.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Sanchez's release. He faces a felony battery charge, along with several misdemeanor charges, for what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-felony-779e3e7c8a746b6218dfda8fcdb8d153">prosecutors have said was a fight over parking.</a>

A police affidavit says the 38-year-old Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted 69-year-old Perry Tole, who had backed his truck into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis on Oct. 4. Tole claims in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-lawsuit-fox-3b1baf3a3bd68770857fbcbfcd6e478b">lawsuit filed Monday</a>&nbsp;that Sanchez entered the truck without permission, then physically blocked and shoved Tole, who then doused Sanchez with pepper spray.

When Sanchez advanced after being sprayed, Tole pulled a knife to defend himself, authorities said.

Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, according to a police affidavit. A picture of Tole circulating online shows him in a neck brace on a hospital bed, covered in blood with a deep slash to the side of his face.

Sanchez was in Indianapolis for Fox’s coverage of last Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sanchez had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019. He spent four seasons with the New York Jets and also appeared in games with Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.

He appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years before joining Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021.

A defense attorney for Sanchez didn't immediately respond to a telephone message seeking comment.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760301166685.png" alt="Mark Sanchez booking photo Marion County Sheriff" />
                        <figcaption>Mark Sanchez booking photo Marion County Sheriff</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-felony-779e3e7c8a746b6218dfda8fcdb8d153">NFL quarterback and sports analyst Mark Sanchez</a>&nbsp;was released from custody Sunday, about a week after police said he was stabbed during a fight with a truck driver outside an Indiana hotel.</p><p>The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Sanchez's release. He faces a felony battery charge, along with several misdemeanor charges, for what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-felony-779e3e7c8a746b6218dfda8fcdb8d153">prosecutors have said was a fight over parking.</a></p><p>A police affidavit says the 38-year-old Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted 69-year-old Perry Tole, who had backed his truck into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis on Oct. 4. Tole claims in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-sanchez-stabbing-lawsuit-fox-3b1baf3a3bd68770857fbcbfcd6e478b">lawsuit filed Monday</a>&nbsp;that Sanchez entered the truck without permission, then physically blocked and shoved Tole, who then doused Sanchez with pepper spray.</p><p>When Sanchez advanced after being sprayed, Tole pulled a knife to defend himself, authorities said.</p><p>Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, according to a police affidavit. A picture of Tole circulating online shows him in a neck brace on a hospital bed, covered in blood with a deep slash to the side of his face.</p><p>Sanchez was in Indianapolis for Fox’s coverage of last Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.</p><p>Sanchez had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019. He spent four seasons with the New York Jets and also appeared in games with Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.</p><p>He appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years before joining Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021.</p><p>A defense attorney for Sanchez didn't immediately respond to a telephone message seeking comment.</p>

 Ex-NFL QB released from custody after knife fight over parking

FORD COUNTY —Three people died in a fire Sunday in Dodge City.

Just after 9:30a.m., the Dodge City Fire Department received a call&nbsp; regarding a structure fire in the area between McArtor Road and Agnes Street, according to a media release from the fire department.

Firefighters found two trailer homes and three vehicles involved in the fire, with one trailer home already fully engulfed in flames.

Crews worked quickly to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing it from spreading further. Fhree fatalities resulted from the incident. The Dodge City Police Department is currently interviewing family members to gather additional information to help identify those in the fire.

Although the fire is out, a Dodge City Fire Department engine remains on scene to monitor for any potential flare-ups and to assist the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office once they arrive to conduct a full investigation on the cause of the fire.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760352435825.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>FORD COUNTY —Three people died in a fire Sunday in Dodge City.</p><p>Just after 9:30a.m., the Dodge City Fire Department received a call&nbsp; regarding a structure fire in the area between McArtor Road and Agnes Street, according to a media release from the fire department.</p><p>Firefighters found two trailer homes and three vehicles involved in the fire, with one trailer home already fully engulfed in flames.</p><p>Crews worked quickly to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing it from spreading further. Fhree fatalities resulted from the incident. The Dodge City Police Department is currently interviewing family members to gather additional information to help identify those in the fire.</p><p>Although the fire is out, a Dodge City Fire Department engine remains on scene to monitor for any potential flare-ups and to assist the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office once they arrive to conduct a full investigation on the cause of the fire.</p>

Three found dead in southwest Kansas fire

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/tom-murphy">TOM MURPHY</a><br>Associated Press

Fewer choices may be on the menu again as Medicare patients shop for prescription coverage this fall.

The number of available, stand-alone drug plans has fallen for a few years, and that trend will continue for 2026. Most markets will still have several choices, but some options are becoming particularly sparse for shoppers with low-income subsidies. And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.

Shoppers have from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 to find new coverage that starts in January.

Here’s who needs a Medicare Part D plan

Regular Medicare, which most people qualify for after turning 65, does not come with prescription coverage, known as Part D. People must choose that separately.

About 23 million people with regular Medicare have this standalone coverage, according to the non-profit KFF, which studies health care.

Another roughly 34 million people have Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of Medicare that often come with prescription coverage.

A typical shopper will be able to choose a standalone drug plan from among eight to 12 options for 2026, according to KFF Medicare expert Juliette Cubanski. That’s down from 12 to 16 options in 2025.

Shoppers had nearly 30 choices as recently as 2021, according to the Commonwealth Fund’s Gretchen Jacobson.

Depending on the state, a range of one to four plans will be available at no premium to people who qualify for low-income subsidies, according to KFF. Eight were available in 2021.

Some insurers are reducing their presence in standalone Part D plans, while the Blue Cross-Blue Shield carrier Elevance is leaving the market entirely. Insurers and analysts who follow the industry note that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-climate-health-tax-law-economy-inflation-f112d7c78abaa724d22964317d213deb">the Inflation Reduction Act</a>, which will cap annual out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 in 2026, puts more financial pressure on insurers. The same law now allows patients to spread the cost of prescriptions over the year.

There are still many Medicare Part D options

Most markets will have several choices. But experts say Medicare Part D customers don’t like to shop, especially if they already have a plan that covers their medications. Finding affordable coverage for multiple prescriptions can be tricky.

“I think there’s a lot of inertia and, frankly, people may be concerned that if they switch, they’re going to end up worse off,” Cubanski said.

More people are being pushed to shop. Nearly 11% of those with standalone prescription drug coverage lost their plan in 2024, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2834155?guestaccesskey=945ba919-ae7d-4e09-9372-d5c7ba67e606&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=postup_jn&amp;utm_campaign=article_alert-jama&amp;utm_content=etoc-tfl_&amp;utm_term=072225" target="_blank">research</a>&nbsp;published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Before 2023, that figure was often under 1%, said Dr. Christopher Cai, one of the researchers involved in the study.

Here’s how Medicare Part D prices are changing

Monthly premiums, or coverage prices, will fall nearly 10% on average to $34.50, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/medicare-advantage-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-expected-remain-stable-2026" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;last month.

At least one option with a premium of under $20 exists in almost every region of the country, according to the consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

Individual prices will range widely, with premiums for the same plan varying by state, Cubanski noted.

But while plans may provide lower coverage prices, they could also raise deductibles or offer more limited lists of covered drugs, which are called formularies. Shoppers should check these details.

Insurers will be allowed to raise premiums by as much as $50 a month for 2026, up from a $35 increase allowed this year. But Cubanski said only some plans will hit that higher limit and not necessarily in all states.

Where to get help shopping for Medicare Part D plans

Shoppers can use a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?year=2025&amp;lang=en" target="_blank">federal government website</a>&nbsp;to compare plan prices and coverage.

States also have a State Health Insurance Program created specifically to help people on Medicare find coverage.

Consumers can help themselves by checking their coverage for changes and comparing it with other plans.

Shoppers also should consider whether their pharmacy is in the network covered by any plan they are considering, said Jacobson, Commonwealth’s vice president of Medicare.

Some might also consider switching to Medicare Advantage plans with prescription coverage. But those plans can have more limited networks of covered doctors, which can pose a problem for people with fewer care choices in rural areas.

The enrollment window spans several weeks, but brokers say many people wait until that first week in December to make decisions, often after talking with family during holiday dinners.

That can create a deadline crunch that makes it harder to find help in early December.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760272024204.png" alt="Post photo" />
                        <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/tom-murphy">TOM MURPHY</a><br>Associated Press</p><p>Fewer choices may be on the menu again as Medicare patients shop for prescription coverage this fall.</p><p>The number of available, stand-alone drug plans has fallen for a few years, and that trend will continue for 2026. Most markets will still have several choices, but some options are becoming particularly sparse for shoppers with low-income subsidies. And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.</p><p>Shoppers have from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 to find new coverage that starts in January.</p><p>Some things to consider:</p><h2>Here’s who needs a Medicare Part D plan</h2><p>Regular Medicare, which most people qualify for after turning 65, does not come with prescription coverage, known as Part D. People must choose that separately.</p><p>About 23 million people with regular Medicare have this standalone coverage, according to the non-profit KFF, which studies health care.</p><p>Another roughly 34 million people have Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of Medicare that often come with prescription coverage.</p><h2>How Medicare Part D plans are changing</h2><p>A typical shopper will be able to choose a standalone drug plan from among eight to 12 options for 2026, according to KFF Medicare expert Juliette Cubanski. That’s down from 12 to 16 options in 2025.</p><p>Shoppers had nearly 30 choices as recently as 2021, according to the Commonwealth Fund’s Gretchen Jacobson.</p><p>Depending on the state, a range of one to four plans will be available at no premium to people who qualify for low-income subsidies, according to KFF. Eight were available in 2021.</p><p>Some insurers are reducing their presence in standalone Part D plans, while the Blue Cross-Blue Shield carrier Elevance is leaving the market entirely. Insurers and analysts who follow the industry note that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-climate-health-tax-law-economy-inflation-f112d7c78abaa724d22964317d213deb">the Inflation Reduction Act</a>, which will cap annual out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 in 2026, puts more financial pressure on insurers. The same law now allows patients to spread the cost of prescriptions over the year.</p><h2>There are still many Medicare Part D options</h2><p>Most markets will have several choices. But experts say Medicare Part D customers don’t like to shop, especially if they already have a plan that covers their medications. Finding affordable coverage for multiple prescriptions can be tricky.</p><p>“I think there’s a lot of inertia and, frankly, people may be concerned that if they switch, they’re going to end up worse off,” Cubanski said.</p><p>More people are being pushed to shop. Nearly 11% of those with standalone prescription drug coverage lost their plan in 2024, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2834155?guestaccesskey=945ba919-ae7d-4e09-9372-d5c7ba67e606&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=postup_jn&amp;utm_campaign=article_alert-jama&amp;utm_content=etoc-tfl_&amp;utm_term=072225" target="_blank">research</a>&nbsp;published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.</p><p>Before 2023, that figure was often under 1%, said Dr. Christopher Cai, one of the researchers involved in the study.</p><h2>Here’s how Medicare Part D prices are changing</h2><p>Monthly premiums, or coverage prices, will fall nearly 10% on average to $34.50, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/medicare-advantage-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-expected-remain-stable-2026" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;last month.</p><p>At least one option with a premium of under $20 exists in almost every region of the country, according to the consulting firm Oliver Wyman.</p><p>Individual prices will range widely, with premiums for the same plan varying by state, Cubanski noted.</p><p>But while plans may provide lower coverage prices, they could also raise deductibles or offer more limited lists of covered drugs, which are called formularies. Shoppers should check these details.</p><p>Insurers will be allowed to raise premiums by as much as $50 a month for 2026, up from a $35 increase allowed this year. But Cubanski said only some plans will hit that higher limit and not necessarily in all states.</p><h2>Where to get help shopping for Medicare Part D plans</h2><p>Shoppers can use a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?year=2025&amp;lang=en" target="_blank">federal government website</a>&nbsp;to compare plan prices and coverage.</p><p>States also have a State Health Insurance Program created specifically to help people on Medicare find coverage.</p><p>Consumers can help themselves by checking their coverage for changes and comparing it with other plans.</p><p>Shoppers also should consider whether their pharmacy is in the network covered by any plan they are considering, said Jacobson, Commonwealth’s vice president of Medicare.</p><p>Some might also consider switching to Medicare Advantage plans with prescription coverage. But those plans can have more limited networks of covered doctors, which can pose a problem for people with fewer care choices in rural areas.</p><h2>Why delaying may not be wise</h2><p>The enrollment window spans several weeks, but brokers say many people wait until that first week in December to make decisions, often after talking with family during holiday dinners.</p><p>That can create a deadline crunch that makes it harder to find help in early December.</p><p>___</p><p>The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.</p>

Prescription drug coverage options are shrinking for Medicare shoppers

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/sarah-raza">SARAH RAZA</a>

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — When Rob Coverdale started his job in 2023 as superintendent of the K-12 Crow Creek Tribal School in South Dakota, there were 15 unfilled teaching positions.

Within nine months, he had filled those vacancies with Filipino teachers, the majority of whom arrived on the H-1B, a visa for skilled workers in specialty occupations.

“We’ve hired the H-1B teachers because we quite simply didn’t have other applicants for those positions,” Coverdale said. “So they’re certainly not taking jobs from Americans. They’re filling jobs that otherwise just simply we would not get filled.”

Now a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-explainer-7d5dae2c65b2fa27a7730be3c6833d32">$100,000 fee</a>&nbsp;for H-1B visa applications spells trouble for those like Coverdale in rural parts of the country who rely on immigrants to fill vacancies in skilled professions like education and health care.

The Trump administration announced the fee on Sept. 19, arguing that employers were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-8d39699d0b2de3d90936f8076357254e">replacing</a>&nbsp;American workers with cheaper talent from overseas. Since then, the White House has said the fee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-changes-trump-cbb0995814cf2c9a3c74a6dcf2b31d72">won’t apply</a>&nbsp;to existing visa holders and offered a form to request exemptions from the charge.

H-1Bs are primarily associated with tech workers from India. Big tech companies are the biggest user of the visa, and nearly three-quarters of those approved are from India. But there are critical workers, like teachers and doctors, who fall outside that category.

Over the last decade, the U.S. has faced a shortage in those and other sectors. One in eight public school positions are vacant or filled by uncertified teachers, and the American Medical Association projects a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-doctors-trump-medical-residents-j1-visa-4d1aafa387086518735b385809bd4e1f">shortage</a>&nbsp;of 87,000 physicians in the next decade. The shortages are often worse in small, rural communities that struggle to fill jobs due to lower wages and often lack basic necessities like shopping and home rental options.

<a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7Tv2j59PwNEyqGCi1y" target="_blank"><i>▶ Stay up to date with the latest U.S. news by signing up to our WhatsApp channel.</i></a>

H-1B and J-1 visas provide communities an option to hire immigrants with advanced training and certification. The J-1s are short-term visas for cultural exchange programs that aren’t subject to the new fee but, unlike the H-1B, don’t offer a pathway to permanent residency.

While&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-explainer-7d5dae2c65b2fa27a7730be3c6833d32">large companies</a>&nbsp;may be able to absorb the new fee, that’s not an option for most rural communities, said Melissa Sadorf, executive director of the National Rural Education Association.

“It really is potentially the cost of the salary and benefits of one teacher, maybe even two, depending on the state,” she said. “Attaching that price tag to a single hire, it just simply puts that position out of reach for rural budgets.”

A coalition of health care providers, religious groups and educators filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-h1b-visa-trump-8afc10165ce911d43a4cd47ade4268e1">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;on Friday to stop the H-1B fee, saying it would harm hospitals, churches, schools and industries that rely on the visa. The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment and referred a query to its website.

Filling classrooms where Americans won’t go

Coverdale said spots like Stephan, where Crow Creek is based, struggle to attract workers in part because of their isolation. Stephan is nearly an hour’s drive from the nearest Walmart or any place that sells clothes, he said.

“The more remote you are, the more challenging it is for your staff members to get to your school and serve your kids,” he said.

Among Coverdale’s hires is Mary Joy Ponce-Torres, who had 24 years of teaching experience in the Philippines and now teaches history at Crow Creek. It was a cultural adjustment, but Ponce-Torres said she’s made friends and Stephan is now a second home.

“I came from a private school,” she said. “When I came here, I saw it was more like a rural area ... but maybe I was also looking for the same vibe, the same atmosphere where I can just take my time, take things in a much slower pace.”

Many immigrants like Ponce-Torres leave their family behind to pursue the experience and higher wages that a U.S. job can provide.

Sean Rickert, superintendent of the Pima Unified School District in Pima, Arizona, said he would stop seeking H-1B teachers if the new fee is imposed. “I just plain don’t have the money,” he said.

Though schools can also use J-1 visas to bring in immigrant teachers, it increases turnover because it is shorter term.

“It’s so important that we find permanent people, people who can buy homes, who can become part of our community,” said George Shipley, superintendent at Bison Schools in the town of Bison, South Dakota. “So the H-1B opens that possibility. It is super important, in my opinion, to actually transition from the J-1 visas to the H-1B.”

Without enough staff, schools may hire uncertified teachers, combine classes, increase caseloads for special education managers or drop some course offerings. Shipley said any future shortage of teachers in Bison would force some classes to move online.

The rural reliance on immigrant teachers is concentrated on harder-to-fill specialties, Sadorf said.

“It’s a lot more difficult to find a high school advanced math teacher that’s qualified than it is to fill a second or third grade elementary class position,” she said.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758369495841.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/sarah-raza">SARAH RAZA</a></p><p>SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — When Rob Coverdale started his job in 2023 as superintendent of the K-12 Crow Creek Tribal School in South Dakota, there were 15 unfilled teaching positions.</p><p>Within nine months, he had filled those vacancies with Filipino teachers, the majority of whom arrived on the H-1B, a visa for skilled workers in specialty occupations.</p><p>“We’ve hired the H-1B teachers because we quite simply didn’t have other applicants for those positions,” Coverdale said. “So they’re certainly not taking jobs from Americans. They’re filling jobs that otherwise just simply we would not get filled.”</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> signs a Proclamation to restrict the entry of certain H-1B aliens into the U.S. as nonimmigrant workers, requiring a $100,000 payment to accompany or supplement H-1B petitions for new applications.<br><br>AMERICA FIRST! <a href="https://t.co/AzAUJzXawV">pic.twitter.com/AzAUJzXawV</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969155493701571049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Now a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-explainer-7d5dae2c65b2fa27a7730be3c6833d32">$100,000 fee</a>&nbsp;for H-1B visa applications spells trouble for those like Coverdale in rural parts of the country who rely on immigrants to fill vacancies in skilled professions like education and health care.</p><p>The Trump administration announced the fee on Sept. 19, arguing that employers were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-8d39699d0b2de3d90936f8076357254e">replacing</a>&nbsp;American workers with cheaper talent from overseas. Since then, the White House has said the fee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-changes-trump-cbb0995814cf2c9a3c74a6dcf2b31d72">won’t apply</a>&nbsp;to existing visa holders and offered a form to request exemptions from the charge.</p><p>H-1Bs are primarily associated with tech workers from India. Big tech companies are the biggest user of the visa, and nearly three-quarters of those approved are from India. But there are critical workers, like teachers and doctors, who fall outside that category.</p><p>Over the last decade, the U.S. has faced a shortage in those and other sectors. One in eight public school positions are vacant or filled by uncertified teachers, and the American Medical Association projects a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-doctors-trump-medical-residents-j1-visa-4d1aafa387086518735b385809bd4e1f">shortage</a>&nbsp;of 87,000 physicians in the next decade. The shortages are often worse in small, rural communities that struggle to fill jobs due to lower wages and often lack basic necessities like shopping and home rental options.</p><p><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7Tv2j59PwNEyqGCi1y" target="_blank"><i>▶ Stay up to date with the latest U.S. news by signing up to our WhatsApp channel.</i></a></p><p>H-1B and J-1 visas provide communities an option to hire immigrants with advanced training and certification. The J-1s are short-term visas for cultural exchange programs that aren’t subject to the new fee but, unlike the H-1B, don’t offer a pathway to permanent residency.</p><p>While&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/h1b-visa-trump-immigration-explainer-7d5dae2c65b2fa27a7730be3c6833d32">large companies</a>&nbsp;may be able to absorb the new fee, that’s not an option for most rural communities, said Melissa Sadorf, executive director of the National Rural Education Association.</p><p>“It really is potentially the cost of the salary and benefits of one teacher, maybe even two, depending on the state,” she said. “Attaching that price tag to a single hire, it just simply puts that position out of reach for rural budgets.”</p><p>A coalition of health care providers, religious groups and educators filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-h1b-visa-trump-8afc10165ce911d43a4cd47ade4268e1">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;on Friday to stop the H-1B fee, saying it would harm hospitals, churches, schools and industries that rely on the visa. The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment and referred a query to its website.</p><h2>Filling classrooms where Americans won’t go</h2><p>Coverdale said spots like Stephan, where Crow Creek is based, struggle to attract workers in part because of their isolation. Stephan is nearly an hour’s drive from the nearest Walmart or any place that sells clothes, he said.</p><p>“The more remote you are, the more challenging it is for your staff members to get to your school and serve your kids,” he said.</p><p>Among Coverdale’s hires is Mary Joy Ponce-Torres, who had 24 years of teaching experience in the Philippines and now teaches history at Crow Creek. It was a cultural adjustment, but Ponce-Torres said she’s made friends and Stephan is now a second home.</p><p>“I came from a private school,” she said. “When I came here, I saw it was more like a rural area ... but maybe I was also looking for the same vibe, the same atmosphere where I can just take my time, take things in a much slower pace.”</p><p>Many immigrants like Ponce-Torres leave their family behind to pursue the experience and higher wages that a U.S. job can provide.</p><p>Sean Rickert, superintendent of the Pima Unified School District in Pima, Arizona, said he would stop seeking H-1B teachers if the new fee is imposed. “I just plain don’t have the money,” he said.</p><p>Though schools can also use J-1 visas to bring in immigrant teachers, it increases turnover because it is shorter term.</p><p>“It’s so important that we find permanent people, people who can buy homes, who can become part of our community,” said George Shipley, superintendent at Bison Schools in the town of Bison, South Dakota. “So the H-1B opens that possibility. It is super important, in my opinion, to actually transition from the J-1 visas to the H-1B.”</p><p>Without enough staff, schools may hire uncertified teachers, combine classes, increase caseloads for special education managers or drop some course offerings. Shipley said any future shortage of teachers in Bison would force some classes to move online.</p><p>The rural reliance on immigrant teachers is concentrated on harder-to-fill specialties, Sadorf said.</p><p>“It’s a lot more difficult to find a high school advanced math teacher that’s qualified than it is to fill a second or third grade elementary class position,” she said.</p><h2>Closing gaps in the nation’s doctor shortage</h2><p>The fee could be a “huge problem” for health care, said Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association and a doctor in Flint, Michigan. Without enough doctors, patients will have to drive farther and wait longer for care.</p><p>One-quarter of the nation’s physicians are international medical graduates, according to the AMA.</p><p>“It’s just going to be terrible for the physician shortage, particularly in rural areas,” said Mukkamala, whose parents came to the U.S. as international medical graduates. “The people that do graduate from here, who want to practice medicine, obviously have a choice and they’re going to pick Detroit, they’re going to pick Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco. ... This is kind of where everybody goes.”</p><p>Leading medical societies have called on the Trump administration and lawmakers to grant exemptions from the fee to immigrant health care workers.</p><p>“Given the staffing and financial challenges our hospitals are already facing, the increased petition fees outlined in the September 19 Proclamation would likely prevent many of them from continuing to recruit essential health care staff and could force a reduction in the services they are able to provide,” the American Hospital Association said in a statement.</p><p>Allison Roberts, vice president of human resources at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in Watertown, South Dakota, said the change could be dire for health care in rural America.</p><p>“If we end up not being exempt, the variation between what it is now and that $100,000 fee is going to really take your smaller, rural health care institutions out of the picture,” she said.</p>