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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Though vindictive prosecution motions are not often successful, Comey’s lawyers have laid out a laundry list of verbal attacks from Trump in hopes of establishing the case as an outgrowth of the president's personal animus.

Trump amplified his long-running demands for a Comey prosecution with a September social media post&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/letitia-james-eastern-district-of-virginia-trump-8c84bd8603a4b932f9cb2e451ef057a3">in which he complained to Attorney General Pam Bondi</a>&nbsp;about the lack of action against his political opponents. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation,” Trump wrote, adding that “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

“If this is not a direction to prosecute,” Dreeben said in court, “I’d really be at a loss to say what is.”

The night of that post, Trump said he would appoint Halligan, a White House aide without prior prosecutorial experience, as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, on an interim basis. She replaced a veteran prosecutor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-letitia-james-siebert-trump-9ec1a96c05fa77d8acc558bd803622a2">who was effectively forced from the job</a>&nbsp;after not charging Comey or another Trump foe,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/letitia-james">New York Attorney General Letitia James.</a>

Halligan secured an indictment of Comey days later as the statute of limitations on the case was about to expire. The charges are related to sworn testimony about whether Comey had authorized an FBI colleague to serve as an anonymous source to the news media.

Asked by Nachmanoff whether he considered Halligan to be a “stalking horse” or “puppet” for the administration, Dreeben demurred and opted against that characterization. But, he said, “She did what she was told to do."

Presidents, Dreeben said, have other tools at their disposal to punish critics, but bringing the full weight of the Justice Department to bear is impermissible.

“The government cannot use power of criminal prosecutions to attempt to silence a critic in violation of the First Amendment,” he said.

Lemons, the Justice Department prosecutor, insisted that Comey was indicted by a “properly constituted” grand jury because he broke the law — not because Trump ordered it.

“The defendant is not being put on trial for anything he said about the president,” Lemons said.

Lemons said nobody directed Halligan to prosecute Comey or seek his indictment.

“It was her decision and her decision only,” he added.

But Nachmanoff noted that Trump appointed Halligan just days before she presented the Comey case to the grand jury.

“What independent evaluation could she have done in that time period?” he asked Lemons.

Nachmanoff asked Lemons whether he has seen a “declination memo” in which prosecutors had outlined reasons for not seeking an indictment against Comey. Lemons said the department had instructed him not to disclose that “privileged” information.

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

Stunning admission in prosecution of former FBI Director

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

Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting the 8200 block of President Court, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Several 911 callers heard the sound of gunfire and believed someone had been shot at the apartment complex.

First responders located a male shooting victim unresponsive in the parking lot there. Officers called for EMS, who responded and transported the victim to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. 

Preliminary investigation indicates the victim had an interaction with one or more suspects in the parking lot at the apartment complex there that led to gunfire that struck the victim. The unknown suspects then left the scene. 

In the early hours of Wednesday, detectives were notified that the victim died at the hospital from his injuries. This is now a homicide investigation and the Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763582979955.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement in Kansas City, Missouri are investigating another homicide.Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting the 8200 block of President Court, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Several 911 callers heard the sound of gunfire and believed someone had been shot at the apartment complex.First responders located a male shooting victim unresponsive in the parking lot there. Officers called for EMS, who responded and transported the victim to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Preliminary investigation indicates the victim had an interaction with one or more suspects in the parking lot at the apartment complex there that led to gunfire that struck the victim. The unknown suspects then left the scene. In the early hours of Wednesday, detectives were notified that the victim died at the hospital from his injuries. This is now a homicide investigation and the Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation.

KCPD: Shooting victim found in apartment parking lot died from injuries

SALINE COUNTY—U.S. District Court Judge Toby Crouse ruled Wednesday that the City of Salina violated the First Amendment by ordering The Cozy Inn to stop painting its UFO-themed mural, marking a major legal victory for the century-old burger restaurant and free speech advocates, according to a media release from the Kansas Justice Institute.

Steve Howard, owner of the iconic burger joint filed the lawsuit, challenging the city's sign code in early 2024 after Salina officials told him to stop painting the mural. The Cozy has been a Salina institution for over a century, serving hamburgers from its small storefront since 1922.

On Wednesday, the Court issued its 35-page order on the parties’ motions for summary judgment, according to a statement from the city of Salina.

The Court agreed with the City and held that the challenged provisions of the City’s Sign Code are not unconstitutionally vague. 

On the other hand, it also agreed with the Plaintiffs and held that the City’s definition of the term ‘sign’ violates the First Amendment, and consequently that ‘Salina cannot make any determination as to whether a display is a mural or a sign without violating the First Amendment.’ 

The City is working with its attorneys to evaluate the broader implications of the Court’s Order and potential next steps towards resolution of the matter

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699905373563.jpeg" alt="Cozy Inn Hamburgers' new mural was put on pause by the City of Salina because restaurant owner, Steve Howard, did not follow procedures set in place by the Salina City Design and Review Board. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Cozy Inn Hamburgers' new mural was put on pause by the City of Salina because restaurant owner, Steve Howard, did not follow procedures set in place by the Salina City Design and Review Board. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—U.S. District Court Judge Toby Crouse ruled Wednesday that the City of Salina violated the First Amendment by ordering The Cozy Inn to stop painting its UFO-themed mural, marking a major legal victory for the century-old burger restaurant and free speech advocates, according to a media release from the Kansas Justice Institute.Steve Howard, owner of the iconic burger joint filed the lawsuit, challenging the city's sign code in early 2024 after Salina officials told him to stop painting the mural. The Cozy has been a Salina institution for over a century, serving hamburgers from its small storefront since 1922.On Wednesday, the Court issued its 35-page order on the parties’ motions for summary judgment, according to a statement from the city of Salina.The Court agreed with the City and held that the challenged provisions of the City’s Sign Code are not unconstitutionally vague. On the other hand, it also agreed with the Plaintiffs and held that the City’s definition of the term ‘sign’ violates the First Amendment, and consequently that ‘Salina cannot make any determination as to whether a display is a mural or a sign without violating the First Amendment.’ The City is working with its attorneys to evaluate the broader implications of the Court’s Order and potential next steps towards resolution of the matter

Court issues ruling on battle over mural at Salina burger restaurant

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 200,000 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles because an instrument panel can fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Federal auto safety regulators said that the instrument panel may not display at startup, leaving the driver without critical safety information.

The recall includes 128,607 Ford Bronco Sports, model years 2025-2026 and 101,002 Ford Broncos, also model years 2025-2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

Ford is not aware of any injuries caused by the instrument panel failure.

Owners will be notified by mail beginning Dec. 8 and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealership to have the software updated.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 200,000 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles because an instrument panel can fail, increasing the risk of a crash.Federal auto safety regulators said that the instrument panel may not display at startup, leaving the driver without critical safety information.The recall includes 128,607 Ford Bronco Sports, model years 2025-2026 and 101,002 Ford Broncos, also model years 2025-2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.Ford is not aware of any injuries caused by the instrument panel failure.Owners will be notified by mail beginning Dec. 8 and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealership to have the software updated.

Ford recalls Bronco and Bronco Sports for instrument panel failure

SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash near K-15 Highway and 55th Street South oh Tuesday have identified the victim as&nbsp;39-year-old Luis M. Cardenas of Wichita, according to sheriff's department spokesman Branden Stitt.

Just after 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, a Kansas Department of Transportation worker found a Ford F-250 pickup that had crashed into a bridge just north of the intersection of K-15 Highway and 55th Street South.

The KDOT worker reported an apparent ejection. Deputies, Sedgwick County EMS, and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 responded. Cardenas, the driver and pickup’s sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the preliminary investigation by the Major Crash Team, the pickup was traveling south in the 5400 block of South K-15 when, for an unknown reason, it left the roadway and struck the bridge railing. The impact caused Cardenas to be ejected from the vehicle.

An autopsy and toxicology testing will help determine whether impairment was a factor in the crash.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash near K-15 Highway and 55th Street South oh Tuesday have identified the victim as&nbsp;39-year-old Luis M. Cardenas of Wichita, according to sheriff's department spokesman Branden Stitt.Just after 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, a Kansas Department of Transportation worker found a Ford F-250 pickup that had crashed into a bridge just north of the intersection of K-15 Highway and 55th Street South.The KDOT worker reported an apparent ejection. Deputies, Sedgwick County EMS, and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 responded. Cardenas, the driver and pickup’s sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene.According to the preliminary investigation by the Major Crash Team, the pickup was traveling south in the 5400 block of South K-15 when, for an unknown reason, it left the roadway and struck the bridge railing. The impact caused Cardenas to be ejected from the vehicle.An autopsy and toxicology testing will help determine whether impairment was a factor in the crash.

Sheriff IDs fatal crash victim found by KDOT worker 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-shutdown-trump-05385ab8931fd0911a44ae8343ffba74">Education Department</a>&nbsp;is breaking off several of its main offices and giving their responsibilities to other federal agencies, an early look at how President Donald Trump could fulfill his campaign pledge to close the department entirely.

Offices that serve the nation’s schools and colleges would go to departments ranging from Labor to Interior. Education officials say the moves won’t affect the money Congress gives states, schools and colleges. They didn’t say whether current department staff would keep their jobs.

Since he took office, Trump has called for the dismantling of the Education Department, saying it has been overrun by liberal thinking. Agency leaders have been making plans to parcel out its operations to other departments, and in July the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-scotus-layoffs-student-loans-f24637f2a1d57432f6dc24d082e95b9b">upheld mass layoffs</a>&nbsp;that halved the department’s staff.

In recent days, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has started a public campaign for the end of her department, making the case on social media that Education’s grantmaking and question-answering functions could be better handled by states and other federal agencies.

While the necessity of the department is up for debate, it’s also unclear how well-equipped other state and federal departments are to take over the Education Department’s responsibilities. The department sends billions of dollars to schools and colleges and helps decipher complex federal laws. It will be a test for the administration: Can the department be shut down smoothly, or will rural and low-income kids and students with disabilities — the populations that most rely on federal education support — be impacted?

Here’s what the Education Department currently handles, where its responsibilities will go to other federal agencies and what will stay the same.

While American schools are funded primarily by state and local money, the Education Department serves as a conduit for billions of dollars of federal aid going to state and local education agencies.

Education officials say that money will continue to be awarded as allocated by Congress, but much of it will flow from another federal agency. Most notably, the Department of Labor will oversee some of the largest federal funding streams for schools and colleges, including Title I money for schools serving low-income communities. Adult education programs already were moved to Labor in June.

Another deal will put Health and Human Services in charge of a grant program for parents who are attending college. The State Department will take on money to fund foreign language programs. Interior will oversee programs supporting Native American education.

One of the department’s major roles is management of the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio. Student aid so far will be largely unaffected, although McMahon and Trump have suggested it could be better handled by a different federal department.

Pell Grants and federal loans will continue to be disbursed, and student loan borrowers must continue making payments on their debts.

The website for the Free Application for Student Aid, or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-students-college-15246e6ba2d99b333983053dabb2961b">FAFSA</a>, remains open — a key piece of how colleges and universities provide aid packages to incoming students. The Education Department will continue to handle support for people navigating the complicated form.

The Education Department also will continue to oversee another major part of higher education: accreditation, which allows colleges to accept students’ federal financial aid.

For now, the department will continue to distribute money to schools to provide educational support for students with disabilities, though McMahon has suggested this function could move to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Education Department also oversees investigations into schools and universities alleged to have violated disability rights law, along with other civil rights violations such as discrimination involving sex, race and shared ancestry.

Those responsibilities will remain with the department for now, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">McMahon has suggested</a>&nbsp;sending them to the Department of Justice.

In any case, since the mass layoffs in March, the Office for Civil Rights has operated under a significantly reduced footprint. The department’s civil rights branch lost about half of its staff. The cuts raised questions about whether the office would be able to shrink a backlog of complaints from students who allege they have experienced discrimination on the basis of race, sex or disability status.

The department’s own data has shown a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-civil-rights-disability-54c4b4a228b4b30e6a6751ec745b3915">decline</a>&nbsp;in resolving civil rights cases, while new complaints from families have increased.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753487786830.png" alt=" The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., in a file photo from November 2024. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda)" />
 <figcaption> The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., in a file photo from November 2024. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-shutdown-trump-05385ab8931fd0911a44ae8343ffba74">Education Department</a>&nbsp;is breaking off several of its main offices and giving their responsibilities to other federal agencies, an early look at how President Donald Trump could fulfill his campaign pledge to close the department entirely.Offices that serve the nation’s schools and colleges would go to departments ranging from Labor to Interior. Education officials say the moves won’t affect the money Congress gives states, schools and colleges. They didn’t say whether current department staff would keep their jobs.Since he took office, Trump has called for the dismantling of the Education Department, saying it has been overrun by liberal thinking. Agency leaders have been making plans to parcel out its operations to other departments, and in July the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-scotus-layoffs-student-loans-f24637f2a1d57432f6dc24d082e95b9b">upheld mass layoffs</a>&nbsp;that halved the department’s staff.In recent days, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has started a public campaign for the end of her department, making the case on social media that Education’s grantmaking and question-answering functions could be better handled by states and other federal agencies.While the necessity of the department is up for debate, it’s also unclear how well-equipped other state and federal departments are to take over the Education Department’s responsibilities. The department sends billions of dollars to schools and colleges and helps decipher complex federal laws. It will be a test for the administration: Can the department be shut down smoothly, or will rural and low-income kids and students with disabilities — the populations that most rely on federal education support — be impacted?Here’s what the Education Department currently handles, where its responsibilities will go to other federal agencies and what will stay the same.<h2>Money for schools and colleges</h2>While American schools are funded primarily by state and local money, the Education Department serves as a conduit for billions of dollars of federal aid going to state and local education agencies.Education officials say that money will continue to be awarded as allocated by Congress, but much of it will flow from another federal agency. Most notably, the Department of Labor will oversee some of the largest federal funding streams for schools and colleges, including Title I money for schools serving low-income communities. Adult education programs already were moved to Labor in June.Another deal will put Health and Human Services in charge of a grant program for parents who are attending college. The State Department will take on money to fund foreign language programs. Interior will oversee programs supporting Native American education.<h2>Federal student loans</h2>One of the department’s major roles is management of the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio. Student aid so far will be largely unaffected, although McMahon and Trump have suggested it could be better handled by a different federal department.Pell Grants and federal loans will continue to be disbursed, and student loan borrowers must continue making payments on their debts.The website for the Free Application for Student Aid, or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-students-college-15246e6ba2d99b333983053dabb2961b">FAFSA</a>, remains open — a key piece of how colleges and universities provide aid packages to incoming students. The Education Department will continue to handle support for people navigating the complicated form.The Education Department also will continue to oversee another major part of higher education: accreditation, which allows colleges to accept students’ federal financial aid.<h2>Students with disabilities</h2>For now, the department will continue to distribute money to schools to provide educational support for students with disabilities, though McMahon has suggested this function could move to the Department of Health and Human Services.The Education Department also oversees investigations into schools and universities alleged to have violated disability rights law, along with other civil rights violations such as discrimination involving sex, race and shared ancestry.Those responsibilities will remain with the department for now, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">McMahon has suggested</a>&nbsp;sending them to the Department of Justice.In any case, since the mass layoffs in March, the Office for Civil Rights has operated under a significantly reduced footprint. The department’s civil rights branch lost about half of its staff. The cuts raised questions about whether the office would be able to shrink a backlog of complaints from students who allege they have experienced discrimination on the basis of race, sex or disability status.The department’s own data has shown a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-civil-rights-disability-54c4b4a228b4b30e6a6751ec745b3915">decline</a>&nbsp;in resolving civil rights cases, while new complaints from families have increased.___The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/" target="_blank">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/" target="_blank">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Education Department is being dismantled. Here’s what that means

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop.&nbsp;

Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, a police officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the 500 block South 5th Street in Atchison for a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 A sheriff’s deputy was on the scene with a K-9 and alerted to the presence of a controlled substance. A smoking device containing methamphetamine was subsequently located in the vehicle and the driver, Martin Winfield, was taken into custody. He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763570083333.png" alt="Winfield photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Winfield photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop.&nbsp;Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, a police officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the 500 block South 5th Street in Atchison for a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. A sheriff’s deputy was on the scene with a K-9 and alerted to the presence of a controlled substance. A smoking device containing methamphetamine was subsequently located in the vehicle and the driver, Martin Winfield, was taken into custody. He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Kan. sheriff's K9 alerted to smoking device containing meth

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital in Johnson County.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, the Shawnee Police Department, Shawnee Fire Department, and Johnson County MED-ACT responded to a report of a shooting in a parking lot in the 10300 block of Shawnee Mission Parkway.

One adult man, who had been shot once, was taken to the hospital in stable condition. 

The suspect left the scene in a dark-colored truck. It is unclear whether the victim and the suspect knew each other prior to the altercation in the parking lot. 

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.Anyone with information is asked to call 913-631-2150.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital in Johnson County.Just after 11p.m. Monday, the Shawnee Police Department, Shawnee Fire Department, and Johnson County MED-ACT responded to a report of a shooting in a parking lot in the 10300 block of Shawnee Mission Parkway.One adult man, who had been shot once, was taken to the hospital in stable condition. The suspect left the scene in a dark-colored truck. It is unclear whether the victim and the suspect knew each other prior to the altercation in the parking lot. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.Anyone with information is asked to call 913-631-2150.

Police: Suspect in Kan. shooting  was driving a dark-colored truck

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A child is recovering from injuries after an accident in&nbsp; Wichita.

On Tuesday morning, police responded to the report of a child being struck by a vehicle on private property, according to Wichita Police Department Captain Aaron Moses.

EMS transported the 4-year-old boy to an area hospital with critical injuries.&nbsp;

Investigators responded and it appears this was an accident caused by the child running out from behind a shed in an alley in the 900 Block of S. Mission where the 23-year-old driver of the SUV could not see him.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763501299236.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A child is recovering from injuries after an accident in&nbsp; Wichita.On Tuesday morning, police responded to the report of a child being struck by a vehicle on private property, according to Wichita Police Department Captain Aaron Moses.EMS transported the 4-year-old boy to an area hospital with critical injuries.&nbsp;Investigators responded and it appears this was an accident caused by the child running out from behind a shed in an alley in the 900 Block of S. Mission where the 23-year-old driver of the SUV could not see him.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

4-year-old Kansas boy recovering after struck by SUV

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The federal government shutdown threatened food program benefits for 180,000 Kansans, and near daily guidance from courts left state leaders unsure about November payments.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Nov. 7, the state of Kansas paid out November benefits in full to all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, after days of back-and-forth filings in lawsuits that&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/11/03/kansas-food-assistance-recipients-set-to-receive-partial-payment-but-no-one-knows-when/">first indicated 50% of November benefits&nbsp;</a>should be paid and then a miscalculation increases that amount&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/usdas-food-assistance-miscalculation-means-more-money-to-kansas-recipients/">to 66% of benefits</a>.&nbsp;

Based on a court order and guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kansas made the full November SNAP payments “with the expectation the USDA would fully fund SNAP with federal funding,” said Erin La Row, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Children and Families in an email.&nbsp;

But on Nov. 8, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/benefit-issuance-nov8" target="_blank">USDA issued guidance</a>&nbsp;that states were to pay partial benefits and said, “To the extent states sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized. Accordingly, states must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Please advise the appropriate FNS regional office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”

Kansas was one of at least four states that paid out benefits Nov. 7, including New York, Wisconsin and Oregon.&nbsp;

The memo said that if states didn’t comply, the USDA could possibly take action, including cancelling the federal share of state administrative costs and&nbsp;holding states liable for any overissuances from the noncompliance.

However, La Row said Tuesday that Kansas doesnt expect any problems after paying out benefits on Nov. 7, the day before the USDA ordered states to “undo” paying the benefits.&nbsp;

She referred to a USDA memo on Nov. 13 that ordered states to transmit full November payments after the government shutdown ended.&nbsp;

“FNS (Food and Nutrition Services) shall not pursue any additional penalties against State agencies, pursuant to 7 CFR 271.7(h), due to extraordinary circumstances,” the memo said.

Even before SNAP payments were delayed,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/10/29/hope-for-the-best-government-shutdown-strains-kansas-food-resources-local-businesses/">Kansas food pantries</a>&nbsp;were stretched to meet the needs of families as costs rose and the governtment shutdown took its toll. Communities across the state stepped up to provide resources, including four Kansas health philanthropies.

The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, Kansas Health Foundation, Sunflower Foundation and REACH Healthcare Foundation contributed more than $381,000 to support food banks and community pantries, the groups said in a news release. The money will be distributed before year’s end.

“Kansans are struggling to put food on their tables right now, and it’s important we help where we can in the short term,” said David Jordan, Health Fund president and CEO.&nbsp;

SNAP funding is still under the gun with changes to the program included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/obbb-implementation#:~:text=This%20provision%20also%20changes%20how,towards%20the%20excess%20shelter%20deduction." target="_blank">In a September memo</a>, the USDA outlined upcoming SNAP changes, including tying state administrative cost reimbursement&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/08/26/kansas-official-defends-refusal-to-turn-over-private-food-program-data-in-face-of-political-attacks/">to the state’s error rate</a>&nbsp;and changing work requirements for some adults.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739672428485.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The federal government shutdown threatened food program benefits for 180,000 Kansans, and near daily guidance from courts left state leaders unsure about November payments.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Nov. 7, the state of Kansas paid out November benefits in full to all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, after days of back-and-forth filings in lawsuits that&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/11/03/kansas-food-assistance-recipients-set-to-receive-partial-payment-but-no-one-knows-when/">first indicated 50% of November benefits&nbsp;</a>should be paid and then a miscalculation increases that amount&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/usdas-food-assistance-miscalculation-means-more-money-to-kansas-recipients/">to 66% of benefits</a>.&nbsp;Based on a court order and guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kansas made the full November SNAP payments “with the expectation the USDA would fully fund SNAP with federal funding,” said Erin La Row, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Children and Families in an email.&nbsp;But on Nov. 8, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/benefit-issuance-nov8" target="_blank">USDA issued guidance</a>&nbsp;that states were to pay partial benefits and said, “To the extent states sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized. Accordingly, states must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Please advise the appropriate FNS regional office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”Kansas was one of at least four states that paid out benefits Nov. 7, including New York, Wisconsin and Oregon.&nbsp;The memo said that if states didn’t comply, the USDA could possibly take action, including cancelling the federal share of state administrative costs and&nbsp;holding states liable for any overissuances from the noncompliance.However, La Row said Tuesday that Kansas doesnt expect any problems after paying out benefits on Nov. 7, the day before the USDA ordered states to “undo” paying the benefits.&nbsp;She referred to a USDA memo on Nov. 13 that ordered states to transmit full November payments after the government shutdown ended.&nbsp;“FNS (Food and Nutrition Services) shall not pursue any additional penalties against State agencies, pursuant to 7 CFR 271.7(h), due to extraordinary circumstances,” the memo said.Even before SNAP payments were delayed,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/10/29/hope-for-the-best-government-shutdown-strains-kansas-food-resources-local-businesses/">Kansas food pantries</a>&nbsp;were stretched to meet the needs of families as costs rose and the governtment shutdown took its toll. Communities across the state stepped up to provide resources, including four Kansas health philanthropies.The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, Kansas Health Foundation, Sunflower Foundation and REACH Healthcare Foundation contributed more than $381,000 to support food banks and community pantries, the groups said in a news release. The money will be distributed before year’s end.“Kansans are struggling to put food on their tables right now, and it’s important we help where we can in the short term,” said David Jordan, Health Fund president and CEO.&nbsp;SNAP funding is still under the gun with changes to the program included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/obbb-implementation#:~:text=This%20provision%20also%20changes%20how,towards%20the%20excess%20shelter%20deduction." target="_blank">In a September memo</a>, the USDA outlined upcoming SNAP changes, including tying state administrative cost reimbursement&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/08/26/kansas-official-defends-refusal-to-turn-over-private-food-program-data-in-face-of-political-attacks/">to the state’s error rate</a>&nbsp;and changing work requirements for some adults.&nbsp;

Kansas doesn’t expect penalties over November payout of food program benefits

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

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

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

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

There are no suspects identified or in custody at this time.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763552289360.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday evening&nbsp; -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday evening&nbsp; -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 8:30p.m. Tuesday, police officers were dispatched to a shooting at a convenience store in the 7000 Block of Prospect, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Officers were led inside the store where they located a shooting victim, unresponsive on the ground. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS to come to the scene. EMS pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates that there were numerous people inside the store when the victim and a suspect or suspects had an interaction that escalated, eventually to gunfire, which struck the victim.There are no suspects identified or in custody at this time.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the victim.

KCPD: Man killed in shooting inside convenience store

WASHINGTON —Both the House and Senate acted decisively Tuesday to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein.

Kansas members of the House were forced to go on the record on whether to release the files. Kansas U.S. Senators did not face a roll call vote on the bill.

The House voted overwhelmingly 427-1 in favor of the bill Tuesday afternoon. Kansas members of the House of Representatives Ron Estes, Tracey Mann, Sharice Davids and Derek Schmidt voted in favor of the bill. Kansas U.S. Senators did not have to go on the record on whether to release the files.&nbsp; The U.S. Senate agreed by unanimous consent to approve the House-passed bill.

Unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate is a procedure where a measure is passed, or action is taken, as long as no senator objects. This allows for the swift passage of legislation without the need for a formal roll call vote

The only no vote in Congress against releasing the files came from Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican who is a fervent supporter of Trump.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The bill now goes to President Trump’s desk for his signature compelling the Justice Department to release the files.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763502796963.png" alt="Robin Galbraith, 61, of Maryland, and Donna Powell, 67, of Washington, D.C., held signs outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, ahead of a U.S. House vote on releasing the Epstein files. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>Robin Galbraith, 61, of Maryland, and Donna Powell, 67, of Washington, D.C., held signs outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, ahead of a U.S. House vote on releasing the Epstein files. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Both the House and Senate acted decisively Tuesday to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein.Kansas members of the House were forced to go on the record on whether to release the files. Kansas U.S. Senators did not face a roll call vote on the bill.The House voted overwhelmingly 427-1 in favor of the bill Tuesday afternoon. Kansas members of the House of Representatives Ron Estes, Tracey Mann, Sharice Davids and Derek Schmidt voted in favor of the bill. Kansas U.S. Senators did not have to go on the record on whether to release the files.&nbsp; The U.S. Senate agreed by unanimous consent to approve the House-passed bill.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Senate just officially passed the Epstein files release bill by unanimous consent after receiving it from the House. <a href="https://t.co/jGUSxiF9Hd">pic.twitter.com/jGUSxiF9Hd</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1991162573190996436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Senate agrees by unanimous consent to approve the House-passed bill requiring the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. <a href="https://t.co/LqfA3TfDgB">pic.twitter.com/LqfA3TfDgB</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1990918894240809216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate is a procedure where a measure is passed, or action is taken, as long as no senator objects. This allows for the swift passage of legislation without the need for a formal roll call voteThe only no vote in Congress against releasing the files came from Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican who is a fervent supporter of Trump.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763495349874.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The bill now goes to President Trump’s desk for his signature compelling the Justice Department to release the files.

Moran and Marshall avoid roll call vote on release of Epstein files

SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash near K-15 Highway and 55th Street South.

The KDOT worker reported an apparent ejection. Deputies, Sedgwick County EMS, and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 responded. The driver and pickup’s sole occupant, a 39-year-old Wichita man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the preliminary investigation by the Major Crash Team, the pickup was traveling south in the 5400 block of South K-15 when, for an unknown reason, it left the roadway and struck the bridge railing. The impact caused the driver to be ejected from the vehicle.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash near K-15 Highway and 55th Street South.Just after 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, a Kansas Department of Transportation worker found a Ford F-250 pickup that had crashed into a bridge just north of the intersection of K-15 Highway and 55th Street South.The KDOT worker reported an apparent ejection. Deputies, Sedgwick County EMS, and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 responded. The driver and pickup’s sole occupant, a 39-year-old Wichita man, was pronounced dead at the scene.According to the preliminary investigation by the Major Crash Team, the pickup was traveling south in the 5400 block of South K-15 when, for an unknown reason, it left the roadway and struck the bridge railing. The impact caused the driver to be ejected from the vehicle.An autopsy and toxicology testing will help determine whether impairment was a factor in the crash.

Kansas man killed after pickup crash into bridge

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Prince Mohammed on a red carpet and under a white tent ahead of a special dinner at the White House Tuesday.&nbsp;A military band was playing as they walked inside to the East Room.

List of people attending the official dinner of the Saudi Crown Prince at the White House : 

The President of the United States and Mrs. Melania Trump

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

His Highness Prince Badr Bin Abdullah M. N. S. Alfarhan Al Saud

His Highness Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud

His Excellency Mosaad bin Mohammad Alaiban

His Excellency Salman Bin Yousef Al-Dossary

His Excellency Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih

His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah A Aljadaan

His Excellency Majid Abdullah O. Alkasabi

His Excellency Yasir Othman H. AlRumayyan

Her Highness Princess Haifa Mohammed Al-Saud

His Excellency Mohammad Bin Abdulmalik Bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh

His Excellency Abdullah Bin Amer Al-Swaha

His Excellency Mohammad Bin Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri

Mr. Cristiano Amon and Mrs. Adriana Gamba Amon

The Honorable Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury

The Honorable Pam Bondi, Attorney General and Mr. John Wakefield

Mr. Stefan Brodie and Mrs. Elizabeth Brodie

The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior

Mr. William Clay Ford Jr. and Mrs. Lisa Ford

The Honorable Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative and Mrs. Marlo Greer

The Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War and Mrs. Jennifer Hegseth

The Honorable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mrs. Kelly Johnson

The Honorable Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State 

The Honorable Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce and Mrs. Allison Lutnick

The Honorable Brian Mast, United States Representative from Florida

The Honorable Dave McCormick, United States Senator from Pennsylvania and Ms. Dina Powell

Mr. Kelly Ortberg and Mrs. Valerie Ortberg

The Honorable James Risch, United States Senator from Idaho and Mrs. Vicki Risch

The Honorable John F.W. Rogers and Ms. Deborah Lehr

The Honorable Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Mark Rollins

Mr. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ms. Georgina Rodríguez

The Honorable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State and Mrs. Jeanette Rubio

Mr. Stephen Schwarzman and Mrs. Christine Schwarzman

Mr. Jeffrey Sprecher and the Honorable Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the Small Business Administration

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Prince Mohammed on a red carpet and under a white tent ahead of a special dinner at the White House Tuesday.&nbsp;A military band was playing as they walked inside to the East Room.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump welcomes Saudi Crown Prince back to White House for dinner. <a href="https://t.co/6aGcLbiCJa">pic.twitter.com/6aGcLbiCJa</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1990941062790074400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cristiano</a> arrives for dinner at the White House 👀 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/seMABdhfWY">pic.twitter.com/seMABdhfWY</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1990944982510006712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">OH, WHAT A NIGHT! Thank you, <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>, for hosting the most lovely dinner — pure class from start to finish. So proud of our peacemaking, world-changing President Trump. 🇺🇸 (…and sitting with the incredible <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cristiano</a> and his amazing wife Gio was pretty special!!!) <a href="https://t.co/3blgStm3qY">pic.twitter.com/3blgStm3qY</a>&mdash; Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins/status/1991132252109950977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump: &quot;Tonight, I&#39;m pleased to announce that we&#39;re taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vDJs2XOMHJ">pic.twitter.com/vDJs2XOMHJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1990970655223824479?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This opening up of the new avenues of cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia is really unprecedented. On that trip, Saudi Arabia announced that it will invest an incredible $600 billion... he said, &#39;I am going to up that to $1 TRILLION.&#39;&quot; <a href="https://t.co/FB6qHuqjDJ">pic.twitter.com/FB6qHuqjDJ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1990948338641088858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;It&#39;s a special privilege to welcome His Royal Highness to Washington this year as we mark the 80th anniversary of the first meeting between a U.S. President and a Saudi King... right now, you have the best friend you&#39;ve ever had.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/5Leq7t55ob">pic.twitter.com/5Leq7t55ob</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1990947419417420105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;My son is a big fan of <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cristiano</a>... Barron got to meet him and I think he respects his father a little bit more now.&quot; 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/uLPY84DHcu">https://t.co/uLPY84DHcu</a> <a href="https://t.co/nmOQotP9I9">pic.twitter.com/nmOQotP9I9</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1990946183859032382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House 🇺🇸🇸🇦 <a href="https://t.co/dHLj9Gep86">pic.twitter.com/dHLj9Gep86</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1990820614974636113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>List of people attending the official dinner of the Saudi Crown Prince at the White House : The President of the United States and Mrs. Melania TrumpHis Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaMr. Mohammad AbunayyanMr. Bill Ackman and Ms. Neri OxmanHis Highness Prince Badr Bin Abdullah M. N. S. Alfarhan Al SaudHis Highness Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al SaudHis Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al SaudHer Royal Highness Princess Reema Bandar Al SaudHis Excellency Mosaad bin Mohammad AlaibanMs. Adwa AlArifiHis Excellency Salman Bin Yousef Al-DossaryHis Excellency Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-FalihHis Excellency Mohammed Abdullah A AljadaanHis Excellency Majid Abdullah O. AlkasabiMr. Jeremy AllaireMs. Lubna AlOlayanMr. Abdulrahman Rashed AlRashedMr. Abdulrahman Hamad AlRashedHis Excellency Yasir Othman H. AlRumayyanHer Highness Princess Haifa Mohammed Al-SaudHis Excellency Mohammad Bin Abdulmalik Bin Abdullah Al Al-SheikhMs. Sarah AlSuhaimiHis Excellency Abdullah Bin Amer Al-SwahaHis Excellency Mohammad Bin Mazyad Al-TuwaijriMr. Tareq AminMr. Cristiano Amon and Mrs. Adriana Gamba AmonMr. Brian ArmstrongMr. Bret Baier and Mrs. Amy BaierMrs. Mary Barra and Mr. Tony BarraMs. Maria BartiromoMr. Brendan BechtelMr. Marc BeckmanMr. Marc BenioffThe Honorable Scott Bessent, Secretary of the TreasuryThe Honorable Pam Bondi, Attorney General and Mr. John WakefieldMr. Albert BourlaMr. Greg Brockman and Mrs. Anna BrockmanMr. Stefan Brodie and Mrs. Elizabeth BrodieThe Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary of the InteriorGeneral Dan CaineMr. Charles CascarillaMr. Derek ChangMr. Tim CookMr. Larry Culp and Mrs. Wendy CulpMr. Bryson DeChambeauMr. Michael Dell and Mrs. Susan DellDr. Hala AltuwaigriMr. David EllisonMr. William Clay Ford Jr. and Mrs. Lisa FordMs. Jane FraserThe Honorable Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative and Mrs. Marlo GreerMr. Charles HallabMr. Josh Harris and Mrs. Marjorie HarrisThe Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War and Mrs. Jennifer HegsethMr. Jensen Huang and Mrs. Lori HuangMr. Gianni InfantinoThe Honorable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mrs. Kelly JohnsonMr. Khaled JuffaliMr. Abdullah bin Saleh KamelMr. Vimal KapurDr. Alexander KarpMr. Arvind KrishnaThe Honorable Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State The Honorable Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce and Mrs. Allison LutnickMr. Kris MarszalekThe Honorable Brian Mast, United States Representative from FloridaThe Honorable Dave McCormick, United States Senator from Pennsylvania and Ms. Dina PowellMr. Bill McDermottMr. Sanjay MehrotraThe Honorable Stephen MillerMr. Elon MuskMr. Amin NasserMs. Phebe NovakovicMr. Scott O'Neil and Mrs. Lisa O'NeilMrs. Meredith O'RourkeMr. Kelly Ortberg and Mrs. Valerie OrtbergMr. Ross Perot Jr. and Mrs. Sarah PerotThe Honorable James Risch, United States Senator from Idaho and Mrs. Vicki RischMr. Chuck RobbinsThe Honorable John F.W. Rogers and Ms. Deborah LehrThe Honorable Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Mark RollinsMr. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ms. Georgina RodríguezThe Honorable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State and Mrs. Jeanette RubioMr. David SacksMr. Charles Schwab and Mrs. Helen SchwabMr. Stephen Schwarzman and Mrs. Christine SchwarzmanMr. Jeffrey Sprecher and the Honorable Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the Small Business AdministrationMr. Scott StrazikDr. Lisa Su and Mr. Daniel LinMr. James Taiclet and Mrs. Carol TaicletMr. Vlad TenevMr. Donald Trump Jr. and Mrs. Bettina AndersonMs. Tiffany Trump and Mr. BoulosMr. Jim UmplebyThe Vice President of the United States and Mrs. Usha VanceMrs. Kathy Warden and Mr. Charles WardenMr. Mike WirthThe Honorable Chris Wright, Secretary of EnergyMr. Stephen Wynn and Mrs. Andrea WynnMr. Eric Yuan

🎥Highlights of White House dinner for Saudi Crown Prince

WASHINGTON (AP) —China is buying more U.S. Soybeans. The additional haul of 792,000 metric tons this week pushes Beijing’s total purchase to about 1 million metric tons following a leaders’ summit in late October. The purchase figures were released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Trump said Tuesday that China was “pretty much on schedule” in buying U.S. farm products but also told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to call Beijing and “speed it up.”

The purchases since late October have broken China’s boycott of U.S. soybeans, which were hurting farmers. But they’re still a far cry from the 12 million metric tons of beans that Agricultural Secretary Brooke Rollins says Chinahas agreed to buy this harvest season.

Beijing has never confirmed a purchase deal with detailed quantities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759021668596.jpg" alt="Image courtesy Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —China is buying more U.S. Soybeans. The additional haul of 792,000 metric tons this week pushes Beijing’s total purchase to about 1 million metric tons following a leaders’ summit in late October. The purchase figures were released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Trump said Tuesday that China was “pretty much on schedule” in buying U.S. farm products but also told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to call Beijing and “speed it up.”The purchases since late October have broken China’s boycott of U.S. soybeans, which were hurting farmers. But they’re still a far cry from the 12 million metric tons of beans that Agricultural Secretary Brooke Rollins says Chinahas agreed to buy this harvest season.Beijing has never confirmed a purchase deal with detailed quantities.

Good news for farmers: China buys more US soybeans

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 31-year-old&nbsp; &nbsp;a criminal illegal alien from Uzbekistan wanted in his origin country for belonging to a&nbsp;terrorist&nbsp;organization, according to a statement from the agency.

Uzbekistan authorities issued an arrest warrant for Bozorov in 2022 for being a member of a terrorist organization. He is accused of distributing terrorist propaganda calling for jihad online and recruiting terrorists to join the jihad movement.

ICE arrested him in Kansas on November 9, while he was working as a commercial truck driver. Governor Josh Shapiro’s Pennsylvania issued him a commercial driver's license (CDL). The Biden administration granted him work authorization in January 2024.

“Not only was Akhror Bozorov—a wanted&nbsp;terrorist—RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration, but he was he was also given a commercial driver’s license by Governor Shapiro’s Pennsylvania. This should go without saying, but terrorist illegal aliens should not be operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.&nbsp;“Biden and Mayorkas allowed countless terrorists to come into our country. President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed ICE to target these national security threats.”

Bozorov illegally entered the United States in February 2023. He was then arrested by U.S. Border Patrol and released into American communities by the Biden administration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763486944726.png" alt="Bozorov photo DHS" />
 <figcaption>Bozorov photo DHS</figcaption>
 </figure>U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 31-year-old&nbsp; &nbsp;a criminal illegal alien from Uzbekistan wanted in his origin country for belonging to a&nbsp;terrorist&nbsp;organization, according to a statement from the agency.Uzbekistan authorities issued an arrest warrant for Bozorov in 2022 for being a member of a terrorist organization. He is accused of distributing terrorist propaganda calling for jihad online and recruiting terrorists to join the jihad movement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763486969342.png" alt="Bozorov photo DHS" />
 <figcaption>Bozorov photo DHS</figcaption>
 </figure>ICE arrested him in Kansas on November 9, while he was working as a commercial truck driver. Governor Josh Shapiro’s Pennsylvania issued him a commercial driver's license (CDL). The Biden administration granted him work authorization in January 2024.“Not only was Akhror Bozorov—a wanted&nbsp;terrorist—RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration, but he was he was also given a commercial driver’s license by Governor Shapiro’s Pennsylvania. This should go without saying, but terrorist illegal aliens should not be operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.&nbsp;“Biden and Mayorkas allowed countless terrorists to come into our country. President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed ICE to target these national security threats.”Bozorov illegally entered the United States in February 2023. He was then arrested by U.S. Border Patrol and released into American communities by the Biden administration.

ICE arrests truck driver in Kansas, wanted on international terrorism warrant

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 5a.m. Tuesday at Kansas City International Airport.

A Honda Fit was traveling the wrong way on International Circle, just south of 1 KC Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The car&nbsp; collided head-on with a Subaru. 

The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead from the medical staff at a local hospital. The driver and passenger of the Subaru were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

 This is Fatality #59 vs #82 last year in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763514409391.png" alt="KCI image courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>KCI image courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 5a.m. Tuesday at Kansas City International Airport.A Honda Fit was traveling the wrong way on International Circle, just south of 1 KC Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The car&nbsp; collided head-on with a Subaru. The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead from the medical staff at a local hospital. The driver and passenger of the Subaru were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. This is Fatality #59 vs #82 last year in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.

Driver killed in head-on crash at Kansas City International Airport

At the Great Bend City Council meeting on Nov. 17, School Resource Officer Paul Millard was awarded the Bronze Wreath of Valor by the Wichita Police Department for his heroic off-duty action during the Towne East Mall shooting on August 8.

"Due to your actions that day, not only were we able to get all three people into custody, but both juveniles who were shot survived, and all three juvenile suspects were all charged in district court, which is still pending," said WPD Detective Rogers. "It was your quick actions that day that helped us come in and get everybody medical attention and get people in custody as fast as we could. So I thank you for that."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763431180878.jpeg" alt="-From left: Wichita Police Dept. Det. Richard Rogers, Great Bend Police Dept. School Resource Officer Paul Millard, and Wichita Police Dept. Lt. Donald Moore during Monday's Great Bend City Council meeting. Rogers and Moore recognized Millard for his auctions as an off-duty officer during a August shooting in Wichita." />
 <figcaption>-From left: Wichita Police Dept. Det. Richard Rogers, Great Bend Police Dept. School Resource Officer Paul Millard, and Wichita Police Dept. Lt. Donald Moore during Monday's Great Bend City Council meeting. Rogers and Moore recognized Millard for his auctions as an off-duty officer during a August shooting in Wichita.</figcaption>
 </figure>From the city of Great BendAt the Great Bend City Council meeting on Nov. 17, School Resource Officer Paul Millard was awarded the Bronze Wreath of Valor by the Wichita Police Department for his heroic off-duty action during the Towne East Mall shooting on August 8."Due to your actions that day, not only were we able to get all three people into custody, but both juveniles who were shot survived, and all three juvenile suspects were all charged in district court, which is still pending," said WPD Detective Rogers. "It was your quick actions that day that helped us come in and get everybody medical attention and get people in custody as fast as we could. So I thank you for that."Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also provided a letter of gratitude that was presented to Millard as well."Please accept my warmest congratulations on receiving the Wichita Police Department's Bronze Wreath of Valor," Wu wrote. "There's a recognition that is most deserved and one that symbolizes our collective appreciation and admiration for your valor."The Bronze Wreath of Valor is the third-highest award given by the WPD for officers who demonstrate, “bravery, intelligence, or devotion to duty, and who, in the performance of such acts or acts, shall be motivated solely by the desire to serve the city without thought of personal gain or advantage,” as outlined in WPD Policy 201.Around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, Millard and his wife were leaving Towne East Mall after a day of shopping when they heard gunshots in the parking lot. Taking immediate action, Millard rushed over to the scene, restrained a suspect and stopped the threat until the Wichita Police arrived.With 27 years of service at the Great Bend Police Department, Millard has spent the past decade as the SRO for the USD 428 School System. He also leads the department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program and has been member of the bike patrol unit and SWAT team, as well as a supervisor throughout his extensive career.In addition to this honor, Millard received national recognition as SRO of the Month by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) on Aug. 18.