Missouri wasn’t able to put its best foot forward, House Speaker Jon Patterson said, because ‘leadership was very fragmented’

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jonathanshorman/">Jonathan Shorman</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Nearly a decade after Missouri lost its NFL franchise in St. Louis to Los Angeles, the state learned Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs are moving across the state line to Kansas.

The news, rumored for days, was greeted with shock and despair in Missouri, where hopes were high that a $1.5 billion incentives package approved by state lawmakers would be enough to keep the team in Arrowhead Stadium.

In the end, a much more lucrative package from Kansas won out.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This is a painful day for everyone in Missouri who loves our Chiefs,” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat.&nbsp;

“A lot of us in Missouri, we feel like we’ve been incredibly loyal to the Chiefs despite all of the frustrations over decades,” Nurrenbern added. “We stuck with the Chiefs every step of the way. So this is so disappointing. I can imagine that Lamar Hunt today is rolling in his grave.”

House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, echoed the disappointment, saying Missouri entered into stadium negotiations at a disadvantage.&nbsp;

“I think money was part of it, but I think it’s also the opportunities available in Kansas,” Patterson said. “You know, Arrowhead can’t do a Super Bowl. Arrowhead can’t do a Final Four. If you have a dome stadium, those things are all possibilities, and I think that’s probably what ultimately led to the decision to move.”

Missouri wasn’t able to put its best foot forward, Patterson said, because “leadership was very fragmented.”

“Kansas leadership was very united and professional, and they just took advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said, adding: “It would be deliciously satisfying to start pointing fingers, but I hope we can avoid that right now and just look forward.”

State Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat, was not ready to be so magnanimous.&nbsp;

He said years of bad decisions led to Monday’s news. Specifically, he pointed to former Jackson County Executive Frank White, who was recently removed from office after a recall vote.

White, Sharp said in a social media post, “presided over a deeply dysfunctional and adversarial approach to our professional sports teams.”&nbsp;

Sharp also cast blame on former Gov. Mike Parson for not responding to Kansas’ efforts to poach the Chiefs before leaving office and Kehoe for waiting until nearly the end of this year’s legislative session before presenting a stadium plan.&nbsp;

“This crisis did not happen by accident,” he said. “It was the result of a series of preventable leadership failures.”

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, called it “legislative malpractice” that Kehoe waited until the final days of the legislative session in May to offer a counterproposal to Kansas.&nbsp;

Kehoe said he remained hopeful throughout the process, and that negotiations with the Chiefs’ management continued into last week. His administration has been in constant communication with both the Chiefs and the Royals, and it wasn’t until Monday morning that he was informed by the Chiefs that the team was leaving.

“Harry Truman once said ‘The Buck Stops Here,'” Kehoe told reporters at a press conference. “It’s not fun to be at the top when something like this happens, but you certainly want to try to figure out what the lessons learned here are, and moving forward, we will obviously be doing a post mortem analysis.”

This is certainly a setback, Kehoe said, “but we’ll work together to recover.”

The Chief’s ownership, Kehoe said, “decided to abandon Lamar Hunt’s legacy at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium, a place that Chiefs fans have rallied around since 1972. At Arrowhead, every game feels like a Super Bowl. No new stadium will replicate that.”

Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca said he expects elected officials in the county, where the team is currently located, to take a closer look at how taxpayer money is spent during the remaining years of the Chiefs’ and Royals’ contracts to play at the Truman Sports Complex. Jackson County currently charges a ⅜-cent sales tax for stadium upkeep, generating millions a year.

“Honestly, at this point they’re like a bad ex-girlfriend. They won’t go away,” Abarca said of the Chiefs. “And so the reality that they want to try and go play second fiddle in Kansas and try and lure a deal that’s not written down on paper, good luck to them, best of luck. At this point, our taxpayers in Jackson County deserve a whole lot better commitment than what we’re getting.”

The Chiefs’ decision is “incredibly disappointing, said state Sen. Patty Lewis, a Kansas City Democrat. But it’s also a symptom of a larger problem.&nbsp;

“There are no winners in a border war, just losses on both sides,” she said. “Companies moving back and forth across the state line to reap massive tax breaks while creating no real net job growth is bad for families, bad for the region and bad for both states.”

State Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, was among the lawmakers who openly opposed the incentives package for the Chiefs and Royals when it passed the legislature this summer.

“Don’t want to say ‘I told you so,’ but I warned the legislature this would happen just as it did with the Rams,” he said.

Schroer said he will be filing legislation this week “to get rid of the asinine classification of the Chiefs as Missouri’s official NFL team as it was passed just a few sessions ago. Similarly I will be getting rid of the asinine ‘handshake’ border-war resolution which says we will play nice with our neighbors next door.”

The Chiefs lease on its Kansas City stadium, which has been the team’s home since 1972, will expire after the 2030 season.&nbsp;

Missouri lawmakers reconvened during a special legislative session this summer to approve a spending package that would have allocated state taxes collected from economic activity at Arrowhead and Kauffman to bond payments for renovations at Arrowhead and a new stadium for the Royals in Jackson or Clay counties.

Estimated at just under $1.5 billion over 30 years, the funding would pay for half the costs — compared to 70% in Kansas — and included a requirement for additional local government financing.&nbsp;

The Royals first announced an intention to leave Kauffman Stadium in November 2022. The move was pitched as a way for the Chiefs to remain in Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman and build a covered entertainment center.

Officials in Jackson County and Kansas City began scrambling to figure out how to keep the Royals from leaving Missouri. By the spring of 2023, Clay County leaders announced interest in building a stadium in North Kansas City that could become the Royals new home.&nbsp;

The Royals solicited proposals for a downtown Kansas City and North Kansas City site a few months later, and released renderings of possible stadiums at both locations in August 2023.&nbsp;

Soon after, a poll was leaked to the media showing 70% of Clay County voters opposed a new sales tax to fund a stadium in North Kansas City. Despite weeks of media speculation, no one claimed credit for the poll, which was widely seen as an attempt to shake the confidence of Royals ownership in the viability of a Clay County proposal.&nbsp;

Critics, who called the survey a “push poll” meant to deceive the public, decried the move at the time, arguing that sabotaging any potential Missouri site would increase the chances one or both teams end up in Kansas.

It wasn’t until more than a year later that documents provided to The Independent revealed it was a political action committee formed to support Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas that paid for the Clay County polling. A staffer using a Lucas campaign email address requested the poll be commissioned, and his top aide obfuscated the spending by requesting it be referred to in disclosures as “research” instead of “polling.”

Jackson County voters were eventually presented with a proposed sales tax increase to fund a Royals stadium in Kansas City. Lucas threw his support behind the measure, but it was resoundingly rejected by voters.&nbsp;

The failed push to pay for a new Royals stadium in Missouri left the door open for Kansas lawmakers, who quickly put their own package of incentives together to lure the teams across the state line.&nbsp;

Lucas said negotiations with the team ran up until last week, and that the offer Missouri put forward was “very fair, but very responsible.” He worked closely with the governor and other local and state officials, and that work will continue as Missouri strives to keep the Kansas City Royals from leaving as well.

“While the Chiefs aren’t going far away, and aren’t gone yet, today is a setback for a Kansas Citian, a former Chiefs season ticket holder and a lifelong Chiefs fan,” he said.

As Missouri mourns the loss of the Chiefs, the fate of the Royals remains in flux.

The team is rumored to be eyeing a new stadium in Overland Park, Kansas. Lucas said Monday his hope is for a downtown baseball stadium, while other Missouri officials continue pushing for a North Kansas City site.

Nurrenbern and Patterson both said that, as far as they were aware, negotiations with the Royals are still ongoing.

News of the Chiefs decision to leave Missouri comes almost exactly 10 years after the state lost the St. Louis Rams.&nbsp;

Then-Gov. Jay Nixon was pushing for a $1 billion plan to build a new St. Louis stadium for the Rams, much to the chagrin of the legislative leadership.&nbsp;

Both sides tussled in the media and the courts, but the fight between the Democratic governor and GOP-dominated General Assembly fizzled after the Rams announced an intention to move to Los Angeles two days before the 2016 legislative session began.&nbsp;

NFL owners overwhelmingly agreed to let them do it soon after.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766438187375.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Chiefs owner Clark Hunt during the announcement press conference on Monday-image from the press conference video" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Chiefs owner Clark Hunt during the announcement press conference on Monday-image from the press conference video</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Missouri wasn’t able to put its best foot forward, House Speaker Jon Patterson said, because ‘leadership was very fragmented’</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jonathanshorman/">Jonathan Shorman</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Nearly a decade after Missouri lost its NFL franchise in St. Louis to Los Angeles, the state learned Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs are moving across the state line to Kansas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The legacy will continue elsewhere, but the memories will always remain. Proud to be part of Chiefs Kingdom, today and everyday.❤️🏈&mdash; Kansas City (@KansasCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasCity/status/2003239909822202049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766434608613.png" alt=" Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly holds a Chiefs jersey with team owner Clark Hunt ahead of a news conference Dec. 22, 2025, at the Kansas Docking State Office Building in Topeka. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly holds a Chiefs jersey with team owner Clark Hunt ahead of a news conference Dec. 22, 2025, at the Kansas Docking State Office Building in Topeka. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The news, rumored for days, was greeted with shock and despair in Missouri, where hopes were high that a $1.5 billion incentives package approved by state lawmakers would be enough to keep the team in Arrowhead Stadium.In the end, a much more lucrative package from Kansas won out.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This is a painful day for everyone in Missouri who loves our Chiefs,” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat.&nbsp;“A lot of us in Missouri, we feel like we’ve been incredibly loyal to the Chiefs despite all of the frustrations over decades,” Nurrenbern added. “We stuck with the Chiefs every step of the way. So this is so disappointing. I can imagine that Lamar Hunt today is rolling in his grave.”House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, echoed the disappointment, saying Missouri entered into stadium negotiations at a disadvantage.&nbsp;“I think money was part of it, but I think it’s also the opportunities available in Kansas,” Patterson said. “You know, Arrowhead can’t do a Super Bowl. Arrowhead can’t do a Final Four. If you have a dome stadium, those things are all possibilities, and I think that’s probably what ultimately led to the decision to move.”Missouri wasn’t able to put its best foot forward, Patterson said, because “leadership was very fragmented.”“Kansas leadership was very united and professional, and they just took advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said, adding: “It would be deliciously satisfying to start pointing fingers, but I hope we can avoid that right now and just look forward.”State Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat, was not ready to be so magnanimous.&nbsp;He said years of bad decisions led to Monday’s news. Specifically, he pointed to former Jackson County Executive Frank White, who was recently removed from office after a recall vote.White, Sharp said in a social media post, “presided over a deeply dysfunctional and adversarial approach to our professional sports teams.”&nbsp;Sharp also cast blame on former Gov. Mike Parson for not responding to Kansas’ efforts to poach the Chiefs before leaving office and Kehoe for waiting until nearly the end of this year’s legislative session before presenting a stadium plan.&nbsp;“This crisis did not happen by accident,” he said. “It was the result of a series of preventable leadership failures.”House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, called it “legislative malpractice” that Kehoe waited until the final days of the legislative session in May to offer a counterproposal to Kansas.&nbsp;Kehoe said he remained hopeful throughout the process, and that negotiations with the Chiefs’ management continued into last week. His administration has been in constant communication with both the Chiefs and the Royals, and it wasn’t until Monday morning that he was informed by the Chiefs that the team was leaving.“Harry Truman once said ‘The Buck Stops Here,'” Kehoe told reporters at a press conference. “It’s not fun to be at the top when something like this happens, but you certainly want to try to figure out what the lessons learned here are, and moving forward, we will obviously be doing a post mortem analysis.”This is certainly a setback, Kehoe said, “but we’ll work together to recover.”The Chief’s ownership, Kehoe said, “decided to abandon Lamar Hunt’s legacy at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium, a place that Chiefs fans have rallied around since 1972. At Arrowhead, every game feels like a Super Bowl. No new stadium will replicate that.”Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca said he expects elected officials in the county, where the team is currently located, to take a closer look at how taxpayer money is spent during the remaining years of the Chiefs’ and Royals’ contracts to play at the Truman Sports Complex. Jackson County currently charges a ⅜-cent sales tax for stadium upkeep, generating millions a year.“Honestly, at this point they’re like a bad ex-girlfriend. They won’t go away,” Abarca said of the Chiefs. “And so the reality that they want to try and go play second fiddle in Kansas and try and lure a deal that’s not written down on paper, good luck to them, best of luck. At this point, our taxpayers in Jackson County deserve a whole lot better commitment than what we’re getting.”The Chiefs’ decision is “incredibly disappointing, said state Sen. Patty Lewis, a Kansas City Democrat. But it’s also a symptom of a larger problem.&nbsp;“There are no winners in a border war, just losses on both sides,” she said. “Companies moving back and forth across the state line to reap massive tax breaks while creating no real net job growth is bad for families, bad for the region and bad for both states.”State Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, was among the lawmakers who openly opposed the incentives package for the Chiefs and Royals when it passed the legislature this summer.“Don’t want to say ‘I told you so,’ but I warned the legislature this would happen just as it did with the Rams,” he said.Schroer said he will be filing legislation this week “to get rid of the asinine classification of the Chiefs as Missouri’s official NFL team as it was passed just a few sessions ago. Similarly I will be getting rid of the asinine ‘handshake’ border-war resolution which says we will play nice with our neighbors next door.”The Chiefs lease on its Kansas City stadium, which has been the team’s home since 1972, will expire after the 2030 season.&nbsp;Missouri lawmakers reconvened during a special legislative session this summer to approve a spending package that would have allocated state taxes collected from economic activity at Arrowhead and Kauffman to bond payments for renovations at Arrowhead and a new stadium for the Royals in Jackson or Clay counties.Estimated at just under $1.5 billion over 30 years, the funding would pay for half the costs — compared to 70% in Kansas — and included a requirement for additional local government financing.&nbsp;The Royals first announced an intention to leave Kauffman Stadium in November 2022. The move was pitched as a way for the Chiefs to remain in Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman and build a covered entertainment center.Officials in Jackson County and Kansas City began scrambling to figure out how to keep the Royals from leaving Missouri. By the spring of 2023, Clay County leaders announced interest in building a stadium in North Kansas City that could become the Royals new home.&nbsp;The Royals solicited proposals for a downtown Kansas City and North Kansas City site a few months later, and released renderings of possible stadiums at both locations in August 2023.&nbsp;Soon after, a poll was leaked to the media showing 70% of Clay County voters opposed a new sales tax to fund a stadium in North Kansas City. Despite weeks of media speculation, no one claimed credit for the poll, which was widely seen as an attempt to shake the confidence of Royals ownership in the viability of a Clay County proposal.&nbsp;Critics, who called the survey a “push poll” meant to deceive the public, decried the move at the time, arguing that sabotaging any potential Missouri site would increase the chances one or both teams end up in Kansas.It wasn’t until more than a year later that documents provided to The Independent revealed it was a political action committee formed to support Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas that paid for the Clay County polling. A staffer using a Lucas campaign email address requested the poll be commissioned, and his top aide obfuscated the spending by requesting it be referred to in disclosures as “research” instead of “polling.”Jackson County voters were eventually presented with a proposed sales tax increase to fund a Royals stadium in Kansas City. Lucas threw his support behind the measure, but it was resoundingly rejected by voters.&nbsp;The failed push to pay for a new Royals stadium in Missouri left the door open for Kansas lawmakers, who quickly put their own package of incentives together to lure the teams across the state line.&nbsp;Lucas said negotiations with the team ran up until last week, and that the offer Missouri put forward was “very fair, but very responsible.” He worked closely with the governor and other local and state officials, and that work will continue as Missouri strives to keep the Kansas City Royals from leaving as well.“While the Chiefs aren’t going far away, and aren’t gone yet, today is a setback for a Kansas Citian, a former Chiefs season ticket holder and a lifelong Chiefs fan,” he said.As Missouri mourns the loss of the Chiefs, the fate of the Royals remains in flux.The team is rumored to be eyeing a new stadium in Overland Park, Kansas. Lucas said Monday his hope is for a downtown baseball stadium, while other Missouri officials continue pushing for a North Kansas City site.Nurrenbern and Patterson both said that, as far as they were aware, negotiations with the Royals are still ongoing.News of the Chiefs decision to leave Missouri comes almost exactly 10 years after the state lost the St. Louis Rams.&nbsp;Then-Gov. Jay Nixon was pushing for a $1 billion plan to build a new St. Louis stadium for the Rams, much to the chagrin of the legislative leadership.&nbsp;Both sides tussled in the media and the courts, but the fight between the Democratic governor and GOP-dominated General Assembly fizzled after the Rams announced an intention to move to Los Angeles two days before the 2016 legislative session began.&nbsp;NFL owners overwhelmingly agreed to let them do it soon after.

‘Painful day’: Missouri officials react to Chiefs announcing move to Kansas

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

&nbsp;Just after 10a.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to 27th&nbsp;and Quincy on a reported cutting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 When officers arrived, they located an adult female victim suffering from laceration wounds.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; While officers were on scene investigating, they received information about the location of a possible suspect.&nbsp;

Just before 10:30a.m., officers responded to the 6600 block of E 16th&nbsp;street to investigate the information they received.&nbsp; When they arrived, possible crime scene evidence was located, and they were directed to a residence on 16th Street.&nbsp; Inside, they discovered an adult female victim suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp; KCFD EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased on scene.&nbsp;

This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; A subject of interest was taken into custody on 16th Street, pending further investigation.&nbsp; Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incidents and if the scenes are related.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766491333267.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;Just after 10a.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to 27th&nbsp;and Quincy on a reported cutting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. When officers arrived, they located an adult female victim suffering from laceration wounds.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; While officers were on scene investigating, they received information about the location of a possible suspect.&nbsp;Just before 10:30a.m., officers responded to the 6600 block of E 16th&nbsp;street to investigate the information they received.&nbsp; When they arrived, possible crime scene evidence was located, and they were directed to a residence on 16th Street.&nbsp; Inside, they discovered an adult female victim suffering from unknown bodily trauma.&nbsp; KCFD EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased on scene.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide.&nbsp; A subject of interest was taken into custody on 16th Street, pending further investigation.&nbsp; Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incidents and if the scenes are related.&nbsp;

Police: Woman killed, another injured in Kansas City

CASS COUNTY —The  Missouri State Highway Patrol investigating a fatal officer shooting involving a member of the Belton Police Department.

Just after 10a.m. Friday, police in the Kansas City suburb of Belton responded to a the 16,000 Block of Rebecca Lane to check the welfare of a subject possibly experiencing&nbsp; mental health issues, according to a media release from the&nbsp; MSHP. Officers made contact with the subject, later identified as 26-year-old&nbsp;Quinn Swaggart at the residence. Swaggart refused any assistance from officers.

Just before 12:30p.m. Officers were called to the same address a second time on a report Swaggart was threatening a member of the residence with a&nbsp; knife. Officer arrived and contacted the reporting party in the front of the home. During the conversation, Swaggart exited the residence and was armed with a knife. Swaggart ran toward the officers and they retreated.&nbsp; The subject continued to chase an officer. At 12:35p.m., the officer fired shots striking the Swaggart. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

No officers were injured during the incident. Investigators recovered a knife at the scene.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. Their final report on the incident will forwarded to the Cass County Attorney for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766181673996.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigating a fatal officer shooting involving a member of the Belton Police Department.Just after 10a.m. Friday, police in the Kansas City suburb of Belton responded to a the 16,000 Block of Rebecca Lane to check the welfare of a subject possibly experiencing&nbsp; mental health issues, according to a media release from the&nbsp; MSHP. Officers made contact with the subject, later identified as 26-year-old&nbsp;Quinn Swaggart at the residence. Swaggart refused any assistance from officers.Just before 12:30p.m. Officers were called to the same address a second time on a report Swaggart was threatening a member of the residence with a&nbsp; knife. Officer arrived and contacted the reporting party in the front of the home. During the conversation, Swaggart exited the residence and was armed with a knife. Swaggart ran toward the officers and they retreated.&nbsp; The subject continued to chase an officer. At 12:35p.m., the officer fired shots striking the Swaggart. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;No officers were injured during the incident. Investigators recovered a knife at the scene.The Missouri State Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation. Their final report on the incident will forwarded to the Cass County Attorney for review.

Patrol IDs man shot, killed after chasing officers with a knife

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that it had conducted another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person.

In a social media post, U.S. Southern Command said, “Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.” Southern Command provided no evidence that the vessel was engaged in drug smuggling.

A video posted by U.S. Southern Command shows splashes of water near one side of the boat. After a second salvo, the rear of the boat catches fire. More splashes engulf the craft and the fire grows. In the final second of the video, the vessel can be seen adrift with a large patch of fire alongside it.

Earlier videos of U.S. boat strikes showed vessels suddenly exploding, suggesting missile strikes. Some strike videos even had visible rocket-like projectiles coming down on the boats.

The Trump administration has said the strikes were meant to stop the flow of drugs into the U.S. and increase pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro</a>.

At least 105 people have been killed in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-petro-colombia-drugs-us-aid-c3955b2ce351737119920741178e0567">29 known strikes</a>&nbsp;since early September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug smugglers and say the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-tankers-shipbuilding-3c711c500a627243329807df42fa6ef8">interdict oil tankers</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Trump administration’s escalating campaign against Maduro.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that it had conducted another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">On Dec. 22, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting… <a href="https://t.co/LGzEaQSTiR">pic.twitter.com/LGzEaQSTiR</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2003303616963133694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a social media post, U.S. Southern Command said, “Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.” Southern Command provided no evidence that the vessel was engaged in drug smuggling.A video posted by U.S. Southern Command shows splashes of water near one side of the boat. After a second salvo, the rear of the boat catches fire. More splashes engulf the craft and the fire grows. In the final second of the video, the vessel can be seen adrift with a large patch of fire alongside it.Earlier videos of U.S. boat strikes showed vessels suddenly exploding, suggesting missile strikes. Some strike videos even had visible rocket-like projectiles coming down on the boats.The Trump administration has said the strikes were meant to stop the flow of drugs into the U.S. and increase pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nicolas-maduro">Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro</a>.At least 105 people have been killed in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-petro-colombia-drugs-us-aid-c3955b2ce351737119920741178e0567">29 known strikes</a>&nbsp;since early September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug smugglers and say the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-tankers-shipbuilding-3c711c500a627243329807df42fa6ef8">interdict oil tankers</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Trump administration’s escalating campaign against Maduro.

🎥U.S. military: New strike on drug boat killed 1 'narco-terrorist'

Powerball® could deliver the ultimate life-changing prize this Christmas Eve. No ticket matched all six numbers drawn last night, pushing the jackpot to an estimated $1.70 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $781.3 million.

Wednesday’s jackpot ranks as the fourth largest in Powerball history and among U.S. lottery games.

“Much like the holidays, Powerball is a game that brings people together to dream big and hope for a brighter future,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We hope this growing jackpot inspires excitement and joy, and, most importantly, good will to all. A portion of every ticket helps support programs and services that benefit local communities.”

Historically, the Powerball® jackpot has been won once on Christmas Eve (2011) and four times on Christmas Day (1996, 2002, 2010 and 2013).

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and red Powerball 7. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.

Nationwide, nine tickets matched all five white balls to $1 million prizes. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York (2), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

The drawing also produced 107 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 28 tickets that won $100,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets sold in Florida and Maryland won $500,000 prizes after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. The Double Play drawing is live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.

Wednesday’s Powerball drawing will be the 47th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.70 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $781.3 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

Powerball® could deliver the ultimate life-changing prize this Christmas Eve. No ticket matched all six numbers drawn last night, pushing the jackpot to an estimated $1.70 billion for Wednesday night’s drawing, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $781.3 million.Wednesday’s jackpot ranks as the fourth largest in Powerball history and among U.S. lottery games.“Much like the holidays, Powerball is a game that brings people together to dream big and hope for a brighter future,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “We hope this growing jackpot inspires excitement and joy, and, most importantly, good will to all. A portion of every ticket helps support programs and services that benefit local communities.”Historically, the Powerball® jackpot has been won once on Christmas Eve (2011) and four times on Christmas Day (1996, 2002, 2010 and 2013).The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and red Powerball 7. The Power Play® multiplier was 2.Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.Nationwide, nine tickets matched all five white balls to $1 million prizes. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York (2), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.The drawing also produced 107 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 28 tickets that won $100,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets sold in Florida and Maryland won $500,000 prizes after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. The Double Play drawing is live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.Wednesday’s Powerball drawing will be the 47th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.70 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $781.3 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Record U.S. Lottery Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Powerball – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Powerball – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Powerball – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.70 Billion est. – Powerball – Dec. 24, 2025</li><li>$1.602 Billion – Mega Millions – Aug. 8, 2023 – FL</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Powerball – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.537 Billion – Mega Millions – Oct. 23, 2018 – SC</li><li>$1.348 Billion – Mega Millions – Jan. 13, 2023 – ME</li><li>$1.337 Billion – Mega Millions – July 29, 2022 – IL</li><li>$1.326 Billion – Powerball – April 6, 2024 – OR</li>
 </ol>

Merry Christmas: Powerball now 4th largest in history

&nbsp;The Kansas City Chiefs&nbsp; announced plans on Monday to move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new domed stadium in Kansas.

On social media, Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his disappointment in the decision.

&nbsp;The Kansas City Chiefs&nbsp; announced plans on Monday to move from Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to a new domed stadium in Kansas.On social media, Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his disappointment in the decision.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rare in America do we all have a spot where we come together. That’s Arrowhead Stadium. <a href="https://t.co/FjDhhIt8XO">pic.twitter.com/FjDhhIt8XO</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/2003256467164659861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sometimes you get outbid, but today was still a lot. We’ll keep up our work, collaboratively with the county and our state to see the Royals in a great facility and to keep building progress citywide. <a href="https://t.co/SEmanWMcA3">pic.twitter.com/SEmanWMcA3</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/2003255500541215015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

What KCMO Mayor said about Chiefs decision to move to Kansas

KANSAS CITY—Two men are facing charges for fatal shooting that occurred at a Kansas City gas station in September.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2781/Fleck-Vasquez-Complaint--PC-">Undrellius K. Fleck and Jordan A. Vasque</a>z, 18, each are charged with 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 1st Degree Robbery, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to a gas station in south Kansas City on Sept. 6 and located the victim, later identified as&nbsp;23-year-old Kenneth Hutt suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was confirmed deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

Detectives reviewed surveillance video and determined Fleck was at the gas station purchasing gas when Hutt entered the store with what appeared to be a pistol tucked under his left arm. Fleck and Vasquez entered the gas station looking at Hutt. Fleck was holding a Glock style firearm with what appeared to be modified with a switch. Vasquez pulled out a small AK pistol and passed it to Fleck, who approached Hutt and grabbed his pistol. Vasquez also approached Hutt and attempted to grab his pistol.&nbsp;

As Hutt attempted to regain control of his firearm, Fleck fired the fully automatic firearm toward him. When Hutt dropped to the ground, Fleck grabbed his pistol and both defendants fled.&nbsp;

Detectives identified the defendants through multiple investigative leads.

On Dec. 18, Fleck was certified through Jackson County Juvenile Courts as an adult.&nbsp; A Jackson County judge set both Fleck and Vasquez’s bond at $500,000 each cash-only.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766242230418.png" alt="Vasquez -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Vasquez -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Two men are facing charges for fatal shooting that occurred at a Kansas City gas station in September.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2781/Fleck-Vasquez-Complaint--PC-">Undrellius K. Fleck and Jordan A. Vasque</a>z, 18, each are charged with 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 1st Degree Robbery, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to a gas station in south Kansas City on Sept. 6 and located the victim, later identified as&nbsp;23-year-old Kenneth Hutt suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was confirmed deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Detectives reviewed surveillance video and determined Fleck was at the gas station purchasing gas when Hutt entered the store with what appeared to be a pistol tucked under his left arm. Fleck and Vasquez entered the gas station looking at Hutt. Fleck was holding a Glock style firearm with what appeared to be modified with a switch. Vasquez pulled out a small AK pistol and passed it to Fleck, who approached Hutt and grabbed his pistol. Vasquez also approached Hutt and attempted to grab his pistol.&nbsp;As Hutt attempted to regain control of his firearm, Fleck fired the fully automatic firearm toward him. When Hutt dropped to the ground, Fleck grabbed his pistol and both defendants fled.&nbsp;Detectives identified the defendants through multiple investigative leads.On Dec. 18, Fleck was certified through Jackson County Juvenile Courts as an adult.&nbsp; A Jackson County judge set both Fleck and Vasquez’s bond at $500,000 each cash-only.

Teens attacked, killed man in Kansas City gas station

SEDGWICK COUNTY–A&nbsp; woman accused in the shooting death of her boyfriend on his birthday was in court on Friday.

A jury found Amunique Cavitt, 19 of Wichita, guilty of 2nd degree intentional murder with a domestic violence finding, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Around noon April 23, 2024, police responded to the 1400 block of Minnesota Avenue in Wichita following reports of a shooting., according to police spokesman Andrew Ford. First responders found 34-year-old&nbsp; Norman E. Carter III with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.

Responding officers immediately started life-saving measures until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and transported Carter to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead at 1:01 p.m, according to Ford.&nbsp; It was his birthday, according to<a href="https://www.heavenlygatesmortuary.com/obituary/norman-carter"> his obituary.</a>

Police detained a person of interest in their investigation and later booked&nbsp; Amunique Cavitt into jail. The district attorney's office has not released a date for her sentencing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766200106122.png" alt="Police at the sene of the investigation -photo courtesy" />
 <figcaption>Police at the sene of the investigation -photo courtesy</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY–A&nbsp; woman accused in the shooting death of her boyfriend on his birthday was in court on Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713961470429.png" alt="Cavitt photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Cavitt photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>A jury found Amunique Cavitt, 19 of Wichita, guilty of 2nd degree intentional murder with a domestic violence finding, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Around noon April 23, 2024, police responded to the 1400 block of Minnesota Avenue in Wichita following reports of a shooting., according to police spokesman Andrew Ford. First responders found 34-year-old&nbsp; Norman E. Carter III with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.Responding officers immediately started life-saving measures until Sedgwick County EMS arrived and transported Carter to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead at 1:01 p.m, according to Ford.&nbsp; It was his birthday, according to<a href="https://www.heavenlygatesmortuary.com/obituary/norman-carter"> his obituary.</a>Police detained a person of interest in their investigation and later booked&nbsp; Amunique Cavitt into jail. The district attorney's office has not released a date for her sentencing.

Jury: Kansas woman killed her boyfriend on his birthday

SEWARD COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 6a.m. Monday in Seward County.&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Aaron Bradley&nbsp;Patton, 26, Liberal, was eastbound on U.S. 54 just east of County Road 9. The pickup crossed over the fog line onto the eastbound shoulder and collided with an unknown stopped vehicle . The stopped vehicle left the collision scene prior to notification of the collision to law enforcement and has not yet been identified.

Patton was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Hornung Family Funeral Home.&nbsp; Patton was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

SEWARD COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 6a.m. Monday in Seward County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp; Aaron Bradley&nbsp;Patton, 26, Liberal, was eastbound on U.S. 54 just east of County Road 9. The pickup crossed over the fog line onto the eastbound shoulder and collided with an unknown stopped vehicle . The stopped vehicle left the collision scene prior to notification of the collision to law enforcement and has not yet been identified.Patton was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Hornung Family Funeral Home.&nbsp; Patton was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after crash with vehicle that fled 

LOS ANGELES (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barry-manilow">Barry Manilow</a>&nbsp;will be having surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his lung and will reschedule his January concerts, the singer announced Monday.

Manilow, 82, said doctors found the cancer after he had an extended bout of bronchitis — six weeks, then a relapse of another five weeks.

“My wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK,” Manilow wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSkevRHFPfU/?hl=en&amp;img_index=3" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early.”

The singer added that doctors don’t believe cancer has spread, so for now he expects “No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and ‘I Love Lucy’ reruns.”

A statement issued by Manilow’s representatives specified that the spot was a stage one tumor, and that the surgery would take place in late December.

Manilow will be recovering for the month of January and plans to return to action with Valentine’s weekend concerts beginning Feb. 12 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, and then his arena concerts will resume Feb. 28 in Tampa, Florida.

Manilow was&nbsp;<a href="https://barrymanilow.com/" target="_blank">due to perform 10 concerts</a>&nbsp;in January at nine locations in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Ohio. They will now be held in February.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766447729302.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barry-manilow">Barry Manilow</a>&nbsp;will be having surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his lung and will reschedule his January concerts, the singer announced Monday.Manilow, 82, said doctors found the cancer after he had an extended bout of bronchitis — six weeks, then a relapse of another five weeks.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/b99026GcMI">pic.twitter.com/b99026GcMI</a>&mdash; Barry Manilow (@barrymanilow) <a href="https://twitter.com/barrymanilow/status/2003118902470205865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“My wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK,” Manilow wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSkevRHFPfU/?hl=en&amp;img_index=3" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early.”The singer added that doctors don’t believe cancer has spread, so for now he expects “No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and ‘I Love Lucy’ reruns.”A statement issued by Manilow’s representatives specified that the spot was a stage one tumor, and that the surgery would take place in late December.Manilow will be recovering for the month of January and plans to return to action with Valentine’s weekend concerts beginning Feb. 12 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, and then his arena concerts will resume Feb. 28 in Tampa, Florida.Manilow was&nbsp;<a href="https://barrymanilow.com/" target="_blank">due to perform 10 concerts</a>&nbsp;in January at nine locations in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Ohio. They will now be held in February.

Barry Manilow, 82, reveals cancer diagnosis

TOPEKA – Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs on Monday announced that an agreement has been reached to build a domed stadium and a mixed-use entertainment district, as well as a new team headquarters, training facility and mixed-use development in Kansas, according to a media release from the governor's office.

The project will be a massive economic win for the state, with the construction phase alone creating over 20,000 jobs and $4.4 billion in economic impact for Kansas. From there, the stadium will bring over $1 billion in annual impact.

The agreement includes two distinct parts: (1) a $3 billion stadium in Wyandotte County, which will open at the start of the 2031 NFL season; and (2) a new Chiefs headquarters and training facility in the City of Olathe in Johnson County. Both sites will have mixed-use developments that could include sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, office, hotel and residential properties.

“This agreement to bring the Chiefs to Kansas takes our state to the next level. With this new stadium, we’re creating thousands of jobs, bringing in tourists from around the world, attracting young people, and most importantly, we’re continuing to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family,”&nbsp;Gov. Kelly said. “This is a game-changer for Kansas, and it’s a signal to America and the world that our state’s future is very bright.”

The agreement was approved today by the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) with strong bipartisan support.&nbsp; It will be a public-private partnership between the state and the Chiefs organization – and it will require no funds from the current state budget and no new taxes on Kansans. A fact sheet of the agreement and the independent Economic Impact Study can be&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fchiefs-media-kit/1/0101019b47e3cc60-79d5a159-71bd-4dd8-9989-4634449a8d4e-000000/sqv0F-XILtGTBeOIeE7COgUvwiuDKDzH7f9cgKFBdrs=436">found here</a>.

“Today is an extraordinary day in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs,”&nbsp;Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt&nbsp;said. “We are excited to partner with the State of Kansas to bring a world-class stadium to our fans. This project represents another step in our legacy of innovation and our fan-first mentality, which started with my father, Lamar Hunt. The stadium, practice facility, and surrounding development will benefit the entire region, and further elevate Kansas City in the eyes of the country and the world.”

“This is a great day for Kansas City Chiefs fans,” said&nbsp;NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “This public-private partnership, the result of a thoughtful and deliberate process, will build upon the Hunts’ generational legacy by boldly investing in one of America’s greatest fan bases. The Chiefs’ new enclosed stadium will be a stage for unforgettable moments, whether it’s playoff games, concerts or championship events. We congratulate the Chiefs and the Kansas City community on this important achievement.”

The Chiefs announcement adds to the Kelly-Toland administration’s unprecedented streak of winning business investment projects that create jobs and grow Kansas’ economy. Since 2019, Kansas has attracted more than $30 billion committed capital investment and created or retained almost 78,000 jobs.

“Kansas has had a streak of big economic wins, but nothing is bigger than this. This is truly once-in-a-generation,” said&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, who led the state team that negotiated the deal with the Chiefs. “This happened because we brought Democrats and Republicans together to do what was best for Kansas – landing our state a huge economic win, without requiring a single dollar from the state budget or a tax increase on Kansans. This historic win is the latest in a series of major economic wins for Kansas, including the Panasonic headquarters, which all tell the same story: the future for Kansas, its workers and its economy is very exciting.”&nbsp;

“This is an extraordinary economic win for our state thanks to the effort of Governor Kelly and Lieutenant Governor Toland,” said&nbsp;Christal Watson, Mayor &amp; CEO Unified Government of Wyandotte KCK. “All of us in Wyandotte and Kansas City, Kansas are excited to work with the Chiefs and are committed to driving results that strengthen our region and uplift our community.”

“This deal is a once-in-a-generation type of opportunity for our community and region. Having the Chiefs headquarters and training facilities here in Johnson County will be huge for our local economy - and a lot of fun for our families,” said&nbsp;John Bacon, Mayor of Olathe. “We’re eager to get to work, and are committed to ensuring the process – and the result – are first class, something everyone in Olathe – and all across Chiefs Kingdom – can be proud of."

“Today, Kansas won the Super Bowl,” said&nbsp;Senate President Ty Masterson. “This is a huge win for Kansas. Now, we get to watch our beloved Chiefs play right here at home, keeping jobs and tax dollars right here in Kansas. Best of all, this will not cost one more penny for Kansas taxpayers.”

“Here in Kansas, we love the Chiefs, and we also love a good deal for taxpayers. So this is a win-win,”&nbsp;House Speaker Dan Hawkins said.

The project will be financed through a public-private partnership (60% public - 40% private). The public portion is funded through&nbsp;Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund&nbsp;– both funding mechanisms established specifically for this purpose – to ensure that there will be no new state taxes and no impact on the state budget.&nbsp; The STAR bonds were authorized today by a bipartisan vote of the Legislative Coordinating Council. The STAR bonds have two components: (1) It allows the state to designate a portion of new state sales tax revenues generated by this project in neighboring communities to fund this project; (2) It allows Wyandotte County and the City of Olathe to designate a portion of their local sales tax revenue generated by this project to pay for it. For more on STAR bonds,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fprogram%2Fcommunity-programs%2Fstar-bonds%2F/1/0101019b47e3cc60-79d5a159-71bd-4dd8-9989-4634449a8d4e-000000/w6Q6rqfl0t1i1WOrOK2YcpE1h29RfpiF5DBiZJE9W7g=436">click here</a>.

The Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund was established by the legislature to dedicate revenue generated from iLottery and sports betting to recruit professional sports teams.

The Hunt Family is also committing to $1 billion in additional development, a portion of which can also be incentivized by STAR bonds.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766438187375.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly and Chiefs' owner Clark Hunt during the announcement on Monday in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly and Chiefs' owner Clark Hunt during the announcement on Monday in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs on Monday announced that an agreement has been reached to build a domed stadium and a mixed-use entertainment district, as well as a new team headquarters, training facility and mixed-use development in Kansas, according to a media release from the governor's office.The project will be a massive economic win for the state, with the construction phase alone creating over 20,000 jobs and $4.4 billion in economic impact for Kansas. From there, the stadium will bring over $1 billion in annual impact.The agreement includes two distinct parts: (1) a $3 billion stadium in Wyandotte County, which will open at the start of the 2031 NFL season; and (2) a new Chiefs headquarters and training facility in the City of Olathe in Johnson County. Both sites will have mixed-use developments that could include sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, office, hotel and residential properties.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766438416223.png" alt="The 31 on the jersey represents the year the new stadium will open in Kansas" />
 <figcaption>The 31 on the jersey represents the year the new stadium will open in Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>“This agreement to bring the Chiefs to Kansas takes our state to the next level. With this new stadium, we’re creating thousands of jobs, bringing in tourists from around the world, attracting young people, and most importantly, we’re continuing to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family,”&nbsp;Gov. Kelly said. “This is a game-changer for Kansas, and it’s a signal to America and the world that our state’s future is very bright.”The agreement was approved today by the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) with strong bipartisan support.&nbsp; It will be a public-private partnership between the state and the Chiefs organization – and it will require no funds from the current state budget and no new taxes on Kansans. A fact sheet of the agreement and the independent Economic Impact Study can be&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fchiefs-media-kit/1/0101019b47e3cc60-79d5a159-71bd-4dd8-9989-4634449a8d4e-000000/sqv0F-XILtGTBeOIeE7COgUvwiuDKDzH7f9cgKFBdrs=436">found here</a>.“Today is an extraordinary day in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs,”&nbsp;Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt&nbsp;said. “We are excited to partner with the State of Kansas to bring a world-class stadium to our fans. This project represents another step in our legacy of innovation and our fan-first mentality, which started with my father, Lamar Hunt. The stadium, practice facility, and surrounding development will benefit the entire region, and further elevate Kansas City in the eyes of the country and the world.”“This is a great day for Kansas City Chiefs fans,” said&nbsp;NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “This public-private partnership, the result of a thoughtful and deliberate process, will build upon the Hunts’ generational legacy by boldly investing in one of America’s greatest fan bases. The Chiefs’ new enclosed stadium will be a stage for unforgettable moments, whether it’s playoff games, concerts or championship events. We congratulate the Chiefs and the Kansas City community on this important achievement.”The Chiefs announcement adds to the Kelly-Toland administration’s unprecedented streak of winning business investment projects that create jobs and grow Kansas’ economy. Since 2019, Kansas has attracted more than $30 billion committed capital investment and created or retained almost 78,000 jobs.“Kansas has had a streak of big economic wins, but nothing is bigger than this. This is truly once-in-a-generation,” said&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, who led the state team that negotiated the deal with the Chiefs. “This happened because we brought Democrats and Republicans together to do what was best for Kansas – landing our state a huge economic win, without requiring a single dollar from the state budget or a tax increase on Kansans. This historic win is the latest in a series of major economic wins for Kansas, including the Panasonic headquarters, which all tell the same story: the future for Kansas, its workers and its economy is very exciting.”&nbsp;“This is an extraordinary economic win for our state thanks to the effort of Governor Kelly and Lieutenant Governor Toland,” said&nbsp;Christal Watson, Mayor &amp; CEO Unified Government of Wyandotte KCK. “All of us in Wyandotte and Kansas City, Kansas are excited to work with the Chiefs and are committed to driving results that strengthen our region and uplift our community.”“This deal is a once-in-a-generation type of opportunity for our community and region. Having the Chiefs headquarters and training facilities here in Johnson County will be huge for our local economy - and a lot of fun for our families,” said&nbsp;John Bacon, Mayor of Olathe. “We’re eager to get to work, and are committed to ensuring the process – and the result – are first class, something everyone in Olathe – and all across Chiefs Kingdom – can be proud of."“Today, Kansas won the Super Bowl,” said&nbsp;Senate President Ty Masterson. “This is a huge win for Kansas. Now, we get to watch our beloved Chiefs play right here at home, keeping jobs and tax dollars right here in Kansas. Best of all, this will not cost one more penny for Kansas taxpayers.”“Here in Kansas, we love the Chiefs, and we also love a good deal for taxpayers. So this is a win-win,”&nbsp;House Speaker Dan Hawkins said.The project will be financed through a public-private partnership (60% public - 40% private). The public portion is funded through&nbsp;Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund&nbsp;– both funding mechanisms established specifically for this purpose – to ensure that there will be no new state taxes and no impact on the state budget.&nbsp; The STAR bonds were authorized today by a bipartisan vote of the Legislative Coordinating Council. The STAR bonds have two components: (1) It allows the state to designate a portion of new state sales tax revenues generated by this project in neighboring communities to fund this project; (2) It allows Wyandotte County and the City of Olathe to designate a portion of their local sales tax revenue generated by this project to pay for it. For more on STAR bonds,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fprogram%2Fcommunity-programs%2Fstar-bonds%2F/1/0101019b47e3cc60-79d5a159-71bd-4dd8-9989-4634449a8d4e-000000/w6Q6rqfl0t1i1WOrOK2YcpE1h29RfpiF5DBiZJE9W7g=436">click here</a>.The Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund was established by the legislature to dedicate revenue generated from iLottery and sports betting to recruit professional sports teams.The Hunt Family is also committing to $1 billion in additional development, a portion of which can also be incentivized by STAR bonds.&nbsp;

Chiefs announce move to Kansas: Details on new domed stadium 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers approved a proposal Monday to help pay for a new stadium for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kansas-city-chiefs">the Kansas City Chiefs</a>, which is expected to lure one of the NFL's iconic franchises across the state line from Missouri and replace popular but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-stadium-c90881d77888591bbaec75a03c6d9f5c">aging Arrowhead Stadium</a>.

(Click below to watch the roll call vote)

The Legislative Coordinating Council, which includes the state's top lawmakers, voted unanimously inside a packed room at the state capitol to allow for STAR bonds to be issued to cover up to 70% of the cost of a stadium and accompanying district. The bonds would be paid off with state sales and liquor tax revenues generated in a defined area around it.

The council meeting was attended by Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and team president Mark Donovan, along with other officials. They are expected to announce their intention to move later Monday from their longtime home in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has called a news conference for 3 p.m. local time “to present a major economic development announcement for the State of Kansas and the Kansas City Region.” She will be joined by legislators and Kansas City-area representatives.

The most likely landing place for the Chiefs is Kansas City, Kansas, near the Kansas Speedway and a retail and entertainment district known as The Legends. The area is also home to Children's Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City.

The move by the Chiefs would be a massive blow to Missouri lawmakers and Gov. Mike Kehoe, who had been working on their own package to prevent a second NFL franchise in a decade from leaving their borders. The Rams left St. Louis for Los Angeles in part due to their inability to secure funding to help replace The Dome at America’s Center.

Kehoe had backed a special legislative session in June to authorize bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments.

Quinton Lucas, the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, has been working to keep both the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals on the Missouri side of the state line. He has called a news conference for later Monday regarding “sports team developments.”

The Chiefs originally planned an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium in a joint effort with the Royals, who are similarly planning to build a new facility to replace Kauffman Stadium. The facilities sit a couple of hundred yards across the parking lot from each other, and both teams have leases with Jackson County, Missouri, that expire in January 2031.

Last year, Jackson County voters soundly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-royals-kansas-city-stadiums-e9605296b85e91699441e4ba10e83212">defeated a local sales tax extension</a>&nbsp;which would have helped to pay for those renovations to the football stadium while helping to fund a new ballpark for the Royals in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

The Royals were not discussed by Kansas lawmakers Monday, but momentum appears to be building behind their own move across the state line. An affiliate of the club already has purchased the mortgage on a tract of land in Overland Park, Kansas.

Hunt has long said his preference was to renovate Arrowhead Stadium, which was beloved by his father and team founder, the late Lamar Hunt. It is considered one of the jewels of the NFL, alongside Lambeau Field in Green Bay, and is revered for its tailgating scene and home-field advantage; it currently holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium roar.

This summer, Arrowhead Stadium will host six World Cup matches, including matches in the Round of 32 and quarterfinals.

Lamar Hunt established the Chiefs on August 14, 1959. The team was originally based in Dallas and known as the Texans, but Hunt was convinced by then-Kansas City Mayor H. Roe Bartle to relocate the team to Missouri with promises of tripling the team's season-ticket sales and expanding the seating capacity of Municipal Stadium.

In 1972, the team moved into Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex just east of downtown Kansas City.

The stadium has undergone numerous renovations through the years, allowing it to stay relevant in a changing sports landscape. But there has been little economic development around the stadium, the facility itself is starting to show wear and tear, and there is a limit to the number of luxury suites and amenities that the franchise can utilize to help drive revenue.

While the Hunt family has long loved Arrowhead Stadium, it has warmed in recent years to the idea of a replacement.

Not only would it solve many of the shortcomings of the Chiefs' longtime home, a new facility with a fixed or retractable roof would allow them to use it year-round. That would mean the potential for hosting more concerts and events, college football bowl games, the Final Four and perhaps one of Lamar Hunt's long-held dreams: a Super Bowl.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766433945390.png" alt="-A view of the Legislative Coordinating Council meeting moment before the unanimous vote-image from the Kansas Legislature YouTube page" />
 <figcaption>-A view of the Legislative Coordinating Council meeting moment before the unanimous vote-image from the Kansas Legislature YouTube page</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA and JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers approved a proposal Monday to help pay for a new stadium for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kansas-city-chiefs">the Kansas City Chiefs</a>, which is expected to lure one of the NFL's iconic franchises across the state line from Missouri and replace popular but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-stadium-c90881d77888591bbaec75a03c6d9f5c">aging Arrowhead Stadium</a>.(Click below to watch the roll call vote)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P_VAc_3kmn0?si=-jAzhQQw6SS61clV&amp;start=2499" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Legislative Coordinating Council, which includes the state's top lawmakers, voted unanimously inside a packed room at the state capitol to allow for STAR bonds to be issued to cover up to 70% of the cost of a stadium and accompanying district. The bonds would be paid off with state sales and liquor tax revenues generated in a defined area around it.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766433895007.png" alt="Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson applaud after the unanimous vote Monday afternoon -image from the Kansas Legislature YouTube page" />
 <figcaption>Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson applaud after the unanimous vote Monday afternoon -image from the Kansas Legislature YouTube page</figcaption>
 </figure>The council meeting was attended by Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and team president Mark Donovan, along with other officials. They are expected to announce their intention to move later Monday from their longtime home in Kansas City, Missouri.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has called a news conference for 3 p.m. local time “to present a major economic development announcement for the State of Kansas and the Kansas City Region.” She will be joined by legislators and Kansas City-area representatives.The most likely landing place for the Chiefs is Kansas City, Kansas, near the Kansas Speedway and a retail and entertainment district known as The Legends. The area is also home to Children's Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City.The move by the Chiefs would be a massive blow to Missouri lawmakers and Gov. Mike Kehoe, who had been working on their own package to prevent a second NFL franchise in a decade from leaving their borders. The Rams left St. Louis for Los Angeles in part due to their inability to secure funding to help replace The Dome at America’s Center.Kehoe had backed a special legislative session in June to authorize bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments.Quinton Lucas, the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, has been working to keep both the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals on the Missouri side of the state line. He has called a news conference for later Monday regarding “sports team developments.”The Chiefs originally planned an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium in a joint effort with the Royals, who are similarly planning to build a new facility to replace Kauffman Stadium. The facilities sit a couple of hundred yards across the parking lot from each other, and both teams have leases with Jackson County, Missouri, that expire in January 2031.Last year, Jackson County voters soundly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-royals-kansas-city-stadiums-e9605296b85e91699441e4ba10e83212">defeated a local sales tax extension</a>&nbsp;which would have helped to pay for those renovations to the football stadium while helping to fund a new ballpark for the Royals in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.The Royals were not discussed by Kansas lawmakers Monday, but momentum appears to be building behind their own move across the state line. An affiliate of the club already has purchased the mortgage on a tract of land in Overland Park, Kansas.Hunt has long said his preference was to renovate Arrowhead Stadium, which was beloved by his father and team founder, the late Lamar Hunt. It is considered one of the jewels of the NFL, alongside Lambeau Field in Green Bay, and is revered for its tailgating scene and home-field advantage; it currently holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium roar.This summer, Arrowhead Stadium will host six World Cup matches, including matches in the Round of 32 and quarterfinals.Lamar Hunt established the Chiefs on August 14, 1959. The team was originally based in Dallas and known as the Texans, but Hunt was convinced by then-Kansas City Mayor H. Roe Bartle to relocate the team to Missouri with promises of tripling the team's season-ticket sales and expanding the seating capacity of Municipal Stadium.In 1972, the team moved into Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex just east of downtown Kansas City.The stadium has undergone numerous renovations through the years, allowing it to stay relevant in a changing sports landscape. But there has been little economic development around the stadium, the facility itself is starting to show wear and tear, and there is a limit to the number of luxury suites and amenities that the franchise can utilize to help drive revenue.While the Hunt family has long loved Arrowhead Stadium, it has warmed in recent years to the idea of a replacement.Not only would it solve many of the shortcomings of the Chiefs' longtime home, a new facility with a fixed or retractable roof would allow them to use it year-round. That would mean the potential for hosting more concerts and events, college football bowl games, the Final Four and perhaps one of Lamar Hunt's long-held dreams: a Super Bowl.

Kan. lawmakers approve proposal to help Chiefs build new stadium in Kansas

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Sunday announced he is appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, the vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark that Trump has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-offshore-drilling-gulf-of-america-fa66f8d072eb39c00a8128a8941ede75">U.S. needs to take over.</a>

“Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World,” Trump said in announcing the appointment.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-greenland-norway-panama-canal-canada-a52858e3075f9b5ad95e78753293fc1f">during his presidential transition</a>&nbsp;and in the early months of his return to the White House repeatedly called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island.

The issue had drifted out of the headlines in recent months, but in August,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denmark-greenland-us-trump-6c9544314792cf1e287e21af06111c1e">Danish officials summoned the U.S. ambassador</a>&nbsp;following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.

Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-american-military-pituffik-space-base-denmark-746d67b1bc8e6681328a809787412495">U.S. military base</a>&nbsp;on the island and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-vance-visit-us-base-dd58fe169672042f803886da55ff3c0b">accused Denmark of underinvesting</a>&nbsp;there.

Trump has said that Greenland is crucial for U.S. security and hasn’t ruled out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-vance-visit-us-base-834785773189f2f12ec6b09f8c5a9321">taking the island by military force</a>, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.

Landry took office as governor in January 2024. His term ends in January 2028.

“It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.,” Landry wrote in a posting on X in which he thanked Trump for the appointment. He added, "This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”

Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S., and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. The U.S. push for Greenland is also opposed by Russia and much of Europe.

The Embassy of Denmark in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Landry's appointment.

The Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in a report earlier this month that the United States is using its economic power to “assert its will” and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.

The service, in its annual assessment, said Washington’s greater assertiveness under the Trump administration also comes as China and Russia seek to diminish Western, especially American, influence.

"The strategic importance of the Arctic is rising as the conflict between Russia and the West intensifies, and the growing security and strategic focus on the Arctic by the United States will further accelerate these developments,” the report said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766430284412.png" alt="Gov. Jeff Landry-image from CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Jeff Landry-image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Sunday announced he is appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry to serve as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, the vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark that Trump has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-offshore-drilling-gulf-of-america-fa66f8d072eb39c00a8128a8941ede75">U.S. needs to take over.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/lRjG11rMSu">pic.twitter.com/lRjG11rMSu</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2002927574440186264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World,” Trump said in announcing the appointment.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>! It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!&mdash; Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) <a href="https://twitter.com/LAGovJeffLandry/status/2002950029494124986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-greenland-norway-panama-canal-canada-a52858e3075f9b5ad95e78753293fc1f">during his presidential transition</a>&nbsp;and in the early months of his return to the White House repeatedly called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island.The issue had drifted out of the headlines in recent months, but in August,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denmark-greenland-us-trump-6c9544314792cf1e287e21af06111c1e">Danish officials summoned the U.S. ambassador</a>&nbsp;following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-american-military-pituffik-space-base-denmark-746d67b1bc8e6681328a809787412495">U.S. military base</a>&nbsp;on the island and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-vance-visit-us-base-dd58fe169672042f803886da55ff3c0b">accused Denmark of underinvesting</a>&nbsp;there.Trump has said that Greenland is crucial for U.S. security and hasn’t ruled out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-vance-visit-us-base-834785773189f2f12ec6b09f8c5a9321">taking the island by military force</a>, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.Landry took office as governor in January 2024. His term ends in January 2028.“It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.,” Landry wrote in a posting on X in which he thanked Trump for the appointment. He added, "This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S., and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. The U.S. push for Greenland is also opposed by Russia and much of Europe.The Embassy of Denmark in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Landry's appointment.The Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in a report earlier this month that the United States is using its economic power to “assert its will” and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.The service, in its annual assessment, said Washington’s greater assertiveness under the Trump administration also comes as China and Russia seek to diminish Western, especially American, influence."The strategic importance of the Arctic is rising as the conflict between Russia and the West intensifies, and the growing security and strategic focus on the Arctic by the United States will further accelerate these developments,” the report said.

Trump takes next step in effort to make Greenland part of U.S.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of a 4-year-old boy is due back in court on Monday.&nbsp;

On Dec. 12, Judge Rodger Woods charged 34-year-old Daniel Martin with&nbsp; first degree murder and child abuse in the death of Tiuri Blunt-Porrata, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 3:30p.m. Dec. 8, police&nbsp; responded to a medical call regarding an unresponsive 4-year-old child in the 2600 block of South Topeka in Wichita, according to police department spokesman Andrew Ford. The child identified as Tirui Blunt-Porrata, according to an online fundraiser, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced deceased at 4:07 p.m.

Police arrested Martin and booked him, into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.

On December 16, police arrested the boy's mother 27-year-old Tyne Blunt in connection with the boy's death. A Sedgwick County judge charged her with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Blunt is being held on a  a $750,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on December 29, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765296481475.png" alt="Martin-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of a 4-year-old boy is due back in court on Monday.&nbsp;On Dec. 12, Judge Rodger Woods charged 34-year-old Daniel Martin with&nbsp; first degree murder and child abuse in the death of Tiuri Blunt-Porrata, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765596159268.png" alt="Tiuri Blunt-Porrata-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Tiuri Blunt-Porrata-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 3:30p.m. Dec. 8, police&nbsp; responded to a medical call regarding an unresponsive 4-year-old child in the 2600 block of South Topeka in Wichita, according to police department spokesman Andrew Ford. The child identified as Tirui Blunt-Porrata, according to an online fundraiser, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced deceased at 4:07 p.m.Police arrested Martin and booked him, into the Sedgwick County Jail where he remains on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.On December 16, police arrested the boy's mother 27-year-old Tyne Blunt in connection with the boy's death. A Sedgwick County judge charged her with first-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Blunt is being held on a a $750,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court on December 29, according to the district attorney's office.

Suspect in 4-year-old's death is due back in court

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

Project relies on combination of state and federal funding, donations and bond debt

TOPEKA — The total price of constructing research and clinical facilities for the new University of Kansas Cancer Center increased nearly $80 million to accommodate plans for additional laboratory space and in response to general inflation, tariff and labor cost spikes.

Roy Jensen, director of the KU Cancer Center, said financial requirements of transforming the campus in Kansas City, Kansas, to fulfill the promise of a coveted federal designation as a comprehensive cancer center was estimated in November 2023 to total $250 million. He said the current assessment pegged the project cost at $329 million, which would amount to a 30% escalation in the budget.

Presentations to the Kansas Legislature and Kansas Board of Regents indicated decisions to add 70,000 square feet to the project for research purposes, enough to allow 44 principal laboratories rather than the original 32, would elevate the cost by $67.5 million. Escalation in materials and labor expenses added $6 million to the bottom line. In addition, planners committed $6 million more to the contingency fund.

In May, ground was broken for the cancer center complex. The plan calls for occupancy of the new research building in February 2028. Renovation of the nearby Hemenway Life Sciences and Innovation Center would connect it to the research hub of the cancer center. The entire complex would be operational by February 2029.

“It’s going to be an incredible catalyst for, I think, further growth of the cancer center,” Jensen said. “We’re super excited to have this in progress right now.”

The cancer center complex at 39th and Rainbow campus was designed to provide patients with access to groundbreaking clinical trials and therapies, KU officials said. Physicians and researchers engaged in cancer research and treatment would be brought together to make personalized care more readily available.

Jensen said KU Medical Center attracted 8,500 new cancer patients annually, an increase from 1,700 new patients in 2004. The volume of research at the medical center has grown over the past 20 years from $14 million annually to $94 million annually, he said.

“With that significant growth, we’re in need of an expansion,” Jensen said. “We’re currently in 10 different buildings just on the medical center campus. A big reason for this project was to begin to consolidate.”

Under the revised $329 million budget endorsed by the Board of Regents, the cancer center project would rely on $75 million in state aid, $60.7 million in federal appropriations, $57.2 million in private donations, $98 million in bond debt and $38 million from cash reserves and contributions from KU Health System.

“The Legislature’s allocation of $75 million played a key role in allowing us to move forward with this project,” Jensen said. “The office of Sen. (Jerry) Moran has also been quite helpful with a number of congressionally directed spending allocations.”

Rep. Troy Waymaster, the Bunker Hill Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said unresolved pieces of the puzzle included the potential of supplemental federal funding. U.S. Senate legislation pending in Washington, D.C., would earmark $36 million more to the KU Cancer Center, which Waymaster suggested could be dedicated to reducing KU’s bond debt obligations.

Jensen said extra federal aid might moderate costs of borrowing, but the infusion also could allow shifting of resources to better incentivize hiring of cancer center researchers.

“Some of the cash on hand that’s being set aside for this building could then be used to help us to build recruiting packages to help bring new investigators to the cancer center,” he said.

In 2012, KU was federally designated by the U.S. National Cancer Institute as a clinical cancer center. KU Cancer Center was declared a comprehensive center in 2022, which was the highest level of recognition awarded by NCI.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766420960440.png" alt=" Roy Jensen, director of the KU Cancer Center at the University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas, says the overall cost of the facility will rise nearly $80 million to a total of $329 million. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> Roy Jensen, director of the KU Cancer Center at the University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas, says the overall cost of the facility will rise nearly $80 million to a total of $329 million. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Project relies on combination of state and federal funding, donations and bond debt</h2>TOPEKA — The total price of constructing research and clinical facilities for the new University of Kansas Cancer Center increased nearly $80 million to accommodate plans for additional laboratory space and in response to general inflation, tariff and labor cost spikes.Roy Jensen, director of the KU Cancer Center, said financial requirements of transforming the campus in Kansas City, Kansas, to fulfill the promise of a coveted federal designation as a comprehensive cancer center was estimated in November 2023 to total $250 million. He said the current assessment pegged the project cost at $329 million, which would amount to a 30% escalation in the budget.Presentations to the Kansas Legislature and Kansas Board of Regents indicated decisions to add 70,000 square feet to the project for research purposes, enough to allow 44 principal laboratories rather than the original 32, would elevate the cost by $67.5 million. Escalation in materials and labor expenses added $6 million to the bottom line. In addition, planners committed $6 million more to the contingency fund.In May, ground was broken for the cancer center complex. The plan calls for occupancy of the new research building in February 2028. Renovation of the nearby Hemenway Life Sciences and Innovation Center would connect it to the research hub of the cancer center. The entire complex would be operational by February 2029.“It’s going to be an incredible catalyst for, I think, further growth of the cancer center,” Jensen said. “We’re super excited to have this in progress right now.”The cancer center complex at 39th and Rainbow campus was designed to provide patients with access to groundbreaking clinical trials and therapies, KU officials said. Physicians and researchers engaged in cancer research and treatment would be brought together to make personalized care more readily available.Jensen said KU Medical Center attracted 8,500 new cancer patients annually, an increase from 1,700 new patients in 2004. The volume of research at the medical center has grown over the past 20 years from $14 million annually to $94 million annually, he said.“With that significant growth, we’re in need of an expansion,” Jensen said. “We’re currently in 10 different buildings just on the medical center campus. A big reason for this project was to begin to consolidate.”Under the revised $329 million budget endorsed by the Board of Regents, the cancer center project would rely on $75 million in state aid, $60.7 million in federal appropriations, $57.2 million in private donations, $98 million in bond debt and $38 million from cash reserves and contributions from KU Health System.“The Legislature’s allocation of $75 million played a key role in allowing us to move forward with this project,” Jensen said. “The office of Sen. (Jerry) Moran has also been quite helpful with a number of congressionally directed spending allocations.”Rep. Troy Waymaster, the Bunker Hill Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said unresolved pieces of the puzzle included the potential of supplemental federal funding. U.S. Senate legislation pending in Washington, D.C., would earmark $36 million more to the KU Cancer Center, which Waymaster suggested could be dedicated to reducing KU’s bond debt obligations.Jensen said extra federal aid might moderate costs of borrowing, but the infusion also could allow shifting of resources to better incentivize hiring of cancer center researchers.“Some of the cash on hand that’s being set aside for this building could then be used to help us to build recruiting packages to help bring new investigators to the cancer center,” he said.In 2012, KU was federally designated by the U.S. National Cancer Institute as a clinical cancer center. KU Cancer Center was declared a comprehensive center in 2022, which was the highest level of recognition awarded by NCI.Fifty-four comprehensive cancer centers have been established in the United States — a figure representing 1% of all cancer treatment facilities in the country, Jensen said.“It’s impressive,” said Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence. “I think people should know that because it didn’t happen by accident.”