Mosaic Life Care officials say
there has been a dramatic increase in violence against its caregivers, and it
won’t be tolerated.

Mosaic CEO Mike Poore says the
increase in violence the last couple of years has no discernable common thread.

“We’ve had random acts of
violence in every department in the hospital,” Moore tells reporters during a
news conference at the St. Joseph hospital. “It’s increasingly frustrating.”

Those acts vary, according to
Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe.

“Everything from verbal abuse,
mental abuse, and to physical abuse,” Bledsoe says. “And it’s every scenario
that you can imagine.”

While there appears to be no
common thread or discernable trend to the violence, it does seem to be on the
increase of late. &nbsp;Poore says assaults
have spiked the last two years and seem to only be increasing.

“In the last several weeks, I’ve
had a nurse punched in the face. I’ve had another caregiver who was grabbed by
the hair and her face was slammed into a table,” Poore says, adding that a security
guard suffered a broken knee cap responding to an assault.

“I’ve been in health care for 36
years. It’s just that we’ve seen it increase to a level that has not been seen
in my career,” Poore says.

Mosaic showed a video of some of the acts of violence. We have that video below.

Both Bledsoe and Poore say Mosaic
is encouraging nurses and others who are assaulted to report assaults to
police. Both add caregivers are reluctant to report.

“Deep down in their heart they
feel like it goes against what they are here to do and that’s just to provide
care to patients,” Bledsoe explains. “But the other thing is, we are very busy
in health care and there’s a lot of steps that goes into making sure we’re reporting.
And so, it is another burden that we have to go through.”

Bledsoe says Mosaic is helping
alleviate some of the burden of filing the paperwork to report workplace
violence.

The St. Joseph Police Department
pledges to investigate every report of workplace violence at Mosaic. Buchanan
County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson urges anyone assaulted to file a report.

Mosaic has hospitals in St.
Joseph, Maryville, and Albany with clinics throughout its 19-county region.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701206080410.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care CEO Mike Poore addresses a St. Joseph news conference. Sitting left to right is Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe, St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster, and Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care CEO Mike Poore addresses a St. Joseph news conference. Sitting left to right is Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe, St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster, and Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care officials say
there has been a dramatic increase in violence against its caregivers, and it
won’t be tolerated.Mosaic CEO Mike Poore says the
increase in violence the last couple of years has no discernable common thread.“We’ve had random acts of
violence in every department in the hospital,” Moore tells reporters during a
news conference at the St. Joseph hospital. “It’s increasingly frustrating.”Those acts vary, according to
Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe.“Everything from verbal abuse,
mental abuse, and to physical abuse,” Bledsoe says. “And it’s every scenario
that you can imagine.”While there appears to be no
common thread or discernable trend to the violence, it does seem to be on the
increase of late. &nbsp;Poore says assaults
have spiked the last two years and seem to only be increasing.“In the last several weeks, I’ve
had a nurse punched in the face. I’ve had another caregiver who was grabbed by
the hair and her face was slammed into a table,” Poore says, adding that a security
guard suffered a broken knee cap responding to an assault.“I’ve been in health care for 36
years. It’s just that we’ve seen it increase to a level that has not been seen
in my career,” Poore says.Mosaic showed a video of some of the acts of violence. We have that video below.Both Bledsoe and Poore say Mosaic
is encouraging nurses and others who are assaulted to report assaults to
police. Both add caregivers are reluctant to report.“Deep down in their heart they
feel like it goes against what they are here to do and that’s just to provide
care to patients,” Bledsoe explains. “But the other thing is, we are very busy
in health care and there’s a lot of steps that goes into making sure we’re reporting.
And so, it is another burden that we have to go through.”Bledsoe says Mosaic is helping
alleviate some of the burden of filing the paperwork to report workplace
violence.The St. Joseph Police Department
pledges to investigate every report of workplace violence at Mosaic. Buchanan
County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson urges anyone assaulted to file a report.Mosaic has hospitals in St.
Joseph, Maryville, and Albany with clinics throughout its 19-county region.<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/L6tDrHyL-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Mosaic Life Care on Workplace Violence" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Mosaic-working-to-solve-growing-violence-problem-in-the-hospital-e2chke2" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

"Dramatic" increase of violence in KC-area hospital group

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The latest swap of Hamas militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel took place Tuesday evening as part of an ongoing cease-fire agreement between the warring sides.

Ten Israeli hostages — nine women and a 17-year-old girl — as well as two Thais were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were back in Israeli territory, the military said. About an hour later, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel and Hamas have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-28-2023-a909a0a0c9c76ce80d1ff3e94bbe2ec4">agreed to extend their cease-fire</a>&nbsp;until Wednesday, raising the prospect of further exchanges and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war. Since last Friday, Hamas has released 81 hostages, mostly Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 180 Palestinian prisoner.

An extended case-fire would also allow more aid into Gaza, which has been battered by weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">Israeli siege and bombardment</a>&nbsp;and a ground offensive that has driven three out of every four people in Gaza from their homes. The territory is home to 2.3 million people.

But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending the group's 16-year rule over Gaza. That would likely mean&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">expanding a ground offensive</a>&nbsp;from devastated northern Gaza into the south.

Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.

The cease-fire has allowed residents who remained in Gaza City and other parts of the north to venture out to survey the destruction and try to locate and bury relatives.

In northern Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, which Israel bombarded heavily for weeks and which troops surrounded in heavy fighting with militants, “you come across whole city blocks that have been demolished, just a pancake of concrete layered as buildings have collapsed,” said Thomas White, the Gaza director for the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees.

The agency delivered six trucks of aid to the camp, including supplies for a medical center. Footage of White’s visit showed streets lined with destroyed buildings, cars, and piles of rubble.

<a href="https://sheltercluster.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/public/docs/SC-PC%20Joint%20advocacy%20note_241123-1.pdf?VersionId=kPEn3lsQx.2lA5.f5YXzNV3vuWmntrxi">A U.N.-led aid consortium</a>&nbsp;estimates that, across Gaza, over 234,000 homes have been damaged and 46,000 completely destroyed, amounting to around 60% of the territory’s housing stock. In the north, the destruction “severely compromises the ability to meet basic requirements to sustain life,” it said.

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack.

At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive. Israel says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence.

Authorities were able to reopen the dialysis department at Gaza City’s Shifa hospital after medical teams brought a small generator. Around 20 patients there had gone two or three weeks without dialysis, Dr. Mutasim Salah told Al-Jazeera TV from the hospital.

Two weeks ago, Israeli forces seized the hospital, which Israel had contended was used as a major base by Hamas, an accusation that the group and hospital staff deny.

Israel’s bombardment and ground offensive have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">displaced more than 1.8 million people</a>, nearly 80% of Gaza’s population, with most having sought refuge in the south, according to the U.N. Hundreds of thousands of people have packed into U.N.-run schools and other facilities, with many forced to sleep on the streets outside because of overcrowding.

Though, rain and cold winds sweeping across Gaza have made conditions even more miserable.

On Tuesday, Hanan Tayeh returned to her destroyed home in the central town of Johor al-Deek, scouring for any belongings in the wreckage.

“I came to get anything for my daughters. Winter has come, and I have nothing for them to wear,” she said. “It is cold, we are homeless.”

The cease-fire has allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">increased aid of 160 to 200 trucks a day into Gaza</a>, bringing desperately needed food, water and medicine, as well as fuel for homes, hospitals and water treatment plants. Still, it is less than half what Gaza was importing before the fighting, even as humanitarian needs have soared.

Juliette Toma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said people come to shelters asking for heavy clothes, mattresses and blankets, and that some are sleeping in damaged vehicles.

“The needs are overwhelming,” she told The Associated Press. “They lost everything, and they need everything.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701204582165.png" alt="Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)" />
 <figcaption>Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)</figcaption>
 </figure>DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The latest swap of Hamas militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel took place Tuesday evening as part of an ongoing cease-fire agreement between the warring sides.Ten Israeli hostages — nine women and a 17-year-old girl — as well as two Thais were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were back in Israeli territory, the military said. About an hour later, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners.Israel and Hamas have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-28-2023-a909a0a0c9c76ce80d1ff3e94bbe2ec4">agreed to extend their cease-fire</a>&nbsp;until Wednesday, raising the prospect of further exchanges and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war. Since last Friday, Hamas has released 81 hostages, mostly Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 180 Palestinian prisoner.An extended case-fire would also allow more aid into Gaza, which has been battered by weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">Israeli siege and bombardment</a>&nbsp;and a ground offensive that has driven three out of every four people in Gaza from their homes. The territory is home to 2.3 million people.But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending the group's 16-year rule over Gaza. That would likely mean&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">expanding a ground offensive</a>&nbsp;from devastated northern Gaza into the south.Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.NORTHERN GAZA IN RUINSThe cease-fire has allowed residents who remained in Gaza City and other parts of the north to venture out to survey the destruction and try to locate and bury relatives.In northern Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, which Israel bombarded heavily for weeks and which troops surrounded in heavy fighting with militants, “you come across whole city blocks that have been demolished, just a pancake of concrete layered as buildings have collapsed,” said Thomas White, the Gaza director for the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees.The agency delivered six trucks of aid to the camp, including supplies for a medical center. Footage of White’s visit showed streets lined with destroyed buildings, cars, and piles of rubble.<a href="https://sheltercluster.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/public/docs/SC-PC%20Joint%20advocacy%20note_241123-1.pdf?VersionId=kPEn3lsQx.2lA5.f5YXzNV3vuWmntrxi">A U.N.-led aid consortium</a>&nbsp;estimates that, across Gaza, over 234,000 homes have been damaged and 46,000 completely destroyed, amounting to around 60% of the territory’s housing stock. In the north, the destruction “severely compromises the ability to meet basic requirements to sustain life,” it said.More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack.At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive. Israel says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence.Authorities were able to reopen the dialysis department at Gaza City’s Shifa hospital after medical teams brought a small generator. Around 20 patients there had gone two or three weeks without dialysis, Dr. Mutasim Salah told Al-Jazeera TV from the hospital.Two weeks ago, Israeli forces seized the hospital, which Israel had contended was used as a major base by Hamas, an accusation that the group and hospital staff deny.FEARS FOR THE SOUTHIsrael’s bombardment and ground offensive have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">displaced more than 1.8 million people</a>, nearly 80% of Gaza’s population, with most having sought refuge in the south, according to the U.N. Hundreds of thousands of people have packed into U.N.-run schools and other facilities, with many forced to sleep on the streets outside because of overcrowding.Though, rain and cold winds sweeping across Gaza have made conditions even more miserable.On Tuesday, Hanan Tayeh returned to her destroyed home in the central town of Johor al-Deek, scouring for any belongings in the wreckage.“I came to get anything for my daughters. Winter has come, and I have nothing for them to wear,” she said. “It is cold, we are homeless.”The cease-fire has allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">increased aid of 160 to 200 trucks a day into Gaza</a>, bringing desperately needed food, water and medicine, as well as fuel for homes, hospitals and water treatment plants. Still, it is less than half what Gaza was importing before the fighting, even as humanitarian needs have soared.Juliette Toma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said people come to shelters asking for heavy clothes, mattresses and blankets, and that some are sleeping in damaged vehicles.“The needs are overwhelming,” she told The Associated Press. “They lost everything, and they need everything.”___

5th hostage release: 9 women, teenager and no Americans 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a young boy found in an alley in downtown Kansas City have confirmed the child fell from the apartment building.&nbsp;Surveillance footage confirms the child fell from the building. However, the circumstances surrounding how the child fell is still under investigation.

Just after 11a.m. Monday officers were dispatched to 10th and Grand Avenue, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

First responders located the boy who was suffering from bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators believe the victim is younger than a teenager.

This case is being classified as a suspicious death investigation, according to Carlisle.

&nbsp;Police are working to identify the child and and notify the family. It may take several weeks for investigators to get reports from the Medical Examiner's office and to follow up on other leads in this investigation.&nbsp;

At the conclusion of this investigation, any potential criminal charges will be referred to the prosecutors office for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701117866283.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a young boy found in an alley in downtown Kansas City have confirmed the child fell from the apartment building.&nbsp;Surveillance footage confirms the child fell from the building. However, the circumstances surrounding how the child fell is still under investigation.Just after 11a.m. Monday officers were dispatched to 10th and Grand Avenue, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.First responders located the boy who was suffering from bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators believe the victim is younger than a teenager.This case is being classified as a suspicious death investigation, according to Carlisle.&nbsp;Police are working to identify the child and and notify the family. It may take several weeks for investigators to get reports from the Medical Examiner's office and to follow up on other leads in this investigation.&nbsp;At the conclusion of this investigation, any potential criminal charges will be referred to the prosecutors office for review.

Police: Boy died in fall from Kansas City apartment building

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, crews responded to a house fire located at 2017 NW Logan Street in Topeka, according to spokesperson Gretchen Spiker. First arriving crews found smoke coming from the single-story home.&nbsp;

The resident of the home was able to escape prior to the arrival of fire crews. American Medical Response transported the resident&nbsp;to a local hospital for treatment of an unrelated medical issue.

The estimated loss from this incident is approximately $20,000. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire.Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, crews responded to a house fire located at 2017 NW Logan Street in Topeka, according to spokesperson Gretchen Spiker. First arriving crews found smoke coming from the single-story home.&nbsp;The resident of the home was able to escape prior to the arrival of fire crews. American Medical Response transported the resident&nbsp;to a local hospital for treatment of an unrelated medical issue.The estimated loss from this incident is approximately $20,000. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

One hospitalized after escape from Kansas house fire

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of the powerful Koch network, formally endorsed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley's presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, promising to commit its nationwide coalition of activists — and virtually unlimited funds — to helping Haley defeat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in the GOP primary contest.

“AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November,” AFP president and CEO Emily Seidel wrote in a memo announcing the group's decision.

“She has what it takes to lead a policy agenda to take on our nation’s biggest challenges and help ensure our country’s best days are ahead. With the grassroots and data capability we bring to bear in this race, no other organization is better equipped to help her do it.”

The endorsement may help Haley address one of her biggest strategic liabilities.

Despite seizing some polling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-president-republican-desantis-trump-c93fa155032fc7e3607a54816163f2b2">momentum</a>&nbsp;in recent months, especially in early primary states, the former United Nations ambassador's campaign has been lacking significant resources on the ground to ensure her supporters turn out to vote. But now, she inherits the organizational heft of what may be the most powerful conservative grassroots organization in the nation. The Koch network, previously referred to as the Koch Brothers, has been building a network of paid conservative activists and volunteers in key states for several years.

Through last summer and the fall alone, Americans for Prosperity activists communicated with 6 million primary voters, either in person at their doors or on the phone, Seidel said.

The endorsement marks a particularly painful blow to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis</a>, who had championed conservative priorities in Florida, but struggled to emerge as the clear Trump alternative in the 2024 GOP primary contest. It's unclear, however, whether the endorsement can help weaken Trump's grip on the Republican presidential nomination given his commanding lead over DeSantis and Haley in virtually every poll.

Back in the spring, the Koch network began running ads across Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — the first three states on the GOP’s presidential primary calendar — focusing on questions about Trump’s electability in next fall’s general election against Biden. And still, Trump remains the overwhelming front-runner in the race.

Seidel said Tuesday that Americans for Prosperity would immediately begin refocusing its efforts on boosting Haley’s primary and general election campaigns with strategic advertising investments, mailers and voter contacts through the group’s network of thousands of conservative activists, which has spent recent months collecting information from Republican primary voters to determine the most effective arguments against Trump.

At the same time, Seidel said that her organization would focus on persuading reliable general election voters, who typically don’t vote in primaries, to show up for Haley in this year’s fast-approaching nomination contests.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed Americans for Prosperity as “the political arm of the China-first, America-last movement.”

“No amount of shady money from George Soros, Democrats and Never-Trump RINOs in partnership with endless-war swamp creatures in Washington will stop the MAGA movement or President Trump from being the Republican nominee and defeating Crooked Joe Biden,” Cheung wrote in a statement responding to the Haley endorsement.

The feud between Trump and the Koch network has been years in the making.

The Kochs, long demonized by Democrats for having outsize influence in Washington, refused to support Trump's reelection in 2020. The group’s leaders argued that his populist policies, especially on trade, didn’t adhere to traditional conservative values, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f548cc23360542578829834b9cc015c8">decrying</a>&nbsp;his divisive leadership style.

News of the endorsement Tuesday quickly rippled across the political world.

Speaking in Washington, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney predicted it would be a “huge boost” to Haley’s campaign.

Romney, a vocal Trump critic, said Haley has proved naysayers wrong before “and she’s doing it again." He added: "I think it’s a huge boost for her campaign and may create the kind of momentum she needs.”

In a statement, DeSantis spokesperson Andrew Romeo likened the Koch endorsement to a contribution to the Trump campaign.

“Congratulations to Donald Trump on securing the Koch endorsement. Like clockwork, the pro-open borders, pro-jail break bill establishment is lining up behind a moderate who has no mathematical pathway of defeating the former president,” Romeo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Every dollar spent on Nikki Haley’s candidacy should be reported as an in-kind to the Trump campaign. No one has a stronger record of beating the establishment than Ron DeSantis, and this time will be no different.”

Yet the Koch network is convinced that Haley is better positioned to defeat Trump — and Biden — than DeSantis.

In a polling memo, senior adviser Michael Palmer highlighted Haley's “sustained momentum in recent months,” while noting that many primary voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are only just beginning to pay close attention to the contest.

“Gov. DeSantis has been a tremendous leader of the state of Florida," Seidel said in a Tuesday conference call. "But all of the evidence we’ve already shared on this call point to the fact that Nikki Haley is the strongest candidate in this race and that’s why we decided to support her.”

Meanwhile, Haley said she was honored to have the support of Americans for Prosperity, “including its millions of grassroots members all across the country.”

“AFP Action’s members know that there is too much at stake in this election to sit on the sidelines," she said in a statement. "This is a choice between freedom and socialism, individual liberty and big government, fiscal responsibility and spiraling debt. We have a country to save, and I’m grateful to have AFP Action by our side.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691516540473.png" alt=" Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks at U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s annual BBQ Bash in Cedar Rapids&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;photo by Jay Waagmeester/Iowa Capital Dispatch" />
 <figcaption> Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks at U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s annual BBQ Bash in Cedar Rapids&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;photo by Jay Waagmeester/Iowa Capital Dispatch</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of the powerful Koch network, formally endorsed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley's presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, promising to commit its nationwide coalition of activists — and virtually unlimited funds — to helping Haley defeat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in the GOP primary contest.“AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November,” AFP president and CEO Emily Seidel wrote in a memo announcing the group's decision.“She has what it takes to lead a policy agenda to take on our nation’s biggest challenges and help ensure our country’s best days are ahead. With the grassroots and data capability we bring to bear in this race, no other organization is better equipped to help her do it.”The endorsement may help Haley address one of her biggest strategic liabilities.Despite seizing some polling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-president-republican-desantis-trump-c93fa155032fc7e3607a54816163f2b2">momentum</a>&nbsp;in recent months, especially in early primary states, the former United Nations ambassador's campaign has been lacking significant resources on the ground to ensure her supporters turn out to vote. But now, she inherits the organizational heft of what may be the most powerful conservative grassroots organization in the nation. The Koch network, previously referred to as the Koch Brothers, has been building a network of paid conservative activists and volunteers in key states for several years.Through last summer and the fall alone, Americans for Prosperity activists communicated with 6 million primary voters, either in person at their doors or on the phone, Seidel said.The endorsement marks a particularly painful blow to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis</a>, who had championed conservative priorities in Florida, but struggled to emerge as the clear Trump alternative in the 2024 GOP primary contest. It's unclear, however, whether the endorsement can help weaken Trump's grip on the Republican presidential nomination given his commanding lead over DeSantis and Haley in virtually every poll.Back in the spring, the Koch network began running ads across Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — the first three states on the GOP’s presidential primary calendar — focusing on questions about Trump’s electability in next fall’s general election against Biden. And still, Trump remains the overwhelming front-runner in the race.Seidel said Tuesday that Americans for Prosperity would immediately begin refocusing its efforts on boosting Haley’s primary and general election campaigns with strategic advertising investments, mailers and voter contacts through the group’s network of thousands of conservative activists, which has spent recent months collecting information from Republican primary voters to determine the most effective arguments against Trump.At the same time, Seidel said that her organization would focus on persuading reliable general election voters, who typically don’t vote in primaries, to show up for Haley in this year’s fast-approaching nomination contests.Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed Americans for Prosperity as “the political arm of the China-first, America-last movement.”“No amount of shady money from George Soros, Democrats and Never-Trump RINOs in partnership with endless-war swamp creatures in Washington will stop the MAGA movement or President Trump from being the Republican nominee and defeating Crooked Joe Biden,” Cheung wrote in a statement responding to the Haley endorsement.The feud between Trump and the Koch network has been years in the making.The Kochs, long demonized by Democrats for having outsize influence in Washington, refused to support Trump's reelection in 2020. The group’s leaders argued that his populist policies, especially on trade, didn’t adhere to traditional conservative values, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f548cc23360542578829834b9cc015c8">decrying</a>&nbsp;his divisive leadership style.News of the endorsement Tuesday quickly rippled across the political world.Speaking in Washington, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney predicted it would be a “huge boost” to Haley’s campaign.Romney, a vocal Trump critic, said Haley has proved naysayers wrong before “and she’s doing it again." He added: "I think it’s a huge boost for her campaign and may create the kind of momentum she needs.”The DeSantis camp was not pleased.In a statement, DeSantis spokesperson Andrew Romeo likened the Koch endorsement to a contribution to the Trump campaign.“Congratulations to Donald Trump on securing the Koch endorsement. Like clockwork, the pro-open borders, pro-jail break bill establishment is lining up behind a moderate who has no mathematical pathway of defeating the former president,” Romeo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Every dollar spent on Nikki Haley’s candidacy should be reported as an in-kind to the Trump campaign. No one has a stronger record of beating the establishment than Ron DeSantis, and this time will be no different.”Yet the Koch network is convinced that Haley is better positioned to defeat Trump — and Biden — than DeSantis.In a polling memo, senior adviser Michael Palmer highlighted Haley's “sustained momentum in recent months,” while noting that many primary voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are only just beginning to pay close attention to the contest.“Gov. DeSantis has been a tremendous leader of the state of Florida," Seidel said in a Tuesday conference call. "But all of the evidence we’ve already shared on this call point to the fact that Nikki Haley is the strongest candidate in this race and that’s why we decided to support her.”Meanwhile, Haley said she was honored to have the support of Americans for Prosperity, “including its millions of grassroots members all across the country.”“AFP Action’s members know that there is too much at stake in this election to sit on the sidelines," she said in a statement. "This is a choice between freedom and socialism, individual liberty and big government, fiscal responsibility and spiraling debt. We have a country to save, and I’m grateful to have AFP Action by our side.”

Nikki Haley wins backing from Koch network as she aims to take on Trump

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A ransomware attack has prompted a health care chain that operates 30 hospitals in six states to divert patients from at least some of its emergency rooms to other hospitals, while putting certain elective procedures on pause, the company announced.

In a statement Monday, Ardent Health Services, which operates the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis hospital in Topeka, said the attack occurred Nov. 23 and the company took its network offline, suspending user access to its information technology applications, including the software used to document patient care.

The Nashville, Tennessee-based company said it cannot yet confirm the extent of any patient health or financial information that has been compromised. Ardent says it reported the issue to law enforcement and retained third-party forensic and threat intelligence advisors, while working with cybersecurity specialists to restore IT functions as quickly as possible. There's no timeline yet on when the problems will be resolved.

Ardent owns and operates 30 hospitals and more than 200 care sites with upwards of 1,400 aligned providers in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Jersey, New Mexico and Idaho.

All of its hospitals are continuing to provide medical screenings and stabilizing care to patients arriving at emergency rooms, the company said.

“Ardent’s hospitals are currently operating on divert, which means hospitals are asking local ambulance services to transport patients in need of emergency care to other area hospitals,” the company said on its website. “This ensures critically ill patients have immediate access to the most appropriate level of care.”

The company said each hospital is evaluating its ability to safely care for patients at its emergency room, and updates on each hospital's status will be provided as efforts to bring them back online continue.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Ransomware criminals do not usually admit to an attack unless the victim refuses to pay.

A recent global study by the cybersecurity firm Sophos found nearly two-thirds of health care organizations were hit by ransomware attacks in the year ending in March, double the rate from two years earlier but a slight dip from 2022. Education was the sector most likely to be hit, with attack saturation at 80%.

Increasingly, ransomware gangs steal data before activating data-scrambling malware that paralyzes networks. The threat of making stolen data public is used to extort payments. That data can also be sold online. Sophos found data theft occurred in one in three ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations.

Analyst Brett Callow at the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft said 25 U.S. healthcare systems with 290 hospitals were hit last year while this year the number is 36 with 128 hospitals. “Of course, not all hospitals within the systems may have been impacted and not all may have been impacted equally,” he said. “Also, improved resilience may have improved recovery times.”

“We’re not in a significantly better position than in previous years, and it may actually be worse,” he said.

“We desperately need to find ways to better protect our hospitals. These incidents put patients lives at risk — especially when ambulances need to be diverted — and the fact that nobody appears to have yet died is partly due to luck, and that luck will eventually run out,” Callow added.

Most ransomware syndicates are run by Russian speakers based in former Soviet states, out of reach of U.S. law enforcement, though some “affiliates” who do the grunt work of infecting targets and negotiating ransoms live in the West, using the syndicates’ software infrastructure and tools.

The Kremlin tolerates the global ransomware scourge, in part, because of the chaos and economic damage to the West — and as long its interests remain unaffected, U.S. national security officials say.

While industries across the spectrum have been hit by ransomware, a recent attack on China’s biggest bank that affected U.S. Treasury trading represented a rare attack on a financial institution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701191775867.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A ransomware attack has prompted a health care chain that operates 30 hospitals in six states to divert patients from at least some of its emergency rooms to other hospitals, while putting certain elective procedures on pause, the company announced.In a statement Monday, Ardent Health Services, which operates the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis hospital in Topeka, said the attack occurred Nov. 23 and the company took its network offline, suspending user access to its information technology applications, including the software used to document patient care.The Nashville, Tennessee-based company said it cannot yet confirm the extent of any patient health or financial information that has been compromised. Ardent says it reported the issue to law enforcement and retained third-party forensic and threat intelligence advisors, while working with cybersecurity specialists to restore IT functions as quickly as possible. There's no timeline yet on when the problems will be resolved.Ardent owns and operates 30 hospitals and more than 200 care sites with upwards of 1,400 aligned providers in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Jersey, New Mexico and Idaho.All of its hospitals are continuing to provide medical screenings and stabilizing care to patients arriving at emergency rooms, the company said.“Ardent’s hospitals are currently operating on divert, which means hospitals are asking local ambulance services to transport patients in need of emergency care to other area hospitals,” the company said on its website. “This ensures critically ill patients have immediate access to the most appropriate level of care.”The company said each hospital is evaluating its ability to safely care for patients at its emergency room, and updates on each hospital's status will be provided as efforts to bring them back online continue.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Ransomware criminals do not usually admit to an attack unless the victim refuses to pay.A recent global study by the cybersecurity firm Sophos found nearly two-thirds of health care organizations were hit by ransomware attacks in the year ending in March, double the rate from two years earlier but a slight dip from 2022. Education was the sector most likely to be hit, with attack saturation at 80%.Increasingly, ransomware gangs steal data before activating data-scrambling malware that paralyzes networks. The threat of making stolen data public is used to extort payments. That data can also be sold online. Sophos found data theft occurred in one in three ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations.Analyst Brett Callow at the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft said 25 U.S. healthcare systems with 290 hospitals were hit last year while this year the number is 36 with 128 hospitals. “Of course, not all hospitals within the systems may have been impacted and not all may have been impacted equally,” he said. “Also, improved resilience may have improved recovery times.”“We’re not in a significantly better position than in previous years, and it may actually be worse,” he said.“We desperately need to find ways to better protect our hospitals. These incidents put patients lives at risk — especially when ambulances need to be diverted — and the fact that nobody appears to have yet died is partly due to luck, and that luck will eventually run out,” Callow added.Most ransomware syndicates are run by Russian speakers based in former Soviet states, out of reach of U.S. law enforcement, though some “affiliates” who do the grunt work of infecting targets and negotiating ransoms live in the West, using the syndicates’ software infrastructure and tools.The Kremlin tolerates the global ransomware scourge, in part, because of the chaos and economic damage to the West — and as long its interests remain unaffected, U.S. national security officials say.While industries across the spectrum have been hit by ransomware, a recent attack on China’s biggest bank that affected U.S. Treasury trading represented a rare attack on a financial institution.___

Ransomware attack: Kan. hospital diverts some ER patients 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man accused in the murder of a Wichita woman made his first court appearance Monday.

Carlos Anderson-Honeycutt, 26 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On Nov. 19, police were dispatched to a shooting at a home in the 2300 block of S. Belmont in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;

First responders located 24-year-old Brittnee Wicker inside her home with a fatal gunshot wound. She would be pronounced deceased on the scene.

On Tuesday, the Wichita Police Department made significant progress in the investigation into the homicide.

On Monday the Sedgwick County District Attorney was presented with evidence, leading to the charging Anderson-Honeycutt with 1st Degree Murder in the case, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Following a thorough collaborative effort with law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Wichita Police Department discovered that&nbsp;Anderson-Honeycutt was in the State of Texas. Coordinating with partners in Texas, particularly the United States Customs and Border Patrol, an arrest was successfully made near Brownsville, Texas.&nbsp;

On Nov. 15, authorities booked Anderson-Honeycutt into the Sedgwick County Jail. He is being held on a bond of&nbsp;two-million dollars, according to the district attorney's office.

Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest that this tragic incident was a result of Domestic Violence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700924495261.png" alt="Anderson-Honeycutt-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Anderson-Honeycutt-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man accused in the murder of a Wichita woman made his first court appearance Monday.Carlos Anderson-Honeycutt, 26 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On Nov. 19, police were dispatched to a shooting at a home in the 2300 block of S. Belmont in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700926072292.png" alt="Britnee Wicker-photo Affinity Mortuary" />
 <figcaption>Britnee Wicker-photo Affinity Mortuary</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located 24-year-old Brittnee Wicker inside her home with a fatal gunshot wound. She would be pronounced deceased on the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700070538304.png" alt="Anderson-Honeycutt from an arrest in April of 2021 in Sedgwick County on requested charges of battery and criminal damage, according to arrest records." />
 <figcaption>Anderson-Honeycutt from an arrest in April of 2021 in Sedgwick County on requested charges of battery and criminal damage, according to arrest records.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday, the Wichita Police Department made significant progress in the investigation into the homicide.On Monday the Sedgwick County District Attorney was presented with evidence, leading to the charging Anderson-Honeycutt with 1st Degree Murder in the case, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Following a thorough collaborative effort with law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Wichita Police Department discovered that&nbsp;Anderson-Honeycutt was in the State of Texas. Coordinating with partners in Texas, particularly the United States Customs and Border Patrol, an arrest was successfully made near Brownsville, Texas.&nbsp;On Nov. 15, authorities booked Anderson-Honeycutt into the Sedgwick County Jail. He is being held on a bond of&nbsp;two-million dollars, according to the district attorney's office.Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest that this tragic incident was a result of Domestic Violence.

$2 million bond for suspect for murder of Kansas woman

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday announced that the Kansas Department of Revenue will pause production on the license plate design revealed last week and create a process to receive public input before selecting a final design, according to a media release from her office.

After the announcement last week, Kansas State Representative Nick Hoheisel of Wichita heard from many of his constituents who wanted a different design.

&nbsp;"I promised to be a bipartisan governor, and I think we can all admit – I succeeded at bringing Kansans across the political aisle together in disliking this new license plate,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly.&nbsp;“I’ve heard you loud and clear. Elected officials should be responsive to their constituents, which is why we are adjusting the process so Kansans can provide direct input on our state’s next license plate.”

One of the challenges of designing a license plate is meeting the primary reason license plates exist: to be clear and easy to read. Kansans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design among several that follow guidelines that comply with the needs of law enforcement entities and best practices established by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, including:

The Governor’s Office will share more details on license plate options, the voting process, and how this announcement impacts the transition from embossed to print-on-demand plates soon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700669520769.png" alt="The proposed new license plate revealed November 22." />
 <figcaption>The proposed new license plate revealed November 22.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday announced that the Kansas Department of Revenue will pause production on the license plate design revealed last week and create a process to receive public input before selecting a final design, according to a media release from her office.After the announcement last week, Kansas State Representative Nick Hoheisel of Wichita heard from many of his constituents who wanted a different design.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In response to dissatisfaction among constituents regarding the proposed new license plate design, I&#39;ve requested <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovLauraKelly</a> delay implementation until the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> reconvenes in January. This allows a thorough examination of options and ensures Kansans&#39; values are reflected. <a href="https://t.co/PG9hqPLJvs">pic.twitter.com/PG9hqPLJvs</a>&mdash; Rep. Nick Hoheisel (@RepHoheisel) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepHoheisel/status/1728128975644553477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;"I promised to be a bipartisan governor, and I think we can all admit – I succeeded at bringing Kansans across the political aisle together in disliking this new license plate,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly.&nbsp;“I’ve heard you loud and clear. Elected officials should be responsive to their constituents, which is why we are adjusting the process so Kansans can provide direct input on our state’s next license plate.”One of the challenges of designing a license plate is meeting the primary reason license plates exist: to be clear and easy to read. Kansans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design among several that follow guidelines that comply with the needs of law enforcement entities and best practices established by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, including:<ul>
 <li>License plate numbers will be seven (7) digits.</li><li>Any phrase, motto, or slogan must be placed at the bottom of the license plate.</li><li>Any graphic must be placed on the right or left side of the license plate number.</li><li>Graphics must not resemble letters, numbers, or special characters in a way that would interfere with the ability to read the license plate number.</li><li>Background design must not interfere with the ability to read the license plate number.</li><li>The license plate must have a light background behind the license plate number, and the license plate number must be black.</li>
 </ul>The Governor’s Office will share more details on license plate options, the voting process, and how this announcement impacts the transition from embossed to print-on-demand plates soon.

Governor kills new license plate; you get a vote on new design

LINN COUNTY —A duck hunter is recovering after a Kansas game warden helped save his life.

On Sunday evening, Game Warden Falls responded to the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to locate and rescue a duck hunter, who was suffering from hypothermia and going into shock, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

EMS transported the hunter to an area hospital for further treatment. A friend of the hunter responding to the social media report the game wardens reported the hunter is out of the hospital and recovering. "We cannot thank the KDWP team enough for their help in not only saving my buddy, but recovering his boat out of the marsh as well and even helping us load it."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701183224666.png" alt="Photo KDWP Game Wardens" />
 <figcaption>Photo KDWP Game Wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>LINN COUNTY —A duck hunter is recovering after a Kansas game warden helped save his life.On Sunday evening, Game Warden Falls responded to the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area to locate and rescue a duck hunter, who was suffering from hypothermia and going into shock, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.EMS transported the hunter to an area hospital for further treatment. A friend of the hunter responding to the social media report the game wardens reported the hunter is out of the hospital and recovering. "We cannot thank the KDWP team enough for their help in not only saving my buddy, but recovering his boat out of the marsh as well and even helping us load it."

Kan. game warden rescues hunter suffering from hypothermia

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel and Hamas agreed to extend their cease-fire for two more days past Monday, raising the prospect of further exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and a longer halt to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">their deadliest and most destructive war</a>.

(Click below to watch White House spokesman John Kirby's comments on American hostages)

Eleven Israeli women and children, freed by Hamas, entered Israel Monday night after more than seven weeks in captivity in Gaza in the fourth swap under the original four-day truce, which began Friday and was due to run out. Thirty-three Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived early Tuesday in east Jerusalem and the West Bank town of Ramallah. The prisoners were greeted by loud cheers as their bus made its way through the streets of Ramallah.

The deal for two additional days of cease-fire, announced by Qatar, raised hopes for further extensions, which also allow more aid into Gaza. Conditions there have remained dire for 2.3 million Palestinians, battered by weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground offensive that have driven three-quarters of the population from their homes.

Israel has said it would extend the cease-fire by one day for every 10 additional hostages released. After the announcement by Qatar —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-war-hostage-qatar-0126c6443a9b3b32fe97032b81eaa515">a key mediator in the conflict,</a>&nbsp;along with the United States and Egypt — Hamas confirmed it had agreed to a two-day extension “under the same terms.”

But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending its 16-year rule over Gaza after its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel</a>. That would likely mean&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">expanding a ground offensive</a>&nbsp;from devastated northern Gaza to the south.

Monday’s releases bring to 51 the number of Israelis freed under the truce, along with 19 hostages of other nationalities. So far, 150 Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons.

After weeks of national trauma over the roughly 240 people abducted by Hamas and other militants, scenes of the women and children reuniting with families have rallied Israelis behind calls to return those who remain in captivity.

“We can get all hostages back home. We have to keep pushing,” two relatives of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/children-hostages-israel-palestinians-gaza-orphan-c8e9f6dd703a9c14161eeb6ca9e25417">Abigail Edan</a>, a 4-year-old girl and dual Israeli-American citizen who was released Sunday, said in a statement.

Hamas and other militants could still be holding up to 175 hostages, enough to potentially extend the cease-fire for two and a half weeks. But those include a number of soldiers, and Hamas is likely to make much greater demands for their release.

The newly released hostages included three women and nine children — including 3-year-old twin girls and their mother — from the kibbutz Nir Oz, a community near Gaza that was hard hit in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. The kibbutz said 49 of its residents remain in captivity, including the father of the twins. The Israeli military said late Monday that the hostages were undergoing initial medical checks in Israel before being reunited with their families.

Most of the hostages freed so far have appeared to be physically well. But 84-year-old Elma Avraham, released Sunday, was airlifted to Israel’s Soroka Medical Center in life-threatening condition because of inadequate care, the hospital said.

Avraham’s daughter, Tali Amano, said her mother was “hours from death” when she was brought to the hospital. Avraham is currently sedated and has a breathing tube, but Amano said she told her of a new great-grandchild who was born while she was in captivity.

Avraham suffered from several chronic conditions that required regular medications but was stable before she was kidnapped, Amano said Monday.

So far, 19 people of other nationalities have been freed during the truce, mostly Thai nationals. Eight or nine Americans remain as hostages, according to&nbsp;White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

Many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-thai-workers-dd03c7a7d133eacacf314668b4dee493">Thais work in Israel</a>, largely as farm laborers.

France said three of the hostages released Monday were French-Israeli dual citizens, two 12-year-olds and one 16-year-old. The French government is ‘’working tirelessly’’ to free five other French citizens held hostage, the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Palestinian prisoners released so far have been mostly teenagers accused of throwing stones and firebombs during confrontations with Israeli forces, or of less-serious offenses. But some were convicted in alleged attempts to carry out stabbings, bombings and shootings. Many Palestinians view&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-prisons-arrests-west-bank-fc894c6f56318fb6fb2f080555b40b6f">prisoners held by Israel</a>, including those implicated in attacks, as heroes resisting occupation.

The freed hostages have mostly stayed out of the public eye, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-hamas-war-israel-gaza-captivity-militants-612542191742082f330d55433c012a05">details of their captivity</a>&nbsp;have started to trickle out.

Merav Raviv, whose three relatives were released Friday, said they had been fed irregularly and lost weight. One reported eating mainly bread and rice and sleeping on a makeshift bed of chairs pushed together. Hostages sometimes had to wait for hours to use the bathroom, she said.

In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby welcomed the extension of the truce.

“We would, of course, hope to see the pause extended further, and that will depend upon Hamas continuing to release hostages,” Kirby told reporters.

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack. At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive.

The calm from the truce allowed glimpses of the destruction wreaked by weeks of Israeli bombardment that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">leveled entire neighborhoods</a>.

Footage showed a complex of several dozen multistory residential buildings that had been pummeled into a landscape of wreckage in the northern town of Beit Hanoun. Nearly every building was destroyed or severely damaged, some reduced to concrete frames half-slumped over. At a nearby U.N. school, the buildings were intact but partially burned and riddled with holes.

The Israeli assault has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">driven three-quarters of Gaza’s population</a>&nbsp;from their homes, and now most of its 2.3 million people are crowded into the south. More than 1 million are living in U.N. shelters. The Israeli military has barred&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/northern-gaza-palestinians-israel-hamas-war-36109635f7bc90f403f0383d53a352e9">hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled south</a>&nbsp;from returning north.

Rain and wind added to the hardship of displaced Palestinians sheltering in the compound of Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza. Palestinians in coats baked flatbreads over a makeshift fire among tents set up on the muddy grounds.

Alaa Mansour said the conditions are simply horrendous.

“My clothes are all wet, and I am unable to change them.” said Mansour, who is disabled. “I have not drunk water for two days, and there’s no bathroom to use.”

The U.N. says the truce made it possible to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">scale up the delivery</a>&nbsp;of food, water and medicine to the largest volume since the start of the war. But the 160 to 200 trucks a day is still less than half what Gaza was importing before the fighting, even as humanitarian needs have soared.

Long lines formed outside stations distributing cooking fuel, allowed in for the first time. Fuel for generators has been brought for key service providers, including hospitals and water and sanitation facilities, but bakeries have been unable to resume work, the U.N. said.

Iyad Ghafary, a vendor in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, said many families were still unable to retrieve the dead from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-buried-rubble-airstrikes-89c0e8d0934d573d94d2fbfeba44d933">under the rubble</a>&nbsp;left by Israeli airstrikes, and that local authorities weren’t equipped to deal with the level of destruction.

Amani Taha, a widow and mother of three who fled northern Gaza, said she had only managed to get one canned meal from a U.N. distribution center since the cease-fire began.

She said the crowds have overwhelmed local markets and gas stations as people try to stock up on basics. “People were desperate and went out to buy whenever they could,” she said. “They are extremely worried that the war will return.”

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel and Hamas agreed to extend their cease-fire for two more days past Monday, raising the prospect of further exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and a longer halt to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">their deadliest and most destructive war</a>.(Click below to watch White House spokesman John Kirby's comments on American hostages)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F362152339550909%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=839" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Eleven Israeli women and children, freed by Hamas, entered Israel Monday night after more than seven weeks in captivity in Gaza in the fourth swap under the original four-day truce, which began Friday and was due to run out. Thirty-three Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived early Tuesday in east Jerusalem and the West Bank town of Ramallah. The prisoners were greeted by loud cheers as their bus made its way through the streets of Ramallah.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We will not stop working until we bring the hostages being held by Hamas home.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1729512069458690115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The deal for two additional days of cease-fire, announced by Qatar, raised hopes for further extensions, which also allow more aid into Gaza. Conditions there have remained dire for 2.3 million Palestinians, battered by weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground offensive that have driven three-quarters of the population from their homes.Israel has said it would extend the cease-fire by one day for every 10 additional hostages released. After the announcement by Qatar —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-war-hostage-qatar-0126c6443a9b3b32fe97032b81eaa515">a key mediator in the conflict,</a>&nbsp;along with the United States and Egypt — Hamas confirmed it had agreed to a two-day extension “under the same terms.”But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending its 16-year rule over Gaza after its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel</a>. That would likely mean&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">expanding a ground offensive</a>&nbsp;from devastated northern Gaza to the south.Monday’s releases bring to 51 the number of Israelis freed under the truce, along with 19 hostages of other nationalities. So far, 150 Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons.After weeks of national trauma over the roughly 240 people abducted by Hamas and other militants, scenes of the women and children reuniting with families have rallied Israelis behind calls to return those who remain in captivity.“We can get all hostages back home. We have to keep pushing,” two relatives of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/children-hostages-israel-palestinians-gaza-orphan-c8e9f6dd703a9c14161eeb6ca9e25417">Abigail Edan</a>, a 4-year-old girl and dual Israeli-American citizen who was released Sunday, said in a statement.Hamas and other militants could still be holding up to 175 hostages, enough to potentially extend the cease-fire for two and a half weeks. But those include a number of soldiers, and Hamas is likely to make much greater demands for their release.FOURTH RELEASEThe newly released hostages included three women and nine children — including 3-year-old twin girls and their mother — from the kibbutz Nir Oz, a community near Gaza that was hard hit in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. The kibbutz said 49 of its residents remain in captivity, including the father of the twins. The Israeli military said late Monday that the hostages were undergoing initial medical checks in Israel before being reunited with their families.Most of the hostages freed so far have appeared to be physically well. But 84-year-old Elma Avraham, released Sunday, was airlifted to Israel’s Soroka Medical Center in life-threatening condition because of inadequate care, the hospital said.Avraham’s daughter, Tali Amano, said her mother was “hours from death” when she was brought to the hospital. Avraham is currently sedated and has a breathing tube, but Amano said she told her of a new great-grandchild who was born while she was in captivity.Avraham suffered from several chronic conditions that required regular medications but was stable before she was kidnapped, Amano said Monday.So far, 19 people of other nationalities have been freed during the truce, mostly Thai nationals. Eight or nine Americans remain as hostages, according to&nbsp;White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.Many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-thai-workers-dd03c7a7d133eacacf314668b4dee493">Thais work in Israel</a>, largely as farm laborers.France said three of the hostages released Monday were French-Israeli dual citizens, two 12-year-olds and one 16-year-old. The French government is ‘’working tirelessly’’ to free five other French citizens held hostage, the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.The Palestinian prisoners released so far have been mostly teenagers accused of throwing stones and firebombs during confrontations with Israeli forces, or of less-serious offenses. But some were convicted in alleged attempts to carry out stabbings, bombings and shootings. Many Palestinians view&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-prisons-arrests-west-bank-fc894c6f56318fb6fb2f080555b40b6f">prisoners held by Israel</a>, including those implicated in attacks, as heroes resisting occupation.The freed hostages have mostly stayed out of the public eye, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-hamas-war-israel-gaza-captivity-militants-612542191742082f330d55433c012a05">details of their captivity</a>&nbsp;have started to trickle out.Merav Raviv, whose three relatives were released Friday, said they had been fed irregularly and lost weight. One reported eating mainly bread and rice and sleeping on a makeshift bed of chairs pushed together. Hostages sometimes had to wait for hours to use the bathroom, she said.In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby welcomed the extension of the truce.“We would, of course, hope to see the pause extended further, and that will depend upon Hamas continuing to release hostages,” Kirby told reporters.RESPITE IN GAZAMore than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack. At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive.The calm from the truce allowed glimpses of the destruction wreaked by weeks of Israeli bombardment that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">leveled entire neighborhoods</a>.Footage showed a complex of several dozen multistory residential buildings that had been pummeled into a landscape of wreckage in the northern town of Beit Hanoun. Nearly every building was destroyed or severely damaged, some reduced to concrete frames half-slumped over. At a nearby U.N. school, the buildings were intact but partially burned and riddled with holes.The Israeli assault has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">driven three-quarters of Gaza’s population</a>&nbsp;from their homes, and now most of its 2.3 million people are crowded into the south. More than 1 million are living in U.N. shelters. The Israeli military has barred&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/northern-gaza-palestinians-israel-hamas-war-36109635f7bc90f403f0383d53a352e9">hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled south</a>&nbsp;from returning north.Rain and wind added to the hardship of displaced Palestinians sheltering in the compound of Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza. Palestinians in coats baked flatbreads over a makeshift fire among tents set up on the muddy grounds.Alaa Mansour said the conditions are simply horrendous.“My clothes are all wet, and I am unable to change them.” said Mansour, who is disabled. “I have not drunk water for two days, and there’s no bathroom to use.”The U.N. says the truce made it possible to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">scale up the delivery</a>&nbsp;of food, water and medicine to the largest volume since the start of the war. But the 160 to 200 trucks a day is still less than half what Gaza was importing before the fighting, even as humanitarian needs have soared.Long lines formed outside stations distributing cooking fuel, allowed in for the first time. Fuel for generators has been brought for key service providers, including hospitals and water and sanitation facilities, but bakeries have been unable to resume work, the U.N. said.Iyad Ghafary, a vendor in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, said many families were still unable to retrieve the dead from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-buried-rubble-airstrikes-89c0e8d0934d573d94d2fbfeba44d933">under the rubble</a>&nbsp;left by Israeli airstrikes, and that local authorities weren’t equipped to deal with the level of destruction.Many say the aid is not nearly enough.Amani Taha, a widow and mother of three who fled northern Gaza, said she had only managed to get one canned meal from a U.N. distribution center since the cease-fire began.She said the crowds have overwhelmed local markets and gas stations as people try to stock up on basics. “People were desperate and went out to buy whenever they could,” she said. “They are extremely worried that the war will return.”

🎥White House: 8 or 9 Americans still held hostage in Gaza

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects involved in a crash during high-speed chase on Monday in Johnson County.

Just before 4:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a felony theft in progress in the 7900 block of W. 160th Street in Overland Park, according to Officer John Lacy.

 Loss Prevention Officers were able to provide a description of the three female suspects and the suspect vehicle leaving the scene. 

 A Police Supervisor arrived in the area and identified the suspect vehicle as a 2010 Acura TSX and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.  The Acura and the Patrol vehicle made contact. 

The Acura then fled northbound onto US. 69 Highway from W.159th Street and failed to yield to the police vehicle.  The Acura exited onto northbound Blue Valley Parkway from U.S. 69 Highway.  At Blue Valley Parkway and W.119th Street the Acura failed to stop at a red light and struck a westbound 2015 Chevy Equinox driven by Christine Carla&nbsp;Cecchini, 59, Olathe.

&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Overland Park Police Department at 913-895-6300.   Prepared by:  Officer John Lacy #653                      Police Public Information Officer

EMS transported the driver of the Acura identified as 22-year-old Shyanne Bri'na&nbsp;Canady of Kansas City, Kansas to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. She was was treated for minor injuries, released and is in custody in Johnson County, according to Officer Lacy.

The passengers in the suspect vehicle identified as 22-year-old Inez Aubreina&nbsp;Easley of Kansas City, Missouri and 22-year-old Imari T. Collins of Kansas City, Kansas and&nbsp;Cecchini  were also transported Overland Park Regional Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. The occupants of the Acura were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701169912066.png" alt="Scene of the Monday afternoon crash -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the Monday afternoon crash -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects involved in a crash during high-speed chase on Monday in Johnson County.Just before 4:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a felony theft in progress in the 7900 block of W. 160th Street in Overland Park, according to Officer John Lacy. Loss Prevention Officers were able to provide a description of the three female suspects and the suspect vehicle leaving the scene. A Police Supervisor arrived in the area and identified the suspect vehicle as a 2010 Acura TSX and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The Acura and the Patrol vehicle made contact. The Acura then fled northbound onto US. 69 Highway from W.159th Street and failed to yield to the police vehicle. The Acura exited onto northbound Blue Valley Parkway from U.S. 69 Highway. At Blue Valley Parkway and W.119th Street the Acura failed to stop at a red light and struck a westbound 2015 Chevy Equinox driven by Christine Carla&nbsp;Cecchini, 59, Olathe.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Overland Park Police Department at 913-895-6300. Prepared by: Officer John Lacy #653 Police Public Information OfficerEMS transported the driver of the Acura identified as 22-year-old Shyanne Bri'na&nbsp;Canady of Kansas City, Kansas to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. She was was treated for minor injuries, released and is in custody in Johnson County, according to Officer Lacy.The passengers in the suspect vehicle identified as 22-year-old Inez Aubreina&nbsp;Easley of Kansas City, Missouri and 22-year-old Imari T. Collins of Kansas City, Kansas and&nbsp;Cecchini were also transported Overland Park Regional Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. The occupants of the Acura were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

4 injured after chase, crash with Kan. shoplifting suspects

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a young boy found in an alley in downtown Kansas City.

Just after 11a.m. Monday officers were dispatched to 10th and Grand Avenue, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders located the boy who was suffering from bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. A KCPD spokesperson believes victim is younger than a teenager, according to Forte'.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701117866283.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a young boy found in an alley in downtown Kansas City.Just after 11a.m. Monday officers were dispatched to 10th and Grand Avenue, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders located the boy who was suffering from bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. A KCPD spokesperson believes victim is younger than a teenager, according to Forte'.

Police find body of young boy in downtown Kansas City alley

SEDGWICK COUNTY - A man arrested in Mexico for the murder of two people in January 2020 at the Hotel at WaterWalk in Wichita was scheduled for sentencing Tuesday. For the second consecutive week, the hearing was continued, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

In October, 37-year-old Kyle Young plead guilty to the murder of&nbsp;27-year-old George Kirksey and 22-year-old Alicia Roman, according to the district attorney's office.

In the early morning of January 2, 2020, police responded to a shooting call at the Hotel at WaterWalk in the 700 block of South Main, in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

Upon arrival, officers located the bodies of Kirksey and Roman with multiple gunshot wounds, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

The investigation revealed that Kirksey and Roman were inside of the hotel room when a suspect identified as&nbsp; Young entered the room and fired multiple shots, striking them and then fleeing on foot.

Investigators learned of Young's involvement and six months later located him in Mexico and made an arrest, according to Wheeler.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593795027094.png" alt="Young-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Young-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY - A man arrested in Mexico for the murder of two people in January 2020 at the Hotel at WaterWalk in Wichita was scheduled for sentencing Tuesday. For the second consecutive week, the hearing was continued, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.In October, 37-year-old Kyle Young plead guilty to the murder of&nbsp;27-year-old George Kirksey and 22-year-old Alicia Roman, according to the district attorney's office.In the early morning of January 2, 2020, police responded to a shooting call at the Hotel at WaterWalk in the 700 block of South Main, in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.Upon arrival, officers located the bodies of Kirksey and Roman with multiple gunshot wounds, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.The investigation revealed that Kirksey and Roman were inside of the hotel room when a suspect identified as&nbsp; Young entered the room and fired multiple shots, striking them and then fleeing on foot.Investigators learned of Young's involvement and six months later located him in Mexico and made an arrest, according to Wheeler.--------

Sentencing delayed for Kan. double-murder suspect captured in Mexico

By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/42773/c-todd-lopez/">C. Todd Lopez</a>, Department of Defense

On Sunday, the USS Mason and partner nation naval vessels responded to a distress call from the commercial shipping vessel M/V Central Park, which had been boarded by five armed individuals while in transit in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen, said the Pentagon press secretary

"[The Central Park] was boarded by these five individuals. They attempted to access the crew cabin," Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said this morning during a meeting with the Pentagon press corps. "The crew, essentially, [was] able to lock themselves into a safe haven. These individuals attempted to access and take control of the ship."&nbsp;

The crew of the Central Park issued the distress call on the evening of Nov. 26. The distress call was responded to by the USS Mason, allied ships and associated aircraft which are part of Combined Task Force 151. That task force conducts counter-piracy missions.&nbsp;

After the arrival of the USS Mason and partners with CTF 151, task force personnel demanded the release of the Central Park, Ryder said. The five armed individuals then disembarked the vessel and fled in a small boat.&nbsp;

"After the five individuals fled, the Mason sent out a visit, board, search and seizure team on the water that stopped the small boat. They detained the individuals, and then ... the VBSS team boarded the Central Park and cleared the vessel," Ryder said, adding that the Central Park crew was found to be safe following the incident.&nbsp;

While the identity of the five armed attackers was not yet confirmed, Ryder said initial indications are that the individuals are Somali. All five are currently being held aboard the USS Mason.&nbsp;

Hours later, early in the morning of Nov. 27, Yemen time, two ballistic missiles were fired toward the general location of the Mason and the Central Park.&nbsp;

"Initial indications were that two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, toward the general location of the Mason and the Central Park," Ryder said. "The missiles landed in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 10 nautical miles from the ships. It is not clear at this time what they were targeting."&nbsp;

Ryder said that neither the USS Mason nor the Central Park were damaged by the missiles and that the Central Park is now back under power and on its way.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701138062166.png" alt="The guided-missile destroyer USS Mason steams away from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys after completing an underway replenishment-at-sea in the Atlantic Ocean, July 17, 2021. The Mason responded to a distress call from a commercial vessel, Nov. 27, 2023." />
 <figcaption>The guided-missile destroyer USS Mason steams away from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys after completing an underway replenishment-at-sea in the Atlantic Ocean, July 17, 2021. The Mason responded to a distress call from a commercial vessel, Nov. 27, 2023.</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/42773/c-todd-lopez/">C. Todd Lopez</a>, Department of DefenseOn Sunday, the USS Mason and partner nation naval vessels responded to a distress call from the commercial shipping vessel M/V Central Park, which had been boarded by five armed individuals while in transit in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen, said the Pentagon press secretary"[The Central Park] was boarded by these five individuals. They attempted to access the crew cabin," Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said this morning during a meeting with the Pentagon press corps. "The crew, essentially, [was] able to lock themselves into a safe haven. These individuals attempted to access and take control of the ship."&nbsp;The crew of the Central Park issued the distress call on the evening of Nov. 26. The distress call was responded to by the USS Mason, allied ships and associated aircraft which are part of Combined Task Force 151. That task force conducts counter-piracy missions.&nbsp;After the arrival of the USS Mason and partners with CTF 151, task force personnel demanded the release of the Central Park, Ryder said. The five armed individuals then disembarked the vessel and fled in a small boat.&nbsp;"After the five individuals fled, the Mason sent out a visit, board, search and seizure team on the water that stopped the small boat. They detained the individuals, and then ... the VBSS team boarded the Central Park and cleared the vessel," Ryder said, adding that the Central Park crew was found to be safe following the incident.&nbsp;While the identity of the five armed attackers was not yet confirmed, Ryder said initial indications are that the individuals are Somali. All five are currently being held aboard the USS Mason.&nbsp;Hours later, early in the morning of Nov. 27, Yemen time, two ballistic missiles were fired toward the general location of the Mason and the Central Park.&nbsp;"Initial indications were that two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, toward the general location of the Mason and the Central Park," Ryder said. "The missiles landed in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 10 nautical miles from the ships. It is not clear at this time what they were targeting."&nbsp;Ryder said that neither the USS Mason nor the Central Park were damaged by the missiles and that the Central Park is now back under power and on its way.&nbsp;

Pentagon IDs nation of origin of hijackers held by the U.S. Navy

SALINE COUNTY —The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two suspects who broke into Jenni's Liquor in Brookville early Friday morning, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. They escaped with $327 of Crown Royal Whiskey.

Just after 6:30a.m. Nov. 23, the suspects arrived in a white Toyota Tacoma truck and used a key to enter the store.

"Two subjects got out — a thin man with darker skin wearing a grey hoodie and a black mask went to the front door, followed by a large heavyset man in a blue hoodie and a full face mask," Soldan said.

About 30 seconds after the suspects entered the building, the surveillance footage showed they left with multiple Crown Royal Whiskey bottles.

Jenni's Liquor reported that the suspects took five bottles of Crown Royal Chiefs Edition, two bottles of Crown Royal Black, and a bottle of Crown Royal Apple.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701118399436.jpeg" alt="Survailence footage shows the two suspects at Jenni's Liquor using the front door to steal hundreds of dollars worth of Crown Royal Whiskey. Image courtesy Jenni's Liquor Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>Survailence footage shows the two suspects at Jenni's Liquor using the front door to steal hundreds of dollars worth of Crown Royal Whiskey. Image courtesy Jenni's Liquor Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two suspects who broke into Jenni's Liquor in Brookville early Friday morning, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. They escaped with $327 of Crown Royal Whiskey.Just after 6:30a.m. Nov. 23, the suspects arrived in a white Toyota Tacoma truck and used a key to enter the store."Two subjects got out — a thin man with darker skin wearing a grey hoodie and a black mask went to the front door, followed by a large heavyset man in a blue hoodie and a full face mask," Soldan said.About 30 seconds after the suspects entered the building, the surveillance footage showed they left with multiple Crown Royal Whiskey bottles.Jenni's Liquor reported that the suspects took five bottles of Crown Royal Chiefs Edition, two bottles of Crown Royal Black, and a bottle of Crown Royal Apple.

Sheriff: Suspects stole over $300 in whiskey in Kan. burglary

WASHINGTON (AP) — Step inside the White House during the holidays by walking beneath the branches of a Christmas tree. Stroll along a hallway decorated with oversized holiday candy and other sweets. See Santa’s sleigh and his eight reindeer suspended above the grand foyer in dramatic fashion.

Jill Biden wants everyone who visits the White House through Christmas to feel like a kid again.

“Each room on display is designed to capture the pure, unfiltered delight and imagination of our childhoods, to see this time of year through the wondrous, sparkling eyes of children,” the first lady says. She’s playing host for a reception on Monday to formally unveil the décor and thank some 300 designers and decorators who volunteered to spend the past week transforming the executive mansion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701105376075.png" alt="White House Photos" />
 <figcaption>White House Photos</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Step inside the White House during the holidays by walking beneath the branches of a Christmas tree. Stroll along a hallway decorated with oversized holiday candy and other sweets. See Santa’s sleigh and his eight reindeer suspended above the grand foyer in dramatic fashion.Jill Biden wants everyone who visits the White House through Christmas to feel like a kid again.“Each room on display is designed to capture the pure, unfiltered delight and imagination of our childhoods, to see this time of year through the wondrous, sparkling eyes of children,” the first lady says. She’s playing host for a reception on Monday to formally unveil the décor and thank some 300 designers and decorators who volunteered to spend the past week transforming the executive mansion.“Magic, Wonder and Joy” is the theme this year, the Bidens’ third in the White House.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701105420227.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The whimsical set of oversized decorations is meant to inspire the feelings that put children on joyful edge at this time of the year, White House aides said.Throughout two public floors of the White House, the décor features numerous nods to the 200th anniversary of the publication of the poem and book commonly known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” (The official title is “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”)<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the White House — “The People’s House” — during the holidays. May the memories made this holiday season remind us all of the blessing that is our Nation.&mdash; Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1729114894652624937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Library of Congress provided samples of editions of the book from the past 200 years that are on display in protective cases along the ground floor corridor. The traditional gingerbread White House includes a large sugar cookie replica of the book opened to a page that says “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.” Santa’s sleigh and reindeer fly above the cookie White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It’s Christmastime in the Oval. <a href="https://t.co/Px6PN19Yht">pic.twitter.com/Px6PN19Yht</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1729282045338177690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The White House released a fact sheet and allowed the news media to see the trees, lights and other decorations before the first lady’s unveiling. National Guard families, who were invited as part of Joining Forces, her White House initiative to show appreciation for military families, will be among the first members of the public to see the decorations.Children of these and other military families were also being treated to an afternoon performance by the cast of the North American tour of the Disney musical “Frozen.”One of the first Christmas trees visitors will see upon entering the White House is decorated with wooden gold star ornaments engraved with the names of fallen service members.The official White House Christmas tree, an 18.5-foot-tall (5.6-meter-tall) Fraser fir, stands in its usual place in the Blue Room. The massive tree highlights cheerful scenes, landscapes and neighborhoods from across the country. A toy train runs around its base.The State Dining Room has been transformed into Santa’s workshop, with elves’ workbenches, stools and ladders circling Christmas trees, and tools and gifts-in-progress rounding out the décor.The dining room is the customary stage for the gingerbread White House, which was assembled using 40 sheets of sugar cookie dough for the book and 40 sheets of gingerbread dough for the house, 90 pounds (41 kilograms) of pastillage, a cake decorating paste, 30 pounds (14 kilograms) of chocolate and 50 pounds (23 kilograms) of royal icing.The library honors the tradition of bedtime stories with dangling golden moons and shimmering stars;, the China Room has been turned into a sweet shop featuring baked goodies, and the Vermeil Room celebrates music with a display of rotating big Marine Band figurines with trumpets.Glowing candles and stained glass in the Green Room celebrate faith, and holiday craft-making is the theme in the Red Room, where a tradition of featuring cranberries continues.The official White House Menorah is on display in the Cross Hall connecting the State Dining Room and the East Room, which is decorated with trees and various advent calendars.In her prepared remarks, the first lady says she knows that magic, wonder and joy can be hard to find, especially as the days grow shorter, the weather turns colder “and our hearts grow heavy in the face of a tumultuous world.”“But it’s in these times, when we are searching for hope and healing, that we need those points of light the most, that we need each other the most,” she says. “It’s in these times that I hope you remember, if even just for a moment or a season, how you saw the world as a child.”Ninety-eight Christmas trees, nearly 34,000 ornaments, over 22,000 bells and more than 350 candles were used in the decor, according to the White House. Nearly 142,500 lights illuminate trees, garlands, wreaths and other displays, and nearly 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) of ribbon are part of it all.Seventy-two wreaths sporting red ribbons adorn the north and south exteriors of the building.