DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-shipping-houthi-attacks-drones-missiles-1acc4ca5ebcaf6fee932a2061d451f59">targeting shipping in the Red Sea</a>, forcing the United States and British navies to shoot down the projectiles in a major naval engagement, authorities said Wednesday. No damage was immediately reported.

The attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis came despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-resolution-attacks-f26262fe055c8a1e39dee0c3c0d6f7f6">planned United Nations Security Council vote</a>&nbsp;later Wednesday to potentially condemn and demand an immediate halt to the attacks by the rebels, who say their assaults are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-hamas-war-yemen-red-sea-rebellions-and-uprisings-yemen-government-35148e6fbef64ec8b6fa074d4da2551c">aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip.

However, their targets increasingly have tenuous — or no — relationship with Israel and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">imperil a crucial trade route</a>&nbsp;linking Asia and the Middle East to Europe. That raises the risk of a U.S. retaliatory strike on Yemen that could upend an uneasy cease-fire that's held in the Arab world's poorest country.

The assault happened off the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and Mokha, according to the private intelligence firm Ambrey. In the Hodeida attack, Ambrey said ships described over radio seeing missiles and drones, with U.S.-allied warships in the area urging “vessels to proceed at maximum speed.”

Off Mokha, ships saw missiles fired, a drone in the air and small vessels trailing them, Ambrey said early Wednesday. The British military’s United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations also acknowledged the attack off Hodeida.

The U.S. military’s Central Command said the “complex attack” launched by the Houthis included bomb-carrying drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile.

It said 18 drones, two cruise missiles and the anti-ship missile were downed by F-18s from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as by American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers the USS Gravely, the USS Laboon and the USS Mason, as well as the United Kingdom's HMS Diamond.

“This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported.”

“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity," the UKTMO added.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps described the assault as “the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date," saying the Diamond used Sea Viper missiles and guns to shoot down multiple drones.

“The U.K. alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences," Shapps said in a statement. “We will take the action needed to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”

The Houthis, a Shiite group that's held Yemen's capital since 2014, did not formally acknowledge launching the attacks. However, the pan-Arab satellite news network Al Jazeera quoted an anonymous Houthi military official saying their forces “targeted a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea,” without elaborating.

The Houthis say their attacks aim to end the pounding Israeli air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-09-2024-017066376ac06026622ee0b83dc2b65e">amid that country’s war on Hamas</a>. However, the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue.

The Red Sea links the Mideast and Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal, and its narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait. That strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two channels for inbound and outbound shipments, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nearly 10% of all oil traded at sea passes through it. An estimated $1 trillion in goods pass through the strait annually.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-08d42a18873ce55979c755ea1a9cc1b5">U.S. draft resolution</a>&nbsp;before the U.N. Security Council, obtained late Tuesday by The Associated Press, says the Houthi attacks impede global commerce “and undermine navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security.” The resolution would demand the immediate release of the first ship the Houthis attacked, the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship with links to an Israeli company that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthi-rebels-hijacked-ship-red-sea-dc9b6448690bcf5c70a0baf7c7c34b09">seized in November along with its crew</a>.

An initial draft of the resolution would have recognized “the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to take appropriate measures to defend their merchant and naval vessels.”

The final draft is weaker, eliminating any U.N. recognition of a country’s right to defend its ships. Instead, it would affirm that the navigational rights and freedoms of merchant and commercial vessels must be respected, and take note “of the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms.”

A U.S-led coalition of nations has been patrolling the Red Sea to try and prevent the attacks. American troops in one conflict&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-red-sea-shipping-centcom-us-bb70acea5062a9952a5b983ecc047863">sank Houthi vessels and killed 10 rebel fighters</a>. There's been no broad retaliatory strike yet, despite warnings from the U.S. However, Tuesday's attack appeared to be testing what response, if any, would come from Washington.

Meanwhile, a separate, tentative cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition fighting on behalf of Yemen’s exiled government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-yemen-war-peace-talks-d2a9ad9efe1ab0b4f5d51597098f46a2">has held for months despite that country’s long war</a>. That’s raised concerns that any wider conflict in the sea — or a potential reprisal strike from Western forces — could reignite those tensions in the Arab world’s poorest nation. It also may draw Iran, which so far has largely avoided directly entering the wider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>, further into the conflict.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704853180043.png" alt="USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts flight operations, photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts flight operations, photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-shipping-houthi-attacks-drones-missiles-1acc4ca5ebcaf6fee932a2061d451f59">targeting shipping in the Red Sea</a>, forcing the United States and British navies to shoot down the projectiles in a major naval engagement, authorities said Wednesday. No damage was immediately reported.The attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis came despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-resolution-attacks-f26262fe055c8a1e39dee0c3c0d6f7f6">planned United Nations Security Council vote</a>&nbsp;later Wednesday to potentially condemn and demand an immediate halt to the attacks by the rebels, who say their assaults are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-hamas-war-yemen-red-sea-rebellions-and-uprisings-yemen-government-35148e6fbef64ec8b6fa074d4da2551c">aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip.However, their targets increasingly have tenuous — or no — relationship with Israel and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">imperil a crucial trade route</a>&nbsp;linking Asia and the Middle East to Europe. That raises the risk of a U.S. retaliatory strike on Yemen that could upend an uneasy cease-fire that's held in the Arab world's poorest country.The assault happened off the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and Mokha, according to the private intelligence firm Ambrey. In the Hodeida attack, Ambrey said ships described over radio seeing missiles and drones, with U.S.-allied warships in the area urging “vessels to proceed at maximum speed.”Off Mokha, ships saw missiles fired, a drone in the air and small vessels trailing them, Ambrey said early Wednesday. The British military’s United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations also acknowledged the attack off Hodeida.The U.S. military’s Central Command said the “complex attack” launched by the Houthis included bomb-carrying drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile.It said 18 drones, two cruise missiles and the anti-ship missile were downed by F-18s from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as by American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers the USS Gravely, the USS Laboon and the USS Mason, as well as the United Kingdom's HMS Diamond.“This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported.”“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity," the UKTMO added.British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps described the assault as “the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date," saying the Diamond used Sea Viper missiles and guns to shoot down multiple drones.“The U.K. alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences," Shapps said in a statement. “We will take the action needed to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”The Houthis, a Shiite group that's held Yemen's capital since 2014, did not formally acknowledge launching the attacks. However, the pan-Arab satellite news network Al Jazeera quoted an anonymous Houthi military official saying their forces “targeted a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea,” without elaborating.The Houthis say their attacks aim to end the pounding Israeli air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-09-2024-017066376ac06026622ee0b83dc2b65e">amid that country’s war on Hamas</a>. However, the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue.The Red Sea links the Mideast and Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal, and its narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait. That strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two channels for inbound and outbound shipments, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nearly 10% of all oil traded at sea passes through it. An estimated $1 trillion in goods pass through the strait annually.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-08d42a18873ce55979c755ea1a9cc1b5">U.S. draft resolution</a>&nbsp;before the U.N. Security Council, obtained late Tuesday by The Associated Press, says the Houthi attacks impede global commerce “and undermine navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security.” The resolution would demand the immediate release of the first ship the Houthis attacked, the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship with links to an Israeli company that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthi-rebels-hijacked-ship-red-sea-dc9b6448690bcf5c70a0baf7c7c34b09">seized in November along with its crew</a>.An initial draft of the resolution would have recognized “the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to take appropriate measures to defend their merchant and naval vessels.”The final draft is weaker, eliminating any U.N. recognition of a country’s right to defend its ships. Instead, it would affirm that the navigational rights and freedoms of merchant and commercial vessels must be respected, and take note “of the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms.”A U.S-led coalition of nations has been patrolling the Red Sea to try and prevent the attacks. American troops in one conflict&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-red-sea-shipping-centcom-us-bb70acea5062a9952a5b983ecc047863">sank Houthi vessels and killed 10 rebel fighters</a>. There's been no broad retaliatory strike yet, despite warnings from the U.S. However, Tuesday's attack appeared to be testing what response, if any, would come from Washington.Meanwhile, a separate, tentative cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition fighting on behalf of Yemen’s exiled government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-yemen-war-peace-talks-d2a9ad9efe1ab0b4f5d51597098f46a2">has held for months despite that country’s long war</a>. That’s raised concerns that any wider conflict in the sea — or a potential reprisal strike from Western forces — could reignite those tensions in the Arab world’s poorest nation. It also may draw Iran, which so far has largely avoided directly entering the wider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>, further into the conflict.

U.S. Navy: Terrorists launch largest Red Sea drone, missile attack

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Lawmakers argue over the necessity of passing geopolitical resolution on Monday

TOPEKA — Putting aside taxes, looming drought and other policy issues, Kansas lawmakers voted to affirm state support of Israel in their first legislative action of the session.

Sen. Kellie Warren, R-Leawood, who carried the motion on the Senate floor Monday, referenced the anti-semitic shootings of 2014, in which three people were killed outside a Jewish community center in Overland Park, along with spikes in anti-semitic hate crimes in recent months to justify the move.&nbsp;

Warren argued the state Legislature needs to defend Israel and all of the actions taken by Israel since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.&nbsp;

“That incident rocked the Jewish community in our area. … We must remember that Israel is America’s predominant ally in the Middle East. It is the only true democracy in the Middle East,” Warren said. “Israel has always stood with us and our allies, and we must stand with them. Israel has an unequivocal right to defend itself. We must state that boldly and clearly and never waver. Everything that has occurred in Gaza is the result of Hamas leadership.”

During the October attack, militants located in the Palestinian territory of Gaza launched a multi-pronged attack on Israeli cities, killing an estimated 1,200 people.&nbsp;

The attack started the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has led to thousands of casualties in the Gaza Strip. Some support for Israel has begun to wane as the its siege of the area led to a humanitarian crisis. A quarter of the Gaza population is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-21-2023-7d9718b32bf0d308c44c7c9e3c4e0deb">reported to be starving</a>, without adequate resources.&nbsp;

Some Kansas lawmakers expressed frustration with the speedy debate and passage of the resolution, which did not appear on either chamber’s agenda. The first day of session typically is reserved for ceremonial procedures, such as taking group photos.&nbsp;

However, on Monday, lawmakers chose to introduce and then advance the resolution for a final vote in less than an hour, declaring a state of emergency to get around procedural rules.

“Our legislative process is broken,” said Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. “Senate Republican leadership is once again putting the needs of special interests ahead of everyday Kansas citizens by pushing through a roll call vote on the very first day of the 2024 legislative session.”&nbsp;

Senate lawmakers passed the resolution 34-6.&nbsp;

In the House, several lawmakers tried to amend the resolution’s language.&nbsp;Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, said the resolution did not give a “complete picture” of the situation. Xu condemned the actions of Oct. 7, but said in the months since the attack, the situation has become nuanced.&nbsp;

“I don’t think what this body needs to or should do is give, in perpetuity, complete absolution to the government of Israel for everything that has happened since then,” Xu said.&nbsp;

Another amendment by Rep. Boog Highberger, D-Lawrence, called for an end to the Gaza blockade, the occupation of the West Bank, and for the U.S. government to work toward a “just and lasting peace.”&nbsp;

The amendments did not gain traction, and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/SR1729/">unchanged resolution</a>&nbsp;passed 106-14 in the House.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Warren, along with Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson issued a joint statement following the passage.&nbsp;

“People were listening to us today and the Senate stood united with one, clear, unequivocal voice,” the statement read. “We stood firm in support of our ally Israel and in condemnation of the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, and made it clear that antisemitism has no place in society in any form. From this stand, we must never waver.”

Republican leadership in the House also sent out a statement on the vote, emphasizing “Kansas’ support and cooperation with the State of Israel.”&nbsp;

“House Republicans stand steadfast in solidarity with the State of Israel and the Jewish people&nbsp;and offer our continued prayers for safety, peace, and healing for our strongest Middle Eastern ally as they defend their freedom and democratic way of life,” the statement read.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704895095851.png" alt=" Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, called for changes to a resolution about the Israel-Hamas conflict. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, called for changes to a resolution about the Israel-Hamas conflict. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Lawmakers argue over the necessity of passing geopolitical resolution on Monday</h2>TOPEKA — Putting aside taxes, looming drought and other policy issues, Kansas lawmakers voted to affirm state support of Israel in their first legislative action of the session.Sen. Kellie Warren, R-Leawood, who carried the motion on the Senate floor Monday, referenced the anti-semitic shootings of 2014, in which three people were killed outside a Jewish community center in Overland Park, along with spikes in anti-semitic hate crimes in recent months to justify the move.&nbsp;Warren argued the state Legislature needs to defend Israel and all of the actions taken by Israel since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.&nbsp;“That incident rocked the Jewish community in our area. … We must remember that Israel is America’s predominant ally in the Middle East. It is the only true democracy in the Middle East,” Warren said. “Israel has always stood with us and our allies, and we must stand with them. Israel has an unequivocal right to defend itself. We must state that boldly and clearly and never waver. Everything that has occurred in Gaza is the result of Hamas leadership.”During the October attack, militants located in the Palestinian territory of Gaza launched a multi-pronged attack on Israeli cities, killing an estimated 1,200 people.&nbsp;The attack started the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has led to thousands of casualties in the Gaza Strip. Some support for Israel has begun to wane as the its siege of the area led to a humanitarian crisis. A quarter of the Gaza population is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-21-2023-7d9718b32bf0d308c44c7c9e3c4e0deb">reported to be starving</a>, without adequate resources.&nbsp;Some Kansas lawmakers expressed frustration with the speedy debate and passage of the resolution, which did not appear on either chamber’s agenda. The first day of session typically is reserved for ceremonial procedures, such as taking group photos.&nbsp;However, on Monday, lawmakers chose to introduce and then advance the resolution for a final vote in less than an hour, declaring a state of emergency to get around procedural rules.“Our legislative process is broken,” said Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. “Senate Republican leadership is once again putting the needs of special interests ahead of everyday Kansas citizens by pushing through a roll call vote on the very first day of the 2024 legislative session.”&nbsp;Senate lawmakers passed the resolution 34-6.&nbsp;In the House, several lawmakers tried to amend the resolution’s language.&nbsp;Rep. Rui Xu, D-Westwood, said the resolution did not give a “complete picture” of the situation. Xu condemned the actions of Oct. 7, but said in the months since the attack, the situation has become nuanced.&nbsp;“I don’t think what this body needs to or should do is give, in perpetuity, complete absolution to the government of Israel for everything that has happened since then,” Xu said.&nbsp;Another amendment by Rep. Boog Highberger, D-Lawrence, called for an end to the Gaza blockade, the occupation of the West Bank, and for the U.S. government to work toward a “just and lasting peace.”&nbsp;The amendments did not gain traction, and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/SR1729/">unchanged resolution</a>&nbsp;passed 106-14 in the House.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Warren, along with Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson issued a joint statement following the passage.&nbsp;“People were listening to us today and the Senate stood united with one, clear, unequivocal voice,” the statement read. “We stood firm in support of our ally Israel and in condemnation of the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, and made it clear that antisemitism has no place in society in any form. From this stand, we must never waver.”Republican leadership in the House also sent out a statement on the vote, emphasizing “Kansas’ support and cooperation with the State of Israel.”&nbsp;“House Republicans stand steadfast in solidarity with the State of Israel and the Jewish people&nbsp;and offer our continued prayers for safety, peace, and healing for our strongest Middle Eastern ally as they defend their freedom and democratic way of life,” the statement read.

Kan. lawmakers kick off session with geopolitical debate, call for ‘unwavering’ support of Israel

CHASE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating five Louisiana men on drug allegations after a weekend arrest during their hunting trip to Kansas.

Just before 4:30a.m. Sunday, deputies stopped a vehicle near mile marker 336 on Highway 50, according to a media release from the Chase County Sheriff's office. The traffic stop led to an application for a search warrant at a home in Cottonwood Falls. After an investigation, deputies found illegal drugs at the home and arrested five men who were on a hunting trip in Kansas. 

Christopher Phillips, 24, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was jailed on requested charges of transporting an open container, interference with an investigation and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Robert Phillips, 30 and Webb Phillips, 27, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was jailed on requested charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession and interference with an investigation.

Hayden Lowery, 23, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was jailed on requested charges of Possession of Depressants, drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.

Max Grabert, 24, New Iberia, Louisiana, was jailed on requested charges of Possession of hallucinogenic drug, opiates, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, interference with an investigation and no drug tax stamp.

Grabert is the only suspect who remains in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704807181340.png" alt="Phillips-photo Chase Co." />
 <figcaption>Phillips-photo Chase Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHASE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating five Louisiana men on drug allegations after a weekend arrest during their hunting trip to Kansas.Just before 4:30a.m. Sunday, deputies stopped a vehicle near mile marker 336 on Highway 50, according to a media release from the Chase County Sheriff's office. The traffic stop led to an application for a search warrant at a home in Cottonwood Falls. After an investigation, deputies found illegal drugs at the home and arrested five men who were on a hunting trip in Kansas. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704807271976.png" alt="Robert Phillips-photo Chase Co." />
 <figcaption>Robert Phillips-photo Chase Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Christopher Phillips, 24, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was jailed on requested charges of transporting an open container, interference with an investigation and possession of drug paraphernalia. Robert Phillips, 30 and Webb Phillips, 27, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was jailed on requested charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession and interference with an investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704807318575.png" alt="Webb Phillips-photo Chase Co." />
 <figcaption>Webb Phillips-photo Chase Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704807352243.png" alt="Lowery-photo Chase Co." />
 <figcaption>Lowery-photo Chase Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hayden Lowery, 23, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was jailed on requested charges of Possession of Depressants, drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704807582286.png" alt="Grabert-photo Chase Co." />
 <figcaption>Grabert-photo Chase Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Max Grabert, 24, New Iberia, Louisiana, was jailed on requested charges of Possession of hallucinogenic drug, opiates, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, interference with an investigation and no drug tax stamp.Grabert is the only suspect who remains in custody, according to online jail records.

Men on Kansas hunting trip jailed on drug allegations

KANSAS CITY —After months of investigation, law enforcement shut down fentanyl dealers in a small rural community north of Kansas City.

On Jan. 7, the Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team of the Clay County Sheriff's Office served search warrants at 2703 N. Bellefontaine and 2701 N. Walrond in Avondale, according to a media release. 

They found more than 105 grams of fentanyl inside, which is enough to kill about 52,200 people. 

They also found paraphernalia for packaging and distributing the drugs. Also in the house were meth, cocaine, five firearms and three suppressors. 

One of the firearms had been&nbsp;reported stolen.

Garrett Moulder, 38, has been charged with two counts of drug trafficking, unlawful use of a weapon and theft of a firearm. 

Elizabeth Dye, 31, has been charged with one count of drug trafficking and one count of drug possession. Both are being held on $100,000 bonds.The Sheriff's Office's Special Operations Squad and Drug Task Force jointly investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704808015490.png" alt="Moulder-photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Moulder-photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —After months of investigation, law enforcement shut down fentanyl dealers in a small rural community north of Kansas City.On Jan. 7, the Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team of the Clay County Sheriff's Office served search warrants at 2703 N. Bellefontaine and 2701 N. Walrond in Avondale, according to a media release. They found more than 105 grams of fentanyl inside, which is enough to kill about 52,200 people. They also found paraphernalia for packaging and distributing the drugs. Also in the house were meth, cocaine, five firearms and three suppressors. One of the firearms had been&nbsp;reported stolen.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704807914705.png" alt="Dye-photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Dye-photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Garrett Moulder, 38, has been charged with two counts of drug trafficking, unlawful use of a weapon and theft of a firearm. Elizabeth Dye, 31, has been charged with one count of drug trafficking and one count of drug possession. Both are being held on $100,000 bonds.The Sheriff's Office's Special Operations Squad and Drug Task Force jointly investigated the case.

Deputies bust fentanyl sales ring at rural home near Kansas City

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair Board voted unanimously to rescind the motion to demolish the racetrack at the fair and to make a deal with Mel Hambleton Ford for the 2024 racing season.

"After two meetings with the race committee concerning the proposals that we were presented on the Kansas State Fair Grandstand track, it is our recommendation to the Kansas State Fair Board to enter into a one year license agreement with Mel Hambleton Ford Racing," said committee chair and Fair Board member Dylan Evans. "We're going to propose a fee structure that is $7500 per single race event date, when the attendance is 3000 people and above, $6250 per single race event date when the attendance is 2999 or below. In the case of a two-day show, the second date will be $2500. In the case of a rainout, the cost would be $3125. If a make up date is held, the amount will be credited towards the rental amount, which will total either the $6250 or the $7500, depending on the race attendance."

The motion also said that the Fair Board will decline the offer from C. Ray Hall to continue to run the Hutchinson Nationals. The official agreement still needs to be drawn up by state staff and it will need board approval and they will have to set up a special meeting to do that approval once the contract is drawn up.

"We're so late to the game, some of those dates are doubled up on some of the other tracks with Salina and Hays," Phil Nightingale said. "I'm going to have to work some dates out with Salina and Hays. I do not want to run on top of Salina, because I think that will just spread our car count out. I don't think that will effect our audience in Hutch vs. Salina. I just don't want to lose the car count."

Nightingale will be working on the wall and on the track surface, but that won't happen until the official agreement is approved and signed. With the moisture we have received, it will likely be a few weeks before that can get done anyway, so there is time to get all the legal language worked out first.

"The dates that we proposed were not on top of any livestock or horse shows," said General Manager Bryan Schulz. "If they were, it was a Saturday show. The horses would be coming in Friday night. If the board approves this, we will make sure that Nathan or whoever takes over that position reaches out to those individuals right away."

The Fair Board will notify the media when the special meeting is held for the official contract approval once the legal language is finalized.

NICK GOSNELL&nbsp;Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair Board voted unanimously to rescind the motion to demolish the racetrack at the fair and to make a deal with Mel Hambleton Ford for the 2024 racing season."After two meetings with the race committee concerning the proposals that we were presented on the Kansas State Fair Grandstand track, it is our recommendation to the Kansas State Fair Board to enter into a one year license agreement with Mel Hambleton Ford Racing," said committee chair and Fair Board member Dylan Evans. "We're going to propose a fee structure that is $7500 per single race event date, when the attendance is 3000 people and above, $6250 per single race event date when the attendance is 2999 or below. In the case of a two-day show, the second date will be $2500. In the case of a rainout, the cost would be $3125. If a make up date is held, the amount will be credited towards the rental amount, which will total either the $6250 or the $7500, depending on the race attendance."The motion also said that the Fair Board will decline the offer from C. Ray Hall to continue to run the Hutchinson Nationals. The official agreement still needs to be drawn up by state staff and it will need board approval and they will have to set up a special meeting to do that approval once the contract is drawn up."We're so late to the game, some of those dates are doubled up on some of the other tracks with Salina and Hays," Phil Nightingale said. "I'm going to have to work some dates out with Salina and Hays. I do not want to run on top of Salina, because I think that will just spread our car count out. I don't think that will effect our audience in Hutch vs. Salina. I just don't want to lose the car count."Nightingale will be working on the wall and on the track surface, but that won't happen until the official agreement is approved and signed. With the moisture we have received, it will likely be a few weeks before that can get done anyway, so there is time to get all the legal language worked out first."The dates that we proposed were not on top of any livestock or horse shows," said General Manager Bryan Schulz. "If they were, it was a Saturday show. The horses would be coming in Friday night. If the board approves this, we will make sure that Nathan or whoever takes over that position reaches out to those individuals right away."The Fair Board will notify the media when the special meeting is held for the official contract approval once the legal language is finalized.

Kan. State Fair Board makes deal to keep racetrack for 2024

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a serious injury crash are working to identify a bicyclist.

The crash occurred Jan. 2 at the intersection of West 95th and Hadley, according to Overland Park Police. The cyclist had no identification on him or in his belongings.

The injured cyclist is described as a 35-40-year-old white male, 5-foot-7, 130-150 pounds, brown hair and a mustache.

Since the accident, law enforcement have exhausted all leads including a canvass of the area.&nbsp; &nbsp;If you are recognize the bicycle, contact Overland Park Police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704831379987.png" alt="photos Overland Park PD" />
 <figcaption>photos Overland Park PD</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a serious injury crash are working to identify a bicyclist.The crash occurred Jan. 2 at the intersection of West 95th and Hadley, according to Overland Park Police. The cyclist had no identification on him or in his belongings.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704831442742.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The injured cyclist is described as a 35-40-year-old white male, 5-foot-7, 130-150 pounds, brown hair and a mustache.Since the accident, law enforcement have exhausted all leads including a canvass of the area.&nbsp; &nbsp;If you are recognize the bicycle, contact Overland Park Police.

Police ask for help to ID bicyclist injured in Kan. crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer and his recent secretive hospitalization was for surgery and later to treat a urinary tract infection related to that operation, doctors said Tuesday.

The 70-year-old Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery to treat the cancer. Austin developed the infection a week later. Senior administration and defense officials were not told for days about his hospitalization or his cancer.

According to the doctors, the cancer was detected when Austin had a regular screening in early December. The said he “underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure” and went home the next day. But on Jan. 1 he reported nausea and severe abdominal, hip and leg pain due to the infection.

They said his prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent.

The announcement of the cancer came after days of questions about why Austin had been hospitalized and why President Joe Biden and other top officials hadn’t been told about his hospitalization for days. Several Republican lawmakers even said Austin should be ousted.

Earlier Tuesday, with the controversy continuing, the White House chief of staff ordered Cabinet members or secretaries to notify his office if they ever can't perform their duties. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, reeling from learning of Austin's surprise illness last week, is mounting a policy review.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-chief-of-staff-jeff-zients-7a5b7ee6af9942ed9ca01d012c046821">Jeff Zients</a>, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24355772-cabinet-heads-memo">a memo to Cabinet secretaries</a>, directed that they send the White House any existing procedures for delegating authority in the event of incapacitation or loss of communication by Friday. While the review is ongoing, he is requiring agencies to notify his office and the office of Cabinet affairs at the White House if an agency experiences or plans to experience a circumstance in which a Cabinet head can't perform his or her duties.

Biden and other top officials weren’t informed for days that Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">had been hospitalized</a>&nbsp;and had turned over power to his deputy. A Pentagon spokesman blamed the lapse on a key staffer being out sick with the flu.

“Agencies should ensure that delegations are issued when a Cabinet Member is traveling to areas with limited or no access to communication, undergoing hospitalization or a medical procedure requiring general anesthesia, or otherwise in a circumstance when he or she may be unreachable,” Zients' memo states. It also requires that agencies document when any such transfer of authorities occurs and that the person serving in the acting role promptly establish contact with relevant White House staff.

A copy of the memo was obtained by the Associated Press.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lloyd-austin">Austin</a>, 70, went to the hospital on Dec. 22 for what the Pentagon press secretary called an “elective procedure” but one serious enough that Austin temporarily transferred some of his authorities to his deputy, without telling her or other U.S. leaders why. He went home the following day.

He also transferred some of his authorities to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks after experiencing severe pain and being taken back to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by ambulance and put into intensive care on Jan. 1 — though Hicks was not told the reason for three days. The White House was not informed Austin was in the hospital until Jan. 4, and the public and Congress didn't learn of it until a day later.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">The Pentagon</a>&nbsp;has announced its own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-white-house-pentagon-lloyd-austin-8e888aaed905e2327501a237139c6f0e">internal review</a>&nbsp;and in a memo issued Monday broadened the circle of leaders who would be informed of any delegation of authorities by the defense secretary to ensure that, in the future, “proper and timely notification has been made to the President and White House and, as appropriate, the United States Congress and the American public.”

Going forward, any time authority is transferred a wider swath of officials will also be notified, to include the Pentagon’s general counsel, the chair and vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commanders, service secretaries, the service chiefs of staff, the White House Situation Room, and the senior staff of the secretary and deputy secretary of defense.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704767147747.png" alt="Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visits the USS Gerald R. Ford underway in the Eastern Mediterranean, Dec. 20, 2023.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad J. McNeeley, DOD" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visits the USS Gerald R. Ford underway in the Eastern Mediterranean, Dec. 20, 2023.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad J. McNeeley, DOD</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer and his recent secretive hospitalization was for surgery and later to treat a urinary tract infection related to that operation, doctors said Tuesday.The 70-year-old Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery to treat the cancer. Austin developed the infection a week later. Senior administration and defense officials were not told for days about his hospitalization or his cancer.According to the doctors, the cancer was detected when Austin had a regular screening in early December. The said he “underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure” and went home the next day. But on Jan. 1 he reported nausea and severe abdominal, hip and leg pain due to the infection.They said his prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent.The announcement of the cancer came after days of questions about why Austin had been hospitalized and why President Joe Biden and other top officials hadn’t been told about his hospitalization for days. Several Republican lawmakers even said Austin should be ousted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704830461952.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704830489585.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Earlier Tuesday, with the controversy continuing, the White House chief of staff ordered Cabinet members or secretaries to notify his office if they ever can't perform their duties. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, reeling from learning of Austin's surprise illness last week, is mounting a policy review.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-chief-of-staff-jeff-zients-7a5b7ee6af9942ed9ca01d012c046821">Jeff Zients</a>, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24355772-cabinet-heads-memo">a memo to Cabinet secretaries</a>, directed that they send the White House any existing procedures for delegating authority in the event of incapacitation or loss of communication by Friday. While the review is ongoing, he is requiring agencies to notify his office and the office of Cabinet affairs at the White House if an agency experiences or plans to experience a circumstance in which a Cabinet head can't perform his or her duties.Biden and other top officials weren’t informed for days that Austin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">had been hospitalized</a>&nbsp;and had turned over power to his deputy. A Pentagon spokesman blamed the lapse on a key staffer being out sick with the flu.“Agencies should ensure that delegations are issued when a Cabinet Member is traveling to areas with limited or no access to communication, undergoing hospitalization or a medical procedure requiring general anesthesia, or otherwise in a circumstance when he or she may be unreachable,” Zients' memo states. It also requires that agencies document when any such transfer of authorities occurs and that the person serving in the acting role promptly establish contact with relevant White House staff.A copy of the memo was obtained by the Associated Press.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lloyd-austin">Austin</a>, 70, went to the hospital on Dec. 22 for what the Pentagon press secretary called an “elective procedure” but one serious enough that Austin temporarily transferred some of his authorities to his deputy, without telling her or other U.S. leaders why. He went home the following day.He also transferred some of his authorities to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks after experiencing severe pain and being taken back to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center by ambulance and put into intensive care on Jan. 1 — though Hicks was not told the reason for three days. The White House was not informed Austin was in the hospital until Jan. 4, and the public and Congress didn't learn of it until a day later.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96">The Pentagon</a>&nbsp;has announced its own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-white-house-pentagon-lloyd-austin-8e888aaed905e2327501a237139c6f0e">internal review</a>&nbsp;and in a memo issued Monday broadened the circle of leaders who would be informed of any delegation of authorities by the defense secretary to ensure that, in the future, “proper and timely notification has been made to the President and White House and, as appropriate, the United States Congress and the American public.”Going forward, any time authority is transferred a wider swath of officials will also be notified, to include the Pentagon’s general counsel, the chair and vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commanders, service secretaries, the service chiefs of staff, the White House Situation Room, and the senior staff of the secretary and deputy secretary of defense.

Hospital debacle: Defense Secretary treated for prostate cancer

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Wichita, the most populous city in Kansas held a swearing in ceremony for their new mayor on Monday night.

(click below to watch the swearing in ceremony and Wu's comments)

In November voters overwhelmingly elected political newcomer and former television news anchor Lily Wu over incumbent Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple.

Wu a graduate of Wichita State University is the first Asian American elected as mayor of the city.&nbsp; Her top priorities as mayor are public safety and restoring trust in city hall, according to her campaign web site.

On Tuesday Wu participated in her first City Council meeting. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgranicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fwichitaks%2F87ab579afbe1d41d56cb8fec0b04ade50.pdf&amp;embedded=true" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to see the agenda report and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCACZTxlH8w" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for video of the meeting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704822303495.png" alt="New Wichita Mayor Lilly Wu-photo city of Wichita" />
 <figcaption>New Wichita Mayor Lilly Wu-photo city of Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Wichita, the most populous city in Kansas held a swearing in ceremony for their new mayor on Monday night.(click below to watch the swearing in ceremony and Wu's comments)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WF0cKoxjJrM?si=VPwnSv4rZwm3Vt8V&amp;start=3187" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>In November voters overwhelmingly elected political newcomer and former television news anchor Lily Wu over incumbent Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple.Wu a graduate of Wichita State University is the first Asian American elected as mayor of the city.&nbsp; Her top priorities as mayor are public safety and restoring trust in city hall, according to her campaign web site.On Tuesday Wu participated in her first City Council meeting. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgranicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fwichitaks%2F87ab579afbe1d41d56cb8fec0b04ade50.pdf&amp;embedded=true" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to see the agenda report and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCACZTxlH8w" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for video of the meeting.

🎥Lily Wu sworn in as new mayor of most populous city in Kansas

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged car theft;

Just after 3:00 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City for an auto theft, where the reporting party told Officers their vehicle was stolen, according to a media release.

Officers located the vehicle in the 1000 block of N. 11th Street and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at a high-rate speed before crashing into a privacy fence in a nearby neighborhood. 

The driver, identified as 24-year-old Daniel Ontiveros fled from the scene on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, Ontiveros was taken into custody without incident. He is being held in&nbsp;the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Theft of Property, Interference LEO, Possession of Opiate, Driving While Suspended, Reckless Driving and Failing to Yield at Stop Signs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704745346170.png" alt="Ontiveros-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Ontiveros-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged car theft;Just after 3:00 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City for an auto theft, where the reporting party told Officers their vehicle was stolen, according to a media release.Officers located the vehicle in the 1000 block of N. 11th Street and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at a high-rate speed before crashing into a privacy fence in a nearby neighborhood. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Daniel Ontiveros fled from the scene on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, Ontiveros was taken into custody without incident. He is being held in&nbsp;the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Theft of Property, Interference LEO, Possession of Opiate, Driving While Suspended, Reckless Driving and Failing to Yield at Stop Signs.

SW Kan. man in reported stolen vehicle captured after crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;listening intently in the courtroom, federal appeals court judges in Washington expressed deep skepticism Tuesday that the former president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-special-counsel-f82dbd294cd7b963dd69f1ecdf90aded">immune from prosecution</a>&nbsp;on charges that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotted to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election.

The panel of three judges, two of whom were appointed by President Joe Biden, also questioned whether they had jurisdiction to consider the appeal at this point in the case, raising the prospect that Trump's appeal could be dispensed with on more procedural grounds.

During lengthy arguments, the judges repeatedly pressed Trump's lawyer to defend claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump was shielded from criminal charges</a>&nbsp;for acts that he says fell within his official duties as president. That argument was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">rejected last month</a>&nbsp;by the lower-court judge overseeing the case against Trump, and the appeals judges suggested through their questions that they, too, were dubious that the Founding Fathers envisioned absolute immunity for presidents after they leave office.

“I think it’s paradoxical to say that his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed allows him to violate criminal law," said Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, an appointee of former President George H.W. Bush.

The outcome could carry enormous ramifications both for the landmark criminal case against Trump and for the broader, and legally untested, question of whether an ex-president can be prosecuted for actions taken in the White House. It will also likely set the stage for further appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, which last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-january-6-justice-department-90b93eeb663ebaf67a2e0bc266390fa0">declined a request to weigh in</a>&nbsp;but could still get involved later.

A swift decision is crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">special counsel Jack Smith</a>&nbsp;and his team, who are eager to get the case —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-january-6-appeal-20726ba42ac87cd2f3a3ffc6a2145490">now paused pending the appeal</a>&nbsp;— to trial before the November election. But Trump’s lawyers, in addition to seeking to get the case dismissed, are hoping to benefit from a protracted appeals process that could delay the trial well past its scheduled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4 start date</a>, including until potentially after the election.

Underscoring the importance to both sides, Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, attended Tuesday’s arguments even though the Iowa caucuses are just one week away and despite the fact that there’s no requirement that defendants appear in person for such proceedings. Making his first court appearance in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-a79f2d3683c7591058635c9b3d870070">since his arraignment in August</a>, Trump sat at the defense table, watching closely and occasionally taking notes and speaking with his lawyers.

His appearance and his comments afterward underscored his broader effort to portray himself as the victim of a justice system he claims is politicized. Though there’s no evidence Biden has had any influence on the case, Trump’s argument could resonate with Republican voters in Iowa as they prepare to launch the presidential nomination process.

After the hearing, Trump spoke to reporters at The Waldorf-Astoria hotel, which used to be the Trump International Hotel, calling Tuesday “a very momentous day.” He insisted he did nothing wrong and claimed he was being prosecuted for political reasons.

“A president has to have immunity,” he said.

Former presidents enjoy broad immunity from lawsuits for actions taken as part of their official White House duties. But because no former president before Trump has ever been indicted, courts have never before addressed whether that protection extends to criminal prosecution.

Trump’s lawyers insist that it does, arguing that courts have no authority to scrutinize a president’s official acts and that the prosecution of their client represents a dramatic departure from more than two centuries of American history that would open the door to future politically motivated cases.

“To authorize the prosecution of a president for official acts would open a Pandora’s box from which this nation may never recover,” said D. John Sauer, a lawyer for Trump, asserting that, under the government's theory, presidents could be prosecuted for giving Congress “false information” to enter war or for authorizing drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens abroad.

He later added, “If a president has to look over his shoulder or her shoulder every time he or she has to make a controversial decision and wonder if ‘after I leave office, am I going to jail for this when my political opponents take power?’ that inevitably dampens the ability of the president.”

But the judges were skeptical about those arguments. Judges Henderson and Florence Pan noted the lawyer who represented Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial suggested that he could later face criminal prosecution, telling senators at the time: “We have a judicial process in this country. We have an investigative process in this country to which no former office holder is immune.”

“It seems that many senators relied on that in voting to acquit” Trump, Pan told Sauer.

Judge J. Michelle Childs also questioned why former President Richard Nixon would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rafael-nadal-today-in-history-covid-health-texas-6453a85999b1728c1fac461186b10774">need to be granted a pardon</a>&nbsp;in 1974 after the Watergate scandal if former presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution. Sauer replied that in Nixon's case, the conduct did not involve the same kind of “official acts” Trump's lawyers argue form the basis of his indictment.

Aside from the merits of the immunity claim, the judges jumped right into questioning Trump’s lawyer over whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal at this time. Sauer said presidential immunity is clearly a claim that is meant to be reviewed before trial. Smith's team also said that it wants the court to decide the appeal now.

Smith's team maintains that presidents are not entitled to absolute immunity and that, in any event, the acts Trump is alleged in the indictment to have taken — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4">scheming to enlist fake electors</a>&nbsp;in battleground states won by Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-jan-6-trump-indictment-ab36fd360a0850562a07d1b404f15d69">pressing his vice president</a>, Mike Pence, to reject the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021 — fall outside a president's official job duties.

“The president has a unique constitutional role but he is not above the law. Separation of powers principles, constitutional text, history, precedent and immunity doctrines all point to the conclusion that a former president enjoys no immunity from prosecution,” prosecutor James Pearce said, adding that a case in which a former president is alleged to have sought to overturn an election “is not the place to recognize some novel form of immunity.”

When Judge Henderson asked how the court could write its opinion in a way that wouldn't open the “floodgates” of investigations against ex-presidents, Pearce said he did not anticipate “a sea change of vindictive tit-for-tat prosecutions in the future.” He called the allegations against Trump fundamentally unprecedented.

“Never before has there been allegations that a sitting president has, with private individuals and using the levers of power, sought to fundamentally subvert the democratic republic and the electoral system," he said. "And frankly, if that kind of fact pattern arises again, I think it would be awfully scary if there weren’t some sort of mechanism by which to reach that criminally.”

It's not clear how quickly the panel from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from the D.C. Circuit will rule, though it has signaled that it intends to work quickly.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected the immunity arguments,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">ruling last month that the office of the presidency does not confer a “‘get-out-of-jail-free'" pass.</a>&nbsp;Trump's lawyers appealed that decision, but Smith's team, determined to keep the case on schedule, sought to leapfrog the appeals court by asking the Supreme Court to fast-track the immunity question. The justices declined to get involved.

The appeal is vital to a Trump strategy of trying to postpone the case until after the November election, when a victory could empower him to order the Justice Department to abandon the prosecution or even to seek a pardon for himself. He faces three other criminal cases, in state and federal court, though the Washington case is scheduled for trial first.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696279389839.png" alt="Trump file photo CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump file photo CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;listening intently in the courtroom, federal appeals court judges in Washington expressed deep skepticism Tuesday that the former president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-special-counsel-f82dbd294cd7b963dd69f1ecdf90aded">immune from prosecution</a>&nbsp;on charges that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotted to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LIVE --&gt; DC Circuit Court of Appeals Oral Argument on Former President Trump&#39;s Immunity Claims <a href="https://t.co/WN1Lrb7C9h">https://t.co/WN1Lrb7C9h</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1744728784652402768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The panel of three judges, two of whom were appointed by President Joe Biden, also questioned whether they had jurisdiction to consider the appeal at this point in the case, raising the prospect that Trump's appeal could be dispensed with on more procedural grounds.During lengthy arguments, the judges repeatedly pressed Trump's lawyer to defend claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump was shielded from criminal charges</a>&nbsp;for acts that he says fell within his official duties as president. That argument was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">rejected last month</a>&nbsp;by the lower-court judge overseeing the case against Trump, and the appeals judges suggested through their questions that they, too, were dubious that the Founding Fathers envisioned absolute immunity for presidents after they leave office.“I think it’s paradoxical to say that his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed allows him to violate criminal law," said Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, an appointee of former President George H.W. Bush.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Judge Pan: Could a president who ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival, who was not impeached, would he be subject to a criminal prosecution? John Sauer: If he were impeached and convicted first. Pan: So, your answer is no? Sauer: My answer is qualified yes. <a href="https://t.co/cAiunKxOwl">pic.twitter.com/cAiunKxOwl</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1744753750298779993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The outcome could carry enormous ramifications both for the landmark criminal case against Trump and for the broader, and legally untested, question of whether an ex-president can be prosecuted for actions taken in the White House. It will also likely set the stage for further appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, which last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-january-6-justice-department-90b93eeb663ebaf67a2e0bc266390fa0">declined a request to weigh in</a>&nbsp;but could still get involved later.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Judge Pan: &quot;If President Trump had been convicted when he was previously impeached on same or related conduct...the government could properly prosecute him for that same or related conduct, yes or no? John Sauer, attorney for former President Donald Trump: &quot;Potentially...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/F4H8rhbdJ6">pic.twitter.com/F4H8rhbdJ6</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1744753202807898461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A swift decision is crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">special counsel Jack Smith</a>&nbsp;and his team, who are eager to get the case —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-january-6-appeal-20726ba42ac87cd2f3a3ffc6a2145490">now paused pending the appeal</a>&nbsp;— to trial before the November election. But Trump’s lawyers, in addition to seeking to get the case dismissed, are hoping to benefit from a protracted appeals process that could delay the trial well past its scheduled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4 start date</a>, including until potentially after the election.Underscoring the importance to both sides, Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, attended Tuesday’s arguments even though the Iowa caucuses are just one week away and despite the fact that there’s no requirement that defendants appear in person for such proceedings. Making his first court appearance in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-a79f2d3683c7591058635c9b3d870070">since his arraignment in August</a>, Trump sat at the defense table, watching closely and occasionally taking notes and speaking with his lawyers.His appearance and his comments afterward underscored his broader effort to portray himself as the victim of a justice system he claims is politicized. Though there’s no evidence Biden has had any influence on the case, Trump’s argument could resonate with Republican voters in Iowa as they prepare to launch the presidential nomination process.After the hearing, Trump spoke to reporters at The Waldorf-Astoria hotel, which used to be the Trump International Hotel, calling Tuesday “a very momentous day.” He insisted he did nothing wrong and claimed he was being prosecuted for political reasons.“A president has to have immunity,” he said.Former presidents enjoy broad immunity from lawsuits for actions taken as part of their official White House duties. But because no former president before Trump has ever been indicted, courts have never before addressed whether that protection extends to criminal prosecution.Trump’s lawyers insist that it does, arguing that courts have no authority to scrutinize a president’s official acts and that the prosecution of their client represents a dramatic departure from more than two centuries of American history that would open the door to future politically motivated cases.“To authorize the prosecution of a president for official acts would open a Pandora’s box from which this nation may never recover,” said D. John Sauer, a lawyer for Trump, asserting that, under the government's theory, presidents could be prosecuted for giving Congress “false information” to enter war or for authorizing drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens abroad.He later added, “If a president has to look over his shoulder or her shoulder every time he or she has to make a controversial decision and wonder if ‘after I leave office, am I going to jail for this when my political opponents take power?’ that inevitably dampens the ability of the president.”But the judges were skeptical about those arguments. Judges Henderson and Florence Pan noted the lawyer who represented Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial suggested that he could later face criminal prosecution, telling senators at the time: “We have a judicial process in this country. We have an investigative process in this country to which no former office holder is immune.”“It seems that many senators relied on that in voting to acquit” Trump, Pan told Sauer.Judge J. Michelle Childs also questioned why former President Richard Nixon would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rafael-nadal-today-in-history-covid-health-texas-6453a85999b1728c1fac461186b10774">need to be granted a pardon</a>&nbsp;in 1974 after the Watergate scandal if former presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution. Sauer replied that in Nixon's case, the conduct did not involve the same kind of “official acts” Trump's lawyers argue form the basis of his indictment.Aside from the merits of the immunity claim, the judges jumped right into questioning Trump’s lawyer over whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal at this time. Sauer said presidential immunity is clearly a claim that is meant to be reviewed before trial. Smith's team also said that it wants the court to decide the appeal now.Smith's team maintains that presidents are not entitled to absolute immunity and that, in any event, the acts Trump is alleged in the indictment to have taken — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4">scheming to enlist fake electors</a>&nbsp;in battleground states won by Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-jan-6-trump-indictment-ab36fd360a0850562a07d1b404f15d69">pressing his vice president</a>, Mike Pence, to reject the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021 — fall outside a president's official job duties.“The president has a unique constitutional role but he is not above the law. Separation of powers principles, constitutional text, history, precedent and immunity doctrines all point to the conclusion that a former president enjoys no immunity from prosecution,” prosecutor James Pearce said, adding that a case in which a former president is alleged to have sought to overturn an election “is not the place to recognize some novel form of immunity.”When Judge Henderson asked how the court could write its opinion in a way that wouldn't open the “floodgates” of investigations against ex-presidents, Pearce said he did not anticipate “a sea change of vindictive tit-for-tat prosecutions in the future.” He called the allegations against Trump fundamentally unprecedented.“Never before has there been allegations that a sitting president has, with private individuals and using the levers of power, sought to fundamentally subvert the democratic republic and the electoral system," he said. "And frankly, if that kind of fact pattern arises again, I think it would be awfully scary if there weren’t some sort of mechanism by which to reach that criminally.”It's not clear how quickly the panel from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from the D.C. Circuit will rule, though it has signaled that it intends to work quickly.U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected the immunity arguments,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">ruling last month that the office of the presidency does not confer a “‘get-out-of-jail-free'" pass.</a>&nbsp;Trump's lawyers appealed that decision, but Smith's team, determined to keep the case on schedule, sought to leapfrog the appeals court by asking the Supreme Court to fast-track the immunity question. The justices declined to get involved.The appeal is vital to a Trump strategy of trying to postpone the case until after the November election, when a victory could empower him to order the Justice Department to abandon the prosecution or even to seek a pardon for himself. He faces three other criminal cases, in state and federal court, though the Washington case is scheduled for trial first.

🎧 Judges express skepticism of claims that Trump immune from prosecution

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER&nbsp;Salina Post

In a showcase of both public and private entities, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran visited two vital features of Salina's community — defense and aviation.

Moran first visited the U.S. Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing last week, checking in on the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and visiting with service members.

"My work in Washington D.C. involves a lot of things related to defense," Moran said. "We want to make certain that the Guard is recognized for the value that they provide in defending our country, as well as providing services here in Kansas in times of natural disasters."

On another stop Moran visited 1 Vision Aviation, an FAA-certified aviation repair and maintenance company that works with national businesses like Boeing, Beechcraft and Cessna.

While there, he toured 1 Vision's large hangars and chatted with Jim Sponder, 1 Vision president and CEO, among a few other employees.

Tim Rogers, the executive director of the Salina Airport Authority, helped facilitate Moran's visit to Salina and joined him along the stops.&nbsp;

"Jerry has collaborated with the Salina Airport Authority and the Salina community on various projects that have resulted in new developments in our community," Rogers said.

Preparing for the new legislative session

In Washington, D.C., Moran primarily works with defense appropriations, focusing on the U.S. National Guard.

Moran's work in Washington, D.C., focuses on defense appropriations and the U.S. National Guard.&nbsp;

While in Salina, Moran said he aimed to prepare for the new legislative session by personally visiting his state's defense and aviation assets.

He spoke with service members and 1 Vision staff, asking questions on recent celebrations and challenges moving forward.&nbsp;

At the Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing, he focused on the unique aspects of Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and the benefits of preserving the range.

"There is a number of those units across the country, and many of them are being eliminated, and we were successful in saving the unit here in Salina," Moran said. "I wanted to make sure I knew what was going on, know the value and continued support for them."

Smoky Hill's range benefits the local, state, national, and international communities by performing critical operations on its large airspace that reaches from Salina to Dodge City.

Moran said with the large air and ground space, service members can run critical training programs with both U.S. Army and Air Force troops.

"It's a huge economic boost to Salina and the surrounding area," Moran said. "It's unique in its size and scope of what can happen on such a large piece of ground."

Salina aviation was another element Moran focused on last week, where he said quality air service was an impactful boon for a community.

Rogers said Moran has collaborated with the Airport Authority on previous projects, and the returning overnight flight schedule is the newest one Moran supports.

"The one area that Jerry has been very influential and very helpful with is the air quality service and supporting the essential air quality service program," Rogers said. "[It's been] very helpful with business recruitment and supporting the growth of Schwan's Food Company and, of course, 1 Vision Aviation."

"It's all tied together," Moran said. "If you want a bright future for your region of Kansas, access to commercial air service to connect with the rest of the country and the rest of the world is a huge component."

After visiting with service members, Moran traveled just a few miles north to tour 1 Vision Aviaition's large hangars and chatted with Sponders and other staff while touring their projects.

Rogers said 1 Vision Aviation's work in Salina benefits the overall economy of Salina, employing many residents while remaining a competitive air maintenance hub in the region.

Moran supported 1 Vision in Salina from the start, and through most of Salina's aviation challenges, Rogers said Moran continues to support the community.

"When we have a challenge ahead on a project that involves federal issues, laws and regulations, there's no hesitation to contact Jerry and his staff."

While most of Salina's aviation facets benefit the local community, Moran stressed the value of regional defense and air professional partners internationally.

"Our country faces tremendous military and national security challenges," Moran said. "It's always the time, but today is a perfect time to say thank you to those who serve on our guard and active duty."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704764062007.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers stand with 184th Wing service members during Moran's visit to Salina on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers stand with 184th Wing service members during Moran's visit to Salina on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER&nbsp;Salina PostIn a showcase of both public and private entities, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran visited two vital features of Salina's community — defense and aviation.Moran first visited the U.S. Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing last week, checking in on the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and visiting with service members."My work in Washington D.C. involves a lot of things related to defense," Moran said. "We want to make certain that the Guard is recognized for the value that they provide in defending our country, as well as providing services here in Kansas in times of natural disasters."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704764394858.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders, Director of Maintenance Derick Via, Director of Quality Assurance Mandy Merritt, Project Coordinator Kelsi Kicks and Senior Project Manager Mike Shipley on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders, Director of Maintenance Derick Via, Director of Quality Assurance Mandy Merritt, Project Coordinator Kelsi Kicks and Senior Project Manager Mike Shipley on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>On another stop Moran visited 1 Vision Aviation, an FAA-certified aviation repair and maintenance company that works with national businesses like Boeing, Beechcraft and Cessna.While there, he toured 1 Vision's large hangars and chatted with Jim Sponder, 1 Vision president and CEO, among a few other employees.Tim Rogers, the executive director of the Salina Airport Authority, helped facilitate Moran's visit to Salina and joined him along the stops.&nbsp;"Jerry has collaborated with the Salina Airport Authority and the Salina community on various projects that have resulted in new developments in our community," Rogers said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704764220790.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders and Director of Maintenance Derick Via on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders and Director of Maintenance Derick Via on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Preparing for the new legislative session</h2>In Washington, D.C., Moran primarily works with defense appropriations, focusing on the U.S. National Guard.Moran's work in Washington, D.C., focuses on defense appropriations and the U.S. National Guard.&nbsp;While in Salina, Moran said he aimed to prepare for the new legislative session by personally visiting his state's defense and aviation assets.He spoke with service members and 1 Vision staff, asking questions on recent celebrations and challenges moving forward.&nbsp;At the Kansas Air National Guard 184th Wing, he focused on the unique aspects of Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range and the benefits of preserving the range."There is a number of those units across the country, and many of them are being eliminated, and we were successful in saving the unit here in Salina," Moran said. "I wanted to make sure I knew what was going on, know the value and continued support for them."Smoky Hill's range benefits the local, state, national, and international communities by performing critical operations on its large airspace that reaches from Salina to Dodge City.Moran said with the large air and ground space, service members can run critical training programs with both U.S. Army and Air Force troops."It's a huge economic boost to Salina and the surrounding area," Moran said. "It's unique in its size and scope of what can happen on such a large piece of ground."Salina aviation was another element Moran focused on last week, where he said quality air service was an impactful boon for a community.Rogers said Moran has collaborated with the Airport Authority on previous projects, and the returning overnight flight schedule is the newest one Moran supports."The one area that Jerry has been very influential and very helpful with is the air quality service and supporting the essential air quality service program," Rogers said. "[It's been] very helpful with business recruitment and supporting the growth of Schwan's Food Company and, of course, 1 Vision Aviation.""It's all tied together," Moran said. "If you want a bright future for your region of Kansas, access to commercial air service to connect with the rest of the country and the rest of the world is a huge component."After visiting with service members, Moran traveled just a few miles north to tour 1 Vision Aviaition's large hangars and chatted with Sponders and other staff while touring their projects.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704764442840.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders, Director of Maintenance Derick Via, Director of Quality Assurance Mandy Merritt, Project Coordinator Kelsi Kicks and Senior Project Manager Mike Shipley on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran chats with 1 Vision Aviation President and CEO Jim Sponders, Director of Maintenance Derick Via, Director of Quality Assurance Mandy Merritt, Project Coordinator Kelsi Kicks and Senior Project Manager Mike Shipley on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>Rogers said 1 Vision Aviation's work in Salina benefits the overall economy of Salina, employing many residents while remaining a competitive air maintenance hub in the region.Moran supported 1 Vision in Salina from the start, and through most of Salina's aviation challenges, Rogers said Moran continues to support the community."When we have a challenge ahead on a project that involves federal issues, laws and regulations, there's no hesitation to contact Jerry and his staff."While most of Salina's aviation facets benefit the local community, Moran stressed the value of regional defense and air professional partners internationally."Our country faces tremendous military and national security challenges," Moran said. "It's always the time, but today is a perfect time to say thank you to those who serve on our guard and active duty."

Moran stops in Salina ahead of new legislative session

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teen suspects on multiple allegations after a weekend arrest.

Just after 11a.m. January 6, sheriff's&nbsp;deputies were dispatched to TJ’s Express, 5305 South Topeka Blvd. in Shawnee County on a report of a burglary that&nbsp; occurred overnight. 

During the investigation Deputies located footprints in the snow going away from the business. Deputies were able to follow the footprints to the suspect's home in the 6800 block of south west Knoll Court. 

At the home deputies located items from this burglary as well as items from a burglary that occurred at the Pauline Food Center, 5812 South Topeka Blvd., on December 2.

Deputies arrested Jayden J. Hanner, 17, and Matthew K. Rodenbaugh, 16, both of Topeka, and booked them into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of burglary, theft and felony criminal damage to property.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teen suspects on multiple allegations after a weekend arrest.Just after 11a.m. January 6, sheriff's&nbsp;deputies were dispatched to TJ’s Express, 5305 South Topeka Blvd. in Shawnee County on a report of a burglary that&nbsp; occurred overnight. During the investigation Deputies located footprints in the snow going away from the business. Deputies were able to follow the footprints to the suspect's home in the 6800 block of south west Knoll Court. At the home deputies located items from this burglary as well as items from a burglary that occurred at the Pauline Food Center, 5812 South Topeka Blvd., on December 2.Deputies arrested Jayden J. Hanner, 17, and Matthew K. Rodenbaugh, 16, both of Topeka, and booked them into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of burglary, theft and felony criminal damage to property.

Kan. deputies followed teens' footprints in the snow, make arrest

House GOP leader eager to work on tax, child care and water policy

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The House and Senate launched the 2024 legislative session Monday amid anticipated criticism of Gov. Laura Kelly’s attempt at bipartisanship on tax reform and substantial enthusiasm for a nonbinding resolution delving into Middle East foreign policy.

While the threat of six inches of snow by Tuesday led the Democratic governor to release early executive branch employees and close state office buildings in Shawnee County, both chambers passed the measure condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hours earlier, GOP lawmakers gave a chilly reception to Kelly’s comprehensive tax reform plan endorsed by Republicans, Democrats and an independent legislator.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said snowfall meant the House would convene Tuesday “proforma,” which meant members didn’t have to be present. He said one House committee, a panel devoted to water policy, would meet Tuesday. A collection of other committees were postponed. The Senate was expected to have a more robust committee schedule despite the storm.

Hawkins said the 2024 Legislature would engage during the next few months in rigorous debate on tax reform, especially a proposal to establish a single, flat individual income tax rate. He said lawmakers also would work to find solutions to the Kansas child care crisis. He didn’t expect the Legislature to dive deeply into private or home school vouchers, abortion restrictions or Medicaid expansion.

“Taxes, taxes, taxes — that’s my top priority in this session and that’s what I’m working towards,” Hawkins said.

“I doubt it,” he said. “We are going to do some ‘life’ issues, but not abortion issues.”

The House and Senate convened at 2 p.m. Monday for what could be a 90-day session in an election year with the entire House and Senate up for grabs.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she would advocate on behalf of state funding to K-12 public education, including additional spending on special education programs.

“I want to see some improvement there and continue to protect our public schools,” Sykes said.

Sykes said she anticipated Republicans would soon introduce a bill creating a flat individual income tax rate in Kansas. In 2023, the GOP sought a 5.15% rate for all Kansans, but it was vetoed by the governor. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, vowed to bring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/top-kansas-republicans-push-flat-tax-proposal-pan-medicaid-expansion/">the flat tax back</a>.

“I think it will probably come up fairly quickly, the flat tax and hopefully we are able to sustain a veto on that again,” Sykes said.

Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, said he would concentrate on advancing the $1 billion, three-year tax reform bill made public by the governor. It contained property, sales and income tax reforms.

“If this were my decision, this is the kind of tax cut I would make for every Kansan,” he said.

Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, said the opening of the Senate was a departure from the tradition of dealing primarily with ceremonial activities. The Hamas resolution altered that dynamic, he said.

“It’s quite an interesting way to start a session,” Haley said. “Normally, the opening day is an opportunity to rekindle our ties and to start our agenda, but it was the choice of leadership today to begin with a spirited discussion about an issue that is of national concern, but doesn’t really necessarily affect the state.”

Meanwhile, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced their intention to break the Republican supermajority in the House and Senate during the 2024 elections.

“It’s essential we elect Democrats to the Kansas Legislature to return veto power to Gov. Kelly as an important check on Republican power,” said Heather Williams, president of the national group. “The 2024 legislative session will put on sharp display how out of step Republicans are with Kansas families, as Democrats combat GOP attacks on fundamental rights like abortion access.”

Kelly is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the State speech at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to a joint session of the Legislature inside the House chamber.

Meanwhile, Kansas Supreme Court Chief&nbsp;Justice&nbsp;Marla Luckert will give the 2024&nbsp;State&nbsp;of the Kansas&nbsp;Judiciary&nbsp;address to the Legislature at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday also in the House chamber.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704767680382.png" alt="House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, R-Overland Park, chat during a break in Kansas House activities Monday on the first day of the 2024 session. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, R-Overland Park, chat during a break in Kansas House activities Monday on the first day of the 2024 session. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>House GOP leader eager to work on tax, child care and water policy</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The House and Senate launched the 2024 legislative session Monday amid anticipated criticism of Gov. Laura Kelly’s attempt at bipartisanship on tax reform and substantial enthusiasm for a nonbinding resolution delving into Middle East foreign policy.While the threat of six inches of snow by Tuesday led the Democratic governor to release early executive branch employees and close state office buildings in Shawnee County, both chambers passed the measure condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hours earlier, GOP lawmakers gave a chilly reception to Kelly’s comprehensive tax reform plan endorsed by Republicans, Democrats and an independent legislator.House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said snowfall meant the House would convene Tuesday “proforma,” which meant members didn’t have to be present. He said one House committee, a panel devoted to water policy, would meet Tuesday. A collection of other committees were postponed. The Senate was expected to have a more robust committee schedule despite the storm.Hawkins said the 2024 Legislature would engage during the next few months in rigorous debate on tax reform, especially a proposal to establish a single, flat individual income tax rate. He said lawmakers also would work to find solutions to the Kansas child care crisis. He didn’t expect the Legislature to dive deeply into private or home school vouchers, abortion restrictions or Medicaid expansion.“Taxes, taxes, taxes — that’s my top priority in this session and that’s what I’m working towards,” Hawkins said.What about abortion rights?“I doubt it,” he said. “We are going to do some ‘life’ issues, but not abortion issues.”The House and Senate convened at 2 p.m. Monday for what could be a 90-day session in an election year with the entire House and Senate up for grabs.Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she would advocate on behalf of state funding to K-12 public education, including additional spending on special education programs.“I want to see some improvement there and continue to protect our public schools,” Sykes said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704767628344.png" alt=" Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she would work for passage of K-12 public education funding and key on a proposed increase in state aid for special education programs. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she would work for passage of K-12 public education funding and key on a proposed increase in state aid for special education programs. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sykes said she anticipated Republicans would soon introduce a bill creating a flat individual income tax rate in Kansas. In 2023, the GOP sought a 5.15% rate for all Kansans, but it was vetoed by the governor. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, vowed to bring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/top-kansas-republicans-push-flat-tax-proposal-pan-medicaid-expansion/">the flat tax back</a>.“I think it will probably come up fairly quickly, the flat tax and hopefully we are able to sustain a veto on that again,” Sykes said.Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, said he would concentrate on advancing the $1 billion, three-year tax reform bill made public by the governor. It contained property, sales and income tax reforms.“If this were my decision, this is the kind of tax cut I would make for every Kansan,” he said.Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, said the opening of the Senate was a departure from the tradition of dealing primarily with ceremonial activities. The Hamas resolution altered that dynamic, he said.“It’s quite an interesting way to start a session,” Haley said. “Normally, the opening day is an opportunity to rekindle our ties and to start our agenda, but it was the choice of leadership today to begin with a spirited discussion about an issue that is of national concern, but doesn’t really necessarily affect the state.”Meanwhile, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced their intention to break the Republican supermajority in the House and Senate during the 2024 elections.“It’s essential we elect Democrats to the Kansas Legislature to return veto power to Gov. Kelly as an important check on Republican power,” said Heather Williams, president of the national group. “The 2024 legislative session will put on sharp display how out of step Republicans are with Kansas families, as Democrats combat GOP attacks on fundamental rights like abortion access.”Kelly is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the State speech at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to a joint session of the Legislature inside the House chamber.Meanwhile, Kansas Supreme Court Chief&nbsp;Justice&nbsp;Marla Luckert will give the 2024&nbsp;State&nbsp;of the Kansas&nbsp;Judiciary&nbsp;address to the Legislature at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday also in the House chamber.

Kansas Legislature opened 2024 session amid tax policy salvo, dash of winter weather

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 46-year-0ld John W. Bartrom, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. Bartrom is the founder of Jericho Home Improvement in Kansas City, according to his website.

Just after midnight Saturday, officers responded to 62nd and Prospect on a medical call, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders found Bartrom lying in a parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;The incident is being investigated as a homicide. Police has not reported an arrest or possible suspects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704631133794.png" alt="photo Sheriff Darly Forte'" />
 <figcaption>photo Sheriff Darly Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 46-year-0ld John W. Bartrom, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. Bartrom is the founder of Jericho Home Improvement in Kansas City, according to his website.Just after midnight Saturday, officers responded to 62nd and Prospect on a medical call, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders found Bartrom lying in a parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;The incident is being investigated as a homicide. Police has not reported an arrest or possible suspects.

Police ID KC business owner as victim in deadly shooting

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. moon landing attempt in more than 50 years appeared to be doomed after a private company's spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after Monday's launch.

Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology managed to orient its lander toward the sun so the solar panel could collect sunlight and charge its battery, as a special team assessed the status of what was termed “a failure in the propulsion system.”

It soon became apparent, however, that there was “a critical loss of fuel," further dimming hope for what had been a planned moon landing on Feb. 23.

Late Monday, the company said the leak was continuing and estimated that the lander would start losing solar power in about 40 hours.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704729504881.png" alt="-As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander launched on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket at 2:18 a.m. EST from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.-photo courtesy&nbsp; United Launch Alliance and NASA" />
 <figcaption>-As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander launched on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket at 2:18 a.m. EST from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.-photo courtesy&nbsp; United Launch Alliance and NASA</figcaption>
 </figure>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. moon landing attempt in more than 50 years appeared to be doomed after a private company's spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after Monday's launch.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We have liftoff! The first American commercial robotic launch to the Moon will deliver science instruments to study its surface, a critical part of preparing for future <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Artemis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Artemis</a> missions. <a href="https://t.co/KoOZjXvqjD">https://t.co/KoOZjXvqjD</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vo2Dnn6TwA">pic.twitter.com/Vo2Dnn6TwA</a>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1744258330472726830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology managed to orient its lander toward the sun so the solar panel could collect sunlight and charge its battery, as a special team assessed the status of what was termed “a failure in the propulsion system.”It soon became apparent, however, that there was “a critical loss of fuel," further dimming hope for what had been a planned moon landing on Feb. 23.Late Monday, the company said the leak was continuing and estimated that the lander would start losing solar power in about 40 hours.The trouble was reported about seven hours after Monday’s predawn liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket provided the lift for Astrobotic’s lander, named Peregrine, putting it on a long, roundabout path to the moon.A propulsion system problem “threatens the ability of the spacecraft to soft land on the moon," the company said. The lander is equipped with engines and thrusters for maneuvering, not only during the cruise to the moon but for lunar descent.Astrobotic released a photo from a lander-mounted camera, which the company said showed a “disturbance” in a section of thermal insulation. That aligns with what is known so far of the problem, the company said.Astrobotic was aiming to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-nasa-private-ffb85d2a092df8d32c0494811e6691f5">first private business to successfully land</a>&nbsp;on the moon, something only four countries have accomplished. A second lander from a Houston company is due to launch next month. NASA gave the two companies millions to build and fly their own lunar landers.The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scope out the place before astronauts arrive while delivering tech and science experiments for the space agency, other countries and universities as well as odds and ends for other customers. Astrobotic's contract with NASA for the Peregrine lander was $108 million and it has more in the pipeline.Before the flight, NASA’s Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, noted that while using private companies to make deliveries to the moon will be cheaper and quicker than going the usual government route, there will be added risk. He stressed that the space agency was willing to accept that risk, noting Monday: “Each success and setback are opportunities to learn and grow.”The last time the U.S. launched a moon-landing mission was in December 1972. Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the 11th and 12th men to walk on the moon, closing out an era that has remained NASA’s pinnacle.The space agency’s new Artemis program — named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology — looks to return astronauts to the moon’s surface within the next few years. First will be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-artemis-moon-astronauts-nasa-2a77d4260beb9b875aabc0bce9a3d80e">lunar fly-around with four astronauts</a>, possibly before the end of the year.Highlighting Monday's moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan's two main engines.ULA declared success once the lander was free of the rocket's upper stage, nearly an hour into the flight and before the spacecraft's propulsion system malfunctioned and prevented the solar panel from properly pointing toward the sun.Landing on the moon has long been a series of hits and misses. The Soviet Union and the U.S. racked up a string of successful moon landings in the 1960s and 70s, before putting touchdowns on pause. China joined the elite club in 2013 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India in 2023</a>. But last year also saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">landers from Russia</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lunar-landing-crash-japan-32230ba28a3c41824ec4ee9ed7d6ed4c">private Japanese company</a>&nbsp;slam into the moon. An Israeli nonprofit crashed in 2019.Next month, SpaceX will provide the lift for a lander from Intuitive Machines. The Houston company's Nova-C lander takes a more direct one-week route to the moon.Besides flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic drummed up its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander. On board the lander: a chip of rock from Mount Everest, toy-size cars from Mexico and ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.The Navajo Nation recently sought to have the launch delayed because of the human remains. saying it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body revered by Native Americans. Astrobotic chief executive John Thornton said the December objections came too late but promised to try to find “a good path forward” with the Navajo for future missions.One of the spaceflight memorial companies that bought room on the lander, Celestis, said in a statement that no single culture or religion owns the moon and should not be able to veto a mission. More remains are on the rocket’s upper stage, which was boosted into a perpetual orbit around the sun reaching as far out as Mars.Cargo fares for Peregrine ranged from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), not nearly enough for Astrobotic to break even. But for the first flight, that's not the point, according to Thornton.“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” Thornton said days before the flight.___CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. moon landing attempt in more than 50 years appeared to be doomed after a private company's spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after Monday's launch.Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology managed to orient its lander toward the sun so the solar panel could collect sunlight and charge its battery, as a special team assessed the status of what was termed “a failure in the propulsion system.”It soon became apparent, however, that there was “a critical loss of fuel," further dimming hope for what had been a planned moon landing on Feb. 23.“We are currently assessing what alternative mission profiles may be feasible at this time,” the company said in a statement.The problem was reported about seven hours after Monday’s predawn liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket provided the lift for Astrobotic’s lander, named Peregrine, putting it on a long, roundabout path to the moon.A propulsion system problem “threatens the ability of the spacecraft to soft land on the moon," the company said. The lander is equipped with engines and thrusters for maneuvering, not only during the cruise to the moon but for lunar descent.Astrobotic was aiming to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-nasa-private-ffb85d2a092df8d32c0494811e6691f5">first private business to successfully land</a>&nbsp;on the moon, something only four countries have accomplished. A second lander from a Houston company is due to launch next month. NASA gave the two companies millions to build and fly their own lunar landers.The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scope out the place before astronauts arrive while delivering tech and science experiments for the space agency, other countries and universities as well as odds and ends for other customers. Astrobotic's contract with NASA for the Peregrine lander was $108 million and it has more in the pipeline.Before the flight, NASA’s Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, noted that while using private companies to make deliveries to the moon will be cheaper and quicker than going the usual government route, there will be added risk. He stressed that the space agency was willing to accept that risk, noting Monday: “Each success and setback are opportunities to learn and grow.”The last time the U.S. launched a moon-landing mission was in December 1972. Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the 11th and 12th men to walk on the moon, closing out an era that has remained NASA’s pinnacle.The space agency’s new Artemis program — named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology — looks to return astronauts to the moon’s surface within the next few years. First will be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-artemis-moon-astronauts-nasa-2a77d4260beb9b875aabc0bce9a3d80e">lunar fly-around with four astronauts</a>, possibly before the end of the year.Highlighting Monday's moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan's two main engines.ULA declared success once the lander was free of the rocket's upper stage, nearly an hour into the flight and before the spacecraft's propulsion system malfunctioned and prevented the solar panel from properly pointing toward the sun.Landing on the moon has long been a series of hits and misses. The Soviet Union and the U.S. racked up a string of successful moon landings in the 1960s and 70s, before putting touchdowns on pause. China joined the elite club in 2013 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India in 2023</a>. But last year also saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">landers from Russia</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lunar-landing-crash-japan-32230ba28a3c41824ec4ee9ed7d6ed4c">private Japanese company</a>&nbsp;slam into the moon. An Israeli nonprofit crashed in 2019.Next month, SpaceX will provide the lift for a lander from Intuitive Machines. The Nova-C lander's more direct one-week route could see both spacecraft attempting to land within days or even hours of one another.Besides flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic drummed up its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander with everything from a chip of rock from Mount Everest and toy-size cars from Mexico that will catapult to the lunar surface and cruise around, to the ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.The Navajo Nation recently sought to have the launch delayed because of the human remains. saying it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body revered by Native Americans. Astrobotic chief executive John Thornton said the December objections came too late but promised to try to find “a good path forward” with the Navajo for future missions.One of the spaceflight memorial companies that bought room on the lander, Celestis, said in a statement that no single culture or religion owns the moon and should not be able to veto a mission. More remains are on the rocket’s upper stage, which was boosted into a perpetual orbit around the sun reaching as far out as Mars.Cargo fares for Peregrine ranged from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), not nearly enough for Astrobotic to break even. But for this first flight, that's not the point, according to Thornton.“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” Thornton said days before the flight.-----------------CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The first U.S. lunar lander in more than 50 years rocketed to space Monday, launching a race for private companies to deliver experiments and other items to the moon.But about seven hours after liftoff, Astrobotic Technology reported the solar panel on the lander wasn’t properly pointed toward the sun to generate and store power and it was investigating the issue.The Pittsburgh company's lander caught a ride on a brand new rocket, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan. The Vulcan streaked through the Florida predawn sky, putting the spacecraft on a roundabout route to the moon for a landing attempt on Feb. 23.The company aims to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-landings-nasa-private-ffb85d2a092df8d32c0494811e6691f5">first private business to successfully land</a>&nbsp;on the moon, something only four countries have accomplished. But a Houston company also has a lander ready to fly, and could beat it to the lunar surface, taking a more direct path.NASA gave the two companies millions to build and fly their own lunar landers. The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scope out the place before astronauts arrive while delivering tech and science experiments for NASA, other countries and universities as well as odds and ends for other customers. Astrobotic's contract for the Peregrine lander: $108 million.The last time the U.S. launched a moon-landing mission was in December 1972. Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the 11th and 12th men to walk on the moon, closing out an era that has remained NASA’s pinnacle.The space agency’s new Artemis program — named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology — looks to return astronauts to the moon’s surface within the next few years. First will be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-artemis-moon-astronauts-nasa-2a77d4260beb9b875aabc0bce9a3d80e">lunar fly-around with four astronauts</a>, possibly before the end of the year.Highlighting Monday's moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan's two main engines.ULA declared success once the lander was free of the rocket's upper stage, nearly an hour into the flight and before the power trouble. “Yee-haw!” shouted chief executive Tory Bruno. "I am so thrilled, I can’t tell you how much.”The Soviet Union and the U.S. racked up a string of successful moon landings in the 1960s and 70s, before putting touchdowns on pause. China joined the elite club in 2013 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India in 2023</a>. But last year also saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">landers from Russia</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moon-lunar-landing-crash-japan-32230ba28a3c41824ec4ee9ed7d6ed4c">private Japanese company</a>&nbsp;slam into the moon. An Israeli nonprofit crashed in 2019.Next month, SpaceX will provide the lift for a lander from Intuitive Machines. The Nova-C lander's more direct one-week route could see both spacecraft attempting to land within days or even hours of one another.The hourlong descent to the lunar surface — by far the biggest challenge — will be “exciting, nail-biting, terrifying all at once,” Thornton said.Besides flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic drummed up its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander with everything from a chip of rock from Mount Everest and toy-size cars from Mexico that will catapult to the lunar surface and cruise around, to the ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.The Navajo Nation recently sought to have the launch delayed because of the human remains. saying it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body revered by Native Americans. Thornton said the December objections came too late but promised to try to find “a good path forward” with the Navajo for future missions.One of the spaceflight memorial companies that bought room on the lander, Celestis, said in a statement that no single culture or religion owns the moon and should not be able to veto a mission. More remains are on the rocket’s upper stage, which was boosted into a perpetual orbit around the sun reaching as far out as Mars.Cargo fares for Peregrine ranged from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), not nearly enough for Astrobotic to break even. But for this first flight, that's not the point, according to Thornton.“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” he said.