WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of “tremendous interest.”

Trump made the announcement in a social media post hours after he accused former President Barack Obama of disclosing “classified information” when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-aliens-podcast-area-51-a23f03ebb1b4c3009415b20bec3df26b">Obama recently suggested in a podcast interview</a>&nbsp;that aliens were real.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “I don’t know if they’re real or not,” and said of Obama, “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying.”

In a post on his social media platform Thursday night, Trump said he was directing government agencies to release files related “to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.”

Obama, who made his comments in a podcast appearance over the weekend, later clarified that he had not seen evidence that aliens “have made contact with us,” but said, “statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771554285454.png" alt="President Trump during a rally in Georgia- White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during a rally in Georgia- White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of “tremendous interest.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨👽 <a href="https://t.co/YvlvECEuIK">pic.twitter.com/YvlvECEuIK</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2024653706273112379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/pdoocy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pdoocy</a>: &quot;Obama said that aliens are real. Have you seen any evidence of non-human visitors to Earth?&quot; President Trump: &quot;He gave classified information. He&#39;s not supposed to be doing that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4zUHOdT5dS">pic.twitter.com/4zUHOdT5dS</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2024578635097571670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump made the announcement in a social media post hours after he accused former President Barack Obama of disclosing “classified information” when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-aliens-podcast-area-51-a23f03ebb1b4c3009415b20bec3df26b">Obama recently suggested in a podcast interview</a>&nbsp;that aliens were real.Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “I don’t know if they’re real or not,” and said of Obama, “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying.”In a post on his social media platform Thursday night, Trump said he was directing government agencies to release files related “to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.”Obama, who made his comments in a podcast appearance over the weekend, later clarified that he had not seen evidence that aliens “have made contact with us,” but said, “statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.”

Trump orders Pentagon to release files related to UFOs and aliens

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations anfter

Just before 8p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to the 600 block of N 10th Street in Salina for subject refusing to leave property in the area, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

 Officers located a subject identified as 38-year-old, Raymond Lawrence of Salina. He was under the influence of an unknown substance and was acting erratically, according to Feldman.

 Officers learned that Lawrence attempted to confront a person, he did not know, in the area wanting to fight. No fight occurred and when Lawrence went towards the person he tripped and fell on his own hitting his head on the ground. 

As officers were speaking with Lawrence he spit on an officer and yelled he was going to kill the officer. Officers placed Lawrence under arrest. As Lawrence was being walked to a vehicle, he kicked an officer. 

Medics were called to check on Lawrence’s injuries and transport him to the hospital. In the ambulance, Lawrence again spit on an officer. While at the hospital, Lawrence attempted to kick hospital personnel and also threatened to kill hospital personnel. 

 Once Lawrence was cleared by the hospital he was transported to the Saline County Jail where he continued to be combative towards officers and jail personnel and threatened to kill jail personnel. 

Lawrence was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges that include 3 counts of Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer, Criminal Threat, and Disorderly Conduct.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771509831590.png" alt="Lawrence photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Lawrence photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations anfterJust before 8p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to the 600 block of N 10th Street in Salina for subject refusing to leave property in the area, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. Officers located a subject identified as 38-year-old, Raymond Lawrence of Salina. He was under the influence of an unknown substance and was acting erratically, according to Feldman. Officers learned that Lawrence attempted to confront a person, he did not know, in the area wanting to fight. No fight occurred and when Lawrence went towards the person he tripped and fell on his own hitting his head on the ground. As officers were speaking with Lawrence he spit on an officer and yelled he was going to kill the officer. Officers placed Lawrence under arrest. As Lawrence was being walked to a vehicle, he kicked an officer. Medics were called to check on Lawrence’s injuries and transport him to the hospital. In the ambulance, Lawrence again spit on an officer. While at the hospital, Lawrence attempted to kick hospital personnel and also threatened to kill hospital personnel. Once Lawrence was cleared by the hospital he was transported to the Saline County Jail where he continued to be combative towards officers and jail personnel and threatened to kill jail personnel. Lawrence was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges that include 3 counts of Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer, Criminal Threat, and Disorderly Conduct.

Police: Kansas man threatened to kill officers, hospital staff

MILAN (AP) — On a night of American comebacks at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Milan Cortina Games</a>, Alysa Liu delivered the U.S. its first women’s figure skating Olympic gold medal in 24 years.

The 20-year-old Liu performed a near-flawless free skate Thursday to upstage Japanese rivals Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai. She finished with a career-best 226.79 points. Nakai and Sakamoto each made a mistake on a combination sequence.

Liu had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-usa-328f4469f6ea79776df47c27afac710a">walked away from the sport</a>&nbsp;after the 2022 Beijing Games only to launch a remarkable comeback.

It was the first individual gold medal for an American woman figure skater since 2002, when Sarah Hughes won in Salt Lake City, and it was the second gold for Liu at these Games. She helped the Americans win team gold.

Sakamoto scored 224.90 points to earn a silver. Nakai finished third with 219.16 points.

Liu was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-women-us-0870a87177fc4cb07e2a0474fa708fa0">third after the short program</a>&nbsp;two nights earlier, though within range of gold.

US beats Canada in OT for women's hockey gold

The U.S. women's hockey team delivered an Olympic comeback for the ages by beating Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal.

With her team trailing 1-0, American captain Hilary Knight forced overtime by tipping in Laila Edwards’ shot with 2:04 remaining in regulation.

Megan Keller then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-canada-womens-hockey-olympic-final-141b5904352673676656cbe2a1c253e5?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">scored 4:07 into overtime</a>&nbsp;to hand the U.S. its third Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey.

It was the seventh time the two powerhouses faced off for Olympic gold since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Games. In the 2022 Beijing final,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-womens-hockey-canada-gold-d3850710a59523b92693ba57c0111160">Canada beat the Americans</a>&nbsp;in the final.

With the sides playing 3-on-3 in overtime, Keller broke up the left wing and pushed past Claire Thompson. Driving to the net, Keller got off a backhander that beat Ann-Renee Desbiens.

Kristin O’Neill scored a short-handed goal for Canada in the second period.

Earlier Thursday, Alina Muller scored&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-sweden-womens-hockey-olympic-bronze-cf85aec375145aa20294037d1094cd56">the bronze medal-winning goal in overtime</a>&nbsp;in Switzerland’s 2-1 victory over Sweden. It came 12 years after Muller&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alina-muller-switzerland-womens-hockey-6019a6844f1a9f72e60049f01ef45270">scored the clinching goal</a>&nbsp;to deliver the Swiss their first Olympic medal in women’s hockey — a bronze at the 2014 Sochi Games.

U.S. speedskater Jordan Stolz’s late push wasn’t enough.

The American star settled for silver in the 1,500 meters, missing a chance to secure a third gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games.

China’s Ning Zhongyan won Thursday’s race in an Olympic-record time of 1 minute, 41.98 seconds. The 21-year-old Stolz, who won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jordan-stolz-olympics-speedskating-339ceb92acbc3450ca973e0fa277403f">gold medals in the 500 and 1,000</a>&nbsp;at these Games, crossed 0.77 seconds later.

As Stolz glided by, hands on his knees, Ning raised his country’s flag aloft with both hands and started a victory lap.

Stolz, a Wisconsin native, will participate in the mass start on Saturday.

Dutch skater Kjeld Nuis, who won the 1,500 at the past two Olympics, took bronze.

Eileen Gu advances to halfpipe final despite fall

Defending Olympic champion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/eileen-gu">Eileen Gu</a>&nbsp;shook off a fall during her opening run to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eileen-gu-halfpipe-freeski-winter-olympics-f5ee0364425f639c22b2502a3850706e">advance to Saturday's final</a>&nbsp;in freeski halfpipe. The 22-year-old Gu was born in the United States and competes for China.

She clipped the lip of the halfpipe on the third trick of her first run, knocking her left ski off and sending her skittering to the bottom of the course.

That set up a pressure-packed second attempt that run earned 86.50 points, good enough to place fifth among the 12 skiers who advanced to the final.

US and Canada reach women’s curling semifinals

The United States and Canada&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/curling-milan-cortina-olympics-canada-switzerland-sweden-414e619b93b4bad79e3a45a5f1af31d2">advanced to the women’s curling semifinals</a>.

The Americans, skipped by Tabitha Peterson, beat Switzerland 7-6 in a match that went to an extra end. The teams will square off again in Friday’s semifinals.

Peterson threw the decisive rock and her teammates swept it into position, just a hair closer to the button than the Swiss’ nearest stone.

Canada beat South Korea 10-7 and will play Sweden on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771551838494.jpeg" alt="Gold medalist Alysa Liu of the United States celebrates her medal after competing in the women's free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)" />
 <figcaption>Gold medalist Alysa Liu of the United States celebrates her medal after competing in the women's free skate program in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)</figcaption>
 </figure>MILAN (AP) — On a night of American comebacks at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Milan Cortina Games</a>, Alysa Liu delivered the U.S. its first women’s figure skating Olympic gold medal in 24 years.The 20-year-old Liu performed a near-flawless free skate Thursday to upstage Japanese rivals Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai. She finished with a career-best 226.79 points. Nakai and Sakamoto each made a mistake on a combination sequence.Liu had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-usa-328f4469f6ea79776df47c27afac710a">walked away from the sport</a>&nbsp;after the 2022 Beijing Games only to launch a remarkable comeback.It was the first individual gold medal for an American woman figure skater since 2002, when Sarah Hughes won in Salt Lake City, and it was the second gold for Liu at these Games. She helped the Americans win team gold.Sakamoto scored 224.90 points to earn a silver. Nakai finished third with 219.16 points.Liu was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-women-us-0870a87177fc4cb07e2a0474fa708fa0">third after the short program</a>&nbsp;two nights earlier, though within range of gold.<h2>US beats Canada in OT for women's hockey gold</h2>The U.S. women's hockey team delivered an Olympic comeback for the ages by beating Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal.With her team trailing 1-0, American captain Hilary Knight forced overtime by tipping in Laila Edwards’ shot with 2:04 remaining in regulation.Megan Keller then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-canada-womens-hockey-olympic-final-141b5904352673676656cbe2a1c253e5?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">scored 4:07 into overtime</a>&nbsp;to hand the U.S. its third Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey.It was the seventh time the two powerhouses faced off for Olympic gold since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Games. In the 2022 Beijing final,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-womens-hockey-canada-gold-d3850710a59523b92693ba57c0111160">Canada beat the Americans</a>&nbsp;in the final.With the sides playing 3-on-3 in overtime, Keller broke up the left wing and pushed past Claire Thompson. Driving to the net, Keller got off a backhander that beat Ann-Renee Desbiens.Kristin O’Neill scored a short-handed goal for Canada in the second period.Earlier Thursday, Alina Muller scored&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-sweden-womens-hockey-olympic-bronze-cf85aec375145aa20294037d1094cd56">the bronze medal-winning goal in overtime</a>&nbsp;in Switzerland’s 2-1 victory over Sweden. It came 12 years after Muller&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alina-muller-switzerland-womens-hockey-6019a6844f1a9f72e60049f01ef45270">scored the clinching goal</a>&nbsp;to deliver the Swiss their first Olympic medal in women’s hockey — a bronze at the 2014 Sochi Games.<h2>Jordan Stolz stunned in 1,500 meters</h2>U.S. speedskater Jordan Stolz’s late push wasn’t enough.The American star settled for silver in the 1,500 meters, missing a chance to secure a third gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games.China’s Ning Zhongyan won Thursday’s race in an Olympic-record time of 1 minute, 41.98 seconds. The 21-year-old Stolz, who won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jordan-stolz-olympics-speedskating-339ceb92acbc3450ca973e0fa277403f">gold medals in the 500 and 1,000</a>&nbsp;at these Games, crossed 0.77 seconds later.As Stolz glided by, hands on his knees, Ning raised his country’s flag aloft with both hands and started a victory lap.Stolz, a Wisconsin native, will participate in the mass start on Saturday.Dutch skater Kjeld Nuis, who won the 1,500 at the past two Olympics, took bronze.<h2>Eileen Gu advances to halfpipe final despite fall</h2>Defending Olympic champion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/eileen-gu">Eileen Gu</a>&nbsp;shook off a fall during her opening run to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eileen-gu-halfpipe-freeski-winter-olympics-f5ee0364425f639c22b2502a3850706e">advance to Saturday's final</a>&nbsp;in freeski halfpipe. The 22-year-old Gu was born in the United States and competes for China.She clipped the lip of the halfpipe on the third trick of her first run, knocking her left ski off and sending her skittering to the bottom of the course.That set up a pressure-packed second attempt that run earned 86.50 points, good enough to place fifth among the 12 skiers who advanced to the final.<h2>US and Canada reach women’s curling semifinals</h2>The United States and Canada&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/curling-milan-cortina-olympics-canada-switzerland-sweden-414e619b93b4bad79e3a45a5f1af31d2">advanced to the women’s curling semifinals</a>.The Americans, skipped by Tabitha Peterson, beat Switzerland 7-6 in a match that went to an extra end. The teams will square off again in Friday’s semifinals.Peterson threw the decisive rock and her teammates swept it into position, just a hair closer to the button than the Swiss’ nearest stone.Canada beat South Korea 10-7 and will play Sweden on Friday.___

U.S. wins first women’s figure skating Olympic gold medal in 24 years.

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.– Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop. 

Jusst before 9:30 p.m. February 17,, a Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze on U.S. Highway 75 near 134th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

During the traffic stop, deputies discovered illegal contraband.  The driver, Jason Green, 49, of Warsaw, Missouri, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container, driving while license suspended, improper driving on laned roadway, and failure to provide vehicle insurance. 

The passenger Shannen Leeviy Price, 45, of Warsaw, Missouri, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container and criminal use of weapons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771448573068.png" alt="Green-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Green-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.– Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop. Jusst before 9:30 p.m. February 17,, a Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze on U.S. Highway 75 near 134th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771448533168.png" alt="Price-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Price-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>During the traffic stop, deputies discovered illegal contraband. The driver, Jason Green, 49, of Warsaw, Missouri, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container, driving while license suspended, improper driving on laned roadway, and failure to provide vehicle insurance. The passenger Shannen Leeviy Price, 45, of Warsaw, Missouri, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container and criminal use of weapons.

2 Missouri men caught transporting drugs in Kansas

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/meg-kinnard">MEG KINNARD</a> Associated Press

The Federal Communications Commission is investigating ABC’s “The View” over possible violations of the requirement that broadcast stations give&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-james-talarico-equal-time-6cd29992ae2170ab6d10c3ddca92ec98">equal time</a>&nbsp;to political candidates when they appear on-air, according to the head of the agency that oversees U.S. broadcast airwaves.

“The FCC has an enforcement action underway on that,” Chairman Brendan Carr told reporters after an agency meeting Wednesday, in response to a question about whether there were an investigation into the daytime series over potential violations of the “equal time” rule. “And we’re taking a look at it.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/james-talarico-cornyn-paxton-us-senate-texas-1826fe4d6aa162f0bdb8059c58987aa9">James Talarico</a>, a Democratic candidate for the Senate in Texas, appeared on “The View” on Feb. 2. U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-senate-race-colin-allred-jasmine-crockett-5849d3ca44a733ce016300070788eec3">Jasmine Crockett</a>, who is running against Talarico for the nomination, has also been on the show.

The Trump administration has taken steps to clamp down on talk shows, which the FCC has suggested may be “motivated by partisan purposes.” Earlier in the week, late-night host Stephen Colbert said CBS executives had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-james-talarico-donald-trump-fcc-806845facffd3ab3e30142971be16add">pulled an appearance</a>&nbsp;by Talarico on his program over fears it ran afoul of equal time provisions.

The FCC issued&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-68A1.pdf" target="_blank">new guidance</a>&nbsp;in January to late-night and daytime hosts that they needed to give political candidates equal time. There are exceptions to the rule, including for newscasts, “bona fide” interview programs, and coverage of live events or documentaries. Carr has raised questions about the talk show exemption and whether it should stand.

“The FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona fide news exemption,” according to the agency’s public notice last month.

Carr, a Trump appointee, suggested last year that investigating “The View,” whose hosts have frequently been critical of the Republican president, might be “worthwhile.”

The FCC has not responded to a message seeking comment on “The View” or Colbert’s show.

On Wednesday, Carr said watching the fallout from Colbert’s characterization of what happened with Talarico “was probably one of the most fun days I’ve had in the job,” adding that the candidate “took advantage” of media attention ”apparently for the purpose of raising money and getting clicks.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-james-talarico-equal-time-6cd29992ae2170ab6d10c3ddca92ec98">equal time provision applies</a>&nbsp;only to broadcast, not streaming or internet programs. Colbert later posted the Talarico interview to YouTube, where it’s been viewed more than 7.5 million times — several times what the comic’s CBS program draws each night.

Talarico reported that he had raised $2.5 million in campaign donations in the 24 hours after the Colbert interview.

A spokesperson for “The View” on Thursday declined to comment on Carr’s statement.

CBS says Colbert was provided “legal guidance” that broadcasting the interview with Talarico could trigger the equal time rule. Colbert&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colbert-talarico-cbs-trump-fcc-014a0531715f098fbcd7902476a22590">said on his show Tuesday night</a>&nbsp;that while Carr said in January he was thinking about getting rid of the exemption for late-night talk shows, “CBS generously did it for him.”

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/meg-kinnard">MEG KINNARD</a> Associated PressThe Federal Communications Commission is investigating ABC’s “The View” over possible violations of the requirement that broadcast stations give&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-james-talarico-equal-time-6cd29992ae2170ab6d10c3ddca92ec98">equal time</a>&nbsp;to political candidates when they appear on-air, according to the head of the agency that oversees U.S. broadcast airwaves.“The FCC has an enforcement action underway on that,” Chairman Brendan Carr told reporters after an agency meeting Wednesday, in response to a question about whether there were an investigation into the daytime series over potential violations of the “equal time” rule. “And we’re taking a look at it.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/james-talarico-cornyn-paxton-us-senate-texas-1826fe4d6aa162f0bdb8059c58987aa9">James Talarico</a>, a Democratic candidate for the Senate in Texas, appeared on “The View” on Feb. 2. U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-senate-race-colin-allred-jasmine-crockett-5849d3ca44a733ce016300070788eec3">Jasmine Crockett</a>, who is running against Talarico for the nomination, has also been on the show.The Trump administration has taken steps to clamp down on talk shows, which the FCC has suggested may be “motivated by partisan purposes.” Earlier in the week, late-night host Stephen Colbert said CBS executives had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-james-talarico-donald-trump-fcc-806845facffd3ab3e30142971be16add">pulled an appearance</a>&nbsp;by Talarico on his program over fears it ran afoul of equal time provisions.The FCC issued&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-68A1.pdf" target="_blank">new guidance</a>&nbsp;in January to late-night and daytime hosts that they needed to give political candidates equal time. There are exceptions to the rule, including for newscasts, “bona fide” interview programs, and coverage of live events or documentaries. Carr has raised questions about the talk show exemption and whether it should stand.“The FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona fide news exemption,” according to the agency’s public notice last month.Carr, a Trump appointee, suggested last year that investigating “The View,” whose hosts have frequently been critical of the Republican president, might be “worthwhile.”The FCC has not responded to a message seeking comment on “The View” or Colbert’s show.On Wednesday, Carr said watching the fallout from Colbert’s characterization of what happened with Talarico “was probably one of the most fun days I’ve had in the job,” adding that the candidate “took advantage” of media attention ”apparently for the purpose of raising money and getting clicks.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-james-talarico-equal-time-6cd29992ae2170ab6d10c3ddca92ec98">equal time provision applies</a>&nbsp;only to broadcast, not streaming or internet programs. Colbert later posted the Talarico interview to YouTube, where it’s been viewed more than 7.5 million times — several times what the comic’s CBS program draws each night.Talarico reported that he had raised $2.5 million in campaign donations in the 24 hours after the Colbert interview.A spokesperson for “The View” on Thursday declined to comment on Carr’s statement.CBS says Colbert was provided “legal guidance” that broadcasting the interview with Talarico could trigger the equal time rule. Colbert&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colbert-talarico-cbs-trump-fcc-014a0531715f098fbcd7902476a22590">said on his show Tuesday night</a>&nbsp;that while Carr said in January he was thinking about getting rid of the exemption for late-night talk shows, “CBS generously did it for him.”___

FCC chair: Agency investigating ABC's 'The View' over equal time rule

BEAVER COUNTY —On Tuesday, troopers in Troop I of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to an overturned Rosston fire truck during the Ranger Road wildfire between Rosston and Englewood, Kansas, according to a statement from the patrol.. 

Three firefighters were on board. Two were riding on the back of the truck as they navigated a smoke-filled pasture with extremely limited visibility.

The driver, unable to see through the dense smoke, drove into a burning canyon. The truck overturned, trapping the driver and ejecting the two firefighters who were riding on the rear.

After noticing a missing fire truck, fellow first responders searched for the fireman as every second counted. Once located, all three men were rescued from the burning canyon and transported by ambulance to a hospital. Each sustained serious injuries. The trapped driver suffered second-degree burns to his upper body.

"We are grateful for the fellow first responders who, like these brave Rosston firefighters, came from across the state to assist Oklahomans as this massive wildfire spread. They pushed flames back from homes, evacuated residents, and moved livestock for people they may never meet." the OHP wrote.

"Please keep these three firefighters in your thoughts as they recover, along with the men and women who continue responding to the ongoing wildfire threat."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771519113307.png" alt="-283,000 acres up in flames in 24 hours-image State Fire Marshal of Kansas" />
 <figcaption>-283,000 acres up in flames in 24 hours-image State Fire Marshal of Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>BEAVER COUNTY —On Tuesday, troopers in Troop I of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to an overturned Rosston fire truck during the Ranger Road wildfire between Rosston and Englewood, Kansas, according to a statement from the patrol.. Three firefighters were on board. Two were riding on the back of the truck as they navigated a smoke-filled pasture with extremely limited visibility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771533718848.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, unable to see through the dense smoke, drove into a burning canyon. The truck overturned, trapping the driver and ejecting the two firefighters who were riding on the rear.After noticing a missing fire truck, fellow first responders searched for the fireman as every second counted. Once located, all three men were rescued from the burning canyon and transported by ambulance to a hospital. Each sustained serious injuries. The trapped driver suffered second-degree burns to his upper body.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771519060774.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"We are grateful for the fellow first responders who, like these brave Rosston firefighters, came from across the state to assist Oklahomans as this massive wildfire spread. They pushed flames back from homes, evacuated residents, and moved livestock for people they may never meet." the OHP wrote."Please keep these three firefighters in your thoughts as they recover, along with the men and women who continue responding to the ongoing wildfire threat."

Injured firefighters rescued after crash in burning canyon

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks fell Thursday, while oil prices rose with worries about a potential conflict&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-russia-drill-nuclear-talks-aircraft-carrier-0456903e0d7a24cfcdc33d53732dee2f">between the United States and Iran</a>.

The S&amp;P 500 slipped 0.3% for its first loss in four days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 267 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%.

Booking Holdings dropped 6.1% for one of the market’s sharper losses, even though the company behind the Booking.com, Priceline and OpenTable brands reported a profit for the latest quarter that edged past analysts’ expectations.

Its stock has been under pressure because of worries that competitors powered by artificial-intelligence technology could upend its industry and take away customers. Booking’s stock has lost roughly a quarter of its value so far this year already.

Such&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-fed-jobs-profit-45f8d8df807d4b7ed9127afc4b5809c9">worries have been rolling through Wall Street</a>, hitting industries as far flung as software and legal services and trucking logistics. Investors have been punishing stocks of companies seen as under threat by AI so suddenly and aggressively that analysts have likened it to a “shoot first-ask questions later” mentality.

The doubts are hurting not just companies seen as potential victims of AI but also the private-credit companies that have lent them money. Blue Owl Capital fell 5.9% to bring its loss for the year so far to 22.5%, for example. Apollo Global Management dropped 5.2%, and Ares Management sank 3.1%.

Carvana sank 7.9% even though the retailer reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Investors may have been paying more attention to how much profit the auto retailer made per vehicle sold, which was lower than expected.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-fourth-quarter-earnings-economy-c0381d22cb2182a0f5a1242cbb12a9ca">Walmart</a>, meanwhile, pushed and pulled on the market after jumping to an early gain of 2.7% and then flipping to a loss. The retail giant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-fourth-quarter-earnings-economy-c0381d22cb2182a0f5a1242cbb12a9ca">delivered stronger results</a>&nbsp;for the latest quarter than analysts expected, but it gave a profit forecast for the upcoming year that fell short of estimates. It finished the day with a loss of 1.4%.

Helping to limit the market’s losses was Deere, which jumped 11.6% after the machinery maker reported a higher profit than analysts expected. CEO John May said it’s seeing a continued recovery in demand from construction and smaller agricultural customers, though its global, large agricultural customers are still feeling pressure.

Some of the bigger gains in the S&amp;P 500 came from stocks of oil companies, which climbed with the price of crude. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 1.9% to $66.43, while Brent added 1.9% to $71.66 per barrel.

Oil prices rose with worries about a possible military confrontation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-russia-drill-nuclear-talks-aircraft-carrier-0456903e0d7a24cfcdc33d53732dee2f">between the United States and Iran</a>. President Donald Trump has been raising the pressure on Iran, which is home to some of the world’s largest oil reserves, because of its disputed nuclear program. If a conflict were to break out, it could constrict the global flow of oil.

Occidental Petroleum jumped 9.4% after it also reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 19.42 points to 6,861.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 267.50 to 49,395.16, and the Nasdaq composite lost 70.91 to 22,682.73.

In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-77f64caa00f49af45d52e7e909cd4f79">number of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits eased</a>&nbsp;last week. That could be a signal that the pace of layoffs is slowing.

A solid job market, in turn, could keep the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-trump-powell-inflation-c13913c9e007981f075fb3b22d4a4cec">Federal Reserve on hold</a>&nbsp;for longer before it resumes its cuts to interest rates. Fed officials said at their last meeting that they want to see&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-jobs-fed-trump-d7aabc066d5a3a330022963289abc0c0">inflation fall further</a>&nbsp;before they would support cutting rates further this year.

If oil prices keep rising, that would push upward on inflation.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 4.07% from 4.09% late Wednesday.

Other U.S. economic reports said that growth for manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region is accelerating, but potential homebuyers across the country didn’t sign as many contracts in January to purchase. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trade-deficit-tariffs-china-9eb6bd10ff635d63e46ee99d34ce1d05">U.S. trade deficit</a>&nbsp;also widened in December by more than economists expected.

In stock markets abroad, indexes fell in Europe following better performances in Asia.

South Korea’s Kospi jumped 3.1% as trading resumed following a Lunar New Year holiday. Markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai remained closed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Image Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks fell Thursday, while oil prices rose with worries about a potential conflict&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-russia-drill-nuclear-talks-aircraft-carrier-0456903e0d7a24cfcdc33d53732dee2f">between the United States and Iran</a>.The S&amp;P 500 slipped 0.3% for its first loss in four days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 267 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%.Booking Holdings dropped 6.1% for one of the market’s sharper losses, even though the company behind the Booking.com, Priceline and OpenTable brands reported a profit for the latest quarter that edged past analysts’ expectations.Its stock has been under pressure because of worries that competitors powered by artificial-intelligence technology could upend its industry and take away customers. Booking’s stock has lost roughly a quarter of its value so far this year already.Such&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-fed-jobs-profit-45f8d8df807d4b7ed9127afc4b5809c9">worries have been rolling through Wall Street</a>, hitting industries as far flung as software and legal services and trucking logistics. Investors have been punishing stocks of companies seen as under threat by AI so suddenly and aggressively that analysts have likened it to a “shoot first-ask questions later” mentality.The doubts are hurting not just companies seen as potential victims of AI but also the private-credit companies that have lent them money. Blue Owl Capital fell 5.9% to bring its loss for the year so far to 22.5%, for example. Apollo Global Management dropped 5.2%, and Ares Management sank 3.1%.Carvana sank 7.9% even though the retailer reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Investors may have been paying more attention to how much profit the auto retailer made per vehicle sold, which was lower than expected.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-fourth-quarter-earnings-economy-c0381d22cb2182a0f5a1242cbb12a9ca">Walmart</a>, meanwhile, pushed and pulled on the market after jumping to an early gain of 2.7% and then flipping to a loss. The retail giant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-fourth-quarter-earnings-economy-c0381d22cb2182a0f5a1242cbb12a9ca">delivered stronger results</a>&nbsp;for the latest quarter than analysts expected, but it gave a profit forecast for the upcoming year that fell short of estimates. It finished the day with a loss of 1.4%.Helping to limit the market’s losses was Deere, which jumped 11.6% after the machinery maker reported a higher profit than analysts expected. CEO John May said it’s seeing a continued recovery in demand from construction and smaller agricultural customers, though its global, large agricultural customers are still feeling pressure.Some of the bigger gains in the S&amp;P 500 came from stocks of oil companies, which climbed with the price of crude. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 1.9% to $66.43, while Brent added 1.9% to $71.66 per barrel.Oil prices rose with worries about a possible military confrontation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-russia-drill-nuclear-talks-aircraft-carrier-0456903e0d7a24cfcdc33d53732dee2f">between the United States and Iran</a>. President Donald Trump has been raising the pressure on Iran, which is home to some of the world’s largest oil reserves, because of its disputed nuclear program. If a conflict were to break out, it could constrict the global flow of oil.Occidental Petroleum jumped 9.4% after it also reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 19.42 points to 6,861.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 267.50 to 49,395.16, and the Nasdaq composite lost 70.91 to 22,682.73.In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-77f64caa00f49af45d52e7e909cd4f79">number of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits eased</a>&nbsp;last week. That could be a signal that the pace of layoffs is slowing.A solid job market, in turn, could keep the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-trump-powell-inflation-c13913c9e007981f075fb3b22d4a4cec">Federal Reserve on hold</a>&nbsp;for longer before it resumes its cuts to interest rates. Fed officials said at their last meeting that they want to see&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-jobs-fed-trump-d7aabc066d5a3a330022963289abc0c0">inflation fall further</a>&nbsp;before they would support cutting rates further this year.If oil prices keep rising, that would push upward on inflation.The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 4.07% from 4.09% late Wednesday.Other U.S. economic reports said that growth for manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region is accelerating, but potential homebuyers across the country didn’t sign as many contracts in January to purchase. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trade-deficit-tariffs-china-9eb6bd10ff635d63e46ee99d34ce1d05">U.S. trade deficit</a>&nbsp;also widened in December by more than economists expected.In stock markets abroad, indexes fell in Europe following better performances in Asia.South Korea’s Kospi jumped 3.1% as trading resumed following a Lunar New Year holiday. Markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai remained closed.___

Oil prices climb on mounting US-Iran tensions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, a panel made up of President Donald Trump's appointees, on Thursday approved his proposal to build a ballroom larger than the White House itself where the East Wing once stood.

The seven-member panel is one of two federal agencies that must approve Trump's plans for the ballroom. The National Capital Planning Commission, which has jurisdiction over construction and major renovation to government buildings in the region, is also reviewing the project.

Members of the fine arts commission originally had been scheduled to discuss and vote on the design after a follow-up presentation by the architect, and had planned to vote on final approval at next month's meeting. But after the 6-0 vote on the design, the panel's chairman, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., unexpectedly made another motion to vote on final approval.

Six of the seven commissioners — all appointed by the Republican president in January — voted once more in favor. Commissioner James McCrery did not participate in the discussion or the votes because he was the initial architect on the project before Trump replaced him.

The ballroom will be built on the site of the former East Wing, which Trump had demolished in October with little public notice. That drew an outcry from lawmakers, historians and preservationists who argued that the president should not have taken that step until the two federal agencies and Congress had reviewed and approved the project, and the public had a chance to provide comment.

The 90,000-square-foot ballroom would be nearly twice the size of the White House, which is 55,000-square-feet, and would accommodate about 1,000 people, Trump has said. The East Room, currently the largest room in the White House, can fit just over 200 people at most.

Commissioners offered mostly complimentary comments before the votes.

Cook echoed one of Trump's main arguments for adding a larger entertaining space to the White House: It would end the long-standing practice of erecting temporary structures on the South Lawn that Trump describes as tents to host visiting dignitaries for state dinners and other functions.

“Our sitting president has actually designed a very beautiful structure,” Cook said. “The United States just should not be entertaining the world in tents.”

The panel received mainly negative comments from the public

Members of the public were asked to submit written comment by a Wednesday afternoon deadline. Thomas Leubke, the panel’s secretary, said “over 99%” of the more than 2,000 messages it received in the past week from around the country were in opposition to the project.

Leubke tried to summarize the comments for the commissioners.

Some comments cited concerns about Trump’s decision to unilaterally tear down the East Wing, as well as the lack of transparency about who is paying for the ballroom or how contracts were awarded, Leubke said. Comments in support referenced concerns for the image of the United States on the world stage and the need for a larger entertaining space at the White House.

Trump has defended the ballroom in a recent series of social media posts that included drawings of the building. He said in one January post that most of the material needed to build it had been ordered “and there is no practical or reasonable way to go back. IT IS TOO LATE!”

The commission met Thursday over Zoom and heard from Shalom Baranes, the lead architect, and Rick Parisi, the landscape architect. Both described a series of images and sketches of the ballroom and the grounds as they would appear after the project is completed.

Trump has said the ballroom would cost about $400 million and be paid for with private donations. To date, the White House has only released an incomplete list of donors.

A lawsuit against the project is still pending

The National Trust for Historic Preservation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-sued-preservationists-76dc3bbea28257e79f8becd487d2c4d7">has sued</a>&nbsp;in federal court to halt construction. A ruling in the case is pending.

In comments it submitted to the commission, the privately funded group recommended that the size of the ballroom be reduced to “accommodate and respect the primary historic importance of the original Executive Residence.”

At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ballroom-white-house-east-wing-48c6630d2e81adad1793e25f8e447117">the commission's January meeting</a>, some commissioners had questioned Baranes, Trump's architect, about the “immense” design and scale of the project even as they broadly endorsed Trump's vision. On Thursday, Baranes described changes he has since made to the design, and the commissioners said they welcomed the adjustments.

The ballroom project is scheduled for additional discussion at a March 5 meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, which is led by a top White House aide. This panel heard an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-commission-review-3dd5e3c1b2475d1f39843b9193572576">initial presentation about the project</a>&nbsp;in January.

This story has been corrected to reflect that the ballroom was approved by six of the seven commissioners and that one commission did not vote because he was the initial architect on the project.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771522704150.png" alt="Image White House" />
 <figcaption>Image White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, a panel made up of President Donald Trump's appointees, on Thursday approved his proposal to build a ballroom larger than the White House itself where the East Wing once stood.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Will be the Greatest Ballroom ever built, now rising at the site of the White House — Fully paid for by American Patriot Donors. ZERO cost to our United States Taxpayers!” - President Donald J. Trump <a href="https://t.co/DXxsO1fOpx">pic.twitter.com/DXxsO1fOpx</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2024234457243238795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The seven-member panel is one of two federal agencies that must approve Trump's plans for the ballroom. The National Capital Planning Commission, which has jurisdiction over construction and major renovation to government buildings in the region, is also reviewing the project.Members of the fine arts commission originally had been scheduled to discuss and vote on the design after a follow-up presentation by the architect, and had planned to vote on final approval at next month's meeting. But after the 6-0 vote on the design, the panel's chairman, Rodney Mims Cook Jr., unexpectedly made another motion to vote on final approval.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753991748963.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>Six of the seven commissioners — all appointed by the Republican president in January — voted once more in favor. Commissioner James McCrery did not participate in the discussion or the votes because he was the initial architect on the project before Trump replaced him.The ballroom will be built on the site of the former East Wing, which Trump had demolished in October with little public notice. That drew an outcry from lawmakers, historians and preservationists who argued that the president should not have taken that step until the two federal agencies and Congress had reviewed and approved the project, and the public had a chance to provide comment.The 90,000-square-foot ballroom would be nearly twice the size of the White House, which is 55,000-square-feet, and would accommodate about 1,000 people, Trump has said. The East Room, currently the largest room in the White House, can fit just over 200 people at most.Commissioners offered mostly complimentary comments before the votes.Cook echoed one of Trump's main arguments for adding a larger entertaining space to the White House: It would end the long-standing practice of erecting temporary structures on the South Lawn that Trump describes as tents to host visiting dignitaries for state dinners and other functions.“Our sitting president has actually designed a very beautiful structure,” Cook said. “The United States just should not be entertaining the world in tents.”<h2>The panel received mainly negative comments from the public</h2>Members of the public were asked to submit written comment by a Wednesday afternoon deadline. Thomas Leubke, the panel’s secretary, said “over 99%” of the more than 2,000 messages it received in the past week from around the country were in opposition to the project.Leubke tried to summarize the comments for the commissioners.Some comments cited concerns about Trump’s decision to unilaterally tear down the East Wing, as well as the lack of transparency about who is paying for the ballroom or how contracts were awarded, Leubke said. Comments in support referenced concerns for the image of the United States on the world stage and the need for a larger entertaining space at the White House.Trump has defended the ballroom in a recent series of social media posts that included drawings of the building. He said in one January post that most of the material needed to build it had been ordered “and there is no practical or reasonable way to go back. IT IS TOO LATE!”The commission met Thursday over Zoom and heard from Shalom Baranes, the lead architect, and Rick Parisi, the landscape architect. Both described a series of images and sketches of the ballroom and the grounds as they would appear after the project is completed.Trump has said the ballroom would cost about $400 million and be paid for with private donations. To date, the White House has only released an incomplete list of donors.<h2>A lawsuit against the project is still pending</h2>The National Trust for Historic Preservation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-sued-preservationists-76dc3bbea28257e79f8becd487d2c4d7">has sued</a>&nbsp;in federal court to halt construction. A ruling in the case is pending.In comments it submitted to the commission, the privately funded group recommended that the size of the ballroom be reduced to “accommodate and respect the primary historic importance of the original Executive Residence.”At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ballroom-white-house-east-wing-48c6630d2e81adad1793e25f8e447117">the commission's January meeting</a>, some commissioners had questioned Baranes, Trump's architect, about the “immense” design and scale of the project even as they broadly endorsed Trump's vision. On Thursday, Baranes described changes he has since made to the design, and the commissioners said they welcomed the adjustments.The ballroom project is scheduled for additional discussion at a March 5 meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, which is led by a top White House aide. This panel heard an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-commission-review-3dd5e3c1b2475d1f39843b9193572576">initial presentation about the project</a>&nbsp;in January.___This story has been corrected to reflect that the ballroom was approved by six of the seven commissioners and that one commission did not vote because he was the initial architect on the project.

 Commission OKs Trump's White House ballroom plan

WASHINGTON&nbsp;–&nbsp;On Wednesday,&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger&nbsp;Marshall, M.D. praised President Trump’s nominations of Kansas Bureau of Investigations Director Tony Mattivi, Great Bend Attorney Jeffrey M. Kuhlman, and Kansas Solicitor General Anthony J. Powell as judges on the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.

“President Trump has selected three exceptional Kansans who bring to the bench deep legal experience, strong judgment, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law,”&nbsp;said Senator&nbsp;Marshall.&nbsp;“Tony Mattivi’s career as a federal prosecutor and as a leader in the fight against terrorism, violent crime, and drug trafficking speaks volumes about the depth of his expertise; Jeff Kuhlman’s experience clerking for Federal judges and representing Kansas communities demonstrate his strong commitment to our State; and Anthony Powell’s decades of service as a legislator, judge and now Kansas Solicitor General exemplify his steadfast commitment to justice and public service. While there were many options from which to choose, these three Kansans will bring a rare depth of professional experience to the District Court, ensuring that justice is served and our constitutional principles are steadfastly upheld.

“These nominees understand the Constitution, respect the law as written, and have dedicated their careers to serving and protecting Kansans. I’m grateful to President Trump for selecting such highly qualified individuals, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to confirm them swiftly.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732738766889.png" alt="Tony Mattivi, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation photo (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Tony Mattivi, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation photo (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;–&nbsp;On Wednesday,&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger&nbsp;Marshall, M.D. praised President Trump’s nominations of Kansas Bureau of Investigations Director Tony Mattivi, Great Bend Attorney Jeffrey M. Kuhlman, and Kansas Solicitor General Anthony J. Powell as judges on the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump nominated three outstanding Kansans for the federal bench. Tony Mattivi, Jeff Kuhlman, and Anthony Powell bring deep legal experience, strong judgment, and a steadfast commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. Grateful for their service—and I look… <a href="https://t.co/h7luMz7qnF">pic.twitter.com/h7luMz7qnF</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/2024299139438141731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“President Trump has selected three exceptional Kansans who bring to the bench deep legal experience, strong judgment, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law,”&nbsp;said Senator&nbsp;Marshall.&nbsp;“Tony Mattivi’s career as a federal prosecutor and as a leader in the fight against terrorism, violent crime, and drug trafficking speaks volumes about the depth of his expertise; Jeff Kuhlman’s experience clerking for Federal judges and representing Kansas communities demonstrate his strong commitment to our State; and Anthony Powell’s decades of service as a legislator, judge and now Kansas Solicitor General exemplify his steadfast commitment to justice and public service. While there were many options from which to choose, these three Kansans will bring a rare depth of professional experience to the District Court, ensuring that justice is served and our constitutional principles are steadfastly upheld.“These nominees understand the Constitution, respect the law as written, and have dedicated their careers to serving and protecting Kansans. I’m grateful to President Trump for selecting such highly qualified individuals, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to confirm them swiftly.”

President Trump nominates KBI Director for vacancy on U.S. District Court

The City of Hutchinson’s Downtown Revitalization Director was arrested twice this week, according to Reno County booking and court records.&nbsp;

Reno County Detention Center records show that Scott Andrew Cooley was first booked Sunday, Feb. 15, on requested charges of driving under the influence, second conviction; incapable of safely driving; and&nbsp;operating&nbsp;a motor vehicle without a required ignition interlock device during a restriction.&nbsp;

Cooley was booked again Wednesday after a probation arrest and detain warrant was issued. Court documents&nbsp;indicate&nbsp;the warrant was filed by his court services officer following the Feb. 15 arrest. The order alleges Cooley violated the terms of his probation by being arrested for DUI and by&nbsp;possessing&nbsp;a bottle of Seagram’s gin.&nbsp;

Cooley’s probation stemmed from a municipal appeal of a Dec. 12, 2023, conviction in Hutchinson Municipal Court, where he was found guilty of driving under the influence.&nbsp;

According to Reno County District Court records, Cooley entered into a plea agreement on Sept. 17, 2025. He was sentenced on Sept. 19,&nbsp;2025&nbsp;to&nbsp;90 days&nbsp;in the custody of the Reno County Detention Center, with five days to be served before probation due to a medical condition. The court also imposed a $1,250 fine&nbsp;for the charge&nbsp;and an&nbsp;additional&nbsp;$100 fine for interference with law enforcement. He was serving six months of probation at the time of the recent arrest.&nbsp;

The City of Hutchinson announced in January that Cooley had joined the city as its Downtown Revitalization Manager, effective Jan. 5. The position was created to provide focused leadership for the downtown area and to advance implementation of the city’s Downtown Master Plan.&nbsp;

In that role, Cooley&nbsp;was responsible for&nbsp;leading day-to-day downtown revitalization efforts, including business support, redevelopment, coordination and oversight of the city’s Kansas Main Street Program.&nbsp;

Hutch Post has requested the status of Cooly’s employment.&nbsp;City officials tell us that Cooley is no longer employed by the City of Hutchinson.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771469140311.png" alt="Scott Andrew Cooley-Photo Reno County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Scott Andrew Cooley-Photo Reno County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>The City of Hutchinson’s Downtown Revitalization Director was arrested twice this week, according to Reno County booking and court records.&nbsp;Reno County Detention Center records show that Scott Andrew Cooley was first booked Sunday, Feb. 15, on requested charges of driving under the influence, second conviction; incapable of safely driving; and&nbsp;operating&nbsp;a motor vehicle without a required ignition interlock device during a restriction.&nbsp;Cooley was booked again Wednesday after a probation arrest and detain warrant was issued. Court documents&nbsp;indicate&nbsp;the warrant was filed by his court services officer following the Feb. 15 arrest. The order alleges Cooley violated the terms of his probation by being arrested for DUI and by&nbsp;possessing&nbsp;a bottle of Seagram’s gin.&nbsp;Cooley’s probation stemmed from a municipal appeal of a Dec. 12, 2023, conviction in Hutchinson Municipal Court, where he was found guilty of driving under the influence.&nbsp;According to Reno County District Court records, Cooley entered into a plea agreement on Sept. 17, 2025. He was sentenced on Sept. 19,&nbsp;2025&nbsp;to&nbsp;90 days&nbsp;in the custody of the Reno County Detention Center, with five days to be served before probation due to a medical condition. The court also imposed a $1,250 fine&nbsp;for the charge&nbsp;and an&nbsp;additional&nbsp;$100 fine for interference with law enforcement. He was serving six months of probation at the time of the recent arrest.&nbsp;The City of Hutchinson announced in January that Cooley had joined the city as its Downtown Revitalization Manager, effective Jan. 5. The position was created to provide focused leadership for the downtown area and to advance implementation of the city’s Downtown Master Plan.&nbsp;In that role, Cooley&nbsp;was responsible for&nbsp;leading day-to-day downtown revitalization efforts, including business support, redevelopment, coordination and oversight of the city’s Kansas Main Street Program.&nbsp;Hutch Post has requested the status of Cooly’s employment.&nbsp;City officials tell us that Cooley is no longer employed by the City of Hutchinson.&nbsp;

Hutchinson Downtown Revitalization Director arrested twice this week

The weather allowed both ground and aerial firefighting efforts to make good progress containing the fires in southwest Kansas and the Oklahoma panhandle on Wednesday, according to&nbsp;Mark Engholm,&nbsp;State Fire Marshal of Kansas.

On Thursday, the state has also pre-positioned a task force in southeast Kansas due to forecast Red Flag conditions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771518810841.png" alt="Photo State Fire Marshal" />
 <figcaption>Photo State Fire Marshal</figcaption>
 </figure>The weather allowed both ground and aerial firefighting efforts to make good progress containing the fires in southwest Kansas and the Oklahoma panhandle on Wednesday, according to&nbsp;Mark Engholm,&nbsp;State Fire Marshal of Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771518784491.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, the state has also pre-positioned a task force in southeast Kansas due to forecast Red Flag conditions.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGCKSFire%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0uAqgqXoEZjGj4Jh1694L3iGFVSWfvX9JFZgQ9Fjrn98PW1AQnRpyLU2X8r34qLDZl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="825" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771519113307.png" alt="-283,000 acres up in flames in 24 hours-image State Fire Marshal of Kansas" />
 <figcaption>-283,000 acres up in flames in 24 hours-image State Fire Marshal of Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771519060774.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

State Fire Marshal: Good progress on containing wildfires in Kansas

EDITOR'S Note Shawn McMahon has not been employed by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since July 23, 2025.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A former Kansas sheriff's office detective will be in court Thursday. Shawn McMahon, 57, will attend a preliminary hearing in the courtroom of Judge Tyler Rousch, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The judge will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.

In December 2024, the Wichita Police Department was requested to investigate the conduct of a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit who allegedly failed to thoroughly investigate criminal complaints while serving on a task force investigating internet crimes involving children.

Investigators from the WPD’s Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) carried out the investigation, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

As a result, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office charged Detective Shawn McMahon with two counts of Making a False Writing and one count of Interference with Law Enforcement. All of these charges are felonies.&nbsp;McMahon has not been employed by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since July 23, 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771500416528.png" alt="McMahon from his August arrest in Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>McMahon from his August arrest in Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>EDITOR'S Note Shawn McMahon has not been employed by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since July 23, 2025.SEDGWICK COUNTY — A former Kansas sheriff's office detective will be in court Thursday. Shawn McMahon, 57, will attend a preliminary hearing in the courtroom of Judge Tyler Rousch, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The judge will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.In December 2024, the Wichita Police Department was requested to investigate the conduct of a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit who allegedly failed to thoroughly investigate criminal complaints while serving on a task force investigating internet crimes involving children.Investigators from the WPD’s Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) carried out the investigation, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.As a result, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office charged Detective Shawn McMahon with two counts of Making a False Writing and one count of Interference with Law Enforcement. All of these charges are felonies.&nbsp;McMahon has not been employed by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since July 23, 2025.

Preliminary hearing: Kan. sheriff's detective charged with felony crimes

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Last week, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed House Substitute for Senate Bill 244 that requires those who use bathrooms in government buildings use the bathroom that match their biological sex at birth.   

 On February 18, the Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto.

The following statement is from Governor Kelly regarding the overriding of her veto of House Substitute for Senate Bill 244:

“As I said in my&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.governor.ks.gov%2FHome%2FComponents%2FNews%2FNews%2F920%2F55/1/0101019c71ebbca5-d080fc2d-91aa-4ca4-b5ce-faac5e5be697-000000/bAgEqd529f51Of2UCTGhmeXJPzQ2oP3HwC59m2beqIs=445">veto statement</a>, this is a poorly drafted bill with significant, far-reaching consequences.

“Not only will this bill keep brothers from visiting sisters’ dorms and husbands from wives’ shared hospital rooms, it will cost Kansas taxpayers millions of dollars to comply with this very vague legislation.

“It is nothing short of ridiculous that the Legislature is forcing the entire state, every city and town, every school district, every public university to spend taxpayer money on a manufactured problem. Kansans elected them to focus on education, job creation, housing, and grocery costs.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771453818389.png" alt="Image from a video provided by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in Nov. 2024" />
 <figcaption>Image from a video provided by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in Nov. 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Last week, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed House Substitute for Senate Bill 244 that requires those who use bathrooms in government buildings use the bathroom that match their biological sex at birth. On February 18, the Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto.The following statement is from Governor Kelly regarding the overriding of her veto of House Substitute for Senate Bill 244:“As I said in my&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.governor.ks.gov%2FHome%2FComponents%2FNews%2FNews%2F920%2F55/1/0101019c71ebbca5-d080fc2d-91aa-4ca4-b5ce-faac5e5be697-000000/bAgEqd529f51Of2UCTGhmeXJPzQ2oP3HwC59m2beqIs=445">veto statement</a>, this is a poorly drafted bill with significant, far-reaching consequences.“Not only will this bill keep brothers from visiting sisters’ dorms and husbands from wives’ shared hospital rooms, it will cost Kansas taxpayers millions of dollars to comply with this very vague legislation.“It is nothing short of ridiculous that the Legislature is forcing the entire state, every city and town, every school district, every public university to spend taxpayer money on a manufactured problem. Kansans elected them to focus on education, job creation, housing, and grocery costs.”

What Kan. governor said after her veto of bathroom bill  was overridden

LONDON (AP) — U.K. police arrested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/britain-epstein-andrew-former-prince-arrested-1eabcfff09626fbed29a5920ffe506f9">Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor</a>&nbsp;on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, said it was “assessing” reports that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-andrew-prince-mountbatten-windsor-friend-7fa8aadad792e66963a1d18d9039235b">former Prince Andrew</a>&nbsp;sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.

The assessment followed the release of millions of pages of documents connected to a U.S. investigation of Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-andrew-prince-mountbatten-windsor-friend-7fa8aadad792e66963a1d18d9039235b">features a number of times</a>&nbsp;in the documents.

The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his 60s. Mountbatten-Windsor is 66.

“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,’’ the statement said. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Last fall, King Charles III&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/andrew-scandal-king-charles-monarchy-epstein-33ec8ff4508ef1b36aad7532181245e8">stripped Andrew of his royal titles</a>, including the right to be called a prince, as he tried to insulate the monarchy from the continuing revelations about his younger brother’s relationship with Epstein. Those revelations have tarnished the royal family for more than a decade.

Images circulated online appeared to show unmarked police cars at Mountbatten-Windsor's home, Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with plainclothes officers appearing to gather outside.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769891409865.png" alt="EDITOR's NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Image from an undated and redacted document released by the U.S. Department of Justice, showa Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaning over an unidentified person." />
 <figcaption>EDITOR's NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Image from an undated and redacted document released by the U.S. Department of Justice, showa Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaning over an unidentified person.</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — U.K. police arrested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/britain-epstein-andrew-former-prince-arrested-1eabcfff09626fbed29a5920ffe506f9">Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor</a>&nbsp;on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, said it was “assessing” reports that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-andrew-prince-mountbatten-windsor-friend-7fa8aadad792e66963a1d18d9039235b">former Prince Andrew</a>&nbsp;sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771498498919.png" alt="FILE - Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, looks round as he leaves after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, looks round as he leaves after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>The assessment followed the release of millions of pages of documents connected to a U.S. investigation of Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-andrew-prince-mountbatten-windsor-friend-7fa8aadad792e66963a1d18d9039235b">features a number of times</a>&nbsp;in the documents.The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his 60s. Mountbatten-Windsor is 66.“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,’’ the statement said. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Last fall, King Charles III&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/andrew-scandal-king-charles-monarchy-epstein-33ec8ff4508ef1b36aad7532181245e8">stripped Andrew of his royal titles</a>, including the right to be called a prince, as he tried to insulate the monarchy from the continuing revelations about his younger brother’s relationship with Epstein. Those revelations have tarnished the royal family for more than a decade.Images circulated online appeared to show unmarked police cars at Mountbatten-Windsor's home, Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with plainclothes officers appearing to gather outside.

Ex-Prince Andrew arrested over Epstein-linked allegations

KANSAS CITY —When the call came in Sunday afternoon for someone drowning in a lake near Pittman Road and E 43rd, Officers Manley and Hawley raced to the scene, according to a social media report from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.

The officers found two people in the water, with one deep in the lake, struggling for survival.

Manley and Hawley shed their gear and entered the water, rescuing a young woman.

Manley has been with the department 26 years, while Hawley started her KCPD career four years ago.

KANSAS CITY —When the call came in Sunday afternoon for someone drowning in a lake near Pittman Road and E 43rd, Officers Manley and Hawley raced to the scene, according to a social media report from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.The officers found two people in the water, with one deep in the lake, struggling for survival.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The video, again: <a href="https://t.co/UB7JmYt7UA">pic.twitter.com/UB7JmYt7UA</a>&mdash; kcpolice (@kcpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/2023847128683225454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Manley and Hawley shed their gear and entered the water, rescuing a young woman.Manley has been with the department 26 years, while Hawley started her KCPD career four years ago.

🎥KCPD officers rescue woman from drowning 

WASHINGTON – Carter Camacho, 18,&nbsp; of Smyrna, Georgia,&nbsp;was charged in a complaint Wednesday with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm within the United States Capitol Buildings or Grounds in connection to carrying a loaded shotgun onto federal property, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Camacho made his first appearance in U.S. District Court Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey who scheduled a detention hearing for March 2, 2026.

According to the charging documents, on Feb. 17, 2026, Camacho parked a white Mercedes SUV on Maryland Ave. SE, between First and Third Streets. About 12:07 p.m., Camacho exited the vehicle and ran toward the United States Capitol carrying a firearm while wearing a tactical-style vest and camouflage-style clothing.

Camacho reached the steps on the western side of the Capitol. A uniformed officer with the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) asked Camacho what he was carrying. Camacho produced the firearm. The officer ordered Camacho to halt and lie down on the ground.

Once Camacho was on the ground, USCP officers recovered a Mossberg Model 88 12-gauge shotgun loaded with seven rounds in the tube and one in the chamber, with the safety off. An additional 17 rounds of ammunition were held in a carrier attached to the shotgun’s stock.

Officers placed Camacho in handcuffs. Camacho told USCP officers that he was just there to talk to a Member of Congress.

USCP officers traced Camacho’s path to the white Mercedes SUV and located a fixed blade knife on the ground about forty feet from the vehicle.

WASHINGTON —United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers surrounded and arrested a man who ran toward the U.S. Capitol with a loaded shotgun on Tuesday. The arrest happened shortly after noon on the Lower West Terrace, according to a media release from U.S. Capitol Police.

The suspect also had multiple rounds of ammunition and a tactical style vest. USCP officers found the suspect’s SUV in front of the U.S. Botanic Garden on Maryland Avenue, SW. A gas mask and helmet were spotted inside the vehicle.&nbsp;

Thanks to the quick actions of the officers, no one was hurt.

“Just last summer, we held an active threat exercise on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol – in the very location where today’s officers stopped the suspect,” said U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan. “These now routine exercises are planned monthly and in different areas of the Capitol Complex to keep our officers ready for potential threats just like this.”

The suspect, 18-year-old Carter Camacho of Smyrna, GA, was arrested on requested charges of Unlawful Activities, Carrying a Rifle without a License, Unregistered Firearm, and Unregistered Ammunition.&nbsp;

The USCP’s Threat Assessment Section is investigating to determine the suspect’s motive. He was not on file with the USCP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771433240747.png" alt="Photo U.S. Capitol Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Capitol Police</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – Carter Camacho, 18,&nbsp; of Smyrna, Georgia,&nbsp;was charged in a complaint Wednesday with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm within the United States Capitol Buildings or Grounds in connection to carrying a loaded shotgun onto federal property, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.Camacho made his first appearance in U.S. District Court Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey who scheduled a detention hearing for March 2, 2026.According to the charging documents, on Feb. 17, 2026, Camacho parked a white Mercedes SUV on Maryland Ave. SE, between First and Third Streets. About 12:07 p.m., Camacho exited the vehicle and ran toward the United States Capitol carrying a firearm while wearing a tactical-style vest and camouflage-style clothing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771501624947.png" alt="Camacho seen on security cameras -photo U.S. Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Camacho seen on security cameras -photo U.S. Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>Camacho reached the steps on the western side of the Capitol. A uniformed officer with the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) asked Camacho what he was carrying. Camacho produced the firearm. The officer ordered Camacho to halt and lie down on the ground.Once Camacho was on the ground, USCP officers recovered a Mossberg Model 88 12-gauge shotgun loaded with seven rounds in the tube and one in the chamber, with the safety off. An additional 17 rounds of ammunition were held in a carrier attached to the shotgun’s stock.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771433218764.png" alt="Photo U.S. Capitol Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Capitol Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers placed Camacho in handcuffs. Camacho told USCP officers that he was just there to talk to a Member of Congress.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CapitolPolice</a> on incident today: &quot;A gentleman parked...he exited the vehicle with a shotgun and began running up towards the Capitol...Capitol police officers observed this individual, challenged him and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on ground which he did comply… <a href="https://t.co/7EhRK1hTmL">pic.twitter.com/7EhRK1hTmL</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2023848973208113535?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>USCP officers traced Camacho’s path to the white Mercedes SUV and located a fixed blade knife on the ground about forty feet from the vehicle.---------------WASHINGTON —United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers surrounded and arrested a man who ran toward the U.S. Capitol with a loaded shotgun on Tuesday. The arrest happened shortly after noon on the Lower West Terrace, according to a media release from U.S. Capitol Police.The suspect also had multiple rounds of ammunition and a tactical style vest. USCP officers found the suspect’s SUV in front of the U.S. Botanic Garden on Maryland Avenue, SW. A gas mask and helmet were spotted inside the vehicle.&nbsp;Thanks to the quick actions of the officers, no one was hurt.“Just last summer, we held an active threat exercise on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol – in the very location where today’s officers stopped the suspect,” said U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan. “These now routine exercises are planned monthly and in different areas of the Capitol Complex to keep our officers ready for potential threats just like this.”The suspect, 18-year-old Carter Camacho of Smyrna, GA, was arrested on requested charges of Unlawful Activities, Carrying a Rifle without a License, Unregistered Firearm, and Unregistered Ammunition.&nbsp;The USCP’s Threat Assessment Section is investigating to determine the suspect’s motive. He was not on file with the USCP.

Man who charged U.S. Capitol with loaded shotgun faces a judge

WICHITA, Kan. — Pursuant to K.S.A. 25-2435, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office announces the conclusion of the investigation into potential criminal culpability arising from the issuance of a mailer the week of January 26, 2026 which contained inaccurate details regarding the March 3 Wichita Sales Tax special election, according to a media release from the DA's office.

As has been previously reported, on Monday, February 2, 2026, the Office of the District Attorney, 18th Judicial District, was contacted by Laura Rainwater, Sedgwick County Election Commissioner, regarding a mailer sent to Wichita voters the previous week by the group, “Wichita Forward.”

The mailer contained the following inaccurate statements:

1. Under “Step 3” the mailer informed readers that advance ballots had to be received by the election office by February 24th. That was incorrect. Advance ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on the date of the election, March 3.

2. At the bottom of the mailer, under the section entitled “Vote In Person,” the mailer states

that polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7 p.m. That was incorrect. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wichita Forward issued an apology and clarification on Saturday, January 31, 2026, acknowledging the misstatements and clarifying with accurate information.

The political consulting group, Cato Consulting, was retained by Wichita Forward to handle marketing associated with the March 3 special election. Cato Consulting then contracted with Hexcode Marketing, a private vendor, to design the mailer in question. 

Both Cato Consulting and Hexcode Marketing provided written communications detailing the process by which the mailer came to be finalized. Both parties assert that the errors contained in the mailer were identified by Cato Consulting in writing before the mailer was sent to the printer.

Hexcode Marketing sent the incorrect mailer on to be printed without taking corrective action to fix the mailer, which the company attributes to human error while attending to other tasks.

Various laws were considered, including K.S.A. 25-2433, Advance Voting Suppression, which prohibits “knowingly, which intent to impede, obstruct or exert undue influence on the election process,” “(d) exercising undue influence upon an advance voter in applying for, delivering ormarking an advance voting ballot”; and K.S.A. 25-2415, Intimidation of Voters, which prohibits “(a)(2) mailing, publishing, broadcasting, telephoning or transmitting by any means false information intended to keep one or more voters from casting a ballot or applying for or returning an advance voting ballot.”

There is no evidence that the goal of the marketing vendor or the consultant was to impede voters or prevent the casting of votes. Rather than uncovering evidence of the requisite criminal intent necessary to charge a crime, the investigation revealed that the inaccuracies in the mailer appear to have been the result of human error.

There is no evidence of the criminal intent necessary to support criminal charges in this matter. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1771451795586.png" alt="Wichita Forward" />
 <figcaption>Wichita Forward</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. — Pursuant to K.S.A. 25-2435, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office announces the conclusion of the investigation into potential criminal culpability arising from the issuance of a mailer the week of January 26, 2026 which contained inaccurate details regarding the March 3 Wichita Sales Tax special election, according to a media release from the DA's office.Background FactsAs has been previously reported, on Monday, February 2, 2026, the Office of the District Attorney, 18th Judicial District, was contacted by Laura Rainwater, Sedgwick County Election Commissioner, regarding a mailer sent to Wichita voters the previous week by the group, “Wichita Forward.”The mailer contained the following inaccurate statements:1. Under “Step 3” the mailer informed readers that advance ballots had to be received by the election office by February 24th. That was incorrect. Advance ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on the date of the election, March 3.2. At the bottom of the mailer, under the section entitled “Vote In Person,” the mailer statesthat polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7 p.m. That was incorrect. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Wichita Forward issued an apology and clarification on Saturday, January 31, 2026, acknowledging the misstatements and clarifying with accurate information.&nbsp;InvestigationThe political consulting group, Cato Consulting, was retained by Wichita Forward to handle marketing associated with the March 3 special election. Cato Consulting then contracted with Hexcode Marketing, a private vendor, to design the mailer in question. Both Cato Consulting and Hexcode Marketing provided written communications detailing the process by which the mailer came to be finalized. Both parties assert that the errors contained in the mailer were identified by Cato Consulting in writing before the mailer was sent to the printer.Hexcode Marketing sent the incorrect mailer on to be printed without taking corrective action to fix the mailer, which the company attributes to human error while attending to other tasks.Various laws were considered, including K.S.A. 25-2433, Advance Voting Suppression, which prohibits “knowingly, which intent to impede, obstruct or exert undue influence on the election process,” “(d) exercising undue influence upon an advance voter in applying for, delivering ormarking an advance voting ballot”; and K.S.A. 25-2415, Intimidation of Voters, which prohibits “(a)(2) mailing, publishing, broadcasting, telephoning or transmitting by any means false information intended to keep one or more voters from casting a ballot or applying for or returning an advance voting ballot.”There is no evidence that the goal of the marketing vendor or the consultant was to impede voters or prevent the casting of votes. Rather than uncovering evidence of the requisite criminal intent necessary to charge a crime, the investigation revealed that the inaccuracies in the mailer appear to have been the result of human error.There is no evidence of the criminal intent necessary to support criminal charges in this matter.