WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesting the direction of the country under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, people gathered Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities big and small across the U.S. for “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protests-trump-immigration-first-amendment-f04e7a4728c10b694f540bcef0646370">No Kings</a>&nbsp;” demonstrations that the president's Republican Party disparaged as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7REVjTcBdc">“Hate America” rallies</a>.

With signs such as “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism,” in many places the events looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People” preamble that people could sign, and demonstrators wearing inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.

It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/no-kings-protest-trump-us-b5de52994b7c592034fb19b7d3e9d577">third mass mobilization</a>&nbsp;since Trump's return to the White House and came against the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;that not only has closed federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-food-aid-snap-november-417bd9a473701b6334491c9e6e28a1c4">programs and services</a>&nbsp;but is testing the core balance of power, as an aggressive executive confronts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-layoffs-trump-unions-b312b3ca77cbdbc72e778ece3b2cbffc">Congress and the courts</a>&nbsp;in ways that protest organizers warn are a slide toward authoritarianism.

Trump himself was spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump said in a Fox News interview that aired early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser at his club.

Later Friday a Trump campaign social media account mocked the protests by posting a computer-generated video of the president clothed like a monarch, wearing a crown and waving from a balcony.

People packed into New York City's Times Square, Boston Common and Chicago's Grant Park; outside state capitols in several Republican-led states and a courthouse in Billings, Montana; and at hundreds of smaller public spaces.

In Washington, Iraq War Marine veteran Shawn Howard said he had never participated in a protest before but was motivated to show up because of what he sees as the Trump administration's “disregard for the law.” He said immigration detentions without due process and deployments of troops in U.S. cities are “un-American” and alarming signs of eroding democracy.

“I fought for freedom and against this kind of extremism abroad,” said Howard, who added that he also worked at the CIA for 20 years on counter-extremism operations. “And now I see a moment in America where we have extremists everywhere who are, in my opinion, pushing us to some kind of civil conflict.”

In San Francisco hundreds of people spelled out “No King!” and other phrases with their bodies on Ocean Beach. Hayley Wingard, who was dressed as the Statue of Liberty, said she too had never been to a protest before. Only recently she began to view Trump as a “dictator.”

“I was actually OK with everything until I found that the military invasion in Los Angeles and Chicago and Portland — Portland bothered me the most, because I'm from Portland, and I don't want the military in my cities. That's scary,” Wingard said.

Salt Lake City demonstrators gathered outside the Utah State Capitol to share messages of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protests-trump-immigration-first-amendment-f04e7a4728c10b694f540bcef0646370">hope and healing</a>&nbsp;after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-no-kings-death-gamboa-police-ecf74c0cbd9b9d2f6c2cf6ffde4442bd">protester was fatally shot</a>&nbsp;during the city’s first “No Kings” march in June.

And more than 1,500 people gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, evoking and the city’s history of protests and the critical role it played in the Civil Rights Movement two generations ago.

“It just feels like we’re living in an America that I don’t recognize,” said Jessica Yother, a mother of four. She and other protesters said they felt camaraderie by gathering in a state where Trump won nearly 65% of the vote last November.

“It was so encouraging,” Yother said. “I walked in and thought, ‘Here are my people.’”

Organizers hope to build opposition movement

“Big rallies like this give confidence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press.

While protests earlier this year —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-protests-hands-off-472c574303260cbac315367cc808960d">against Elon Musk's cuts</a>&nbsp;and Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">military parade</a>&nbsp;— drew crowds, organizers say this one is uniting the opposition. Top Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;and Independent Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bernie-sanders">Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;are joining what organizers view as an antidote to Trump's actions, from the administration's clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

More than 2,600 rallies were planned Saturday, organizers said. The national march against Trump and Musk this spring had 1,300 registered locations, while the first “No Kings” day in June registered 2,100.

“We’re here because we love America,” Sanders said, addressing the crowd from a stage in Washington. He said the American experiment is “in danger” under Trump but insisted, “We the people will rule.”

Republican critics denounce the demonstrations

Republicans sought to portray protesters as far outside the mainstream and a prime reason for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7REVjTcBdc">government shutdown</a>, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60epVqMtYPg">GOP leaders</a>&nbsp;called them “communists” and “Marxists.” They said Democratic leaders including Schumer are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut to appease those liberal forces.

“I encourage you to watch — we call it the Hate America rally — that will happen Saturday,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;of Louisiana.

“Let’s see who shows up for that," Johnson said, listing groups including “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”

Many demonstrators, in response, said they were meeting such hyperbole with humor, noting that Trump often leans heavily on theatrics such as claiming that cities he sends troops to are war zones.

“So much of what we’ve seen from this administration has been so unserious and silly that we have to respond with the same energy,” said Glen Kalbaugh, a Washington protester who wore a wizard hat and held a sign with a frog on it.

New York police reported no arrests during the protests.

Democrats try to regain their footing amid shutdown

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent. Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.

“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, a key organizing group. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”

Associated Press journalists Gary Fields, Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking in Washington, Jill Colvin and Joseph Frederick in New York, Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Terry Chea in San Francisco, Chris Megerian in West Palm Beach, Florida, Bill Barrow in Birmingham, Alabama, and Safiya Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760832442257.png" alt="Protest rally at the State Capitol in Topeka --photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Protest rally at the State Capitol in Topeka --photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesting the direction of the country under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, people gathered Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities big and small across the U.S. for “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protests-trump-immigration-first-amendment-f04e7a4728c10b694f540bcef0646370">No Kings</a>&nbsp;” demonstrations that the president's Republican Party disparaged as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7REVjTcBdc">“Hate America” rallies</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760824251684.png" alt="Image from the online video of No Kings Rally in Washington and other locations across the nation" />
 <figcaption>Image from the online video of No Kings Rally in Washington and other locations across the nation</figcaption>
 </figure>With signs such as “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism,” in many places the events looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People” preamble that people could sign, and demonstrators wearing inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760849974856.jpeg" alt="Protestors in Hays on Saturday -Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Protestors in Hays on Saturday -Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/no-kings-protest-trump-us-b5de52994b7c592034fb19b7d3e9d577">third mass mobilization</a>&nbsp;since Trump's return to the White House and came against the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;that not only has closed federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-food-aid-snap-november-417bd9a473701b6334491c9e6e28a1c4">programs and services</a>&nbsp;but is testing the core balance of power, as an aggressive executive confronts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-layoffs-trump-unions-b312b3ca77cbdbc72e778ece3b2cbffc">Congress and the courts</a>&nbsp;in ways that protest organizers warn are a slide toward authoritarianism.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760832818093.png" alt="Protest rally Saturday in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Protest rally Saturday in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump himself was spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump said in a Fox News interview that aired early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser at his club.Later Friday a Trump campaign social media account mocked the protests by posting a computer-generated video of the president clothed like a monarch, wearing a crown and waving from a balcony.<h2>Nationwide demonstrations</h2>People packed into New York City's Times Square, Boston Common and Chicago's Grant Park; outside state capitols in several Republican-led states and a courthouse in Billings, Montana; and at hundreds of smaller public spaces.In Washington, Iraq War Marine veteran Shawn Howard said he had never participated in a protest before but was motivated to show up because of what he sees as the Trump administration's “disregard for the law.” He said immigration detentions without due process and deployments of troops in U.S. cities are “un-American” and alarming signs of eroding democracy.“I fought for freedom and against this kind of extremism abroad,” said Howard, who added that he also worked at the CIA for 20 years on counter-extremism operations. “And now I see a moment in America where we have extremists everywhere who are, in my opinion, pushing us to some kind of civil conflict.”In San Francisco hundreds of people spelled out “No King!” and other phrases with their bodies on Ocean Beach. Hayley Wingard, who was dressed as the Statue of Liberty, said she too had never been to a protest before. Only recently she began to view Trump as a “dictator.”“I was actually OK with everything until I found that the military invasion in Los Angeles and Chicago and Portland — Portland bothered me the most, because I'm from Portland, and I don't want the military in my cities. That's scary,” Wingard said.Salt Lake City demonstrators gathered outside the Utah State Capitol to share messages of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protests-trump-immigration-first-amendment-f04e7a4728c10b694f540bcef0646370">hope and healing</a>&nbsp;after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-no-kings-death-gamboa-police-ecf74c0cbd9b9d2f6c2cf6ffde4442bd">protester was fatally shot</a>&nbsp;during the city’s first “No Kings” march in June.And more than 1,500 people gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, evoking and the city’s history of protests and the critical role it played in the Civil Rights Movement two generations ago.“It just feels like we’re living in an America that I don’t recognize,” said Jessica Yother, a mother of four. She and other protesters said they felt camaraderie by gathering in a state where Trump won nearly 65% of the vote last November.“It was so encouraging,” Yother said. “I walked in and thought, ‘Here are my people.’”<h2>Organizers hope to build opposition movement</h2>“Big rallies like this give confidence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press.While protests earlier this year —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-protests-hands-off-472c574303260cbac315367cc808960d">against Elon Musk's cuts</a>&nbsp;and Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1">military parade</a>&nbsp;— drew crowds, organizers say this one is uniting the opposition. Top Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;and Independent Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bernie-sanders">Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;are joining what organizers view as an antidote to Trump's actions, from the administration's clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.More than 2,600 rallies were planned Saturday, organizers said. The national march against Trump and Musk this spring had 1,300 registered locations, while the first “No Kings” day in June registered 2,100.“We’re here because we love America,” Sanders said, addressing the crowd from a stage in Washington. He said the American experiment is “in danger” under Trump but insisted, “We the people will rule.”<h2>Republican critics denounce the demonstrations</h2>Republicans sought to portray protesters as far outside the mainstream and a prime reason for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7REVjTcBdc">government shutdown</a>, now in its 18th day.From the White House to Capitol Hill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60epVqMtYPg">GOP leaders</a>&nbsp;called them “communists” and “Marxists.” They said Democratic leaders including Schumer are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut to appease those liberal forces.“I encourage you to watch — we call it the Hate America rally — that will happen Saturday,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;of Louisiana.“Let’s see who shows up for that," Johnson said, listing groups including “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”Many demonstrators, in response, said they were meeting such hyperbole with humor, noting that Trump often leans heavily on theatrics such as claiming that cities he sends troops to are war zones.“So much of what we’ve seen from this administration has been so unserious and silly that we have to respond with the same energy,” said Glen Kalbaugh, a Washington protester who wore a wizard hat and held a sign with a frog on it.New York police reported no arrests during the protests.<h2>Democrats try to regain their footing amid shutdown</h2>Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent. Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, a key organizing group. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”___Associated Press journalists Gary Fields, Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking in Washington, Jill Colvin and Joseph Frederick in New York, Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Terry Chea in San Francisco, Chris Megerian in West Palm Beach, Florida, Bill Barrow in Birmingham, Alabama, and Safiya Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed.

'No Kings' protests bring a street party vibe in Kansas, nationwide

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The victim in an aggravated battery that occurred on September 23rd has died from his injuries, and the suspect has been arrested and charged in his death, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Police.

At approximately 10:30p.m. Sept. 23, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 2300 block of Ridge Avenue regarding a physical altercation between two ment. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered 78-year-old Leroy Alexander lying outside his residence, unconscious and with apparent head trauma. He was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries on September 30. 

Police arrested Perry Allen Tilghman, Jr., 31, Kansas City, Kansas,&nbsp; and he has been charged with second- degree murder in Alexander’s death. He is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760658583335.png" alt="Tilghman photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Tilghman photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The victim in an aggravated battery that occurred on September 23rd has died from his injuries, and the suspect has been arrested and charged in his death, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Police.At approximately 10:30p.m. Sept. 23, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 2300 block of Ridge Avenue regarding a physical altercation between two ment. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered 78-year-old Leroy Alexander lying outside his residence, unconscious and with apparent head trauma. He was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries on September 30. Police arrested Perry Allen Tilghman, Jr., 31, Kansas City, Kansas,&nbsp; and he has been charged with second- degree murder in Alexander’s death. He is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

Police: 74-year-old Kan. man died a week after violent altercation

WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita police have arrested an 18-year-old from Wichita, in connection with a shooting that left four people wounded.

Just before 3a.m. on October 12,&nbsp; police responded to a local hospital regarding multiple walk-in shooting victims. Upon arrival, officers located several individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

Preliminary investigation revealed the victims were inside a vehicle at the intersection of Clifton and Morris in Wichita when an unknown suspect fired multiple shots at them.

The victims included a&nbsp;22-year-old woman who sustained an injury to her lower leg and was in stable condition.; a 21-year-old man with an injury to his lower leg and was in stable condition; a 19-year-old man with an injury to his midsection and was in stable condition and a 26-year-old man wath a gunshot wound to his upper body and was in critical condition.

Through the use of technology, including FLOCK, surveillance cameras, and NIBIN, investigators were able to identify and apprehend the 18-year-old suspect identified in booking records as Diego Murdock.

He has been arrested and is in custody on requested charges that include four counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle resulting in great bodily harm.&nbsp;

This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.

&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at (316) 268-4407. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760696893152.png" alt="Murdock photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Murdock photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita police have arrested an 18-year-old from Wichita, in connection with a shooting that left four people wounded.Just before 3a.m. on October 12,&nbsp; police responded to a local hospital regarding multiple walk-in shooting victims. Upon arrival, officers located several individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.Preliminary investigation revealed the victims were inside a vehicle at the intersection of Clifton and Morris in Wichita when an unknown suspect fired multiple shots at them.The victims included a&nbsp;22-year-old woman who sustained an injury to her lower leg and was in stable condition.; a 21-year-old man with an injury to his lower leg and was in stable condition; a 19-year-old man with an injury to his midsection and was in stable condition and a 26-year-old man wath a gunshot wound to his upper body and was in critical condition.Through the use of technology, including FLOCK, surveillance cameras, and NIBIN, investigators were able to identify and apprehend the 18-year-old suspect identified in booking records as Diego Murdock.He has been arrested and is in custody on requested charges that include four counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle resulting in great bodily harm.&nbsp;This case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at (316) 268-4407. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.

 Kansas teen jailed for shooting that left woman, 3 men injured

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/andrew-cuomo">Andrew Cuomo</a>&nbsp;entered Thursday evening’s first New York mayoral debate trying to blunt Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani's momentum. Instead he spent much of the contentious face-off on defense, batting away criticisms over his long tenure in office from Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/new-york-city-mayoral-debate/667249">Click here to watch a replay </a>of the debate

Cuomo, now running as an independent, continued to try to cast Mamdani's agenda as too extreme, saying he lacks the experience to lead America’s biggest city. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, countered with attacks on the former governor's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and sexual harassment allegations that Cuomo denies.

But after two hours that touched on how the next mayor would deal with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, quality of life issues and affordability, it was unclear whether anyone did enough to move the needle.

For Cuomo the stakes of the face-off were especially high. The debate was one of his last chances to try to convince voters that going with Mamdani, who already defeated the once-powerful governor in the primary this summer, would be a mistake. The race is also Cuomo’s attempt at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cuomo-mayor-new-york-city-mayor-1ed3ebb2c60acd53bb49bb5ee9921890">political comeback</a>&nbsp;after he resigned four years ago following the sexual harassment allegations.

Mamdani, who spent much of the debate smiling as he tried to maintain the hopeful, charming persona that has characterized his campaign, pushed his affordability agenda and sought to portray himself as a pragmatic liberal rather than a radical ideologue.

The race has catapulted him to national political stardom, with Republicans, including Trump, trying to turn him into the face of the Democratic Party by highlighting his most controversial past comments and positions and casting him as dangerous, a communist and an antisemite.

Meanwhile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nyc-election-sliwa-mayor-mamdani-cuomo-adams-f04c137968be1e54f0f06400ef4baefb">Sliwa</a>, a Republican and the colorful creator of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group, tried to vault his underdog campaign to the fore amid calls for him to drop out. Though he could have helped Cuomo by ganging up on Mamdani, he instead spent much of his time undercutting the former governor.

Incumbent Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/eric-adams">Eric Adams</a>, a Democrat, suspended his reelection campaign late last month after being deeply wounded by a now-dismissed federal corruption case and his relationship with the Trump administration.

Here are some key takeaways from tonight's debate:

Mamdani came under attack straight out the gate, as Cuomo highlighted the 33-year-old's relative lack of job experience and painted his agenda as unrealistic and unachievable.

Cuomo, stressing his own lengthy resume, said being mayor “is no job for on-the-job training”

“This is not a job for a first timer,” he said, while trying to to cast Mamdani as “Bill de Blasio light,” a reference to the unpopular former mayor.

Mamdani hit back at Cuomo’s integrity and decision-making during the pandemic and repeatedly raised the sexual harassment investigation and legal bills related to his defense.

“What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity. What you don’t have in integrity, you can never make up for with experience,” he charged.

Cuomo also sought to cast himself as the only true Democrat onstage, despite the fact that he is not running on the Democratic Party line.

Mamdani's brand of economic populism and laser focus on lowering costs in the astronomically expensive city has generated buzz and excitement. At the same time, the state assemblyman's calls to raise taxes on wealthy people and intense criticisms of the Israel's military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives, as well as many Jewish New Yorkers.

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-mayor-nyc-cuomo-trump-b58f8d312f8ed67b01bfb7a3a078387c">an appearance on Fox News Channel</a>&nbsp;this week, Mamdani sidestepped a question about whether Hamas should lay down arms as part of a fragile truce that has paused the two-year Israel-Hamas war.

On Thursday he did not equivocate, saying, “Of course I believe that they should lay down their arms.”

The comment came as Cuomo again highlighted Mamdani's past reluctance to condemn the use of the phrase “Globalize the intifada,” which is seen by many Jews as a call to violence.

Since the primary Mamdani has said he does not use the phrase and would discourage people from saying it.

But Sliwa said that wasn't enough. “Jews don’t trust that you are going to be there for them when they are the victims of antisemitic attacks,” he charged.

Mamdani, meanwhile, accused Cuomo of failing to represent the city's Muslim community, claiming that it took losing to a Muslim candidate for Cuomo to step inside a mosque.

“It took me to get you to even see Muslims as part of this city,” Mamdani said.

Mamdani's walk-back comes as he has tried to distance himself from several of his more contentious past statements, such as calling the New York Police Department “racist” and “a major threat to public safety.”

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-mayor-nyc-cuomo-trump-b58f8d312f8ed67b01bfb7a3a078387c">his Fox appearance</a>, he publicly apologized for his language after doing so behind closed doors.

“I am not running to defund the police. I am running to actually work with the police to deliver public safety,” he said Thursday.

The president, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zohran-mamdani-new-york-communism-attacks-nyc-mayor-c66707800e55eb4e72b06af5e159a680">threatened to</a>&nbsp;arrest Mamdani, to deport him and even to take over the city if he wins, was invoked early and often.

Pressed on how they would handle Trump, Mamdani — who walked to the debate venue at 30 Rockefeller Plaza from Trump Tower, accompanied by a brass band — said he would stand up to the president while also being willing to work with him on lowering costs and affordability.

“What New Yorkers need is a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump and actually deliver,” he said.

Cuomo warned that if Mamdani wins, “It will be Mayor Trump.”

“I’d like to work with you. I think we could do good things together. But No. 1, I will fight you every step of the way if you try to hurt New York,” Cuomo pledged.

Sliwa warned that taking too contentious a tone with Trump would end up hurting the city.

“If you try to get tough with Trump,” he said, “New Yorkers will suffer.”

The underdog found himself caught in the middle — literally and figuratively — with the Republican’s lectern positioned between his two opponents as they lobbed attacks at one another.

At one point Sliwa complained that he was not getting enough speaking time, saying, “I am being marginalized out of this.”

But he often attacked Cuomo aggressively, including after the former governor stressed his willingness to take on Trump.

“The president is going to back down to you?” Sliwa said. “You think you’re the toughest guy alive, but let me tell you something, you lost your own primary, rejected by your own Democratic Party."

A second and final debate is scheduled for next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760695518655.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Former Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/andrew-cuomo">Andrew Cuomo</a>&nbsp;entered Thursday evening’s first New York mayoral debate trying to blunt Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani's momentum. Instead he spent much of the contentious face-off on defense, batting away criticisms over his long tenure in office from Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/new-york-city-mayoral-debate/667249">Click here to watch a replay </a>of the debateCuomo, now running as an independent, continued to try to cast Mamdani's agenda as too extreme, saying he lacks the experience to lead America’s biggest city. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, countered with attacks on the former governor's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and sexual harassment allegations that Cuomo denies.But after two hours that touched on how the next mayor would deal with President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, quality of life issues and affordability, it was unclear whether anyone did enough to move the needle.For Cuomo the stakes of the face-off were especially high. The debate was one of his last chances to try to convince voters that going with Mamdani, who already defeated the once-powerful governor in the primary this summer, would be a mistake. The race is also Cuomo’s attempt at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cuomo-mayor-new-york-city-mayor-1ed3ebb2c60acd53bb49bb5ee9921890">political comeback</a>&nbsp;after he resigned four years ago following the sexual harassment allegations.Mamdani, who spent much of the debate smiling as he tried to maintain the hopeful, charming persona that has characterized his campaign, pushed his affordability agenda and sought to portray himself as a pragmatic liberal rather than a radical ideologue.The race has catapulted him to national political stardom, with Republicans, including Trump, trying to turn him into the face of the Democratic Party by highlighting his most controversial past comments and positions and casting him as dangerous, a communist and an antisemite.Meanwhile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nyc-election-sliwa-mayor-mamdani-cuomo-adams-f04c137968be1e54f0f06400ef4baefb">Sliwa</a>, a Republican and the colorful creator of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group, tried to vault his underdog campaign to the fore amid calls for him to drop out. Though he could have helped Cuomo by ganging up on Mamdani, he instead spent much of his time undercutting the former governor.Incumbent Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/eric-adams">Eric Adams</a>, a Democrat, suspended his reelection campaign late last month after being deeply wounded by a now-dismissed federal corruption case and his relationship with the Trump administration.Here are some key takeaways from tonight's debate:<h2>Mamdani on defense</h2>Mamdani came under attack straight out the gate, as Cuomo highlighted the 33-year-old's relative lack of job experience and painted his agenda as unrealistic and unachievable.Cuomo, stressing his own lengthy resume, said being mayor “is no job for on-the-job training”“This is not a job for a first timer,” he said, while trying to to cast Mamdani as “Bill de Blasio light,” a reference to the unpopular former mayor.Mamdani hit back at Cuomo’s integrity and decision-making during the pandemic and repeatedly raised the sexual harassment investigation and legal bills related to his defense.“What I don’t have in experience, I make up for in integrity. What you don’t have in integrity, you can never make up for with experience,” he charged.Cuomo also sought to cast himself as the only true Democrat onstage, despite the fact that he is not running on the Democratic Party line.Mamdani's brand of economic populism and laser focus on lowering costs in the astronomically expensive city has generated buzz and excitement. At the same time, the state assemblyman's calls to raise taxes on wealthy people and intense criticisms of the Israel's military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives, as well as many Jewish New Yorkers.<h2>Mamdani pressed on past Israel comments</h2>During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-mayor-nyc-cuomo-trump-b58f8d312f8ed67b01bfb7a3a078387c">an appearance on Fox News Channel</a>&nbsp;this week, Mamdani sidestepped a question about whether Hamas should lay down arms as part of a fragile truce that has paused the two-year Israel-Hamas war.On Thursday he did not equivocate, saying, “Of course I believe that they should lay down their arms.”The comment came as Cuomo again highlighted Mamdani's past reluctance to condemn the use of the phrase “Globalize the intifada,” which is seen by many Jews as a call to violence.Since the primary Mamdani has said he does not use the phrase and would discourage people from saying it.But Sliwa said that wasn't enough. “Jews don’t trust that you are going to be there for them when they are the victims of antisemitic attacks,” he charged.Mamdani, meanwhile, accused Cuomo of failing to represent the city's Muslim community, claiming that it took losing to a Muslim candidate for Cuomo to step inside a mosque.“It took me to get you to even see Muslims as part of this city,” Mamdani said.Mamdani's walk-back comes as he has tried to distance himself from several of his more contentious past statements, such as calling the New York Police Department “racist” and “a major threat to public safety.”During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-mayor-nyc-cuomo-trump-b58f8d312f8ed67b01bfb7a3a078387c">his Fox appearance</a>, he publicly apologized for his language after doing so behind closed doors.“I am not running to defund the police. I am running to actually work with the police to deliver public safety,” he said Thursday.<h2>Trump front and center</h2>The president, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zohran-mamdani-new-york-communism-attacks-nyc-mayor-c66707800e55eb4e72b06af5e159a680">threatened to</a>&nbsp;arrest Mamdani, to deport him and even to take over the city if he wins, was invoked early and often.Pressed on how they would handle Trump, Mamdani — who walked to the debate venue at 30 Rockefeller Plaza from Trump Tower, accompanied by a brass band — said he would stand up to the president while also being willing to work with him on lowering costs and affordability.“What New Yorkers need is a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump and actually deliver,” he said.Cuomo warned that if Mamdani wins, “It will be Mayor Trump.”“I’d like to work with you. I think we could do good things together. But No. 1, I will fight you every step of the way if you try to hurt New York,” Cuomo pledged.Sliwa warned that taking too contentious a tone with Trump would end up hurting the city.“If you try to get tough with Trump,” he said, “New Yorkers will suffer.”<h2>Sliwa tries to stand out</h2>The underdog found himself caught in the middle — literally and figuratively — with the Republican’s lectern positioned between his two opponents as they lobbed attacks at one another.At one point Sliwa complained that he was not getting enough speaking time, saying, “I am being marginalized out of this.”But he often attacked Cuomo aggressively, including after the former governor stressed his willingness to take on Trump.“The president is going to back down to you?” Sliwa said. “You think you’re the toughest guy alive, but let me tell you something, you lost your own primary, rejected by your own Democratic Party."A second and final debate is scheduled for next week.

🎥 Many swings, few knockout hits in heated NYC mayoral debate

SALINE COUNTY—Police arrested a Salina FedEx employee for allegedly making a threat to 'shoot up the business.'&nbsp;

Just after 2p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to FedEx, 3450 Centennial Road in Salina about an employee who made allegedly made threat a coworker, according to a media release from Salina Police.

Prior to the report, the suspect identified as 19-year -old Trenton Fears made a threat on Monday, October 13 to a coworker when they were on the jobsite. Allegedly the coworker said something to Fears, which prompted him to make the threat.

That same day, Fears went to another coworker and told them to 'not show up to work the following day.'&nbsp;

The next day, October 14, Fears told the coworker he threatened, that he would 'shoot the facility up.'

Management then called Salina Police on Wednesday regarding the threat. Fears was not at FedEx initially, but showed up at a later time and officers immediately arrived to the scene.&nbsp;

Fears was then arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail for the requested charge of Criminal Threat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760658717901.png" alt="Fears photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Fears photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Police arrested a Salina FedEx employee for allegedly making a threat to 'shoot up the business.'&nbsp;Just after 2p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to FedEx, 3450 Centennial Road in Salina about an employee who made allegedly made threat a coworker, according to a media release from Salina Police.Prior to the report, the suspect identified as 19-year -old Trenton Fears made a threat on Monday, October 13 to a coworker when they were on the jobsite. Allegedly the coworker said something to Fears, which prompted him to make the threat.That same day, Fears went to another coworker and told them to 'not show up to work the following day.'&nbsp;The next day, October 14, Fears told the coworker he threatened, that he would 'shoot the facility up.'Management then called Salina Police on Wednesday regarding the threat. Fears was not at FedEx initially, but showed up at a later time and officers immediately arrived to the scene.&nbsp;Fears was then arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail for the requested charge of Criminal Threat.

Kansas man accused of threat of violence to work place

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a double murder at a mobile home park in 2021.

On October 10, Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced 35-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Steven Fessenden to 188 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In Augus, Fessenden pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.&nbsp;

On April 24,&nbsp; 2021 sheriff's deputies were sent to a check shots call at the Englewood mobile home park located at 3201 E MacArthur in Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

While responding, deputies received information that a man and woman were inside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds.

When deputies arrived, they had to force entry to the home. Inside the home, they located 42-year-old Nathan Brock and 41-year-old Trisha Benjamin deceased, according to Blick.

On April 26,&nbsp;Sedgwick County Sheriff’s detectives arrested and booked&nbsp; Fessenden of Wichita for the murder. He was not charged in the crime.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Fessenden a second time in connection to the deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619305057074.png" alt="Police tape near the fatal shooting investigation in April 2021 -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police tape near the fatal shooting investigation in April 2021 -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a double murder at a mobile home park in 2021.On October 10, Judge Sean Hatfield sentenced 35-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Steven Fessenden to 188 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666976072271.png" alt="Fessenden photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Fessenden photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>In Augus, Fessenden pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.&nbsp;On April 24,&nbsp; 2021 sheriff's deputies were sent to a check shots call at the Englewood mobile home park located at 3201 E MacArthur in Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.While responding, deputies received information that a man and woman were inside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds.When deputies arrived, they had to force entry to the home. Inside the home, they located 42-year-old Nathan Brock and 41-year-old Trisha Benjamin deceased, according to Blick.On April 26,&nbsp;Sedgwick County Sheriff’s detectives arrested and booked&nbsp; Fessenden of Wichita for the murder. He was not charged in the crime.Sheriff’s deputies arrested Fessenden a second time in connection to the deaths.

Man going to prison for Kansas double-murder

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement investigating a fatal drug overdose have made an arrest.

Just before 8a.m. on&nbsp;September 14, police responded to the report of a deceased 15-year-old juvenile in Wichita, according to a media release from police. The investigation determined the death to be the result of a drug overdose.

Since then, Wichita police overdose analyst have been working to pursue justice and ensure accountability for the people responsible for this senseless death.&nbsp;

Just after 5:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;K-9 officers arrested a 24-year-old man identified according to booking records as Issac L. Hord, in connection with this case.&nbsp; Just before 8:30p.m. he was booked into the Sedgwick Count Jail, according to online jail records.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760610637070.png" alt="Hord photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hord photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement investigating a fatal drug overdose have made an arrest.Just before 8a.m. on&nbsp;September 14, police responded to the report of a deceased 15-year-old juvenile in Wichita, according to a media release from police. The investigation determined the death to be the result of a drug overdose.Since then, Wichita police overdose analyst have been working to pursue justice and ensure accountability for the people responsible for this senseless death.&nbsp;Just after 5:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;K-9 officers arrested a 24-year-old man identified according to booking records as Issac L. Hord, in connection with this case.&nbsp; Just before 8:30p.m. he was booked into the Sedgwick Count Jail, according to online jail records.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration.

Police: Kan. man jailed after 15-year-old found dead of drug overdose

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect arrested in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video this week in Wichita is being held on multiple allegations including a hold for Immigration and Custom Enforcement, according to online jail records.

Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested&nbsp;22-year-old Daniel T. Espitia Guevara in relation to the doorbell surveillance case, according to a media release.

At 10:38p.m. police booked him into Sedgwick County jail where he is being held without bond on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery, criminal restraint and hold for ICE, according to online jail records.

Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify in the case. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview.

Investigators identified the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. At this stage of the investigation, police believe this incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760555163921.png" alt="ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect arrested in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video this week in Wichita is being held on multiple allegations including a hold for Immigration and Custom Enforcement, according to online jail records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760408562025.png" alt="Image from doorbell camera of the alleged crime- Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Image from doorbell camera of the alleged crime- Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested&nbsp;22-year-old Daniel T. Espitia Guevara in relation to the doorbell surveillance case, according to a media release.At 10:38p.m. police booked him into Sedgwick County jail where he is being held without bond on requested charges of&nbsp;Aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery, criminal restraint and hold for ICE, according to online jail records.Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify in the case. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview.Investigators identified the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. At this stage of the investigation, police believe this incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.

Suspect in Kan. door camera abduction video wanted by ICE

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting have made a second arrest.

Just after 11:30pm.&nbsp; July 6, police responded to a local hospital in reference to a victim suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. A short time later, the victim identified as Destiny Voss, 28, of Topeka, succumbed to his injuries.

Through the investigation, police identified a suspect and on August 6, arrested Avant Chambers, 18 of Topeka. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the First Degree and distribute certain depressants.

On Tuesday, police arrested Aaron K. Hurla, 18, Topeka, and took him to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections where he was booked on requested charges of Murder in the First Degree.

Police determined that the incident occurred in the 3200 block of SW Randolph in Topeka. This is the city’s 9th homicide investigation of 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760557283570.png" alt="Chambers photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Chambers photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting have made a second arrest.Just after 11:30pm.&nbsp; July 6, police responded to a local hospital in reference to a victim suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. A short time later, the victim identified as Destiny Voss, 28, of Topeka, succumbed to his injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760557455144.png" alt="Hurla photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hurla photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Through the investigation, police identified a suspect and on August 6, arrested Avant Chambers, 18 of Topeka. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the First Degree and distribute certain depressants.On Tuesday, police arrested Aaron K. Hurla, 18, Topeka, and took him to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections where he was booked on requested charges of Murder in the First Degree.Police determined that the incident occurred in the 3200 block of SW Randolph in Topeka. This is the city’s 9th homicide investigation of 2025.

Police: Second Kansas teen jailed for man's murder

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 10p.m. October 13, a Brown County deputy on routine patrol initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 75 highway near 160th in rural Brown County, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

The deputy made contact with the driver identified as 39-year-old Diego Juarez of Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; The deputy discovered that he did not possess a&nbsp; valid drivers license.&nbsp; Juarez was arrested on a charge of Driving While Cancelled, Restricted or Revoked. While in the Brown County jail it was learned that Department of HomelandSecurity had a detainer on Juarez and he was&nbsp; released to DHS the next morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760559426211.png" alt="Juarez photo Brown County" />
 <figcaption>Juarez photo Brown County</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 10p.m. October 13, a Brown County deputy on routine patrol initiated a traffic stop on U.S. 75 highway near 160th in rural Brown County, according to Sheriff John Merchant.The deputy made contact with the driver identified as 39-year-old Diego Juarez of Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; The deputy discovered that he did not possess a&nbsp; valid drivers license.&nbsp; Juarez was arrested on a charge of Driving While Cancelled, Restricted or Revoked. While in the Brown County jail it was learned that Department of HomelandSecurity had a detainer on Juarez and he was&nbsp; released to DHS the next morning.

Sheriff: Man deported after Kansas traffic stop arrest

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two suspects accused of shooting at police after a traffic stop will be in court Wednesday.

Jose Alfonso Morones, 19, and 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Torres will appear in Judge William Wolley's courtroom for an arraignment hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

They are charged aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen property, flee or attempt to elude, criminal carrying of a weapon, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to online jail records.

Law enforcement are investigating three suspects in connection with a shots fired at police after a traffic stop.

On February 2, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white Chrysler 300 in the area of 24th and Rosenthal in Wichita, according to Office Kris Gupilan. During the stop, the occupants of the Chrysler fired shots at the officers, prompting the officers to initiate a pursuit as the vehicle fled at high speed.

The chase ended after a brief pursuit when the driver lost control of the car in the 300 block of N. Piatt in Wichita.

The occupants of the vehicle ran and officers quickly established a perimeter. Patrol officers, K9 units, and the Wichita Police Drone team responded to the scene and successfully apprehended four individuals. During the investigation, officers located a Draco AK-style pistol.

Investigators interviewed the suspects, leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Morones,&nbsp;Rodriguez-Torres and a and a 17-year-old boy all from Wichita.&nbsp; Morones remains in custody,&nbsp;Rodriguez-Torres has been out on bond since February 19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738600967020.png" alt="MORONES photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>MORONES photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two suspects accused of shooting at police after a traffic stop will be in court Wednesday.Jose Alfonso Morones, 19, and 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Torres will appear in Judge William Wolley's courtroom for an arraignment hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.They are charged aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, possession of stolen property, flee or attempt to elude, criminal carrying of a weapon, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to online jail records.Law enforcement are investigating three suspects in connection with a shots fired at police after a traffic stop.On February 2, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white Chrysler 300 in the area of 24th and Rosenthal in Wichita, according to Office Kris Gupilan. During the stop, the occupants of the Chrysler fired shots at the officers, prompting the officers to initiate a pursuit as the vehicle fled at high speed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738600883637.png" alt="RODRIGUEZ-TORRES photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>RODRIGUEZ-TORRES photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>The chase ended after a brief pursuit when the driver lost control of the car in the 300 block of N. Piatt in Wichita.The occupants of the vehicle ran and officers quickly established a perimeter. Patrol officers, K9 units, and the Wichita Police Drone team responded to the scene and successfully apprehended four individuals. During the investigation, officers located a Draco AK-style pistol.Investigators interviewed the suspects, leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Morones,&nbsp;Rodriguez-Torres and a and a 17-year-old boy all from Wichita.&nbsp; Morones remains in custody,&nbsp;Rodriguez-Torres has been out on bond since February 19.

Arraignment hearing: Suspects fired shots at Kan. officers during traffic stop

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video this week in Wichita have made an arrest.&nbsp;

Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested a 22-year-old man in relation to the doorbell surveillance case, according to a media release.

He has been booked into Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Battery Strangulation, Two counts of Domestic Simple Battery, and Criminal Restraint.&nbsp;

Investigators are conducting interviews and have identified the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. At this stage of the investigation, police believe this incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman does not have any significant injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760408562025.png" alt="Image from Wichita police door camera video" />
 <figcaption>Image from Wichita police door camera video</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video this week in Wichita have made an arrest.&nbsp;Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested a 22-year-old man in relation to the doorbell surveillance case, according to a media release.He has been booked into Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Battery Strangulation, Two counts of Domestic Simple Battery, and Criminal Restraint.&nbsp;Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify in the case. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview.Investigators are conducting interviews and have identified the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. At this stage of the investigation, police believe this incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman does not have any significant injuries.

Police make arrest in Kan. door camera abduction video

SEDGWICK COUNTY – On October 14, 2025, Investigators with the Wichita Police Department arrested a 15-year-old suspect for the shooting of a 30-year-old man after he was found burglarizing the victim’s car. 

The suspect was released from the hospital and booked into the Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Facility on charges of Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery, Burglary to Auto, and Juvenile in Possession of a Firearm.

This case has now been formally charged. All further inquiries should be directed to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Family and friends are working to raise funds for a Kansas teacher wounded in a shooting Saturday night in Wichita.

Officers responded to the&nbsp;400 block of South Vassar and found two male victims 30-year-old Kevin Norfleet, who teaches at Maize High School and a 15-year-old both suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. EMS transported both to a local hospital where they remain in critical condition.

Investigators learned Norfleet, identified from an online fundraiser, went outside after seeing the 15-year-old rummaging through his vehicle. The 15-year-old then fired a weapon, striking Norfleet. He returned fire, hitting the 15-year-old.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/donations-for-kevin-norfleet-and-family">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the online fundraiser that provides more details on the incident. "Kevin is a beloved husband, father, and son. He's a high school teacher here in town and is loved by so many."

"On Saturday night, September 27th, Kevin was shot multiple times by someone attempting to break into his car at his home in Wichita."

"Kevin is receiving excellent care in a surgical intensive care unit in town. There have been multiple surgeries already performed to save his life and more surgery ahead once he is more stable. His doctors say it will be weeks before he leaves the hospital, and even longer before he can go home to his wife and son, as he'll need extensive rehab."

"All funds raised here will go directly to his wife and son, to support them through this time and especially to pay future medical bills, which are sure to be astronomical. Any help is truly appreciated."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759228557815.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY – On October 14, 2025, Investigators with the Wichita Police Department arrested a 15-year-old suspect for the shooting of a 30-year-old man after he was found burglarizing the victim’s car. The suspect was released from the hospital and booked into the Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Facility on charges of Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery, Burglary to Auto, and Juvenile in Possession of a Firearm.This case has now been formally charged. All further inquiries should be directed to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.SEDGWICK COUNTY — Family and friends are working to raise funds for a Kansas teacher wounded in a shooting Saturday night in Wichita.Officers responded to the&nbsp;400 block of South Vassar and found two male victims 30-year-old Kevin Norfleet, who teaches at Maize High School and a 15-year-old both suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. EMS transported both to a local hospital where they remain in critical condition.Investigators learned Norfleet, identified from an online fundraiser, went outside after seeing the 15-year-old rummaging through his vehicle. The 15-year-old then fired a weapon, striking Norfleet. He returned fire, hitting the 15-year-old.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/donations-for-kevin-norfleet-and-family">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the online fundraiser that provides more details on the incident. "Kevin is a beloved husband, father, and son. He's a high school teacher here in town and is loved by so many.""On Saturday night, September 27th, Kevin was shot multiple times by someone attempting to break into his car at his home in Wichita.""Kevin is receiving excellent care in a surgical intensive care unit in town. There have been multiple surgeries already performed to save his life and more surgery ahead once he is more stable. His doctors say it will be weeks before he leaves the hospital, and even longer before he can go home to his wife and son, as he'll need extensive rehab.""All funds raised here will go directly to his wife and son, to support them through this time and especially to pay future medical bills, which are sure to be astronomical. Any help is truly appreciated."

15-year-old Kan. burglary suspect, wounded in gunfight, moved from hospital

CAIRO (AP) — As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Gaza ceasefire</a>&nbsp;holds, Hamas security forces have returned to the streets, clashed with armed groups and killed alleged gangsters in what the militant group says is an attempt to restore law and order in areas where Israeli troops have withdrawn.

The show of force, welcomed by some Palestinians after months of lawlessness, could threaten the truce now that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-hostage-release-9878d227949f0521fcf548a6fae3c1ca">all the living hostages</a>&nbsp;taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack have been released.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the war will not end until Hamas has been dismantled, and U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-peace-plan-ce2e84de8aa5fd308fe751ae9c3118e8">President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan</a>&nbsp;calls for Hamas to disarm and hand power over to an internationally supervised body that has yet to be formed.

Hamas has not fully accepted those terms, saying more negotiations are needed. It says it is willing to hand over power to other Palestinians but will not allow chaos to prevail during the transition. Israelis fear that as long as Hamas is armed, it will exercise influence in Gaza —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-offensive-militants-ceasefire-41baad28c5fbbfa76755238149d7bc78">and could rebuild its military capabilities</a>&nbsp;— even if an independent body exercises nominal rule.

Trump said Tuesday that Hamas had taken out “a couple of gangs that were very bad,” and killed a number of gang members. “That didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you,” he said.

But he reiterated his demand for Hamas to lay down its arms, saying: “They will disarm, and if they don’t do so, we will disarm them, and it’ll happen quickly and perhaps violently.”

The Hamas-run police maintained a high degree of public security after the militants seized power in Gaza 18 years ago while also cracking down on dissent. They largely melted away in recent months as Israeli forces seized large areas of Gaza and targeted Hamas security forces with airstrikes.

Powerful local families and armed gangs —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-palestinian-clans-activated-armed-8f2461f5253550d0a4ce4ea661c580ef">including some anti-Hamas factions backed by Israel</a>&nbsp;— stepped into the void.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-aid-un-ghf-567c5bffd5d7ae4cc54ea0816a159f8f">Many are accused</a>&nbsp;of hijacking humanitarian aid and selling it for profit, contributing to Gaza’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-children-starvation-israel-netanyahu-0549e843c24fe7f20f1e7ce085502450">starvation crisis</a>.

Nahed Sheheiber, head of Gaza’s private truckers union, said Hamas was acting against gangs that had terrorized people in areas controlled by Israel.

“Those gangs looted aid and killed people under the protection of the (Israeli) occupation,” he told The Associated Press, saying they operated in so-called red zones where Israel had ordered people to evacuate. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment.

Over the weekend, Hamas-led fighters clashed with an armed group in Gaza City affiliated with the powerful Doghmush family after the killing of Mohammed Aqel, a Hamas militant, on Friday.

Aqel’s family said in a statement that militiamen had kidnapped him, robbed him and killed him. Another family, the al-Muqaid, said the gang ambushed five of its members when they returned to their homes and robbed them, killing one and leaving another in intensive care.

Residents of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of security concerns, said the gang, led by Hussam Doghmush, was known to loot aid convoys and rob abandoned homes in areas controlled by the Israeli military. They said Doghmush was among some two dozen people killed in the clashes with Hamas, including a local journalist and a son of a senior Hamas official based outside Gaza.

Hamas-linked Telegram channels said Hamas had targeted “collaborators and traitors” working with Israel. The Hamas-run Sahm security force, which says it targets looters and other criminals, shared footage that appeared to show its forces killing eight people execution-style in the streets as people cheered. It said the detainees were gangsters.

The Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights denounced the extrajudicial killings by Hamas.

The Doghmush family initially denounced the gang and distanced itself from it. Two days later, it issued another statement condemning Hamas’ response, saying there was no need for “this brutality.”

Saeed Abu Elaish, a medic from the northern Jabaliya refugee camp who fled to central Gaza last month, said he had seen police return to the streets and welcomed it as a first step toward restoring “some kind of normalcy and safety” after two years of ruinous war.

Netanyahu has hinted he will resume military operations if Hamas is not disarmed peacefully.

The Hamas-run Interior Ministry has announced a weeklong amnesty, saying gang members not implicated in bloodshed can turn themselves in and have their records expunged. Those who do not will face arrest and prosecution, it said.

“No one will be allowed to undermine public security or the rights of citizens,” the ministry said in a statement, calling it a “a final warning.”

Hossam al-Astal, the leader of an anti-Hamas militia in southern Gaza with apparent links to Israel, rejected the warning.

“To all the Hamas rats, your tunnels are destroyed, your rights don’t exist anymore. Repent before it is too late — there is no Hamas from today onward,” he wrote on Facebook.

Al-Astal who was imprisoned by Hamas before the war on allegations of drug smuggling, established an armed group late last year that operates in areas controlled by Israel. He appears to have joined forces with Yasser Abu Shabab, who leads a similar armed group in the Israeli-controlled southern city of Rafah that has a history of looting aid convoys.

Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-armed-groups-hamas-israel-looting-b3033fd46a25a6382c8e13d3b4ae7f42">has acknowledged supporting Abu Shabab and others</a>&nbsp;opposed to Hamas, while denying any involvement in the looting of aid.

The presence of such groups could complicate talks over Hamas’ disarmament. The militants have expressed willingness to hand over offensive weapons like rockets to a Palestinian or Arab body but say they need lighter weapons like assault rifles to defend themselves, according to Arab officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive ceasefire talks.

CAIRO (AP) — As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Gaza ceasefire</a>&nbsp;holds, Hamas security forces have returned to the streets, clashed with armed groups and killed alleged gangsters in what the militant group says is an attempt to restore law and order in areas where Israeli troops have withdrawn.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump on Hamas: &quot;If they don&#39;t disarm, we will disarm them.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/YMEQRcpxjd">pic.twitter.com/YMEQRcpxjd</a>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1978165569670054001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The show of force, welcomed by some Palestinians after months of lawlessness, could threaten the truce now that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-hostage-release-9878d227949f0521fcf548a6fae3c1ca">all the living hostages</a>&nbsp;taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack have been released.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the war will not end until Hamas has been dismantled, and U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-palestinians-peace-plan-ce2e84de8aa5fd308fe751ae9c3118e8">President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan</a>&nbsp;calls for Hamas to disarm and hand power over to an internationally supervised body that has yet to be formed.Hamas has not fully accepted those terms, saying more negotiations are needed. It says it is willing to hand over power to other Palestinians but will not allow chaos to prevail during the transition. Israelis fear that as long as Hamas is armed, it will exercise influence in Gaza —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-offensive-militants-ceasefire-41baad28c5fbbfa76755238149d7bc78">and could rebuild its military capabilities</a>&nbsp;— even if an independent body exercises nominal rule.Trump said Tuesday that Hamas had taken out “a couple of gangs that were very bad,” and killed a number of gang members. “That didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you,” he said.But he reiterated his demand for Hamas to lay down its arms, saying: “They will disarm, and if they don’t do so, we will disarm them, and it’ll happen quickly and perhaps violently.”<h2>Breakdown in security</h2>The Hamas-run police maintained a high degree of public security after the militants seized power in Gaza 18 years ago while also cracking down on dissent. They largely melted away in recent months as Israeli forces seized large areas of Gaza and targeted Hamas security forces with airstrikes.Powerful local families and armed gangs —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-palestinian-clans-activated-armed-8f2461f5253550d0a4ce4ea661c580ef">including some anti-Hamas factions backed by Israel</a>&nbsp;— stepped into the void.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-aid-un-ghf-567c5bffd5d7ae4cc54ea0816a159f8f">Many are accused</a>&nbsp;of hijacking humanitarian aid and selling it for profit, contributing to Gaza’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-children-starvation-israel-netanyahu-0549e843c24fe7f20f1e7ce085502450">starvation crisis</a>.Nahed Sheheiber, head of Gaza’s private truckers union, said Hamas was acting against gangs that had terrorized people in areas controlled by Israel.“Those gangs looted aid and killed people under the protection of the (Israeli) occupation,” he told The Associated Press, saying they operated in so-called red zones where Israel had ordered people to evacuate. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment.Over the weekend, Hamas-led fighters clashed with an armed group in Gaza City affiliated with the powerful Doghmush family after the killing of Mohammed Aqel, a Hamas militant, on Friday.Aqel’s family said in a statement that militiamen had kidnapped him, robbed him and killed him. Another family, the al-Muqaid, said the gang ambushed five of its members when they returned to their homes and robbed them, killing one and leaving another in intensive care.Residents of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of security concerns, said the gang, led by Hussam Doghmush, was known to loot aid convoys and rob abandoned homes in areas controlled by the Israeli military. They said Doghmush was among some two dozen people killed in the clashes with Hamas, including a local journalist and a son of a senior Hamas official based outside Gaza.Hamas-linked Telegram channels said Hamas had targeted “collaborators and traitors” working with Israel. The Hamas-run Sahm security force, which says it targets looters and other criminals, shared footage that appeared to show its forces killing eight people execution-style in the streets as people cheered. It said the detainees were gangsters.The Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights denounced the extrajudicial killings by Hamas.The Doghmush family initially denounced the gang and distanced itself from it. Two days later, it issued another statement condemning Hamas’ response, saying there was no need for “this brutality.”<h2>A first step toward normalcy</h2>Saeed Abu Elaish, a medic from the northern Jabaliya refugee camp who fled to central Gaza last month, said he had seen police return to the streets and welcomed it as a first step toward restoring “some kind of normalcy and safety” after two years of ruinous war.Netanyahu has hinted he will resume military operations if Hamas is not disarmed peacefully.The Hamas-run Interior Ministry has announced a weeklong amnesty, saying gang members not implicated in bloodshed can turn themselves in and have their records expunged. Those who do not will face arrest and prosecution, it said.“No one will be allowed to undermine public security or the rights of citizens,” the ministry said in a statement, calling it a “a final warning.”Hossam al-Astal, the leader of an anti-Hamas militia in southern Gaza with apparent links to Israel, rejected the warning.“To all the Hamas rats, your tunnels are destroyed, your rights don’t exist anymore. Repent before it is too late — there is no Hamas from today onward,” he wrote on Facebook.Al-Astal who was imprisoned by Hamas before the war on allegations of drug smuggling, established an armed group late last year that operates in areas controlled by Israel. He appears to have joined forces with Yasser Abu Shabab, who leads a similar armed group in the Israeli-controlled southern city of Rafah that has a history of looting aid convoys.Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-armed-groups-hamas-israel-looting-b3033fd46a25a6382c8e13d3b4ae7f42">has acknowledged supporting Abu Shabab and others</a>&nbsp;opposed to Hamas, while denying any involvement in the looting of aid.The presence of such groups could complicate talks over Hamas’ disarmament. The militants have expressed willingness to hand over offensive weapons like rockets to a Palestinian or Arab body but say they need lighter weapons like assault rifles to defend themselves, according to Arab officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive ceasefire talks.___Krauss reported from Ottawa, Ontario.

🎥Trump: Hamas will disarm, or ‘we will disarm them’

Junction City police responded to an incident in the 800 block of South Washington Street at 7:23 pm Tuesday.

Initial reports suggested the incident was a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple individuals with various injuries. Three people were transported to the Stormont Vail Flint Hills Health Campus and treated for injuries that ranged from blunt force trauma to stab wounds. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

Through the course of the investigation, officers determined that no firearm was involved in the incident. Based on evidence and witness statements gathered at the scene, Jesse Bailey III, a 27-year-old man from Junction City, was arrested on a requested charge of Aggravated Battery in connection with the altercation.

All individuals involved in the disturbance have been identified and contacted. The identities of the other two people involved are not being released at this time. There is no ongoing threat to the community. The investigation remains active as officers continue to review evidence and follow up on leads.

Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Junction City Police Department at (785) 762-5912 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (785) 762-8477.

Junction City police say they responded to the 800 block of South Washington at 7:23 p.m. Tuesday for what they call an ongoing physical disturbance.

Upon arrival they found multiple people who had sustained injuries. Several people were transported to the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills campus for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

At this time police say there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public. The investigation continues as officers gather information and interview those involved.

JCPDUPDATE:Junction City police responded to an incident in the 800 block of South Washington Street at 7:23 pm Tuesday.Initial reports suggested the incident was a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple individuals with various injuries. Three people were transported to the Stormont Vail Flint Hills Health Campus and treated for injuries that ranged from blunt force trauma to stab wounds. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.Through the course of the investigation, officers determined that no firearm was involved in the incident. Based on evidence and witness statements gathered at the scene, Jesse Bailey III, a 27-year-old man from Junction City, was arrested on a requested charge of Aggravated Battery in connection with the altercation.All individuals involved in the disturbance have been identified and contacted. The identities of the other two people involved are not being released at this time. There is no ongoing threat to the community. The investigation remains active as officers continue to review evidence and follow up on leads.Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Junction City Police Department at (785) 762-5912 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (785) 762-8477.&nbsp;----Junction City police say they responded to the 800 block of South Washington at 7:23 p.m. Tuesday for what they call an ongoing physical disturbance.Upon arrival they found multiple people who had sustained injuries. Several people were transported to the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills campus for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.At this time police say there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public. The investigation continues as officers gather information and interview those involved.