HUTCHINSON — A local veterans organization is working to bring transitional housing to South Hutchinson with a new project called Patriot Village, designed to provide safe, stable housing for veterans facing homelessness or hardship.

KS for Vets Treasurer Curtis Jefferies and President Danielle Stifler shared details on the BW Morning Show, noting that the group currently has a quarter-acre lot in South Hutch being held by Interfaith Housing while paperwork is finalized for nonprofit status. The plan calls for eight duplexes and a community center, providing housing for up to 16 veterans, with both short-term and long-term residency options.

“We’re hoping to give veterans a stable place where they can get their life back together,” Jefferies said.

Patriot Village will operate as its own nonprofit, separate from KS for Vets, and will rely heavily on volunteer labor and community support. The group expects to hire only one paid staff member, with the rest of the work completed by volunteers — including help with construction once the shell buildings are in place.

Donations can be made by check and earmarked specifically for “Patriot Village,” Jefferies said, and recent fundraisers — including contributions from Stage 9 and the Moose Lodge — have already begun building support.

The organization hopes to have nonprofit paperwork completed by early 2026, with a goal of opening the first duplexes by the end of next year.

The next KS for Vets meeting is set for Friday, Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hutchinson Community College Student Union, and is open to the public with lunch provided.

“We wouldn’t be anywhere if we didn’t have help,” Jefferies said. “This community is making this happen.”

KS4Vets planning 'Patriot Village' housing project for local veterans

KINGMAN COUNTY —One person died in an accident Sunday in Kingman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Chevy Camaro driven by Taylor R.&nbsp;Goldsmith, 32, Cheney, was eastbound on Southeast 20 Street three and one half miles west of Cheney.

The car traveled off the the roadway to the right, returned to the the road, traveled off the road to the left into the north ditch and rolled.

Goldsmith was p ronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Wulf-Ast Mortuary. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP. The time the accident occurred is unknown and still under investigation.

Kansas man dies in car rollover accident

Kansas wheat farmers gathered last week for a joint board meeting between the Kansas Wheat Commission (KWC) and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG). Per usual, farmer board members shared crop progress updates on how wheat drilling and fall harvest are progressing in their areas.

Each member shared local conditions and insights on planting progress, early stand development and fall harvest results. Their discussion offered a timely, farmer-led perspective on the state of the wheat crop during a fall marked by unseasonable rains, variable planting windows and shifting markets.

On October 30, the Kansas Wheat boards met jointly to review producer-led research, policy priorities and educational outreach. The collaboration connects the statewide mission of Kansas Wheat with local voices, ensuring Kansas farmers are represented both in Topeka and in global trade conversations. Last week’s meeting also marked a shift from the dry falls of recent years, as many producers finally worked with moisture instead of managing without it.

In southwest Kansas, rains delayed planting but left fields in good condition going into winter.

“Our wheat went in about ten days later than normal,” said Gary Millershaski of Lakin, past chairman of the Kansas Wheat Commission. “We’ve got good stands everywhere, just not as much growth, and with it cold right now, we’ll see what happens.”

Millershaski said acres are “down just a little” as some growers are rotating more toward row crops rather than fallow. “We’ve had good moisture going in,” said Millershaski. “It’s been a long time since we could say that.”

In Northwest Kansas, farmers faced pest pressure early but are finishing the fall with confidence.&nbsp;

“We had a little bit of a challenge with armyworms this year,” said Chris Tanner of Norton, KAWG president. “We did a really good job controlling volunteer wheat for the most part, and the August rains made a huge difference.” Tanner said wheat acres may be “down slightly” because of price instability, but praised this year’s yield potential.

In south central Kansas, producers experienced a season of extremes.&nbsp;

“It’s been a struggle,” said Derek Sawyer of McPherson, KWC Chairman. “We’ve had rain, a mix of volunteer and newly planted wheat and a frost last night. Acreage is about even, maybe a little down.”

Sawyer warned that disease pressure could still develop. “There’s potential for a bad WSMV year in some spots,” said Sawyer. “But the stands that made it look really good right now.”

Martin Kerschen from Garden Plain reported that rain has delayed fall harvest, so wheat planted behind fall crops has yet to be completed. He said about one third is up and ready for grazing, about one third has just emerged and another third is not planted yet.

“We’re about 80 percent done with fall harvest,” said Doug Keesling of Chase. “Milo actually out-yielded corn for many farmers, which was a surprise after a tough summer.”

Keesling said wheat acres are “flat to slightly down,” with most of the crop already emerged and ready for cattle turnout.&nbsp;

“We’ve got good stands and decent moisture,” said Keesling. “The only real concern right now is volunteer wheat from neighbors’ fields. The potential is there for a problem if it isn’t controlled.”

Stay up to date on crop conditions and management resources at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001q1n6LAEFuVQPALJMWBJoEIILBH2pT4WEaLuS8wDDZ7hMvfySVlAsT7Aru03AxzDZNbbL8j8etr0O2n0MMEwmYW42NXwwJMTN3Q8q50-wnDiY8sXbdkyjrCD242r0XtJspbGZN4YSKuaVKwNUUdBLKQ==&amp;c=41iUpw6XpBAV0sqiWqo9mbmH2qTkwA0bI1LbPKMSey0z84_XPbHvIw==&amp;ch=T70FjXnFLQVl8SaC_DwKYe2a3eu6VJAfUr8VrWLQsKG6tZIuSptQ3w==">kswheat.com</a>.

Wheat Scoop: Kansas wheat growers share wheat outlook

SEDGWICK COUNTY—The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal car-pedestrian crash that occurred early Sunday morning near Kansas 15 Highway and MacArthur Road in Sedgwick County.

Just after 12:30 a.m., a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy came upon a collision on southbound Kansas 15 Highway just south of MacArthur, according to Sheriff's Department Spokesman Branden Stitt.

The deputy located a 33-year-old Newton man with critical injuries after being struck by a car. The deputy immediately began life-saving measures while Sedgwick County EMS and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 responded to the scene. The victim was transported by EMS to a Wichita hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a Toyota Camry driven by a 22-year-old Wichita woman was traveling south on Kansas 15 when it struck the man, who was in the roadway. The man was not in a crosswalk, and the reason he was in the roadway remains under investigation.

The driver stopped immediately after the collision. Speed and impairment are not suspected on the part of the driver, according to Stitt.

This incident remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Team.

Sheriff: Kansas man struck by a car and killed 

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Charles	Wayne	Clapper	11/15/2025 6:09&nbsp;PM&nbsp;Failure to Appear

Derek	Jose	Jaquez	11/15/2025 6:55&nbsp;AM&nbsp;Probation Violation

Jerod	Ronald	Neumayer	11/16/2025 3:33&nbsp;AM	Criminal Discharge of a Firearm; Discharge Firearm upon land/water without permission of Owner

				Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm in a City

Treston	Donte	Harris	11/16/2025 4:52&nbsp;AM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,				Agg endangering a child; unknown circumstance,				DUI;1st; incapable of safely driving;child present, Poss of marijuana, Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Daily Bookings

HUTCHINSON/RENO COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber is pleased to present the November Small Business of the Month Award to Acoustic Contracting Inc., owned and founded by Larry Kucharo.

Larry’s path to business ownership didn’t start with blueprints and tools — it started at Wichita State University, where he was studying business. But he soon realized he liked&nbsp;working with his hands&nbsp;a whole lot more than sitting behind a desk. So he enrolled in a carpentry apprenticeship program — and, in true Larry fashion, finished the four-year program in just two and a half years. That determination and drive have defined his entire career.

After working for a contractor in Wichita for several years, the company went out of business — and instead of letting that stop him, Larry took it as a sign to start his own. He launched a specialty ceiling company that quickly made a name for itself for top-quality workmanship and reliability.

Fast forward 38 years, and Acoustic Contracting Inc. has grown from a three-person team into a respected business serving clients across Kansas, with offices and warehouses in both Wichita and Hutchinson.

Now, Larry will tell you — he never thought his Wichita-based company would one day be&nbsp;run out of Hutchinson. But love has a funny way of changing your plans. When he married his wife, Lynn, who already lived here, he followed his heart — and, eventually, his business followed too. And Hutchinson has been all the better for it.

Acoustic Contracting specializes in designing and installing systems that make spaces sound as good as they look — from schools and offices to hospitals, churches, and auditoriums. Their reputation is so strong that they’re often called in to fix other companies’ work. Larry and his crew take pride in doing things right the first time, standing by their work, and never cutting corners.

But beyond the craftsmanship, Larry has built a&nbsp;family&nbsp;within his company. His superintendent has been with him for over 20 years, and his crew works together like a well-oiled machine — or maybe more like a family that actually enjoys spending time together. They have company lake days, bowling nights, and even anniversary trips for a job well done. Larry believes that keeping employees happy at work&nbsp;and&nbsp;at home is what makes a business truly successful.

And when it comes to community involvement — well, Larry sets the gold standard. He’s one of those people who says “yes” whenever the community calls. Acoustic Contracting has donated time, labor, and materials to organizations like The Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, BrightHouse, First Call for Help, TECH, The Lord’s Diner, Central Christian School, and the Cancer Council of Reno County, just to name a few.

He’s volunteered for tornado cleanups, supported fundraisers, and contributed to countless local causes in both Hutchinson and Wichita. And of course, he’s a familiar face at Chamber events — always ready to lend a hand, or a drill, or just a good laugh when things get hectic.

Larry often says that he never imagined a “big-city guy” like him would end up calling Hutchinson home — but marrying Lynn and planting roots here turned out to be one of the best decisions of his life. He’s built not just a thriving business, but a true sense of belonging.

So please join us in congratulating Larry Kucharo and Acoustic Contracting Inc. on being named our November Small Business of the Month!

Acoustic Contracting, Inc named chamber's Small Business of the Month

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day weather outlook

In this edition, Dave talks to a mother of two about the nuts and bolts of his commission vs. allowance idea when teaching kids about money.

I’m trying to wrap my head around your commission method of giving money to kids. We have an 11-year-old and a 16-year-old. Should they have individual lists of tasks, or should there be one big list they both work from on a first-come, first-served basis? 

Also, should giving, spending and saving be a mandatory part of the commission structure? Is there a time when children should age out of the commission structure?

I really like the “age out” part of your question. So, let’s look at the entire scenario as an evolution. For starters, you should teach kids to work and manage money early, but at an age-appropriate level. 

We don’t send 3-year-olds to the salt mines. We&nbsp;might&nbsp;send a 16-year-old there ... I’m kidding, of course. But it’s not unfair to expect more of a 16-year-old and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/relationships/how-to-teach-kids-about-money">teach them</a>&nbsp;with more sophistication and detail than you would a preschooler.

If you tell a 3-year-old to clean up their room, those of us who have had kids that age know the child will put away two or three toys — and you’ll do 90% of the actual work. Then, the kid gets lots of high-fives and praise for being the best room-cleaner on the planet. Oh, and here’s a dollar for doing one of your chores.

The point at that age is to teach them to make an emotional connection between work and money. Work creates money. It’s a simple concept, but I still talk to folks in their 40s and 50s every day who can’t seem to grasp the idea. After that, you can move on to things that are a little more complicated. 

You have to clean the room yourself. It’s your turn to feed the dog. And tasks get a little bigger, and little more complicated. This is a great time to introduce them to the uses for money — I’m talking about giving, saving and spending — and how to do all three.

By the time they’re 16 or so, they should know enough about money and how to handle it properly that you can help them open their own checking and savings accounts. Cosign on the accounts for them, and as they begin making more money through things like after school and summer jobs, they can practice managing their finances on a different level with parental oversight.

But the real point behind the commission structure is this: If you do the work, you get paid. If you&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;do the work, you&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;get paid. When they’re younger, and maybe don’t want to do a job here and there, that’s okay. They’re kids. What you’re doing is new to them, and it’s a learning process. But if it goes on for a couple of weeks, or they decide they’re just not going to do anything — that’s not an option. They’re going to learn to work.

Camilla, my goal as a parent wasn’t to raise great kids. It was to raise kids who became great adults. In my mind, parents do their kids an awful disservice if they don’t teach them how to be mature, functioning adults in the real world. And handling their finances wisely, along with learning the value of work, is a huge part of that.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dave Says: We don't send three-year-olds to the salt mines

Reno County residents are being asked to watch their mailboxes as officials launch a new survey seeking public input on potential sales tax options.

County leaders said approximately 4,000 residents were randomly selected to receive the survey, which is arriving by mail this week. The effort is part of an ongoing evaluation of whether to pursue additional sales tax measures and how those options might impact local needs and priorities.

Residents who receive the survey may complete it on paper and return it using the included postage-paid envelope. County officials say the feedback will play an important role in guiding future discussions.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/8d09a923-f6b2-4533-95c3-eada7b1c8ca6">LINK:&nbsp;County to seek input on future funding priorities</a>

“We appreciate everyone who takes the time to respond,” county representatives said in a statement. “Public input is essential as we work through decisions that affect all of Reno County.”

Only those selected by the random sampling process will receive a survey. Officials expect results to be compiled and presented to county leaders later this year.

Sales tax survey to hit select mailboxes

Zyon	Steven	Andree		11/14/2025 5:44&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conviction; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

Randy	Joel	Wesley		11/14/2025 8:11&nbsp;AM	Probation Violation

David	Wade	Hopkins		11/14/2025 11:21&nbsp;PM	Battery; Phys contact rude/insult/angry manner

Curtis	Ray	Graham	Jr	11/14/2025 4:00&nbsp;PM	Distr heroin/certain stim/fent;3.5 - &lt;100grams

Callie	Leshell	Kuhns		11/14/2025 4:26&nbsp;PM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misdemeanor; unknown conviction

Sean	Anthony Roylynn	Hogan		11/14/2025 7:52&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

David	Wade	Hopkins	11/14/2025 11:21&nbsp;PM	Battery; Phys contact rude/insult/angry manner

Esaiahs	Xavier	Flores	11/15/2025 2:13&nbsp;AM	Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant

Esaiahs	Xavier	Flores	11/15/2025 2:13&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Zoe	Rose	Stringos	11/15/2025 3:13&nbsp;AM	Poss of hallucinogenic drug,&nbsp;Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,				Possess, Consume, Purchase Alcoholic Liquor/CMB by 18-20 YOA; 1st Conviction,				Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage,				Contribute Child Misconduct; Cause to commit Traffic Violation, Misdemeanor, or 41-727 or 74-8810

John Jenkinson says this year’s harvest delivered some of the best yields in years — but now the challenge is finding a place for all the grain.

Jenkinson said the 2025 harvest season went “smooth,” with nearly ideal weather and timely rains that boosted yields far beyond what many expected.

“We had rains at just the right time,” he said. “Just enough to get us to the next one. A lot of farmers around us are saying the same thing — the yields were absolutely way above what we expected.”

Record sorghum and corn — and nowhere to put it

But the strong harvest has created a new problem: storage.

Across western Kansas — from Colby to the Oklahoma Panhandle — Jenkinson said grain is piling up on the ground because elevators are full.

“I’ve seen farmers clearing off machinery lots just to pile their own crop on their own ground,” he said. “One elevator near us said they only had room for four more loads of milo and three of corn — then they were shutting the doors.”

With more grain still in the field, Jenkinson said the lack of storage highlights the urgent need for expanded markets and follow-through on trade agreements.

“We are awash in grain right now,” he said. “China has said they’d buy U.S. sorghum, corn and soybeans — but they’ve yet to do that. Meanwhile, they’re buying cheaper grain from Brazil.”

Brazil competition and ethanol demand

Jenkinson said Brazil’s lower production costs and the strength of the U.S. dollar are making American grain less competitive.

“We’ve got a big competitor in South America,” he said. “They can grow it cheaper, and China doesn’t see them as an adversary.”

Ethanol plants across western Kansas are running at full capacity and using as much corn and sorghum as they can, he said, but it won’t be enough on its own.

“We have to find new markets — both overseas and domestically — for all the grain we can grow," he added.

Jenkinson also voiced frustration that a government-funded biofuel plant in Georgia recently purchased Brazilian product instead of U.S. grain. “They can actually buy Brazilian grain cheaper and ship it into the United States than you can buy American grain,” he said.

Even with big yields, Jenkinson said farmers are barely breaking even because of high costs for fertilizer, fuel, chemicals and insurance. “If we hadn’t had those extra bushels, we would be facing a deficit,” he said. “Margins are tight, and we’ve got to turn that around.”

He warned that if conditions don’t improve, the U.S. risks losing too many farmers. “We do not want to get into a position where we’ve eliminated so many farmers that we have to start importing our food.”

Wheat crop looks good — but markets still lag

Despite concerns in other sectors, Jenkinson said this year’s winter wheat is off to a strong start. “All of our wheat is up and looking good,” he said. “Western Kansas wheat is in pretty good shape.”

Farmers and traders are awaiting the first USDA world supply-and-demand report since the government shutdown halted monthly data.

USDA offices scrambling after shutdown

The recent government shutdown halted much of the work at USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), leaving farmers behind on necessary paperwork.

Jenkinson said local offices will need time to catch up. “They’ve missed a lot of work that usually gets done this time of year,” he said. “FSA employees are going to have to hit the ground running.”

Among the delayed tasks are 578 forms, crop reports, and insurance paperwork for 2026 wheat.

Farm bill stalled, bankruptcies rising

Congress has not yet passed a new farm bill, leaving producers without clarity on future price supports or risk-management tools. “Right now nobody has assurances,” Jenkinson said. “It’s critical that Congress gives us a direction.”

He said SNAP benefits will resume soon, but how that impacts the farm bill is still unclear.

As for bankruptcies, Jenkinson said Kansas hasn’t seen a spike — but the national picture is troubling. “Nationwide, yes, we’ve seen an uptick of two or three percent,” he said. “It’s a sad state of affairs.”

Jenkinson said despite challenges, farmers remain committed — and hopeful that policymakers will act with urgency.

“We need trade deals, we need markets, and we need Congress to focus on agriculture,” he said. “We’ve got good people in the FSA offices and good farmers out here. We’re all looking forward to getting back to normal.”

Jenkinson says record harvest facing storage, market challenges

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said House Republicans should vote to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal as a growing number of those in his own party supported it.

“We have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party,” Trump wrote on social media late Sunday after landing at Joint Base Andrews following a weekend in Florida.

Trump's statement followed a fierce fight within the GOP over the files, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-republicans-maga-feud-f4b0dffe06440dfed16d336d08a05422">an increasingly nasty split with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>, who had long been one of his fiercest supporters.

The president’s shift is an implicit acknowledgement that supporters of the measure have enough votes to pass it the House, although it has an unclear future in the Senate.

It is a rare example of Trump backtracking because of opposition within the GOP. In his return to office and in his second term as president, Trump has largely consolidated power in the Republican Party.

“I DON’T CARE!” Trump wrote in his social media post. “All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT.”

Lawmakers who support the bill have been predicting a big win in the House this week with a “deluge of Republicans” voting for it, bucking the GOP leadership and the president.

In his opposition to the proposal, Trump even reached out to two of the Republican lawmakers who signed it. One, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, met last week with administration officials in the White House Situation Room to discuss it.

The bill would force the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in federal prison. Information about Epstein’s victims or ongoing federal investigations would be allowed to be redacted.

“There could be 100 or more” votes from Republicans, said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., among the lawmakers discussing the legislation on Sunday news show appearances. “I'm hoping to get a veto-proof majority on this legislation when it comes up for a vote.”

Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., introduced a discharge petition in July to force a vote on their bill. That is a rarely successful tool that allows a majority of members to bypass House leadership and force a floor vote.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had panned the discharge petition effort and sent members home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-jeffrey-epstein-trump-f2a03eca247268b14a9e38858338eded">early</a>&nbsp;for their August recess when the GOP's legislative agenda was upended in the clamoring for an Epstein vote. Democrats also contend the seating of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adelita-grijalva-arizona-house-epstein-files-johnson-da75c9f0e362291f3d0edb1da99e019d">Rep. Adelita Grijalva</a>, D-Ariz., was stalled to delay her becoming the 218th member to sign the petition and gain the threshold needed to force a vote. She became the 218th signature moments after taking the oath of office last week.

Massie said Johnson, Trump and others who have been critical of his efforts would be “taking a big loss this week.”

“I'm not tired of winning yet, but we are winning,” Massie said.

Johnson seems to expect the House will decisively back the Epstein bill.

“We’ll just get this done and move it on. There’s nothing to hide,” adding that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has been releasing “far more information than the discharge petition, their little gambit.”

The vote comes at a time when new documents are raising fresh questions about Epstein and his associates, including a 2019 email that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-emails-trump-house-democrats-db7df1042a73e610fb5deddf2f90bd3a">Epstein wrote</a>&nbsp;to a journalist that said Trump “knew about the girls.” The White House has accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the Republican president.

Johnson said Trump “has nothing to hide from this.”

“They’re doing this to go after President Trump on this theory that he has something to do with it. He does not,” Johnson said.

Trump's association with Epstein is well-established and the president's name was included in records&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-files-pam-bondi-trump-1a6af3e9fa1cfb6d267985a971a4929a">that his own Justice Department released in February</a>&nbsp;as part of an effort to satisfy public interest in information from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-epstein-trump-testify-congress-4faaafceba09bec37dae8422a5171b49">sex-trafficking investigation</a>.

Trump has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and the mere inclusion of someone’s name in files from the investigation does not imply otherwise. Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial, also had many prominent acquaintances in political and celebrity circles besides Trump.

Khanna voiced more modest expectations on the vote count than Massie. Still, Khanna said he was hoping for 40 or more Republicans to join the effort.

“I don't even know how involved Trump was,” Khanna said. “There are a lot of other people involved who have to be held accountable.”

Khanna also asked Trump to meet with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-survivors-congress-trump-5d980740245f935c994a90b8ce824642">those who were abused</a>. Some will be at the Capitol on Tuesday for a news conference, he said.

Massie said Republican lawmakers who fear losing Trump's endorsement because of how they vote will have a mark on their record, if they vote “no,” that could hurt their political prospects in the long term.

“The record of this vote will last longer than Donald Trump's presidency," Massie said.

On the Republican side, three Republicans joined with Massie in signing the discharge petition: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Boebert.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marjorie-taylor-greene-endorsement-trump-attack-epstein-db357b20a1ed419318e9486f55345875">publicly</a>&nbsp;called it quits with Greene last week and said he would endorse a challenger against her in 2026 “if the right person runs.”

Greene attributed the fallout with Trump as “unfortunately, it has all come down to the Epstein files.” She said the country deserves transparency on the issue and that Trump's criticism of her is confusing because the women she has talked to say he did nothing wrong.

"I have no idea what’s in the files. I can’t even guess. But that is the questions everyone is asking, is, why fight this so hard?” Greene said.

Trump’s feud with Greene escalated over the weekend, with Trump sending out one last social media post about her while still sitting in his helicopter on the White House lawn when he arrived home late Sunday, writing “The fact is, nobody cares about this Traitor to our Country!”

Even if the bill passes the House, there is no guarantee that Senate Republicans will go along. Massie said he just hopes Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., “will do the right thing.”

“The pressure is going to be there if we get a big vote in the House," Massie said, who thinks “we could have a deluge of Republicans.”

Massie appeared on ABC's “This Week,” Johnson was on “Fox News Sunday,” Khanna spoke on NBC's “Meet the Press” and Greene was interviewed on CNN's “State of the Union.”

Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.

In reversal, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for five counts of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Jeremy Weber, 47, of Topeka uploaded photographs of women and children he knew into a publicly available Artificial Intelligence platform. He then utilized AI to manipulate and merge their images into hundreds of depictions of child sexual abuse material (or CSAM). &nbsp;Weber also uploaded previously trafficked images of CSAM to the same platform. Weber morphed the original CSAM image with the face of the adult or minor female, creating a new image of CSAM.&nbsp;

The investigation identified approximately 32 women whose images were used to produce the new CSAM. &nbsp;In addition, Weber utilized the same AI program to produce adult pornographic images of 50-60 women without their consent. &nbsp;

The investigation into Weber began after an IT professional observed criminal activity on Weber’s computer and reported it to local law enforcement. &nbsp;A subsequent search warrant led to a search of Weber’s residence and the discovery of an encrypted hard drive containing a folder titled “AI Swap.” In the folder was a large number of files organized into folders named after women. Each of the named folders contained anywhere from a handful to hundreds of newly manufactured sexually explicit images of each individual.

“While it is still an emerging technology, I believe there can be many wonderful and beneficial aspects of artificial intelligence, but there is also a dark side. Unfortunately, child predators are using AI for twisted and perverse activities,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “The fact that Jeremy Weber was able to create realistic looking images of child pornography using the faces of children and adults should remind us that we are all vulnerable to this type of violation. Although the images were ‘fake’, the harm he inflicted on the victims and the consequences were very real.”&nbsp;

Prison: Kan. man used Artificial Intelligence to make child porn

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rio-yamat">RIO YAMAT</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/josh-funk">JOSH FUNK</a> Associated Press

The Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday it is lifting all restrictions on commercial flights that were imposed at 40 major airports during the country’s longest government shutdown.

Airlines can resume their regular flight schedules beginning Monday at 6 a.m. EST, the agency said.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.

Citing safety concerns as staffing shortages grew at air traffic control facilities during the shutdown, the FAA issued an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-airlines-faa-e39c423facec2b0dcc2544af48de0fa1">unprecedented order</a>&nbsp;to limit traffic in the skies. It had been in place since Nov. 7, affecting thousands of flights across the country.

Impacted airports included large hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

The flight cuts started at 4% and later grew to 6% before the FAA on Friday rolled the restrictions back to 3%, citing continued improvements in air traffic controller staffing since the record 43-day shutdown ended.

The FAA statement said an FAA safety team recommended the order be rescinded after “detailed reviews of safety trends and the steady decline of staffing-trigger events in air traffic control facilities.”

The statement said the FAA “is aware of reports of non-compliance by carriers over the course of the emergency order. The agency is reviewing and assessing enforcement options.” It did not elaborate.

Cancellations hit their highest point Nov. 9, when airlines cut more than 2,900 flights because of the FAA order, ongoing controller shortages and severe weather in parts of the country. But conditions began to improve throughout the week as more controllers returned to work amid news that Congress was close to a deal to end the shutdown. That progress also prompted the FAA to pause plans for further rate increases.

The agency had initially aimed for a 10% reduction in flights. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said worrisome safety data showed the move was necessary to ease pressure on the aviation system and help manage worsening staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities as the shutdown entered its second month and flight disruptions began to pile up.

Air traffic controllers were among the federal employees who had to continue working without pay throughout the shutdown. They&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-impact-shutdown-snap-flights-trump-826406b1083b262cad78338bc99f103b">missed two paychecks</a>&nbsp;during the impasse.

Duffy hasn’t shared the specific safety data that prompted the cuts, but he cited reports during the shutdown of planes getting too close in the air, more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/delta-planes-collision-new-york-laguardia-6ccff3aabeca787c31f1f6746ad771fd">runway incursions</a>&nbsp;and pilot concerns about controllers’ responses.

Airline leaders have expressed optimism that operations would rebound in time for the Thanksgiving travel period after the FAA lifted its order.

Good news for travelers: FAA lifts order slashing flights

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City area man was sentenced in federal court last week for illegally possessing a firearm.

Hunter A. Fanara, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 96 months in federal prison without parole for being a felon in possession of a firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.

On July 8, 2025, Fanara pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly being a felon in possession of a firearm on Mar. 19, 2024.&nbsp; On that date, Fanara was driving near the intersection of South Crysler and West Haward Avenue in Independence, Mo.&nbsp; An Independence, Mo., Police Department Officer pulled Fanara over for a stop sign violation.&nbsp; 

During the traffic stop, Fanara abruptly exited the vehicle and shut and locked the car door.&nbsp; Fanara then walked towards the patrol car with his hands in his pockets.&nbsp; The officer questioned Fanara and learned that Fanara had a revoked license.&nbsp; Fanara reported that the vehicle he was driving belonged to another person and he could not provide consent to search the vehicle, but the officer had not requested to search the vehicle.&nbsp; 

Due to Fanara having a revoked license and an outstanding warrant, officers arrested Fanara.&nbsp;Officers later learned that the vehicle had been reported as stolen.&nbsp; Officers conducted an inventory search of the vehicle prior to having it towed and they discovered a loaded Taurus, Model G3, 9mm caliber, semi-automatic pistol, in the driver’s door cubby.&nbsp; 

Officers also found multiple baggies containing methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and a couple of pills.&nbsp; Pursuant to the plea agreement, the defendant admitted that he knowingly possessed the recovered firearm and that he knew he had previously been convicted of a felony offense.&nbsp; In the plea agreement, Fanara also admitted that on Mar. 20, 2025, he knowingly possessed another firearm, specifically an Erma/Excam, Model RX22, .22 LR caliber, semi-automatic pistol, that Independence, Mo. Police Officers recovered during an investigation of another traffic violation involving Fanara.

Police found fentanyl, heroin and a firearm after KC area traffic stop

The United States is reporting another deadly strike on an alleged drug boat.

According to a social media report from the U.S. Southern Command, on Nov. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. 

Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. Three male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed. The vessel was trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific and was struck in international waters.

🎥US military reports another deadly strike on alleged drug-running boat 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says his $300 million White House ballroom will be paid for “100% by me and some friends of mine.”

The White House released a list of 37 donors, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cryptocurrency">crypto</a>&nbsp;billionaires, charitable organizations, sports team owners, powerful financiers, tech and tobacco giants, media companies, longtime supporters of Republican causes and several of the president’s neighbors in Palm Beach, Florida.

It’s incomplete. Among others, the list doesn’t include Carrier Group, which offered to donate an HVAC system for the ballroom, and artificial intelligence chipmaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nvidia-corp">Nvidia</a>, whose CEO,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-trillion-ai-apple-huang-trump-xi-c9bbf5cfa017dadaf248a4d197763cb9">Jensen Huang</a>, publicly discussed its donation.

The White House hasn’t said how much each donor is giving, and almost none was willing to divulge that. Very few commented on their contributions when contacted by The Associated Press.

A senior White House official said the list has grown since it was first released in October, but some companies don’t want to be publicly named until required to do so by financial disclosure regulations. No foreign individuals or entities were among the donors, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that haven’t been made public.

Amazon Background: Trump was once highly critical of company founder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeff-bezos">Jeff Bezos</a>, who also owns The Washington Post, but has been much less so lately.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/amazoncom-inc">Amazon</a>&nbsp;donated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-zuckerberg-inauguration-donation-c540bf7c638def11b8428e633965c718">$1 million to Trump’s inauguration</a>, an event attended by Bezos. Its video streaming service paid $40 million to license a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/melania-trump-documentary-amazon-ratner-bezos-fc36fc99e3eff0a18ef8b72335af88f6">documentary about first lady Melania Trump</a>. Its cloud-based computing operation, Amazon Web Services, is a major government contractor.

Apple Background: After an up-and-down relationship during Trump’s first term, CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tim-cook">Tim Cook</a>&nbsp;has sought to improve his standing with the president this time. Before returning to the White House, Trump hosted Cook at his Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago, and said he had spoken with Cook about the company’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apple-european-union-tech-b1575db8c8c03e5ac8dcd32f94f7984f">long-running tax battles with the European Union.</a>&nbsp;Cook also donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund. In the spring, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-apple-iphone-tax-170021e8fad22878d0183b5d48971087">threatened the computing giant</a>&nbsp;with tariffs after Apple announced plans to build manufacturing facilities in India. In August, Cook presented the president with a customized glass plaque with a gold base as the CEO announced plans to bring Apple’s total investment commitment in U.S. manufacturing over four years to $600 billion.

Google Background: During his first term, Trump’s administration sued Google for antitrust violations. While a candidate last year, Trump suggested he might seek to break up the search engine behemoth. Once Trump won the election, Google donated $1 million to his inauguration, and its CEO,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sundar-pichai">Sundar Pichai</a>, joined other major tech executives in attending the ceremony. Google’s subsidiary, YouTube, agreed in September to pay $24.5 million&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-youtube-google-settlement-january-6-01275f67afed84402fcff0118ce698a5">to settle a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;with Trump after it suspended his account following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol</a>. According to court filings, $22 million of that went to the Trust for the National Mall, which can help pay for ballroom construction.

HP Background: An original Silicon Valley stalwart, the company donated to Trump’s inaugural fund.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hp-inc">HP</a>&nbsp;‘s CEO, Enrique Lores, participated in a White House roundtable event in September. Lores also previously met with President Joe Biden at the White House on multiple occasions as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-tom-linebarger-c80b2d5a060270e54561900bfd58880b">top CEOs endorsed</a>&nbsp;that administration’s economic plans.

Meta Background: Founder and CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mark-zuckerberg">Mark Zuckerberg</a>&nbsp;had been critical of Trump going back to 2016, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/facebook">Facebook</a>&nbsp;suspended Trump for years after the Jan. 6 insurrection. This time around, Meta contributed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-zuckerberg-inauguration-donation-c540bf7c638def11b8428e633965c718">$1 million to Trump’s inauguration</a>, and Zuckerberg attended.

Micron Technology Background: The producer of advanced memory computer chips&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/micron-biden-trump-schumer-chips-computer-ab9eeef7636262177e7b1aabbd6d1245">announced</a>&nbsp;an April 2024 agreement with the Biden administration to provide $6.1 billion in government support for Micron to make chips domestically. Then, in June, Micron pledged $200 billion for U.S. memory chip manufacturing expansion under Trump. But at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-investment-trillions-economy-jobs-eb4ca4b9ed632bd12c559c1ec5fd5764">least $120 billion of that involved holdovers first announced during Biden’s administration</a>.

Microsoft Background: The company donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, twice what it spent for Biden’s or for Trump’s first inauguration. CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/satya-nadella">Satya Nadella</a>&nbsp;has also met with Trump numerous times, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/microsoft-corp">Microsoft</a>&nbsp;has supported the administration’s relaxation of regulations on artificial intelligence. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-modi-state-visit-tim-cook-sundar-pichai-6bbdc208ed532d0344cfc09347f9c401">met</a>&nbsp;previously with Biden, too. Trump has called for Microsoft’s president of global affairs, Lisa Monaco, to be fired because she was a deputy attorney general under Biden when the Justice Department led several investigations against Trump.

Palantir Technologies Background: Co-founded by billionaire libertarian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/peter-thiel">Peter Thiel</a>, the firm concentrates on artificial intelligence and machine learning. It has seen profits soar thanks to lucrative defense and other federal contracts.

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