The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory until 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The counties included in the Dense Fog Advisory include Russell, Lincoln, Barton, Ellsworth, Saline, Rice, McPherson, Marion, Chase, Reno, Harvey, Butler, Greenwood, Woodson, Allen, Kingman, Sedgwick, Harper, Sumner, Cowley, Elk.

Including the cities of Sterling, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Marion, Salina, Lincoln, Iola, Sylvan Grove, Hutchinson, Peabody, Andover, Arkansas City, Derby, McPherson, Augusta, Rose Hill, Moline, Wichita, Eureka, Attica, Howard, Anthony, Grenola, El Dorado, Lyons, Bel Aire, Longton, Strong City, Haysville, Russell, Cottonwood Falls, Valley Center, Kingman, Madison, Hillsboro, Wilson, Newton, Yates Center, Harper, Park City, Wellington, Humboldt, and Winfield.

* WHAT...Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.

* WHERE...Portions of Central, South Central, and Southeast Kansas.

* IMPACTS...Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.

If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.

Dense Fog Advisory until 11 a.m. Wednesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — 911 Hutchinson–Reno County Emergency Communications marked its third year of adopting a local family for Christmas, continuing a holiday tradition focused on giving back to the community, according to a Facebook post by the City of Hutchinson.&nbsp;

This year, the 911 team partnered with the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Hutchinson to identify families in need. For Christmas 2025, the group adopted a single mother and her three children, two boys ages 9 and 6 and a 4-year-old daughter.

Members of the 911 staff provided a holiday meal and Christmas gifts for the family. The celebration also included a surprise visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, adding to the festivities and helping make the holiday season brighter.

The effort was shared this week by the City of Hutchinson Government, which praised the continued commitment of emergency communications staff to community service during the holidays.&nbsp;

Hutchinson–Reno County Emergency Communications continues holiday tradition

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gabriel Marcum is used to surprising people.

“A lot of the time, people are shocked that I’m a sophomore,” Marcum said. “I honestly take that as a compliment.”

The Hutchinson High School sophomore was recently named the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Hutchinson Youth of the Year, an honor he said has not fully sunk in yet but has already given him a platform to share what the Club has meant in his life.

Marcum said he has been a member of the Boys &amp; Girls Club for about five or six years and described it as one of the most transformational experiences he has had.

“Boys and Girls Club is just kind of that pillar of hope in our society today,” he said. “It’s one of those places that kids can go and just feel safe no matter their circumstances.”

Marcum said the Club offers far more than an after-school place to spend time, pointing to academic support, career exploration and hands-on learning opportunities.

“Boys and Girls Club isn’t just an after-school program, it’s a home,” Marcum said. “As soon as you walk through those bright blue doors, you feel at home.”

Among his leadership experiences, Marcum said he helped start the Club’s coffee shop, The Cozy Bean, while he was still in middle school. He said he created applications, interviewed members and trained students who worked there. The Shadduck Park teen site serves students from sixth grade and up, while younger members attend the Avenue A location.

Marcum said the Club’s programs allow members to explore a wide range of interests, from homework help and cooking classes to esports and woodworking.

“Those bright blue doors have so many programs tailored to make sure kids can find something they’re passionate about,” he said.

Outside the Club, Marcum is a youth leader with RiseUp Reno Prevention Network, where he is involved in substance misuse prevention and mental health advocacy. He said those efforts align closely with his role as Youth of the Year.

“One thing I am extremely passionate about is having access to NARCAN in our community,” Marcum said. “Having that platform where I can talk about it and people will listen is extremely important.”

Marcum said he has traveled to Topeka multiple times to speak with lawmakers and attended a national youth leadership forum in Washington, D.C., experiences he said helped clarify why the work matters to him.

As Youth of the Year, Marcum said he sees his role as sharing what happens “behind those bright blue doors” and encouraging others to support the organization.

“I feel like I have this platform where I can talk freely about my experience,” he said. “Boys and Girls Club has shaped me into the person that I am today.”

Marcum said he plans to continue advocating for youth and community well-being while pursuing his long-term goal of becoming an elementary education teacher.

“Helping people is just one of those things that I want to do with my life,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hutchinson High sophomore uses Youth of the Year platform to lift others

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Tracey Mann says border security, tax relief and long-term investments in rural health care highlighted a busy legislative year for Kansas’ “Big First” Congressional District.

Speaking on the BW Morning Show, Mann reflected on what he called key accomplishments in Washington during 2025, pointing first to immigration policy following last year’s election.

“The biggest issue in the election was the wide-open southern border,” Mann said. “The Trump administration came in, closed the border, and Congress followed up by passing laws to help finish the border wall and enforce the laws already on the books.”

Mann said illegal crossings are down more than 95 percent, a figure he described as “very significant,” adding that border security was a central concern for Kansans across the district, which includes portions of 63 counties in central and western Kansas and is the seventh-largest congressional district in the nation that does not encompass an entire state.

Mann also emphasized passage of a sweeping tax package often referred to by Republicans as the “big, beautiful bill,” which he said prevents a major tax increase for Kansas families.

“If that bill doesn’t pass, the average Kansan in the Big First sees about a $2,200 tax increase,” Mann said. “We stopped that from happening.”

According to Mann, the legislation includes tax relief for working families, eliminates taxes on overtime pay, limits taxes on tips, and removes taxes on car loan interest for certain American-made vehicles. He said the bill also provides additional relief for seniors by lowering taxes on Social Security income.

Many provisions of the law take effect Jan. 1, meaning much of the economic impact has yet to be felt, Mann said.

The congressman highlighted several agriculture-related measures he said were especially important to western Kansas, including strengthened crop insurance, higher reference prices, and expanded funding to open overseas markets.

“Things are tough on the family farm right now,” Mann said. “Input costs are high, commodity prices are low, and this bill really helps strengthen the farm safety net.”

Mann said the legislation also benefits Kansas’ aviation industry and provides bonus depreciation for farmers purchasing new or used equipment.

Rural health care was another focus of the discussion. Mann pointed to the creation of a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund aimed at stabilizing rural hospitals and reducing long-term costs.

“This is not just a Band-Aid,” Mann said. “It’s about making structural changes and helping rural hospitals make the investments they need to care for people.”

Mann said the Big First District includes roughly 55 hospitals across about 60 counties, making rural health care a critical issue for communities large and small, including Hutchinson, Salina and other regional hubs. He said details on how the funding will be allocated by state are expected later this year.

Looking ahead to 2026, Mann said lawmakers are working to address rising health insurance premiums by increasing competition, transparency and cost controls within the health care system. He also criticized the Affordable Care Act, saying its promises were not fulfilled and that rising costs continue to burden families.

On agriculture, Mann pointed to a $12 billion bridge aid program funded through tariff revenues to help farmers manage high input costs, particularly for commodities important to Kansas such as wheat, corn, soybeans and sorghum.

“Even with good yields, a lot of farmers lost money this year because of how high input costs have become,” Mann said. “This bridge payment helps farmers get through a very difficult period.”

Mann said he expects agriculture, rural health care and continued economic relief for families to remain top priorities as Congress heads into the new year.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Rep. Mann touts border security, tax relief and rural health care gains in year-end review

By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dan “Coach Nac” Naccarato, a longtime business and leadership instructor known for his energy in the classroom and his deep connection to students, has retired after 22 years at Hutchinson Community College.

Naccarato joined HutchCC in 2004, the same year the college launched its entrepreneurship program, bringing with him decades of experience in business, coaching and mentoring. Over more than two decades, he became one of the campus’ most recognizable and popular instructors, earning multiple Blue Dragon Educator of the Year honors.

“It’s just that time when it’s right to spend some more time with the family and the grandkids,” Naccarato said. “I’ll still be around calling Blue Dragon home basketball games (on KHUT and KWBW), so Hutchinson will always feel like home.”

Before arriving at HutchCC, Naccarato spent 25 years working for Dillon’s and Kroger, including 13 years as a director of human resources. He said that background shaped his teaching philosophy, which focused on developing people and helping them reach their goals.

“A big part of my job was helping people develop,” he said. “Instead of doing it one-on-one, I got to move to the classroom and do it in groups. The Blue Dragon students and staff have always been tremendous.”

Naccarato’s path to teaching began earlier. While still in college, he was asked to step in and teach classes for his father, a professor at Emporia State University, after his father suffered a stroke. The experience sparked a long-held desire to teach and coach.

“That’s when I realized how much I enjoyed teaching,” Naccarato said. “I always wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps.”

At HutchCC, Naccarato became known for building community beyond the classroom. His semi-annual Management and Entrepreneur’s Forum brought local business leaders and Fortune 500 executives to campus, exposing students to real-world perspectives and professional opportunities.

He was also widely recognized across the community by his nickname, “Coach Nac,” a title that followed him from years of coaching youth sports, high school football, basketball and American Legion baseball.

“It just kind of stuck,” he said. “And it’s a little easier to say than Naccarato.”

Asked about the impact he had on students, Naccarato deflected the praise.

“I really feel like I learned more from the students than they learned from me,” he said. “The best way to learn something is to coach it or teach it, and the longer I taught, the more I got to learn.”

Since announcing his retirement, Naccarato said he has been overwhelmed by messages from former students and colleagues.

“That really caught me by surprise,” he said. “It certainly choked me up a little bit.”

Looking ahead, Naccarato said he is still adjusting to life without an alarm clock but expects to remain active in the community.

“I’m going to miss helping people be successful,” he said. “I’ll probably miss that forever, but hopefully I can still help people along the way in an unofficial capacity.”

HutchCC recognized Naccarato for his passion, leadership and lasting impact, thanking him for “22 years of enthusiasm and unwavering belief in students,” and for making every day, as he often said, “a great day to study business.”

“Every day felt like a holiday”: Coach Nac retires from HutchCC

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. ——————————————

Matthew	Scott	Heinly	12/22/2025 1:38 PM	Failure to Appear

Michael	Max	McBride	12/22/2025 10:39 AM	Direct Contempt

Steven	Rae Casper	Somerville	12/22/2025 7:26 PM	Theft; Property or Services; Less than $1,500;				Theft; Property or Services; $1,500 to $24,999

Kenneth	Earl	Pittsley	12/22/2025 9:09 PM	Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance;				Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv;				Registration Violation; Apply for registration in different county

Stephen	Karl	King	12/22/2025 9:20 PM	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction);				Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Daily Bookings

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Recent obituaries and service times

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As Hutchinson closes out a year marked by major construction projects and long-term planning efforts, Mayor Stacy Goss described 2025 as a year focused on execution rather than expansion.

“It was interesting,” Goss said. “This year was really about staying on task and accomplishing what we had already taken on.”

Among the city’s largest undertakings was the Woodie Seat Freeway project, which Goss described as a capstone effort. Phase one is nearing completion, with Avenue A expected to reopen to east-west traffic in mid-January. Bridge work is scheduled to continue through June or July.

Goss also highlighted changes to city intersections, including the removal of several traffic signals deemed no longer warranted. She said outdated designs can disrupt traffic flow and create confusion for drivers.

“They just don’t engineer intersections like that any longer,” Goss said. “If a light isn’t warranted, it throws off the flow of traffic and what drivers should expect.”

The city is also moving forward with plans for Memorial Hall, which is currently out for requests for proposals covering management, design and construction. Goss said the project includes $2.5 million in state STAR bond funding.

“The goal is to turn it into a year-round usable space,” Goss said. “We want to keep the small-town appeal but also bring in concerts, events and economic activity.”

Housing initiatives were another focus, with more than 200 homes under development and a new partnership with Interfaith Housing launching in 2026. The program will address residential blight by connecting occupants to resources while holding property owners accountable for repairs.

“We know people are living in homes that are not of a livable standard,” Goss said. “Every property should be held to the same standard.”

Mayor reflects on major projects, housing initiatives and Memorial Hall plans

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As Christmas approaches later this week, the Salvation Army in Hutchinson is wrapping up its holiday distribution efforts while making a final push toward its Red Kettle fundraising goal, according to Major Paul James.

James said the organization distributed food and toys to families last week and planned to help additional families Monday morning who missed scheduled appointments.

“We had over 900 families with food and whatnot, and roughly close to 1,000 kids,” James said. “We will have a brief time this morning where we will help out those who missed their appointments for whatever reason and help a few more.”

With three days remaining in the Salvation Army’s 12 Days of Ringing campaign, James said the local Red Kettle goal of $85,000 was about $23,000 short. The Red Kettle effort is part of a larger annual fundraising goal of $300,000 to support year-round programs.

“Eighty-five thousand is our Red Kettle goal, but our overall goal is $300,000,” James said. “We are still about $150,000 down from that, roughly, though we have made some progress recently.”

James said community support has included an increase in individual bell ringers, which helps reduce staffing costs and allows more funds to go directly to programs.

“We had more individuals who volunteered,” James said. “Some people rang more hours this year than ever before. It definitely helps the bottom line.”

As part of this year’s campaign, the Salvation Army partnered with Westphal Jewelers to promote the Red Kettle effort through a Ring for Bling drawing that awarded a $1,500 diamond ring to an eligible bell ringer. The winner, drawn live on the BW Morning Show, was longtime volunteer Roger Sellers.

Sellers, who also won Chiefs tickets in a previous year, has increased his ringing hours over time and was recognized for his continued commitment to the campaign.

“That promotion definitely sparked interest,” James said. “People were calling and asking how they could sign up to ring.”

James said giving often increases in the final days before Christmas, when shoppers finish purchases and look for ways to give back. He added that economic uncertainty and rising costs have made this season more challenging for many families.

“The need has increased each year,” James said. “Inflation is a big part of that. Dollars just do not go as far as they used to.”

Beyond holiday assistance, James highlighted ongoing programs, including a shower and hygiene service that has provided more than 1,000 showers this year, as well as emergency help with rent and utilities.

“A lot of individuals we serve are working and need a place to get clean and be fresh for work,” James said. “It is an honor to be able to help people in that way.”

James also noted that donations are accepted beyond Christmas, with the Salvation Army’s year-end campaign continuing through Jan. 31.

“Just because Christmas has passed does not mean the need has gone away,” James said. “We hope people will continue to think about the Salvation Army and their neighbors.”

Salvation Army aids hundreds of families during Christmas distribution

Hutchinson Community College is marking the end of an era as longtime instructor Dan “Coach Nac” Naccarato retires after 22 years of service to the college and its students.

Naccarato concludes his career as a Business and Leadership Instructor at Hutchinson Community College, leaving behind a legacy defined by enthusiasm, mentorship, and a deep commitment to student success.

Before joining HutchCC, Naccarato spent years coaching and mentoring student-athletes in the Hutchinson area, experiences that shaped his approach in the classroom. That background aligned seamlessly in 2004, when the college launched its Entrepreneurship Program and Naccarato stepped into a role that blended education, leadership, and real-world business insight.

Over more than two decades, Naccarato became known for courses that consistently filled to capacity, driven by his engaging teaching style, infectious energy, and personal investment in students. Colleagues and students alike often described him as more than an instructor — he was a motivator who built relationships and fostered confidence.

Beyond the classroom, Naccarato helped connect students with the broader business community through his semi-annual Management &amp; Entrepreneur’s Forum. The event brought together local business leaders alongside Fortune 500 executives, giving students direct exposure to professional perspectives and encouraging them to think ambitiously about their futures.

His impact was recognized multiple times through honors as a Blue Dragon Educator of the Year, reflecting both his instructional excellence and his lasting influence on campus culture.

As HutchCC closes another year in Blue Dragon history, college leaders and students are celebrating Naccarato’s contributions and wishing him well in retirement.

“Thank you, Dan, for 22 years of leadership, enthusiasm, and unwavering belief in your students,” the college said in a statement. “Congratulations on your well-earned retirement and thank you for making every day a great day to study business at HutchCC.”

HutchCC business instructor Dan “Coach Nac” Naccarato retires after 22 years

Wichita State University men’s basketball head coach Paul Mills is sharing a deeply personal story after surviving a life-threatening cardiac emergency earlier this month—an experience he says could have ended very differently had even a few circumstances changed.

Mills explained that two weeks ago, following a road game at Northern Iowa, he began experiencing severe chest pain and difficulty breathing immediately after the final buzzer.

“I realized something wasn’t right,” Mills said. “It felt like my chest had a skeletal fracture, and it was extremely hard to breathe.”

Despite the pain, Mills completed postgame responsibilities before sitting down in the locker room, exhausted and struggling to move. With a winter storm impacting travel plans, the team ultimately boarded a late-night flight rather than returning by bus. Mills said that decision may have saved his life.

After landing shortly after 1 a.m., Mills told his wife he needed to go to the hospital. Doctors immediately performed an EKG and identified abnormalities, admitting him overnight while a cardiac team was called in. Mills said the next thing he remembers is waking up after undergoing emergency cardiac surgery.

Doctors later told Mills his right coronary artery was 100 percent blocked and had gone without blood flow for approximately six hours. Multiple stents were inserted to restore circulation.

According to his cardiologist, survival rates for that type of cardiac event drop to about 50 percent if treatment is not received within the first hour.

“There were so many moments where this could have gone the other way,” Mills said. “If we had gotten on a bus, if I had gone to a hotel, if I had gone to the wrong hospital, or if I had ignored the pain and gone to sleep—I likely wouldn’t be here.”

Mills credited what he described as a series of providential circumstances for his survival, noting that he does not drink or smoke and runs regularly.

“I thought I was doing everything right,” he said. “What I didn’t realize was that about 80 percent of my cholesterol issue was hereditary.”

Despite being released from the intensive care unit on a Wednesday, Mills returned to the bench just days later for Wichita State’s game against DePaul, under strict medical supervision and while wearing heart-monitoring equipment.

“I wouldn’t recommend getting out of the ICU on a Wednesday and coaching on a Saturday,” Mills said. “But I wanted to show up for our players.”

Mills said doctors initially warned his wife they were uncertain about his long-term quality of life, and a chaplain was brought in following surgery. Today, however, Mills says he feels better than he has in years.

“It’s like living your whole life with low water pressure and suddenly everything is wide open,” he said. “I had no idea how restricted my blood flow was.”

Mills said the experience has changed his perspective on life and work, and he urged others—especially young people—not to ignore warning signs or skip routine medical checkups.

“There are two conditions,” Mills said. “There’s death, and there’s life. And I have life. For that, I’m grateful.”

He closed his remarks by reflecting on the meaning of the holiday season.

“Christmas is both sacred and solemn,” Mills said. “Some families have empty chairs at the table. We almost had that. Don’t take a single day for granted.”

Mills ended with a message he said now carries deeper meaning than ever before:

Wichita State's Paul Mills shares story of cardiac emergency

HARVEY COUNTY – Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina, was sentenced December 22, by Chief Judge Wilder in Harvey County District Court for the crime of rape, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.

Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, Cole faced a presumptive prison sentence ranging from 147 to 165 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. Harvey County Attorney Heather Figger requested that the Court impose the standard sentence of 155 months in prison.

After considering a defense motion for durational departure, the Court sentenced Cole to 78 months in prison. The Court cited Cole’s acceptance of responsibility, his age at the time of the offense, his performance while on bond, and his consistent attendance at court proceedings as factors supporting the reduced sentence. Cole will be subject to lifetime post-release supervision and lifetime registration as a sexual offender.

Cole was convicted of rape on September 19, 2025. The offense occurred in August of 2023 in the victim’s dorm room on the Bethel campus in Harvey County.

HARVEY COUNTY – On September 19, 2025, Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina,&nbsp; entered a guilty plea in Harvey County District Court to one count of Rape, according to the Harvey County District Attorney's office.

At the time of the offense, Cole was a student at Bethel College and the crime occurred in the dorms located on the Bethel College campus.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place before Chief Judge Marilyn Wilder on December 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Cole remains out of custody on bond pending sentencing. 

He faces a potential prison sentence of 147 to 653 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime post-release supervision. He will also be subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

The successful prosecution of this case was made possible with the dedicated assistance of the North Newton Police Department. 

Prison for sex crime in Kansas college dorm

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 10 p.m. Dec. 21, an police conducted a traffic stop in the 3600 block of 10th&nbsp;Street in Great Bend for an equipment violation, according to a media release.

During this traffic stop, Great Bend K9 Neo was utilized for a free-air sniff of the vehicle. With the assistance of a Barton County Sheriff's deputy, the officer began to conduct a search of the vehicle after a positive alert from K9 Neo.

While removing the two occupants from the vehicle, the male passenger, Jason Sohm, 46, became confrontational and attempted to run.&nbsp; Sohm was unsuccessful and was detained by the two officers. During his attempted flight on foot, Sohm received minor injuries and was treated on scene by Great Bend Fire and EMS.

During the search of the vehicle, a large quantity of a crystal-like substance belonging to Sohm was located. Officers conducted a field test of the substance, which tested positive for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl. 

Sohm was placed under arrest and transported to the Barton County Jail, where he was booked on requested charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl/Methamphetamine, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Drug Tax Stamp. Following the initial investigation, the driver of the vehicle was released at the scene.

Kan. man transporting fentanyl ran from traffic stop

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has released tens of thousands more documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a tranche that included multiple mentions of President Donald Trump but added little new revelatory information to the long-anticipated public file on the late financier and convicted sex offender.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">Click here to see</a>&nbsp;the files and do a search

The release is the most voluminous so far and comes after a massive public campaign for transparency into the U.S. government’s Epstein investigations.

Many of the mentions of Trump in the file came from news clippings, though it includes an email from a prosecutor pointing out the flights that Trump took on Epstein’s private jet during the 1990s.

The two men were friends for years before a falling out. Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. The Justice Department issued a statement that some documents contain “untrue and sensationalist claims” about Trump made shortly before the 2020 election.

Prosecutor flagged Trump’s travel on Epstein's jet

Among the mentions of Trump in the latest batch of the Epstein files is a note from a federal prosecutor from January 2020 that said Trump had flown on the financier’s private plane more often than had been previously known.

An assistant U.S. attorney from the Southern District of New York said in an email that flight records the office received on Jan. 6, 2020, showed that Trump was on Epstein’s jet “many more times than previously has been reported (or that we were aware).”

The prosecutor who flagged the Trump mentions in the flight logs said they did so because lawyers “didn’t want any of this to be a surprise down the road.”

His travels on Epstein’s plane spanned the time that would likely be covered in any criminal charges against Epstein’s co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell. Trump was listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, and on at least four of those flights, Maxwell was also there, according to the email.

On one of those eight flights, in 1993, Trump and Epstein were the only two passengers listed in the flight logs. On another flight, the three passengers listed in records are Epstein, Trump, and a redacted individual, who was 20 years old at the time. Two other flights included two women -- whose names were redacted in follow-up emails — identified as potential witnesses in a Maxwell case.

Several additional Trump trips on Epstein’s plane&nbsp;<a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article256740662.html.">had been previously disclosed</a>&nbsp;during Maxwell’s criminal proceedings.

Asked for comment about the email, the White House pointed to a Justice Department statement saying Monday’s release contained “unfounded and false” claims against the president submitted to the FBI shortly before the 2020 election, but they were nevertheless being released for full transparency.

The Justice Department specifically raised questions about the validity of a document mentioning Trump that was styled as a letter from Epstein to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/larry-nassar">Larry Nassar</a>, the sports doctor convicted of sexually abusing Olympic athletes. The department pointed out that it was processed three days after Epstein's death.

Meanwhile, the latest release also shows that Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s southern Florida club, was served with a subpoena in 2021 for its employment records. The disclosure came as part of an email chain in which lawyers for the Southern District of New York and an attorney in touch with representatives for the Trump Organization discussed the employment status of someone whose name was redacted.

Trump complained that the files were a distraction from the work he and other Republicans are doing for the country.

Speaking during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-navy-golden-fleet-battleship-0940368b39b19f03abe8689ebad08380">an unrelated event</a>&nbsp;at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday, the president blamed Democrats and some Republicans for the controversy.

“What this whole thing is with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has,” Trump said.

He also expressed frustration about the famous people shown with Epstein in photos released by the Justice Department — people who he said may not have known him but ended up in the shot anyway.

“You probably have pictures being exposed of other people that innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago, many years ago. And they’re, you know, highly respected bankers and lawyers and others,” Trump said.

Other high-profile people are showing up in the files

Well-known people shown in the files include former President Bill Clinton, the late pop star Michael Jackson and singer Diana Ross. The mere inclusion of someone’s name or images in files from the investigation does not imply wrongdoing.

The latest release also includes files that put the U.K.'s former Prince Andrew back in the headlines.

Among those documents is correspondence between Maxwell and someone who signs off with the initial “A.”

The email exchange includes other references that suggest Maxwell’s correspondent may be Andrew. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The August 2001 email from someone identified only as “The Invisible Man,” said he is “up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family,” an apparent reference to the Scottish estate where the royal family have traditionally taken their late summer holidays.

“A” writes: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?”

The writer says he has left “the RN” and refers to the challenges of looking after “the Girls.” Andrew retired from the Royal Navy in 2001 and has two daughters.

Andrew, one of King Charles III’s younger brothers, was stripped of the right to be called a prince and his other royal titles and honors in October, amid continued publicity about his links to Epstein and concerns about the potential damage to the rest of the royal family. He is now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prince-andrew-virginia-giuffre-lawsuit-settlement-8b04c775aa46f761d81c05ef12e3a94f">Andrew has repeatedly denied</a>&nbsp;committing any crimes, including having sex with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prince-andrew-virginia-giuffre-book-memoir-c05a382e3505f23eef5288bcdcba328a">Virginia Giuffre</a>, who alleged that she was trafficked by Epstein and had sex with Andrew when she was 17.

Trump tried for months to keep the records sealed before relenting to political pressure, including from some fellow Republicans, though he eventually signed a bill mandating the release of most of the Justice Department’s files on Epstein.

Monday's release was the biggest dump yet, including nearly 30,000 more pages. The data released by the law's Friday deadline contained a fraction of that amount, mostly photographs taken during FBI searches of Epstein’s homes.

The new cache includes news clippings, emails and surveillance videos from the New York jail where Epstein was held before taking his own life in 2019, much of which was already in the public domain.

The law called for the files to be released within 30 days, but the Justice Department has instead released them in stages starting Friday. Officials have said they’re going slowly to protect victims, though some women assaulted by Epstein have spoken out publicly to call for greater transparency.

And the administration is facing fierce accusations that it is withholding too much information. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the tens of thousands of files released still left “more questions than answers.” He pointed to a 2019 FBI email that mentions 10 people under investigation as possible co-conspirators but contains few additional details.

Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington and Danica Kirka in London contributed to this report.

New batch of Epstein files include many references to Trump

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security is continuing to deliver this holiday season on its promise to help illegal aliens in the United States return home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Illegal aliens who sign up to self-deport through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/cbphome" target="_blank">CBP Home app</a>&nbsp;by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend in addition to a free flight home. Using the CBP Home app also qualifies recipients for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.&nbsp;“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”&nbsp; &nbsp;

Self-deportation through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/cbphome" target="_blank">CBP Home app</a>&nbsp;is the best gift that an illegal alien can give themselves and their families this holiday season. It’s a fast, free, and easy process: Just download the app, fill out your information, and DHS will take care of the rest – including arranging and paying for your travel back home.&nbsp;

Those illegal aliens who don’t take advantage of this special offer today have only one alternative: They will be arrested, deported, and they will never be able to return to the United States.&nbsp;

DHS offers cash stipend for illegal aliens to go ‘Home for the Holidays’

WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;Wichita police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with a fatal shooting Monday afternoon in north Wichita.

Officers were dispatched at 3:16 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, to a reported shooting in the 2600 block of N. Fairview. A RAVEN gunshot-detection alert was recorded at about 3:15 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a 14-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the upper torso. Officers and EMS immediately began life-saving measures.&nbsp;

The teen was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and later died.

Preliminary information indicates four boy, ages 14 to 18, were in a backyard when the shooting occurred.

A 15-year-old was taken to be interviewed and later booked into the Juvenile Intake Assessment Center (JIAC) on a charge of second-degree murder. A firearm was located at the scene, and further testing will be completed to determine if it was the firearm used in the homicide.

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

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