On Monday, November 17th, 2025, at 7:46 p.m., officers with the Hutchinson Police Department were dispatched to an address in the 1100 block West 19th Ave. for a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located one adult male with a gunshot wound to his lower extremity. He was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) in stable condition and later released after being treated.

At 7:52 PM officers were dispatched to 19th Ave and Monroe Street where they located another adult male in a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to HRMC in critical condition and later to a Wichita hospital.

The investigation remains active. Detectives are interviewing several individuals who were present during the shooting, as well as others with relevant information. No arrests have been made. Based on what we know at this time, there is no known current threat to the public.

We will issue additional media releases as soon as new, verified information becomes available.

If you have information regarding this case, please contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. Please reference HPD Case #: 2025-47300. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone, or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to our anonymous tip form. (Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. P3 Terms and Privacy Policy.)

ORIGINAL STORY:&nbsp; Two men were hospitalized Monday night after separate shootings that triggered a large police response in a north Hutchinson neighborhood.

According to Hutchinson Police, the first emergency call came in at approximately 7:46 p.m. from the 1100 block of West 19th Street. Officers arrived to find a man suffering from a gunshot wound inside a residence.

Minutes later, a second report was made of another shooting victim. That man was located inside a vehicle stopped near the intersection of West 19th Avenue and North Monroe Street, just a few blocks from the first scene.

Both victims were taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. Their conditions have not been released.

As of late Monday night, officers remained on scene, describing the situation as “very active.” It is not yet known whether police are searching for a suspect, whether the victims are connected, or what led to the shootings.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hutchinson Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Reno County. More details are expected as the investigation continues.

HPD gives update on Monday evening shooting

HUTCHINSON — As Community Foundation Week is observed nationwide, the Hutchinson Community Foundation is using the celebration to highlight its work, encourage community engagement, and remind residents that its impact reaches far beyond the city limits.

Wendy Skellenger, Director of Communications and Development, joined the KWBW Morning Show to talk about the week — held annually Nov. 12–18 — and what it means for Reno County.

“Community Foundation Week began in 1989 under the first Bush administration and overlaps with National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 15,” Skellenger said. “It’s a time to acknowledge the generosity of people who give their time, talent, and treasure to change lives.”

The Hutchinson Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that awards grants to nonprofit organizations across Reno County. Its primary unrestricted pool, the Fund for Reno County, supports two annual “impact cycles,” offering local nonprofits an opportunity to apply for funding.

“Any 501(c)(3) or project with a fiscal sponsor can apply,” Skellenger said. “We receive applications, our grants committee reviews them, and awards are made twice a year.”

But grant cycles are only one part of the Foundation’s work. Skellenger highlighted the Foundation’s recent three-year housing initiative, created to address the community’s ongoing housing needs. After years of research and partnership with local leaders, the Foundation launched the fund as a way to make a targeted impact in one of Reno County’s most urgent areas.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/e383871f-0e37-44a5-9555-cd1687c5f775">LINK: Hutchinson Community Foundation launches $1.5M housing initiative</a>

Skellenger also emphasized the importance of resident feedback through the Foundation’s “Love Where You Live” community empowerment initiative. A countywide survey — now in its second year — guides the board’s priorities.

“Our board has said they want more community engagement. They want us listening,” she said. “So we’re using survey responses to help align our grantmaking with what residents say they need.”

Results from the latest survey will be posted soon at <a href="http://RenoSurvey.com">RenoSurvey.com</a>.

Despite its name, the Hutchinson Community Foundation supports the entire county.

“We serve all of Reno County. We make grants in rural communities just like we do in Hutchinson,” Skellenger said, noting that about 75 nonprofits across the county benefit from Foundation support, from housing and human services to arts, culture, and community development.

One of the most unique programs is the Youth Philanthropy Council, a group of high school students who evaluate grant requests for youth-serving projects. They will award about $5,000 in spring 2026.

“It’s a way to teach young people about philanthropy, evaluation, and working together for the common good,” she said.

With Giving Tuesday approaching December 2, Skellenger encouraged local residents to support the Foundation’s work — or any of the many funds it manages.

Donors can give through HutchCF.org, send checks, or discuss options with staff. Donor-advised funds allow contributors to target specific causes, and Foundation staff frequently connect donors with proposals that match their interests.

Buhler residents can also participate in the Buhler Community Foundation Match Day on December 2.

The Foundation is already planning its 2026 initiatives, including upcoming grant cycles and expanding community-led funding strategies.

“We’re a learning organization,” Skellenger said. “Our goal is always to listen, respond, and invest in what matters most to the people who call Reno County home.”

For more information or to donate, visit <a href="http://HutchCF.org">HutchCF.org</a>.

Hutchinson Community Foundation highlights local impact

Both the Hutch Rec Foundation and Dillon Nature Center Foundation are currently accepting applications for board appointments.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Dillon Nature Center Foundation’s&nbsp;mission is to support the nature center by advocating for program improvements and recreational opportunities through charitable giving. The board currently meets on a quarterly basis, with additional committee meetings held throughout the year in different areas of focus.&nbsp;

Applications to serve on the DNC Foundation Board are due Tuesday, November 26 by 5 p.m. More information and applications are available on the Dillon Nature Center Foundation web page at:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hutchrec.com/dncfoundation/">https://www.hutchrec.com/dncfoundation/</a>.

The&nbsp;Hutch Rec Foundation Board of Trustees&nbsp;supports Hutch Rec by advocating for program improvements and recreational opportunities as they inspire charitable giving to enhance the park and recreation experience for all members of our community. The board currently meets on a monthly basis.

Applications to serve on the Hutch Rec Foundation Board are due Friday, December 5 by 5 p.m. More information and applications are available on the Hutch Rec Foundation web page at:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hutchrec.com/foundation/">https://www.hutchrec.com/foundation/</a>.

Questions about either board or the application process may be directed to Tony Finlay, Executive Director of Hutch Rec, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tfinlay@hutchre.com">tfinlay@hutchre.com</a>&nbsp;or (620) 663-6179.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Hutch Rec and Dillon Nature Center Foundations accepting applications for appointment

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With winter approaching and shelter space already stretched thin, Foundation of Life Ministries is preparing to launch an overflow shelter designed to keep Hutchinson’s unhoused families safe during the coldest months.

The initiative, known as The Refuge Project, will operate from Dec. 1 through March 31 at the church’s facility at 114 E. Eighth Ave. It is intended to supplement services already provided by New Beginnings’ NOEL Lodge, the city’s primary overnight shelter.

NOEL Lodge typically houses 25 people but can expand to 50 by opening additional space. Even then, demand continues to outpace capacity.

“Every year when winter comes, NOEL Lodge maxes out,” said Pastor J.K. Vann, who leads Foundation of Life Ministries. “There are always more people seeking shelter than available beds. We realized we only used our fellowship hall once a week in winter, so we asked what it would look like to create a secondary shelter.”

The Refuge Project will provide overnight space for up to 40 people, including parents with children — a significant distinction from the Lodge, which primarily houses individuals. The shelter will open nightly at 5 p.m., offer a 7 p.m. meal, and lock doors at 8 p.m. Lights out will be around 9 p.m.

Beyond providing a warm place to sleep, organizers plan to create a home-like environment with evening activities, life-skills classes, therapy sessions, and discipleship opportunities. Several community groups will rotate through to offer arts, crafts, and other support.

“We’re trying to create an environment that doesn’t feel like you’re in a shelter, but like you’re hanging out with family,” Vann said. “Everything we do as a ministry centers around family.”

A “store” inside the building will supply clothing, shoes, toiletries, books, backpacks, and other essentials at no cost to guests.

The Refuge Project is being supported by New Beginnings and the Salvation Army, which will receive guests each morning after the shelter closes at 8 a.m. The Hutchinson Community Foundation is acting as the project’s fiscal sponsor.

While donations have already poured in, Vann said the greatest remaining need is volunteers.

“Whatever your capacity is, we’ll work with that,” he said. “We have people who can come for a few hours and some who will stay overnight. We just need helping hands.”

Volunteers will receive training before the shelter opens. No prior experience is required.

Vann said the project also hopes to contribute to broader housing discussions in Reno County by gathering data on what kinds of shelter and housing options are most needed.

“Not every unit needs to be a single-family house,” he said. “We need a diversity of housing types to serve different situations. Housing insecurity is not the same as criminal behavior — it’s a social and economic condition. We need to rethink how we look at homelessness.”

The project will serve only during winter, but Vann emphasized that homelessness is a year-round challenge requiring long-term solutions beyond seasonal sheltering.

For Vann, the work aligns closely with the church’s mission.

“We believe we’re called to love our neighbors, and love is an action word,” he said. “We want people to leave knowing someone is in their corner, cheering for them.”

For more information, volunteer opportunities, or donations, Foundation of Life Ministries can be reached at folmhutch@gmail.com

 or on social media. The church also accepts drop-off donations at its campus at 114 E. 8th Ave., across from the Salvation Army.

“We’re just asking people to do what we were taught in kindergarten,” Vann said. “Be kind.”

Foundation of Life Ministries to launch Project Refuge

A nine-way tie among write-in candidates for USD 309 Board Position 6 was broken Monday afternoon when the Reno County Board of Canvassers conducted a name drawing. Don Bogner drew the name of Diana Bruce, selecting her as the winner.

After the election was certified, it was discovered that Bruce does not live in the correct district and is therefore ineligible to serve.

The seat will officially become vacant in January. The USD 309 School Board will appoint someone to fill the position until the November 2027 election, when the remainder of the term will be on the ballot as an unexpired term.&nbsp;&nbsp;

USD 309 tie broken, winner ineligible to serve

The Hutchinson City Council will meet this afternoon, with a full agenda that includes action on more than $13 million in bonds and temporary notes, a proposed housing incentive district, and a land annexation request.

On the consent agenda, council members will consider approving the minutes from the Nov. 4 meeting, a $2.3 million appropriation ordinance, October financials, and a resolution proposing the establishment of a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District at 36th &amp; Monroe.

The council will then take up several financial ordinances and resolutions, including:

New business includes considering a $330,503.50 bid from APAC-Kansas for the Spyglass Hills watermain project and an ordinance annexing property to the east of the current PrairieLand Partners property near the U.S. 50/61 interchange.

Council will also review future agenda items, including a discussion on inoperable vehicles, and may recess into executive session to discuss confidential financial information related to a private business.

The meeting opens with a proclamation for Community Foundation Week. Public comments are welcome on non-agenda items during the designated portion of the meeting.

The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in the council chambers of city hall.

City council to consider bond issuance, RHID 

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. ——————————————

Paul	Steven	11/17/2025 2:17&nbsp;PM	Brent		Failure to Appear

Thomas	Allen Bernhard	11/17/2025 7:11&nbsp;AM	Hammonds		DL Violation; No Drivers License in Possession

Robert	Delfino	11/17/2025 9:34&nbsp;PM	Raigoza	Jr	Interfere w/ LEO; unknown circ; misdemeanor, Pedestrian; Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs upon Roadway

Daily Bookings

TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Monday that 10 non-citizens with prior criminal convictions have been taken into federal custody following targeted enforcement operations in Hutchinson, Newton, Garden City and Dodge City in recent weeks.

The arrests, conducted between Oct. 24 and Nov. 14, were carried out by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to Kobach, the individuals detained were identified through the state’s new authority under the federal 287(g) program, which allows trained KBI personnel to perform certain immigration enforcement actions under ICE supervision.

“Had my office not obtained 287(g) authority and investigated these cases, these dangerous illegal aliens would have continued to live in Kansas communities hiding in plain sight,” Kobach said.

The detainees — citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Somalia, and Ethiopia — had previously been convicted of a range of offenses including second-degree murder, sex crimes involving minors, aggravated battery, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and firearm-related crimes.

KBI Director Tony Mattivi said the initiative is aimed at removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety.

“Each of these offenders had been tried and convicted of a sex offense, a drug offense, or a violent offense,” Mattivi said. “Anyone without citizenship who commits serious crimes against Kansans should not be allowed to stay in our communities.”

All 10 are now in ICE custody and face federal immigration proceedings, including possible removal from the United States.

Kansas signed its 287(g) agreement with the Department of Homeland Security in February, allowing a limited number of KBI agents to receive ICE training and authority to issue immigration detainers and execute administrative warrants. Kobach, who campaigned on stricter immigration enforcement, has repeatedly touted the program as a key tool in state-level crime and immigration control.

The KBI said operations will continue as investigations identify additional individuals meeting enforcement criteria.

KBI, ICE detain 10 non-citizens convicted of serious crimes

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

Three-day outlook

The&nbsp;City of Hutchinson Public Works Department&nbsp;will be downtown this week during&nbsp;Third Thursday&nbsp;to help support the&nbsp;Food Bank of Reno County&nbsp;through a special&nbsp;“Fill A Bucket”&nbsp;donation drive.

Public Works staff will be accepting food donations&nbsp;in the parking area on the south side of DCI Park on 2nd Avenue throughout the event.

The Food Bank has shared that there is a particular need for&nbsp;cereal, soups, canned chicken, pancake mix, and syrups.

Residents are encouraged to stop by, say hello to Public Works staff, and help “fill a bucket” to make a difference for local families this holiday season.

City of Hutchinson Public Works "Fill a Bucket" for the Food Bank at Third Thursday 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal car-pedestrian crash that occurred early Sunday morning near Kansas 15 Highway and MacArthur Road in Sedgwick County have identified the victim as&nbsp;33-year-old Nicholas Wade Garcia of Newton, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.

Just after 12:30 a.m., Sunday a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputy came upon a collision on southbound Kansas 15 Highway just south of MacArthur. The deputy located Garcia 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. Garcia 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 Garcia, who was in the roadway. Garcia 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 IDs Kansas man who died in pedestrian accident

This criminal illegal alien was RELEASED into the country under the Biden administration, granted a work authorization, and was even issued a commercial driver’s license by Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 31-year-old Akhror Bozorov, a criminal illegal alien from Uzbekistan wanted in his origin country for belonging to a&nbsp;terrorist&nbsp;organization.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Uzbekistan authorities issued an arrest warrant for Bozorov in 2022 for being a member of a terrorist organization. He is accused of distributing terrorist propaganda calling for jihad online and recruiting terrorists to join the jihad movement.

ICE arrested him in Kansas on November 9, while he was working as a commercial truck driver. Governor Josh Shapiro’s Pennsylvania issued him a commercial driver's license (CDL). The Biden administration granted him work authorization in January 2024.

“Not only was Akhror Bozorov—a wanted&nbsp;terrorist—RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration, but he was he was also given a commercial driver’s license by Governor Shapiro’s Pennsylvania. This should go without saying, but terrorist illegal aliens should not be operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.&nbsp;“Biden and Mayorkas allowed countless terrorists to come into our country. President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed ICE to target these national security threats.”

Bozorov illegally entered the United States in February 2023. He was then arrested by U.S. Border Patrol and released into American communities by the Biden administration.

ICE arrests truck driver in Kansas, wanted on international terrorism warrant

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just after 5a.m. Tuesday at Kansas City International Airport.

A Honda Fit was traveling the wrong way on International Circle, just south of 1 KC Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The car&nbsp; collided head-on with a Subaru. 

The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead from the medical staff at a local hospital. The driver and passenger of the Subaru were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

 This is Fatality #59 vs #82 last year in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Becchina.

Driver killed in head-on crash at Kansas City International Airport

At the Great Bend City Council meeting on Nov. 17, School Resource Officer Paul Millard was awarded the Bronze Wreath of Valor by the Wichita Police Department for his heroic off-duty action during the Towne East Mall shooting on August 8.

"Due to your actions that day, not only were we able to get all three people into custody, but both juveniles who were shot survived, and all three juvenile suspects were all charged in district court, which is still pending," said WPD Detective Rogers. "It was your quick actions that day that helped us come in and get everybody medical attention and get people in custody as fast as we could. So I thank you for that."

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also provided a letter of gratitude that was presented to Millard as well.

"Please accept my warmest congratulations on receiving the Wichita Police Department's Bronze Wreath of Valor," Wu wrote. "There's a recognition that is most deserved and one that symbolizes our collective appreciation and admiration for your valor."

The Bronze Wreath of Valor is the third-highest award given by the WPD for officers who demonstrate, “bravery, intelligence, or devotion to duty, and who, in the performance of such acts or acts, shall be motivated solely by the desire to serve the city without thought of personal gain or advantage,” as outlined in WPD Policy 201.

Around 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, Millard and his wife were leaving Towne East Mall after a day of shopping when they heard gunshots in the parking lot. Taking immediate action, Millard rushed over to the scene, restrained a suspect and stopped the threat until the Wichita Police arrived.

With 27 years of service at the Great Bend Police Department, Millard has spent the past decade as the SRO for the USD 428 School System. He also leads the department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program and has been member of the bike patrol unit and SWAT team, as well as a supervisor throughout his extensive career.

In addition to this honor, Millard received national recognition as SRO of the Month by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) on Aug. 18.

Great Bend officer honored for response to mall shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-shutdown-b1d25a2e1bdcd24cfde8ad8b655b9843">shut down the department</a>.

It represents a major step forward for the administration’s dismantling of the department, which has mainly involved cutting jobs since President Donald Trump called for its elimination with an executive action in March.

Six new agreements signed by the Education Department will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies. Most notable is one that will put the Department of Labor over some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools, including Title I money for schools serving low-income communities.

Opponents have urged against such a shake-up, saying it could disrupt programs that support some of the nation’s most&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-closure-c7cddd1dbf310dadcd70e003d62a6df0">vulnerable student populations</a>. Some argue that other agencies don’t have the expertise that schools and families rely on at the Education Department.

A union representing department workers said students, educators and families depend on the agency's support for schools.

“That national mission is weakened when its core functions are scattered across other federal or state agencies that are not equipped or positioned to provide the same support and services as ED staff,” AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman said.

Department officials said the programs will continue to be funded at levels set by Congress. They did not say whether the changes would bring further job cuts at the department, which has been thinned by waves of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-civil-rights-8cbf463cce765f497c10d688ab4d51e1">mass layoffs</a>&nbsp;and voluntary retirement offers.

“The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission.”

The action leaves in place the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dismantling-education-department-8b5d0961700f0fe69d18ea80b437c8b8">$1.6 trillion student loan portfolio</a>&nbsp;and its funding for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-iep-disability-civil-rights-trump-85a6687d9ef1f5236f2637924d66a560">students with disabilities</a>, though McMahon has suggested both would be better managed by other federal departments. Also unaffected is the department's Office for Civil Rights, which works with students and families who bring allegations of discrimination.

McMahon and her staff have spent months hammering out the deals, which allow the department to lop off large parts of its footprint without action from Congress. It’s being done through formal agreements that agencies often make with one another when their work overlaps.

The Education Department tested the idea in June with a deal that moved adult education programs to Labor. The new agreements take it a step further and lay the groundwork for more.

Under the new plan, Labor will oversee almost all grant programs that are now managed by the Education Department’s offices for K-12 and higher education. Along with the $18 billion Title I program, that includes smaller funding pools for teacher training, English instruction and TRIO, a program that helps steer low-income students to college degrees.

It will effectively outsource the department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and Office of Postsecondary Education, two of the agency’s largest units. Two major roles of the postsecondary office will remain with the Education Department: oversight of student loan policy and the accreditation of colleges for eligibility to receive students’ federal financial aid.

States and schools should not expect any disruptions in their funding, the department said, but their federal money will now come from the Department of Labor.

Another deal will put Health and Human Services in charge of a grant program for parents who are attending college, along with management of foreign medical school accreditation. The State Department will take on foreign language programs. Interior will oversee programs for Native American education.

McMahon has increasingly pointed to what she sees as failures of the department as she argues for its demise. In its 45 years, she says it has become a bloated bureaucracy while student outcomes continue to lag behind. She points to math and reading scores for the country’s K-12 students, which plummeted in the wake of pandemic restrictions.

Her vision would abolish the Education Department and give states wider flexibility in how they spend money that’s now earmarked for specific purposes, including literacy and education for homeless students. That, however, would require approval from Congress. The task is complicated by the fact that some of the department’s core work has long had bipartisan support.

The new deals are part of a broader plan to prove that America’s schools and colleges can operate without the department. As part of the plan, officials say McMahon will continue touring the country to highlight the successes of local schools — and she will also spend more time making her pitch to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Kan. U.S. Senator applauds new steps to dismantle U.S. Dept. of Education

WASHINGTON (AP) —Both the House and Senate acted decisively Tuesday to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>, a remarkable display of approval for an effort that had struggled for months to overcome opposition from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;and Republican leadership.

When a small, bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced a petition in July to maneuver around Speaker Mike Johnson’s control of which bills reach the floor, it appeared a long-shot effort — especially as the president urged supporters to dismiss the matter as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/wh-backs-handwriting-review-of-epstein-birthday-book-signature-insists-trump-ties-a-democrat-hoax-0b360963ee534211b469e7dbb0323b81">“hoax.”</a>

But both Trump and Johnson failed in their efforts to prevent the vote. Now the president has bowed to the growing momentum behind the bill and even said he will sign it. Just hours after the House passed the bill, the Senate agreed to pass it with unanimous consent once it is sent to the body.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill Tuesday to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>, a remarkable display of approval for an effort that had struggled for months to overcome opposition from President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Republican leadership.

When a small bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced a petition in July to maneuver around House Speaker Mike Johnson’s control of which bills reach the House floor, it appeared a longshot effort — especially as Trump urged his supporters to dismiss the matter as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/wh-backs-handwriting-review-of-epstein-birthday-book-signature-insists-trump-ties-a-democrat-hoax-0b360963ee534211b469e7dbb0323b81">“hoax.”</a>

But both Trump and Johnson failed in their efforts to prevent the vote. Now the president has bowed to the growing momentum behind the bill and even said he will sign it if it also passes the Senate.

The bill passed 427-1, with the only no vote coming from Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican who is a fervent supporter of Trump. He also chairs a subcommittee that initiated a subpoena on the Justice Department for the Epstein files.&nbsp; Kansas Representatives Ron Estes, Tracey Mann, Sharice Davids and Derek Schmidt voted in favor of the bill.

Tuesday’s vote further showed the pressure mounting on lawmakers and the Trump administration to meet long-held demands that the Justice Department release its case files on Epstein, a well-connected financier who killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges he sexually abused and trafficked underage girls.

“These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight. And they did it by banding together and never giving up," said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as she stood with some of the abuse survivors outside the Capitol Tuesday morning.

“That’s what we did by fighting so hard against the most powerful people in the world, even the president of the United States, in order to make this vote happen today,” added Greene, a Georgia Republican and longtime Trump loyalist.

A separate investigation conducted by the House Oversight Committee has released thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-emails-trump-house-democrats-db7df1042a73e610fb5deddf2f90bd3a">pages of emails</a>&nbsp;and other documents from Epstein's estate, showing his connections to global leaders, Wall Street powerbrokers, influential political figures and Trump himself. In the United Kingdom, King Charles III stripped his disgraced brother Prince Andrew of his remaining titles and evicted him from his royal residence after pressure to act over his relationship with Epstein.

Pushing for more accountability, the survivors of Epstein's abuse cast the current effort in Congress as a step towards accountability for Epstein's crimes after years of government failure under multiple presidential administrations.

Trump has said he cut ties with Epstein years ago, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-midterms-affordability-economy-c908847c586e635e26ecd5ee203df474">tried for months to move past the demands</a>&nbsp;for disclosure. On Monday, he told reporters that Epstein was connected to more Democrats and that he didn't want the Epstein files to “detract from the great success of the Republican Party.”

Still, many in the Republican base have continued to demand the release of the files. Adding to that pressure, several survivors of Epstein's abuse rallied outside the Capitol Tuesday morning. Bundled in jackets against the November chill and holding photos of themselves as teenagers, they recounted their stories of abuse.

“We are exhausted from surviving the trauma and then surviving the political conflicts that surround it,” said Jena-Lisa Jones, one of the survivors.

She added that she had voted for Trump, but had a message for the president: “I beg you Donald Trump, please stop making this political.”

The group of women also met with Johnson and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-survivors-congress-trump-5d980740245f935c994a90b8ce824642">rallied outside the Capitol in September</a>, but have had to wait months for the vote.

That's because Johnson kept the House closed for legislative business for nearly two months and also refused to swear-in Democratic Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adelita-grijalva-arizona-house-epstein-files-johnson-da75c9f0e362291f3d0edb1da99e019d">Adelita Grijalva</a>&nbsp;of Arizona during the government shutdown. After winning a special election on Sept. 23, Grijalva had pledged to provide the crucial 218th vote to the petition for the Epstein files bill. But only after she was sworn into office last week could she sign her name to the discharge petition to give it majority support in the 435-member House.

It quickly became apparent the bill would pass, and both Johnson and Trump began to fold. Trump on Sunday said Republicans should vote for the bill.

Yet Greene told reporters that Trump's decision to fight the bill had betrayed his Make America Great Again political movement.

"Watching this turn into a fight has ripped MAGA apart,” she said.

Rather than waiting until next week for the discharge position to officially take effect, Johnson is moving to hold the vote under a procedure that requires a two-thirds majority.

But Johnson also spent a morning news conference listing off problems that he sees with the legislation. He argued that the bill could have unintended consequences by disclosing parts of federal investigations that are usually kept private, including information on victims.

“This is a raw and obvious political exercise," Johnson said.

Still, he planned to vote for the bill. “None of us want to go on record and in any way be accused of not being for maximum transparency,” he added.

Meanwhile, House Democrats celebrated the vote as a rare win for the minority.

“It’s a complete and total surrender, because as Democrats we made clear from the very beginning, the survivors and the American people deserve full and complete transparency as it relates to the lives that were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

It's not clear how the Senate will handle the bill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has previously been circumspect when asked about the legislation and instead said he trusted the Justice Department to release information on the Epstein investigation.

But what the Justice Department has released so far under Trump was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-congress-justice-department-trump-3e0d2146ce0cd0f6cecaab0198402ac7">mostly already public</a>. The bill would go further, forcing the release within 30 days of 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 continuing federal investigations would be allowed to be redacted, but not information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.”

Johnson also said he wants to see the Senate amend the bill to protect the information of “victims and whistleblowers.”

But the bipartisan pair who sponsored the bill, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., warned senators against doing anything that would “muck it up" and said they would face the same public uproar that forced both Trump and Johnson to back down.

“We've needlessly dragged this out for four months,” Massie said, adding that those raising problems with the bill “are afraid that people will be embarrassed. Well, that's the whole point here."

427-1: Kansas lawmakers vote to force release of Epstein files

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;welcomed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-saudi-arabia-israel-abraham-accords-mbs-24efae2972c9c4a488fcda5ff8c5ad1f">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>&nbsp;to Washington on Tuesday as the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia makes his first White House visit since the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jamal-khashoggi">Jamal Khashoggi</a>&nbsp;by Saudi agents.

Trump warmly received Prince Mohammed when he arrived at the White House Tuesday morning for a pomp-filled arrival ceremony that included a military flyover and a thundering greeting from the U.S. Marine band.

The U.S.-Saudi relationship had been sent into a tailspin by the operation targeting Khashoggi, a fierce critic of the kingdom, that U.S. intelligence agencies later determined Prince Mohammed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-saudi-crown-prince-khashoggi-killing-26c37f6d603737de7509f5ee09ae7f9d">likely directed the agents</a>&nbsp;to carry out.

But seven years later, the dark clouds over the relationship have been cleared away. And Trump has tightened his embrace of the 40-year-old crown prince he views as an indispensable player in shaping the Middle East in the decades to come. Prince Mohammed, for his part, denies involvement in the killing of Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen and Virginia resident.

Khashoggi was an afterthought as the two leaders unveil billions of dollars in deals and huddle with aides to discuss the tricky path ahead in a volatile Middle East. They'll end their day with an evening White House soiree, organized by first lady Melania Trump, to honor the prince.

The president dismissed questions to the crown prince about the journalist's killing.

“Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen,” Trump said of the international incident.

Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with the prince by his side, commended the Saudi leader for strides made by the kingdom on human rights without providing any specific detail.

“I’m very proud of the job he’s done,” Trump said. “What’s he done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else.”

The crown prince for his part announced Saudi Arabia was increasing its planned investments in the U.S. to $1 trillion, up from $600 billion that the Saudis said they planned to invest in the United States when Trump visited the kingdom in May.

Trump's family has a strong personal interest in the kingdom. In September, London real estate developer Dar Global announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-trump-organization-jeddah-dar-global-539989a563d8f7eb949be2e10ee18d0a">it plans to launch Trump Plaza</a>&nbsp;in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

It's Dar Global's second collaboration with the Trump Organization, the collection of companies controlled by the U.S. president's children, in Saudi Arabia. Last year, the two companies announced the launch of Trump Tower Jeddah.

Trump pushed back on the notion Tuesday that there was a conflict of interest.

“I have nothing to do with the family business,” said Trump on Tuesday, adding that his family has relatively little interest in the kingdom.

Technically, it's not a state visit, because the crown prince is not the head of state. But Prince Mohammed has taken charge of the day-to-day governing for his father, King Salman, 89, who has endured health problems in recent years.

Most foreign leaders who come to meet with Trump are driven up to the doors of the West Wing, where the president often greets them. But Prince Mohammed, accompanied by the Saudi prime minister, was welcomed with a formal arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.

Trump then showed the prince the newly-installed Presidential Walk of Fame that features gold-framed images of past presidents along the West Wing colonnade and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-presidential-portraits-biden-autopen-white-house-e8624154e72631e723930ea549bb8910">a photo of an autopen signing the name of former President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in place of the Democrat’s official portrait.

An Oval Office meeting and luncheon in the Cabinet Room will follow.

Trump will then see the crown prince off in the afternoon but he’s expected to return to the South Lawn, with the first lady, to welcome the crown prince when he returns for the evening East Room dinner.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese soccer great who is playing in the Saudi Pro League, is also expected to be at the White House on Tuesday during the crown prince's visit, according to a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

In addition to White House pomp, the two nations are also planning an investment summit at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday that will include the heads of Salesforce, Qualcomm, Pfizer, the Cleveland Clinic, Chevron and Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national oil and natural gas company, where even more deals with the Saudis could be announced.

Ahead of Prince Mohammed's arrival, Trump announced he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-saudi-arabia-crown-prince-f35-77edbfa2f257805d43a501cd4808648a">agreed to sell the Saudis F-35 fighter jets</a>&nbsp;despite some concerns within the administration that the sale could lead to China gaining access to the U.S. technology behind the advanced weapon system.

Trump's announcement is also surprising because some in the Republican administration have been wary about upsetting Israel’s qualitative military edge over its neighbors, especially at a time when Trump is depending on Israeli support for the success of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-israel-hamas-war-gaza-708a08671b8842d7a7a5e250ec51351c">Gaza peace plan</a>.

But the unexpected move comes at a moment when Trump is trying to nudge the Saudis toward normalizing relations with Israel.

The president in his first term had helped forge commercial and diplomatic ties between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates through an effort dubbed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bahrain-israel-united-arab-emirates-middle-east-elections-7544b322a254ebea1693e387d83d9d8b">Abraham Accords</a>.

Trump sees expansion of the accords as essential to his broader efforts to build stability in the Middle East after the two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Local

Region

Sports