Scott Bessent, The billionaire money manager from South Carolina took questions from members of the Senate Finance Committee including Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, during his confirmation hearing Thursday.

On social media Marshall wrote, "Scott Bessent, our next Secretary of Treasury, is committed to delivering prosperity to all Americans, including in small-town America."

Before the hearing began, Bessent walked around the room shaking hands with senators before being seated.

Republican Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo opened Bessent’s confirmation hearing, telling him: “It’s clear you followed applicable law and provided thousands of pages of documentation that substantiate your positions.”

“President Trump made an excellent choice in nominating you for Secretary of Treasury,” Crapo told Bessent.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden says voters won’t get the change they voted for in Bessent or Trump

“In a Trump economy, the winner’s circle is small,” Wyden, a ranking member of the committee said in his opening statement.

To bring in revenues, Wyden said the Trump administration “will be offering across the board tariffs,” he said “trillions of dollars in new taxes paid for by working Americans.”

Wyden brought up the IRS’s new Direct File system — where taxpayers can file their taxes directly to the IRS for free — and the threat it faces to be defunded.

“The software giants want Direct File killed. Republicans are on their side, so they might get their way. It could cost American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars this year alone,” he said.

Bessent talked about his background, growing up in South Carolina and getting involved in finance

“We must work to get our fiscal house in order,” Bessent said in his opening statement. “As we begin 2025, Americans are barreling towards an economic crisis towards year end.”

He called for an extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

“For too long, our nation has allowed unfair distortions in the international trade system,” he said.

Sen. Wyden’s first question to Bessent was about the future of the Direct File system

Wyden asked him if would preserve the program, adding that millions of taxpayers would be eligible for it.

“Will you commit to keeping Direct File up and running?” Wyden asked.

“I will commit for this tax season that Direct File will be operative,” Bessent responded. “If confirmed I will consult and study the program.”

Bessent says the nation has a spending problem

Sen. Chuck Grassley brought out a poster that argues “revenues are historically steady regardless of marginal tax rates.”

Bessent responded: “We do not have a revenue problem in the U.S. we have a spending problem.”

Sen. John Cornyn asks about US investments in China and Bessent’s view on transparency requirements

The Treasury secretary serves as the chair of the CFIUS committee which screens foreign investments inside the U.S. as well as U.S. investments in China.

Bessent said China “has the most unbalanced economy in the history in the world,” and “we should have a very rigorous screening process for anything that could be used, in AI, quantum computing, and chips.”

Bessent says Social Security and Medicare funding ‘would not be touched’

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who’s co-sponsored a bipartisan bill related to preserving the solvency of Social Security, asked whether Bessent would touch Social Security or Medicare funding.

“Those would not be touched,” Bessent said. “One of the tragedies of the blowout of the budget deficit is we need to get our short term house in order.”

The Biden administration’s sanctions on Russia aren’t aggressive enough, Bessent says

“The tragedy going on in Ukraine is one of the greatest tragedies of my adult life,” Bessent said.

He said the Biden administration’s sanctions weren’t strong enough.

“I believe the previous administration was worried about raising U.S. energy prices during an election season and I’m perplexed to see National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on his way out the door raising the sanctions level on Russian oil companies.”

Bessent asked if he believes the Federal Reserve should be independent

In response, Bessent: “Of course and I actually believe the notion that I said President Trump should have influence comes from a highly inaccurate WSJ article.”

Asked by Republican Sen. Todd Young about conducting an impartial review of the Nippon Steel deal, Bessent said: “President Trump has also most recently spoken out against the deal.”

“It is currently in litigation. If it reappears, CFIUS will conduct the same review it always does.”

Would Bessent recommend cutting Medicaid?

When asked whether he’d recommend cutting Medicaid, Bessent stammered slightly and said “I am in favor of empowering states. In some states that will be an increase and some states that will be a decrease.”

Asked whether he would recommend cuts to Head Start, Bessent declined to answer and said “I don’t understand the budget ramifications.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders asks Bessent about Biden’s claim of an oligarchy

Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders, a new member of the Senate Finance Committee, asked Bessent about wealth inequality and started with a speech about the concentration of ownership of the media and the information Americans receive.

“Would you agree with President Biden that an oligarchy is taking shape in America?” Sanders asked.

“The billionaires you listed make the money themselves,” Bessent said. “I would note that President Biden gave a presidential medal of freedom to people who qualify” for Biden’s definition of an oligarch, Bessent added.

For the first time in the hearing, Bessent’s sexual orientation is brought up

It was when Bessent said that at 17 years old, he wanted to attend the U.S. Naval Academy but couldn’t because of his sexual preference.

“President Trump chose me, “Bessent said, for Treasury Secretary, “not because of my sexual preference,” but because of his qualifications. “I think it is a tribute to President Trump. He looks at people as people.”

If confirmed, Bessent would be the first openly gay treasury secretary.

Bessent talks about central bank digital currencies

Asked by Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn about his view on central bank digital currencies, known as CBDCs, and whether he’d continue the Biden administration’s project of looking into the viability of the U.S. implementing a CBDC, Bessent said: "I see no reason for the U.S. to have a central bank digital currency. In my mind a central bank digital currency is for countries that have no other alternatives; many of these countries are doing it out of necessity.”

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse brings up analysis of Bessent’s personal taxes and possible conflicts of interest

“We are up to date on all of our taxes,” Bessent said, adding he would shutter his firm if confirmed, to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Bessent voiced support for Trump’s promise of no taxes on tips and Social Security

And he said he supports “making auto loans tax deductible once again.”

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked whether Bessent thinks the statutory debt limit should be repealed. Both she and President-elect Trump have called for eliminating the debt limit.

Bessent said in response that if Trump wants to eliminate the debt limit, “I will work with him.”

“The U.S. is not going to default on its debt if I’m confirmed,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo said he’ll encourage other lawmakers to advance Bessent’s nomination.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report

Scott Bessent, The billionaire money manager from South Carolina took questions from members of the Senate Finance Committee including Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, during his confirmation hearing Thursday.On social media Marshall wrote, "Scott Bessent, our next Secretary of Treasury, is committed to delivering prosperity to all Americans, including in small-town America."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">WATCH: Scott Bessent, our next Secretary of Treasury, is committed to delivering prosperity to all Americans, including in small-town America. <a href="https://t.co/BsQHMNEE8x">pic.twitter.com/BsQHMNEE8x</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1880005643962290601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Before the hearing began, Bessent walked around the room shaking hands with senators before being seated.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: Treasury Secretary Nominee Scott Bessent Opening Statement <a href="https://t.co/G1OHeFYYzS">pic.twitter.com/G1OHeFYYzS</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1879951306661462097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republican Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo opened Bessent’s confirmation hearing, telling him: “It’s clear you followed applicable law and provided thousands of pages of documentation that substantiate your positions.”“President Trump made an excellent choice in nominating you for Secretary of Treasury,” Crapo told Bessent.<h2>Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden says voters won’t get the change they voted for in Bessent or Trump</h2>“In a Trump economy, the winner’s circle is small,” Wyden, a ranking member of the committee said in his opening statement.To bring in revenues, Wyden said the Trump administration “will be offering across the board tariffs,” he said “trillions of dollars in new taxes paid for by working Americans.”Wyden brought up the IRS’s new Direct File system — where taxpayers can file their taxes directly to the IRS for free — and the threat it faces to be defunded.“The software giants want Direct File killed. Republicans are on their side, so they might get their way. It could cost American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars this year alone,” he said.<h2>Bessent talked about his background, growing up in South Carolina and getting involved in finance</h2>“We must work to get our fiscal house in order,” Bessent said in his opening statement. “As we begin 2025, Americans are barreling towards an economic crisis towards year end.”He called for an extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.“For too long, our nation has allowed unfair distortions in the international trade system,” he said.<h2>Sen. Wyden’s first question to Bessent was about the future of the Direct File system</h2>Wyden asked him if would preserve the program, adding that millions of taxpayers would be eligible for it.“Will you commit to keeping Direct File up and running?” Wyden asked.“I will commit for this tax season that Direct File will be operative,” Bessent responded. “If confirmed I will consult and study the program.”<h2>Bessent says the nation has a spending problem</h2>Sen. Chuck Grassley brought out a poster that argues “revenues are historically steady regardless of marginal tax rates.”Bessent responded: “We do not have a revenue problem in the U.S. we have a spending problem.”<h2>Sen. John Cornyn asks about US investments in China and Bessent’s view on transparency requirements</h2>The Treasury secretary serves as the chair of the CFIUS committee which screens foreign investments inside the U.S. as well as U.S. investments in China.Bessent said China “has the most unbalanced economy in the history in the world,” and “we should have a very rigorous screening process for anything that could be used, in AI, quantum computing, and chips.”<h2>Bessent says Social Security and Medicare funding ‘would not be touched’</h2>Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who’s co-sponsored a bipartisan bill related to preserving the solvency of Social Security, asked whether Bessent would touch Social Security or Medicare funding.“Those would not be touched,” Bessent said. “One of the tragedies of the blowout of the budget deficit is we need to get our short term house in order.”<h2>The Biden administration’s sanctions on Russia aren’t aggressive enough, Bessent says</h2>“The tragedy going on in Ukraine is one of the greatest tragedies of my adult life,” Bessent said.He said the Biden administration’s sanctions weren’t strong enough.“I believe the previous administration was worried about raising U.S. energy prices during an election season and I’m perplexed to see National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on his way out the door raising the sanctions level on Russian oil companies.”<h2>Bessent asked if he believes the Federal Reserve should be independent</h2>In response, Bessent: “Of course and I actually believe the notion that I said President Trump should have influence comes from a highly inaccurate WSJ article.”Asked by Republican Sen. Todd Young about conducting an impartial review of the Nippon Steel deal, Bessent said: “President Trump has also most recently spoken out against the deal.”“It is currently in litigation. If it reappears, CFIUS will conduct the same review it always does.”<h2>Would Bessent recommend cutting Medicaid?</h2>When asked whether he’d recommend cutting Medicaid, Bessent stammered slightly and said “I am in favor of empowering states. In some states that will be an increase and some states that will be a decrease.”Asked whether he would recommend cuts to Head Start, Bessent declined to answer and said “I don’t understand the budget ramifications.”<h2>Sen. Bernie Sanders asks Bessent about Biden’s claim of an oligarchy</h2>Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders, a new member of the Senate Finance Committee, asked Bessent about wealth inequality and started with a speech about the concentration of ownership of the media and the information Americans receive.“Would you agree with President Biden that an oligarchy is taking shape in America?” Sanders asked.“The billionaires you listed make the money themselves,” Bessent said. “I would note that President Biden gave a presidential medal of freedom to people who qualify” for Biden’s definition of an oligarch, Bessent added.<h2>For the first time in the hearing, Bessent’s sexual orientation is brought up</h2>It was when Bessent said that at 17 years old, he wanted to attend the U.S. Naval Academy but couldn’t because of his sexual preference.“President Trump chose me, “Bessent said, for Treasury Secretary, “not because of my sexual preference,” but because of his qualifications. “I think it is a tribute to President Trump. He looks at people as people.”If confirmed, Bessent would be the first openly gay treasury secretary.<h2>Bessent talks about central bank digital currencies</h2>Asked by Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn about his view on central bank digital currencies, known as CBDCs, and whether he’d continue the Biden administration’s project of looking into the viability of the U.S. implementing a CBDC, Bessent said: "I see no reason for the U.S. to have a central bank digital currency. In my mind a central bank digital currency is for countries that have no other alternatives; many of these countries are doing it out of necessity.”<h2>Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse brings up analysis of Bessent’s personal taxes and possible conflicts of interest</h2>“We are up to date on all of our taxes,” Bessent said, adding he would shutter his firm if confirmed, to avoid potential conflicts of interest.<h2>Bessent voiced support for Trump’s promise of no taxes on tips and Social Security</h2>And he said he supports “making auto loans tax deductible once again.”Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked whether Bessent thinks the statutory debt limit should be repealed. Both she and President-elect Trump have called for eliminating the debt limit.Bessent said in response that if Trump wants to eliminate the debt limit, “I will work with him.”“The U.S. is not going to default on its debt if I’m confirmed,” he said.In his closing remarks, Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo said he’ll encourage other lawmakers to advance Bessent’s nomination.-The Associated Press contributed to this report

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator questions Trump Treasury Secretary nominee

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MARCIA%20DUNN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer</a>

SpaceX launched its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-rocket-launch-7af865e987bb4a2aad38759e06013626">Starship rocket</a>&nbsp;on its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starbase-texas-city-incorporated-f6404f050b7025c5ce95d0a0114df61d">latest test flight</a>&nbsp;Thursday, but the spacecraft was destroyed following a thrilling booster catch back at the pad.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-apnorc-poll-favorability-8506a4eed5ac5dcfe818a277e4adf42a">Elon Musk’s</a>&nbsp;company said the spacecraft's six engines appeared to shut down one by one, with contact lost just 8 1/2 minutes into the flight.

The spacecraft was supposed to soar across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas on a near loop around the world similar to previous test flights. SpaceX had packed it with 10 dummy satellites for practice at releasing them. It was the first flight of this new and upgraded spacecraft.

A minute earlier, SpaceX used the launch tower's giant mechanical arms to catch the returning booster, a feat achieved only once before. The descending booster hovered over the launch pad before being gripped by the pair of arms dubbed chopsticks.

The thrill of the catch quickly turned into disappointment for not only the company, but the crowds gathered along the southern tip of Texas.

“It was great to see a booster come down, but we are obviously bummed out about ship,” said SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot, adding it would take time to analyze the data and figure out what happened. “It’s a flight test. It’s an experimental vehicle.”

The last data received from the spacecraft indicated an altitude of 90 miles (146 kilometers) and a velocity of 13,245 mph (21,317 kph).

The 400-foot (123-meter) rocket had thundered away in late afternoon from Boca Chica Beach near the Mexican border. The late hour ensured a daylight entry halfway around the world in the Indian Ocean. But the shiny retro-looking spacecraft never got nearly that far.

SpaceX had upgraded the spacecraft for the latest demo. The test satellites were the same size as SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites and, like the spacecraft, were meant to be destroyed upon entry.

Musk plans to launch actual Starlinks on Starships before moving on to other satellites and, eventually, crews.

It was the seventh test flight for the world’s biggest and most powerful rocket. NASA has reserved a pair of Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade. Musk’s goal is Mars.

Hours earlier in Florida, another billionaire’s rocket company — Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin — launched the newest supersized rocket, New Glenn. The rocket reached orbit on its first flight, successfully placing an experimental satellite thousands of miles above Earth. But the first-stage booster was destroyed, missing its targeted landing on a floating platform in the Atlantic.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MARCIA%20DUNN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer</a>SpaceX launched its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-rocket-launch-7af865e987bb4a2aad38759e06013626">Starship rocket</a>&nbsp;on its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starbase-texas-city-incorporated-f6404f050b7025c5ce95d0a0114df61d">latest test flight</a>&nbsp;Thursday, but the spacecraft was destroyed following a thrilling booster catch back at the pad.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨ <a href="https://t.co/nn3PiP8XwG">pic.twitter.com/nn3PiP8XwG</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1880040599761596689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-apnorc-poll-favorability-8506a4eed5ac5dcfe818a277e4adf42a">Elon Musk’s</a>&nbsp;company said the spacecraft's six engines appeared to shut down one by one, with contact lost just 8 1/2 minutes into the flight.The spacecraft was supposed to soar across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas on a near loop around the world similar to previous test flights. SpaceX had packed it with 10 dummy satellites for practice at releasing them. It was the first flight of this new and upgraded spacecraft.A minute earlier, SpaceX used the launch tower's giant mechanical arms to catch the returning booster, a feat achieved only once before. The descending booster hovered over the launch pad before being gripped by the pair of arms dubbed chopsticks.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Mechazilla has caught the Super Heavy booster! <a href="https://t.co/aq91TloYzY">pic.twitter.com/aq91TloYzY</a>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1880024050048589841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The thrill of the catch quickly turned into disappointment for not only the company, but the crowds gathered along the southern tip of Texas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Liftoff of Starship! <a href="https://t.co/7lrFjGXzAi">pic.twitter.com/7lrFjGXzAi</a>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1880021718661521611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It was great to see a booster come down, but we are obviously bummed out about ship,” said SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot, adding it would take time to analyze the data and figure out what happened. “It’s a flight test. It’s an experimental vehicle.”The last data received from the spacecraft indicated an altitude of 90 miles (146 kilometers) and a velocity of 13,245 mph (21,317 kph).The 400-foot (123-meter) rocket had thundered away in late afternoon from Boca Chica Beach near the Mexican border. The late hour ensured a daylight entry halfway around the world in the Indian Ocean. But the shiny retro-looking spacecraft never got nearly that far.SpaceX had upgraded the spacecraft for the latest demo. The test satellites were the same size as SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites and, like the spacecraft, were meant to be destroyed upon entry.Musk plans to launch actual Starlinks on Starships before moving on to other satellites and, eventually, crews.It was the seventh test flight for the world’s biggest and most powerful rocket. NASA has reserved a pair of Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade. Musk’s goal is Mars.Hours earlier in Florida, another billionaire’s rocket company — Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin — launched the newest supersized rocket, New Glenn. The rocket reached orbit on its first flight, successfully placing an experimental satellite thousands of miles above Earth. But the first-stage booster was destroyed, missing its targeted landing on a floating platform in the Atlantic.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

🎥SpaceX loses spacecraft after catching rocket booster at launch pad 

A military doctor who pleaded guilty to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-abuse-jblm-military-81ec47eff2fe6b9547c6f5ede2faa953">sexually abusing dozens of male soldiers</a>&nbsp;at Joint Base Lewis-McChord was sentenced Wednesday to just over 13 years in prison, was ordered to forfeit all pay and allowances and was dismissed from the U.S. Army.

Maj. Michael Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the base’s Madigan Army Medical Center,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abuse-jblm-army-military-sexual-abuse-34db9c2b5ae49a7adc8e1f8030bf36d5">pleaded guilty on Jan. 8</a>&nbsp;to 36 specifications, or counts, of abusive sexual contact and five of indecent viewing, said Michelle McCaskill, spokesperson with the U.S. Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.

“The sentence imposed by the court holds Maj. Stockin accountable for every person he victimized through his crimes," Maj. Allyson Montgomery, prosecutor, Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, said in a statement. “The results of this proceeding shine a light on the trauma caused by Maj. Stockin by allowing the voices of every victim to be heard in a public hearing.”

JBLM is the Army’s fifth-largest base and is about 47 miles (75 kilometers) south of Seattle. The Madigan medical center is the Army’s second-largest medical treatment facility.

After his plea, 22 of the 41 victims testified about the trauma and distress they endured because of Stockin’s abuse. Many said Stockin caused them to suffer negative emotional, physical, and psychological harm because of the crimes committed against them.

“The resilience of the victims in this case should be celebrated," said lead prosecutor Maj. Ryan Keeter. "They have been living with the trauma that has come from Maj. Stockin’s actions for years and the last 16 months of litigation on the way to this court-martial has not been easy. I thank them for their patience, their strength, and their determination for justice.”

Stockin's lawyer, Robert Capovilla, said the doctor faced more than 300 years of prison, but his sentence was capped at just over a dozen years.

“Major Stockin took full responsibility for his actions, and he made no excuses,” Capovilla said in an email. “The Defense hopes and prays that the victims and Major Stockin will finally be able to heal and to move forward with their lives.”

Lawyers representing 22 of Stockin’s former patients have filed Federal Tort Claims Act complaints against the Army and Department of Defense on behalf of the servicemen, claiming the agencies were negligent in hiring, supervising and retaining Stockin. Each is seeking $5 million in damages for the emotional distress they say they've suffered.

Christine Dunn, representing the victims, said Stockin's sentencing provides some sense of justice,“ but for our clients, real justice requires holding the Army accountable for its role in allowing this to happen.”

The Army failed their clients and other victims, scarring them for life, Dunn said in an email.

“During the sentencing hearing, victim after victim described the emotional impact the sexual abuse has had on their lives,” Dunn said. “These brave soldiers are now riddled with anxiety and shame – many of them terrified to even seek medical attention.”

The Army launched an investigation into Stockin in 2022 after receiving multiple complaints, McCaskill said. He was suspended from patient care and was given administrative duties. He was formally charged in August 2023 with 23 counts of abusive sexual contact. In January 2024, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel referred 52 charges and specifications, stemming from allegations by 41 male patients he treated between 2019 and 2022.

Stockin will be transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he'll serve his prison sentence, McCaskill said. Based on his crimes, he'll be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements once released from prison.

By MARTHA BELLISLE Associated PressA military doctor who pleaded guilty to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-abuse-jblm-military-81ec47eff2fe6b9547c6f5ede2faa953">sexually abusing dozens of male soldiers</a>&nbsp;at Joint Base Lewis-McChord was sentenced Wednesday to just over 13 years in prison, was ordered to forfeit all pay and allowances and was dismissed from the U.S. Army.Maj. Michael Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the base’s Madigan Army Medical Center,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abuse-jblm-army-military-sexual-abuse-34db9c2b5ae49a7adc8e1f8030bf36d5">pleaded guilty on Jan. 8</a>&nbsp;to 36 specifications, or counts, of abusive sexual contact and five of indecent viewing, said Michelle McCaskill, spokesperson with the U.S. Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.“The sentence imposed by the court holds Maj. Stockin accountable for every person he victimized through his crimes," Maj. Allyson Montgomery, prosecutor, Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, said in a statement. “The results of this proceeding shine a light on the trauma caused by Maj. Stockin by allowing the voices of every victim to be heard in a public hearing.”JBLM is the Army’s fifth-largest base and is about 47 miles (75 kilometers) south of Seattle. The Madigan medical center is the Army’s second-largest medical treatment facility.After his plea, 22 of the 41 victims testified about the trauma and distress they endured because of Stockin’s abuse. Many said Stockin caused them to suffer negative emotional, physical, and psychological harm because of the crimes committed against them.“The resilience of the victims in this case should be celebrated," said lead prosecutor Maj. Ryan Keeter. "They have been living with the trauma that has come from Maj. Stockin’s actions for years and the last 16 months of litigation on the way to this court-martial has not been easy. I thank them for their patience, their strength, and their determination for justice.”Stockin's lawyer, Robert Capovilla, said the doctor faced more than 300 years of prison, but his sentence was capped at just over a dozen years.“Major Stockin took full responsibility for his actions, and he made no excuses,” Capovilla said in an email. “The Defense hopes and prays that the victims and Major Stockin will finally be able to heal and to move forward with their lives.”Lawyers representing 22 of Stockin’s former patients have filed Federal Tort Claims Act complaints against the Army and Department of Defense on behalf of the servicemen, claiming the agencies were negligent in hiring, supervising and retaining Stockin. Each is seeking $5 million in damages for the emotional distress they say they've suffered.Christine Dunn, representing the victims, said Stockin's sentencing provides some sense of justice,“ but for our clients, real justice requires holding the Army accountable for its role in allowing this to happen.”The Army failed their clients and other victims, scarring them for life, Dunn said in an email.“During the sentencing hearing, victim after victim described the emotional impact the sexual abuse has had on their lives,” Dunn said. “These brave soldiers are now riddled with anxiety and shame – many of them terrified to even seek medical attention.”The Army launched an investigation into Stockin in 2022 after receiving multiple complaints, McCaskill said. He was suspended from patient care and was given administrative duties. He was formally charged in August 2023 with 23 counts of abusive sexual contact. In January 2024, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel referred 52 charges and specifications, stemming from allegations by 41 male patients he treated between 2019 and 2022.Stockin will be transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he'll serve his prison sentence, McCaskill said. Based on his crimes, he'll be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements once released from prison.

Doctor who sexually abused soldiers is sent to prison in Kansas

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating one of three homicides on Tuesday have identified another victims as 22-year-old Alex Benson,&nbsp;, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment complex in the area of 6300 Manchester Avenue in Kansas City, according to Gonzalez.

When officers arrived on scene, they made contact with the calling party who advised someone was shot inside. Officers entered the residence and located a man, later identified as Benson, suffering from apparent, gunshot trauma and unresponsive. EMS personnel responded to the scene and declared him deceased.

Police had no preliminary information at this time that would indicate what lead up to the shooting and have not reported an arrest or suspect information.&nbsp; The name of the victim has not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736904780718.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation near 6300 Manchester Avenue on Tuesday afternoon- Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation near 6300 Manchester Avenue on Tuesday afternoon- Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating one of three homicides on Tuesday have identified another victims as 22-year-old Alex Benson,&nbsp;, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment complex in the area of 6300 Manchester Avenue in Kansas City, according to Gonzalez.When officers arrived on scene, they made contact with the calling party who advised someone was shot inside. Officers entered the residence and located a man, later identified as Benson, suffering from apparent, gunshot trauma and unresponsive. EMS personnel responded to the scene and declared him deceased.Police had no preliminary information at this time that would indicate what lead up to the shooting and have not reported an arrest or suspect information.&nbsp; The name of the victim has not been released.

Homicide: Police ID man found dead in Kansas City apartment

Gov. Laura Kelly says it’s up to lawmakers now to ensure western Kansas doesn’t dry up and become deserted

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly proposed creating a state natural resources office and spending another $30 million each year to address the state’s water crisis in her State of the State Address Wednesday night.&nbsp;

In her speech, Kelly, a Democrat, looked back over the first 25 years of the 21st century and said she sees “so many good things on the horizon” in the next 75 years. But she called the state’s dwindling water supply “seriously concerning.”

“Without that water, the agricultural industry that fuels our economy and sustains our rural way of life cannot survive,” Kelly said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/tag/ogallala-aquifer/">Ogallala Aquifer</a>, which provides water to the western third of the state, has been dwindling for decades. But despite warnings over the years that the Ogallala, the largest underground store of freshwater in the nation, was a finite resource, the state&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/14/time-for-a-reckoning-kansas-farmers-brace-for-water-cuts-to-save-ogallala-aquifer/" target="_blank">allowed crop irrigation to drain parts of the aquifer</a>&nbsp;to crisis levels.&nbsp;

“Forget making it 75 years down the road,” she said. “Some parts of western Kansas don’t have the groundwater to last another 75 years.”

For that reason, Kelly said, she and other lawmakers have been working to “change decades of inaction on our water supply.” Officials have spread out across the state to listen to farmers, ranchers and other stakeholders.

“As a result, we’ve set a goal: from now on, each generation will work to protect our water supply for the next two generations that follow,” she said, calling it “the multigenerational promise.”&nbsp;

Kelly’s budget proposal, expected to be released Thursday, will include another $30 million each year for water priorities. That’s on top of an additional $35 million the Kansas Legislature authorized for water priorities in 2023.&nbsp;

She did not specify how the additional resources might be spent. The state has been pushing local groundwater agencies to come up with plans to address the aquifer decline.&nbsp;

To address the state’s water crisis, Kelly proposed creating a singular office to govern water issues and streamline conservation efforts. Right now, she said, there are 14 agencies governing water in Kansas, making it “difficult, if not impossible, to align efforts around policy planning and investment.”

Kansas lawmakers considered reorganizing state agencies that address water in 2022, but it&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/01/shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-committee-guts-kansas-bill-to-protect-water/">never made it out of the Kansas House Water Committee</a>.

Kelly also proposed creating a long-term strategy “to ensure that Kansans have the water supply they need to exist … for generations to come.”

More than 35 years ago, Kelly said, the Kansas Legislature created the first comprehensive transportation plan to effectively build and manage roads and other infrastructure. It needs something similar, she said, to ensure Kansans “have the water needed to farm their land, preserve their communities and their way of life.”

Kelly said the decisions lawmakers make touch “every aspect of the lives of the people we work for.” She said the Kansas the next generations will inherit “is up to us right now.”&nbsp;

“Is our agricultural economy booming because we preserved our water … or is rural Kansas dried up and deserted?” Kelly said. “That’s up to us.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737051727068.png" alt=" Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly proposed spending more money to preserve the state's dwindling water supply in her State of the State Address Wednesday night. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly proposed spending more money to preserve the state's dwindling water supply in her State of the State Address Wednesday night. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Gov. Laura Kelly says it’s up to lawmakers now to ensure western Kansas doesn’t dry up and become deserted</h2>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly proposed creating a state natural resources office and spending another $30 million each year to address the state’s water crisis in her State of the State Address Wednesday night.&nbsp;In her speech, Kelly, a Democrat, looked back over the first 25 years of the 21st century and said she sees “so many good things on the horizon” in the next 75 years. But she called the state’s dwindling water supply “seriously concerning.”“Without that water, the agricultural industry that fuels our economy and sustains our rural way of life cannot survive,” Kelly said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/tag/ogallala-aquifer/">Ogallala Aquifer</a>, which provides water to the western third of the state, has been dwindling for decades. But despite warnings over the years that the Ogallala, the largest underground store of freshwater in the nation, was a finite resource, the state&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/14/time-for-a-reckoning-kansas-farmers-brace-for-water-cuts-to-save-ogallala-aquifer/" target="_blank">allowed crop irrigation to drain parts of the aquifer</a>&nbsp;to crisis levels.&nbsp;“Forget making it 75 years down the road,” she said. “Some parts of western Kansas don’t have the groundwater to last another 75 years.”For that reason, Kelly said, she and other lawmakers have been working to “change decades of inaction on our water supply.” Officials have spread out across the state to listen to farmers, ranchers and other stakeholders.“As a result, we’ve set a goal: from now on, each generation will work to protect our water supply for the next two generations that follow,” she said, calling it “the multigenerational promise.”&nbsp;Kelly’s budget proposal, expected to be released Thursday, will include another $30 million each year for water priorities. That’s on top of an additional $35 million the Kansas Legislature authorized for water priorities in 2023.&nbsp;She did not specify how the additional resources might be spent. The state has been pushing local groundwater agencies to come up with plans to address the aquifer decline.&nbsp;To address the state’s water crisis, Kelly proposed creating a singular office to govern water issues and streamline conservation efforts. Right now, she said, there are 14 agencies governing water in Kansas, making it “difficult, if not impossible, to align efforts around policy planning and investment.”Kansas lawmakers considered reorganizing state agencies that address water in 2022, but it&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/01/shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-committee-guts-kansas-bill-to-protect-water/">never made it out of the Kansas House Water Committee</a>.Kelly also proposed creating a long-term strategy “to ensure that Kansans have the water supply they need to exist … for generations to come.”More than 35 years ago, Kelly said, the Kansas Legislature created the first comprehensive transportation plan to effectively build and manage roads and other infrastructure. It needs something similar, she said, to ensure Kansans “have the water needed to farm their land, preserve their communities and their way of life.”Kelly said the decisions lawmakers make touch “every aspect of the lives of the people we work for.” She said the Kansas the next generations will inherit “is up to us right now.”&nbsp;“Is our agricultural economy booming because we preserved our water … or is rural Kansas dried up and deserted?” Kelly said. “That’s up to us.”

Kansas governor proposes another $30M to address dwindling water supply

NEW YORK (AP) —The Food and Drug Administration is ordering food and drug makers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-red-dye-no-3-ban-94c3e418584fb1e91ca3b0cbeb3d5a60">remove a dye</a>&nbsp;called Red 3 from the products U.S. consumers eat and drink.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-newsom-laws-signing-b9f512f6bd9e6f57538faf36ed12af6c">The colorant</a>&nbsp;was banned from cosmetics and non-oral medications decades ago because a study showed it caused cancer when eaten by rats. But it kept appearing on the ingredient lists of popular snack foods and other grocery products because it remained approved for use until now.

Consumer advocates monitor manufacturers that still include the additive, and companies often switch to less notorious alternatives. Shoppers should always check food labels to see if an item they want to buy includes Red 3, which is also known as erythrosine and FD&amp;C Red No. 3.

These are some of the product categories where the dye is most likely to show up.

Brach’s Conversation Hearts and Brach’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/candy-corn-halloween-trickortreat-384c51299fe00945c0e92b29cc3ff86a">Candy Corn</a>&nbsp;both contain Red 3. But some other red candies, like Swedish Fish and Wild Cherry Lifesavers, use Red 40.

Some baked goods and snacks – mostly with red icing – contain Red 3. Betty Crocker Red Decorating Icing contains Red 3. But Pillsbury’s Funfetti Valentine’s Day Vanilla Frosting – which is swirled with tiny red hearts – uses Red 40.

The Food and Drug Administration is ordering food and drug makers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-red-dye-no-3-ban-94c3e418584fb1e91ca3b0cbeb3d5a60">remove a dye</a>&nbsp;called Red 3 from the products U.S. consumers eat and drink.

NEW YORK (AP) —The Food and Drug Administration is ordering food and drug makers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-red-dye-no-3-ban-94c3e418584fb1e91ca3b0cbeb3d5a60">remove a dye</a>&nbsp;called Red 3 from the products U.S. consumers eat and drink.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-newsom-laws-signing-b9f512f6bd9e6f57538faf36ed12af6c">The colorant</a>&nbsp;was banned from cosmetics and non-oral medications decades ago because a study showed it caused cancer when eaten by rats. But it kept appearing on the ingredient lists of popular snack foods and other grocery products because it remained approved for use until now.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, the FDA is issuing an order to revoke the authorization for the use of FD&amp;C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs in response to a 2022 color additive petition that requested the agency to review whether the Delaney Clause applied. <a href="https://t.co/Qd0NFOIUz8">https://t.co/Qd0NFOIUz8</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bpr6XNC8OR">pic.twitter.com/Bpr6XNC8OR</a>&mdash; U.S. FDA Human Foods Program (@FDAfood) <a href="https://twitter.com/FDAfood/status/1879532094730227991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Consumer advocates monitor manufacturers that still include the additive, and companies often switch to less notorious alternatives. Shoppers should always check food labels to see if an item they want to buy includes Red 3, which is also known as erythrosine and FD&amp;C Red No. 3.These are some of the product categories where the dye is most likely to show up.<h2>CANDIES</h2>Brach’s Conversation Hearts and Brach’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/candy-corn-halloween-trickortreat-384c51299fe00945c0e92b29cc3ff86a">Candy Corn</a>&nbsp;both contain Red 3. But some other red candies, like Swedish Fish and Wild Cherry Lifesavers, use Red 40.<h2>BAKED GOODS AND SNACKS</h2>Some baked goods and snacks – mostly with red icing – contain Red 3. Betty Crocker Red Decorating Icing contains Red 3. But Pillsbury’s Funfetti Valentine’s Day Vanilla Frosting – which is swirled with tiny red hearts – uses Red 40.The Food and Drug Administration is ordering food and drug makers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-red-dye-no-3-ban-94c3e418584fb1e91ca3b0cbeb3d5a60">remove a dye</a>&nbsp;called Red 3 from the products U.S. consumers eat and drink.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-newsom-laws-signing-b9f512f6bd9e6f57538faf36ed12af6c">The colorant</a>&nbsp;was banned from cosmetics and non-oral medications decades ago because a study showed it caused cancer when eaten by rats. But it kept appearing on the ingredient lists of popular snack foods and other grocery products because it remained approved for use until now.Consumer advocates monitor manufacturers that still include the additive, and companies often switch to less notorious alternatives. Shoppers should always check food labels to see if an item they want to buy includes Red 3, which is also known as erythrosine and FD&amp;C Red No. 3.These are some of the product categories where the dye is most likely to show up.<h2>CANDIES</h2>Brach’s Conversation Hearts and Brach’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/candy-corn-halloween-trickortreat-384c51299fe00945c0e92b29cc3ff86a">Candy Corn</a>&nbsp;both contain Red 3. But some other red candies, like Swedish Fish and Wild Cherry Lifesavers, use Red 40.<h2>BAKED GOODS AND SNACKS</h2>Some baked goods and snacks – mostly with red icing – contain Red 3. Betty Crocker Red Decorating Icing contains Red 3. But Pillsbury’s Funfetti Valentine’s Day Vanilla Frosting – which is swirled with tiny red hearts – uses Red 40.

Foods to avoid as FDA bans red dye No. 3 

WASHINGTON (AP)—Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, said in an interview on Wednesday that the president-elect is exploring options to “preserve” TikTok.

Waltz made the comment when Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked him about a report from The Washington Post that said Trump was considering an executive order to suspend enforcement of a federal law that could ban the popular platform nationwide by Sunday.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a legal challenge to the statute brought by TikTok, its China-based parent company ByteDance, and users of the app. The Justices seemed likely to uphold the law, which requires ByteDance to divest TikTok on national security grounds or face a ban in one of its biggest markets.

“If the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling in favor of the law, President Trump has been very clear: Number one, TikTok is a great platform that many Americans use and has been great for his campaign and getting his message out. But number two, he’s going to protect their data,” Waltz said.

“He’s a deal maker. I don’t want to get ahead of our executive orders, but we’re going to create this space to put that deal in place," he added.

Separately on Wednesday, Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, dodged a question during a Senate hearing on whether she’d uphold a TikTok ban.

Trump has reversed his position on the popular app, having tried to ban it during his first term in office over national security concerns. He joined TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign and his team used it to connect with younger voters, especially male voters, by pushing content that was often macho and aimed at going viral. He pledged to “save TikTok” during the campaign and has credited the platform with helping him win more youth votes.

WASHINGTON (AP)—Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, said in an interview on Wednesday that the president-elect is exploring options to “preserve” TikTok.Waltz made the comment when Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked him about a report from The Washington Post that said Trump was considering an executive order to suspend enforcement of a federal law that could ban the popular platform nationwide by Sunday.Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a legal challenge to the statute brought by TikTok, its China-based parent company ByteDance, and users of the app. The Justices seemed likely to uphold the law, which requires ByteDance to divest TikTok on national security grounds or face a ban in one of its biggest markets.“If the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling in favor of the law, President Trump has been very clear: Number one, TikTok is a great platform that many Americans use and has been great for his campaign and getting his message out. But number two, he’s going to protect their data,” Waltz said.“He’s a deal maker. I don’t want to get ahead of our executive orders, but we’re going to create this space to put that deal in place," he added.Separately on Wednesday, Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, dodged a question during a Senate hearing on whether she’d uphold a TikTok ban.Trump has reversed his position on the popular app, having tried to ban it during his first term in office over national security concerns. He joined TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign and his team used it to connect with younger voters, especially male voters, by pushing content that was often macho and aimed at going viral. He pledged to “save TikTok” during the campaign and has credited the platform with helping him win more youth votes.

Adviser says Trump is exploring options to 'preserve' TikTok

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in an altercation that left&nbsp;30-year-old Marco Gonzales-Arias dead is due to return to court Thursday afternoon for a preliminary hearing,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.  

Armando Martinez, 22,&nbsp; is charged with second-degree murder.

Just after midnight October 12, police responded to the Emery Gardens apartment complex in the the 4200 block of S. Hydraulic in Wichita.

First responders found&nbsp; Gonzales-Arias suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital and he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

Martinez suffered stab wound and fled the scene. Police located him, took him to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Just after 7p.m. October 12, he was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729268421103.png" alt="Armondo Martinez-Rodriguez" />
 <figcaption>Armondo Martinez-Rodriguez</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in an altercation that left&nbsp;30-year-old Marco Gonzales-Arias dead is due to return to court Thursday afternoon for a preliminary hearing,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office. Armando Martinez, 22,&nbsp; is charged with second-degree murder.Just after midnight October 12, police responded to the Emery Gardens apartment complex in the the 4200 block of S. Hydraulic in Wichita.First responders found&nbsp; Gonzales-Arias suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital and he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;Martinez suffered stab wound and fled the scene. Police located him, took him to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Just after 7p.m. October 12, he was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.

Kan. man stabbed in deadly altercation due back in court

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JONEL%20ALECCIA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer</a>

Government inspectors documented unsanitary conditions at several Boar's Head deli meat plants, not just the factory that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boars-head-recall-liverwurst-listeria-83176dfc193c16afd949ffefc827aec2">was shut down</a>&nbsp;last year after a deadly outbreak of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/listeria-boars-head-recall-deli-meat-97292bfefa1693b25e393efdc58ed608">listeria poisoning</a>, federal records show.

Newly released reports from Boar's Head plants in New Castle, Indiana; Forrest City, Arkansas; and Petersburg, Virginia, described multiple instances of meat and fat residue left on equipment and walls, dripping condensation falling on food, mold, insects and other problems dating back roughly six years. Last May, one inspector documented “general filth” in a room at the Indiana plant.

The U.S. Agriculture Department released the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/about-fsis/freedom-information-act-foia/frequently-requested-records">inspection records</a>&nbsp;in response to Freedom of Information Act requests from The Associated Press and other news organizations.

The problems documented at the three factories echo some of the violations found at the Jarratt, Virginia, plant linked to the food poisoning outbreak. The newly released reports describe:

— Equipment “covered in meat scraps” in 2019.

— “Dry crusted meat from the previous day's production” and “dark, stinky residue” left behind in 2020.

— A doorway covered in “dried meat juices and grime” in 2021.

— Green mold and flaking paint in 2022.

— “Unidentified slime” and “an abundance of insects” in 2023.

— A puddle of “blood, debris and trash” in 2024.

Boar's Head officials said in an email Monday that the violations documented in the three factories “do not meet our high standards.” The company's remaining plants continue to operate under normal USDA oversight, they added. The Sarasota, Florida-based company has marketed itself for decades as a premier provider of deli meats and cheeses, advertising “excellence that stands apart in every bite.”

Records from a fourth Boar’s Head plant in Holland, Michigan, do not show similar problems.

Boar's Head stopped making liverwurst and shuttered its Jarratt, Virginia, plant in September after listeria poisoning tied to the product sickened more than 60 people in 19 states, including 10 who died.

Health officials in Maryland initially discovered listeria contamination in a package of unopened liverwurst. The company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boars-head-listeria-deli-meat-ebff78f4d6e5dad8483a6063623cd9a1">recalled more than 7 million pounds</a>&nbsp;of ready-to-eat deli meat and poultry sold nationwide. About 2.6 million pounds was eventually recovered, according to the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The conditions revealed at the other Boar's Head plants are “really concerning,” said Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit advocacy group.

“It's reasonable for some people to decide they don't want to eat deli meat,” he said. “Companies like Boar's Head, they should have to earn consumers' trust.”

Boar’s Head faces multiple lawsuits connected to the outbreak.

“This makes me extremely angry and sad,” said Garett Dorman, whose mother, Linda Dorman, 73, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, died in July after eating Boar’s Head liverwurst. She had cancer, and liverwurst was one of the few foods she would eat, he said. He is suing the company, according to court documents filed by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm.

“I believe Boar’s Head needs to completely revamp their program at all of their facilities," Dorman said in an email. "Boar's Head needs to put the welfare of people as their highest priority.”

Lawmakers including Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Rosa DeLauro have sharply criticized USDA officials for not taking stronger action against the company, despite documentation of repeated problems. The USDA inspector general is reviewing the agency's handling of the situation. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether criminal charges are warranted.

“The new records released by FSIS should be considered by the DOJ, especially as they potentially point to a wider, systemic problem,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “These reports make clear that there is a culture of noncompliance of critical safety and sanitary protocols.”

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/publications/review-boars-head-listeria-monocytogenes-outbreak-january-2025">a report released Friday</a>, USDA officials said “inadequate sanitation practices” at the Jarratt plant contributed to the outbreak. Product residue, condensation and structural problem in the buildings were key factors, the agency found. State inspectors working in partnership with USDA had documented mold, insects, liquid dripping from ceilings, and meat and fat residue on walls, floors and equipment,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boars-head-listeria-recall-fcde06b66dca38d53361c92495a7cfed">the AP previously reported</a>.

USDA officials have promised new measures to control listeria in plants that make ready-to-eat foods, including broader testing, updated training and tools, increased inspections, more food safety reviews and stronger oversight of state inspectors who act on behalf of the agency.

Boar's Head is hiring a “food safety culture manager,” according to Frank Yiannas, a former official at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration who is now advising the company.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736908106320.png" alt="Image USDA" />
 <figcaption>Image USDA</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JONEL%20ALECCIA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer</a>Government inspectors documented unsanitary conditions at several Boar's Head deli meat plants, not just the factory that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boars-head-recall-liverwurst-listeria-83176dfc193c16afd949ffefc827aec2">was shut down</a>&nbsp;last year after a deadly outbreak of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/listeria-boars-head-recall-deli-meat-97292bfefa1693b25e393efdc58ed608">listeria poisoning</a>, federal records show.Newly released reports from Boar's Head plants in New Castle, Indiana; Forrest City, Arkansas; and Petersburg, Virginia, described multiple instances of meat and fat residue left on equipment and walls, dripping condensation falling on food, mold, insects and other problems dating back roughly six years. Last May, one inspector documented “general filth” in a room at the Indiana plant.The U.S. Agriculture Department released the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/about-fsis/freedom-information-act-foia/frequently-requested-records">inspection records</a>&nbsp;in response to Freedom of Information Act requests from The Associated Press and other news organizations.The problems documented at the three factories echo some of the violations found at the Jarratt, Virginia, plant linked to the food poisoning outbreak. The newly released reports describe:— Equipment “covered in meat scraps” in 2019.— “Dry crusted meat from the previous day's production” and “dark, stinky residue” left behind in 2020.— A doorway covered in “dried meat juices and grime” in 2021.— Green mold and flaking paint in 2022.— “Unidentified slime” and “an abundance of insects” in 2023.— A puddle of “blood, debris and trash” in 2024.Boar's Head officials said in an email Monday that the violations documented in the three factories “do not meet our high standards.” The company's remaining plants continue to operate under normal USDA oversight, they added. The Sarasota, Florida-based company has marketed itself for decades as a premier provider of deli meats and cheeses, advertising “excellence that stands apart in every bite.”Records from a fourth Boar’s Head plant in Holland, Michigan, do not show similar problems.Boar's Head stopped making liverwurst and shuttered its Jarratt, Virginia, plant in September after listeria poisoning tied to the product sickened more than 60 people in 19 states, including 10 who died.Health officials in Maryland initially discovered listeria contamination in a package of unopened liverwurst. The company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boars-head-listeria-deli-meat-ebff78f4d6e5dad8483a6063623cd9a1">recalled more than 7 million pounds</a>&nbsp;of ready-to-eat deli meat and poultry sold nationwide. About 2.6 million pounds was eventually recovered, according to the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service.The conditions revealed at the other Boar's Head plants are “really concerning,” said Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit advocacy group.“It's reasonable for some people to decide they don't want to eat deli meat,” he said. “Companies like Boar's Head, they should have to earn consumers' trust.”Boar’s Head faces multiple lawsuits connected to the outbreak.“This makes me extremely angry and sad,” said Garett Dorman, whose mother, Linda Dorman, 73, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, died in July after eating Boar’s Head liverwurst. She had cancer, and liverwurst was one of the few foods she would eat, he said. He is suing the company, according to court documents filed by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm.“I believe Boar’s Head needs to completely revamp their program at all of their facilities," Dorman said in an email. "Boar's Head needs to put the welfare of people as their highest priority.”Lawmakers including Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Rosa DeLauro have sharply criticized USDA officials for not taking stronger action against the company, despite documentation of repeated problems. The USDA inspector general is reviewing the agency's handling of the situation. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether criminal charges are warranted.“The new records released by FSIS should be considered by the DOJ, especially as they potentially point to a wider, systemic problem,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “These reports make clear that there is a culture of noncompliance of critical safety and sanitary protocols.”In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/publications/review-boars-head-listeria-monocytogenes-outbreak-january-2025">a report released Friday</a>, USDA officials said “inadequate sanitation practices” at the Jarratt plant contributed to the outbreak. Product residue, condensation and structural problem in the buildings were key factors, the agency found. State inspectors working in partnership with USDA had documented mold, insects, liquid dripping from ceilings, and meat and fat residue on walls, floors and equipment,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boars-head-listeria-recall-fcde06b66dca38d53361c92495a7cfed">the AP previously reported</a>.USDA officials have promised new measures to control listeria in plants that make ready-to-eat foods, including broader testing, updated training and tools, increased inspections, more food safety reviews and stronger oversight of state inspectors who act on behalf of the agency.Boar's Head is hiring a “food safety culture manager,” according to Frank Yiannas, a former official at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration who is now advising the company.___

USDA documented insects and slime at deli meat plants, records show

SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan.&nbsp;— Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter has requested the Wichita Police Department (WPD) launch a criminal investigation into a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO) detective assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) section within the Exploited and Missing Children's Unit (EMCU). A review revealed improper case closures and a failure to thoroughly investigate criminal complaints from 2019 to 2024, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

In late December 2024, SGSO initiated an administrative review of the cases managed by the detective after identifying potential issues. Upon determining that criminal conduct may have occurred, SGSO notified WPD and activated the Wichita and Sedgwick County Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) to conduct a criminal investigation.

The EMCU, a collaborative effort between the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office, Wichita Police, and Kansas Department for Children and Families, investigates serious crimes against children. &nbsp;

The detective, who was assigned to EMCU in 2019 and transferred to ICAC in 2021, is currently on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of both the criminal investigation and an internal review.

EMCU investigators will re-contact individuals involved in these cases. These trauma-informed and trained professionals will ensure each case undergoes a thorough review. All involved cases will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration.

Given the sensitive and ongoing nature of this investigation, the sheriff's office released no additional details to protect the integrity of the process and the privacy of survivors.&nbsp;

The Sheriff’s Office notified the Office of the District Attorney immediately, when the information came to light. &nbsp;Since that time, the DA's office assisted first, the Sheriff’s Office and more recently, the Wichita Police Department with the gathering of information necessary to conduct an exhaustive &nbsp;investigation, according to a statement from the DA's office.

&nbsp;When that investigation is complete, a full review of the matter will be conducted by the Office of The District Attorney in order to ensure appropriate disclosures are made and potential criminal charges are considered and addressed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663185466922.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan.&nbsp;— Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter has requested the Wichita Police Department (WPD) launch a criminal investigation into a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SGSO) detective assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) section within the Exploited and Missing Children's Unit (EMCU). A review revealed improper case closures and a failure to thoroughly investigate criminal complaints from 2019 to 2024, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.In late December 2024, SGSO initiated an administrative review of the cases managed by the detective after identifying potential issues. Upon determining that criminal conduct may have occurred, SGSO notified WPD and activated the Wichita and Sedgwick County Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) to conduct a criminal investigation.The EMCU, a collaborative effort between the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office, Wichita Police, and Kansas Department for Children and Families, investigates serious crimes against children. &nbsp;The detective, who was assigned to EMCU in 2019 and transferred to ICAC in 2021, is currently on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of both the criminal investigation and an internal review.EMCU investigators will re-contact individuals involved in these cases. These trauma-informed and trained professionals will ensure each case undergoes a thorough review. All involved cases will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration.Given the sensitive and ongoing nature of this investigation, the sheriff's office released no additional details to protect the integrity of the process and the privacy of survivors.&nbsp;The Sheriff’s Office notified the Office of the District Attorney immediately, when the information came to light. &nbsp;Since that time, the DA's office assisted first, the Sheriff’s Office and more recently, the Wichita Police Department with the gathering of information necessary to conduct an exhaustive &nbsp;investigation, according to a statement from the DA's office.&nbsp;When that investigation is complete, a full review of the matter will be conducted by the Office of The District Attorney in order to ensure appropriate disclosures are made and potential criminal charges are considered and addressed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Detective under investigation for mishandling Kan. child abuse cases

State of the State speech sets tone of governor’s spending, policy effort

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly’s seventh State of the State speech on Wednesday called for investments in water resources and public schools, streamlining early childhood regulation, pursuit of sustainable tax policy and expansion of Medicaid eligibility.

Kelly, a Democrat who took office in 2019 as the state’s 48th governor after serving 14 years as a state senator, urged the Kansas Legislature to frame these significant issues in the context of what Kansas could look like at the end of this century.

She asked lawmakers to step outside the day-to-day competition to score short-term political points. She recommended elected officials at the Capitol devote more energy to shaping what would lie ahead for Kansas’ children and grandchildren.

“Since I’ve been in office, we have built an incredibly strong foundation for our state. Kansas has never been in better financial shape,” Kelly said. “Now, it’s time to build on that foundation.”

While looking down the road to 2100, she posed big questions: Is the agriculture economy booming because water resources were preserved and rural Kansas didn’t dry up? Do Kansas businesses have the best and brightest workers because the priority was superior public schools? Is Kansas an economic-development powerhouse? Did Kansas hold onto its small-town traditions?

“It’s easy to forget that we aren’t playing some kind of game here,” Kelly said. “We have real power. The decisions we make in this building touch every aspect of the lives of the people we work for. Here’s the truth. The Kansas our grandkids will inherit is up to us right now.”

Kelly said the mission was to filter through some pretty wacky notions to settle on smart, reasonable common-sense bipartisan ideas.

“I’m not asking you not to love your political party,” the Democratic governor said. “I’m just asking you to love your state a little more.”

Kelly said the way Kansas chose to invest in children would hold sway over the trajectory of the rest of this century. A child’s experiences from birth to age 5 played a central role in social and emotional development, academic achievement and career success, she said.

She said the state recognized the shortage of child-care providers and that skyrocketing costs handicapped businesses. Urgent state investment meant Kansas would added more child-care capacity in the next two years than in the previous 15 years, the governor said.

The problem? Kansas has siloed early-childhood services into four different state agencies.

“If a family is searching for care for a newborn, that family must navigate among three different agencies to figure out which program is the right fit,” Kelly said. “If a child care center wants to get off the ground, it must work with one state agency to get licensed, another to receive financial aid and workforce support, and a third to get assistance with start-up costs.”

Kelly’s solution: Create the Office of Early Childhood. It would be a one-stop shop for young families. This idea of eliminating irritating red tape and bureaucracy gained traction in the Kansas House in 2024, passing the chamber with 110 votes.

Meanwhile, Kelly proposed creation of the Office of Natural Resources to streamline management of water resources. Currently, those programs were shared among 14 different state agencies. This consolidation would improve the state’s ability to align policy, planning and investment, she said.

“When I imagine the end of this century and the state our youngest Kansans will inherit, I see so many good things on the horizon,” Kelly said. “But, there is one thing that is seriously concerning. Our dwindling water supply. Forget making it 75 years down the road. Some parts of western Kansas don’t have the groundwater to last another 25 years.”

Last year, the Legislature appropriated $35 million additional dollars in each of the next five years to improve the state’s ability to deliver a clean, sustainable water supply, stabilize the Ogallala Aquifer and maximize the capacity of reservoirs in Kansas.

Kelly’s budget recommendations, to be presented to House and Senate members Thursday, would add $30 million to the state’s annual investment in the water supply. That would raise the level of state investment to $90 million annually.

Kelly said the state required a solid K-12 public school system to continue to attract new businesses and young families in the future. Ninety-percent of the state’s students attend public schools, she said, and those districts represented the most effective place to invest in the next generations, the governor said.

“When we talk about protecting the Kansas way of life, our public schools are the heart and soul of so many of our communities,” Kelly said. “For both, the future we aspire to create and the values we aspire to maintain, we must continue to make our public schools our top priority.”

Kelly said she would “never, ever” take taxpayer dollars from public schools and give it to private schools. Kansas Republican legislative leaders have been preparing another bid to expand support for private or parochial education.

“Doing so weakens our public school system, particularly in our rural communities,” the governor said. “As a state, we just can’t afford to do that. Simply put, I will continue to reject any attempt, no matter what it looks like, to reroute public taxpayer dollars to public schools.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737028018739.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly delivers the annual State of the State speech Wednesday in the Kansas House. She urged the 2025 Kansas Legislature to invest in K-12 public schools, water resources and early-childhood initiatives. She also warned the Republican-led Legislature to be wary of unsustainable tax reductions. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly delivers the annual State of the State speech Wednesday in the Kansas House. She urged the 2025 Kansas Legislature to invest in K-12 public schools, water resources and early-childhood initiatives. She also warned the Republican-led Legislature to be wary of unsustainable tax reductions. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State of the State speech sets tone of governor’s spending, policy effort</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly’s seventh State of the State speech on Wednesday called for investments in water resources and public schools, streamlining early childhood regulation, pursuit of sustainable tax policy and expansion of Medicaid eligibility.Kelly, a Democrat who took office in 2019 as the state’s 48th governor after serving 14 years as a state senator, urged the Kansas Legislature to frame these significant issues in the context of what Kansas could look like at the end of this century.She asked lawmakers to step outside the day-to-day competition to score short-term political points. She recommended elected officials at the Capitol devote more energy to shaping what would lie ahead for Kansas’ children and grandchildren.“Since I’ve been in office, we have built an incredibly strong foundation for our state. Kansas has never been in better financial shape,” Kelly said. “Now, it’s time to build on that foundation.”While looking down the road to 2100, she posed big questions: Is the agriculture economy booming because water resources were preserved and rural Kansas didn’t dry up? Do Kansas businesses have the best and brightest workers because the priority was superior public schools? Is Kansas an economic-development powerhouse? Did Kansas hold onto its small-town traditions?“It’s easy to forget that we aren’t playing some kind of game here,” Kelly said. “We have real power. The decisions we make in this building touch every aspect of the lives of the people we work for. Here’s the truth. The Kansas our grandkids will inherit is up to us right now.”Kelly said the mission was to filter through some pretty wacky notions to settle on smart, reasonable common-sense bipartisan ideas.“I’m not asking you not to love your political party,” the Democratic governor said. “I’m just asking you to love your state a little more.”<h2>Young kids, and water</h2>Kelly said the way Kansas chose to invest in children would hold sway over the trajectory of the rest of this century. A child’s experiences from birth to age 5 played a central role in social and emotional development, academic achievement and career success, she said.She said the state recognized the shortage of child-care providers and that skyrocketing costs handicapped businesses. Urgent state investment meant Kansas would added more child-care capacity in the next two years than in the previous 15 years, the governor said.The problem? Kansas has siloed early-childhood services into four different state agencies.“If a family is searching for care for a newborn, that family must navigate among three different agencies to figure out which program is the right fit,” Kelly said. “If a child care center wants to get off the ground, it must work with one state agency to get licensed, another to receive financial aid and workforce support, and a third to get assistance with start-up costs.”Kelly’s solution: Create the Office of Early Childhood. It would be a one-stop shop for young families. This idea of eliminating irritating red tape and bureaucracy gained traction in the Kansas House in 2024, passing the chamber with 110 votes.Meanwhile, Kelly proposed creation of the Office of Natural Resources to streamline management of water resources. Currently, those programs were shared among 14 different state agencies. This consolidation would improve the state’s ability to align policy, planning and investment, she said.“When I imagine the end of this century and the state our youngest Kansans will inherit, I see so many good things on the horizon,” Kelly said. “But, there is one thing that is seriously concerning. Our dwindling water supply. Forget making it 75 years down the road. Some parts of western Kansas don’t have the groundwater to last another 25 years.”Last year, the Legislature appropriated $35 million additional dollars in each of the next five years to improve the state’s ability to deliver a clean, sustainable water supply, stabilize the Ogallala Aquifer and maximize the capacity of reservoirs in Kansas.Kelly’s budget recommendations, to be presented to House and Senate members Thursday, would add $30 million to the state’s annual investment in the water supply. That would raise the level of state investment to $90 million annually.<h2>Public schools</h2>Kelly said the state required a solid K-12 public school system to continue to attract new businesses and young families in the future. Ninety-percent of the state’s students attend public schools, she said, and those districts represented the most effective place to invest in the next generations, the governor said.“When we talk about protecting the Kansas way of life, our public schools are the heart and soul of so many of our communities,” Kelly said. “For both, the future we aspire to create and the values we aspire to maintain, we must continue to make our public schools our top priority.”Kelly said she would “never, ever” take taxpayer dollars from public schools and give it to private schools. Kansas Republican legislative leaders have been preparing another bid to expand support for private or parochial education.“Doing so weakens our public school system, particularly in our rural communities,” the governor said. “As a state, we just can’t afford to do that. Simply put, I will continue to reject any attempt, no matter what it looks like, to reroute public taxpayer dollars to public schools.”She also said her 2025 state budget plan included funding to provide free school lunches to more than 35,000 Kansas students.<h2>No Brownback 2.0</h2>Kelly, who defeated Republican Kris Kobach in 2018 and the GOP’s Derek Schmidt in 2022, campaigned in both races against the reckless 2012 income tax reductions signed into law by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. His goal was to end the state’s income tax. The resulting steep decline in state revenue wasn’t balanced with equivalent spending cuts, leading to years of budget problems that cut into appropriations for schools, highways and other core services.In her six years as governor, Kelly said she’d signed into law more than $2 billion in tax cuts. In June, she signed into law a bill that cut state taxes by $1.2 billion over three years.She said she wouldn’t support a proposal to slash the state corporate income tax to zero. The referred to the idea as a “non-starter.” The GOP leadership in the Senate and House also indicated they would attempt during the 2025 session to lower property tax burdens.“We must stay on the path to prosperity as we move through the rest of the 21st century,” she said.She preferred to postpone discussions about new tax reductions until the 2026 legislative session to get a better handle on the full fiscal impact of tax cuts adopted last year. However, she said she would consider changes to the state’s tax structure that paid for themselves and didn’t threaten the state’s long-term financial health.Kelly did renew her push for the Legislature to expand eligibility for Medicaid to about 150,000 lower-income workers in the state. The proposal has been blocked by Republican lawmakers for more than a decade, and the governor said the only remaining objections centered on partisan politics.“Over the past six years,” she said, “all the horror myths around Medicaid expansion have been debunked, and all the surrounding states have expanded.”She said the lingering argument in Kansas was that it would be too expensive for the state to broaden access to Medicaid health services. In 2025, she said, it would cost the state $78.3 million to follow in the footsteps of dozens of other states. Instead of making that investment, the state has already left $7.6 billion in federal funding on the table in Washington, D.C., that could have flowed into the state’s medical system.“If we can strip away partisan politics and just look at the numbers, we will expand Medicaid this year,” Kelly said.