SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender is going back to prison for sex crimes committed in 2020 and two other crimes.

Judge Kathleen Watson sentenced 39-year-old Darrius Johnson to&nbsp;serve 308 months in the custody to the Kansas Department of Corrections, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. 

He pleaded guilty to charge of&nbsp;rape and kidnapping in connection with a September 2020 attack on a woman in Wichita, according to the District Attorney's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On September 22, 2020, police were dispatched to a sexual assault case in the 800 block of South Sylvan in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, a 48-year-old female victim, told police she was walking in the area of Lincoln and Oliver when a suspect later identified Johnson approached and grabbed her, forcing her into his Toyota Camry.

Johnson drove the victim to a separate location and sexually assaulted her. Johnson then drove the victim back to Lincoln and Oliver where she was released. Through the investigation and examination of evidence, Johnson was determined to have been involved in the attack.

Police arrested Johnson October 1, 2020 in the 2100 block of South White Oak in Wichita without incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Johnson has a previous felony conviction in 2010 for attempted aggravated sexual battery where victim is overcome by force or fear, according to the KBI offender registry.

At the time of his arrest, Johnson was out on bond for a separate alleged sex crime, according to Cruz.

In addition to the 55 months for the crime in 2020, Johnson was sentenced to 253 months for two counts of rape, attempted rape, and attempted aggravated criminal sodomy for crimes that occurred in December 2018.

Johnson was also sentenced to 18 months for violating the Offender Registration Act for the crime that occurred in 2018, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601904705441.png" alt="Johnson-photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender is going back to prison for sex crimes committed in 2020 and two other crimes.Judge Kathleen Watson sentenced 39-year-old Darrius Johnson to&nbsp;serve 308 months in the custody to the Kansas Department of Corrections, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He pleaded guilty to charge of&nbsp;rape and kidnapping in connection with a September 2020 attack on a woman in Wichita, according to the District Attorney's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;On September 22, 2020, police were dispatched to a sexual assault case in the 800 block of South Sylvan in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.Upon arrival, a 48-year-old female victim, told police she was walking in the area of Lincoln and Oliver when a suspect later identified Johnson approached and grabbed her, forcing her into his Toyota Camry.Johnson drove the victim to a separate location and sexually assaulted her. Johnson then drove the victim back to Lincoln and Oliver where she was released. Through the investigation and examination of evidence, Johnson was determined to have been involved in the attack.Police arrested Johnson October 1, 2020 in the 2100 block of South White Oak in Wichita without incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;Johnson has a previous felony conviction in 2010 for attempted aggravated sexual battery where victim is overcome by force or fear, according to the KBI offender registry.At the time of his arrest, Johnson was out on bond for a separate alleged sex crime, according to Cruz.In addition to the 55 months for the crime in 2020, Johnson was sentenced to 253 months for two counts of rape, attempted rape, and attempted aggravated criminal sodomy for crimes that occurred in December 2018.Johnson was also sentenced to 18 months for violating the Offender Registration Act for the crime that occurred in 2018, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas sex offender going back to prison for rape, kidnapping

CLAY COUNTY, MO —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal house fire in a Kansas City suburb.

Just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday, the Platte County Dispatch Center received a report of an explosion and residential fire in the 300 block of East Meadow Street., according to Chief Jason Lockridge.

Smithville Police Officers arrived on scene within two minutes and found the home fully engulfed in flames.

Fire crews from the Smithville Area Fire Protection District responded, along with mutual aid from Kearney Fire District, Central Platte Fire, Camden Point Fire, Edgerton-Trimble Fire, and the Northland Regional Ambulance District (NRAD). Spire Gas and Evergy responded to the scene as well, to address utility concerns.  

 During firefighting efforts, one deceased individual was located inside the home. No additional victims are believed to be involved.

Fire crews remained on scene to extinguish remaining hot spots. The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office is in charge of the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769698682800.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>CLAY COUNTY, MO —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal house fire in a Kansas City suburb.Just before 6:30p.m. Wednesday, the Platte County Dispatch Center received a report of an explosion and residential fire in the 300 block of East Meadow Street., according to Chief Jason Lockridge.Smithville Police Officers arrived on scene within two minutes and found the home fully engulfed in flames.Fire crews from the Smithville Area Fire Protection District responded, along with mutual aid from Kearney Fire District, Central Platte Fire, Camden Point Fire, Edgerton-Trimble Fire, and the Northland Regional Ambulance District (NRAD). Spire Gas and Evergy responded to the scene as well, to address utility concerns. During firefighting efforts, one deceased individual was located inside the home. No additional victims are believed to be involved.Fire crews remained on scene to extinguish remaining hot spots. The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office is in charge of the investigation.

One dead after home explosion and fire in KC suburb

Republican Senators voting no included Tedd Budd of North Carolina; Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; Mike Lee of Utah;&nbsp; Ron Paul of Kentucky; Ashley Moody and Rick Scott of Florida and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.&nbsp; Majority Leader Thune also voted no in order to make a motion to reconsider.

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, KEVIN FREKING and SEUNG MIN KIM&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats voted to block legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday as they continued to negotiate with Republicans and the White House on new restrictions for President Donald Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement.

Thursday’s 45-55 test vote came as Democrats have threatened a partial government shutdown when money runs out on Friday. But Trump said just ahead of the vote that “we don’t want a shutdown” and the two sides were discussing a possible agreement to separate homeland security funding from the rest of the legislation and fund it for a short time.

As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protest-alex-pretti-minneapolis-immigration-0b34386da0bb3eeac939d9f934680b6c">country reels</a>&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300">deaths of two protesters</a>&nbsp;at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, irate Senate Democrats laid out a list of demands on Wednesday, including that officers take off their masks and identify themselves and obtain warrants for arrest. If those are not met, Democrats say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/democrats-vow-to-oppose-homeland-security-money-increasing-shutdown-chance-7a801adfdd27455082fa9e26e612795d">denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it</a>&nbsp;and triggering a shutdown.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said that Democrats won't provide needed votes until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “reined in and overhauled" and that this is “a moment of truth.”

“The American people support law enforcement. They support border security. They do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer said.

Schumer has pushed Republicans and the White House to strip the Homeland Security funding from the rest of the bill, which includes money for the Defense Department and other agencies. In the deal under discussion, Homeland Security would still be funded but for a short time to allow for negotiations on the Democrats' demands. Other agencies included in the bill would be funded through the end of September.

Still, with no agreement and an uncertain path ahead, the standoff threatened to plunge the country into another shutdown just two months after Democrats blocked a spending bill over expiring federal health care subsidies, a dispute that closed the government for 43 days as Republicans refused to negotiate.

That shutdown ended when a small group of moderate Democrats broke away to strike a deal with Republicans, but Democrats are more unified this time after the fatal shootings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">Alex Pretti</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-administration-alex-pretti-their-own-words-27b7233380c68306a64317b3bf2aa4a3">federal agents</a>.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk and find agreement.

“We’re getting closer,” the GOP leader said on the Senate floor Thursday morning.

Kicking off a Cabinet meeting, Trump said his administration is speaking with congressional Democrats.

“We’re working on that right now,” Trump said while declining to go into specifics. He added: “We don’t want a shutdown.”

There’s a lot of “unanimity and shared purpose” within the Democratic caucus, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said after a lunch meeting Wednesday.

“Boil it all down, what we are talking about is that these lawless ICE agents should be following the same rules that your local police department does," Smith said. "There has to be accountability.”

Earlier Thursday, Tom Homan, the president's border czar, said during a press conference in Minneapolis that federal immigration officials are working on a plan to begin drawing down the number of agents in Minnesota but that it would depend on cooperation from state authorities.

It's unclear how far those assurances will go in satisfying Democrats. Amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, Schumer said Democrats are asking the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.

Democrats also want an enforceable code of conduct so agents are held accountable when they violate rules. Schumer said agents should be required to have “masks off, body cameras on” and carry proper identification, as is common practice in most law enforcement agencies.

The Democratic caucus is united in those “common sense reforms” and the burden is on Republicans to accept them, Schumer said, as he has pushed for the Homeland Security spending to be separated out to avoid a broader shutdown.

As the two sides negotiated, it was unclear whether they could agree on anything that would satisfy Democrats who want Trump's aggressive crackdown to end.

As the negotiations continued, it was unclear whether all Democrats would agree to a temporary extension of the funding. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, has said that Congress should not send “another penny" to ICE until Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is fired.

And across the Capitol, House Republicans have said they do not want any changes to the bill they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-government-funding-bills-d7ca791c2d1aa81d2982239f81bc86be">passed last week</a>. In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, the conservative House Freedom Caucus wrote that its members stand with the Republican president and ICE.

“The package will not come back through the House without funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” according to the letter.

Just ahead of the Senate vote, Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, called for Democrats to vote to move forward on the bill so they could negotiate the changes ahead of final passage.

“This morning's vote is about taking the first step, not the final step," Collins said.

Several Republican senators have said they would be fine with Democrats’ request to separate the Homeland Security funds for further debate and pass the other bills in the package. But it might be more difficult for Democrats to find broad GOP support for their demands on ICE.

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he is opposed to the Democrats’ proposal to require the immigration enforcement officers to show their faces, even as he blamed Noem for decisions that he said are “tarnishing” the agency’s reputation.

“You know, there’s a lot of vicious people out there, and they’ll take a picture of your face, and the next thing you know, your children or your wife or your husband are being threatened at home," Tillis said. "And that’s just the reality of the world that we’re in.”

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham posted on X that he was putting his Senate colleagues “on notice” that if Democrats try to make changes, he would insist on new language preventing local governments from resisting the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

“It is truly a moral moment,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “I think we need to take a stand.”

Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats are threatening to block legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday, potentially bringing the government a step closer to a partial shutdown if Republicans and the White House do not agree to new restrictions on President Donald Trump's surge of immigration enforcement.

As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protest-alex-pretti-minneapolis-immigration-0b34386da0bb3eeac939d9f934680b6c">country reels</a>&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300">deaths of two protesters</a>&nbsp;at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, irate Senate Democrats laid out a list of demands ahead of a Thursday morning test vote, including that officers take off their masks and identify themselves and obtain warrants for arrest. If those are not met, Democrats say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/democrats-vow-to-oppose-homeland-security-money-increasing-shutdown-chance-7a801adfdd27455082fa9e26e612795d">denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it</a>&nbsp;and triggering a shutdown at midnight on Friday.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats won't provide needed votes until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “reined in and overhauled.”

“The American people support law enforcement, they support border security, they do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer said.

There were some signs of possible progress as the White House has appeared open to trying to strike a deal with Democrats to avert a shutdown. The two sides were talking as of Wednesday evening, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity to speak about the private talks. One possible option discussed would be to strip the funding for the Homeland Security Department from the larger bill, as Schumer has requested, and extend it for a short period to allow time for negotiations, the person said. The rest of the bill would fund government agencies until September.

Still, with no agreement yet and an uncertain path ahead, the standoff threatened to plunge the country into another shutdown just two months after Democrats blocked a spending bill over expiring federal health care subsidies, a dispute that closed the government for 43 days as Republicans refused to negotiate.

Amid the administration’s immigration crackdown, Schumer said Democrats are asking the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.

The Democratic caucus is united in those “common sense reforms” and the burden is on Republicans to accept them, Schumer said, as he has pushed for the Homeland spending to be separated out to avoid a broader shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated that he might be open to considering some of the Democrats' demands, but he encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk and find agreement.

As the two sides negotiated, it was still unclear whether they could agree on anything that would satisfy Democrats who want Trump's aggressive crackdown to end.

The White House had invited some Democrats for a discussion to better understand their positions and avoid a partial government shutdown, a senior White House official said, but the meeting did not happen. The official requested anonymity to discuss the private invitation.

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-government-funding-bills-d7ca791c2d1aa81d2982239f81bc86be">passed</a>&nbsp;the six remaining funding bills last week and sent them to the Senate as a package, making it more difficult to strip out the homeland security portion as Democrats have demanded. Republicans could break the package apart with the consent of all 100 senators or through a series of votes that would extend past the Friday deadline.

Even if the Senate can resolve the issue, House Republicans have said they do not want any changes to the bill they have passed. In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, the conservative House Freedom Caucus wrote that its members stand with the president and ICE.

Several Republican senators have said they would be fine with Democrats’ request to separate the Homeland Security funds for further debate and pass the other bills in the package. But it might be more difficult to for Democrats to find broad GOP support for their demands on ICE.

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he’s OK with separating the bills, but is opposed to the Democrats’ proposal to require the immigration enforcement officers to unmask and show their faces, even as he blamed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for decisions that he said are “tarnishing” the agency’s reputation.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said that “what happened over the weekend is a tragedy,” but Democrats shouldn't punish Americans with a shutdown and a “political stunt.”

Associated Press writer Michelle Price in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759315749226.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Republican Senators voting no included Tedd Budd of North Carolina; Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; Mike Lee of Utah;&nbsp; Ron Paul of Kentucky; Ashley Moody and Rick Scott of Florida and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.&nbsp; Majority Leader Thune also voted no in order to make a motion to reconsider.By MARY CLARE JALONICK, KEVIN FREKING and SEUNG MIN KIM&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats voted to block legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday as they continued to negotiate with Republicans and the White House on new restrictions for President Donald Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement.Thursday’s 45-55 test vote came as Democrats have threatened a partial government shutdown when money runs out on Friday. But Trump said just ahead of the vote that “we don’t want a shutdown” and the two sides were discussing a possible agreement to separate homeland security funding from the rest of the legislation and fund it for a short time.As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protest-alex-pretti-minneapolis-immigration-0b34386da0bb3eeac939d9f934680b6c">country reels</a>&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300">deaths of two protesters</a>&nbsp;at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, irate Senate Democrats laid out a list of demands on Wednesday, including that officers take off their masks and identify themselves and obtain warrants for arrest. If those are not met, Democrats say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/democrats-vow-to-oppose-homeland-security-money-increasing-shutdown-chance-7a801adfdd27455082fa9e26e612795d">denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it</a>&nbsp;and triggering a shutdown.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said that Democrats won't provide needed votes until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “reined in and overhauled" and that this is “a moment of truth.”“The American people support law enforcement. They support border security. They do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer said.Schumer has pushed Republicans and the White House to strip the Homeland Security funding from the rest of the bill, which includes money for the Defense Department and other agencies. In the deal under discussion, Homeland Security would still be funded but for a short time to allow for negotiations on the Democrats' demands. Other agencies included in the bill would be funded through the end of September.Still, with no agreement and an uncertain path ahead, the standoff threatened to plunge the country into another shutdown just two months after Democrats blocked a spending bill over expiring federal health care subsidies, a dispute that closed the government for 43 days as Republicans refused to negotiate.That shutdown ended when a small group of moderate Democrats broke away to strike a deal with Republicans, but Democrats are more unified this time after the fatal shootings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">Alex Pretti</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-administration-alex-pretti-their-own-words-27b7233380c68306a64317b3bf2aa4a3">federal agents</a>.Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk and find agreement.“We’re getting closer,” the GOP leader said on the Senate floor Thursday morning.Kicking off a Cabinet meeting, Trump said his administration is speaking with congressional Democrats.“We’re working on that right now,” Trump said while declining to go into specifics. He added: “We don’t want a shutdown.”<h2>Democrats lay out their demands</h2>There’s a lot of “unanimity and shared purpose” within the Democratic caucus, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said after a lunch meeting Wednesday.“Boil it all down, what we are talking about is that these lawless ICE agents should be following the same rules that your local police department does," Smith said. "There has to be accountability.”Earlier Thursday, Tom Homan, the president's border czar, said during a press conference in Minneapolis that federal immigration officials are working on a plan to begin drawing down the number of agents in Minnesota but that it would depend on cooperation from state authorities.It's unclear how far those assurances will go in satisfying Democrats. Amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, Schumer said Democrats are asking the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.Democrats also want an enforceable code of conduct so agents are held accountable when they violate rules. Schumer said agents should be required to have “masks off, body cameras on” and carry proper identification, as is common practice in most law enforcement agencies.The Democratic caucus is united in those “common sense reforms” and the burden is on Republicans to accept them, Schumer said, as he has pushed for the Homeland Security spending to be separated out to avoid a broader shutdown.<h2>Many obstacles to a deal</h2>As the two sides negotiated, it was unclear whether they could agree on anything that would satisfy Democrats who want Trump's aggressive crackdown to end.As the negotiations continued, it was unclear whether all Democrats would agree to a temporary extension of the funding. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, has said that Congress should not send “another penny" to ICE until Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is fired.And across the Capitol, House Republicans have said they do not want any changes to the bill they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-government-funding-bills-d7ca791c2d1aa81d2982239f81bc86be">passed last week</a>. In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, the conservative House Freedom Caucus wrote that its members stand with the Republican president and ICE.“The package will not come back through the House without funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” according to the letter.Just ahead of the Senate vote, Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, called for Democrats to vote to move forward on the bill so they could negotiate the changes ahead of final passage.“This morning's vote is about taking the first step, not the final step," Collins said.<h2>Still far apart on policy</h2>Several Republican senators have said they would be fine with Democrats’ request to separate the Homeland Security funds for further debate and pass the other bills in the package. But it might be more difficult for Democrats to find broad GOP support for their demands on ICE.North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he is opposed to the Democrats’ proposal to require the immigration enforcement officers to show their faces, even as he blamed Noem for decisions that he said are “tarnishing” the agency’s reputation.“You know, there’s a lot of vicious people out there, and they’ll take a picture of your face, and the next thing you know, your children or your wife or your husband are being threatened at home," Tillis said. "And that’s just the reality of the world that we’re in.”South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham posted on X that he was putting his Senate colleagues “on notice” that if Democrats try to make changes, he would insist on new language preventing local governments from resisting the Trump administration’s immigration policies.Democrats say they won’t back down.“It is truly a moral moment,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “I think we need to take a stand.”___Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.--------------------WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats are threatening to block legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday, potentially bringing the government a step closer to a partial shutdown if Republicans and the White House do not agree to new restrictions on President Donald Trump's surge of immigration enforcement.As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protest-alex-pretti-minneapolis-immigration-0b34386da0bb3eeac939d9f934680b6c">country reels</a>&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300">deaths of two protesters</a>&nbsp;at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, irate Senate Democrats laid out a list of demands ahead of a Thursday morning test vote, including that officers take off their masks and identify themselves and obtain warrants for arrest. If those are not met, Democrats say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/democrats-vow-to-oppose-homeland-security-money-increasing-shutdown-chance-7a801adfdd27455082fa9e26e612795d">denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it</a>&nbsp;and triggering a shutdown at midnight on Friday.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats won't provide needed votes until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “reined in and overhauled.”“The American people support law enforcement, they support border security, they do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer said.There were some signs of possible progress as the White House has appeared open to trying to strike a deal with Democrats to avert a shutdown. The two sides were talking as of Wednesday evening, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity to speak about the private talks. One possible option discussed would be to strip the funding for the Homeland Security Department from the larger bill, as Schumer has requested, and extend it for a short period to allow time for negotiations, the person said. The rest of the bill would fund government agencies until September.Still, with no agreement yet and an uncertain path ahead, the standoff threatened to plunge the country into another shutdown just two months after Democrats blocked a spending bill over expiring federal health care subsidies, a dispute that closed the government for 43 days as Republicans refused to negotiate.That shutdown ended when a small group of moderate Democrats broke away to strike a deal with Republicans, but Democrats are more unified this time after the fatal shootings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">Alex Pretti</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">Renee Good</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-administration-alex-pretti-their-own-words-27b7233380c68306a64317b3bf2aa4a3">federal agents</a>.<h2>Democrats lay out their demands</h2>There’s a lot of “unanimity and shared purpose” within the Democratic caucus, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said after a lunch meeting Wednesday.“Boil it all down, what we are talking about is that these lawless ICE agents should be following the same rules that your local police department does," Smith said. "There has to be accountability.”Amid the administration’s immigration crackdown, Schumer said Democrats are asking the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.Democrats also want an enforceable code of conduct so agents are held accountable when they violate rules. Schumer said agents should be required to have “masks off, body cameras on” and carry proper identification, as is common practice in most law enforcement agencies.The Democratic caucus is united in those “common sense reforms” and the burden is on Republicans to accept them, Schumer said, as he has pushed for the Homeland spending to be separated out to avoid a broader shutdown.Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated that he might be open to considering some of the Democrats' demands, but he encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk and find agreement.<h2>Many obstacles to a deal</h2>As the two sides negotiated, it was still unclear whether they could agree on anything that would satisfy Democrats who want Trump's aggressive crackdown to end.The White House had invited some Democrats for a discussion to better understand their positions and avoid a partial government shutdown, a senior White House official said, but the meeting did not happen. The official requested anonymity to discuss the private invitation.The House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-government-funding-bills-d7ca791c2d1aa81d2982239f81bc86be">passed</a>&nbsp;the six remaining funding bills last week and sent them to the Senate as a package, making it more difficult to strip out the homeland security portion as Democrats have demanded. Republicans could break the package apart with the consent of all 100 senators or through a series of votes that would extend past the Friday deadline.Even if the Senate can resolve the issue, House Republicans have said they do not want any changes to the bill they have passed. In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, the conservative House Freedom Caucus wrote that its members stand with the president and ICE.“The package will not come back through the House without funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” according to the letter.<h2>Republican opposition</h2>Several Republican senators have said they would be fine with Democrats’ request to separate the Homeland Security funds for further debate and pass the other bills in the package. But it might be more difficult to for Democrats to find broad GOP support for their demands on ICE.North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he’s OK with separating the bills, but is opposed to the Democrats’ proposal to require the immigration enforcement officers to unmask and show their faces, even as he blamed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for decisions that he said are “tarnishing” the agency’s reputation.“You know, there’s a lot of vicious people out there, and they’ll take a picture of your face, and the next thing you know, your children or your wife or your husband are being threatened at home," Tillis said. "And that’s just the reality of the world that we’re in.”Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said that “what happened over the weekend is a tragedy,” but Democrats shouldn't punish Americans with a shutdown and a “political stunt.”Democrats say they won’t back down.“It is truly a moral moment,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “I think we need to take a stand.”___Associated Press writer Michelle Price in Washington contributed to this report.

8 GOP Senators vote with Dems to block gov't funding to avert a shutdown

The Greater Wichita Ministerial Alliance will host an&nbsp;interfaith prayer  vigil from noon - 1p.m. Thursday at the Wichita City Council Chambers, 455 North Main, to honor the victims in the crash of flight 5342.

This event is free and open to all, and all faiths are welcome.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Investigators have uncovered several factors that contributed to the collision of a U.S. Army helicopter and a passenger airplane near Washington, D.C., last January,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">killing 67 people</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001</a>.

The National Transportation Safety Board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-helicopter-ntsb-cause-f2e87b625583c077acfca694700de37f">discussed the investigation's findings</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, including testimony about numerous near-crashes in the years before the fatal collision, as well as missed opportunities for the the Federal Aviation Administration to address risks. Thursday marks the first anniversary of the crash.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-dc-plane-crash-faa-helicopters-07ea495a557b8a2767d0eca4277e8be1">The FAA is making</a>&nbsp;permanent changes it imposed after the crash. The rules say helicopters and planes can't share the same airspace around Reagan National Airport, prohibit air traffic controllers from relying on visual separation and require all military aircraft to broadcast their locations.

Here's a timeline of events related to the crash:

Around 8:15 p.m., American Airlines Flight 5342,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-crash-helicopter-recovery-7f492db9e867af2e184d621f56cbc4f6">with 64 people</a>&nbsp;on board, begins its initial descent into Reagan National Airport.

At 8:43, from the airport’s tower, a controller asks the plane's pilots to switch from landing on Runway 1 to Runway 33. Nearby an Army Black Hawk helicopter, referred to as PAT25 by air traffic control, is flying south over the river. The skies are clear.

As the helicopter approaches the airport, the cockpit voice recorder captures the pilot saying it is flying at 300 feet (91 meters) and the instructor pilot says it is at 400 feet (122 meters). The discrepancy isn't explained and the helicopter continues to descend. The helicopter route’s allowed altitude decreases the closer it gets to the airport, capping at 200 feet (61 meters).

At 8:46, the controller radios the Black Hawk crew to say a passenger jet, referred to as CRJ, is at 1,200 feet (365 meters) and circling to Runway 33. The helicopter's pilots say they see the jet and ask to maintain visual separation — to fly closer than if the pilots didn’t see the plane. Controllers approve the request.

At 8:47 — 20 seconds before impact — the controller radios: “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” while a conflict alarm sounds. Then, again: “PAT25, pass behind the CRJ.” But the NTSB said the helicopter's recorder shows the pilots may never have heard that instruction.

One second later the plane’s crew gets a collision avoidance alert declaring “Traffic! Traffic!”

A few seconds later, a crew member on the helicopter replies that the aircraft “is in sight” and again requests “visual separation.”

Just after the plane descends past its last recorded altitude of 313 feet (95 meters), the pilots pull up the nose sharply in an evasive maneuver one second before impact.

Then a commotion is heard on the tower audio. A flash appears in the sky, and both aircraft fall into the river. Moments later someone says over the radio, “Tower, did you see that?”

In the ensuing hours and days, crews search the chilly Potomac for survivors.

In the morning, President Donald Trump tells reporters there are no survivors. By midday the bodies of all three soldiers in the helicopter have been recovered.

About 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) downriver, Dean Naujoks, who patrols the Potomac for the Waterkeeper Alliance, finds pages from the flight manual, a piece of the plane's cabin wall and dozens of sugar packets stamped with the American Airlines logo.

In the evening, the airplane's cockpit voice and flight data recorders are sent to the NTSB lab.

Officials announce that the Black Hawk's black box&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">has been recovered</a>&nbsp;and the flight data is being reviewed, along with the actions of the military pilot and air traffic control.

By the afternoon, the remains of 41 people have been recovered.

The Army names two of the dead soldiers: Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, the crew chief; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland.

Investigators say they are trying to work out a discrepancy in the altitude data between the helicopter and the airliner. They hope the helicopter's black box can help reconcile the difference. The box is waterlogged, delaying data retrieval.

The Army identifies the third soldier: Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach. She is described by friends as “brilliant and fearless.”

Officials say the remains of 55 victims have been recovered. Salvage crews prepare to lift wreckage from the Potomac.

Crews recover parts of the airliner as families gather along the Potomac.

Crews working in choppy conditions raise a number of large pieces of the jetliner.

Authorities say the remains of all 67 victims of the collision have been recovered.

Memorials for the victims begin. A flight attendant is remembered in North Carolina as a loving family member who loved his career.

Crews finish removing major components of the helicopter and jet from the river. NTSB investigators examine the wreckage at a secure hangar.

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz says NTSB officials told senators that the helicopter’s ADS-B system — the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast that transmits location and other data to traffic controllers and other aircraft — was off.

The NTSB offers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-national-airport-aircraft-crash-ntsb-3dec2686beb43ada10ce392c857751cc">another update</a>&nbsp;that raises doubts about whether the helicopter pilots had accurate information on their altitude.

Investigators finish their work at the crash, but continue interviewing, testing and examining the wreckage of both aircraft.

Some of figure skating's biggest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-58511d50373d7c3910fea82edc676078">stars raise $1.2 million</a>&nbsp;in Washington for the victims' families. The victims included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">28 members of the figure skating community</a>, some of whom lived and trained in the Washington area. They died coming home from a camp for elite junior skaters that followed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-figure-skating-championships-winter-olympics-18cdb192224d27ec76c3abaca862ab4a">U.S. Figure Skating Championships</a>&nbsp;in Wichita, Kansas' largest city.

Federal investigators recommend banning some helicopter flights near Reagan National Airport, saying the setup “poses an intolerable risk.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy adopted those recommendations.

Helicopters no longer will be “threading the needle” flying under landing planes, Duffy said.

The FAA also will use artificial intelligence to analyze airport data for similar dangers elsewhere. Duffy said the FAA should have recognized the hazards at Reagan airport earlier.

The acting head of the FAA told Congress that the agency has to do a better job of addressing safety risks.

The head of the NTSB and Congress members again questioned how the FAA hadn’t addressed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-near-misses-53cc37d586a981c3382462a07b3d99ec">alarming number of close calls</a>&nbsp;near Reagan Airport before the crash.

“We have to identify trends, we have to get smarter about how we use data, and when we put corrective actions in place, we must execute them,” said Chris Rocheleau, the agency’s acting administrator at the time.

A federal review prompted by the Washington collision reveals dangerous flying conditions at the Las Vegas airport and leads the FAA to impose new restrictions on helicopter flights around Harry Reid International Airport.

The agency says the changes cut the number of collision alerts in Las Vegas by 30%. Rocheleau promised to take additional actions in Las Vegas and at any other airport where the FAA identifies concerns.

The Army pauses helicopter flights near Reagan after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transportation-secretary-aborted-landing-army-helicopter-reagan-8b4f6675aa3edab83f363f813e6367fb">two commercial planes aborted landings</a>&nbsp;because of an Army Black Hawk helicopter flying to the Pentagon.

The 12th Aviation Battalion pauses helicopter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-near-misses-53cc37d586a981c3382462a07b3d99ec">flights near the airport</a>.

The unit had just begun a return to flight, with plans to gradually increase.

Two different airline jets were instructed by air traffic control to “perform go-arounds” because of a “priority air transport” helicopter.

Duffy announces a plan to overhaul the aging system that air traffic controllers use. Parts still rely on floppy disks and are no longer made by the manufacturer.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-traffic-control-system-replacement-plan-breakdown-606fb7cc9efc6da839b2d888f1d0b3d7">The plan</a>&nbsp;calls for six new air traffic control centers, along with technology and communications upgrades at U.S. air traffic facilities before 2029. Congress approved $12.5 billion as a down payment. Duffy has said that another $20 billion will be needed.

The FAA has already committed more than $6 billion to the project. The agency upgraded some of the system to more modern connections.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-duffy-peraton-aviation-air-traffic-control-5541dd9071605c0e0a13ddcfd29046ce">Peraton</a>&nbsp;will oversee the rest of the overhaul.

The NTSB questioned FAA, Army and airline officials over three days.

The hearings highlighted the fact that the helicopter's altimeter was faulty, and the pilots' night vision goggles made spotting the plane harder.

It also became clear that controllers warned the FAA years earlier about the dangers of helicopters in the crowded airspace around the nation's capital, but changes weren't made.

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy scolded the FAA.

“Are you kidding me? Sixty-seven people are dead! How do you explain that? Our bureaucratic process?” she said. “Fix it. Do better.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738235840631.png" alt="File Departure signs display an "Emergency Alert" in the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Wednesday night, Jan. 29, 2025, in Arlington, Va. A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. (AP Photo/Jeannie Ohm)" />
 <figcaption>File Departure signs display an "Emergency Alert" in the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Wednesday night, Jan. 29, 2025, in Arlington, Va. A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. (AP Photo/Jeannie Ohm)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Greater Wichita Ministerial Alliance will host an&nbsp;interfaith prayer vigil from noon - 1p.m. Thursday at the Wichita City Council Chambers, 455 North Main, to honor the victims in the crash of flight 5342.This event is free and open to all, and all faiths are welcome.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">One year ago today, American Eagle Flight 5342 departed Wichita, Kansas, bound for Washington, D.C., and ended in tragedy when it went down over the Potomac River. Today, we pause to honor their memory and lift up the families who continue to grieve. May their lives be… <a href="https://t.co/bLc5FNiU22">pic.twitter.com/bLc5FNiU22</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/2016873974651564204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>WASHINGTON (AP) —Investigators have uncovered several factors that contributed to the collision of a U.S. Army helicopter and a passenger airplane near Washington, D.C., last January,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">killing 67 people</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001</a>.The National Transportation Safety Board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-helicopter-ntsb-cause-f2e87b625583c077acfca694700de37f">discussed the investigation's findings</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, including testimony about numerous near-crashes in the years before the fatal collision, as well as missed opportunities for the the Federal Aviation Administration to address risks. Thursday marks the first anniversary of the crash.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-dc-plane-crash-faa-helicopters-07ea495a557b8a2767d0eca4277e8be1">The FAA is making</a>&nbsp;permanent changes it imposed after the crash. The rules say helicopters and planes can't share the same airspace around Reagan National Airport, prohibit air traffic controllers from relying on visual separation and require all military aircraft to broadcast their locations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738291527655.png" alt="File photo A boat works the scene near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)" />
 <figcaption>File photo A boat works the scene near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption>
 </figure>Here's a timeline of events related to the crash:<h2>Jan. 29</h2>Around 8:15 p.m., American Airlines Flight 5342,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-crash-helicopter-recovery-7f492db9e867af2e184d621f56cbc4f6">with 64 people</a>&nbsp;on board, begins its initial descent into Reagan National Airport.At 8:43, from the airport’s tower, a controller asks the plane's pilots to switch from landing on Runway 1 to Runway 33. Nearby an Army Black Hawk helicopter, referred to as PAT25 by air traffic control, is flying south over the river. The skies are clear.As the helicopter approaches the airport, the cockpit voice recorder captures the pilot saying it is flying at 300 feet (91 meters) and the instructor pilot says it is at 400 feet (122 meters). The discrepancy isn't explained and the helicopter continues to descend. The helicopter route’s allowed altitude decreases the closer it gets to the airport, capping at 200 feet (61 meters).At 8:46, the controller radios the Black Hawk crew to say a passenger jet, referred to as CRJ, is at 1,200 feet (365 meters) and circling to Runway 33. The helicopter's pilots say they see the jet and ask to maintain visual separation — to fly closer than if the pilots didn’t see the plane. Controllers approve the request.At 8:47 — 20 seconds before impact — the controller radios: “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” while a conflict alarm sounds. Then, again: “PAT25, pass behind the CRJ.” But the NTSB said the helicopter's recorder shows the pilots may never have heard that instruction.One second later the plane’s crew gets a collision avoidance alert declaring “Traffic! Traffic!”A few seconds later, a crew member on the helicopter replies that the aircraft “is in sight” and again requests “visual separation.”Just after the plane descends past its last recorded altitude of 313 feet (95 meters), the pilots pull up the nose sharply in an evasive maneuver one second before impact.Then a commotion is heard on the tower audio. A flash appears in the sky, and both aircraft fall into the river. Moments later someone says over the radio, “Tower, did you see that?”In the ensuing hours and days, crews search the chilly Potomac for survivors.<h2>Jan. 30</h2>In the morning, President Donald Trump tells reporters there are no survivors. By midday the bodies of all three soldiers in the helicopter have been recovered.About 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) downriver, Dean Naujoks, who patrols the Potomac for the Waterkeeper Alliance, finds pages from the flight manual, a piece of the plane's cabin wall and dozens of sugar packets stamped with the American Airlines logo.In the evening, the airplane's cockpit voice and flight data recorders are sent to the NTSB lab.<h2>Jan. 31</h2>Officials announce that the Black Hawk's black box&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">has been recovered</a>&nbsp;and the flight data is being reviewed, along with the actions of the military pilot and air traffic control.By the afternoon, the remains of 41 people have been recovered.The Army names two of the dead soldiers: Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, the crew chief; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland.<h2>Feb. 1</h2>Investigators say they are trying to work out a discrepancy in the altitude data between the helicopter and the airliner. They hope the helicopter's black box can help reconcile the difference. The box is waterlogged, delaying data retrieval.The Army identifies the third soldier: Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach. She is described by friends as “brilliant and fearless.”<h2>Feb. 2</h2>Officials say the remains of 55 victims have been recovered. Salvage crews prepare to lift wreckage from the Potomac.<h2>Feb. 3</h2>Crews recover parts of the airliner as families gather along the Potomac.<h2>Feb. 4</h2>Crews working in choppy conditions raise a number of large pieces of the jetliner.Authorities say the remains of all 67 victims of the collision have been recovered.<h2>Feb. 5</h2>Memorials for the victims begin. A flight attendant is remembered in North Carolina as a loving family member who loved his career.<h2>Feb. 6</h2>Crews finish removing major components of the helicopter and jet from the river. NTSB investigators examine the wreckage at a secure hangar.Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz says NTSB officials told senators that the helicopter’s ADS-B system — the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast that transmits location and other data to traffic controllers and other aircraft — was off.<h2>Feb. 14</h2>The NTSB offers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-national-airport-aircraft-crash-ntsb-3dec2686beb43ada10ce392c857751cc">another update</a>&nbsp;that raises doubts about whether the helicopter pilots had accurate information on their altitude.Investigators finish their work at the crash, but continue interviewing, testing and examining the wreckage of both aircraft.<h2>March 2</h2>Some of figure skating's biggest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-58511d50373d7c3910fea82edc676078">stars raise $1.2 million</a>&nbsp;in Washington for the victims' families. The victims included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">28 members of the figure skating community</a>, some of whom lived and trained in the Washington area. They died coming home from a camp for elite junior skaters that followed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-figure-skating-championships-winter-olympics-18cdb192224d27ec76c3abaca862ab4a">U.S. Figure Skating Championships</a>&nbsp;in Wichita, Kansas' largest city.<h2>March 11</h2>Federal investigators recommend banning some helicopter flights near Reagan National Airport, saying the setup “poses an intolerable risk.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy adopted those recommendations.Helicopters no longer will be “threading the needle” flying under landing planes, Duffy said.The FAA also will use artificial intelligence to analyze airport data for similar dangers elsewhere. Duffy said the FAA should have recognized the hazards at Reagan airport earlier.<h2>March 27</h2>The acting head of the FAA told Congress that the agency has to do a better job of addressing safety risks.The head of the NTSB and Congress members again questioned how the FAA hadn’t addressed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-near-misses-53cc37d586a981c3382462a07b3d99ec">alarming number of close calls</a>&nbsp;near Reagan Airport before the crash.“We have to identify trends, we have to get smarter about how we use data, and when we put corrective actions in place, we must execute them,” said Chris Rocheleau, the agency’s acting administrator at the time.<h2>April 22</h2>A federal review prompted by the Washington collision reveals dangerous flying conditions at the Las Vegas airport and leads the FAA to impose new restrictions on helicopter flights around Harry Reid International Airport.The agency says the changes cut the number of collision alerts in Las Vegas by 30%. Rocheleau promised to take additional actions in Las Vegas and at any other airport where the FAA identifies concerns.<h2>May 5</h2>The Army pauses helicopter flights near Reagan after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transportation-secretary-aborted-landing-army-helicopter-reagan-8b4f6675aa3edab83f363f813e6367fb">two commercial planes aborted landings</a>&nbsp;because of an Army Black Hawk helicopter flying to the Pentagon.The 12th Aviation Battalion pauses helicopter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-ntsb-faa-near-misses-53cc37d586a981c3382462a07b3d99ec">flights near the airport</a>.The unit had just begun a return to flight, with plans to gradually increase.Two different airline jets were instructed by air traffic control to “perform go-arounds” because of a “priority air transport” helicopter.<h2>May 8</h2>Duffy announces a plan to overhaul the aging system that air traffic controllers use. Parts still rely on floppy disks and are no longer made by the manufacturer.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-traffic-control-system-replacement-plan-breakdown-606fb7cc9efc6da839b2d888f1d0b3d7">The plan</a>&nbsp;calls for six new air traffic control centers, along with technology and communications upgrades at U.S. air traffic facilities before 2029. Congress approved $12.5 billion as a down payment. Duffy has said that another $20 billion will be needed.The FAA has already committed more than $6 billion to the project. The agency upgraded some of the system to more modern connections.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-duffy-peraton-aviation-air-traffic-control-5541dd9071605c0e0a13ddcfd29046ce">Peraton</a>&nbsp;will oversee the rest of the overhaul.<h2>July 30-Aug. 1</h2>The NTSB questioned FAA, Army and airline officials over three days.The hearings highlighted the fact that the helicopter's altimeter was faulty, and the pilots' night vision goggles made spotting the plane harder.It also became clear that controllers warned the FAA years earlier about the dangers of helicopters in the crowded airspace around the nation's capital, but changes weren't made.NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy scolded the FAA.“Are you kidding me? Sixty-seven people are dead! How do you explain that? Our bureaucratic process?” she said. “Fix it. Do better.”

Prayer vigil: 1 year since jet from Kan. and Army helicopter collided over DC

By MICHAEL BIESECKER and JESSE BEDAYN Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Pretti was forcefully taken to the ground by federal immigration agents after kicking out the tail light of their vehicle during a Minneapolis protest 11 days before he was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers, videos that emerged Wednesday show.

The Jan. 13 scuffle was captured in a pair of videos that show Pretti shouting an expletive at the federal officers and struggling with them. His winter coat comes off when he's on the ground and he either breaks free or the officers let him go and he scurries away.

When he turns his back to the camera, what appears to be a handgun is visible in his waistband. At no point do the videos show Pretti reaching for the gun and it is unclear whether the federal agents saw it.

A person with knowledge of the incident confirmed to The Associated Press that the man in the videos is Pretti and that he had told his family of the confrontation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss matters sensitive to the family.

The new videos immediately rekindled the national debate about the death of Pretti, 37, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">intensive care nurse</a>&nbsp;at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, posted one of the videos on X and commented, “Just a peaceful legal observer.”

Lawyer says new videos don't excuse shooting

Steve Schleicher, a Minneapolis-based attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-dfe7d30628cffeb1ceb6f940943e7b33">representing Pretti’s parents</a>, said the earlier altercation in no way justified the officers fatally shooting Pretti on Saturday.

“A week before Alex was gunned down in the street — despite posing no threat to anyone — he was violently assaulted by a group of (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents,” Schleicher said in a written statement. “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”

Homeland Security Investigations is reviewing the new videos and incident, a spokesperson with the department said. It's not known if any of the officers involved were also there when Pretti was killed.

Last weekend's fatal shooting occurred on a sidewalk next to the street where Pretti had been videoing immigration officers. In video taken by bystanders, one officer pushes him, then Pretti is taken to the ground and a half-dozen officers try to subdue him. One spots Pretti's weapon, which he was licensed to carry, and shouts, “He's got a gun.” Two officers then open fire and Pretti is killed.

Trump administration officials quickly reacted, saying Pretti had approached officers with a gun and attacked them.

The altercation and shooting was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-alex-pretti-videos-861a0d8f3ee182f3b5909b3613900e2e">captured in multiple videos</a>&nbsp;and showed Pretti never brandished his gun and didn't assault any officer. He was holding his phone when he was shot in the back while on the ground.

The new videos from the week prior to the shooting came from two sources. One, published by the Minnesota Star Tribune and later obtained by the AP, was taken by Max Shapiro, a witness who filmed the interaction. The second was by a crew for The News Movement, an online media outlet.

Confrontation came amid whistles and shouts

Shapiro, an attorney in Minneapolis, recounted in an interview Wednesday that he saw over a Signal chat that immigration enforcement was in the area. Driving over, Shapiro parked half a block from officers and got out.

“The observers were pretty distraught and screaming,” he said, adding that the officers began trying to get the crowd back, but their directives were largely drowned out in whistles and shouts.

The video from The News Movement shows Pretti wearing glasses, a dark baseball cap and a winter coat yelling at federal vehicles, at one point appearing to spit and yell “trash” toward the driver's side of a dark Ford Expedition with flashing red and blue lights.

As the vehicle pulls slowly away, Pretti kicks at the taillight and then delivers a second kick that shatters the red plastic and leaves the taillight dangling.

Shapiro began filming on his phone just after Pretti kicked out the taillight.

Both videos capture the rear door of the SUV swinging open and an immigration officer wearing a gas mask and helmet getting out. He starts walking toward Pretti.

The officer grabs Pretti’s shirt at his chest, pulling him back toward the vehicle as Pretti’s arms flail. The officer pulls Pretti back onto the street and down onto his knees, falling over Pretti in the scuffle.

Other masked and helmeted officers surround them and try to subdue Pretti. Others stand guard between them and a screaming crowd, before the officers set off tear gas canisters and withdraw.

After Pretti stumbles away, Shapiro walks over and hugs Pretti, asking if he is OK.

Pretti affirms that he is, before turning to others involved in the melee and asking: “Are we all OK? Are we all safe?”

Shapiro said he understands some will use the videos to try to vilify Pretti, but that he seemed like someone who cared deeply about what was happening to the people caught up in the Trump Administration's deportation push.

“I’m no immigration policy expert,” Shapiro said. “But there has to be a better way to go about this.”

By MICHAEL BIESECKER and JESSE BEDAYN Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Pretti was forcefully taken to the ground by federal immigration agents after kicking out the tail light of their vehicle during a Minneapolis protest 11 days before he was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers, videos that emerged Wednesday show.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 BOOM! I love this sht! <a href="https://t.co/7WSEmPNosJ">pic.twitter.com/7WSEmPNosJ</a>&mdash; Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) <a href="https://twitter.com/GuntherEagleman/status/2016712467825537506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Democrat hero nurse Alex Pretti screaming, “Fucking assault me motherfucker, fucking trash,” before spitting on ice agents and kicking out their tail lights. This guy was not emotionally well, may well have been psychotic, and was begging to be attacked: <a href="https://t.co/FmIVAifOJh">pic.twitter.com/FmIVAifOJh</a>&mdash; Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClayTravis/status/2016715318240895086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Jan. 13 scuffle was captured in a pair of videos that show Pretti shouting an expletive at the federal officers and struggling with them. His winter coat comes off when he's on the ground and he either breaks free or the officers let him go and he scurries away.When he turns his back to the camera, what appears to be a handgun is visible in his waistband. At no point do the videos show Pretti reaching for the gun and it is unclear whether the federal agents saw it.A person with knowledge of the incident confirmed to The Associated Press that the man in the videos is Pretti and that he had told his family of the confrontation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss matters sensitive to the family.The new videos immediately rekindled the national debate about the death of Pretti, 37, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">intensive care nurse</a>&nbsp;at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, posted one of the videos on X and commented, “Just a peaceful legal observer.”<h2>Lawyer says new videos don't excuse shooting</h2>Steve Schleicher, a Minneapolis-based attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-dfe7d30628cffeb1ceb6f940943e7b33">representing Pretti’s parents</a>, said the earlier altercation in no way justified the officers fatally shooting Pretti on Saturday.“A week before Alex was gunned down in the street — despite posing no threat to anyone — he was violently assaulted by a group of (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents,” Schleicher said in a written statement. “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”Homeland Security Investigations is reviewing the new videos and incident, a spokesperson with the department said. It's not known if any of the officers involved were also there when Pretti was killed.Last weekend's fatal shooting occurred on a sidewalk next to the street where Pretti had been videoing immigration officers. In video taken by bystanders, one officer pushes him, then Pretti is taken to the ground and a half-dozen officers try to subdue him. One spots Pretti's weapon, which he was licensed to carry, and shouts, “He's got a gun.” Two officers then open fire and Pretti is killed.Trump administration officials quickly reacted, saying Pretti had approached officers with a gun and attacked them.The altercation and shooting was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-alex-pretti-videos-861a0d8f3ee182f3b5909b3613900e2e">captured in multiple videos</a>&nbsp;and showed Pretti never brandished his gun and didn't assault any officer. He was holding his phone when he was shot in the back while on the ground.The new videos from the week prior to the shooting came from two sources. One, published by the Minnesota Star Tribune and later obtained by the AP, was taken by Max Shapiro, a witness who filmed the interaction. The second was by a crew for The News Movement, an online media outlet.<h2>Confrontation came amid whistles and shouts</h2>Shapiro, an attorney in Minneapolis, recounted in an interview Wednesday that he saw over a Signal chat that immigration enforcement was in the area. Driving over, Shapiro parked half a block from officers and got out.“The observers were pretty distraught and screaming,” he said, adding that the officers began trying to get the crowd back, but their directives were largely drowned out in whistles and shouts.The video from The News Movement shows Pretti wearing glasses, a dark baseball cap and a winter coat yelling at federal vehicles, at one point appearing to spit and yell “trash” toward the driver's side of a dark Ford Expedition with flashing red and blue lights.As the vehicle pulls slowly away, Pretti kicks at the taillight and then delivers a second kick that shatters the red plastic and leaves the taillight dangling.Shapiro began filming on his phone just after Pretti kicked out the taillight.Both videos capture the rear door of the SUV swinging open and an immigration officer wearing a gas mask and helmet getting out. He starts walking toward Pretti.The officer grabs Pretti’s shirt at his chest, pulling him back toward the vehicle as Pretti’s arms flail. The officer pulls Pretti back onto the street and down onto his knees, falling over Pretti in the scuffle.Other masked and helmeted officers surround them and try to subdue Pretti. Others stand guard between them and a screaming crowd, before the officers set off tear gas canisters and withdraw.After Pretti stumbles away, Shapiro walks over and hugs Pretti, asking if he is OK.Pretti affirms that he is, before turning to others involved in the melee and asking: “Are we all OK? Are we all safe?”Shapiro said he understands some will use the videos to try to vilify Pretti, but that he seemed like someone who cared deeply about what was happening to the people caught up in the Trump Administration's deportation push.“I’m no immigration policy expert,” Shapiro said. “But there has to be a better way to go about this.”

🎥 New videos show Alex Pretti scuffle with officers days before his death

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a child and have made two arrests.

Just before 6:30p.m. Tuesday, police t responded to a medical call in the 500 block of SW Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, Topeka Police Department officers located a 5-year-old girl who was transported by AMR to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was pronounced deceased.

As a result of the investigation, 24-year-old Lia Corbin and 25-year-old Kyle Valle, both of Topeka, were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated endangering of a child and Abuse of a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769652518585.png" alt="Valle photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Valle photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the death of a child and have made two arrests.Just before 6:30p.m. Tuesday, police t responded to a medical call in the 500 block of SW Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769652056338.png" alt="Corbin photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Corbin photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon arrival, Topeka Police Department officers located a 5-year-old girl who was transported by AMR to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was pronounced deceased.As a result of the investigation, 24-year-old Lia Corbin and 25-year-old Kyle Valle, both of Topeka, were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated endangering of a child and Abuse of a child.

Kansas couple accused in abuse death of 5-year-old

DOUGLAS COUNTY — A group of four suspected scammers tried to make&nbsp; Walmart stores in Lawrence their next target, but the responding police officer called in the Kansas Highway Patrol to catch up with them and put an end to their travel plans, according to Lawrence Police.

A Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper, at the request of a Lawrence police, pulled the group over on Interstate 70 just west of Bonner Springs about 10:30 Tuesday night.&nbsp;

 Lawrence Officers then traveled to the scene and found suspected stolen merchandise, more than $6,000 in cash, numerous potentially fraudulent receipts, and evidence that the spree spread through the Kansas City metro area.

It began when officers were dispatched to Walmart on 33rd&nbsp;and Iowa in Lawrence about 9:30pm.&nbsp; The store’s alert asset manager told the officer he knew something was suspicious and had knowledge of similar scams.&nbsp;

We will detail the suspected deception here hoping it arms retailers with information to combat the elaborate scam.

Here’s how it works:&nbsp;The purchaser uses a fake card with specific instructions on the back.&nbsp; One of the cards in this case read, “ATTENTION: If cardholder exceeds daily limit for future transactions cashier must follow 2 step verification: SCAN ALL items, Input EXACT AMOUNT + ENTER to complete transaction.”&nbsp; It is our understanding that the purchaser then only partially slides the card into the payment device and when the cashier presses cash, the drawer opens and a receipt is printed.&nbsp; The cashier then believes the transaction is successful.&nbsp;Several variations of the scam likely exist -- all intended to intimidate and fool cashiers.

During Tuesday night’s interaction, four men approached a variety of cashiers with separate purchases and with returns including receipts. Some purchases were completed and some were not.&nbsp; As cashiers became suspicious, they contacted the asset manager. The manager got a description of the vehicle the men left in and called dispatch.

In total, the group left with about $4,400 worth of cash and merchandise.

The responding officer immediately alerted his fellow Lawrence officers and the Highway Patrol to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Officers ultimately learned that the men were in a car they rented in Michigan. They also recovered receipts worth thousands of dollars from various stores around Kansas City and another Lawarence Walmart.&nbsp; LKPD is in contact with the corresponding police departments and the investigation continues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769633124275.jpeg" alt="Photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY — A group of four suspected scammers tried to make&nbsp; Walmart stores in Lawrence their next target, but the responding police officer called in the Kansas Highway Patrol to catch up with them and put an end to their travel plans, according to Lawrence Police.A Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper, at the request of a Lawrence police, pulled the group over on Interstate 70 just west of Bonner Springs about 10:30 Tuesday night.&nbsp; Lawrence Officers then traveled to the scene and found suspected stolen merchandise, more than $6,000 in cash, numerous potentially fraudulent receipts, and evidence that the spree spread through the Kansas City metro area.It began when officers were dispatched to Walmart on 33rd&nbsp;and Iowa in Lawrence about 9:30pm.&nbsp; The store’s alert asset manager told the officer he knew something was suspicious and had knowledge of similar scams.&nbsp;We will detail the suspected deception here hoping it arms retailers with information to combat the elaborate scam.Here’s how it works:&nbsp;The purchaser uses a fake card with specific instructions on the back.&nbsp; One of the cards in this case read, “ATTENTION: If cardholder exceeds daily limit for future transactions cashier must follow 2 step verification: SCAN ALL items, Input EXACT AMOUNT + ENTER to complete transaction.”&nbsp; It is our understanding that the purchaser then only partially slides the card into the payment device and when the cashier presses cash, the drawer opens and a receipt is printed.&nbsp; The cashier then believes the transaction is successful.&nbsp;Several variations of the scam likely exist -- all intended to intimidate and fool cashiers.During Tuesday night’s interaction, four men approached a variety of cashiers with separate purchases and with returns including receipts. Some purchases were completed and some were not.&nbsp; As cashiers became suspicious, they contacted the asset manager. The manager got a description of the vehicle the men left in and called dispatch.In total, the group left with about $4,400 worth of cash and merchandise.The responding officer immediately alerted his fellow Lawrence officers and the Highway Patrol to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Officers ultimately learned that the men were in a car they rented in Michigan. They also recovered receipts worth thousands of dollars from various stores around Kansas City and another Lawarence Walmart.&nbsp; LKPD is in contact with the corresponding police departments and the investigation continues.

Police detail elaborate scam uncovered at Kansas retailer

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Wednesday spoke on the Senate floor to honor the victims of the January 29th, 2025, tragedy that occurred nearly a year ago when Flight 5342, originating from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport (DCA), resulting in the loss of 67 lives.

“A year later, the memory of this tragedy, the deadliest aviation incident that America has witnessed in nearly 25 years, is as painful as it was when we first heard the news,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“The victims were husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, friends and coworkers.”“I can’t imagine the pain each of the families of the victims has experienced every day since January 29th,”&nbsp;concluded Sen. Moran.&nbsp;

“This week, their loss must feel especially hard as they face the anniversary of the plane crash. Today, we resolve to honor their legacy, work to make our skies safer and cherish their memories.”

Sen. Moran’s full remarks as prepared:

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the 67 lives we lost nearly one year ago on January 29th, 2025.“On that night, Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, Kansas and flew toward our nation’s capital with 64 on board.“In Washington, D.C., a Black Hawk helicopter with three Army soldiers would soon be in the air as well.“Flight 5342 was just minutes away from a safe landing at Reagan National Airport, when the plane and Army helicopter collided over the Potomac River.

“Shortly after 9:00 pm, I received a call with the news that a flight from Kansas was involved in an accident in our nation’s capital. As I made my way to Reagan National Airport that night, the banks of the Potomac River were illuminated with lights from emergency responders who were searching the icy water of a crash site.

“At the airport, I was joined by local leaders and newly sworn in Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Our conversation that night was one of many that would span the course of the following year trying to understand how an accident like this could occur and how to prevent it from happening again.

“At the airport we learned the tragic news that there were no survivors. Of those who perished, seven were Kansans:“Kiah Duggins – a civil rights attorney and Wichita native – was set to begin teaching at Howard University School of Law.“Lindsey Fields – a professor at Butler Community College and the president-elect of the National Association of Biology Teachers – was traveling to our nation’s capital to advocate for the issues that mattered to her.“Bob and Lori Schrock – farmers from Kiowa, Kansas – were on their way to visit their daughter at college in Pennsylvania.

“Grace Maxwell – an engineering student from Wichita – was returning to college after attending her grandfather’s funeral in Kansas.

“Dustin Miller, an IT professional who grew up in El Dorado and was a lifelong Chiefs fan, told his mom he was going to try to make it back in time to watch his team play in the Super Bowl.“P.J. Diaz, of Wichita, was described by his loved ones as a world traveler who had been to 49 states. He especially loved cruises and had an extra-long cruise planned for later in the year.

“Sadly, 28 members of the U.S. Figure Skating community also lost their lives – young athletes traveling back from a National Development Camp in Wichita with their coaches and family members.“Maxim Naumov, a 24-year-old U.S. figure skater, lost both his parents, in the accident.

“In the wake of this tragedy, Maxim used his love of skating to overcome immense loss and now heads to the 2026 Olympic games, just weeks away, to achieve the lifelong dream he had shared with his parents. We all will be cheering him on.

“A year later, the memory of this night, the deadliest aviation incident that America has witnessed in nearly 25 years, is as painful as it was when we first heard the news. The victims were husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, friends and coworkers.

“As we mourn the victims, we also remember the heroism, solidarity and love displayed that night. Hundreds of first responders worked tirelessly through the night and into the coming days. Strangers offered comfort, and people checked on their neighbors.

“Since January 29th, the families of the victims have tried to find meaning and purpose after the death of their loved ones and worked to eliminate the likelihood of an accident like this ever happening again.

“One family in particular, Tim and Sheri Lilley, lost their son, Sam, a co-pilot for Flight 5342. Following the tragic accident, the Lilley family have used their voice to become advocates for safer skies in honor of their son, Sam.

“I’m grateful for the advocacy of the families of the victims over the last year as they worked to advocate for changes at FAA and congressional legislation like the ROTOR Act.

“Thanks to their support, the Senate advanced this critical legislation last year. This was an important step, but our progress has been stalled in the House. The National Transportation Safety Board’s hearing just yesterday further confirmed that this legislation could have made a difference on January 29th.

“We cannot afford to waste any more time. I urgently insist the House of Representative quickly pass this legislation or amend it and pass it so we can find consensus.

“I want to commend the NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and her team on their thorough investigation into the crash. Their report will guide Congress in the coming weeks in our efforts to ensure the safety of our skies.

“In addition to passing and implementing ROTOR Act, Congress must hold a hearing after the NTSB releases its final written report to review the findings and recommendations of the NTSB, determine what, if any, congressional action is necessary to implement these recommendations and make certain the FAA and Army are making the recommended changes, provide funding for further modernization of our aviation system, advance new technology at the FAA and train and support air traffic controllers.

“We cannot miss the moment to act and ensure lasting change.

“I cannot imagine the pain each of the families of the victims has experienced every day since January 29th. This week, their loss must be felt especially hard as they face the anniversary of the plane crash.&nbsp;

“Tonight, I want to remember those who perished. Sixty-seven lives that ended too soon.

“Today, we resolve to honor their legacy, work to make our skies safer and remember those we loved who lost their lives.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738545032561.png" alt="During the recovery effort one year ago =Photo U.S. Coast Guard" />
 <figcaption>During the recovery effort one year ago =Photo U.S. Coast Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Wednesday spoke on the Senate floor to honor the victims of the January 29th, 2025, tragedy that occurred nearly a year ago when Flight 5342, originating from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport (DCA), resulting in the loss of 67 lives.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e5g29-fqpdQ?si=6pwij8HgHOyJGFN-&amp;start=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“A year later, the memory of this tragedy, the deadliest aviation incident that America has witnessed in nearly 25 years, is as painful as it was when we first heard the news,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“The victims were husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, friends and coworkers.”“I can’t imagine the pain each of the families of the victims has experienced every day since January 29th,”&nbsp;concluded Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“This week, their loss must feel especially hard as they face the anniversary of the plane crash. Today, we resolve to honor their legacy, work to make our skies safer and cherish their memories.”Sen. Moran’s full remarks as prepared:“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the 67 lives we lost nearly one year ago on January 29th, 2025.“On that night, Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, Kansas and flew toward our nation’s capital with 64 on board.“In Washington, D.C., a Black Hawk helicopter with three Army soldiers would soon be in the air as well.“Flight 5342 was just minutes away from a safe landing at Reagan National Airport, when the plane and Army helicopter collided over the Potomac River.“Shortly after 9:00 pm, I received a call with the news that a flight from Kansas was involved in an accident in our nation’s capital. As I made my way to Reagan National Airport that night, the banks of the Potomac River were illuminated with lights from emergency responders who were searching the icy water of a crash site.“At the airport, I was joined by local leaders and newly sworn in Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Our conversation that night was one of many that would span the course of the following year trying to understand how an accident like this could occur and how to prevent it from happening again.“At the airport we learned the tragic news that there were no survivors. Of those who perished, seven were Kansans:“Kiah Duggins – a civil rights attorney and Wichita native – was set to begin teaching at Howard University School of Law.“Lindsey Fields – a professor at Butler Community College and the president-elect of the National Association of Biology Teachers – was traveling to our nation’s capital to advocate for the issues that mattered to her.“Bob and Lori Schrock – farmers from Kiowa, Kansas – were on their way to visit their daughter at college in Pennsylvania.“Grace Maxwell – an engineering student from Wichita – was returning to college after attending her grandfather’s funeral in Kansas.“Dustin Miller, an IT professional who grew up in El Dorado and was a lifelong Chiefs fan, told his mom he was going to try to make it back in time to watch his team play in the Super Bowl.“P.J. Diaz, of Wichita, was described by his loved ones as a world traveler who had been to 49 states. He especially loved cruises and had an extra-long cruise planned for later in the year.“Sadly, 28 members of the U.S. Figure Skating community also lost their lives – young athletes traveling back from a National Development Camp in Wichita with their coaches and family members.“Maxim Naumov, a 24-year-old U.S. figure skater, lost both his parents, in the accident.“In the wake of this tragedy, Maxim used his love of skating to overcome immense loss and now heads to the 2026 Olympic games, just weeks away, to achieve the lifelong dream he had shared with his parents. We all will be cheering him on.“A year later, the memory of this night, the deadliest aviation incident that America has witnessed in nearly 25 years, is as painful as it was when we first heard the news. The victims were husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, friends and coworkers.“As we mourn the victims, we also remember the heroism, solidarity and love displayed that night. Hundreds of first responders worked tirelessly through the night and into the coming days. Strangers offered comfort, and people checked on their neighbors.“Since January 29th, the families of the victims have tried to find meaning and purpose after the death of their loved ones and worked to eliminate the likelihood of an accident like this ever happening again.“One family in particular, Tim and Sheri Lilley, lost their son, Sam, a co-pilot for Flight 5342. Following the tragic accident, the Lilley family have used their voice to become advocates for safer skies in honor of their son, Sam.“I’m grateful for the advocacy of the families of the victims over the last year as they worked to advocate for changes at FAA and congressional legislation like the ROTOR Act.“Thanks to their support, the Senate advanced this critical legislation last year. This was an important step, but our progress has been stalled in the House. The National Transportation Safety Board’s hearing just yesterday further confirmed that this legislation could have made a difference on January 29th.“We cannot afford to waste any more time. I urgently insist the House of Representative quickly pass this legislation or amend it and pass it so we can find consensus.“I want to commend the NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and her team on their thorough investigation into the crash. Their report will guide Congress in the coming weeks in our efforts to ensure the safety of our skies.“In addition to passing and implementing ROTOR Act, Congress must hold a hearing after the NTSB releases its final written report to review the findings and recommendations of the NTSB, determine what, if any, congressional action is necessary to implement these recommendations and make certain the FAA and Army are making the recommended changes, provide funding for further modernization of our aviation system, advance new technology at the FAA and train and support air traffic controllers.“We cannot miss the moment to act and ensure lasting change.“I cannot imagine the pain each of the families of the victims has experienced every day since January 29th. This week, their loss must be felt especially hard as they face the anniversary of the plane crash.&nbsp;“Tonight, I want to remember those who perished. Sixty-seven lives that ended too soon.“Today, we resolve to honor their legacy, work to make our skies safer and remember those we loved who lost their lives.”