By GARY FIELDS, JOSH FUNK and ED WHITE&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — National Transportation Safety Board members were deeply troubled Tuesday over years of ignored warnings about helicopter traffic dangers and other problems, long before last year's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-american-airlines-helicopter-ntsb-acc8bf751427eb6824d9d1fad30895b8">midair collision</a>&nbsp;between an American Airlines jet from Wichita and an Army Black Hawk, which killed 67 people near Washington, D.C.

The board heard hours of testimony from investigators who outlined their findings in the collision and subsequent crash near Reagan National Airport a year ago. Key themes emerged, including “overwhelmed” air traffic control, a failure to alert the jet's pilot about the other aircraft and a history of missed opportunities to reroute helicopter traffic.

“I’m sorry for you, as these pages of these reports are written in your family members' blood,” board member Todd Inman told the audience. “I’m sorry that we have to be here.”

Family members listened intently during the hearing. Some were escorted out, including two in tears, as an animation of the flights was displayed on video screens. Others wore black shirts bearing the names of crash victims.

“The negligence of not fixing things that needed to be fixed killed my brother and 66 other people. So I’m not very happy,” Kristen Miller-Zahn, who watched from the front row, said during a break.

The NTSB's job at this point is to determine the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-helicopter-ntsb-cause-f2e87b625583c077acfca694700de37f">biggest factors</a>&nbsp;in the crash and make recommendations. Victims' families say they hope there’s meaningful change.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/officials-hold-meeting-on-cause-of-midair-collision/439872">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the hearing

Before hearing from investigators, Inman said “systemic issues across multiple organizations,” not an error by any individual, caused the tragedy.

Everyone aboard the jet, flying from Wichita, Kansas, and the helicopter died when the two aircraft collided and plummeted into the icy Potomac River. It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest plane crash</a>&nbsp;on U.S. soil since 2001, and 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>.

The Federal Aviation Administration last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-dc-plane-crash-faa-helicopters-07ea495a557b8a2767d0eca4277e8be1">made a permanent change</a>&nbsp;to ensure helicopters and planes no longer share the same airspace around the airport.

NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said she couldn’t believe the FAA didn’t realize the helicopter route in use during the crash didn’t provide adequate separation from planes landing on Reagan’s secondary runway. She noted that the FAA had refused to add detailed information about helicopter routes to pilots' charts so they could better understand the risks.

“We know over time concerns were raised repeatedly, went unheard, squashed — however you want to put it — stuck in red tape and bureaucracy of a very large organization,” Homendy said. “Repeated recommendations over the years.”

NTSB investigators said the Army and FAA weren’t sharing all safety data with each other before the crash, and that Army helicopter pilots often weren’t even aware when they were involved in a near-miss around Reagan.

NTSB human performance investigator Katherine Wilson said an air traffic controller felt a “little overwhelmed” when traffic volume increased to 10 aircraft about 10 to 15 minutes before the collision, but then “felt the volume was manageable when one or two helicopters left the airspace.”

Yet about 90 seconds before the collision, Wilson said, “traffic volume increased to a maximum of 12 aircraft consisting of seven airplanes and five helicopters. Radio communication showed that the local controller was shifting focus between airborne, ground and transiting aircraft.”

The workload “reduced his situational awareness,” Wilson said.

Details were difficult for families to hear

NTSB investigators showed a video animation to demonstrate how difficult it would have been for the pilots in both aircraft to spot the other amid the lights of Washington. The animation also showed how the windshields of both aircraft and the helicopter crew’s night vision goggles restricted views.

Ahead of the hearing, Rachel Feres, who lost her cousin Peter Livingston and his wife and two young daughters, said she was hoping for “clarity and urgency” from the NTSB process.

No one else, she said, should have to “wake up to hear that an entire branch of their family tree is gone, or their wife is gone or the child is gone.”

Whether that happens depends on how Congress, the Army and the Trump administration respond after the hearing. A pending bill would require all aircraft to have advanced locator systems to help avoid collisions.

Even before Tuesday, the NTSB had already spelled out many key factors that contributed to the crash. Investigators said controllers in the Reagan tower had been overly reliant on asking pilots to spot other aircraft and maintain visual separation.

The night of the crash, the controller approved the Black Hawk's request to do that twice. However, the investigation has shown that the helicopter pilots likely never spotted the American Airlines plane as the jet circled to land on the little-used secondary runway.

In a statement, the FAA said it has reduced hourly plane arrivals at Reagan airport from 36 to 30 and increased staff. The agency said it has 22 certified controllers in the tower and eight more in training.

“We will diligently consider any additional recommendations” from the NTSB, the FAA said.

Several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-crash-aviation-safety-76215f9d429274f3b5089e81baa97d6a">high-profile crashes and close calls</a>&nbsp;followed the D.C. collision, alarming the flying public. But NTSB statistics show that the total number of crashes last year was the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, with 1,405 nationwide.

Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska, and White reported from Detroit.

NTSB investigator Katherine Wilson said an air traffic controller felt a “little overwhelmed” when traffic volume increased to 10 aircraft about 10 to 15 minutes before the collision, but then “felt the volume was manageable when one or two helicopters left the airspace.”

“I hope that we see a clear path through the recommendations they offer to ensure that this never happens again,” Feres said. “That nobody else has to wake up to hear that an entire branch of their family tree is gone, or their wife is gone or the child is gone.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769540148105.png" alt="Simulation shows the view from the Black Hawk helicopter as it approached the deadly crash-image from NTSB video" />
 <figcaption>Simulation shows the view from the Black Hawk helicopter as it approached the deadly crash-image from NTSB video</figcaption>
 </figure>By GARY FIELDS, JOSH FUNK and ED WHITE&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — National Transportation Safety Board members were deeply troubled Tuesday over years of ignored warnings about helicopter traffic dangers and other problems, long before last year's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-american-airlines-helicopter-ntsb-acc8bf751427eb6824d9d1fad30895b8">midair collision</a>&nbsp;between an American Airlines jet from Wichita and an Army Black Hawk, which killed 67 people near Washington, D.C.The board heard hours of testimony from investigators who outlined their findings in the collision and subsequent crash near Reagan National Airport a year ago. Key themes emerged, including “overwhelmed” air traffic control, a failure to alert the jet's pilot about the other aircraft and a history of missed opportunities to reroute helicopter traffic.“I’m sorry for you, as these pages of these reports are written in your family members' blood,” board member Todd Inman told the audience. “I’m sorry that we have to be here.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769539787954.png" alt="Simulation of shows the view from the American Airlines jet as it approached the deadly crash-image from NTSB video" />
 <figcaption>Simulation of shows the view from the American Airlines jet as it approached the deadly crash-image from NTSB video</figcaption>
 </figure>Family members listened intently during the hearing. Some were escorted out, including two in tears, as an animation of the flights was displayed on video screens. Others wore black shirts bearing the names of crash victims.“The negligence of not fixing things that needed to be fixed killed my brother and 66 other people. So I’m not very happy,” Kristen Miller-Zahn, who watched from the front row, said during a break.The NTSB's job at this point is to determine the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-helicopter-ntsb-cause-f2e87b625583c077acfca694700de37f">biggest factors</a>&nbsp;in the crash and make recommendations. Victims' families say they hope there’s meaningful change.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NTSB Chair <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferHomendy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JenniferHomendy</a> on DCA crash: &quot;We should be angry, because for years no one listened. This was preventable, this was 100% preventable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Dv7AQ8t9E6">pic.twitter.com/Dv7AQ8t9E6</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2016255017523556445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/officials-hold-meeting-on-cause-of-midair-collision/439872">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the hearing<h2>Systemic problems caused the crash</h2>Before hearing from investigators, Inman said “systemic issues across multiple organizations,” not an error by any individual, caused the tragedy.Everyone aboard the jet, flying from Wichita, Kansas, and the helicopter died when the two aircraft collided and plummeted into the icy Potomac River. It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest plane crash</a>&nbsp;on U.S. soil since 2001, and 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>.The Federal Aviation Administration last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-dc-plane-crash-faa-helicopters-07ea495a557b8a2767d0eca4277e8be1">made a permanent change</a>&nbsp;to ensure helicopters and planes no longer share the same airspace around the airport.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NTSB Chair <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferHomendy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JenniferHomendy</a> on DCA: &quot;This is the most complex airspace, one of the most, in the entire United States…In this case everyone in the tower knows, this tower is essentially treated as a training facility.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/9x8hZfXiRe">pic.twitter.com/9x8hZfXiRe</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2016206364574351870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Missed warning signs</h2>NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said she couldn’t believe the FAA didn’t realize the helicopter route in use during the crash didn’t provide adequate separation from planes landing on Reagan’s secondary runway. She noted that the FAA had refused to add detailed information about helicopter routes to pilots' charts so they could better understand the risks.“We know over time concerns were raised repeatedly, went unheard, squashed — however you want to put it — stuck in red tape and bureaucracy of a very large organization,” Homendy said. “Repeated recommendations over the years.”NTSB investigators said the Army and FAA weren’t sharing all safety data with each other before the crash, and that Army helicopter pilots often weren’t even aware when they were involved in a near-miss around Reagan.<h2>Overwhelmed controller</h2>NTSB human performance investigator Katherine Wilson said an air traffic controller felt a “little overwhelmed” when traffic volume increased to 10 aircraft about 10 to 15 minutes before the collision, but then “felt the volume was manageable when one or two helicopters left the airspace.”Yet about 90 seconds before the collision, Wilson said, “traffic volume increased to a maximum of 12 aircraft consisting of seven airplanes and five helicopters. Radio communication showed that the local controller was shifting focus between airborne, ground and transiting aircraft.”The workload “reduced his situational awareness,” Wilson said.<h2>Details were difficult for families to hear</h2>NTSB investigators showed a video animation to demonstrate how difficult it would have been for the pilots in both aircraft to spot the other amid the lights of Washington. The animation also showed how the windshields of both aircraft and the helicopter crew’s night vision goggles restricted views.Ahead of the hearing, Rachel Feres, who lost her cousin Peter Livingston and his wife and two young daughters, said she was hoping for “clarity and urgency” from the NTSB process.No one else, she said, should have to “wake up to hear that an entire branch of their family tree is gone, or their wife is gone or the child is gone.”<h2>The government will have to make changes</h2>Whether that happens depends on how Congress, the Army and the Trump administration respond after the hearing. A pending bill would require all aircraft to have advanced locator systems to help avoid collisions.Even before Tuesday, the NTSB had already spelled out many key factors that contributed to the crash. Investigators said controllers in the Reagan tower had been overly reliant on asking pilots to spot other aircraft and maintain visual separation.The night of the crash, the controller approved the Black Hawk's request to do that twice. However, the investigation has shown that the helicopter pilots likely never spotted the American Airlines plane as the jet circled to land on the little-used secondary runway.In a statement, the FAA said it has reduced hourly plane arrivals at Reagan airport from 36 to 30 and increased staff. The agency said it has 22 certified controllers in the tower and eight more in training.“We will diligently consider any additional recommendations” from the NTSB, the FAA said.Several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-crash-aviation-safety-76215f9d429274f3b5089e81baa97d6a">high-profile crashes and close calls</a>&nbsp;followed the D.C. collision, alarming the flying public. But NTSB statistics show that the total number of crashes last year was the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, with 1,405 nationwide.___Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska, and White reported from Detroit.“I’m sorry for you, as these pages of these reports are written in your family members' blood,” board member Todd Inman told the audience. “I’m sorry that we have to be here.”Family members listened intently during the hearing. Some were escorted out, including two in tears, as an animation of the flights was displayed on video screens. Others wore black shirts bearing the names of crash victims.“The negligence of not fixing things that needed to be fixed killed my brother and 66 other people. So I’m not very happy,” Kristen Miller-Zahn, who watched from the front row, said during a break.The NTSB's job at this point is to determine the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-helicopter-ntsb-cause-f2e87b625583c077acfca694700de37f">biggest factors</a>&nbsp;in the crash and make recommendations. Victims' families say they hope there’s meaningful change.<h2>Systemic problems caused the crash</h2>Before hearing from investigators, Inman said “systemic issues across multiple organizations,” not an error by any individual, caused the tragedy.Everyone aboard the jet, flying from Wichita, Kansas, and the helicopter died when the two aircraft collided and plummeted into the icy Potomac River. It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest plane crash</a>&nbsp;on U.S. soil since 2001, and 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>.The Federal Aviation Administration last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-dc-plane-crash-faa-helicopters-07ea495a557b8a2767d0eca4277e8be1">made a permanent change</a>&nbsp;to ensure helicopters and planes no longer share the same airspace around the airport.<h2>Missed warning signs</h2>NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said she couldn’t believe the FAA didn’t realize the helicopter route in use during the crash didn’t provide adequate separation from planes landing on Reagan’s secondary runway. She noted that the FAA had refused to add detailed information about helicopter routes to pilots' charts so they could better understand the risks.“We know over time concerns were raised repeatedly, went unheard, squashed — however you want to put it — stuck in red tape and bureaucracy of a very large organization,” Homendy said. “Repeated recommendations over the years.”<h2>Overwhelmed controller</h2>NTSB investigator Katherine Wilson said an air traffic controller felt a “little overwhelmed” when traffic volume increased to 10 aircraft about 10 to 15 minutes before the collision, but then “felt the volume was manageable when one or two helicopters left the airspace.”Yet about 90 seconds before the collision, Wilson said, “traffic volume increased to a maximum of 12 aircraft consisting of seven airplanes and five helicopters. Radio communication showed that the local controller was shifting focus between airborne, ground and transiting aircraft.”The workload “reduced his situational awareness,” Wilson said.<h2>Details were difficult for families to hear</h2>NTSB investigators showed a video animation to demonstrate how difficult it would have been for the pilots in both aircraft to spot the other amid the lights of Washington. The animation also showed how the windshields of both aircraft and the helicopter crew’s night vision goggles restricted views.Ahead of the hearing, Rachel Feres, who lost her cousin Peter Livingston and his wife and two young daughters, said she was hoping for “clarity and urgency” from the NTSB process.“I hope that we see a clear path through the recommendations they offer to ensure that this never happens again,” Feres said. “That nobody else has to wake up to hear that an entire branch of their family tree is gone, or their wife is gone or the child is gone.”<h2>The government will have to make changes</h2>Whether that happens depends on how Congress, the Army and the Trump administration respond after the hearing. A pending bill would require all aircraft to have advanced locator systems to help avoid collisions.Even before Tuesday, the NTSB had already spelled out many key factors that contributed to the crash. Investigators said controllers in the Reagan tower had been overly reliant on asking pilots to spot other aircraft and maintain visual separation.The night of the crash, the controller approved the Black Hawk's request to do that twice. However, the investigation has shown that the helicopter pilots likely never spotted the American Airlines plane as the jet circled to land on the little-used secondary runway.In a statement, the FAA said it has reduced hourly plane arrivals at Reagan airport from 36 to 30 and increased staff. The agency said it has 22 certified controllers in the tower and eight more in training.“We will diligently consider any additional recommendations” from the NTSB, the FAA said.Several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-crash-aviation-safety-76215f9d429274f3b5089e81baa97d6a">high-profile crashes and close calls</a>&nbsp;followed the D.C. collision, alarming the flying public. But NTSB statistics show that the total number of crashes last year was the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, with 1,405 nationwide.___Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska, and White reported from Detroit.

🎥NTSB on deadly jet from Kansas, helicopter crash: We should be angry

WICHITA, KS – The Kansas Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for the cases of Reginald and Jonathan Carr for Wednesday, January 28.

Below is a summary provided by the district attorney's office on the current status of these appeals, and a summary of what has happened in the cases so far.

Prosecutors said the brothers broke into a Wichita home in December 2000 and forced the three men and two women there to have sex with one another and later to withdraw money from ATMs.

According to authorities, the women were raped repeatedly before all five were taken to a soccer field and shot. Four victims died: Aaron Sander, 29; Brad Heyka, 27; Jason Befort, 26; and Heather Muller, 25. One of the women survived to testify against the Carr brothers. Other crimes over six days left a fifth person dead.

The defendants each appealed Judge Goering’s denial that was issued in April of 2024.&nbsp; The arguments on those appeals scheduled for next week are to resolve those appeals.&nbsp; The defendants’ arguments are (summarized) that they should be granted new sentencing hearings at which point the question of the death penalty would have to be re-litigated.&nbsp; The State’s argument (summarized) is that the question has been resolved, and no new sentencing should be granted.

When any capital murder or other “off-grid” case is appealed in Kansas, the appellate proceedings are as follows:

Then when the direct appeals are exhausted,

Then when the collateral attacks are exhausted,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713797595636.png" alt="Reginald Carr -photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Reginald Carr -photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KS – The Kansas Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for the cases of Reginald and Jonathan Carr for Wednesday, January 28.Below is a summary provided by the district attorney's office on the current status of these appeals, and a summary of what has happened in the cases so far.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713797664640.png" alt="Jonathan Carr photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Jonathan Carr photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure><ol>
 <li>December 7 to 14, 2000, the crimes for which both men were subsequently convicted occurred.</li>
 </ol>Prosecutors said the brothers broke into a Wichita home in December 2000 and forced the three men and two women there to have sex with one another and later to withdraw money from ATMs.According to authorities, the women were raped repeatedly before all five were taken to a soccer field and shot. Four victims died: Aaron Sander, 29; Brad Heyka, 27; Jason Befort, 26; and Heather Muller, 25. One of the women survived to testify against the Carr brothers. Other crimes over six days left a fifth person dead.<ol>
 <li>On November 14, 2002, the Defendants were convicted at the conclusion of a jury trial of multiple counts including Capital Murder.&nbsp; The jury recommended a death sentence for each man. &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>On November 15, 2002, the court proceeded to sentencing and imposed a death sentence for each man.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>On July 15, 2014, the convictions were “affirmed in part, reversed in part, and the sentence of death vacated and case remanded.” (The Kansas Supreme Court set aside the death sentences).&nbsp;State v. R. Carr, 300 Kan. 1, 331 P.3d 554 (2014); and&nbsp;State v. J. Carr, 300 Kan. 340, 329 P.3d 1195 (2014).&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>On January 20, 2016, the Supreme Court of the United States “reversed the Kansas Supreme Court and remanded for further proceedings.”&nbsp; (The US Supreme Court re-instated the death sentences.)&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas v. R. Carr, 577 U.S. 108, 136 S. Ct. 633, 193 L.Ed.2d 535 (2016); and&nbsp;Kansas v. J. Carr, 577 U.S. 108, 136 S. Ct. 633, 193 L. Ed. 2d 535 (2016).</li><li>On January 21, 2022, on consideration of the remand and appeal it was ordered and adjudged by the Kansas Supreme Court that the Death Sentences for both men were affirmed.&nbsp; (The Kansas Supreme Court followed the directive of the US Supreme Court.) &nbsp;State v. R. Carr, 314 Kan. 615, 628-629, 502 P.3d 546 (2022); and&nbsp;State v. J. Carr, 314 Kan. 744 (2022).</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>On January 9, 2023, it was ordered and adjudged by the Supreme Court of the United States that the petition for writ of certiorari be denied. (The United States Supreme Court refused to consider the defendant’s appeal).&nbsp; &nbsp;R.&nbsp;Carr v. Kansas, 143 S.Ct. 581, 214 L.Ed.2d 344 (2023); and J.&nbsp;Carr v. Kansas, 143 S.Ct. 584, 214 L.Ed.2d 345 (2023).&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>On February 7, 2023, the District Court of Sedgwick County was commanded by the Kansas Supreme Court to “cause execution to be had of the judgement of the Supreme Court, according to law.”&nbsp; (The Kansas Supreme Court sent the matter back to the Sedgwick County District Court by way of what is called a mandate.&nbsp; That begins the next stage of proceedings in Kansas, commonly referred to as the “1507 hearing”)</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>The defendants each filed a Motion for a Sentencing Hearing, arguing that the death sentences as announced by the original trial judge were improper. &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>&nbsp;On April 24, 2024, Judge Goering denied the defendants’ motions for new sentencing hearings.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li>
 </ol>The defendants each appealed Judge Goering’s denial that was issued in April of 2024.&nbsp; The arguments on those appeals scheduled for next week are to resolve those appeals.&nbsp; The defendants’ arguments are (summarized) that they should be granted new sentencing hearings at which point the question of the death penalty would have to be re-litigated.&nbsp; The State’s argument (summarized) is that the question has been resolved, and no new sentencing should be granted.When any capital murder or other “off-grid” case is appealed in Kansas, the appellate proceedings are as follows:<ol>
 <li>The direct appeal to the Kansas Supreme Court – to address any alleged trial error.</li>
 </ol><ul>
 <li>These decisions can then be appealed to the 10th&nbsp;Circuit or United States Supreme Court.</li>
 </ul>Then when the direct appeals are exhausted,<ol>
 <li>&nbsp;The “collateral” attack – typically ineffective assistance of counsel claims, filed under K.S.A. 60-1507 are heard by the district court.</li>
 </ol><ul>
 <li>These decisions can then be appealed to the Kansas appellate courts.</li><li>In turn, the decisions of the Kansas appellate courts regarding the 1507 proceedings can be appealed to the 10th&nbsp;Circuit or US Supreme Court.</li>
 </ul>Then when the collateral attacks are exhausted,<ol>
 <li>Habeus Corpus – again, appealed to the appellate courts at both the state and federal level.</li>
 </ol>

Kan. High Court to hear death row appeal in Wichita massacre

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man sprayed an unknown substance on Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ilhan-omar">U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar</a>&nbsp;and was tackled to the ground Tuesday during a town hall in Minneapolis, where tensions over federal immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300">have come to a head</a>&nbsp;after agents fatally shot an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-alex-pretti-border-patrol-shooting-investigation-9d8ac8531f0d195ada3374c86a9deb21">intensive care nurse</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">mother of three</a>&nbsp;this month.

The audience cheered as the man was pinned down and his arms were tied behind his back. In video of the incident, someone in the crowd can be heard saying, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.”

Just before that Omar had called for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.

Minneapolis police said officers saw a man use a syringe to spray an unknown liquid at Omar. They immediately arrested him and booked him at the county jail for third-degree assault, spokesperson Trevor Folke said in an email. Police also said forensic scientists responded to the scene.

Omar continued the town hall after the man was ushered out of the room by her security detail, saying she would not be intimidated. Journalists said there was a strong, vinegar-like smell when the man pushed on the syringe.

Walking out afterward, Omar said she felt a little flustered but was not hurt. She was going to be screened by a medical team.

She later posted on the social platform X: “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday night.

President Donald Trump has frequently criticized the congresswoman and has stepped up verbal attacks on her in recent months as he turned his focus on Minneapolis.

During a Cabinet meeting in December, he called her “garbage” and added that “her friends are garbage.”

Hours earlier on Tuesday, the president criticized Omar as he spoke to a crowd in Iowa, saying his administration would only let in immigrants who “can show that they love our country.”

“They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar,” he said, drawing loud boos at the mention of her name.

He added: “She comes from a country that’s a disaster. So probably, it’s considered, I think — it’s not even a country.”

Fellow U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, denounced the assault on Omar.

“I am deeply disturbed to learn that Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall today” Mace said via X. “Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric — and I do — no elected official should face physical attacks. This is not who we are.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, also condemned the attack on X, saying: “Unacceptable. Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk.”

He added that he was relieved that Omar “is OK” and thanked police for their quick response, concluding: “This kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our city.”

The attack came days after a man was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sundance-film-festival-congressman-assault-ff98382c02bdecdbf5c28ac0b677ac6a">arrested in Utah</a>&nbsp;for allegedly punching U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat from Florida, in the face during the Sundance Film Festival and saying Trump was going to deport him.

Threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years, peaking in 2021 and the aftermath of that year’s Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, before dipping slightly only to climb again, according to the most recent figures from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/uscp-threat-assessment-cases-2024" target="_blank">U.S. Capitol Police</a>.

Lawmakers have discussed the chill the threats bring on their ability to hold town halls and public events, with some even citing the threat environment in their decisions not to seek reelection.

Omar has faced the most particular concern, long targeted with harsh language and personal attacks by Trump and other Republicans.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man sprayed an unknown substance on Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ilhan-omar">U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar</a>&nbsp;and was tackled to the ground Tuesday during a town hall in Minneapolis, where tensions over federal immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300">have come to a head</a>&nbsp;after agents fatally shot an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-alex-pretti-border-patrol-shooting-investigation-9d8ac8531f0d195ada3374c86a9deb21">intensive care nurse</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">mother of three</a>&nbsp;this month.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) assaulted during town hall meeting: &quot;Here&#39;s the reality that people like this ugly man don&#39;t understand; we are Minnesota strong and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Ud5l3yP4lQ">pic.twitter.com/Ud5l3yP4lQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2016320453132869910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The audience cheered as the man was pinned down and his arms were tied behind his back. In video of the incident, someone in the crowd can be heard saying, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.”Just before that Omar had called for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.“ICE cannot be reformed,” she said.Minneapolis police said officers saw a man use a syringe to spray an unknown liquid at Omar. They immediately arrested him and booked him at the county jail for third-degree assault, spokesperson Trevor Folke said in an email. Police also said forensic scientists responded to the scene.Omar continued the town hall after the man was ushered out of the room by her security detail, saying she would not be intimidated. Journalists said there was a strong, vinegar-like smell when the man pushed on the syringe.Walking out afterward, Omar said she felt a little flustered but was not hurt. She was going to be screened by a medical team.She later posted on the social platform X: “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday night.President Donald Trump has frequently criticized the congresswoman and has stepped up verbal attacks on her in recent months as he turned his focus on Minneapolis.During a Cabinet meeting in December, he called her “garbage” and added that “her friends are garbage.”Hours earlier on Tuesday, the president criticized Omar as he spoke to a crowd in Iowa, saying his administration would only let in immigrants who “can show that they love our country.”“They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar,” he said, drawing loud boos at the mention of her name.He added: “She comes from a country that’s a disaster. So probably, it’s considered, I think — it’s not even a country.”Fellow U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, denounced the assault on Omar.“I am deeply disturbed to learn that Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall today” Mace said via X. “Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric — and I do — no elected official should face physical attacks. This is not who we are.”Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, also condemned the attack on X, saying: “Unacceptable. Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk.”He added that he was relieved that Omar “is OK” and thanked police for their quick response, concluding: “This kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our city.”The attack came days after a man was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sundance-film-festival-congressman-assault-ff98382c02bdecdbf5c28ac0b677ac6a">arrested in Utah</a>&nbsp;for allegedly punching U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat from Florida, in the face during the Sundance Film Festival and saying Trump was going to deport him.Threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years, peaking in 2021 and the aftermath of that year’s Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, before dipping slightly only to climb again, according to the most recent figures from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/uscp-threat-assessment-cases-2024" target="_blank">U.S. Capitol Police</a>.Lawmakers have discussed the chill the threats bring on their ability to hold town halls and public events, with some even citing the threat environment in their decisions not to seek reelection.Omar has faced the most particular concern, long targeted with harsh language and personal attacks by Trump and other Republicans.___Schoenbaum reported from Salt Lake City.

🎥U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar assaulted during town hall meeting

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 7a.m. Monday in Wichita.

According to Wichita Police, a white Ford Focus hatchback driven by&nbsp;35-year-old Joseph McCartney of Wichita was traveling in the 1500 Block of East 21 Street North. The vehicle rear-ended a tractor-trailer that was disabled in the roadway. McCartney was pronounced dead at the scene.

Early indications suggest speed may have been a contributing factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769570987979.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 7a.m. Monday in Wichita.According to Wichita Police, a white Ford Focus hatchback driven by&nbsp;35-year-old Joseph McCartney of Wichita was traveling in the 1500 Block of East 21 Street North. The vehicle rear-ended a tractor-trailer that was disabled in the roadway. McCartney was pronounced dead at the scene.Early indications suggest speed may have been a contributing factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

Police: Speed a factor in crash that killed Kansas man

MANHATTAN —Fire officials are investigating the cause of a fire at the office of Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Manhattan.

Just before 8:30 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to a fire in a home at 519 Pierre Street, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, crews found a two-story house that had been converted to an office for Big Brothers Big Sisters, with fire coming from multiple windows in the rear of the building.

The fire reached a second alarm before it was contained within 90 minutes.&nbsp; The fire was knocked down within 20 minutes, but it took another hour to fully extinguish fire in concealed spaces.

&nbsp;No injuries were reported.&nbsp;Loss is estimated at $10,000 to contents and $175,000 to the structure.

The owner is listed as Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Inc.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769551519677.png" alt="Photos Manhattan Fire Deparatment" />
 <figcaption>Photos Manhattan Fire Deparatment</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN —Fire officials are investigating the cause of a fire at the office of Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Manhattan.Just before 8:30 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to a fire in a home at 519 Pierre Street, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769551543477.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Upon arrival, crews found a two-story house that had been converted to an office for Big Brothers Big Sisters, with fire coming from multiple windows in the rear of the building.The fire reached a second alarm before it was contained within 90 minutes.&nbsp; The fire was knocked down within 20 minutes, but it took another hour to fully extinguish fire in concealed spaces.&nbsp;No injuries were reported.&nbsp;Loss is estimated at $10,000 to contents and $175,000 to the structure.The owner is listed as Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Inc.&nbsp;-----------

Fire at Big Brothers Big Sisters offices in Manhattan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court earlier this month for possessing methamphetamine to distribute, illegally possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported, according to the United State's Attornehy.

Jose Alberto Rodriguez-Landeros (also known as Raul Garcia, Raul Garcia Rodriguez, Saul Dias Gonzalez, Miguel Angel Garcia Perez, Miguel Garcia Perez, Jose Alberto Landeros, Angel Saucedo, Jose M. Rodriguez, Ivan M. Pantoja, Guillermo Gonzalez-Dias), 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 14, 2024, Rodriguez-Landeros pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported.&nbsp;

Based on the written plea agreement, Rodriguez-Landeros admitted to selling methamphetamine to a confidential source on three separate occasions on Oct. 11, 2022, Oct. 21, 2022, and Nov. 22, 2022.&nbsp; On Dec. 13, 2022, law enforcement officials executed a federal search warrant of the defendant’s residence located in Kansas City, Mo.&nbsp; Officers discovered the following items: a Keltec, Model P-32, .32 caliber pistol; identification documents with various aliases utilized by Rodriguez-Landeros; approximately 2 kilograms of methamphetamine; approximately 148 grams of powder cocaine; and $9,500 in U.S. currency.&nbsp; Also on Dec. 13, 2022, law enforcement officials arrested the defendant while driving on Indiana Avenue in Kansas City, Mo. During the arrest, officers seized approximately 380 grams of methamphetamine and 75 grams of cocaine found on Rodriguez-Landeros’s person and in his vehicle. Immigration and Customs Enforcement records confirmed that Rodriguez-Landeros was previously deported from the United States on at least three occasions since 2000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769554413372.png" alt="File photo DEA" />
 <figcaption>File photo DEA</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court earlier this month for possessing methamphetamine to distribute, illegally possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported, according to the United State's Attornehy.Jose Alberto Rodriguez-Landeros (also known as Raul Garcia, Raul Garcia Rodriguez, Saul Dias Gonzalez, Miguel Angel Garcia Perez, Miguel Garcia Perez, Jose Alberto Landeros, Angel Saucedo, Jose M. Rodriguez, Ivan M. Pantoja, Guillermo Gonzalez-Dias), 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 25 years in federal prison without parole.On Nov. 14, 2024, Rodriguez-Landeros pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported.&nbsp;Based on the written plea agreement, Rodriguez-Landeros admitted to selling methamphetamine to a confidential source on three separate occasions on Oct. 11, 2022, Oct. 21, 2022, and Nov. 22, 2022.&nbsp; On Dec. 13, 2022, law enforcement officials executed a federal search warrant of the defendant’s residence located in Kansas City, Mo.&nbsp; Officers discovered the following items: a Keltec, Model P-32, .32 caliber pistol; identification documents with various aliases utilized by Rodriguez-Landeros; approximately 2 kilograms of methamphetamine; approximately 148 grams of powder cocaine; and $9,500 in U.S. currency.&nbsp; Also on Dec. 13, 2022, law enforcement officials arrested the defendant while driving on Indiana Avenue in Kansas City, Mo. During the arrest, officers seized approximately 380 grams of methamphetamine and 75 grams of cocaine found on Rodriguez-Landeros’s person and in his vehicle. Immigration and Customs Enforcement records confirmed that Rodriguez-Landeros was previously deported from the United States on at least three occasions since 2000.

Illegal alien sold meth to confidential source in KC three times

WASHINGTON (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday a “big investigation” was underway into the killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">protester and ICU nurse</a>&nbsp;Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis.

“I want to see the investigation. I’m going to be watching over it, and I want a very honorable and honest investigation. I have to see it myself,” the president said as he left the White House.

The comment is the latest marker of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pretti-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-eb9e63a625b624d2ba4ed467cb0f956c">sudden turnabout on the issue</a>&nbsp;as his administration confronts growing pushback — including from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-immigration-republicans-trump-pretti-988f694e4e1187033551fd23afde4c02">some Republicans</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pretti-minnesota-second-amendment-ice-ffef56cab9930e52273f8227251452f4">Second Amendment advocates</a>&nbsp;— on federal agents’ tactics in the second fatal shooting from the aggressive immigration operation in Minnesota.

A day earlier, the White House made an effort to distance Trump from some early comments by high-ranking administration officials who had branded Pretti as a domestic terrorist despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-alex-pretti-videos-861a0d8f3ee182f3b5909b3613900e2e">videos of the encounter contradicting their narrative.</a>

Immigration agents were active Tuesday across the Twin Cities region, but it was unclear if officials had changed tactics after the shift in tone from the White House.

President Trump says Pretti ‘shouldn’t have been carrying a gun’

As he greeted diners in a Des Moines-area restaurant, Trump again weighed in on the Minnesota shooting.

“We view that as a very unfortunate incident, OK?,” he said, adding that everyone “unless you’re a stupid person” viewed it that way.

In comments that were likely to further irritate his backers who are also strong Second Amendment supports, he said: “I don’t like that he had a gun. I don’t like that he had two fully loaded magazines. That’s a lot of bad stuff.”

Trump suggests his shakeup of federal officials in Minnesota may ‘de-escalate’ thing

Trump said during an interview on Fox News’ “Will Cain Show” of his sending Homan to Minnesota, “we’re going to de-escalate a little bit.”

That’s significant since White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when questioned repeatedly Monday about Homan’s being dispatched to Minnesota, refused to say that doing so was an effort to calm the situation.

The president added of Homan, “Tom, as tough as he is, gets along” with governors and mayors, even in Democratic areas.

Trump also spoke of Bovino, who has been sent out of Minnesota. He said Bovino is “very good” but also that “he’s a pretty out-there kind of a guy” and “maybe it wasn’t good here.”

Schumer says Noem is ‘incompetent’ and a ‘liar’ and should be fired

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is “a liar,” “vicious” and “incompetent” and must be fired after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300">fatal shootings of two Minneapolis protesters</a>&nbsp;by federal authorities.

In opening floor remarks as the Senate returned to Washington, Schumer said that Democrats will not vote for Homeland Security funding as part of a wide-ranging spending bill passed by the House last week. The government will partially shut down if the Senate doesn’t pass the legislation by Friday.

Schumer said Republicans should strip the Homeland spending portion out of the bill and should not force a vote on legislation “that everyone knows cannot pass.”

“The ball is in Leader Thune’s court,” Schumer said of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

Democrats have criticized Noem and other officials for saying that 37 year-old Alex Pretti “approached” immigration officers with a gun and acted violently when video evidence appears to show otherwise.

Schumer stopped short of saying that Noem should be impeached as dozens of Democrats have signed on to an impeachment resolution in the House.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin supports impeaching Kristi Noem if she’s not fired

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, of Wisconsin where Alex Pretti grew up and graduated from high school, said she supports impeaching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“She has to go,” Baldwin told reporters during an online news conference Tuesday. “She needs to be fired or she should resign. ... If impeachment is the way to do it, I’d support it.”

Baldwin also said she would not vote for the DHS funding bill before the Senate without additional accountability measures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“ICE is out of control and they are wreaking havoc on American cities, including Minneapolis-St. Paul,” Baldwin said. “The question is are my Republican colleagues just going to look away or are they going to join us in adding accountability measures that rein in ICE?”

Minneapolis mayor asks border czar to quickly end immigration enforcement surge

Mayor Jacob Frey told President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, that the city will not enforce federal immigration laws, and he asked that the immigration enforcement surge “come to an end as quickly as possible.”

Homan met with Frey and Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara Tuesday morning.

“Public safety works best when it’s built on community trust — not tactics that create fear or division,” Frey said in a statement released after the meeting. “I shared with Mr. Homan the serious negative impacts this operation has had on Minneapolis and surrounding communities, as well as the strain it has placed on our local police officers.”

Frey said the city would “remain focused on keeping our neighbors and streets safe.”

Trump says Minneapolis victim’s parents’ support for him makes him feel ‘even worse’

Trump called the fatal shootings of two Americans by federal agents in Minneapolis “terrible” and said that hearing that one was the daughter of Trump supporters makes it even worse for him.

Renee Good, 37, was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">on Jan. 7</a>. Alex Pretti, also 37, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">killed on Jan. 24</a>.

“I’m not sure about his parents but I know her parents were big Trump fans. Makes me feel bad anyway. But I mean, I guess you could say even worse,” he said.

Trump made the comments Tuesday in an interview with Fox News in Iowa, where he had flown earlier that day to speak at a rally in the Des Moines area.

House Democratic leader says Noem must go — or face impeachment proceedings

“The country is disgusted by what the Department of Homeland Security has done,” said Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a statement.

The Democrat is the latest in a growing number of voices — from party leaders to advocacy groups to the most centrist of lawmakers in Congress — insisting on dramatic changes in the aftermath of the shooting deaths in Minnesota.

“Kristi Noem should be fired immediately or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House,” said Jeffries, whose party would need GOP support on any legislation to launch such an effort.

“The violence unleased on the American people by the Department of Homeland Security must end.”

Trump disputes staff and says slain Alex Pretti was not an ‘assassin’

Trump was asked if the killed Minneapolis protester was an “assassin” as a key aide has claimed and the president answered “no.”

The president added, however, that protesters “can’t have guns” as Pretti did and “it’s just a very unfortunate incident.” Trump has said he wants the death investigated.

On Saturday, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller on social media described Pretti as an “assassin” who “tried to murder federal agents.” Vice President JD Vance shared the post on X as well.

Asked by reporters as he left the White House on Tuesday for a trip to Iowa whether Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is going to step down, Trump had a one-word answer: “No.”

Democrats in Congress have called for Noem’s exit after federal agents fatally shot two people in Minneapolis protesting immigration enforcement actions.

WASHINGTON (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday a “big investigation” was underway into the killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">protester and ICU nurse</a>&nbsp;Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis.“I want to see the investigation. I’m going to be watching over it, and I want a very honorable and honest investigation. I have to see it myself,” the president said as he left the White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;What would you say to Alex Pretti&#39;s family?&quot; President Trump: &quot;I&#39;m looking at that whole situation. I love everybody. I love all of our people. I love his family. It&#39;s a very sad situation.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/rlY3FpDy3T">pic.twitter.com/rlY3FpDy3T</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2016210618945093974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on the investigation into Alex Pretti&#39;s death: &quot;We&#39;re doing a big investigation. I want to see the investigation. I&#39;m going to be watching over it. I want a very honorable and honest investigation — I have to see it myself.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/swvIUrkqZv">pic.twitter.com/swvIUrkqZv</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2016203640378138745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The comment is the latest marker of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pretti-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-eb9e63a625b624d2ba4ed467cb0f956c">sudden turnabout on the issue</a>&nbsp;as his administration confronts growing pushback — including from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-immigration-republicans-trump-pretti-988f694e4e1187033551fd23afde4c02">some Republicans</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pretti-minnesota-second-amendment-ice-ffef56cab9930e52273f8227251452f4">Second Amendment advocates</a>&nbsp;— on federal agents’ tactics in the second fatal shooting from the aggressive immigration operation in Minnesota.A day earlier, the White House made an effort to distance Trump from some early comments by high-ranking administration officials who had branded Pretti as a domestic terrorist despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-ice-alex-pretti-videos-861a0d8f3ee182f3b5909b3613900e2e">videos of the encounter contradicting their narrative.</a>Immigration agents were active Tuesday across the Twin Cities region, but it was unclear if officials had changed tactics after the shift in tone from the White House.The Latest:<h2>President Trump says Pretti ‘shouldn’t have been carrying a gun’</h2><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Do you agree with the assessment from some of your own officials that Alex Pretti is a domestic terrorist or an assassin?&quot; President Trump: &quot;Well, I haven&#39;t heard that but certainly he shouldn&#39;t have been carrying a gun...we view that as a very unfortunate incident...unless… <a href="https://t.co/2gXrz5bR1O">pic.twitter.com/2gXrz5bR1O</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2016254013587734611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>As he greeted diners in a Des Moines-area restaurant, Trump again weighed in on the Minnesota shooting.“We view that as a very unfortunate incident, OK?,” he said, adding that everyone “unless you’re a stupid person” viewed it that way.In comments that were likely to further irritate his backers who are also strong Second Amendment supports, he said: “I don’t like that he had a gun. I don’t like that he had two fully loaded magazines. That’s a lot of bad stuff.”<h2>Trump suggests his shakeup of federal officials in Minnesota may ‘de-escalate’ thing</h2>Trump said during an interview on Fox News’ “Will Cain Show” of his sending Homan to Minnesota, “we’re going to de-escalate a little bit.”That’s significant since White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when questioned repeatedly Monday about Homan’s being dispatched to Minnesota, refused to say that doing so was an effort to calm the situation.The president added of Homan, “Tom, as tough as he is, gets along” with governors and mayors, even in Democratic areas.Trump also spoke of Bovino, who has been sent out of Minnesota. He said Bovino is “very good” but also that “he’s a pretty out-there kind of a guy” and “maybe it wasn’t good here.”<h2>Schumer says Noem is ‘incompetent’ and a ‘liar’ and should be fired</h2>Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is “a liar,” “vicious” and “incompetent” and must be fired after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300">fatal shootings of two Minneapolis protesters</a>&nbsp;by federal authorities.In opening floor remarks as the Senate returned to Washington, Schumer said that Democrats will not vote for Homeland Security funding as part of a wide-ranging spending bill passed by the House last week. The government will partially shut down if the Senate doesn’t pass the legislation by Friday.Schumer said Republicans should strip the Homeland spending portion out of the bill and should not force a vote on legislation “that everyone knows cannot pass.”“The ball is in Leader Thune’s court,” Schumer said of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.Democrats have criticized Noem and other officials for saying that 37 year-old Alex Pretti “approached” immigration officers with a gun and acted violently when video evidence appears to show otherwise.Schumer stopped short of saying that Noem should be impeached as dozens of Democrats have signed on to an impeachment resolution in the House.<h2>Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin supports impeaching Kristi Noem if she’s not fired</h2>Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, of Wisconsin where Alex Pretti grew up and graduated from high school, said she supports impeaching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.“She has to go,” Baldwin told reporters during an online news conference Tuesday. “She needs to be fired or she should resign. ... If impeachment is the way to do it, I’d support it.”Baldwin also said she would not vote for the DHS funding bill before the Senate without additional accountability measures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.“ICE is out of control and they are wreaking havoc on American cities, including Minneapolis-St. Paul,” Baldwin said. “The question is are my Republican colleagues just going to look away or are they going to join us in adding accountability measures that rein in ICE?”<h2>Minneapolis mayor asks border czar to quickly end immigration enforcement surge</h2>Mayor Jacob Frey told President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, that the city will not enforce federal immigration laws, and he asked that the immigration enforcement surge “come to an end as quickly as possible.”Homan met with Frey and Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara Tuesday morning.“Public safety works best when it’s built on community trust — not tactics that create fear or division,” Frey said in a statement released after the meeting. “I shared with Mr. Homan the serious negative impacts this operation has had on Minneapolis and surrounding communities, as well as the strain it has placed on our local police officers.”Frey said the city would “remain focused on keeping our neighbors and streets safe.”<h2>Trump says Minneapolis victim’s parents’ support for him makes him feel ‘even worse’</h2>Trump called the fatal shootings of two Americans by federal agents in Minneapolis “terrible” and said that hearing that one was the daughter of Trump supporters makes it even worse for him.Renee Good, 37, was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-minneapolis-minnesota-9aa822670b705c89906f2c699f1d16c5">on Jan. 7</a>. Alex Pretti, also 37, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">killed on Jan. 24</a>.“I’m not sure about his parents but I know her parents were big Trump fans. Makes me feel bad anyway. But I mean, I guess you could say even worse,” he said.Trump made the comments Tuesday in an interview with Fox News in Iowa, where he had flown earlier that day to speak at a rally in the Des Moines area.<h2>House Democratic leader says Noem must go — or face impeachment proceedings</h2>“The country is disgusted by what the Department of Homeland Security has done,” said Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a statement.The Democrat is the latest in a growing number of voices — from party leaders to advocacy groups to the most centrist of lawmakers in Congress — insisting on dramatic changes in the aftermath of the shooting deaths in Minnesota.“Kristi Noem should be fired immediately or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House,” said Jeffries, whose party would need GOP support on any legislation to launch such an effort.“The violence unleased on the American people by the Department of Homeland Security must end.”<h2>Trump disputes staff and says slain Alex Pretti was not an ‘assassin’</h2>Trump was asked if the killed Minneapolis protester was an “assassin” as a key aide has claimed and the president answered “no.”The president added, however, that protesters “can’t have guns” as Pretti did and “it’s just a very unfortunate incident.” Trump has said he wants the death investigated.On Saturday, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller on social media described Pretti as an “assassin” who “tried to murder federal agents.” Vice President JD Vance shared the post on X as well.<h2>Trump says Noem isn’t going to resign</h2>Asked by reporters as he left the White House on Tuesday for a trip to Iowa whether Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is going to step down, Trump had a one-word answer: “No.”He did not elaborate further.Democrats in Congress have called for Noem’s exit after federal agents fatally shot two people in Minneapolis protesting immigration enforcement actions.

🎥What President Trump said about Alex Pretti carrying a gun

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police investigating another deadly shooting in Wichita reported an arrest.

Just after 8a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the&nbsp;the 900 block of East Indianapolis in Wichita&nbsp;for a reported welfare check after receiving information about a man down, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Wichita police officers and detectives conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation, working through challenging weather conditions and utilizing multiple departmental resources.

Officers from multiple WPD sections, Crime Scene Investigators,&nbsp;K-9 Mantra, and&nbsp;Flock technology&nbsp;were utilized to canvass the area, locate evidence, and develop investigative leads.&nbsp;K-9 Mantra located multiple shell casings in the snow during the search.

As a result of this coordinated effort, detectives were able to quickly identify a suspect identified as 27-year-old Donny J. Harris of Springfield, Missouri, and establish probable cause. An arrest warrant was issued for first-degree murder.

Working in close coordination with the Springfield Police Department, Harris was located and arrested Monday evening in Springfield, Missouri. He is being held in the Greene County, Missouri jail, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769461383611.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police investigating another deadly shooting in Wichita reported an arrest.Just after 8a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the&nbsp;the 900 block of East Indianapolis in Wichita&nbsp;for a reported welfare check after receiving information about a man down, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769544369926.png" alt="Harris photo Greene County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Harris photo Greene County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita police officers and detectives conducted a thorough and comprehensive investigation, working through challenging weather conditions and utilizing multiple departmental resources.Officers from multiple WPD sections, Crime Scene Investigators,&nbsp;K-9 Mantra, and&nbsp;Flock technology&nbsp;were utilized to canvass the area, locate evidence, and develop investigative leads.&nbsp;K-9 Mantra located multiple shell casings in the snow during the search.As a result of this coordinated effort, detectives were able to quickly identify a suspect identified as 27-year-old Donny J. Harris of Springfield, Missouri, and establish probable cause. An arrest warrant was issued for first-degree murder.Working in close coordination with the Springfield Police Department, Harris was located and arrested Monday evening in Springfield, Missouri. He is being held in the Greene County, Missouri jail, according to online jail records.

Suspect in Kansas homicide captured in Missouri

DICKINSON COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a fatal fire in rural Dickinson County.

Just before 6p.m. Monday,&nbsp;Deputies with the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a house fire in the 1500 block of 1400 Avenue in rural Dickinson County, according to Undersheriff Jeff Vaughan. The residence was fully engulfed when firefighters and deputies arrived.

Deputies located an man and a child outside the residence. Deputies were advised a two-year-old boy was unaccounted for and may be inside the residence. After the fire was brought under control by firefighters, the two-year-old victim was located deceased inside of the residence.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Sheriff’s Office are conducting a joint investigation.

DICKINSON COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a fatal fire in rural Dickinson County.Just before 6p.m. Monday,&nbsp;Deputies with the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a house fire in the 1500 block of 1400 Avenue in rural Dickinson County, according to Undersheriff Jeff Vaughan. The residence was fully engulfed when firefighters and deputies arrived.Deputies located an man and a child outside the residence. Deputies were advised a two-year-old boy was unaccounted for and may be inside the residence. After the fire was brought under control by firefighters, the two-year-old victim was located deceased inside of the residence.The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Sheriff’s Office are conducting a joint investigation.

Undersheriff: 2-year-old dies in rural Kansas house fire

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street ticked to a record on Tuesday, as stocks zigzagged under the market’s surface following mixed profit reports from UnitedHealth, General Motors and other big companies.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.4% and edged past its prior&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-powell-trump-rates-9eb79e89fec160c7c64dfcef6871e693">all-time high</a>&nbsp;set a couple weeks ago, even though more stocks fell within the index than rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 408 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.9%.

UnitedHealth Group tumbled 19.6% despite reporting a profit for the latest quarter that was a bit better than analysts expected. More attention was on the company’s forecast for revenue in the upcoming year, which fell short of Wall Street’s expectations and could be weaker than it was in 2025.

Health care stocks also felt tremendous pressure from a projected rate increase for Medicare Advantage by the U.S. government, which fell well short of what investors had hoped. Humana skidded by 21.1%, Elevance Health dropped 14.3% and CVS Health sank 14.2%.

Helping to offset those losses was Corning, which climbed 15.6% after announcing a deal with Meta Platforms that’s worth up to $6 billion. Corning will supply optical fiber and cable to help build out data centers for Meta, enough that Corning is expanding its optical-fiber manufacturing facility in Hickory, North Carolina.

Also supporting the U.S. stock market were gains for General Motors, which rose 8.7%, and hospital-operator HCA Healthcare, which rallied 7.1%. Both delivered profits for the end of 2025 that topped Wall Street’s expectations. Each also approved programs to send billions of dollars to their investors by buying back their own stock.

Profit reports elsewhere on Wall Street were mixed. UPS added 0.2% after reporting a stronger profit and forecasting better revenue for 2026 than analysts expected, while announcing the elimination of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-amazon-workforce-job-cuts-57b40623628ebe741a9bfb16161fff30">30,000 jobs</a>. American Airlines lost 7% after delivering a profit for the end of 2025 that fell well short of analysts’ expectations.

The pressure is on companies to deliver strong growth in profits following record-setting runs for their stock prices. Stock prices tend to follow the path of corporate profits over the long term, and earnings need to rise to quiet criticism that stock prices have grown too expensive.

Several of Wall Street’s most influential stocks will deliver their latest earnings reports later this week. They include Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Tesla on Wednesday and Apple on Thursday.

Several of those Big Tech stocks were among the strongest forces lifting the S&amp;P 500 Tuesday, including gains of 2.2% for Microsoft and 1.1% for Apple.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 28.37 points to 6,978.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 408.99 to 49,003.41, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 215.74 to 23,817.10.

Another way stock prices can look less expensive to investors is if interest rates fall. The Federal Reserve will announce its next move on interest rates Wednesday, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-trump-powell-inflation-c1e2c5222795bda4a1d294f6406f66fc">widespread expectation is that it will hold</a>&nbsp;its main interest rate steady for now.

Inflation remains stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target, and lower interest rates could worsen increases in prices for U.S. consumers at the same time that they give the economy a boost. Traders expect the Fed to resume its cuts to interest rates later this year.

In the bond market, Treasury yields were relatively steady ahead of the Fed’s decision. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.23% from 4.22% late Monday.

It had edged lower earlier in the day, after a report from the Conference Board said confidence weakened among U.S. consumers last month. Economists had expected to see a slight improvement, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-economy-spending-inflation-conference-board-f36b997dc46ac9c3577d05db52166846">confidence dropped to its lowest level since 2014</a>, even lower than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe and Asia.

India’s Sensex index added 0.4% after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-eu-modi-trade-wine-auto-74b8744b2ef562d2e820b238e6ce8d38">reached agreement on a free trade deal</a>&nbsp;with the European Union.

The accord, which touches 2 billion people, followed nearly two decades of negotiations. It’s one of the biggest bilateral engagements on commerce. The timing comes as Washington targets both India and the EU with steep import tariffs.

South Korea’s Kospi jumped 2.7%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rallied 1.4% for two of the world’s bigger moves.

By STAN CHOE &nbsp;AP Business WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street ticked to a record on Tuesday, as stocks zigzagged under the market’s surface following mixed profit reports from UnitedHealth, General Motors and other big companies.The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.4% and edged past its prior&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-powell-trump-rates-9eb79e89fec160c7c64dfcef6871e693">all-time high</a>&nbsp;set a couple weeks ago, even though more stocks fell within the index than rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 408 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.9%.UnitedHealth Group tumbled 19.6% despite reporting a profit for the latest quarter that was a bit better than analysts expected. More attention was on the company’s forecast for revenue in the upcoming year, which fell short of Wall Street’s expectations and could be weaker than it was in 2025.Health care stocks also felt tremendous pressure from a projected rate increase for Medicare Advantage by the U.S. government, which fell well short of what investors had hoped. Humana skidded by 21.1%, Elevance Health dropped 14.3% and CVS Health sank 14.2%.Helping to offset those losses was Corning, which climbed 15.6% after announcing a deal with Meta Platforms that’s worth up to $6 billion. Corning will supply optical fiber and cable to help build out data centers for Meta, enough that Corning is expanding its optical-fiber manufacturing facility in Hickory, North Carolina.Also supporting the U.S. stock market were gains for General Motors, which rose 8.7%, and hospital-operator HCA Healthcare, which rallied 7.1%. Both delivered profits for the end of 2025 that topped Wall Street’s expectations. Each also approved programs to send billions of dollars to their investors by buying back their own stock.Profit reports elsewhere on Wall Street were mixed. UPS added 0.2% after reporting a stronger profit and forecasting better revenue for 2026 than analysts expected, while announcing the elimination of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-amazon-workforce-job-cuts-57b40623628ebe741a9bfb16161fff30">30,000 jobs</a>. American Airlines lost 7% after delivering a profit for the end of 2025 that fell well short of analysts’ expectations.The pressure is on companies to deliver strong growth in profits following record-setting runs for their stock prices. Stock prices tend to follow the path of corporate profits over the long term, and earnings need to rise to quiet criticism that stock prices have grown too expensive.Several of Wall Street’s most influential stocks will deliver their latest earnings reports later this week. They include Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Tesla on Wednesday and Apple on Thursday.Several of those Big Tech stocks were among the strongest forces lifting the S&amp;P 500 Tuesday, including gains of 2.2% for Microsoft and 1.1% for Apple.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 28.37 points to 6,978.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 408.99 to 49,003.41, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 215.74 to 23,817.10.Another way stock prices can look less expensive to investors is if interest rates fall. The Federal Reserve will announce its next move on interest rates Wednesday, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-trump-powell-inflation-c1e2c5222795bda4a1d294f6406f66fc">widespread expectation is that it will hold</a>&nbsp;its main interest rate steady for now.Inflation remains stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target, and lower interest rates could worsen increases in prices for U.S. consumers at the same time that they give the economy a boost. Traders expect the Fed to resume its cuts to interest rates later this year.In the bond market, Treasury yields were relatively steady ahead of the Fed’s decision. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.23% from 4.22% late Monday.It had edged lower earlier in the day, after a report from the Conference Board said confidence weakened among U.S. consumers last month. Economists had expected to see a slight improvement, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-economy-spending-inflation-conference-board-f36b997dc46ac9c3577d05db52166846">confidence dropped to its lowest level since 2014</a>, even lower than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe and Asia.India’s Sensex index added 0.4% after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-eu-modi-trade-wine-auto-74b8744b2ef562d2e820b238e6ce8d38">reached agreement on a free trade deal</a>&nbsp;with the European Union.The accord, which touches 2 billion people, followed nearly two decades of negotiations. It’s one of the biggest bilateral engagements on commerce. The timing comes as Washington targets both India and the EU with steep import tariffs.South Korea’s Kospi jumped 2.7%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rallied 1.4% for two of the world’s bigger moves.

Wall Street sets another record after a mixed day of trading

By RIO YAMAT AP Airlines and Travel Writer

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airplanes-lithium-ion-batteries-fire-southwest-hazard-736e74e55a6467b0b12e3938653de169">Southwest Airlines</a>&nbsp;passengers made their final boarding-time scrambles for seats on Monday as the carrier prepared to end the open-seating system that distinguished it from other airlines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-assigned-seats-earnings-6869dbe31934c87e049c9e428eae7761">for more than a half‑century</a>.

Starting Tuesday, customers on Southwest flights will have assigned seats and the option of paying more to get their preferred seat closer to the front of a plane or seats with extra legroom. The airline began selling tickets shaped by the new policy in July.

Here's what travelers can expect as Southwest does away with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-checked-bags-fee-free-463d2b0e1176fed222a11cf244648f1a?utm_source=chatgpt.com">another of its signature</a>&nbsp;features and becomes more like other airlines:

Under the open-seat system, Southwest customers could check in starting exactly 24 hours before departure to secure places in boarding lines at departure gates.

Early check-ins were placed in the coveted “A” boarding group, essentially guaranteeing they would find an open window or aisle seat. Others landed in “B” or “C,” the likelihood of only middle seats being available rising the longer they waited to check in.

The Dallas-based airline’s unusual seating process began as a way to get passengers on planes quickly and thereby reduce the time that aircraft and crews spent on the ground not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-lowers-outlook-hedge-fund-a8cfdb619410757b96f108b45565ca1b">making money</a>. It helped Southwest operate more efficiently and to squeeze a few more flights into the daily schedule; the system also was a key reason Southwest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-layoffs-29a0daf8f8091ae2b0a9c11282138464">remained profitable</a>&nbsp;every year until the coronavirus pandemic.

The open-seating arrangement became less democratic over time, however, as Southwest also had starting allowing passengers to pay extra for spots near the front of the line.

An eight‑group boarding structure is replacing the find-your-own-seat scrum. Instead of numbered metal columns at departure gates, passengers will file through two alternating lanes once it's time for their group to board.

The airline said its gate areas will be converted in phases starting Monday night, a process that could take about two months to complete. Columns that remain standing past Tuesday will have their numbers removed or covered in the meantime.

Southwest is selling tickets at fares with different seating choices, including standard seats assigned at check‑in or paid preferred and extra‑legroom seats selected at booking. For certain flights, passengers also will have the option of paying for priority boarding beginning 24 hours before departure.

Newly designed boarding passes will show seat assignments and boarding groups, according to Southwest. A reservation made for nine or fewer people, including families, will assign those passengers to the same boarding group.

Southwest says the boarding groups are based on seat location, fare class, loyalty tier status and the airline's credit card rewards benefits. Passengers who purchase seats with extra legroom will be placed in groups 1-2. Customers with premium fares and the airline's “most loyal travelers” will also have access to preferential seats and earlier boarding, the carrier said, while those with basic fares will likely be placed in groups 6-8.

With the switch to assigned seating also comes a revision of the airline’s policy for customers who need extra room. Under the new rule — also effective Tuesday — travelers who do not fit within a single seat’s armrests will be required to purchase an additional seat in advance.

That represents a change from the airline’s previous policy that allowed passengers the choice to purchase a fully refundable extra seat before arriving at the airport, or request a free one at the gate. Under the updated policy, refunds are still possible but no longer guaranteed and depend on seat availability and fare class.

In May 2025, Southwest also ended its decades‑old “bags fly free” policy, replacing it with baggage fees for most travelers.

The changes mark&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-changes-seating-boarding-hedge-fund-ba6a97380df6201e9a35335d3202fc8a">one of the biggest transformations</a>&nbsp;in the airline’s history, as it alters its longstanding customer perks to bring it more in line with the practices of other larger U.S. carriers.

The shift comes amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-lowers-outlook-hedge-fund-a8cfdb619410757b96f108b45565ca1b">pressure from investors</a>&nbsp;to increase profitability.

“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect,” Southwest CEO Robert Jordan said last year.

When the Texas-based airline first announced plans in 2024 to switch to assigned seating, it said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-changes-boarding-seating-be96c23257a716108dc9c49903a24b3d">studies on seating options</a>&nbsp;showed that customer preferences had changed over the years, with the vast majority of travelers saying they now want to know&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1a64cbc065ba4da1970d9cea4f6a5f77">where they are sitting</a>&nbsp;before they get to the airport.

Jordan said at the time that open seating was the top reason surveyed travelers cited for choosing another airline over Southwest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769535221977.png" alt="Southwest Airlines App" />
 <figcaption>Southwest Airlines App</figcaption>
 </figure>By RIO YAMAT AP Airlines and Travel Writer<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airplanes-lithium-ion-batteries-fire-southwest-hazard-736e74e55a6467b0b12e3938653de169">Southwest Airlines</a>&nbsp;passengers made their final boarding-time scrambles for seats on Monday as the carrier prepared to end the open-seating system that distinguished it from other airlines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-assigned-seats-earnings-6869dbe31934c87e049c9e428eae7761">for more than a half‑century</a>.Starting Tuesday, customers on Southwest flights will have assigned seats and the option of paying more to get their preferred seat closer to the front of a plane or seats with extra legroom. The airline began selling tickets shaped by the new policy in July.Here's what travelers can expect as Southwest does away with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-checked-bags-fee-free-463d2b0e1176fed222a11cf244648f1a?utm_source=chatgpt.com">another of its signature</a>&nbsp;features and becomes more like other airlines:<h2>Goodbye, A/B/C groups</h2>Under the open-seat system, Southwest customers could check in starting exactly 24 hours before departure to secure places in boarding lines at departure gates.Early check-ins were placed in the coveted “A” boarding group, essentially guaranteeing they would find an open window or aisle seat. Others landed in “B” or “C,” the likelihood of only middle seats being available rising the longer they waited to check in.The Dallas-based airline’s unusual seating process began as a way to get passengers on planes quickly and thereby reduce the time that aircraft and crews spent on the ground not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-lowers-outlook-hedge-fund-a8cfdb619410757b96f108b45565ca1b">making money</a>. It helped Southwest operate more efficiently and to squeeze a few more flights into the daily schedule; the system also was a key reason Southwest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-layoffs-29a0daf8f8091ae2b0a9c11282138464">remained profitable</a>&nbsp;every year until the coronavirus pandemic.The open-seating arrangement became less democratic over time, however, as Southwest also had starting allowing passengers to pay extra for spots near the front of the line.<h2>Hello, assigned seating</h2>An eight‑group boarding structure is replacing the find-your-own-seat scrum. Instead of numbered metal columns at departure gates, passengers will file through two alternating lanes once it's time for their group to board.The airline said its gate areas will be converted in phases starting Monday night, a process that could take about two months to complete. Columns that remain standing past Tuesday will have their numbers removed or covered in the meantime.Southwest is selling tickets at fares with different seating choices, including standard seats assigned at check‑in or paid preferred and extra‑legroom seats selected at booking. For certain flights, passengers also will have the option of paying for priority boarding beginning 24 hours before departure.<h2>How it will work</h2>Newly designed boarding passes will show seat assignments and boarding groups, according to Southwest. A reservation made for nine or fewer people, including families, will assign those passengers to the same boarding group.Southwest says the boarding groups are based on seat location, fare class, loyalty tier status and the airline's credit card rewards benefits. Passengers who purchase seats with extra legroom will be placed in groups 1-2. Customers with premium fares and the airline's “most loyal travelers” will also have access to preferential seats and earlier boarding, the carrier said, while those with basic fares will likely be placed in groups 6-8.<h2>Other changes</h2>With the switch to assigned seating also comes a revision of the airline’s policy for customers who need extra room. Under the new rule — also effective Tuesday — travelers who do not fit within a single seat’s armrests will be required to purchase an additional seat in advance.That represents a change from the airline’s previous policy that allowed passengers the choice to purchase a fully refundable extra seat before arriving at the airport, or request a free one at the gate. Under the updated policy, refunds are still possible but no longer guaranteed and depend on seat availability and fare class.In May 2025, Southwest also ended its decades‑old “bags fly free” policy, replacing it with baggage fees for most travelers.The changes mark&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-changes-seating-boarding-hedge-fund-ba6a97380df6201e9a35335d3202fc8a">one of the biggest transformations</a>&nbsp;in the airline’s history, as it alters its longstanding customer perks to bring it more in line with the practices of other larger U.S. carriers.<h2>Why all the change?</h2>The shift comes amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-lowers-outlook-hedge-fund-a8cfdb619410757b96f108b45565ca1b">pressure from investors</a>&nbsp;to increase profitability.“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect,” Southwest CEO Robert Jordan said last year.When the Texas-based airline first announced plans in 2024 to switch to assigned seating, it said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-changes-boarding-seating-be96c23257a716108dc9c49903a24b3d">studies on seating options</a>&nbsp;showed that customer preferences had changed over the years, with the vast majority of travelers saying they now want to know&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1a64cbc065ba4da1970d9cea4f6a5f77">where they are sitting</a>&nbsp;before they get to the airport.Jordan said at the time that open seating was the top reason surveyed travelers cited for choosing another airline over Southwest.

What to expect as Southwest Airlines introduces assigned seats

As the judge weighs the constitutionality of Missouri’s regulations, procedural abortions remain available in Missouri, while medication abortions are inaccessible

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kevinhardy/">Kevin Hardy</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">Anna Spoerre</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

KANSAS CITY —&nbsp;After 10 days of often emotion-filled testimony, a trial dissecting Missouri’s abortion regulations under the new constitutional right to reproductive health care concluded Monday.&nbsp;

In closing arguments, attorneys from both the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and Planned Parenthood brought the focus back to the crux of the case: are Missouri’s abortion regulations necessary safeguards for women or discriminatory road blocks for patients?

In a final attempt to cast doubt on the validity of the case, Peter Donohue, deputy solicitor general for Missouri, argued that Planned Parenthood had not met Missouri’s high legal burden needed to nullify state laws in total.&nbsp;

Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang gave both parties until April 10 to file post-trial briefs.&nbsp;She urged them to opine on the burden-of-proof argument, which was recently&nbsp;<a href="https://statecourtreport.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/supreme_court_of_missouri-opinion.pdf" target="_blank">addressed</a>&nbsp;by the Missouri Supreme Court in a separate constitutional case on the state’s gender-affirming care ban for minors.&nbsp;

The outcome of this month’s trial will determine the accessibility of abortion across the state before Missourians are asked to vote on whether they want to again ban the procedure in November.

Donohue defended the regulations as protecting women from unsafe abortion providers, which he accused of having a history “fraught with harms to women.”&nbsp;

Even if current Planned Parenthood clinics provided safe care, as they testified, he said the state must think about any provider who might provide abortion care in the future.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760471576282.png" alt="-A recovery room at the Planned Parenthood Great Plains office is pictured&nbsp;on June 21, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>-A recovery room at the Planned Parenthood Great Plains office is pictured&nbsp;on June 21, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>As the judge weighs the constitutionality of Missouri’s regulations, procedural abortions remain available in Missouri, while medication abortions are inaccessible</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kevinhardy/">Kevin Hardy</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">Anna Spoerre</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>KANSAS CITY —&nbsp;After 10 days of often emotion-filled testimony, a trial dissecting Missouri’s abortion regulations under the new constitutional right to reproductive health care concluded Monday.&nbsp;In closing arguments, attorneys from both the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and Planned Parenthood brought the focus back to the crux of the case: are Missouri’s abortion regulations necessary safeguards for women or discriminatory road blocks for patients?In a final attempt to cast doubt on the validity of the case, Peter Donohue, deputy solicitor general for Missouri, argued that Planned Parenthood had not met Missouri’s high legal burden needed to nullify state laws in total.&nbsp;Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang gave both parties until April 10 to file post-trial briefs.&nbsp;She urged them to opine on the burden-of-proof argument, which was recently&nbsp;<a href="https://statecourtreport.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/supreme_court_of_missouri-opinion.pdf" target="_blank">addressed</a>&nbsp;by the Missouri Supreme Court in a separate constitutional case on the state’s gender-affirming care ban for minors.&nbsp;The outcome of this month’s trial will determine the accessibility of abortion across the state before Missourians are asked to vote on whether they want to again ban the procedure in November.Donohue defended the regulations as protecting women from unsafe abortion providers, which he accused of having a history “fraught with harms to women.”&nbsp;Even if current Planned Parenthood clinics provided safe care, as they testified, he said the state must think about any provider who might provide abortion care in the future.&nbsp;“If they’re safe,” he argued, “these requirements don’t burden them.”&nbsp;But attorneys for Planned Parenthood spent days of testimony laying out how each regulation left clinics hamstrung to provide abortions. These regulations, introduced over the past few decades, increasingly drove Missourians out of state to get abortions.&nbsp;Planned Parenthood providers and staff recounted the toll the regulations took on patients left unable to access abortion quickly and close to home.&nbsp;These few dozen targeted regulation of abortion, or TRAP, laws are currently in state statute. Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit asking a judge to deem the laws unconstitutional after voters approved the abortion rights amendment in November 2024. Some were&nbsp;temporarily&nbsp;enjoined last year, allowing procedural abortions to resume.&nbsp;“All these laws target abortion in a unique way,” Vanessa Pai-Thompson, an attorney with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in her closing argument. “And a unique way that is now also an unconstitutional way.”These regulations include required distribution of Missouri’s informed consent booklet prior to an abortion; a 72-hour waiting period between an initial appointment and an abortion; abortion facility licensing requirements; a ban on prescribing medication abortion via telehealth, and mandatory pelvic exams prior to a medication abortion.Pai-Thompson said although abortion is essential health care, it remains regulated by state laws that are now discriminatory under the new amendment. Pai-Thompson then&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/12/missouri-abortion-rights-trial-focuses-on-two-decades-of-state-restrictions/">pointed back</a>&nbsp;to a timeline showing decades of Missouri’s restrictions that have limited access.Two decades ago, several thousands abortions were performed in Missouri annually, according to state health department data. By 2021, the year before abortion was outlawed in Missouri, there were only 151, as a result of the TRAP laws. But many women still have abortions. In 2024, nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/monthly-abortion-provision-study#interstate-travel" target="_blank">12,000 women went to Kansas and Illinois&nbsp;</a>to end their pregnancies.The state was the only side to call women to testify about their abortions, most of whom said they went on to regret them. This included a woman on Monday who said she obtained two medication abortions from the Planned Parenthood clinic in Columbia in 2012 and 2015, the second of which was followed by an emergency surgery to remove fetal tissue. The exact details of her medical issue were not detailed during her brief testimony.&nbsp;Pai-Thompson in closings characterized the state’s expert witnesses — which included a parade of doctors who oppose abortion —&nbsp;as unreliable advocates. She underscored the medical consensus among leading medical organizations that abortion is safe, telling the judge that abortions pose less risk than pregnancy or childbirth.&nbsp;Testimony from Planned Parenthood earlier in the trial detailed that roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/19/abortion-safety-missouri-amendment-trial-jackson-county/">1% of the more than 53,000 Missourians who received abortions</a>&nbsp;over the last 10 years in Illinois and Kansas experienced complications, ranging from infection to incomplete abortions to hemorrhaging.&nbsp;Planned Parenthood began the trial with Dr. Margaret Baum, chief medical officer with Planned Parenthood Great Rivers. She returned to the stand Monday to dispute the state’s characterization of women seeking abortions as being uncertain about their decision and easily coerced into abortion.&nbsp;“I find that infantilizing of my patients and of women in general,” Baum said. “Most of my patients who present for abortions already have been pregnant or already have children. They know exactly what it means to be pregnant.”Baum also disagreed with assertions from state witnesses that women often regret their abortions. She said her patients most frequently express relief. And when she tells people about her work in social settings, she hears abortion stories from other women, who express gratitude.&nbsp;“The most common thing people have said to me is ‘thank you,’” Baum said. “‘My abortion saved my life.’”